° - My "Soul Mates" post was a huge hit. It garnered 2,179 views!
° - I fell for the lyrics of a great song. I wrote about Nikki Leonti's "The Walk" and it got 1,117 hits.
° - Karma is a topic I ponder often. I did so here and folks were reading. It was viewed 654 times.
° - Hair is a huge topic, specially for Black women. I started my natural hair journey almost 15 months ago. I wrote a review on Cantu products. It received 400 hits.
° - We are all familiar with our comfort zones. I blogged about the topic and folks were watching. 396 people to be exact.
I am beyond thankful for everyone of you for visiting my blog, reading my words and coming back. Ridiculously thankful for the readers who take the time out to comment and engage conversation. I do not know why you came but I am thankful for you. I put my heart into my words here. And, to have people embrace that brings me to tears. So, I just wanted to take the timeout to say thanks. 2012 has been a hell of a year, writing/blogging wise for me. Cannot even begin to imagine what 2013 will inspire. Happy New Year's Eve!!!
I'm not a woman who complains a lot verbally. Mentally, is another subject. But, I don't like to burden folks with my problems, concerns or issues. I keep it to myself. I solve my own things. So, this is why the month of December has been extremely tough. I've been more stressed and worried than usual. I've had to grin & bear it around my family as to not to concern them. I've realized that one must be very specific in their prayers. I've been praying for an answer & I finally got it. It was not the one I needed. Instead, the answer made me feel worse than before. Made me even more stressed and worried than before. And this affects every aspect of my life. I cannot sleep, I have no appetite and my mind runneth over with wild scenarios. I won't even get into how I started crying in the middle of the bread aisle in Target. Stress affects people differently. I've had a crook in my neck for weeks & my shoulders hurt. It's like my body & emotions have turned against me. I have no control here & that is never a good thing. I just really need to leave all of this in 2012. I fear that starting the new year with all this going on will set the stage for the rest of my year. I'm not strong enough to carry that. I can't. And I won't. I am so over this month.
I've written way more this year than I thought I could or would. I stuck to my promise to myself. I blogged every day. Hell, there were some days that I blogged twice. It wasn't exactly easy but I accomplished it. That is a huge deal for me. I do not know what the new year will bring for me. But, I have prayed that it will be all good things. I usually do not do new years resolutions. But, I have a clear idea of what 2013 needs to hold for me. I pray for more happiness and less sadness, more opportunities to better myself in all aspects. Working on all relationships in my life is a must. I want less stress, more laughter in the new year. Maybe I want to be inspired more. I definitely need to sleep more. I am an admitted night owl. But, I really need to cut that out. Maybe set a designated bed time. I need to be more motivated. Basically, my word for 2013 is more. To be physically, mentally and emotionally better than the previous year is what I am striving for. here are a few others but they are very personal. 2012 is on its way out. I am not sad to see it go considering how awful the last month has been. Happy New Year's Eve!!
"I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows" - Matthew 24:34 - 36
Today, December 14th, is my birthday. I just want to take the time out thank God for waking me up this morning. I am grateful for still being here 33 years later. I know that none of us are promised tomorrow so I am not going to take it for granted. I am now a 33 year old woman. I am still getting used to saying that lol. It's my birthday and I just had to blog about it :)
Singles
12 - Mylah "Ever"
11 - Fun. featuring Janelle Monae "We Are Young"
10 - Chris Brown "Don't Judge Me"
09 - Frank Ocean "Thinking Bout You"
08 - Meek Mill featuring Drake "Amen"
07 - Lianne La Havas "Empty (In Paris)"
06 - Tamia "Beautiful Surprise"
05 - Elle Varner "Refill"
04 - Ne-yo "Lazy Love"
03 - Adele "Rolling In The Deep"
02 - G.O.O.D Music featuring Jay-Z "Clique"
01 - Miguel "Adorn"
Albums
12 - Monica "New Life"
11 - Frank Ocean "channel Orange"
10 - Bruno Mars "Unorthodox Jukebox"
09 - Lianne La Havas Is Your Love Big Enough?
08 - Soundtrack "The Music of Smash"
07 - Elle Varner "Perfectly Imperfect"
06 - Ne-Yo "R.E.D."
05 - G.O.O.D. Music "Cruel Summer"
04 - Brandy "Two Eleven"
03 - Rihanna "Unapologetic"
02 - Adele "21"
01 - Miguel "Kaleidoscope Dream"
As usual, the best song isn't always the singles. I usually find great gems hidden on the album. That was the case this year as well. I fell in love with a bunch of songs that will properly never get the single treatment. I actually happen to love that though. It ensures that I won't get tired of them because of the radio overplaying them. So, here are my favorite 12 of the year. I had a hard time narrowing this list down. Here are the winners:
Hidden Gems
12 - Brandy "What You Need"
11 - Frank Ocean featuring Andre 3000 "Pink Matter"
10 - Monica "Daddy's Good Girl"
09 - Keyshia Cole "Hey Sexy"
08 - Nicki Minaj featuring Ciara "I'm Legit"
07 - Elle Varner "Soundproof Room"
06 - SWV "Show Off"
05 - Kendrick Lamar featuring Drake "Poetic Justice"
04 - Miguel "How Many Drinks"
03 - Rihanna "Pour It Up"
02 - G.O.O.D. Music "The One"
01 - Ne-yo featuring RaVaughn & Young Jeezy "All She Wants"
Mixtape Hits
12 - Iggy Azalea "Me, Myself, My Money" (Glory)
11 - Fabolous "For The Love" (Soul Tape 2)
10 - RaVaughn "Me and You (Love Thang)" (Love Always, The Introduction)
09 - Joe Budden "So Good" (A Loose Quarter)
08 - Emanny featuring Joe Budden "I Messed Up" (Songs About Her)
07 - Meek Mill featuring Jordanne "Use To Be" (Dreamchasers 2)
06 - Elle Varner "WTF" (Conversational Lush)
05 - Slaughterhouse "Truth or Truth" (On The House)
04 - Raheem DeVaughn "Ask yourself" (Heemy Taught Me 2)
03 - Daley featuring Marsha Ambrosius "Alone Together" (Those Who Wait)
02 - Fabolous featuring Joe Budden & Teyana Taylor "Want You Back" (Soul Tape 2)
01 - Joe Budden featuring Emanny "More of Ma (A Loose Quarter)
And, with the best, there must be a worst. These are the people I would rather never hear from again.
No Mas
12 - Carly Rae Jepsen
11 - Alicia Keys* & this "Girl On Fire" era
10 - Lil Wayne*
09 - Ciara*
08 - A$AP Rocky (I also hate that he refuses to use an S in his name)
07 - Lil Mouse
06 - Azealia Banks
05 - Taylor Swift
04 - Lil B
03 - Chief Keef
02 - Trinidad James
01 - Future
In all honesty, I would love to tell you all to vote for my candidate. But, that is not what this is about. This is truly a non-partisan post. No matter if you're a Democrat, Republican or Independent, voting is a right that belongs to all Americans. Do not let anyone disenfranchise us. We cannot let anyone take away our right to be heard. Register and vote. It's that simple. Today is the day to get on the right road. Please take the two minutes out of your day and register. Vote as if your life and livelihood depends on it. Because the actuality is that it does. So, again I ask, ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6, 2012?
The debates begin tonight. Don't forget to tune in to them. We will finally get to see what Romney/Ryan are made up or we'll get to see them squirm and avoid the actual question. Either way, it will be good. I cannot wait to see the President do what he does so well.
**DEBATE SCHEDULE**
Oct. 3 First Presidential Debate Domestic Policy
Oct. 11 Vice Presidential Debate Foreign & Domestic Topics
Oct. 16 2nd Presidential Debate Town Meeting
Oct. 22 3rd Presidential Debate Foreign Policy
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there. Today has made me reflect on my past & contemplate my future. I am certain that my Mom was the best Mom. I never had to question if I was loved or if she cared. She told me constantly. She was active in my life & my education. She was present in every aspect of who I was becoming. She is the foundation for the type of mother I want and aim to be one day. Along the way, other mothers have given me indirect pointers as well. It's amazing the things you learn when you don't even realize it. I've been blessed to know some incredible woman who also happen to be incredible mothers. This post is as much about them as it is me.
My Mom has been awesome to me & my brother. She was both parents for most of our lives. She is the woman who instilled how important school was to us while working two or three jobs, keeping house & cooking meals. I know it wasn't easy for her. It couldn't have been. She never had time for herself. She was always tired but she kept going. As a teenager, I, of course, thought she was the meanest woman on Earth. She had rules & regulations that I hated then. In hindsight, I'm thankful for them. Her rules kept me from becoming a statistic. Her rules gave me structure. There are so many things I learned from her that I will definitely pass on to my own daughters & sons one day. My Mom & I are friends now. The relationship we share now is what I cherish the most. I want that for me & my future kids.
Mommie & I
My biggest wish in life is simple. When I have kids, I want to be the best influence on them. I want them to have a great childhood filled with memories & stories that they will share with everyone. I want our house to be full of love, understanding, compassion, knowledge, and laughter. Especially the laughter. A child's laughter truly makes my heart smile. I can't even imagine what my own children's laughter will do to me. I'm sure I'm going to be the sensitive, crying Mommie but I'll try to keep it to a minimum in public. I will make sure that they know they are loved by telling them daily & giving them hugs & kisses. They will know what love looks & feels like from their parents. I want them to be able to come to me for & with anything. I want to give them the world. And, yes, I'll probably spoil them to some extent. But, they'll belong to me & my husband, so we can do that.
Every woman who gives birth isn't necessarily a Mother. It takes more than that. A Mother puts in the time, effort & work to raise her child. To me, Mother's Day is about honoring the mothers who truly fit the definition of that word. I aspire to be a part of that elusive group. Today I honor my Mom Yolanda, my Aunts Gina & Nina, my Sisters Kennesha & Shanterri, my Cousins Ty, Reese, Darlisha, & my friends Niaga, Kristal, Shantell, & Shay. These mothers inspire me. They make me want to be more for my future children. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who are reading this right now. This future mother appreciates you!
It's officially 2012. Happy New Year to everyone. Or, even better, as the title of this post proclaims "Have a prosperous New Year!" I love beginnings. New Year is always a time to reset and redo. It's the perfect time to fix what was broken or what was left unattended. It the right time to start something new and let go of something old that may not be working. This is the year to do whatever you heart desires. It's just that simple. Embrace the opportunity in front of you. That why its there. I wish for the best in all of us this year. I am confident that this will be a wonderful year, full of exciting new avenues. From my mouth to God's ears. Amen. Hope you all had a great holiday. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I have never been big on new years resolutions. I don't see the point of them. But I have been thinking about some changes that I want to make in the new year. I love a lot of things about me. I know that there are some areas of my life that need major improvements. I always take stock of what and who I am. What does 2012 hold for me? For you? I do or know. But, I feel that it could be one of the best years yet. I'm looking forward to it. Before it comes, here are a few things I plan to improve.
I need to change my eating habits. I don't eat a healthy as I should. I have to drink more water and less tea. I don't exercise and that needs to change. Even its just something as small as sit-ups and lunges to begin with. I need to begin a regiment and stick to it. I want to lose weight. But its not about being a size 2 because that's not feasible for me. I want to lose weight to get into shape, tone up and just get back to where I once was. This is something I have to do for myself.
My Bible reading needs to get back on track. I let life get in the way of learning. That cannot happen any more. I am so intrigued by everything in it. I desire to know more. I would love to finish 2012 with my hair fully natural. This is something so dear to me. I will try my best to stick to this as well. It's new and hard but I'm sure it will be perfect. I was tested a lot this year. So maybe next year will be a year full of rewards for passing those tests. I have a bad habits of biting my nails when I'm nervous, anxious, upset, etc. This needs to end in 2012. It's such a nasty, unladylike habit to have. I will conquer it in 2012. I have no choice.
As I say every year, I just want to keep pushing myself to be a better woman in every arena. That is the gist of my pseudo-resolutions. I try to pursue things that improve me. Some days I win, some days I don't. That is the reality of it all. I resolve to just be me in 2012 just as in 2011. The newness of a new year gives us all hope. That makes it all worthwhile. So, here's looking forward to 2012. I hope that it's as great as it is in my head!
