I knew I'd Come around...

So...it's kind of interesting how well I know myself. After graduating, it was kind of weird because I felt like I was floating in an abyss...I was unsure/uncertain about a lot of things...namely doing the school/studying thing all over again. But something changed this week... (maybe it was my new body wash...lol.) I'm actually excited about moving...and doing this whole school thing again.

I will say the one thing I am NOT excited about is where I will be living. Even when I went to tour the darn place, I knew I'd probably end up living there, but I didn't want to.... Talk about complete and utter downgrade... I don't know if the worse part is I'll have a "twin" bed ..!!! aaaah or No washer and dryer!!! I really cant figure out which is worse. I'll just have to make it through the year and then upgrade and never compromise that again! :sigh:

As for the new "city," hmm...I can't really say much about it. First of all, there seems to be a lot of car break ins...I don't know if this happens a lot in ATL or not, but geesh...who actually breaks into cars. Thats crazy, sounds like idle kids with nothing to do.

So today my parents decided to ask me random questions about the move and all...When I told them it was ~9 hours, they both just stared at me...lol. Honestly, I'm not sure if my car is going to make it. I had this dream/fantasy that my parents were going to surprise me with a car after graduation/before I left....so now that the summer is winding down, I don't think a car is coming...lol. What was I thinking...Anyways..I love my car, but it is SOOO finicky, it/she has a mind of her own. For a while it seemed like something was wrong with it at least once a month. I'll just continue to be optimistic about the whole thing.

Oh yeah, when am I supposed to start "packing?" That is one thing that I DO NOT like doing. I like going places, vacations and what not, but I don't like packing. For example, when I went to Miami for spring break, I literally packed the morning of in like 5minutes...I threw a whole bunch of dresses into random bags...lol. Needless to say I forgot a lot of stuff...lol. So now that I am about to leave the state/region/time zone...lol, I don't even know what to do. Luckily a lot of my stuff is still packed from school, but that wasn't really packing. Like I said earlier this paragraph, I hate packing..lol. So I threw a whole bunch of stuff in random boxes,bags, shoeboxes, etc. I can't find ANYTHING. I always have to rummage around for like 15 minutes to find what I'm looking for, usually I just give up...lol.The weird thing about the packing thing is I'm an organized person that likes to have things planned out. But oh well..

Speaking of being organized, I was going through some of my stuff from high school because I was looking for this thing to include in my scrapbook and I came across my "card container." Ok something kinda corky/weird/eclectic about me is I keep ALL cards, notes, letters, postcards that people give to me. I have been doing that since late elementary school/early middle school. That is part of the reason that I love and appreciate cards so much. So if you have ever given me a card, whether it is a birthday, valentines day, christmas, graduation, just because, etc. card, then I have it..I had to start a new box to include my graduation cards from this year. I came across my graduation cards from high school, and I found a check that my sister wrote me in there...clearly I never cashed it..lol. I called her and told her, she laughed.lol.

So this turned into a long post, I simply wanted to say...I'm excited! Until Next Time...

Role Models...

I truly appreciate a funny movie...when I find one they make me sooo happy. So apparently the breakout funny movie of the year/summer was "The Hangover." Even though I felt like the last person to watch it, I saw it and I thought it was pretty funny...but def not as funny as everyone made it out to be. So last week I watched Role Models at my friends place. I thought it was sooo hilarious. I died laughing like every scene. I thought it had a great story line as well, which I think is missing from a lot of funny movies. Anyways...it is not the newest movie (came out last year), but if you are bored, it's a must see...

Oh yeah let me give the gist of it...lol. hmm...this is kind of hard without telling the movie. So umm.. Two guys screw up and they have to do a whole bunch of community service hours so they don't go to jail and they choose a mentorship program.

Wild behavior forces a pair of energy drink reps to enroll in a Big Brother program.- That is the tagline from IMDb...pretty much what I said. lol. That's all for now...Until Next Time...

TTT, The Latest Health Epidemic...

So I came across this video sometime last week. I thought it was kinda funny, but sad...and true. I am guilty of excessive texting, and I think my thumbs have felt numb a couple times...hopefully I don't have this issue...I know I definitely don't text up to 30,000 texts a month though. Thats a bit crazy...So here is the video courtesy of CNN describing "Teen Texting Tendonitis"



So after sharing the TTT story with my one of my best friends...she shared this link with me. It is a story about a teen girl falling in an open manhole-five feet below ground to open sewage...EEEWWW! Whoever she was texting better have been worthwhile. It's an interesting story. Check out the article HERE!!

A random thought before I go...I think it is interesting that the spell check doesn't recognize texting as a properly spelled word...is it a word?lol. Until Next Time...

Xtreme Wear...

So something that has made me especially happy this summer is...painting my nails. I have gotten some really cute/funky colors and they make me happy whenever I see my fingers/toes. I got a new color last week called "Blue Me Away" by Sally Hansen isn't that cute? hehe...It is the most beautiful shade of blue and it looks exceptionally well on my mocha/cocoa/chocolate skin...Sally Hansen has some of the most rich/cute colors and of course their Hard as Nails line is important if you want to retain length and strength of your nail. The line that I have been using is Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear, I don't know what they put in this stuff, but it does NOT chip...whew! I just had to share. So..if you are feeling down and you don't have a professional job just yet...get some cute color! And of course those aren't my fingers...lol. Until Next Time...

Rescued from Garbage Truck

I haven't posted in a while..but I recently came across this video, and I didn't really know what to think about it so I posted it. So a homeless guy was found in a garbage truck and they needed a ladder to get him out. The first thought that came to my mind was how did he get in there...and didn't it smell. I guess he really hit rock bottom. Nothing against all the sanitation workers, but to fall asleep INSIDE a garbage truck is a whole different story, he is really just lucky that he didn't get crushed...sigh...



Until Next Time...

Who knew she was so Insightful...

So I'm in a weird transitional period right now...in most facets of my life. I spontaneously remembered that quote by Marilyn Monroe...so I decided to google and a long list of quotes by MM came up. For some reason I find it hard that she said all this stuff, but who knows...these are my 3 fav (I'll add them to my quotable quotes too). Just thought I would share...

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they're right, you believe less so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

I'm selfish, impatient, and insecure. I make mistakes. I am out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you don't deserve me at my best.

It's not true that I had nothing on, I had the radio on.

Until Next Time...

KKK Robe May Hold Clues...Stone Mountain

So...I think the title of this post says it all...ohh CNN. Thanks again for your randomness. The worse line of this 1 minute story is..."Possibly this robe may have be engaged in some type of conflict, maybe shot at...there were blood stains on there." Thanks Mr. Chism for your insightful comment into a 1950's kkk robe. Wtf...is he not aware of what the kkk is?

And then the whole fact that his robe may hold "clues." Clues to what...that the kkk killed and victimized thousands of blacks throughout history...ga-reat.



So anybody from Metro Atlanta is aware of Stone Mountain and how that was where the kkk was reborn. And just in case you forget there is a Confederate Memorial carved into the side... of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and "Stonewall" Jackson...

So thanks to wikipedia I was reminded of how ridiculous the whole thing is, but as a Georgia Native (I hate to say that), you don't really think about it...For some reason I remember watching a video on the kkk in class...I don't remember if it was my 8th grade GA history class or 9th grade American history class. All I could think was half the places they were naming were in GA. Looking back, I don't think that video was appropriate...maybe there should have been clips of it, but not the whole thing. Then again, most of GA history was about how GA was the most racist state in the Confederacy, oops I mean the USA...lol.

That was also a very volatile year because that was when the whole "Confederate flag" controversy began because the old GA flag was pretty much the confederate flag with a small seal in the side. That was the flag from 1956-2001...ga-reat. But when a senator proposed it be changed that is when the true "confederates" came out... And people say we are in a post-racial nation...puh-lease...come to GA.

So the description of the laser show at Stn. Mtn. (which is a guilty pleasure of mine), makes it seem sooo very backwards and just down right sad.

The famous Stone Mountain Laser Show Spectacular is a colorful lightshow of lasers projecting moving images of the Deep South as well as Georgia history onto the Confederate carving on the side of the mountain. The laser show is accompanied by a compilation of themed musical works. At dusk hundreds of onlookers sit upon the grassed hill celebrating their American and Southern heritages.

Are the images really of the deep south though? lol. I guess so...whenever I leave the show I feel just a tad bit brainwashed...oh well. The laser show is shown daily and there are always hundreds of people there...makes me wonder...hmm... I have a weakness for fireworks and bright lights...lol. And the laser show really meets that craving even though it is a huge symbol of the Confederacy, darn it Ga!

I seriously love how my posts seem to evolve because I didn't even set out to talk about Stn. Mtn...oh well...Until Next Time..

The Sting...

So I'm a Scorpio...Nov 11th...woohoo...and I feel that out of all the zodiac signs we have gotten the worse rep. I wonder why that is...*wink. Anyways... so if you are friends with a Scorpio, wanting to date one/currently are, or are one yourself...here is an overview, it's pretty long, so read what you like. Of course I don't agree with everything, but as a whole, I think it is pretty accurate. I found it at this site, if you want to check out your own zodiac sign...


Scorpios are good at discerning the deeper feelings and motivations of others. They often know what other people are thinking and what their next moves are going to be.

Scorpios are known for their sharp minds and shrewd intellects. They are good at solving mysteries and puzzles, and they have a knack for figuring out what is going on behind the scenes in any given situation.

Secretive and Intuitive

Most Scorpios are highly intuitive, which can make them either very compassionate and empathic or very cruel and vindictive, because they know where other people’s weak points are. Scorpios like to explore the profound in life and have little interest in small talk.

Scorpios are secretive, yet other people tend to tell them their own secrets. This often puts Scorpio in the role of counselor. Scorpios are excellent judges of character, and they have an incredible amount of sympathy for those who truly deserve it, but no sympathy or patience for whiners and people who are the authors of their own misfortune.

A Tendency Toward Extremes

Scorpios are extremists. Everything they do is all-or-nothing. They are risk-takers who have a lot of physical courage. If the ascendant or moon falls in a fire sign, Scorpios are usually interested in extreme sports.

Strength in the Face of Adversity

Scorpios can tolerate a lot of hardship and they can manage under the worst of conditions. They are good at overcoming obstacles and turning change and challenge to their advantage, which is useful because Scorpios tend to attract sudden changes and endure more than their fair share of hardship. They are extremely persistent, and will go after what they want with a fierce determination that is often rewarded. They are survivors, and adversity only makes them stronger.

Brave and Cool Under Pressure

They are not afraid of the things most people fear, and they are able to intellectually explore subjects that most other people avoid. Scorpios can experience a lot of anxiety, but not usually over the things that make other people anxious.

Most Scorpios are not squeamish, which fits them for careers in medicine and rescue operations. They are cool under pressure and almost always in control of themselves, which makes them good spies and police officers.

Need for Power and Control

All signs have a bright side and a dark side, but with Scorpio, these sides are more pronounced. Scorpios don’t like to show any weakness. They are cautious about what they show to the world. They also usually have a strong desire for power and a fear of others having power over them. This can cause problems when Scorpios deal with authority figures.

Prone to Suspicion and Vengefulness

Scorpios are often suspicious of others and many have a strong jealous streak or a tendency to attract very jealous partners, which can lead to severely flawed relationships characterized by fighting and strife. Scorpios can also be inflexible, resentful and vindictive unless the ascendant falls in a gentler sign such as Libra.

Anyone who tries to dominate or harm a Scorpio will soon feel the sting. Scorpios can be vicious and vengeful. They are unforgiving and feel a need to take revenge when they or those they care about have been wronged. As such, Scorpios that lack a conscience can be exceptionally dangerous. However, most Scorpios have very well-developed consciences and are inclined to be harder on themselves than on others. Ultimately, Scorpios fall to one of two extremes: either they represent the height of integrity or the depth of diabolical cunning.

Self-Sacrificing

Toward those for whom they have sympathy, Scorpios are fiercely protective, compassionate and self-sacrificing. They will risk their lives unthinkingly to protect those they care about.

Magnetic and Seductive

Scorpios often have piercing eyes and a powerful gaze. Their personalities are seductive. People tend to find them interesting because they reveal little but are usually very deep. They are slow to trust new people, and it takes a long time for them to reveal just a few of their secrets.

Independent and Hard Working

Self-employment suits the Scorpio personality, as Scorpios don’t like to have anyone telling them what to do. They are hard workers on their own, however, and excellent researchers. This talent for research often extends to investigative ability.

Unless the ascendant falls in a more careless sign, Scorpios are responsible, and can almost always be counted on to do what they say they’ll do. They don’t just talk idly; they put their plans into action, which is one of their great strengths. Most are practical, reliable and good with money. They are also forceful and exhibit great willpower, which increases their likelihood of success in the long run.

Until Next Time...

Just Some Thoughts...

So I have A LOT on my mind, and random updates on twitter just isn't doing it for me right now. So...what better place than my blog...it is my blog after all right...ok so here goes..

*Wendy Williams...:sigh: Where do I start with this chick? I can't believe she has a SHOW! wtf..lol. I mean if that is the case then I should have my own show. lol. Her excessive weaves are just bad...each and everyone of them. And that sound the audience makes when they come back from commercial, what is that?...like are we in the 70s?

*I like to read blogs...lol. I seriously can spend my whole day doing that.

*Speaking of spending days doing things...Law and Order...seriously! That is a great show and it is ALWAYS on. On multiple channels...at the same time... lol. I like each one, CI, SVU, the original..geesh all of them. Even though I can pretty much predict each episode once it has started..its cool.

* I can't wait for Grey's anatomy to come back on this fall. I have been a dedicated fan, even before it was "trendy."

*People are "exes" for a reason, whether that is a boyfriend or friend. So trying to "rekindle" anything that is not there...WILL NOT WORK. :sigh:

*I really wish "natural hair" was the norm for black women. It is so much more beautiful. I often wish I decided to stop relaxing my hair...much sooner! Oh yeah what's up with the term "go natural." Why does someone have to "go" and do something that they already are? Check out le coil for pics of many beautiful women that decided to be who they really are.

*That whole my "Black is Beautiful" campaign is ridiculous...check out the website or not. First off, their manifesto is crap...and I hate how they have this women as the "face" of the campaign, check out the pic at the beginning of this post...[like most Black women's hair is like that...puh-lease]

*Thanks to "chasdizz" for exposing me to lots of different music on a regular. I never knew I was into Trey Songz, like that. But he really is talented..he needs a better publicist.

*So..when my mom came home last week and told me that Bill Clinton just became a Sigma..honestly I didn't believe it. Given that my parents are "immigrants" they don't know hardly anything about "greek life," so I decided to look it up myself...lmao. Ok..I'm just going to leave it at that.

*I have less than a month until I move..From ATL to STL [haha "Just Jenelle"]. I vowed this summer that I am going to enjoy the city because although I grew up in "da Dec," there are still many parts and things that I have not experienced yet. I think I am starting to accept that I will be going back to school. Slowly but surely..

*My scrapbook...sigh..the 4 pages that I have done look amazing! But I have 16 more to go..eek!

*Speaking of "eek"...that word really describes how I feel sometimes and certain situations...where would I be without it?

*My excessive use of these " " and these ... have gotten ridiculous. I really need to stop..lol. See I did it again...eek.

*I'm actually nervous about CNN's Black in America 2 tomorrow...

*I'm seriously about to deactivate my facebook account for a while. I hate that everybody and their "mama" (literally) is on there...I wish it was for college students... ONLY! Can someone please make up another social networking site, that isn't open to everyone?

Ok that was all the random things that were on my mind...and more..lol. In some weird way each and every thought was related to the next one...Until Next Time...

The Lesson of the Moth

I have always enjoyed this poem and every time I read it...I see a new perspective of how it fits into my life. It is particularly appropriate since I will be leaving ATL in less than a month [::tear::.] I bolded the parts that I find particularly insightful. Keep in mind that the speaker's name is "Archy" and he is a cockroach...Enjoy!

The Lesson of the Moth

By Don Marquis, in "archy and mehitabel," 1927


i was talking to a moth
the other evening
he was trying to break into
an electric light bulb
and fry himself on the wires

why do you fellows
pull this stunt i asked him
because it is the conventional
thing for moths or why
if that had been an uncovered
candle instead of an electric
light bulb you would
now be a small unsightly cinder
have you no sense

plenty of it he answered
but at times we get tired
of using it
we get bored with the routine
and crave beauty
and excitement
fire is beautiful
and we know that if we get
too close it will kill us
but what does that matter
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
so we wad all our life up
into one little roll
and then we shoot the roll
that is what life is for
it is better to be a part of beauty
for one instant and then cease to
exist than to exist forever
and never be a part of beauty
our attitude toward life
is come easy go easy
we are like human beings
used to be before they became
too civilized to enjoy themselves

and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself i would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity

but at the same time i wish
there was something i wanted
as badly as he wanted to fry himself

archy


So would you rather be Archy, the cockroach who lives twice as long, and has half the happiness or "the Moth" who is happy for a moment and then be burned up with beauty...right now I would choose "the Moth's" philosophy. Until Next Time...

Here we go again...

Wow...so I saw this video on another blog, and I couldn't stop watching it......I am not sure where MSNBC/Fox News gets its analysts/contributors from, but some of these people are so "interesting." I paused for a while because I didn't know how to describe them...This video is with Pat Buchanan and Rachel Maddow asking him about his views of Sonia Sotomayor...according to him she is NOT qualified and she is there purely because of Affirmative Action and because Obama wanted to appointed a hispanic woman, not based on her qualifications. I can't even label this video ridiculous because I know a lot of people have these views, the only difference is P. Buchanan voices them freely. Please find 5-10 minutes and check out this video...



As mentioned earlier, I do believe a lot of people agree with him, for the sole fact is I listened to several people at Emory and their views. Last semester at Emory, one of my good friends and I went to a program put on by CSAmerica and their topic was "Affirmative Action," from what I can remember correctly we were the only two black females there and there was one other minority, and the rest were white males. So needless to say, that was a heated discussion...but I am glad that we went because they would not have had much of an opposing opinion and their facts/data was skewed..to say the least.

Well while we are on debates, and "interesting" views, I watched this video last week on Bill O'Reilly and his views of MJ. He is saying that if you criticize Michael Jackson in any way that you become labeled a racist...wow...and he asserts that MJ has nothing to do with race and there is a no racial component to his death [let's remember: MJ was the first African American on MTV]. Thank you Marc Lamont Hill for dropping some knowledge but honestly with O'Reilly it might be a waste of time.



Oh yeah, btw...I'm happy about Dr. Regina Benjamin as Obama's choice for Surgeon General...Until Next Time...

An ATL Jewel: Aja

So...last night I went to a really fantastic restaurant..Aja[pronounced: Asia], I just had to blog about it because it was that awesome. It was everything a restaurant date/outing should be. The restaurant was very hip, sexy, phenomenal atmosphere, and just an all around nice place. If you are looking for somewhere in Atlanta to impress that special someone or soon to be special someone, then this is it, [shoot...I was impressed..lol]. It's located in Buckhead where Emeril's restaurant used to be on Lenox Road, very snazzy. We dined outside and it was a gentle summer breeze...just perfect!

It's the newest restaurant in the "Here to Serve Restaurants" which also includes popular restaurants like Strip, Shout, Twist, Noche, and Prime..

So..yeah. That's all for now, I still need to blog about my Mini-Vacay to Chattanooga...which was awesome also. But..Until Next Time...

Clutching...Dawn Art

So while reading Clutch Mag sometime a couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon this fairly emerging artist...Dawn Okoro...Ok wait let me back up...I hope most people, especially if you are female know and read Clutch. Well I'll just be on the safe side and share anyway...Clutch mag is awesome, there are lots of great articles... I'm pretty sure clutch can do better marketing than me...Clutch describes itself as "Ushering in the New Era for Young Contemporary Women of Color."

Here is a quote from Michaela Angela Davis, “CLUTCH is not only fly, it is authentic and uniquely relevant to its community. It is the digital destination for the smart, stylish and a sexy urban female. CLUTCH gets it and CLUTCH is sure to get you on the very first click"

And another quote from Kevin Powell “CLUTCH is a wonderful online magazine that fills a great void for Black women, particularly younger Black women, in America and globally. It is smart, sexy, provocative, womanist, and the kind of space readers and advertisers will continue to flock to because CLUTCH is the ultimate kind of 21st century mover and shaker destination.”

Ok now that I think you get a sense of what Clutch is...check it out...back to this post, Dawn Okoro is an emerging artist stationed in Texas, and from what I can gather from her last name, one or both of her parents are Nigerian..(bigups..Naija). I absolutely L-O-V-E her pieces...they are so colorful, full of life, and of course I love the black women with their natural hair. The dark shades of their skin makes these portraits even more intriguing and just overall beautiful. Here are some pieces...





You can check out more at her website...Until Next Time...

650-lb Virgin

So I was looking through the guide menu on TV, and I saw the listing on TLC for the show..."650 lb Virgin." It is pretty remarkable that this guy lost 410 lbs...sad that he weighed so much in the first place...poor guy But the part that made me start laughing... is the way they seem to exploiting the fact that the 32 year old guy is a virgin. So the show is basically showing us as he dates different women... I am wondering if they are going to tell us once he loses his V-card?? Also are they going to show the lady? lol. I guess we will see... Here is a clip...Until Next Time...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Milani Nessa and Special Thanks

So I was sitting on my couch and I decided to create a Meez. I just added her to the bottom right of my page...random, I know. There were sooo many options...it was ridiculous, the figure I went with was "Booty Betty" and that was the most "ethnic" hairstyle I could find. I like the fact that she's winking...(even though I can't really wink), but she was doing more before I added her to blog..lol. I'll change her outfit and background every once in a while (change is good). Check her out!

What do you guys think, does Milani look like me? lol.

On another note, THANKS to all who have been reading my blog AND have been leaving comments (they make me happy). :) If you see anything random/ridiculous or have a suggestion for a topic. Let me know. *muah. Until Next Time...

My Soundtrack: Primary Colors

So a couple of weeks ago, someone suggested that I come up with a soundtrack that describes my life. I thought it was a good idea, but I just didn't have the motivation...all of that changed so here goes..




1. Just a Girl- No Doubt
2. Cleva- Erykah Badu
3. Let It Be - Jill Scott
4. Closer- Goapele
5. River Rise- India.Arie
6. Seasons of Love- from Rent
7. Anything But Ordinary- Avril Lavigne
8. I Trust You- James Fortune
9. Mama Knew Love- Anthony Hamilton
10. Tsunami- Res
11. That's the Way Love Goes- Janet Jackson
12. Singing my Song- Christina Aguilera
13. Lesson Learned- Alicia Keys
14. Drama- Erykah Badu
15. Looking Out for Me- Kirk Franklin
16. Man in the Mirror- Michael Jackson
17.The Best Is Yet to Come - Donald Lawrence
[hidden track] Headed in the Right Direction- India.Arie

Ok I think that was a pretty exhaustive list...I think I would name my album, Primary Colors for several reasons. The first because I think I am quite a "colorful" person being that I have many facets to my personality..also I really like and appreciate true color...(I'm not a fan of pastels). Ok those were the shallow reasons..lol. I don't feel like being that deep right now, but that's all for now. Until Next Time...

The Rabbit Hole...

I enjoyed the Matrix...well the first one at least...(then they got ridiculous and just really long.) Anyways...I feel like up until this point in my life, if asked on the spot if I wanted to take the red or blue pill, I would not have hesitated and taken the red pill soooo fast. However, nowadays if asked I would hesitate and ::wait for it:: I think I would take the blue pill. I just want to be suspended in time...I was explaining this to one of my friends, and she asked me if I still want to be an "Eyeball Helper" (I Love that term), and I told her it has nothing to do with that...i know that is what I want to do... Hopefully I'll snap out of it...

I guess it took half a summer for this to happen, because around graduation time, everyone was all sad...and talking about how this is the end, but it didn't really bother me. I knew it would hit me later, and I guess later is now...Oh well. I included the dialogue from the beginning of the Matrix...lots of allusions and just overall intriguing.

MORPHEUS Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.

NEO How?

MORPHEUS Hold out your hands.

In Neo's right hand, Morpheus drops a red pill.

MORPHEUS This is your last chance. After this, there is no going back.

In his left, a blue pill.

MORPHEUS You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and you believe whatever you want to believe.

The pills in his open hands are reflected in the glasses.

MORPHEUS You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

Neo feels the smooth skin of the capsules, with the moisture growing in his palms.

MORPHEUS Remember that all I am offering is the truth. Nothing more.

Neo opens his mouth and swallows the red pill. The Cheshire smile returns.


Right now at this point in your life, which would you choose? Red or blue pill? Until Next Time...

Ready or Not

Ok so this post will be a little more lighthearted than my last...clearly I was having a moment (even though I've felt like that for most of the summer)...but I just wanted to discuss BEING PREPARED...

Note: If you ever plan on having people meet your parents or they are visiting your house for the first time, you need to prepare your guest.

Yesterday, I went to the Laser Show at Stone Mountain, which I L-O-V-E (it never gets old). Anyways..so after that my friend had to drop by his parents house to get something, so I thought no big deal...But what I didn't know is that I was going to go inside and meet his parents. Which I usually don't mind, but in some situations, it can be nerve wracking...luckily I was fully clothed and in the right frame of mind...

Anyways...so we go inside and I'm like dang, how did I let him talk me into this...he hugs his parents and then IMMEDIATELY says he has to use the rest room. All I could think in my head was WHATTTT....are you kidding me? Are you really about to leave me alone with your parents! But I played it cool, and they ushered me into the living room and after his mom told me she heard so much about me, I got a little nervous, but they were pretty cool. His mom was watching "The Daily Show" which I thought was extra funny...but I didn't want to laugh too loud.

So after like 15-20 minutes he comes back and he is like he's ready to go...so I stand up relieved...once goodbyes were almost over I thought I was free...then his mom exclaims, "Vanessa, you didnt take off your shoes!" I look down at my shoes and say "ohhh"...and then she smacks me on my ass/thigh! lol. That caught me off guard....lol. Of course everyone erupts in laughter and I was laughing the hardest, because I couldn't believe she smacked me on my butt...lol. I would say that is a Caribbean thing to do because I could see my mom doing the same thing...Nevertheless...half of the drive to our next destination...I couldn't stop telling him, how he DID NOT prepare me for that at all...

So moral of the story, prepare your guests...Until Next Time...

La Vie Boheme

I cannot believe that it is now July...I am asking myself where the summer went..it seems like just yesterday, I was hoping I didn't trip on the stage when I got my diploma, and moving all of my stuff out of my apt. Sigh..as each passing day goes by, I am starting to dread the arrival of August more and more. Why you ask? Because I'm about to start school (again). I don't know what happened, but I woke up one day and realized that I am about to start this cycle all over again and I was sick to my stomach.

It has gotten to the point, where I don't even want people to bring it up...I know that I am sooo blessed, because this is what I wanted...(even though initially I did want to defer a year)...but I just need to get mentally prepared, but it is hard because everywhere I turn someone is asking me about starting school or moving to STL. My mom keeps buying random stuff to "prepare" me for moving, like she got me some gloves, lol (She said I needed them b/c it is cold there), or I feel like everyday someone is asking me when I'm moving...it's always something. I just don't like thinking/talking about it. ..

I have been a tad bit antisocial lately and I have just been spending lots of time with my family, I guess I am overcompensating for neglecting them while in school. But I went to a late lunch with a friend yesterday and she kept talking about how I'm moving to STL, and every time I hear that it just makes my head hurt a little. I know change is good and everyone has to make these crucial transitions, but I am not sure if I'm ready. I'm mentally prepared, maybe just not emotionally. I also associate the beginning of school as officially being the end of an era/chapter in my life that I'm not sure I'm ready to close.

The reason I titled this post "La Vie Boheme" is based on one of my favorite movies/musicals Rent. The main characters are living a "bohemian life" in NY. I have always had this fantasy, or rather an alter ego, that I have been going back and forth with. As much as I value and love science and math is the same way that I feel about "the arts (performing and visual)," so when I got to college I just knew that I was going to be interested in both, for a second I was a double major in Anthro/Human Bio and Dance...and then the dance part became a minor and then I dropped it all together...so that is how I am feeling about the second part of my life. Starting Optometry school will forever solidify the life that I will lead...So I won't be that eclectic woman who lives in a loft in the middle of the city, making and selling her own jewelry, art, creations, etc...So I have crocheting up a storm this summer, doing a little scrapbooking, I made some earrings (they aren't that cute), and I've been going to some dance classes. I know that once I start my "prof degree" I will have to put those things aside temporarily..

I think I have just always wanted to live life on my own terms...whatever that may mean. And going to school is the exact opposite of that...I feel like I have less control over my life now, than in undergrad. I mean at least in undergrad you can pick your courses...I logged onto our version of "OPUS" and all 7 of my classes were already on there with the assigned times...I was like aaaahhh! And then I logged onto the financial page with all of my loans...and I was like aaahhh! lol. This is just very different for me, even though I am a "compulsive planner."

So basically after the end of all my randomness, it seems basically that I am not ready to grow up, but THAT IS NOT IT AT ALL! I can't even describe how I feel...maybe it is the sense in the finality of it all...here I am at 21, about to go to school for the career that I plan on having for a really long time...just a very strange feeling...

Oh well I know that no matter how I feel right now, I will muster up the courage...in due time...Sigh...Until Next Time...

Children Out of Wedlock

So I watched this video a while ago...ESPN discusses the "growing problem" of athletes having children out of wedlock. It is somewhat interesting. The piece on Travis Henry is the most ridiculous of them all...He has 9 kids with 9 different women. Now that it is 2009, I don't understand all these kids...These men keep talking about women trapping them and what not..Use contraception!!

The worst part about this whole thing, is the "statistic" that they provide. According to this video, 71% of all African American babies are born out of wedlock, compared to 50% hispanic kids, and 23% of white kids. Although I tend to be weary of statistics, this one definitely shows the epidemic that is happening. It is sickening how the blame is always thrown back and forth between black men and women, but it is time that both parties took responsibility for what is occurring in our community. The video is 11 minutes, but try and watch the whole thing...it's ridiculous, but also sad. Until Next Time...

Show Some Respect...

So I'm trying to figure out when I knew that I was different when it came to people passing...I just have a weird way of dealing with death. In fact I just try not to think about it, I know that isn't completely healthy, but it just seems to work the best. So seeing all the tasteless coverage of MJ's death on TV is quite ridiculous to me. The news coverage for the 48 hours seemed to be the most valid, but after that it just went downhill...I just wish that they could just respect him as the man, artist that he was..

Actually I do remember when I realized that I was different. It was a little over two years ago when my grandfather died. He actually died on the day that I crossed (became a Delta), my mom told me after my show...I don't even remember how I felt, it was just soo many emotions. Anyways...there were so many emotions that I felt in that one moment. It's not that I decided not to tell hardly anyone, it just happened that way. I just didnt want people feeling sorry for me or constantly asking about it, or how I feel. I just disappeared (like some people do after they cross) and dealt with it that way. I didn't want to go to the funeral because I just think it is an awful way to remember someone you care about. We did go to NY that summer, and when we visited his gravesite it was such a surreal experience. The air seemed really different, there was a really gentle breeze,and a sense of calm really came over me.

So basically I rambled on with that whole story, to talk about how I'm just different, so I was tired of all the coverage of Michael Jackson within minutes/hours of finding out he was dead. Can we just remember him for the awesome artist he was? Until Next Time...

Loans, Loans, Loans

This morning I was checking with my loan lenders to make sure they know I'm continuing school in the fall, so that I will have longer than the usual 6 months of deferment. So clearly my loans have been on my mind, because for me they go hand in hand with education. Luckily (and because I'm blessed), I had several scholarships that helped me at Emory, but they were not nearly enough to cover all of the expenses at Emory...I forgot how much tuition is at Emory, hmm lemme check...so tuition is $37,500, and all of the expenses are estimated to be $48,932 PER YEAR!!!! That is a lot of freaking money, so now that I have graduated, I am left with student loans. Not an obscene amount, but definitely enough to make my heart beat quicken when I saw the lump sum of the amount of loans I have after 4 years at Emory.

So now that I am about to embark upon my professional degree (woohoo!) I am now faced with EVEN MORE student loans. Except this time at the end of the next four years, I will have over $100,000 in loans, from ONE DEGREE!!! So basically, this picture describes how I feel right now...(click on it to enlarge it...it's an adaptation from the thinking man...and that is a bookbag with debt on it, while he holds the student loan paper in his hand...and what he is sitting on says education...ga-reat) Yeah yeah...I know that it will all pay off...eventually...and I know the importance of education. BUT GEESH...So I guess I will continue randomly paying the lottery (Remember GA lottery revenue goes towards the Hope Scholarship...so I'm just giving back...lol.) My loans are just an investment in my future...I'll keep saying that over and over, and hopefully I won't have any dreams where my student loans are chasing me relentlessly...Until Next Time...

Another One Bites the Dust...

Ok. So..one of my friends from high school has an awesome music blog (shout out: chasdizz), and today she wrote a blog post about Drake's "Best I Ever Had Video", which was good timing because I just saw the video this morning. So here are some of my thoughts...

Personally, I feel like I must have been “out to lunch” when the whole hiphop/rnb world decided to crown Drake as the next biggest thing. Anyways…so I decided to listen to some of his songs, and of course “Best I Ever Had” is getting a lot of airplay, so I was slowly but surely starting to like Drake a little more everyday BUTTTTTT….all of that came to a screeching halt when I saw that video this morning.

Like seriously? It was ridiculous and just gross. To be such a HYPED UP rapper/singer and to release that as your first official video. The small ounce of respect I had for him is now GONE…for some reason I thought that he would be different. Maybe I just hoped that he would be different, since he was talked about (HYPED UP) sooo much.

The extra sad part about this guy...He didnt graduate from High school , maybe that isn't important in Canada..but he needs to at least get his GED...like seriously! And it doesn't help that whenever I look at him, I think of Jimmy...(oh Degrassi...). I also think it is extra ironic that he acted on a high school show, but managed to never finish. Sigh...another one bites the dust. Until Next Time...

"Knock Knock"... "If Only Out of Vanity"

Both of these poems were performed on Def Poetry Jam many years ago and even though I have watched both of these several times, it still finds a way to move me. I figured I would share...they are performed with such passion and their soul seems to spill forth through each word. It's not just about the actual words of the poem, but more of how it is delivered. I hope they are as inspiring and intriguing for you as they were for me. Until Next Time...