Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I Watch the War From My Porch...
First, the appropriate music must be played (DJ drop that beat)
This is a topic that is very near and dear to me. I think 3 things that inspired me to write this was 1. "Saving Superman", 2. reading my homegirl @T_Lloyd blogpost (which you can read here) and listening to my linesister, @GenishaMone speak at the C.O.O.L. Kids E-board thank-you brunch. (Sit down. Quick storytime.) Creating Our Own Legacy Kids is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that was started in 2010. Genisha envisioned helping children in need and her first thought was to duplicate an idea in NYC she had seen before. It was an annual Christmas party for underprivileged youth. A group of us college alumni came together to raise thousands of dollars using grassroots tactics to put on a Christmas party with games, presents, cookie decorating, moon bounce, face painting, food, books, christmas decorations, santa hat making among other things... at no cost to the kids... All they had to give back was a smile showing that they had a great time... For some kids, that is the only joyous moment they have to indulge in. The adversities they face or have faced may be greater than we can fathom ourselves. In 2010, it was an idea. An idea that was thought to be a one-time venture. In 2011, Genisha took it a step further and made it a non-profit. Its going to keep growing and making a difference in NYC. You want to know more or even get involved check us out: www.coolkidsny.org
Now, back to the story. Her speech. She said one thing that honestly made me tear up: "It's a war out there for these kids. They are living in a society where they're shown nothing but failure. I just want to show them that there is a way". She's right. Think about it. There IS a war outside. And that factor right there is what lead me to my choice in career.
I love my job. Its not because of the benefits, not because of the pay, but because I am in a position where I can incorporate health with educating the people around us. There are many days that its hard. So many times I'm stressed. I am the youngest one in my department. There are days I have to take work home to read research to understand my population better when I really should be sleeping. There are meetings where I have to conduct trainings and lectures to doctors, nurses, seasoned health professionals, and city and state government officials. Yet, they doubt my depth of knowledge because I don't have enough letters following my name. There are policies that try to limit the extent of my work or my involvement with the community but I work to bend them to achieve the goal of educating the people. And everyday I have to strive harder and harder to stand my ground and prove that I deserve to be there and I am more capable than anyone else to disseminate health education. My goal is for the department to be more in tune with the needs of the people and I will utilize every moment of my time to do everything I can to make that happen. I do it after work through meetings with various organizations, speaking to youth or adults at conferences about health, and volunteering. It pains me to tell 12 year old girls that they are pregnant. It kills me that a woman was a few weeks away from having a baby but couldn't read the health pamphlet I gave her. I sat with her to read the whole pamphlet to her. It disturbs me knowing that there are teens that have stated that getting pregnant was a surefire way for them to get benefits... its as though they seen it as a last resort to their problems. I have work to do. Sometimes I need to remind myself that sacrifice may give way to solution. The sacrifices we make everyday, may be their solution.
We are fighting a war in our front yard. In our chosen paths, we are fighting for them because they may not be able to. We stand in a position where we can inspire and educate the masses. When I mean we, I don't mean me and Genisha. There are more. Way more. Inspiring you through words. Encouraging you through their actions. Paving the way for you and me... just so we can use our tools to pave the way for others. We are keeping them out of prisons, off the street, and even assisting them in living another day on this earth. I have talked about in other posts about finding your purpose. Well, this is ours. This is mine. As I said before, we have a lot of work to do. And every day we aren't only reaching to advance our careers, but we are also reaching fervently for progress. Progress in the society we live in. Here is my homegirl, another leader in our society, @JamiraBurley. Just as Genisha's calling is to build doors of opportunity for the African American youth when they seemed trapped, her calling is to fight. Its to fight for the voice of our youth in our government and inspire those around us to prevent youth violence. If there is anyone who can hear them calling for help, I can assure you its her. Please watch her speech at the 2010 Campus Progress National Conference. Be inspired. When you hear your calling, please answer.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Doesn't It Feel Like Christmas?
What the hell is going on? Wait. Why the fuck am I complaining? I'm good off of that ratchet snow. Its bad enough that its OD cold out here (Don't debate me). I need something to get me in that Christmas-y mood (despite its the day after Christmas. Whatever) before I start this post. Kick it Destiny's Child.
So yesterday I survived yet another split holiday with my boyfriend. Those joints can get quite difficult if not planned correctly. Like. You dead have to map out where, what time, and how long you are going to stay there to make sure you get all the necessary elements of see family, small talk and catching up, exchanging gifts, pose for family picture, and swift exit to keep all parties happy. Gives me a headache when I think about it. Uuuuggghhhhhh. Holidays get more complicated these days. But, hey, I had a great time this year. Keep reading, I'm not done writing yet dammit. I'm gonna go on about this stupid Christmas party.
So... I experienced the first Christmas party at my job. That sure as hell was a fail. I mean, the food was good but anyone reading my tweets will tell you that I was sending incessant cries for a superman to come save me from the perils of coworkers. I swear. Why do I have to make an effort to socialize with ya'll? I'm pretty content with the friends I have. Just let me save the community, get my paycheck, and be on my way. I'm not interested in seeing ya'll after work and no, I'm not giving you my personal cell phone number let alone my office extension. Just everything made me upset. I had an annoying coworker say "Hey what do you plan to do in the long run?" Then when I tried to explain it Barney-style to her she was say "That doesn't make sense". Bitch, I didn't ask for your opinion. I was tempted to say "My life goals are to make more money and not end up like you" but my professional side said "Let's not get fired quite yet. We need to stack a lil more so relax". So I walked off from her midway through her babbling on about what she wanted to do in the long run. Bitch, you're old. You're "long run" ends like tomorrow b.
I swear surviving this Christmas party was like a fucking game of Jumanji. What the hell is going on? Someone even decided to spike the eggnog (which I don't drink. What the fuck is eggnog anyway? Sounds like a new STD). How did I know? A certain someone had a bottle of vodka that was clearly just opened and now 25% full hidden under the table. Oh. Swag ya'll out, huh? Eggnog lead to the whole office playing Dirty Minds. This inappropriate game is where one person uses clues to describe an action or object. Now the catch is that the clues have sexual connotations. An example is "What fits neatly between your breasts, works best when tugged, and inserts neatly into a hole?" Now if you had a twisted mind (somewhat sort of like mine) you'd say a penis. However the REAL answer is a seat belt. Liquor plus this game? Yea. I'll be right here in the corner yo.
The last level of this never-ending chaos is when a coworker who clearly quit came back for the office party. I like to call her "Ultimate fighter" because she has this weave that seems to never be done but she tries to convince everyone that she just got it done. Nah. You're weave is tired of fighting mama. ANYWHO, Ultimate fighter came and she crashed the party with her thick ghetto accent and tacky self. Like... You quit 3 weeks ago and you didn't bring a dish. I just wanted to call security the whole time. Although she sounded below my pay grade, something in me made me feel like each moment I listened to her was community service for me. You know, giving back and what not. The funny thing is that her presence not only annoyed me, but other people yet my boss welcomed her back like we were supposed to have a parade for her or something. If I was the boss, shorty woulda had to holla merry Christmas from the office hallway. Fuck. Your. Plate. Oh and happy kwanzaa, bitch.
Now the apex of this Christmas office party (besides the ending of it) came after when a coworker of mine reenacted a tradition that I used to do. She picked a certain number of ornaments, wrote a different characteristic on each one, and had people blindly pick one ornament out of a bag. Its kinda a karma thing. Whatever characteristic you pick out is said to be the one that manifests itself the most throughout the year. Funny enough, I picked one. It was "insight". I'm not sure what the hell that means right now but I'm kinda intrigued what the year will bring me. Insight? How? To who? To what degree? I guess imma have to wait till 2012 hits. In the meantime, I have restarted that tradition. I have a strategic list of 18 people who will participate. I say strategic because I the people I have chosen are not at random. It is all for a reason. I cannot wait to see how it turns out. Sometimes the best gift you can give your friends is good karma and I think the people I have chosen deserve it in soooo many ways.
But the morals of writing this whole post? Hope for good karma in the year to come and FUCK OFFICE PARTIES. Till next time....
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
**taps mic** Is This Thing On?!?!?
Well... soo... yea... That music video looks kinda like the parties I've been going to for the past 2 months... And thus explains my hiatus... I've lost my license once, debit card twice, acquired things ranging from champagne flutes to chicken nuggets to car keys (mind you I didn't have a car for a while) in my purse on my ratchetty evenings, and had a slew of sit-downs with my friends that have always started out with "ok, so what exactly happened yesterday?" I know its living trife but hey YOLO (You Only Live Once) naaaahhh mean?!?!?!?!?!
I've been partying, oversleeping, working at the "plantation" (yes, that is what I call my job), studying in between, getting calls from everywhere, and making and breaking appointments. Its what I do, its how I live. I'll get over it tomorrow. However, reality started hitting when I was studying for the GREs and leading up to the GREs. It was that tense feeling that built up in my soul of "Damn, I'm really going back to school". I'm kinda excited, kinda not. I'm excited because I took off a year like I stated in December 2010 and now I get to embark on a new journey. This will officially be my second chance at med school. Graduate school will give me the opportunity to delve deeper into the realm of health, let me move up another pay grade, and give me the chance to get the grades I deserve for med school (finally) minus the extra-curricular drama I experienced in undergrad and the added stress of "just trying to get a degree". Fuck it. I have full benefits and a decent salary now. If I decide to back out of grad school I have other avenues I can drive down (**kanye voice** "Who gon stop me haaannnnhhh"). I'm not excited because it officially marks that I'm getting older and I have to slow my life the fuck down. Like by 75%. No more exclusive restaurant openings and invite-only events. No more VIPs on the weekend. No more "lemme take the day off so I can rehab my system because that liquor yesterday had me feeling like I was incepted". Smh. Its bout to be extra boring. The only happy hour imma be experiencing is the hour of sleep I'll get between work and classes. Yea. I said it.
Now what can I say to the rest of ya'll? Well... I just wanna encourage ya'll to take advantage of your 20s. We are in the only time in our life (besides retirement) where we can be selfish. You have money (Don't front), no obligations to anyone else, and at an age where doing something stupid isn't looked down upon. Think about it. You have a drunk night now, people will say "damn you had a good night". You have a drunk night at 40, people are already googling the nearest AA sessions for you as a Christmas present. Don't debate me. I didn't ask for your opinion dear reader. lol.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
I See You...
(played this a while ago, but I heard it and fell in love all over again with the track... Here is the short video)
Ambitious Girl- Wale
Thursday, September 8, 2011
In Hindsight....
For almost two years now, I have been taking pole dancing classes. It has provided me with a platform of strength training, competition, alternative workout, fun after-work activity, etc. Now, before you say "Hey Christina you trying out to become a stripper?" I want you to hold your tongue and keep reading because that IS NOT what I aimed to do. As in previous blog posts, I explained that I used to run track in high school. I was also involved with ballet. My strength was in track. My heart was in ballet. Track gave me a release for my physical feelings of stress and anger. Ballet gave me a canvas for self-expression and art. It was like when I ran I converted my feelings into competition but when I danced I felt like I lost myself in the music and I drew stories in choreographed movements. How could two things totally unrelated relate to each other? Well... As high school progressed, I dropped out of ballet. I didn't have the body for it. No, I didn't give up. I just didn't have the body type that would allow me to compete on a more intense level. And that is just the reality of that craft. Puberty concluded and I had curves other than the smile on my face. Thanks to dad's black genes they trumped mom's asian ones which caused me to inherit thick thighs. I was tight because I remember how much I've wanted to dance ballet professionally when I was younger. But, hey, no worries. I loved my curvy self. I felt like it gave me an edge to my black-asian image. Like, how many black-asian girls you see with thick thighs? (Ok, let me turn down the volume of my conceit. **Wooossaaaahhhh**) So, in between the demi-plie's and releve's, I decided it was just one of those dreams that I had to let go. It happens. No sense in fighting genetics. That's like a battle you will not win. Lol.
Even though I wrapped that dream up, I decided to focus on track. It became my everything. I can even remember excerpts from my college application essay that talked about how running track changed my life and the parallels I made between the stages you go through in a race on the track and the stages you go through in life. I even compared morals to Gatorade. That's how serious I was. Anyways, three years ago I was told by my orthopaedic doctor that because of my long- and mid-distance training from high school and in college (We did an average of 30+ miles a week >_< ) I developed bad nerves in my lower back, twisted kneecaps, and chondromalacia patella. My heart dropped. It was as if my world just started to disintegrate. I looked at her with the "What the fuck are you trying to say" look on my face. And before you know it, she confirmed my biggest fear.... that I would never be able to compete in running again. It was me giving up my dream before I could even create a map to get there. It. Hurt. But what could I do? I can't correct all three problems and think that I was going to be able to run like I used to. That wasn't feasible. At All. I started gaining weight partly because I was depressed about my running condition, partly because I could never fulfill two of my dreams, and partly because I was confused as to what to do next. This story not as depressing as you think.
WHY THE HELL AM I TELLING THIS STORY? **shakes head** C'mon baby. Keep Reading. Two years ago, I decided to take a pole dancing class. I was bored. I seen an article in a magazine about it and it's what drove me to try pole dancing. I remember doing my first class like "I can do all those moves that those strippers do". And that's where I was wrong. Pole dancing and stripping are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. In pole dancing, it took cardio training, a million different crunches, pull-ups, and endless push-ups to actually excel and be able to craft a routine. Pole dancing became exactly where I found the medium to fuse the two things that held my sanity together all these years. I had to use the leg, core, and arm strength that I used in track to execute the different moves. Plus, I have the opportunity to use my competitive mind in small competitions. Then, I had to put a STRONG emphasis on flexibility and elegance. Moves had to look fluid as if it was easy to execute. That's where my ballet training came in. 2 years and training at 3 studios (2 in Philly, 1 in NYC) later, I found something that I can compete in despite my irreversible injuires and physically express my feelings. It infuses me with the same euphoria I had when I balanced the two activities in the past. **Insert "Swish" sound here** I'll probably be doing this in the future and trying to elevate my level of flexibility and strength. One day I may even compete in the larger more intense competitions. Don't be surprised. I told you here first.
OK, CHRIS, REALLY. WHAT IS YOUR POINT IN TELLING THIS STORY? Well, I'm glad that you asked. I got three of them. So, listen up.
1. As you have seen through the progression of my story, things happen throughout life. The very things that make us happy and complete us may be obstructed by various challenges. Obstacles that appear before us may seem unconquerable. Permanent roadblocks may show their face and prevent us from achieving our original ideas. Right when you have a plan, fate laughs at you and says *In a Diddy voice* "This. Is. The. Remix. Remix". Although we may get discouraged at first, it is our responsibility to go out and an find alternative solution. Ok. So you think the dream died. But, guess what? Its not the end of the world. Fate might remix your whole situation but, in reality, things happen for a reason. Stop focusing on why it didn't go the way you wanted to initially. I want you to focus on discovering what fate has in store for you. Maybe you don't believe in fate. Well whatever it is, believe in it. Pursue it. Pursue happiness and peace of mind. The only person who can really make you happy is yourself.
2. I've said this before. I've watched women let themselves go (weight-wise). I know its hard. Some have kids, in school, too many jobs, relationships, getting hit by the failing economy, struggling to find yourself in whatever way, etc. Just remember your body needs attention too. Re-discover yourself through fitness. I know its easy to try to be the superhero. But before you save everyone else, remember to save yourself. I don't care if you stay home with those dusty Pilates tapes, P90x, Insanity, etc. Or if you want to be adventurous with Bikram Yoga, salsa, boxing, mixed martial arts, hip hop dance, zumba, or even pole dancing like me. Have some time to look good. You work hard. Why not look good while doing it?
3. Last on the agenda is something that gets on my nerves that I am guilty of doing when I first started. PLEASE DO NOT EQUATE POLE DANCING WITH STRIPPING. THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. Stripping is where you drop it like its hot on a pole for money to ratchet ass songs like Travis Porter's "Bring It Back". Pole dancing has a whole pole dancing federation with rules and competitions and such. It involves more strength and yoga principles than you will ever imagine to effectively duplicate the moves. I've had the honor to train under known dancers like Karol Helms and Bunni Luv. The women that I train with on a weekly basis are ordinary women. Young women eager to try a new activity, college students, wives, mothers, women in graduate school, women who work in corporate america, nurses, and other professionals. Its really not what you think until you try it. Still don't believe me? Well, here are two videos that I have for you from YouTube (Nuh uh, don't you DARE close out this post. Watch the videos. Trust me on this. You made it this far.)
This first one is my instructor, Bunni Luv's, APFC 2011 competition submission video. It is taken in the very studio I currently train in 3-4 days a week. And I train with her about 2 out of the 4 times I'm at the studio. (If you tryna come out for a class, its Master Jay Moves/Philly Pole Premier at 1520 Samsom Street in Philadelphia, PA. Its cheap and they have classes for men and women. I've conned some people to come with me already lol)
This second one is a video that one of my old instructors told me to look up. Rhiannan Nichole. She is also in the same competition Bunni Luv will be in October. This is her APFC 2011 competition submission video.
Yep. Don't tell me "Oh I can do that". If you don't have any training, chances are, you can't. Some of ya'll can't even do a push-up correctly. BUT, I hope you got a better outlook on things. Till next time....
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ya'll Need Couth For Christmas....
The other night (Friday) began the first weekend of my birthday month. September. I do it big every year. Last year, I partied in 3 different cities in one weekend. The year before that I had a big extravaganza (somehow almost got arrested. Long story in itself. But the most important thing is that I don't have a criminal record, right?). But this year? I'm doing events EACH and EVERY weekend in September. Cities will be determined as I go along but, hey, people take over the whole day. I take over the whole month. BUT I digress from the whole purpose of this entry.
So going back to the other night, I seen the most ratchet-esque things in the club that made me feel old (Even though I know I'm quite far from it, thank you very much). I seen women in bra tops and skirts silently plotting on the next guy they wanted to buy them a drink, girls barely in clothes grinding on the floor at the drop of the "No Hands" beat, 20 inch weaves with glued fake eyelashes that look like black construction paper with slits in them, chicks throwing their legs in the air in dresses as they danced with guys in an inappropriate fashion, and an unendless crowd of people that looked like they chased their last tequila shot with their morals. It. Was. So. Bad. I couldn't understand this environment. What the hell was going on? I don't remember the club being like this. I didn't know whether I should leave or throw condoms out into the crowd (cuz they all look like they were one step away from a pregnancy scare). As I downed another drink, I decided to sit with my girls, observe the crowd, and just take in the comedy relief. I wish I could've wrapped the DJ up and grabbed the microphone to point out the following things.
For one, ladies please don't go out in these streets in these risque outfits. ESPECIALLY if you don't have the body for it. Why the hell are you out here in lingerie and stilettos? Do you think that this is cute? What are you trying to prove? Do your friends love you? Because they didn't love you enough to think it's ok to let you leave the house like that. An outfit that is way too tight, got your thong peaking out, titties spilling out your dress, jeans that look like they are suffocating your unkempt abdomen, and dresses that reveal your cellulite-plagued legs will only gain you disrespect from the next dude. You got mad because he grabbed your chesticle while you were dancing? Its not right and I'm not defending him but, guess what? That's the message you are sending. Your outfit is not a reflection of your inner intentions but it is the first thing guys will see when you meet them. You carry yourself like a hoe, then you will be seen as a hoe. Point. Blank. So get off that high horse of "You're not gonna disrespect me because I'm a lady" if you walked out the house in 6-inch heels with aluminum foil wrapped around your hips and pasted to your chest as an outfit. Nope. Your mic has now been silenced. Be classy. Be sexy. DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE. You have your goodies all out at the club that you don't even give him enough mental room to wonder. Get your pasties OUTTA here!!!
After convincing the DJ to give me a fake birthday shoutout (I like to do that alot) I bobbed and weaved through the crowd to get back to my seat and my custom drink. I was just amazed at how some chicks were losing their minds out here. One girl was in a dress grinding in a chair by herself to some song that came on and when a guy came in to fill her lonely dance partner void, she had her legs all up in the air, dress rising up, all that. It. Was. Just. Tacky. Ladies, please have some self respect. I don't care if you are drunk. That is NEVER an excuse. Liquor releases you're inner inhibitions. So, if you were hiding from everyone that you really were a hoe, its probably going to be revealed to the general public when you are under the influence. And guess what? THERE IS NO REASON TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE LIKE THAT (unless that was what you were shooting for). Are you desperate? Lonely? Low self-esteem? Going through sex withdrawal or some other made up ailment? Chances are you have answered "NO" to all of the above questions. There's dancing and there is one slow grind away from trying to get pregnant in the club. Understand the difference. All that extra-ness is highly unnecessary. Most of all, have fun ladies. Carry yourself better.
As I continued to repeat to myself in the club that "I'm not about this nightlife" with my eyes closed and clicking my gold glitter stilettos together in the spirit of drunkenness and in the hopes that things would change, the third thing I wanted to point out came to me as I grazed by a conversation. LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I need you women to STOP trying to find a man in the club. There are way too many things wrong with it. Here's just the top two reasons:
1. According to various and abundant male sources, guys aren't going to the club to find a wife. They are out there to choose, be chosen, and/or have a "happy ending" by the night. Now you over there can front and say, "I'm looking for a friend". Oh really? Think deeper into your motive and it will boil down to exactly the same thing "to choose, be chosen, or "get lucky". Stop complaining you can't find a decent man if the club is the only place you look, sweetie. I simply cannot trust the validity of your statement.
2. (Now this is my opinion) I see the club as a "hostile" environment. People are in rare form. You got dudes in suits, button-downs, expensive colognes, VIP, fresh cut. You have the ladies in perfectly crafted makeup schemes, stilettos, revealing dresses, fresh weaves and/or hairstyles. Everyone is a walking facade. Yes. Everyone. Because 9 times out of 10 you DO NOT look like that at 10a on a Tuesday morning at work. Save the smoke and mirrors. **screams into crowd** "YOU'RE NOT REAAALLLLL!!!"
When I got home that night, I felt like I needed to retire partying altogether. This is not what I remember. At. All. I used to come to the club to celebrate. To create laughs that will make me smile years from now. And dance, even if its by myself, in an environment other than my house (don't front like you didn't catch yourself in the house dancing at any point in time of your life. I KNOW YOU WERE IN THAT MIRROR TOO!). And what did I see throughout the night? Drunken struggle. Everywhere. We need to do better ya'll. I'm serious.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Intermission
Well, you ever wonder what kind of motions the other sex goes through in a breakup? Well, here it is. wait. Let me give you a situation we can all relate to at one point in time. Girl loves boy. Boy loves girl. They have a happy relationship. Boy starts getting scared of commitment (in some sort of way). So, boy breaks up with girl. How do each of them handle the breakup? Well here it is in 5 stages based on what ive seen:
<--- Stage 1: He's chillin. He felt like he made a sound and clear decision. He's quite satisfied. Its all about his happiness at this point.
Stage 1: She's confused, crying, and trying to figure out "Where did we go wrong?" I guaruntee this is probably her right now trying to contact him--->
<------Stage 2: He's out and about at the parties, living life. He's not focusing on the issue. Matter of fact, its not even an issue. He's channeling his energy elsewhere.
Stage 2: She's still thinking about the situation. It still makes no sense. This is the "I'm slightly depressed" stage ------->
<----Stage 3: The party life is slowing down. Reality sets in. He starts thinking about his previous actions. Maybe that wasn't a good idea.
Stage 3: She's pretty much over it. By this time, she has vented to her friends and she's accepting of what happened. She's ready to move on. She's over it at this point ----->
<---Stage 4: He's thinking about the situation. Maybe I do want to be with her.
Stage 4: She's moved on. Out at parties living life trying to find a replacement for you. ---->
<---Stage 5: Your calling her, texting, emailing but she's not in the least bit interested. Your decision to re-commit is too late.
Stage 5: She's not interested in you anymore. You see the new guy she's with? That's not you---->
And THAT Ladies and Gentlemen concludes this halftime show! Stay tuned for the 3rd and 4th quarter.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Situation----> The Reaction
-----Disclaimer: All names have been changed to protect the identity of those mentioned. Whatever that means. I don't even know them anyway. I just wanted to blog about it. Onto the story though-----
Save Me.... In Retrospect...
Friday, May 6, 2011
To All the Mothers, You Deserve This...
"A mother is not someone to lean on but a person to make leaning
unnecessary. Furthermore, nothing I have ever done has given me more joys and
rewards than being a mother to my children and a grandmother to my Maddie
(brother's daughter) and to my Sophia (sister's daughter)"
I hope one day whenever I'm ready to have children (or whenever it happens unexpectedly) I want to have the ability to be a good mother.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Connotations of Words
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wavelengths of the Abstract Concept...
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Brooklyn Bridge Colloquialisms...
I sat there for what seemed an unending hour in my jacket that was probably not fit for this type of winter weather and plastered my inner mental compositions across the sky. They were mostly the stresses of this unending job search. I got to a point where I was convinced that companies would put up jobs as a sick fucking joke. Countless applications were filled and I got NO callbacks whatsoever. I just stared at the lights and traced the NYC skyline with my eyes to ease my mind. It was as if I tried to write my thoughts across the sky, but no one else could read it. They just remained... illiterate. It was like that conversation I had with this girl who wanted to be my mentee. I usually like to delve deeper into the crevices of ones inner thoughts for stimulating conversation. With her, I tried to analyze her mental direction.... or rather if she had any to begin with. It came to points in the conversation where I would say "come walk in my shoes for a day"... She replies "the new Gucci ones right?"... I said "I dream of 401Ks and greatness"... and she says "Isn't that a new Kanye song?"... I just couldn't take it. I had to immediately remove myself from the conversation. All she was good for was defeating the purpose. I couldn't even fathom the level of intelligence she possessed. She was one of those girls with the perfect body shape and cute face. And what troubles me the most is that guys really go for this type of girl: all physical, no mental. I gotta go... If this is the case I need to erase myself from the dating scene before I even start. I might lose brain cells in the process.
Then, my mind shifted swiftly to the next topic... recovering from the effects of my recent relationship. That is its own issue in itself. It perplexes me how something can affect you physically if you aren't totally over it mentally. I'm just going to leave it at that. It took those convos with Tiff and Ms. She to keep me grounded for the last couple of weeks. I did learn 2 important lessons though. 1) When it comes to choosing between your relationship and your career, CHOOSE YOUR CAREER. This was the second time I made this mistake and I ended up losing.... more than what I imagined.... 2) This is a lesson I believe in the most and I think others should perpetuate this... "Love is liberating... Love means my 'I love you's' are the same even if you were in China or if you were next door. Distance doesn't make me think different. Time is never an issue. Love is when I can willingly encourage you to go explore your dreams even if it means you leaving me behind". I guess every relationship is meant to teach you something new.The last root of stress originated from the construction of this graduation speech. I remember staring at the application and it said to fill out the application, submit a transcript, 2 letters of reference, and my speech. I think the speech was my breaking point. I have so many thoughts and feelings I want to convey in this one piece, the last address I will ever make to the University and I couldn't even start it. How could I take 5 1/2 years of struggle, stress, and gutter rainbows and lace it with inspiration to convince the higher ups that this one speech should be chosen? My mind is as complex as the mathematics that embellishes calculus problems and it just kept running with so many thoughts. They floated from all the talks me and Vu had about surviving and succeeding in this world during my freshman year to my period of depression to my classmate's, Gina, death last year to the moment I finished my last final exam of my college career. As I played verbal roulette, I frantically searched for the words that encompassed every blog post I ever made, every situation a student could ever go through, and every inspirational phrase I could think of.... And the first line of my speech goes like this.... "Whoever told you that you weren't good enough lied to you"..... Currently, Im still refining the memories and scanning the proper intonations to weave this speech.... As I reached a plateau of clarity a runner ran past me and broke me out of the abyss I created an hour before... I deeply exhaled and hopped on the train to make my journey back home... I got what I needed to finish what I started....
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Awakening: The Dying Legend of Claire Huxtable...
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This is directed towards women, but men feel free to relay this message to your homegirls.. NO SERIOUSLY....
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In relation to my job "choosing" one thing that I have noticed in the last few weeks of being back in NYC is the disappointment that I have developed towards females. Its not that I hate my own kind or something, but rather I see many females... settling... and its killing me... Some of my childhood friends, and some of you can relate, think having a baby is the career move to make these days without thinking about the consequences. It is not to say there aren't women who don't handle their busines with a child, but if you think having a child is the ONLY option for your future, then theres something wrong. Then, there are the girls that can't think of a better life beyond basic jobs, like stripping. Yea, the money is good, but are you using it to go to school? O_o THEN, there are the girls that think their cute faces and perfect body proportions will land them a career in being a video vixen. So, you want a career as that pretty girl in the back dancing on a rapper? WHAT IS HAPPENING THESE DAYS??? I cannot sincerely understand the source of this epidemic.
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Ok... Let's take a step back... For those of you that can remember think back to those days when the only phones we were talking on had cords attached to them in the kitchen and the only clubs we were sippin at were the "Boys & Girls Club" sippin YooHoo's. Now, remember watching the show "The Cosby's"? Now think to Claire Huxtable. She was one of the few images that women had to look up to in the media. She was educated with a Ph.D., responsible, amazing, accomplished, poised, and had goals. She was the epitome of what women should emulate. I'm not saying every woman should be like Claire, but where have we gone wrong? Have we allowed ourselves to fall victim to low standards, butt pads, and risque' pictures? Have we allowed ourselves to be, dare I say... Basic??? I think so.. Have we let the inner Claire Huxtable within us die slowly so we can make mental room to be the next housewife, Bad Girls Club member, ex-basketball/football wife, 16 & Pregnant focus, or Maury show guest? C'mon ladies....
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What happened to having a career, being a CEO, coming up with new innovative ideas, getting an education, thinking outside the box, or having a presence in the room without looking risque'? We have let physical attributes to overtake our mental qualities that it seems to marr the very caricature that women should possess. Now for you girls who think that your beauty will snatch you the ideal husband, you are stupid. A pretty face is temporary. Good men seek women who are intelligent, confident, can hold their own and won't ""mooch" off their empire. These are a few pillar qualities across the board they require. Why don't you pick yourself up and start your own empire? Stop being lazy. Take control of what the media thinks, don't let it control you.
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As a closing, I need everyone to take a stand on reality. Ask yourself or your homegirl are you putting the blueprint to your future into action? Are you allowing perfect body measurements to compete with your diploma? Are you a person who is temporarily standing out in the crowd or are you a Brander? Branders are people who create influential changes. Their name alone speaks of their accomplishments... Like Claire Huxtable... I don't know about you but I want to chase the sun, surpass the stars, and explore my dreams while my stilettos scrape the sky. I strive to be a brander. I'm out to build my empire. So when people hear my name in the future they'll say "Yea, she was not only amazing, but she was an icon to those around her". So ladies, STOP BEING BASIC. Travel the world. Construct your 5-year plan. Start creating your legend. We all have birth and death dates, but what really matters is what happens in between them... ***Steps Off Podium***
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