Be Proud

What sets a person like you apart from everyoone else.  It comes down to having an open mind and an open heart, and a whole lot of courage.  You're not afraid to sample new things and meet new people.  You're willing to make mistakes, learn from failure and turn negatives into positives.

Live Your Life to the Fullest

Dreams can come true
If you take the time to
think about what you want in life
Get to know yourself
Find out who you are
Choose your goals carefully
Be honest with yourself
Always believe in yourself

Emotional Emotions, I will not say it's depression but a rebuilding of my faith and spirit.

I'm going through some deep emotions right now in my life.  The type you cant talk to friends or family about becuase you feel they wouldnt understand.  I hate to think about it or talk abou it.  I dont want to rehash. I want to move on.  I've use prayer, law of attraction, visualization, postive attitude, meditation, exercise and preparation. 

Tornado Relief Fund

You can donate to the United Way Tornado Relief Fund.
Go online to http://UWCA.org or
Donate on your cell phone by texting "TORNADO" to 50555 to donate $10.00
To donate by mail, send donations to United Way Tornado Disaster Fund,
P.O. Box 320189
Birmingham, AL 35232

To find out ways to volunteer to help those affected by the tornadoes, go to http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/
If you need any help recovering from the storms,
call the Governor's Recovery Response Center at 1-866-465-2241

For more information or to register for FEMA assistance call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

You can also go to  http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Mobile devices can go to http://m.fema.gov/

FEMA relief centers are open 7a to 7p, 7 days a week.

If you see what you think is price gouging call this toll free hotline
1-800-392-5658

For continuous news updates on the tornado recovery, stay with Alabama's 13 and http://www2.alabamas13.com/  and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Tornado in Birmingham, Alabama 4/27/2011

On April 27, 2011, a tornado ripped through Birmingham, AL.  Today, I went to see the trail of destruction that was left behind.  When I saw this, my first thought went to the people who were effected by this and my second thought went to the spiritual realm of my mind.

When you see the wrath of a tornado, which scientifically  is two air masses meeting, a lower one containing warm, humid air and a higher one containing cool, dry air, it blows your mind.   Depending on conditions, winds can intensify the sudden upward air flow and create the vortex of wind that is a tornado.  An average tornado lasts only 10 minutes and travels up to 7 to 8 miles.

The thing about this recent weather emergency is that it caused destruction in 5 states.  There was hot humid air trapped low in all 5 states.  As the cold wind traveled, it destroyed so much.  Nature has a way of stabilizing itself.  We should all love nature and protect it by any means necessary.

My family members that live in the area are safe.  Thank God for blessings.  As you can see in my video, its evident that some people didn't make it and my heart goes out to those dealing with the lost of a loved one. May all the people who aren't here anymore rest in peace.

This was my first time seeing this type of natural destruction with my own eyes.  When I drove through this area before all of this happened, you couldn't see a house because of the tall trees near the edges of the road, now you can see everything. It was as if God was floating on a cloud relaxing and then said to himself " I'm going to jog for a minute then hop back on my cloud later".   I believe in a higher power and that we're all connected with each other and with nature. 

Be Strong

Always keep your goodness and never lose your love, for then you'll be rewarded with success in ways you never dreamed of.

You can be head and shoulders above the crowd.  You don't have to be a giant to be strong, tall, and proud.  All you have to be is someone people look up to.

In the course of time, you will be reminded that hard work gets good results and keeping healthy is essential.

Know when to work your mind and let your body relax, and know when doing just the opposite makes the most sense.  Being able to handle whatever life brings your way is not a matter of coincidence.

You've got so many possibilities ahead! Don't be too quick to limit your choices of what to do, because you might limit  your chances of unimagined joys that are waiting just for you.

You've got a big heart.  Keep it filled with happiness. You've got a fascinating mind.  Keep finding ways to grow. Keep yearning, keep learning, keep trying, keep smiling, and keep remembering that love goes with you everywhere you go.

~D. Richards.

Beyonce's tribute to Michelle Obama's "Lets Move" movement.

Video by Beyonce to accompany the "Let's Move" movement. 

Substitute Teaching Middle School Kids.

When I substitute middle school kids in a predominately black school system. It's a mental challenge.  Since I don't know each and every one of their names, they assume they can take advantage of the situation and become so hyperactive like 2 year old children almost.  How many times do they think I'm going to say, "Sit down!" "Take a seat!" "Stop talking and work on your assignment", "Don't make me call the principle in here!"

I had sixth grade today, this age group is confused as hell.  The ages are about 11 and 12.  They talk while I'm going over the lesson plan.  I stood at the podium today and literally went over questions 1 through 17 and helped those, who were paying attention, find the answers.  How about  the select few students who take school seriously and I were on number 10 on the worksheet and one of the highly confused students had the nerve to yell out, yes I said yell out, middle school kids have the tendency to always want attention, they don't know how to raise their hands before speaking to the "Sub", but anyway, we're on number 10 and they yelled out "What did you say number 2 was?  I looked at them like they were crazy and I said "We did that one already and you will have to wait until were done and I'll get back to you".  They had the nerve to huff and get upset.

Another thing about middle school kids is that they will call each other rude names in a heart beat.  Names like stupid and dumb to name a few.  Believe me when I tell you, there is a full gamut of names that they will use.  I find myself constantly defending the kids that just sit there and "take it".  Teach your middle school kids to throw those words right back at them to shut them down and shut them up because the principals, believe or not, are not always available to handle the situation.

Middle school teachers are dealing with some seriously hormonal, attention seeking kids.  Pray for them.  Support them. If you have a middle school kid, I just want you to know they are going through a thunderstorm of emotions. Please help them channel it and help them cope through their confusing view of the world at this time in their lives.

What a day.

I cooked, I cleaned, I rested, I meditated, I visited with friends, I laughed, I cried, I thanked God for this day.

Shangela and Raja Parody. LOL.

If you're familiar with RuPauls Drag Race season 3, this video will have you weak!

Very Funny video called "Celebritweets"

I had to post this, it cracked me up!!  LOL

Choices

if i can't do
what i want to do
then my job is to not
do what i don't want
to do

it's not the same thing
but it's the best i can
do

if i can't have
what i want . . . then
my job is to want
what i've got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more to want

since i can't go
where i need
to go . . . then i must . . . go
where the signs point
through always understanding
parallel movement
isn't lateral

when i can't express
what i really feel
i practice feeling
what i can express
and none of it is equal
i know
but that's why mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry

~ Nikki Giovanni

"Mob Wives" Review

I saw the first episode of Mob Wives and I can tell you this, those Stanton Island ladies are off the chain.  The show is designed as if all the ladies are under surveillance and 'someone' with a high powered camera is out there lurking and  taking pictures of all of their interactions thereby giving the show a raw feel like real mob interactions are going down.  My initial thoughts to the way the show is designed is that it's too much extra, but since the show is called Mob Wives what do you expect?

This show has a cast of women who are full of themselves, and they all appear to be wealthy, which is funny because all of their financiers are locked up and from what I've notice, not one of these ladies have jobs. Maybe I missed the part where they discussed having careers but I don't think I missed that discussion.  How are they supporting themselves so lavishly?  We'll find out later, I hope.

I will definitely keep watching because it's drama filled and exciting. If the remaining episodes are anything like this first one, this show could become one of my guilty pleasures.   Jersey Girls keep it real!
For more info about these ladies visit  http://tinyurl.com/3nc8boy

14,000 Deaths in Japan and the numbers are increasing.

Japan has suffered severely  from the natural disasters in Tokyo.  The numbers of deaths have increased immeasurably. In addition to the losses they have suffered, they are also dealing with a nuclear crisis. This country is in need for our help.  They need our prayers, contributions, and assistance in this time of turmoil and grief. 

The people of Tokyo, Japan have been dealing with this crisis since March 11, 2011, the day mother nature slammed the country with a 9.0 earthquake and a towering tsunami.

The tsunami has caused a great deal of damage at the nuclear plant. The levels are extremely toxic and will likely cause the people of Japan to have many health problems which can span into future generations. There is a possibility that this will remain a huge problem for years to come.

Below is a picture of the possible ramifications of the nuclear radiation disaster in Japan.  

Please take a moment to help and go to 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/songs-for-japan/id428401715
and help our fellow mankind. 

The Family Crews episode that aired 4/18/11

The Family Crews is a great show.  I can really sense the love the members of this family have for each other. Everybody communicates openly and they seem to always spend quality time together.  

Terry is working hard and doing what he needs to do to keep food on the table.  The problem is, which is a good problem or not a problem at all,  the show "Are we there yet"  has been picked up for 90 episodes and the family has to now consider a big move from the west coast to the east coast. The family is very supportive of Terry and will move. When Terry gave them the news the family had an 'oh sh*t not again', expression on their faces but they will support him 100% and will pack it up and move it out. The two older kids, I believe, will  say goodbye to their parents for now and will branch out and live independently on the west coast.

In other news an issue arose regarding the magazine, although Terry accompanied Rebecca to the Heart and Soul photo shoot, Rebecca was still apprehensive about showing him the finished product.  I think the news about the big move to the east coast dulled her spirits and she didn't want to even show him the magazine photos. The  photos were very classy.  She's wearing a white two-piece bathing suit and it was done tastefully. I hope to be that sexy when I'm well into my 40's.

To read more go to http://www.bet.com/content/betcom/shows/the-family-crews.html

Addicted to Food on Own Network

Have you seen Additcted To Food on the OWN network?   This series follows 8 people with eating disorders who are at the Shades of Hope Treatment Center located in Texas.   

The people being treated are Elizabeth age 48 and 97 lbs who is anorexic and bulimic,  Robby age 50 is a guy who's 337 lbs,  Traecey age 41 and 315 lbs,  Camille age 35 and 136 lbs who's a laxative Bulimic,  DeJuali age 45 and 275 lbs,  Amy age 35 and 261 lbs,  Tinisha  age 32 and 275 lbs  and Layne age 47 and 228 lbs. 

The licensed therapist is Tennie McCarthy. To me she is a true "Country Girl"  she has a deep southern accent similar to Joyce Meyer, and she comes across as very patient.  She's always serious  and calm as a lamb even when the patients are enraged.  Shades of hope is ran by Teenies family who have all been addicted to food in their own pasts as well.

When they settled in at the ranch, they all sat down and ate dinner together and as soon as Elizabeth ate every single morsel on  her plate she got up from the table, walked straight to the bathroom and purged.  Later, they showed everyone sitting around outside talking about their issues. Elizabeth said she was a counselor who counsels kids with eating disorders.  I was like what?  No way. 

The next person to speak about their issues was DeJuali.   She's 45 years old and is still a virgin because she grew up in a household where the father was a pastor of a church.  Her father told her she had to stay with the family's gospel singing group and was not allowed to go to college after high school.  She never had the opportunity to live her dream so she compensates by binge eating.  She's had to suffer the pain of having to live under her fathers thumb.

I hope they really work out their eating problems and not fake it for the paycheck they're getting for being on a reality show. If you want to know more click the link below. I could go on and on about this crew but I'm going to stop here for now and just add a few updates as I go along. 

http://www.oprah.com/own-addicted-to-food/addicted-to-food.html

Church Sermon

When I go to church sometimes, it seems as if the message is just for me.  Today the message was about Paul writing a note to Timothy that said hang on and stay strong in faith because God has your back.  At this point in my life, I'm going through a change and I can tell you now that I don't know what the outcome will be.  I know what I want and I know what it takes to get there but I don't know how it will transpire so I'm going to hold on strong to my faith and go with the flow.    http://tinyurl.com/43mxvpt