Friday, July 20, 2012

Who They REALLY Are! An example..

This is a blog that I posted on another site dated March 18, 2010. To see original post visit http://shine.yahoo.com/shine/who-they-really-are-an-example-1173284.html


Who They REALLY Are! An example..


You know, I am alll about positivity! Positive thoughts, positive energy, positive images! I believe that it is what we think about ourselves that makes us who we are because its embedded in our hearts. Thats why it saddens me everytime I turn on the tv or I read the news its always about negative things. More specifically, about the negative image that is portrayed about African American men. 
Today I read a story about a charter school in a "tough" neighborhood in Chicago, where the ENTIRE senior class has been accepted into a four year college or university. Read the story here. My heart was elated!! This school is an all male institution with all African American students. It's rare that we would even hear about something like this. So I couldn't help but feel over-joyed for these young men.
But my excitement comes from where? I am thrilled about anyone who is at an disadvantage becase of the disproportion of lower income and high crime rates (hence myself) that go on to beat the odds of pursuing their dreams by going to college, but its NEVER talked about! African American men have been stereotyped for years and years that the most they can become are baby daddies of several women, pants saggin, weed smoking, noncontributors to this society. And if they do make something of themselves, they're only proned to be athletes and rappers! This is CRAZY!!! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I come from a city (a suburb of chicago ironically) where that is the majority of what you see...but my point is they are all not that way! I learned that myself when I first stepped foot on my alma mata back in 2001, through the friendships I have now with black men. And I'm seeing it here! That is why I am sharing this story to everyone I can! To dispell the rumor and thought that we can't do anything like this.
It is my hope that more stories alike will continue to get its shine! And that these young men get all the publicity that they can out of this. This is what we should be talking about!! This is what should make the homepage of Yahoo!. Young men who are on the road to making a difference. I will continue to talk about it, post on my facebook page, and use as an example that young black men are more that what the media portrays them to be. It is also my hope that younger black boys will see this, and believe that they too can do the same! Congratulations Fellas!!


Old...Before 30!!!!

This is a blog I wrote on another site dated March 1, 2010. To see the original post visit http://shine.yahoo.com/shine/old-before-30-980158.html


Old...Before 30!!!!!


You know, when people would tell me your body goes thru a lot of changes right around the 30 year old mark I laughed at them! Not because I didn't necessarily believe them, but because at the time I wasn't anywhere NEAR 30 and of course I thought "I'll be fine. That won't happen to me!" Boy, I couldn't have been more WRONG!! Some examples: 

~~This past weekend was a sure reminder that my days of "stomping with the big dogs" are done!! And by that I mean, hanging out all hours of the night only to have to wake up early the next morning. I have had non stop headaches since yesterday because of lack of sleep!! And as much as I would like to be like Jamie and blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol, one glass of wine normally doesn't cause this agony! And when I do manage to hang, I'm yawning endlessly and watching the clock to see what time it is!! Even when I'm havin fun!! Makes absolutely no sense!! 

~~I used to be able to eat anything thing I want with out the fear of embarrassing myself thru the release of bodily gasses!! I'm originally from Indiana, so White Castle hamburgers were one of the many foods I grew up on loving. Everyone else around me used to complain about how it gave them the BGs, made them pass gas and all that! Not me..no siree! UNTIL, my last trip back home over Christmas! I got a taste of what everyone else was talking about! NOT a happy camper!! So I'm thinking either it really was the White Castle, or the yearssss of Karma coming back on me for always teasing my college roommate/BFF for her lil "problem". Lets just say it reminded us of Simba's roar!! LOL!! 

I don't know! The mere thought of turning 30 kind of frightened me cause I thought, well there goes the end of my youth! There goes my ability to act silly and goofy without being looked at like I'm crazy. There goes my ability to drop it like its hott! They say 30 is the new 20 but I'm not so sure I agree with that! And it doesn't help that all my friends are the EXACT same way! What makes it so bad is that I still have a couple more years until I can claim the ripe old age! I'm not gonna diss it though. Each trip I make around the sun is a blessing..shoot, each day I wake up!! I just hope I can find the energy from somewhere, and my internal organs will go back to the way they were!! :)

V-Day...What To Do???


This is a blog I did on another site dated February 13, 2010..to see original blog (with some interesting comments..lol..) visit http://shine.yahoo.com/shine/v-day-what-to-do-654900.html

V-Day...What to do???

Sooo..I'm single! (What else is new!) and by some singles, valentines day is viewed as the dreaded holiday!! With the exception of some that are glad to be free from ridiculous relationships...but me...uummmm, nah not really! I mean, I've had my moments from previous valentines days' where I despised anything lovey dovey, but thats not the case this year...thank GOD!!

So even though I'll more than likely still be single come Sunday I REFUSE to sit up and be depressed and sad and feel lonely just because I'm not spending it with anyone in particular. So I need some ideas on what to do. I have a few things in mind but not sure if they'll exactly happen..
  • Just stay home..glass of wine and a good movie should take my mind of things right?...nah
  • Go out to dinner with some of my other single girlfriends..but thats IF they're not boo'ed up! you never know with those girls!!
  • I live in Dallas and since it is the nba all star weekend going on, snag a cutie while I'm out and about in hopes that we'll have a spontaneous valentine day rendezvous!....not sure about that either...too many crazies out here! and they often want something I AIN'T giving up!
  • Go to dinner alone and try not to gag at all the other couples out there! LOL!!! I would totally be hating!

I have 2 days to decide what I wanna do. Last year I had the bomb valentines's day. My BFF and I were on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico! That was soo much fun..but it was a little weird! We were worried people would think we were "together"! So this year I was hoping that things would continue on the up and up, but it seems like now, its back to the same ol' random valentine's day. Nothing special, nothing significant!


IDK yall! we'll see how this goes! I'm not upset about it, but it would be nice to do something fun and different...ah well, another year, another Valentine's Day..and its just Me! Which shouldn't be that bad, right?!?!

HMMMMMM....

This is a blog I wrote on another site dated January 25, 2010...to see original blog, visit http://shine.yahoo.com/shine/hmmmm-575347.html

HMMMM....

I spent a little while trying to come up with what can I actually write as my first blog..and this one thing keeps coming to mind...MEN!!! I can go on and on and on about this topic...number one, I just absolutely LOVE them! I believe they are one of God's greatest creation! and number two, i guess i'm at a place where I actually WANT a BF! I feel like I'm at a good place in my life where I would be ready for one. I use to spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was wrong with me! Now I know, there is nothing wrong with me, per se...but there is a reason for my singleness! Maybe, there are some things God wants me to accomplish first...maybe there are still more things I need to learn about myself before I'm forced to deal with someone elses self...or maybe its not me at all, its him (where ever he is) that isn't ready! But after all that thinking, I always come back to God knows whats best!..and I rest in that. I don't hate being single...the grass isn't always greener on the married side of life either! There are pros and cons to both. But I'm really enjoying my singleness..the independence..the coming and going as I please...the not having to answer to another human being...I LOVE it! But I would be lying to myself if I were to say that I didn't want to experience the other side either. Once of my homegirls recently told me that this (refering to my new job) could be a sign of better things to come! And quite honestly, she was right! I've had a lot of new things happen in just the first 25 days of this year! The meeting of a potential BF just hasn't happened yet. So I'm still waiting Lord! LOL!! But in the meantime, I'm alright with being single and ready to mingle!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Back to Reality!!!

so now that the holidays are over, what do you do!!! a few things for me....back to work (ugh)...re-evaluate finances (too much money on presents)...lose the holiday pounds (i TOTALLY ate too much)...and finally START ALL OVER!!!

by start all over, its what it sounds like, start over!!! that was my plea! i needed a fresh start with everything! with my money, my health, and God!! and i must say my fresh start with God has been the most rewarding!! when i thought i didn't have the power to change some of the things going on with me, He told me that i did, and gave me the direction to so do!! so my theme this year...TRANSFORMATION!!! the peace and joy i have right now is indescribable! thats real!

i really believe i am living my best life at this moment (nooo not Oprah's best life). not to say things will get worse the moment the clock strikes 12, but as far as today goes... i'm happy!! and now that i have a new mind, i am ready to embrace all the wonderful (and not so wonderful) plans God has for my life!!!


Song: Prodigal Son by Tye Tribbett

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

JOY!!!!!


this is truly my favorite time of year!! its just something about Christmas that puts me in a good mood!! the decorations, the christmas cookies, family gatherings, watching a charlie brown christmas...it just sends my happiness into overdrive!!
as a kid, christmas was one of those holidays i looked forward to, but at the same time was something i dreaded. you know back then, it was all about what you got!!! i had the christmases where i got a lot, the ones where i got a little, and the ones where i got nothing!! (and it wasn't because santa thought i was naughty!!) each year was a surprise cause i never knew which one it was gonna be. kinda embarrassing nonetheless!! it was hard some days...but like everything else, it passed.

those were the times that molded me into who i am today. very appreciative of what i have and not taking anything for granted...knowing that the little i do have can be gone in a heart beat....helping others who may be less fortunate. it also set a tone of how i want my family to be when i get married and have kids...starting new traditions and carrying on some old ones. i finally saw the movie "This Christmas", and it set the perfect tone of what i would like...a christian based family, though they have their struggles, they stick together no matter what!!

most importantly, though everything i absolutely love about this time, i have to put more focus into what its really about....celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! with out him, i would not have the joy and peace that surrounds this holiday. so my goal, this year, even though i am grateful to have a family to have christmas dinner with, a christmas tree, and the means to buy my own christmas gift if i don't get one from someone else :), is to celebrate the love of Christ, whom without Him, there would be no reason to this season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!

Song: This Christmas, by hmmm... take your pick: Chris Brown or the classic Donny Hathaway!!




Tuesday, November 11, 2008

HBCU Experience...


TU..U KNOW!!!! one of the many chants done by the students and alumni at Tuskegee University, a historically black college in Alabama. i had the pleasure of visiting my first HBCU for Homecoming this past weekend with my friend, and i had a ball!! being from Indiana, i didn't have the choice of going to a HBCU..1) because there weren't any in the state..from what i know there are 2 in Ohio, but didn't know until it was too late..and 2) i simply just couldn't afford it!! if you're gonna go to a well known HBCU, you gotta head south and east, and i wasn't feeling the out of state fees.

Being among the people down there really felt good! they all took such pride in their school! i wish i had that! it made me wish i could have went there..but it worked out best that i didn't cause i think it would have been a lil longer before i got to know Jesus!! LOL!! i don't think my priorities would have been about the right...all about a social life..school...what!! but there are people who go and get it done in 4 years, so i guess i could have done it..who knows! the campus was beautiful!! you get a really good historic vibe, but still very in tune with today's day and age. i got to see the birth home of Booker T. Washington which is on the campus...seeing all the greeks represent their frat was entertaining...and listening to the band get the crowd hype at the football game, that was all i needed! HBCU's are all about the band!!

now the social life...wow!! all the parties we went to were off the hook!! people came out dressed all nice but still did their thang on the dance floor!! as did we!!! we had a lot of fun! it has to be fun seeing people you haven't seen in a while..whether its one year or ten years...thats what homecoming is all about! being at the parties dancing and clowning with my girlfriends, scoping out cute guys, and laughing at each other all night made it the best time for me. i had a blast!