He's Interior Designing Me!

Okay!...So officially, the summer is winding down. Tomorrow begins August and I still don't have a job. I've lined up interviews with places like Victoria's Secret, The Limited, and Express. It's their hiring season and my app. was at the top of their list so I'm trying to juggle all of that and resuscitate my love for journalism as it has been dying with the days of summer (oh the insanity of it all! whatever shall I do? *Can we say drama queen?*) I have a degree and am looking for jobs in the mall...Journalism is pretty hard to get into and the magazines are not banging down my doors for interviews at all. I've spent all summer networking, emailing, writing, calling, stalking, and even rode up to NY for a 1 1/2 hr seminar. Needless to say, I was feeling down and not sure what my purpose in life was. So, I went for a drive...I ended up at Wal-Mart...bought some pretty stuff and went to bed rather early. Next day, I decided to go to Big Sis's house and take my mind off of things...again.

This morning, while at Big Sis's house, I received a phone call from another "big sis". We'll call her Big Sis T. Well, Big Sis T is a lawyer in Atlanta. I've always loved her style. Interior decorating, fashion, dance, music, relationships with Christ: I pulled a little from both of big sisters and created my own style.

Sidebar- I remember when they use to pray to close out dance rehearsals and it sounded like they were really having a real conversation with God...without the fluff....it helped make God more real to me...random....I know.

But, Big Sis T decided she was leaving her job as a lawyer to become an interior designer. That's great, right? What's even better...she needs someone to help her get started: business proposals, fabric company calls, photographers, run arounds, basically be a personal assistant. Guess why she called me? lol! So, I'd be living in her big beautiful house rent free!!! A car would be provided for my travels around Atlanta, a certain amount for gas each month, a decent paycheck each month, and I'd have my own room!!!! I can't believe it. All I have to do now is pray about whether or not this is what God wants..because I'm so ready to smell the roses or I guess in Atlanta, you'd bite the peaches?

Just a little too "fishy" for me!

I'm all for sacrificing for the sake of beauty. No pain, no gain. If you wanna be fine, gotta put in the time.

But after viewing this picture of women getting fish pedicures (the fish are nibbling the dead skin off of their feet), I realize that there are more beauty methods beside waxing that I just won't try.

CNN presents Black in America Pt.1 afterthought

Right now, Black America is talking.

After watching Pt.1 of the Black in America series on CNN, I am too. As I perused the many status updates on Facebook, I saw mixed feelings from many young people. Ashley thought it was the truth while Jessica thought it was okay but we need to learn more about Brother Malcolm and other pioneers. Kmele wished he could take back the few hours he spent watching it and Xavier, while tuning in, was eating red beans, cornbread and sausages.

EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion and I'm mainly happy that all these people tuned to watch it. People may have their critiques, good and bad, about how well CNN did personifying the Black struggle in the span of two hours. But, I don't think it should be the main subject of conversation. My question is...what now?

I believe that the point of these documentaries on CNN is to help spark change in the community. Journalists get the news and expose it for what it is and hope that they can alert the people to help out. After watching that documentary, I was reminded of all the dreams I've had for a long time for the Black community but because of my job/internship obsession, I'd pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind.

Seeing the Harlem man doing his best to take care of his kids while fighting to keep his apartment; seeing the little boy study hard for tests so that he could help his father with the bills; the woman in the hospital crying because she's tired of being sick; seeing the woman struggling to make ends meet with two jobs; I want to be in a position where I can help these people. I loved the Baltimore doctor's initiative and his VIP clients program. Tired of seeing Black men in and out of the emergency room, he initiated change in his community and there were products of that program with GEDs, jobs, and successful homes. It only takes one person. The documentary left me wondering about what I will do? What can I do? And not in the future but right now. I'm going to call the National Council of Negro Women. They're stationed in DC. They may need volunteers. What about you?

BTW, Angela Burt-Murray was so freakin' flawless and eloquent. I felt so proud to be a future member of the Essence team (I'm claiming my dream, don't hate! haha!)! I'm a proud Black woman who just got her hair done! Watch out!

Technical Difficulties Are the Worst!

I'm so sorry. Today's post is entitled "The Pageant Gospel Message" located underneath "The Sorbet Machine is Broken". Yesterday's was entitled "Keep Your Eyes on YOUR Prize" which shows up directly underneath this one. My postings and dates are all out of wack for some odd reason. Please bear with me! Thanks! Happy reading! :)

Keep Your Eyes on YOUR Prize

On Saturday, I visited a church with two friends. I was reluctant to go at first simply because of the "uppity" rep of the people there but something told me to go anyway. Needless to say, I believe that the Holy Spirit directed me there because I truly received a blessing. Anyhow, that's not the focus of today's discussion. Minutes after the preacher got up to speak, a young couple walked in and sat next to me. I recognized the girl from a cotillion program we were in together but figured she didn't remember me so I smiled politely and went back to focusing on the sermon.

Men...just so you know, females have some on point peripherals. We can see when you're trying to get our attention to holla or your annoying attempts to get attention after we've sooo moved on.

Lesson #1: If we "can't" see your attempts to get our attention while in our vicinity, it means we're ignoring you. Get it? Ignoring you.

All throughout the service, the couple was very touchy feely. The hand-holding during church wasn't that bad, but the groping of the knee, occasional touch on the thighs, and the blushing and giggling...it was a distraction, but I wasn't offended by it.

However, my friends and I did take offense to an arrogant, shameless move by the boyfriend. At some point in the sermon, he decided he wanted to check out the eye candy next to his girl so he took her hand in his (again) and bent forward for about 10 seconds to check us all out. Um..what? Dude, you're holding your girl's hand...in church. Are you high? He leaned forward 10 seconds longer than he should have. It's one thing to glance. But, brother man was staring...

When will brothers stop being so bold? Have some respect for your girl. When we (other females) see you checking us out while you're with your girl, it's a turn-off (for the decent ones). It means you'd do the same thing to us in a relationship. The women who get excited about a brother in a relationship checking them out, those are more than likely the ones to stay away from.

Now, it's okay to glance or even quickly admire because we are a beautiful specimen... but please don't gawk; Especially not with the girl.

Not a good look. Not a good look!

The Sorbet Machine is Broken

Technical difficulties...my videos won't post and I can not post my blog without these funny videos! Oh well. We'll try again monday! sorry :(

The Pageant Gospel Message

I heard Miss Black MD Alisha Jones on the radio a few days ago talking about her platform: the AIDS epidemic, the role music has played in her life, and the PhD she's currently obtaining in Ethnomusiciology. During her interview, she was dropping some knowlegde on the importance of academia and being in a position to document the experiences of our ancestors as well as the experiences that our Black brothers and sisters are facing now: good or bad. I'm sorry I can't remember everything she was talking about but I must say that my whole view of pageants has been turned around in a matter of a few years. I hated the idea of pageants when I was in high school. I thought they were shallow, pointless, and only reiterated ridiculous beauty stereotypes. While some of that still may be true, there is alot of positivity in pageants and alot of women whose lives can be changed for the better through the participation in one. As the current queen of my school, I can honestly say that being in a pageant changed my life for the better. I emerged as a stronger, better person from it and I learned how to multi-task, communicate effectively, and project my ideas in a way a woman should. I also perfected my little "social graces" and etiquette skills. I'm not completely transformed but there's a huge difference I can see and I wouldn't trade it for the world. In looking at the misfortunes of Miss America 2007 and 2008 (how embarrassing), I will say that we all agree with the gospel message: we fall down, but we get up! For a saint is just a sinner who fell down (but he didn't stay there! THANK YA!) and got up! lol.

Comedy Central: New Yorker Style

Now, I must say that I am a huge fan of Barack and Michelle Obama. What a beautiful team! Time and time again, they continue to impress me with their style, eloquence, comraderie, and experiences which have made them who they are today. I appreciate such a couple because their example has the power to ignite a spark in Black America displaying how there are Blacks who can successfully be committed to one another and be successful in other parts of their lives. A few days ago, I was combing through my many different emails that I hadn't checked since before I left for NY, I came across one in my spam box. It simply said "follow the link at the bottom." I clicked on the bottom and an article opened up with a very interesting picture. I further examined the parody that was meant to be a symbol of irony to the highest degree. Now, The New Yorker's defense was that they take the irony in situations and turn it into satirical comics for the cover. John McCain's team was quoted as saying it was "tasteless and offensive". I got the forwarded email that had previous comments like "Why do we let images and negativity like this pass by us without speaking up today?" and "FORWARD THIS MESSAGE AND LET'S STOP THIS BEFORE IT GETS WORSE FOR EVERYBODY, NOT JUST HIM!!!!"

Maybe I'm confused. Correct me if I am. But, I'll def. have to read the article before I say that New Yorker cover artist Barry Blitt is trying to bring the Black man down. This picture is crazy...but that was the whole point. In my opinion, what's tasteless and offensive...actually sad and telling, is the fact that John McCain can't recognize satire when he sees it. It was satire and I actually think Blitt did a good job. The title of the article is "The Politics of Fear" and Blitt was merely trying to capture all the "scare tactics and misinformation being used to try to derail Barack Obama’s campaign" and goes further to say that he thinks it's ridiculous that people would believe that the Obamas are unpatriotic and that picture is displaying the "fear-mongering ridiculousness” of their whole argument. I think he did a great job and I agree. Everything in that picture displays concepts that have been blown way out of proportion. The fist pump (come on!), Michelle Obama with her "unpatriotic statements", Obama having ties to Bin Laden (I bet it's the Bush camp that's spreading those rumors because they know that Bush and Bin Laden are best friends, trying to sabotage Obama) ; it's all really ridiculous. If there was offense taken by Black Americans, it seems to me that it's not being seen for what it is: classic satire.

And sistas, you may wanna get mad at Michelle Obama's hair...like...um...she def. has a perm not a fro! Not cool. But in actuality, the hair is the crowning glory to the Black Panther attire she's rocking signifying the whole "she unpatriotic and a Black Panther" rumor. lol. I think it's a great representation of all the foolishness that represents the entire struggle that Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have been facing for quite some time now. When taken out of context, people are bound to be upset. I could understand why. But, after taking in the context of the picture... I just see it as what it is: a great political satirical comic. I got the point. Did you?

Satire (n.)-Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity.

-Dictionary.com

Chastity Belts, Anyone? pt. 1

[This post comes in parts. Here's Pt. 1. Who knows when Pts. 2,3, and etc. come out]

I feel like a school teacher, but someone in this universe will come across my blog, read this entry, and it WILL save their life from potentially the biggest mistake ever.

If you're not married, DON'T HAVE SEX.

It's that simple.

The problem is so many people get themselves into situations where it's not simple to say no.

Everytime a man and a woman have sex, they become one. Their spirits (don't mean to sound superstitious) conjoin and therefore are mixed and mingled within each other. If they split up, their spirits are still married through the sex and both parties carry a piece of each other through life and to the next relationship. Here are a few old excuses:

Excuse #1- "I'm human. I'm weak."- You're right. Your MIND is weak. Not having sex may have to turn into a mind over matter thing for those people who have a hard time controlling their loins and want to hump everything that walks. Do something to divert your attention from having sex 24-7. Exercise. Paint. Pick up some kind of hobby. On top of that, have an "accountable" buddy. Someone who can check up on you and make sure you're exercising your mind properly. Sounds lame? Okay...(as I roll my eyes).

Excuse #2- "I use condoms" - Condoms may protect from 98% of STDs or whatever the stat is, but it won't protect you from the emotional breakdown that comes after sleeping with every Tom, Dick, and Harry while you sit heartbroken because you're still unable to fill that void.

Excuse #3- "I've been married before"- So! If you're not married to the person you want to have sex with, it doesn't matter. You're not married NOW.

Excuse #4- "My ish could fall off"- No. It's clinically impossible for anything to disintegrate or fall off simply because it's not being used in the way you'd prefer it to be.

I'm annoyed at how abstinence was preached to me. Abstinence is the way and the only way. Yet and still, the very same people who preached it to me and scared the living daylights out of me about it, can't practice it themselves.

This whole "Do I say and not as I do" mantra is so out. God didn't follow that foolishness. Everything he asked us to do, he went through it himself...and then some. If we are to be followers of God, we are to practice everything we preach, myself included. Therefore, if you men out there don't want your future daughters being pollinated by all these horny...I mean honey bees, practice what you preach. Be the example of the man you'd want your daughters to marry. But as far as I'm concerned (because of course, I want to be the change I want to see), continuing to stay focused on the bigger picture is what will get me through the moments when I want the affections of a boo. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm single because I choose to be. I know of a few Oakwoodites who, to be honest, are ready to wife me up, impregnate me, and have me walking around with swollen ankles and five kids. Crazy, uh? But because I know that there's a higher calling for me and that it's more than just the physical, I can politely say no thank you.

There's a group on Facebook with a title that's actually quite funny:"I'm Saving Myself for Wild, Passionate, Awkward Honeymoon Sex". Not everyone is doing the wild thang, horizontal polka, or whatever pet names people have for sex. It's time to learn some self-control.

Come on, people.

Haute Hethen

{I'm having major writer's block.}
Growing up, I wasn't allowed to wear nail polish (not even clear) or jewelry. Thing is...it never was a big deal to me. I enjoyed playing with nail polish a little but, if Mom said to take it off, it wasn't that deep to me, I could do so without feeling cheated or curious. Never quite understood why, but it was okay. I was content without it.
When I got older, I was allowed to wear "modest" nail polish but still no jewelry. Jewelry was in that category where I could do it if I wanted to but not until I was 18. lol. But it wasn't until a yr. ago that jewelry entered my little fashion closet.

At 22, I now enjoy manicures, pedicures, and the cutest little trinkets I randomly find. Since it's summer, I enjoy putting the brights on my tootsies. Everyone loves Rihanna's brightly colored talons, but I prefer a more natural look for the manis with my nails filed into the square shape.

Right now, I have this cute color on called "Make Love" by OPI. It almost looks purple but it's actually a really pretty pale pink.

{Disclaimer: Yes, I am a walking advertisement for OPI. It's my fav}

Brights go well for summer of course. And unlike my post a few wks. ago about Forever 21, I would like to say that although they're not the greatest place for clothes...for me...I must admit that I appreciate the jewelry. The yellow bracelet is my new one. It's exciting, isn't it?

And yes, I plan on learning Photoshop.

Broken to be Made Whole?

After a great four day weekend in NYC, last night I came back to the MD. The Chinabus is run by the Chinese mafia so I was glad to get off in the random bus alley in DC. AKA umbrellas with annoyingly excited pink and green women underneath them were everywhere (AKAs celebrate 100 yrs in DC)(not too big a fan besides I'm too dark for the likes of them...haha) and my ride, who was supposed to pick me up from the Shady Grove subway station, texted me the times for the 55 bus...while it was pouring rain...oh and 11:30 at night. Talk about a welcome home.

You know you're stressed when you can feel the strain on your body. Not only that, you know you're stressed when you start thinking of very colorful language you'd wish to express but because you've been saved...you can't. That's on that serious emotional build-up tip, for real. I keep reminding myself that I'm being broken to be made whole. So because I'm being broken right now, the most random, unpredictable conflicts will come simply because I must learn how to handle them. But, how much more broken can a sista get? How much do you take before you say enough is enough?

Look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...

(Sidebar*I wish people would stop the "a bad negro" joke. It's old).

A preacher presented the question of how the boys got in the fire. The people who turned it up seven times hotter dropped dead because of the heat. So if they dropped dead, how did the boys get in? The speaker used that example as textual support for his point that we must being willing to be broken so much so that we will walk into the situation ourselves because God's glory will be revealed in the end. I'm not that strong and I'm trying to figure out if God is asking me to be that strong. Sometimes, God wants us to endure certain things and sometimes, he allows certain things to continue happening because we haven't learned how to handle it yet...either that or we haven't built the courage to shut it down.

When my friend and I were leaving Times Square, in the subway, we saw a police officer yelling at a young Black girl(maybe around 16-17). The scary part was that her mouth was filled with blood and she was still screaming at the officer. The officer was trying to convince her that the other guy was arrested and now she needed to follow instructions. Who was the "other guy"? After passing the screaming officer and girl, we went up three steps and saw two police officers pinning a young Black guy to the wall. Apparently, he punched the girl. I immediately felt anger rising within. A man hitting a woman is so inexcusable. I've known women who were physically and sexually abused by men and it just makes me get angry with men. But that night, it was a little different.

I was still angry at the guy but then I thought to myself (and later verbalized to my friend), if she really cared about herself, she wouldn't have allowed this to happen. If she carried herself a certain way, no crazy guy would be able to think that he could treat her any old way. Not excusing what he did, mind you, but I keep repeating this and I'm speaking to myself as well...we have to teach people how to treat us. Even though I'm a Christian, I'm not a doormat. Even though I'm a nice person, I'm not weak. Even though I'm young, I'm not a child.

My question to the preacher is how much is enough? Is it after they try to kill you that you'll gain respect like the three Hebrew boys? If that's the case, why so far? People respected the Hebrew boys enough to see that their lifestyle was worth adapting. But, where is the line drawn?

I'm willing to be broken, but I don't want to be next crazy girl screaming in the street simply because I took too much crap from someone and am broken beyond repair.

If Life is a Runway...

I just recently bought the “Sex in the City” soundtrack. I usually don’t buy soundtracks and until recently, hadn’t purchased a CD in a minute. As I was listening to the CD on the drive home, in one of the songs, I faintly heard the phrase “life is a runway”. 

I heard that somewhere before but in the car, it got me to thinking. The metaphor was interesting. Runways are used in fashion shows. Runways display all the models who in turn display the fabulous clothes. So, if life is my runway, what I chose to do with my life represents the fabulous clothes worn. I’m the model …what the heck have I been wearing? Hahaha!

But you know…a lot of times, actually most times, models don’t get to choose what they wear. After watching hours upon hours of Top Model, one learns that it’s literally thirty seconds to change, and then it’s time to visit the catwalk again. They don’t get to examine what they’re wearing or change it to their liking…because it’s not about them. Ultimately, they’re the hanger that displays the designers’ best pieces.

So…if life is a runway, and I’m the model, God’s the designer?  Yeah that’s it.

See, because if I wanted to be a model, I knew ahead of time there were certain things that come with the territory. It’s a fabulous industry but I have to put in the time before I can…shine (ugh. sorry, I hate rhyming at inappropriate times). And it was my choice to enter the “modeling industry” , so I knew that it would be tough. I knew that the Designer would put me in “outfits” that I may not care for or put makeup on me that I didn’t think was all the way flattering but through it all, I was working for the top Designer and He wouldn’t steer me in the wrong direction. Therefore, I had to sell it like it was the best thing since Rita’s Ice. Because, at the end of the day…it wasn’t about me. It was about the Designer and what He was trying to get people attracted to. So, even though inside I may not be pleased with the outfit or the makeup, or the location, or the people, I’ve gotta work it. Because I signed up to be a model…and being fly is what a model is all about. So I’ll be fly and one day I can fly!J haha. Get it? Ok…maybe not….silly brain fart. *until next time* be sweet*

Stop Straddling the Child!...I mean fence(nervous laugh)

As we all know, R. Kelly was found not guilty on all 14 counts of child pornography. The verdict is so disturbing to me simply because everyone knows he's guilty but because of the heinously flawed judicial system we have (ref. Fifty flaws), people who are caught on tape doing crimes can get away with it nowadays. I never saw the tape but I heard from people who did see it that there wasn't a shadow of a doubt; it was def. R. Kelly in that tape. R. Kelly holds a record of having a warped fascination with younger woman i.e. Aaliyah, Reshonda Landfair (the one in the video and his goddaughter). Jim DeRogatis, writer for The Chicago Sun-Times, wrote the in-depth 3000 word piece for GQ Magazine a while back showing Kelly's sick obsession with underage girls. I feel horrible for the girl in the video. I don't want to watch that video and I find it so sickening that Dave Chapelle found humor in the story to put it on his show. This goes to show how much women are disrespected. R. Kelly's "not guilty" verdict is a slap in the face to women everywhere. "Not guilty" says it's okay for a grown man to sleep with a underage girl...as long as he doesn't get caught. "Not guilty" says it's okay for a grown man to urinate a girl's mouth...as long as he doesn't get caught. "Not guilty" says it's okay for a grown man to disrespect a woman so much so to the point where she feels her worth is her sexual ability...just as long as he doesn't get caught.

The awkward title comes in because I feel like I'm straddling the fence on the issue simply because Eboni Barnes of Essence Magazine wrote an article ( http://www.essence.com/essence/lifestyle/voices/0,16109,1817739,00.html?xid=062708--CNN-RKellyBlackMenProtest) about how Black men have "rejected" R. Kelly. I guess by rejecting him they have revoked his "Black man" card. Kinda hard to do; but a journalist and a professor at Spelman College joined forces and created a petition, which now has over 1000 signatures, stating that they won't stand behind this kind of verdict for a man who is clearly guilty and who has clearly disrespected women time and time again. I'm straddling the fence because I appreciate the sentiment behind the petition. I truly do. Black men need to stand up for what is right...together.

(here it comes) BUT, why now? Furthermore, why just R. Kelly? Black women are disrespected everyday. It's such a common occurence and at this point, I have to point my "oh-so-needing-a-manicure" finger at Black Entertainment Television industry. Heck, sue them all! Draw up a petiton to shut the station down. Nothing good is coming out of BET. BET Jazz is the decent part of BET that can remotely make Blacks proud of a station representing them (which btw has the privilege of being run by none other than President Paxton Baker...yes, the brother of Oakwood Universty President Delbert Baker! Oakwood University- my alma mater*smile*)

But seriously, don't just stop with R. Kelly. He's just the surface layer of a serious issue of the lack of respect for Black women. I know that there's something I can do to make things better on a grander scale; just haven't figured out what. In the meantime, I'll continue being the change I want to see (*smile*). Simple things like not giving in to the "mini-dress" craze aka wearing things that will get the negative attention that women swear they don't want (is it just me or does it seem like all of a sudden, it's "OK" to wear minis that literally cover just the behind? I've been seeing that alot lately...in church). Simple things like having confidence in myself and knowing how far to take things with young men. Teaching people how to treat me if necessary- aka my name's not "hey girl" or "ms." If you don't know me, don't approach me like you do. Sounds harsh, but something's gotta give.

Maybe I am on the fence with this one...or maybe I'm not.

On another day, I'll share the theory a few friends and I came up with freshman yr. in undergrad which proves that everything R. Kelly did was premeditated and he reveled in it....shamelessly.

The Excitement of a Photoshoot!

I bought my tickets for the seminar and for the bus ride and so I'm headed to NYC on Thursday! I'm very excited about what I'll get to learn and the magazine editors who will be at the seminar! I have so much to do in order to get ready but, right now...there's something a little more important!

Today is the day. My youngest sister takes her senior pictures. She's so excited! Since I've been at the computer, she's consulted me twice about two diff. outfits; yesterday, I received a picture message on my phone of what her nails looked like; I just overheard my dad telling her she looked stunning *she's probably curling her hair* and I'm going as moral support. When I was in high school, I was looking forward to taking those pictures since my freshman year! lol. My mom had this banquet dress that had the same type of shawl look as the formal senior picture (except hers was a deep purple, lol). I used to try it on in the mirror and imagine what my hair would look like and how everything would turn out. Kinda lame. But in my defense: ...I was excited! My "big sis" Karen came with me for female moral support and I was really happy about that. And then in the years that followed, I was in attendance for Dionne's (the middle sister) senior pictures...and now...it's Debi's turn. I'm sure that everything will turn out fine.

But looking back to when I was a high school senior, I remember feeling on top of the world. I just knew I was doing it because I graduated from HS. Litte did I know how much growth, change, and maturity I would go through in college. I'm grateful for all my different experiences, but I think I appreciated college the most because it taught me some valuable lessons and showed me how clueless I truly was in high school. But, it's still sweet to have that naivete in high school. You're supposed to. Can't grow up too quickly...

Debi's got alot planned for her senior year though! She's on the step team. She's going to be doing Dreamgirls (spring musical)...I hope she gets the part of Effie. She has it in her to pull it off decently. And my favorite part: She's on the school newspaper staff. She's an editor of one of the sections and she has her own "Dear Abby" section entitled "Ask Coco Chanel". I'm so excited for her articles to come out and can't wait to read them! If she gets focused this school year, she'll do well. I'm praying for her and you should too :)

Sleeping with the Enemy

Anne Hathaway is one of my favorite actressess. She starred in The Princess Diaries 1 and 2. She was brilliant in both. I particularly prefer 2 over 1 and was really mad when someone stole my copy in college (never let randoms borrow your movies. they won't return them).

Her style, her looks, her mannerisms, and her graceful nature mirror that of Audrey Hepburn. I went to see her in Get Smart which was different from the typical princess she plays, and I thought she did a really great job. The movie was funny and her wardrobe was on point! Even though she played a government agent, she never let go of that timeless gracefulness which made her character so flawless!

I also bought the InStyle Magazine with her on the cover. After reading the article, I feel in love with not only her life, but with love. I swore up and down that I couldn't see myself married. After reading the article, I was convinced that I wanted to get married someday (the power of good journalism, I tell ya!). Although she wasn't married to her boyfriend, Raffaelo Follieri, and was moving in with him (not something I really agree with), their relationship seemed so amazing. He had an amazing 5th ave. apartment where the rent was $37,000 a month (wow). She cooked orecchiete (ear shaped pasta) for him and they threw serious dinner parties for diff. guests. They hobnobbed with the likes of Bill and Hilary Clinton and were the cutest globetrotters. I know that's not all marriage is about but shoot, it sure was a beautiful dream...that turned into a nightmare.

I was in Wal-Mart last night and as I normally peruse the magazine section, I came across the most disturbing headline in People Magazine. The headline said "The Princess and the Con-Man" and on the front cover was Anne Hathaway. Apparently, Follieri was involved in a huge scam where he allegedly lied, cheated, and stole millions of dollars and he did all this by saying he was the CFO to the Vatican. He faces up to ten years of prison time if convicted. Sources say that Anne knew nothing of this nightmare.

I guess my whole thing is... you think you know someone; And after being in a relationship for four years and something like this surfaces, what happens? Talk about major trust issues. I want to believe in love but my goodness. I literally almost screamed when I saw the front cover. I feel so sorry for Anne Hathaway. No lie, I was planning on writing about how I had a desire to get married after reading that article (kinda weird), but inside I was feeling all warm fuzzy like "aww, I love love!" Man, whatever. That is soo sad. You think you know someone and then after 4 years, you learn that you've been sleeping with the enemy...literally.

Revelations, Rememberances and Raspberry Radio

This is the second Sunday that I'm writing :)

Revelations-

Yesterday, I had an amazing time at AEC Campmeeting in Pine Forge, PA and am so grateful for the worship experience under the Young Adult tent. The praise team and band were phenomenal. Excellet song choices - You're Worthy to be Praised- def. one of my favs. Eric Thomas, a pastor in Michigan spoke a powerful message on being broken to be made whole. I have to find out if there's a DVD of that message. I would love to hear it again! It put some things into perspective for me and showed me what stage I'm at in my walk with Christ and how I'm def. being broken right now and I'm also being humbled. Praise God!

Rememberances-

Until two years ago, I used to stay the ten days. An editorial internship stopped that tradition last year and I had no desire anymore to attend campmeeting. Yesterday reminded me of how much fun I use to have with my friends and fam and how great it was to see people I hadn't seen in a really long time.

Raspberry Radio-

It's now in effect. I haven't quite figured out how to get it to play as soon as the page loads. So, I'm really sorry but as of now, if you want to hear the music, you'll have to press play on the radio player (lol). Don't worry though! I'll figure it out! I put a few newbies and oldies on there for your listening pleasure! Raspberry Radio is located on the left side of this site. Scroll all the way down past the pictures and logo and voila! So enjoy:

Nikki Ross- "Total Praise"

Chrisette Michele- "Girl Respect Yourself"

Andrew Sisters- "Rum and Coca Cola"

Kevin Michael- "It Don't Make No Difference"

Tamia- "Officially Missing You"

Roger Jr. and India Arie- "Wonderful Beautiful Amazing

J Moss- "Praise on the Inside"

Sizzling Summer Strands

Okay, so it's the beginning of July and I made a promise to myself that I would not press my hair for the entire summer for a few reasons:
a.) the heat is damaging
b.) the hair on my neck is irritating
c.) I have natural hair and should find better ways to rock it
d.) I'm trying to allow it to grow
I've had natural hair my entire life and when I was younger, my mom hooked me up with cute coifs of braids, twists, beads, and guess what? no presses. So today's blog is dedicated to the great styles of summer time that don't include a hot comb or flat iron, and won't make women dodge at the first sign of humidity.
This is the token natural hair style. For girls who actually don't mind the hair on their neck, this is a great style to play with and not worry about frizzies detering the style. Part hair into four sections and depending on the amount of hair, seperate into two twists or one large twist. Alcohol based gels are not the best to use since they dry out the hair. A good alternative is Let's Jam moisturizer or Smoothing Milk by Garnier Fructisse. Mix with a little water (optional). Wrap with silk scarf and keep in overnight. Take out in the morning and tousle with fingers or wide tooth comb!

This style is one of my favorites. After washing hair, towel dry hair and allow moisturizer to sit for about a half an hour (keep hair wrapped in towel). Use hard rollers with the elastic attachment so that hair doesn't come out of place. Repeat process on entire head after creating an optional part. Leave-in Conditioner or Lottabody Styling products are great to saturate the hair so that the curls stay in place but are still lightweight. Sit under dryer for about an hour and a half or leave in over night. Carefully take out rollers in the direction you want it to go. Lightly loosen and you're good to go!

After hair is washed and blowdried with a comb, use a light oil or lightweight grease to moisturize scalp and brush hair up toward the middle. After french braiding the hair down the middle, pin hair once the nape is reached, and wrap hair in a ponytail holder. Create individual twists and by using bobby pins, pin the hair into a bun. If hair is too thin to create a full bun, use the good ole' sock trick (cut the toe of a black sock/roll into shape of a donut/wrap hair around it) and you're good to go!

This style takes the steady hand of a braider to do the cornrows at the top of the head. After braiding rows on the left and right, braid another layer of cornrows underneath the top rows. Make sure not to braid the hair all the way to the tips. Leave about 1/2 the length of the strand unbraided. Use LottaBody Setting Foam or Setting Lotion (foam is better) on the ends. Then use skinny sponge rollers or flexi rods on the ends. Repeat this process all around the head. Sit under dryer for about an hour and a half or leave rollers in head overnight. Take out and play with curls but not too much because you want it to last!

No press 'n curl this summer!!!!!
Photos courtesy of Essence.com.

Ode to the Unnoticed

Through a show entitled Real Life Divas, the BET Jazz channel honors beautiful Black women who have been in the public eye, but who alot of times, aren't recognized as often as they should be. A few wks. back, they honored Susan L. Taylor. Okay, so I admit I was a little misty-eyed simply because I love her story, her lifestyle, and her "In the Spirit" column. She speaks to me like no other writer does.

Anyhow, tonight it was about the wonderful, beautiful, talented, and soulful Tamia! My attention was diverted for half the show (my dad likes to talk alot during shows). Even so, I did hear Eric Benet sum up the essence of Tamia's voice so perfectly. "Tamia's voice is the perfect mix of purity and strength." How true! I couldn't have said it better myself. With soul-stirring staples like "I'm so into you", "Stranger in My House" and "Still in love with you", Tamia has etched her way into the hearts of so many but since her diagnosis with MS along with nurturing a family, her singing career has taken an understandable back seat. I reflected back and remembered that one summer when Tamia got me through my third little "heartbreak" (even though I wasn't in love for real) with "Officially Missing You". Boy, that song was on repeat all summer long! lol. I also thought about when "Still in love with you" came out and how I pictured myself singing that to my husband at our wedding! Cough...mi mi mi mi mi! Don't think I could if I tried now:(

Remember when Tamia sang "Tomorrow" at one of the BET Gospel award shows? Despite the occasional pitch problem, it was great! Her voice is ...the perfect mix of purity and strength...the perfect mix for a perfect delivery of the gospel message (well, I guess if you factor in the pitch problems, it's not so perfect, but who is?....beside Beyonce)

Wish I could pull out my Tamia CDs and take a trip down memory lane, but after G. Craig Lewis came out, I threw out alot of my secular CDs and I think Tamia's was one of them... Crap... Stupid fanatical phase...I'l have to double check though.

Fact of the matter is that Tamia will always be one of my fav. singers. :)

And I finally figured out how to upload videos from Youtube thanks to cousin Nikki! And so here's Tamia singing "So Amazing" by Luther Vandross! Enjoy and Happy 4th!

Land of the free, Home of the Brave

It's 11:31 pm and I'm exhausted. Today was such an eventful day. The only reason I'm staying up a little longer is because I need some Soul Food (the show) in my life...it's a guilty pleasure of mine. I have Seasons 1-3 on DVD and am waiting for Season 4. :) ...

Today, I hand delivered my resume to Sara Levine of Washingtonian Magazine. In my quest of applying for editorial internships for the fall, alot of the deadlines are quickly approaching and alot of the ones in DC are not listed on Ed2010. So, I've been searching the papers, websites, and flyers to make sure I don't miss anything. What I decided to do was spruce up my presentation skills and send more of a "artist portfolio" style application package. I made it look really pretty and unforgettable courtesy of Kinko's! Following that, I took the bus to the subway and took the subway straight to L Street in DC. When I got to the top of the escalator from underground, I stepped on to the main sidewalk and had to stop. I literally felt like I was in New York. I guess I forgot that DC is a major city and was looking at the fact that I didn't make to the city of my choice. Seeing all the different people going God knows where, reminded me of something I had forgotten: I'm in a land of opportunity...literally. The United States, although we don't particularly care for the state of the economy right now, is a land of opportunity. It's up to me to take advantage of what's in front of me. So even if I don't get the internship with The Washingtonian, there are still other places that need editorial interns and more importantly, they need Danielle LaTouche!

Speaking of America, I cannot forget what I saw in the nail shop today (after my trek to DC, my feet were killing and needed some TLC). Brian Williams of NBC reported a story of a woman in Denver, CO who had to sing the National Anthem at an important political ceremony. She had the brilliant idea to sing it the way she felt it should be expressed coming from her point of view. So, she sang the Black National Anthem...to the tune of the National Anthem...Can we say hot mess? Needless to say, there were quite a few white people who were very upset and very offended by it. After looking at her website (http://www.renemarie.com/) I'm not surprised. Somebody on the planning committee could've seen something like this coming. The following link is the link to the news clip on the story and the video features her "creative expression"!!!!!

http://cw2.trb.com/news/kwgn-state-of-city-flap,0,2520287.story