Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Still Wondering Why Atlanta is the Place to be? Here's Why

So you're probably still thinking, "why should I even make my way to Atlanta?" When we're not meeting and reuniting, what's there to do in that city anyway? Read this personal account of a current ATL dweller who has fallen so deep in love with the city. Who knows? After you come to the Reunion, you might just realize that you'd like to move here after all :)

The Beauty of Living in and Exploring Atlanta

I’ve gotten the opportunity to visit and temporarily reside in different cities in the United States, and a few other cities in the world. I haven’t enjoyed and felt more at home anywhere else but in Atlanta. While living in Northern Virginia, I had this sudden itch to move to Atlanta. I’m not sure if it was the Usher and Ciara craze at the time, or the rumor that way too much talent was grown and reared in the city, or just that I had some family there. For whatever reason, I longed to move to Atlanta.



I must say I’m not much of a “going-out” kinda girl, but I do my rounds once in a while; and there is just about everything you can imagine to do in Atlanta. My girls and I indulge in café runs occasionally to gist and dine out. We’ve done Café Intermezzo, Café Circa, Marlow’s Tavern and a number of other places. The serene, warm environment in cafes is kinda romantic. You don’t want to saunter in there too many times alone if you are single and desperately searching, if you know what I mean…’cos you’ll end up hating every couple you see afterwards. The outdoor drive-in cinema is of course quite different too. You can drive in with your friends and purchase some pop-corn and drinks while watching a movie from your car (if you own or hey, rent/lease a cool top-down convertible) or on some outdoor lounge chairs or fold-up seats. Talking about movies and cinemas, the AMC Fork and Screen theatre lets you enjoy a movie while having a bite. Talk about dinner and a movie!


 
Now if you are into shopping…most of us girls are. Atlanta boasts of several malls; outlet malls are not too far away either. You could do department stores, Marshalls or TJ Maxx, or higher-end stores like the Versaces and Guccis in Phipps Plaza. Feel free to let your hair down at a jazz lounge or two. Some amazing low-key musicians make their stop at Café Circa certain days each month. Tyler Perry shot a scene of his "Madea’s Family Reunion" in Apache Cafe…painters and poets’ night. I find it interesting.


 
The Centennial Olympic Park is a cool place to take a walk and see the singing fountain. I did watch a Beauty and the Beast play at the Fox Theatre a few months ago and LOVED it. Now when it comes to night life, don’t you dare mess with the A. Some y’all guys have said a thing or two about the behinds of Atlanta women. Hey, it wasn’t me. Just heard it through the grape vine…and no, I am not in the number. You’ve heard Usher sing about Georgia Tech women, baby! Ludacris stops by his restaurant Straits from time to time. Jermaine Dupri mentions Velvet Room quite often, maybe ‘cos he lives there. LOL! And there are many more, Compound, Tongue and Groove, Shout etc. So, whatcha waiting for??? Bring YOUR behinds out here. Be a part of the story; don’t just hear about it, shawwwwwwwwwwwwwwty!!!

-ATL Dweller

Alright people, as soon as she said "drive-in cinema," I was so sold.!I hope you are too. See you in the Peach City :)

For more info, visit:
http://www.starlightdrivein.com/#/movies/
{Image Credits: Usher, Alan Whiteman; Cafe Circa, Atlanta Restaurant Blog; Marlow's Tarven, The Dish; Apache Cafe, Creative Loafing}

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Share Your Memories II: IELC/DISS Teachers

Hey IELC and DISS alums. Today, Ifedi Odinakaeze, class of 1997, wrote on his Facebook wall: IELC/DISS Teachers's List:- Alpha Iwuoha, Giovanni Ineh, Bright Adawasi, Ogbonna Elekwa, Wilfred Nmaokei, Martha Ukoha (Mrs. Ineh), Geography teacher, Louis Onwuegbuchulam... ? Please I need help from our IELC/DISS Alums to complete this list. It is a long one!!!!


{Image Credit: Lightprincess}

Who are the teachers you remember from your time at IELC or DISS or both? Be sure to include what year you graduated. You just might get a prize :)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Airfare Deals!!!

If you're like me, you're cheap!!!! And you're always looking for ways to save a ton of money and still have fun. Kudos to you if you are an "akpa ego" and don't mind making it rain. For my fellow frugalistas interested in saving some bucks, we have some ideas on how you can save major bucks on airline tickets to the Reunion in Atlanta (July 1-3).



Here's how:
Getting low airfares (including BOOKING EARLY):

1. For getting alerts in your mailbox about low fares to your destination. Once it gets to below your budget, buy it!
http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/


2. For findng out the range of ticket prices around your time of travel, use:
http://www.bing.com/travel/. Scroll down to find dates with lowest fares.


3. Look for Jet Blue or Spirit Airlines. Sometimes, they have great deals.

Looking forward to hearing how you saved bucks AND still made it to the Reunion :)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Share Your Memories!!!

Hey Dority/IELC Alumni:

Share your cute (or not so cute..LOL) picture memories with us. C'mon put yourself out there!!! Give us something to laugh about, talk about and reminisce about. Let's have picture timelines that remind us of how far we've come-big heads and all :)


If you're in the picture above, please identify yourself :)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

You May Now Register...You're Welcome :)

Hey Dority-ites...LOL,

You may now register for the 1st ever Dority/IELC Alumni Reunion in North America at our official website. Please make sure to read the accommodation information and instructions on the "Travel" page to ensure that you take advantage of the $82.00 per night discount rate for all reunion attendees. Yup, I said $82 per night!!! So, you can pay the $82 yourself, split it 2 ways, 3 ways, 4 ways even, if you want to :) The hotel provides rooms with either a king bed or 2 double beds so take your pick.

The weekend registration rate is $75. This $75 will go towards a mixer/party, yummy finger food at the mixer, informative speakers, amazingly delicious food, entertainment, and a chance to dress up at a banquet. Most of all, the $75 is necessary to ensure that we provide a wonderful space for us all to show up, mix up and meet up.

We're working tirelessly behind the scenes because we can't wait to see you all! Oh yeah, please feel free to offer YOUR services as well if you're interested. We need y'all. LOL! If you have any special gifts or talents that you wouldn't mind sharing, please email us at diss.reunion@gmail.com, or just write a comment on this blog.

73 days and counting!!!