2011 is done. I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed. It doesn't seem like it's been a year. This year has come and gone. 2011 was, for the most part, good. It started off pretty great, fell into an abyss of awfulness and rebounded nicely. There are things that happened this year that I wouldn't dare to change. There are other things that occurred that still make me sad when I think of them. I know that life is all about accepting the good with the bad. All things considered, I survived 2011. I cannot lie though, at one point I wasn't too sure if that was going to happen. This year was all about introspection. I'm never too concerned about how people (minus a few) view me. I like to look at myself clearly. I spent a lot of time doing that this year.
I've learned a lot about myself. I know now that I still have the annoying habit of standing in my own way. When things are not going the way I want them to, I still tend to overthink. My imagination is ill, always has been. I spent way too much time this summer playing out the most outlandish scenarios because I was worried, petrified and lost. Too many times this year, I allowed my emotions to move me. I cut people out because I didn't want to deal. I know better and I've done better. I don't like acknowledging my faults but I have to in order to grow. I stopped diligently reading the Bible. But I've rectified that lately. I think that there are some areas of my life that I'm not doing enough. I just want to be a better woman.
I opened my heart so much this year. I allowed love to just live in me. I worked on the relationships that meant the most to me. I couldn't be any happier about that. I tried my hardest to write/blog every day. It wasn't easy. But, I wrote more this year than I have in a long time. I also tackled somr issues on my blog that I didn't plan to. But, I was told a writer should always write what's on their heart. I followed that advice, especially when it felt uncomfortable. That's when I think I wrote the best. I plan on continuing that. I reconnected with family members at our first family reunion in almost 30 years. It was the highlight of my summer. I finally took the jump into going natural. I'm not sure where this will lead but I'm trying.
Sometimes in life, we spend so much time reacting instead of acting. I hate letting anyones action determine my reactions. I've don't that too much this year. I vow to be an actionary woman in the new year. I've grown so much in the last year. I'm so proud of the many areas that I've allowed myself to grow. I stay in my head a lot because I love for things to be right. This year was amazing in many ways but one area stands out. I've been a woman in love this year. That love has changed me forever. I have become a woman I never knew existed. Just the mere thought of him makes me so happy at any given moment. There aren't enough words to fully explain how I feel. I tell him often, daily, subconsciously. I can't even stop myself from saying it. That's how deep it is. I have no clue what I did to deserve him, this. But, Lord knows I'm so grateful. Highlight of 2011 for me has been this love, his love.
Writing has been my saving grace this year. I completely forgot how freeing it was for me. Committing myself to writing everyday helped me remember this. I love to write. I love the written word. For me, starting with a simple idea and fleshing it out isn't work. It's my passion. Expressing myself through words is nothing new. But, sharing those words with all of you is. It's as scary as it is exciting. When I hit that "publish post" button, I am always holding my breath a little. It's an experience that I thoroughly enjoy though. Last year, I said that I wanted to blog every day. I hate that I fell short on my goal, even though it wasn't by much. This year, I have posted 318 blogs. That is three times as many blogs than I did in 2010! That's such a huge feat for me. I am so proud of myself. I think my writing has expanded so much. I am excited about what topics I will touch on in the future. Sometimes, I cannot find inspiration anywhere. And there are times when I find it everywhere. I write about the things that affect me. I love having this medium as an outlet. Whether if I was happy or sad or whatever, I wrote through it. I'm thankful for everyone who took the time out to read my words, even if you didn't comment. I will continue to write because it makes me happy. I hope to continue doing what makes my heart happy.
2011 has been one for the books. It was good, bad, and indifferent at any given time. I can't say that I'm sad to see it go though. I've never been big on new years resolutions. I just always strive to be better than I was before in all areas. I'm looking forward to 2012. I will continue to work on me. Continue to work towards what I want. I know that everything that I've experienced this year will just make me stronger and more appreciative of everything. I hope I made your year a little brighter through my words here. And, hopefully, I can continue to do so in the coming year. Thank you for coming in to my world. Happy New Year to everyone reading this!!!
This is my end of the year wrap up. A few lists of 11 things that stood out to me. There were songs, movies, tv shows, CDs, and sports moments that made my year. 2011 was full of some pretty great moments. What were some of yours? Leave them in the comment section below. Here we go!
°Songs° 11) Rihanna "Birthday Cake" 10) Jill Scott "Hear My Call" 09) Frank Ocean "Novacane" 08) Bridget Kelly "Thinking Bout Forever" 07) JCole/Missy "Nobody's Perfect" 06) Drake "Look What You've Done" 05) Beyonce "I Miss You" 04) Jeezy/Jay-Z/Andre 3000 "I Do" 03) Adele "Set Fire To The Rain" 02) Wale "Illest B***h Alive" 01) Jay-Z & Kanye West "N***as In Paris" & "Gotta Have It"
°Cds° 11) Jessie J "Who You Are" 10) Marsha Ambroius "Late Nights, Early Mornings" 09) Leidisi "Pieces Of Me" 08) J. Cole "Cole World: Sideline Story" 07) Amy Winehouse "Lioness:Hidden Treasures" 06) Jeezy "TM103" 05) Drake "Take Care" 04) Wale "Ambition" 03) Beyonce "4" 02) Adele "21" 01) Jay-Z & Kanye West "Watch The Throne"
°Movies/TV shows° 11) "The Lincoln Lawyer" 10) The Good Wife 09) "Breaking Dawn Part I" 08) Switched At Birth 07) "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" 06) Reed Between The Lines 05) "Fast Five" 04) Happy Endings 03) Revenge 02) "Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part II" 01) "Columbiana"
°Sports Moment° 11) Mavs Championship Win 10) Celtics Bad Start 09) Shortened NBA season 08) Odom trade/crying interview/ejection from 1st game 07) Suh fine/suspension 06) Packers ridiculous season 05) Colts disappointing season 04) ULL N.O. Bowl win 03) Chris Paul league denied trade/eventual trade 02) Drew Brees Record breaking 01) NBA Lockout
I am not a fan of 90% of the crap that BET plays. The station that once was about BLACK entertainment television has been falling off in many ways. There are many reasons why I don't watch the channel much. But, I digress. The Hip Hop Awards were shown last night. This televised edited version comes almost two weeks after the actual show happened. This is a problem. In the social media driven world we live in, people already know who won, who performed and what happened. I only watched for the cyphers (2 in particular) and the return performance of T.I.
The best cypher of the night goes to Shady 2.0 hands down. This was the only cypher I was looking forward to. The main reason is Joe Budden. I have been a fan since the first time I heard dude spit. There is something in his voice that pulls me in. I love the way he lays his heart out in everything he drops. This is not to say that the rest of the crew didn't bring it. Yelawolf, Crooked I, and Joell all spit great bars. But, I love Royce and Eminem (outside of Joe) the most. Shady 2.0 was ill. After it played, I tweeted that BET should just run their cypher back. Also, they were the only crew that got a different beat. BET saved the best cypher for last. I loved it. Can't you tell?
Second place easily goes to the MMG cypher. Well, not to Rick Ross cause he kind of sucks to me musically. But, I liked what the rest of his crew had to say. I may be biased because I am a Wale fan and am slowly becoming a Meek Mill fan as well.
Busta Rhymes, Luda, Reek da Villian, and 2 Chainz are in the next cypher. I LOVE Busta's freestyle. He never disappoints in my mind. Luda is a favorite of mine. He showed out as well. This was my first time hearing of Reek. He was cool. It took me all night to figure out why 2 Chainz looked so familiar. It's because he was formerly known as Titty Boy. I am not here for him only because he has no real skills and the fact that he named himself Titty Boy to begin with.
Chris Brown showed up in a cypher. His bars was a media laced rant that I can definitely get into. Also in his cypher was Tyga, Kevin McCall, and Ace Hood. I'm not a Ace Hood fan and his part was a throw away verse to me. I wasn't impressed at all.
The cypher that was filled with newcomers was interesting as well. It featured Big K.R.I.T. Machine Gun Kelly, Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, and B.O.B. This was a very interesting cypher for me. I had never really heard Kendrick rap. I didn't know BOB and KRIT could spit like that. And, I have never laid eyes on MGK before this.
Another quirky cypher was the next one. blind fury, of 106 & Park Freestyle Friday fame, was teamed up with SkillzVa, the dude who does the end of the year wrap up rap. There was also Dom Kennedy who I am becoming a fan of and a throwback with the appearance of Lady of Rage. Remember her?
Anyway, the cyphers were the highlight for me. The throwback performances of DMX and Heavy D were amazing as well. I could take or leave the rest of the show. I think BET should expand the cyphers into a longer format. I would so approve and support that. I was underwhelmed by the awards as a whole. There was another cypher filled with folks I do not know nor did I feel. So I decided not to post it. I mean it featured the singer Estelle rapping, a female raper who dropped a line about "dropping bombs like Saddam" (guess no one told her that Saddam is dead) a Christian rapper and a French rapper who rapped entirely in French with subtitles. So, yeah BET could've missed me with that one totally. Hope you guys enjoy the cyphers as much as I did.
Hello. My name is Kenda and I am addicted to reality tv. I was a reluctant viewer at first. But now, I am deeply immersed in it. I've come to the conclusion that my intelligence is really being insulted by this dumbing down of American television. I need an exit strategy asap. So, in this very beginning of this new year, I feel the need to ween myself off of it.
The first causalities of this year has been "Brandy & Ray J Family Business." This was an easy decision because Ray J is beyond wack. This is further made obvious by the fact that he has no clue that he thinks he is so cool. This show comes off very scripted and just forced. So, I'm clearly saying bye-bye to the Norwoods. Another one that has to go is Teen mom and 16 & Pregnant. These two shows only make me mad.
Now, there are shows that will be much harder for me to let go off. I am a fanatic behind the Real Housewives franchise. I am currently watching the Atlanta and Beverly Hills seasons. I will finish these seasons and be done with them. The New York and Orange County women will be back on the scene soon. I will not even get back into those franchises. I am a Big Brother, Four Weddings, Bridezilla, Jersey Shore, Top Chef, Say Yes To The Dress, Te Real World, and America's Next Top Model fan as well. These shows will not be watched anymore. I just cannot do it. I am beginning to feel dumber by the day for watching such cleverly disguised trash. I am over it in 2011.
I think I need to spend more time feeding my intelligence. I have to be more conscious of what I take in. I think I need to read more or watch more things on the History Channel. The reality tv explosion does not seem as if it's going anywhere any time soon. I am just respectfully declining from participating. I need more from entertainment. I deserve more for me and my mind in 2011. And, I'm going get it, by any means necessary!
Happy New Year's!!! 2010 is so far gone! Hello and good morning to 2011. I believe that it will be a great year. I am speaking it into existence right now!!
It's time to say goodbye to 2010. It was quite a year. I am hopeful, determined, and clearly excited about the new year. Going into 2011, I am the most optimistic that I've ever been. My mind is so clear and fully focused. I know what I want and that I will get it all. I know now that what God has for me is for me. I will meet my future face to face. I plan on moving in the direction of where my future lies. I will continue to nurture and develop my relationship with HIM. I've finally voiced my intense desire to get married and have kids. I want the whole all American family; husband, kids, dog/cat, and a house with a white picket fence (ok maybe not the fence lol). I cannot wait to be pregnant & give birth to my own kids. Specifically, two girls and a boy. I will further my education. I will def be changing career paths. I need to do something fulfilling with my life. I'm sure that writing is it. I will smile more while worrying less. I'm a firm believer in speaking it with your mouth & believing it with your heart. We give life to everything we put out into the universe. I'm finally ready to live my life. I'm excited about my future and all that it entails. I am finally on the road to my destiny. There is no better gift than that for me in 2011. So au revoir & adios to 2010 and bonjour & hola to 2011. I plan on making this year a great one!
