Make life Happen!!...

Don't let life happen to you! I heard Joel Osteen say something to the effect of "we make life so routine. You get up go to work, go home, eat and then go to sleep. We hardly spend time with our family. We become so wrapped up in our careers. We never stop to smell the roses and enjoy our loved ones."

I know life can be a DRAB sometimes. You get so used to doing things in a routine. BUT, somewhere in between there's ALWAYS TIME to do what YOU LOVE! There are 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week. Somewhere in there, you can squeeze in some family time, some God time, and some "me" time. Having a balance of these makes life much easier to enjoy. Have you ever noticed, that when you're leaving church, just finished reading the Bible, praying, praising God you feel SO much better about....EVERYTHING. On your saddest of saddest days, on your worse of worse days try just praising God, reading a chapter or a couple scriptures out the Bible, or just praying. And your prayer doesn't have to be all SUPER deep and long. Just straight to the point. See how you feel after!

As for family time and doing what YOU love....I know everyone doesn't have that "picture perfect" family. So...if you have someone...anyone who is LIKE family to you, try spending some time with them. Have a movie night/game night whatever. It's important that you surround yourself with positive, supporting people! And most importantly make time for you. What are some things that you can do alone that you enjoy? I like to read the Bible, draw, color (lol don't judge me), paint, watch movies...there's a number of thing that I enjoy that I can do alone...or with someone else. And, it definitely makes my life more interesting! Don't continue to sit in the passenger seat/backseat and let "life" happen to you. Take control! Make "life" happen FOR you!!

Corinne B Rae is coming to Atlanta!

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Corinne's music. She will be here May 11 at Center Stage and I want to be there bright and early! I also heard she will be in the Lilith Fair here in Atlanta August 8 as well. As I digress, other artists to hit the stage are Janelle Monae, Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, Mary J B lige, Priscilla Renea, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, The Rescues, Kelly Clarkson, and the list goes on and on! To view the complete lineup and tour dates and cities check out http://www.lilithfair.com/

Okay, back to Corinne, I've been wanting to see her live for the longest! And now, I think my chance has finally come... it's just a matter of fate right now.. you know, if God up in Heaven sees it fit that I should be in attendance. Embarrassingly though, this will be the first time I have ever gone to concert so, I'm not sure what to expect. All I know is, I deserve to be there! I've been having a good semester, and had a rough 2009. So, this would definitely make my year!

Friends! How many of us have them?

And I mean a REAL friend(s) who you can REALLY depend on? A true, genuine, love you unconditionally friend is so hard to find! Want to know what I think classifies as a true friend?

Someone who knows you're sad even when you have the biggest smile on your face. Someone who can hear the pain in your voice and refuses to let you continue with your life until you talk about it. Someone you can ACTUALLY call at midnight for a ride even though you're 30 miles away from their house. Even when you feel like no one understands your pain, as soon as you talk to them, they empathize, relate and bring you back to a sense of peace and clarity in the midst of calamity. A friend is someone who prays WITH you. A friend tells when you're wrong, and helps you make it right. They know what you want before you can even say it.

Throughout my life I've had a lot of friends. Now, I can count my closest ones on one hand. I chose to keep my circle small, because everyone doesn't have your best interest in mind. To me, that's like going around asking people to pray for you. I have a selective few I may ask to pray with/for me because everyone doesn't pray for you with your best interest in mind. Finding a friend who loves you through it all is hard to find! Luckily I have a few who I know I can depend on and even though some of them are far away, they're only a phone call away--and vice versa. So, my question for you... do you know of at least ONE person you can depend on (besides Jesus of course)?? If the worst thing of your life ever took place, can you think of one person you can call on?? [Family excluded]

I AM not my hair..? Opinions please!

For many black girls, the norm for what our hair should look like is straight. So, what do most people do? They get a relaxer. But for many of the girls/women who get relaxers, their hair begins to thin and ultimately break off in a recurring cycle...which makes it seems like their hair can't grow. But, why is it a social reproach for us to embrace out natural roots? With a little taming, being natural can be done. Especially since the invention of the beloved flat iron! Why would you continue to put harmful chemicals in your hair and watch it get thinner and thinner? It's a devastating experience to watch your hair fall out. Let me share my hair journey with you guys.

Growing up, I wasn't allowed to get a relaxer, and my mom is the one who did my hair. I mainly kept my hair in braids. When I got in high school, this changed. I discovered there were other straightening tools OTHER than the hot comb. Once I found a decent beautician I began getting my hair pressed..which was very expensive due to the thickness and length of my hair! I then put hi-lights in my hair and shortly after things began to change. My beautician started working out of her house, which was too far for me to travel. So, I switched to another beautician who worked in the same shop. The first time I went to her she CHOPPED trimmed my hair. Her excuse.... my ends were bad...LOL but my previous beautician kept my hair healthy so that was obviously a lie wrong. After so many times of my hair growing back and her CUTTING trimming it over and over, I couldn't take it anymore. So I changed beauticians. I began getting more color and trusting that she was taking care of my hair. My hair began breaking off...starting in the back. Next thing I know, a huge patch of my hair broke off tremendously. A big clump was about 3"-4" long! I couldn't believe it! I changed beauticians for a 3rd time and had no choice but to cut my hair. Which was a very depressing experience for me! lol After my hair was cut I stopped going to the beautician for a couple of months hoping my hair would grow but all that kept happening was a cycle of my hair growing and breaking off! I didn't know what to do... NOW, about 2 years after the cut and 1 beautician later my hair is finally healthy again! Growing.

Now I'm experimenting with my hair trying to figure out what my hair likes. Right now, it's curly/crinkly and very thick! But, in a weird way, I love it! I can wear it straight if I want to but my hair in its natural state is more convenient especially in the summer time.. I won't having to worry about my edges "sweating out." {BTW, I love weeves!} LOL MY question for you ladies and GENTLEMEN is which do you prefer? Ladies, do you like to wear your straight, relaxed, or in its natural state? Guys, which are you more attracted to? Does it even make a difference?

Wish List!!

I absolutely LOVE these dresses for the spring/summer. Vibrant colors has always been a favorite of mine! I MUST go on a shopping spree within the next month! Paired with a cute pair of sandals and big bag...I'd be ready to take on the day! lol

It's the little things and the joy they bring!

Spring is in the air and it's my FAVORITE season! With the flowers budding, cool breezes, the beautiful sunny days! The only downside is the rain :( I can't wait to enjoy a nice picnic in the park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. For me, it's the little things and the joy they bring that keeps me happy. Hand picked flowers, a home cooked meal, a day set aside just to enjoy painting whatever is in my heart. These are the small blessings that make a BIG difference.

If ever you find yourself unhappy about your life, you have to sit back and count your blessings. The many that you have. It's the little things that you do or enjoy on a regular basis that makes you genuinely happy. Complaining and murmuring about what isn't right only emphasizes the negative. Accentuate the positive! All else will fall into place soon after! Things have a way of working itself out (with the help of God or course).

BTW, I found 3 picnic blankets in my closet. I cannot wait to use them! LOL I've never really went on a picnic before, but with the right person I think it could be fun! Maybe in Centennial Park during the water show or screen on the green, or at Piedmont Park. Aaahhh I can't wait until spring/summer finally blossoms. Hopefully I'll have someone to spend these next two seasons with...(probably not) LOL smh. I'll picnic by myself though! I don't care how pathetic it looks! lol

Break ups--What's the deal!?

I've been in love before, and for those of you who have actually been in love, I think you can admit that you never lose love for someone you've been in love with. Getting over a breakup, especially if it was a bad one, is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. There are so many unanswered questions, so much confusion, frustration, hurt, and the list goes on depending on the circumstances. Love can make you do some crazy things. You turn your back on everyone you love for this one person who means the world to you. What's a real heart breaker though, is when someone meant the world to you and you find out you meant absolutely nothing to them.

So, what's the cure for a heart ache? Truth is, there is no quick fix. If you really love someone there's no easy way to just up and forget they existed. Best thing for YOU to do is cut off all forms of communication from them (including facebook, twitter, email, etc.) Try focusing your time on other things, if you're a student you'll find that you have a lot more time on your hands study! Trust me, making better grades really makes you feel accomplished and confirms that life does go on without them. Spend more time with friends--preferably ones who understand why you feel the way you do. Anytime you find yourself thinking about your ex, do something to take your mind off of it. Having a hobby is good for this.

I believe time really does soothe a broken heart. But...try not to jump into another relationship too fast. Especially if your last one ended because they cheated, lied, deserted you...basically if you were betrayed. It's perfectly fine to date, but you have to heal your broken heart before you can truly open up and love again. Keep your options as open as possible! When you're ready to settle down again, you'll definitely know. Getting used to being single, and the dating world is hard. But once you get the hang of it you'll learn so much about yourself. Lord knows I have. Even taking a break from dating altogether could be good for you. It's just about figuring out what works for you. In the meantime...enjoy being single! Enjoy getting to know yourself all over again. Enjoy making yourself happy! If you're happy and you know it then your life will surely show it! Once you achieve that, love won't have a problem finding you.

Is chivalry dead?

Chivalry - the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms. (dictionary.com)

In this day and age, it seems to be getting more and more difficult to find a "man" who knows how to treat a "woman." Or actually treat her the way she should be treated. What happened to showing up at the lady's house with some fresh flowers eager to meet her parents? Though, I know I don't want my parents to meet everyone I chose to date--since I'm not sure if I want to take it any further than a first date. But... C'MON SON! You could at least open the cussin door! Ever since I got back on the dating market--almost a year ago--it seems that SOME--not most--men don't care for treating a lady the way she should be treated. The last time I had a boyfriend who showered me with flowers on a consistent basis was in high school, and I loved it. He's the most chivalrous guy I've ever been in a relationship with. Finding that type of guy seems to be getting harder everyday. But then again...I don't think guys are the only ones to blame. I've heard stories of "women" who weren't as appreciative as I, or most other women I know, of a chivalrous man. Could it be that the women of today are giving today's men the impression that chivalry is lame? What do you think ladies and gentlemen?

Corinne Bailey Rae - "The Sea"

Back from a very lengthy hiatus after the untimely death of her husband, Corinne's finally back. This woman is truly an inspiration to me. To be able to overcome the tragic death of her husband and still have that radiant smile amazes me. It's obvious how much she's grown image wise and artist wise. I love her new look. She's really come into her own over the past couple years and the long hair does her much justice. As far as her album -- it gives me so much life everyday.

There's a great variation of slow songs and upbeat, feel good tempos. "Love's on it's way" is a haunting yet beautiful song. "Closer" has a sensual feel to it. Which, is something different for Corinne. "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" is a feel good song. Inspires me even more to save up for a trip to Paris in the future. These are just a few of my favorite songs off the album. You can watch the video for "Paris/New York" and "I'd do it all again" on her website. www.corinnebaileyrae.net