Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas, Readers!! Hoping everyone has a great holiday!!!

My Poetry Corner VIII: "Addiction"

I’m hot 
and I’m cold
I’m tired 
but can’t sleep
My head is full of words
That I can’t write
I have an addiction
You are it
I don’t function well 
when you aren’t around
So what does that say about me 
I’m not so sure
I just know I need you
Crave you
Breathe you
I’m addicted to your "youness"

Classic Music: Amerie "All I Have"

Amerie was a breath of fresh air. Her debut single "Why Don't We Fall In Love?" was infectious and played constantly on the air. I was a super fan of it. I loved the playfulness of it. Loved Amerie's voice. Her single was the soundtrack of my summer. My girls and I loved it. I think the only song of hers that compared to her debut was "1 Thing" which was another infectious track. Amerie's debut was "All I Have." It did not do as well as it should have. And, they were other songs that should have been released as singles. But, the project was awesome. I can still play it all the way through. There is not one song that I dislike. The lyrics, her voice and the music were all perfectly married on this project. I was a happy consumer then and now.

Her second single "Talkin To Me" was important to me because I had the hugest crush on a co-worker. So, that song became sort of my theme song. When her debut cd premiered, I had to have it. I was not disappointed. The chemistry and sound that Amerie and Rich Harrison created is timeless. "All I Have" is classic for that reason to me. I still play this cd. It will never get old to me. I really wish that her and Harrison would collabo again because her sound hasn't been the same since she stopped working with him. Their chemistry reminds me of what Aaliyah had with Tim and Missy. It was unique to them and no one else could touch it. Her single choices were very good. But, her album was full of single worthy tracks. Below are my favorites. Get into these throwbacks. Enjoy.

So....

...the world didn't actually end yesterday. We're all still here, right? I do not know why so many jumped onto this blatant conspiracy theory. So, the Mayan calendar ended on 12/21/12. So what? Maybe the Mayans died before finishing it. Seriously folks, how many times will man try to predict the end of the world before people learn? This is at least the 4th time in the last dozen years that the world was supposed to end. It's like folks have nothing better to do than speculate about things. My foundation was set in the church as a little girl. There are some passages from the Bible that I know without any thought. I know that God's word says that no man will no the date or time when the Rapture will occur. I don't know about you guys but standing on God's word sounds like a great idea. So, we're all still here. Living, loving and looking forward to another year. I am thankful to God for the gift of life every day that I wake up. That means the world to me.

"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

Get Into It: "Breaking Dawn Part 2"

I FINALLY watched the last Twilight film "Breaking Dawn Part 2." To put it mildly, it was awesome. I kinda knew it would be after reading the last book. I blogged about it here. I did have high expectations for this film. They were all met and exceeded. It took me a while to actually go see this film. Life has a way of getting in the way of plans. I was also prolonging watching it because I hate for things to end. So, on my birthday, I took myself on a date to see it. I was excited!! And, for great reasons. I am not super into vampires or werewolves but I loved the plot of the books/movies. A good storyline goes a long way with a writer.

The movie was everything I expected it to be and more. I love when a film sticks very close to the book. "Breaking Dawn Part 2" did exactly that. Bella was well Bella. And I loved her the most in this film. I think I just tolerated her moodiness in the other films. I loved the little girl who played Renesmee. She was cute and so adorable. I loved how protective all of the Cullens were of the new family. I did not like that Charlie wasn't in the movie much. Jakob was even more handsome in this movie. Edward was the quintessential dad/husband. I loved the inclusion of other vampire families. It was really great to see the Cullens interact with other like them. I am still in awe of the Cullens' residence. This movie has the inclusion of Edward, Bella and Renesmee's new home. It was so cute and quaint. Bella's closet was a dream come true for me. The movie was just really huge. Everything about it seemed bigger and better than the film before. This series ended on a great note. I loved that there was even a twist in the movie that I did not see coming since it was not in the book. If you are a fan and you haven't seen it already, please do so. It's a really great film. I loved it. I am sad to see the series end though. I may have to read the entire series again. Get into it!

Christmas Jeer

Bah humbug indeed!! I am NOT in a Christmas mood. I have no holiday cheer at all. It is no where to be found inside of me. I can't shake the feeling. So, I've given up on it. The only thing I'm looking forward to is Christmas Day with my family. I'm hoping that being around them will re-energize me. I try my best to not let much get to me. There are sometimes that I fail. Like right now. I haven't been resting peacefully at all. I can't. My mind is in overdrive for hours at night. My head is heavy with a thousand and one thoughts and scenarios. None of them have been pretty. My heart is another story all together. I cannot even begin to attempt to put those thoughts into words. They wouldn't make any sense to any one but me. I feel helpless, on the verge of hopeless. Clearly a holiday spirit is not living within me right now. I have been over-analyzing, over-thinking every thing. The only reason I am still blogging right now is because of a promise I made to myself. I wanted to blog daily for a year. I am almost to my goal. I can't let anything stop me from getting to it. So, I will blog my way through my feelings. I will stick to my goal, by any means necessary. Here's hoping that your holidays are filled with more cheer than mine have been so far. Happy Holidays to you guys!

This Reader's Review: Part XII: "The Dream Giver"

I am always looking for new books to read. I found my latest choice via Twitter. Necole Bitchie is an entertainment blogger that I really enjoy. You can visit her site here. The book is "The Dreamgiver" by Bruce Wilkerson. This is the story of Ordinary and following your dreams. The way the story is told is very interesting. The book reminds me of the poem "Everybody, Anybody, Somebody, and Nobody." I love that the main character doesn't have a name. He just goes by "Ordinary." Any one of us could be "Ordinary." That's the brillance of the plot.

In essence, we can all find ourselves in the main character "Ordinary" because we are. We are all on a journey to follow our dreams. We have to fight through our own personal comfort zones to attain them. Our dreams are obtainable. They are ours to reach. "The Dreamgiver" weaves a great tale. Ordinary is just an every day person living an ordinary life. He hears a voice that tells him to go after his dreams. I took that voice to be God. Ordinary meets so many people on his journey to capturing the "Big Dream." Ordinary also inspires others on his way. That's the way dream capturing works. It was a very good and quick read. I loved every bit of it. This book was awesome. I would recommend it to any reader looking for a new book. Get into it.

A Question Or Two

1. Are you young @ heart or an old soul? Early bird/night owl? °Old Soul, Night Owl°

2. How do you express your creativity? °Writing poetry, blogging°

3. Do you believe in luck? °A little bit°

4. When have you felt most alive? °Whenever I am playing with children°

5. What has been troubling you lately? °Lots. Most of it I cannot control but it troubles me still°

6. Do you want to be perfect? °Nah, but I do want to be better°

7. Would you prefer to live? A city? The suburbs? The countryside? The mountains? °It depends: I'd prefer to leave near water or in the suburbs when/if I have kids°

8. Name a movie that you knew would be terrible just from reading the title. °District 9°

9. What holiday do you most look forward to? °Christmas°

10. Do people change? If so, how do you keep a relationship together when both of you start to change? °Yes, we're all changing and growing. You either adapt or you leave.°

11. You’ve got the TV on, but you’re not really watching. What channel is the TV on? °Lately, MSNBC°

12. Do you practice what you preach? °I try my best too°

13. You know at least one person named Michael. Tell me about him. °He's one of my oldest, dearest friends. He's my brother from another mother. He can always make me laugh.°

14. Describe the last time you were very angry at someone. °It was a few weeks ago. Has to do with a family member & things that were said behind my back°

15. If you could pick anywhere to live the rest of your life, where would it be? °Today, I'd want to be somewhere far, far away like Fiji°

16. Are you hard-headed? °Absolutely°

17. Do you drink? Smoke? Do drugs? Why, or why not? °I drink, that's all. Because I want to.°

18. Describe your perfect day. °Waking up near a beach, breakfast picnic, day spent walking the beach, playing in the water. Watching the sun set and drinking champagne°

19. Where was your favorite place to go when you were a little kid? °The library. It's still one of my favorite places°

20. Have you ever laughed uncontrollably when it was socially inappropriate? °Always°

21. What was the last song that was stuck in your head? °Tamar Braxton's "Love & War"°

22. Do you like the type of music your parents listen to? Do your parents like the type of music you listen to? °Yep x 2°

23. What is something you want to change about your current situation? °My location & life style in general°

24. Do you know what makes you happy? °I'm not so sure any more. Maybe I need a new source of happiness°

25. Predict what your life will look like a year from now. °It has to be better, greater than it is today°

26. What do you use more often: your intuition or logical reasoning? °My intuition°

27. Tell me about the last book you read. °"The Dreamgiver" was about following your heart to getting to your dreams°

28. You win a scratch-off lottery game that gives you $2000 a week (after taxes) for the rest of your life. Do you keep your job? °Yes°

29. What part of the past year sticks out in your mind? °Well, December sticks out so far. But none of the reasons are good though°

30. Name a TV series you didn’t enjoy until after it ended. °"That 70's Show"°

31. What is the best TV theme song ever? °Moesha or Living Single or Fresh PRince°

32. What’s your “quirkiest” habit? °I have to have the closed captions on the tv...whether it's muted or not°

33. Give me the story of your life in six words. °It has to get better right?°

Dear Diary (IV)

I celebrated my 33rd birthday a few days ago. I am usually very excited about my birthday. I don't feel that way at all this year. It's hard to explain but I just feel indifferent about it. I am feeling unlike myself today and I really don't like it. I decided a while back to blog everyday, even if I didn't feel like it (which is the case right now) or when I couldn't (I'd force my way through it). I've been told that I feel too much, too deep. It is the gift and the curse. Anyway, it's my birthday and I'm thankful for making it through another year. I do not know what will happen next. I'm just really praying that it is something awesome. I need that. I've been thinking about not blogging so much in the new year. Maybe just once a week or so. 33 seems like such a weird age. I am older and wiser but I feel like I'm missing something. Anywho, this is just the ramblings of a new 33 year old searching for the meaning of, well, everything.

I'm not a perfect person. I know that I'm spoiled and opinionated and a little selfish. I have a big personality. I am always working on me. I want to be more conscious and aware of the feelings of others. I have to work on not taking things so personal. I'm good at hiding that from others. But a lot of things affect me. And some times they are very small things. I am, by nature, a sarcastic smart ass. I've learned how to curb some of that. I do love the folks in my life that can take me full throttle. I've held my tongue a lot this year. My coping mechanism is to count to 10 in my head and just breath through it. It's worked wonders. I hate to apologize so this eliminates that.

I still have a "I don't give a fcuk" attitude about a lot of things and certain people. That's a classic and will not be changing ever. I can't make myself care about any person, place or thing that doesn't rate in my book. I'm just trying to better myself daily. I think that's the real purpose of life. Improving on what/who you are. It's an attainable goal for everyone. I'm just a woman, a natural dealer of words, a struggling Christian, a work in progress. Those are just some of my attributes. I'm on the road to gaining a few more titles. It's inevitable. It's my destiny. They are the things I daydream about. Often. So close to having exactly what my mind has thought of. I couldn't be more excited.

And Another Thing (Mini-Rant)

Tragedies, like the Connecticut school shooting, always have a way of putting life into perspective for me. My birthday was a happy/sad day for me. I am always happy to celebrate making it through another year. But, to know that 20 children lost their lives that day as well made it sad. I still cannot believe this is the world we live in. This is not normal. I've been watching CNN and MSNBC constantly since Friday. It's only so much sadness one person can take. I just can't turn away though. Those kids deserve my attention. They need to know their lives were not in vain. I received calls from all 8 of my nieces and nephews on my birthday. I didn't realize how much I was longing for those calls. Hearing those tiny voice tell me "Happy Birthday" meant the world to me. Especially when there were so many tiny voices lost on the same day. I needed to hear from my nieces and nephews. They made my day. I am still so hurt behind the loss of life....especially kids. That is just wrong. I am praying for the families who are dealing with this tragedy. We have to remember their names, tell their stories. I still cannot wrap my mind around this. I am sure I never will. It's just been on my mind and I cannot shake it. Those poor little children. Gone entirely too soon. We will never be able to make sense of this tragedy. I'll just leave that up to God.

20

20. That number keeps repeating in my head. 20 kids whose lives were cut short by an evil bastard. 20 kids who went to school this morning happy that today was Friday. 20 kids who were in the place where they should have been safe. 20 kids who lost their lives today. I cannot believe this. What kind of monster walks into an elementary school and guns down 20 kids? I do not have a problem with guns. I don't like them. Guns don't kill people. People kill people. I will not write the killers name. He does not get to be infamous. He was a monster. I don't want to hear a damn thing about his mental state. It's a cop out that I don't adhere to. He purchased a semi automatic gun, ammo and a bullet proof vest. He killed his mom. He drove to a school, walked in and opened fire on kids. Unstable? Nope. Just plain evil, crazy.

My heart breaks for the murdered kids and their grieving families. I cannot imagine how they get over this. A total of 28 dead today. The killer took his life like the coward he was. He has d numerous families, a community and the little town of Newtown, Connecticut. Excuse my French but fuck the shooter. This is horrible. Now is the time to reform gun laws. Citizens should not be able to obtain automatic weapons. I don't want to hear a peep from those NRA freaks or the gun loving folks. A major change needs to happen. Now. 20 elementary age kids should not be dead today. This shouldn't happen. We have to do better for those 20 kids and all the people we lose to gun violence daily all over (especially in Chicago & New Orleans). My prayers are with the everyone in Newtown.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

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 :)

Get Into It: Marsha Ambrosius, Johnta Austin and Luke James

Free GOOD music is always a gift I love to receive. So, you guys should already know that I am in my own musical heaven right about now. Two voices that I really love just recently dropped free mixtapes. Marsha Ambrosius and Luke James are amazing. These new projects aren't any different. I haven't been able to stop playing either for the last few days. Good music is just good music. It makes me happy and I could always use some of that. Let's get into them.

Marsha decided to drop her "Hors D'Ouevres" mixtape before she releases her sophomore cd "Friends& Lovers" in 2013. It is a 4 song offering. It's like a teaser for her new cd. I am 100% here for it. Every track is that great. "Slow Motion," "Expect This Shit," "Summer," "FCKINGITITOVAWID" are the tracks. All are my favorites. Marsha's voice is still amazing as it has been since Floetry. I've been a fan since the beginning. I loved "Late Nights, Early Mornings" as well. You can get it here.

Johnta Austin is a name you may not know. But his work you def know. He wrote Trey Songz' hit song "I Need A Girl" amongst others. He is a well sought after producer/songwriter. He also happens to be a great singer. I love his voice and personality. He has finally released some music for our ears. This is grown folks, old school R&B. And, I'm always here for that. His EP "Love" can be found here. My favorite tracks are "In Love," "Pain," & "What A Feeling." Johnta is also a part of Jermaine Dupri's Oceans 7. This a group of singers (Usher, Trey, Johnta, BCox) and producers/songwriters (Dupri, BCox, Johnta). They released a mixtape a few years back. Anyway, this EP makes me happy. It will do the same for you. Get into him please.

Luke James is a virtual newcomer on the music scene. He is a native New Orleanian. He has had the pleasure of opening for Beyonce' earlier this year. That was a great move on his part. He exposed many to his voice and talent. I have been waiting to get some music from him. "Whispers in the Dark," his EP, exceeds my expectations. His voice just makes me happy. WITD is an 11 song offering. I really love "Hurt Me," "Heart Beat," and "Mo'Better Blues" the most. But, this is not discounted any of the other tracks. I love them all. James, in my opinion, is one to watch. It doesn't hurt that he is very easy on the eyes ladies as well. You can get "Whispers in the Dark" for free here. So, download both and get into them. Enjoy the free music.

Simply The Best

It's almost the end of the year. I decided that now would be a great time to talk about my favorite songs of the year. There have been a lot of them. Hey, I cannot help it. I LOVE music. So, I had to do more than one list. Singles are all great and dandy. But, more times than not, the single isn't the best song. And, I also had to talk about my favorite mixtape cuts. So, there are three lists below. Get into them.

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

Twelve Thoughts of Randomness

This is my final (12)Random Thoughts post for 2012. It has been some year. My thoughts are always so freaking random. These are...ummm...different. Here we go:

° I really thought that the Republicans in Congress would not continue to act like spoiled brats after losing the election. I was wrong. Dead wrong. All the "fiscal cliff" talk is draining.

° You ever feel like nothing you do or say is right? That is where I am currently. I feel helpless and I don't like it. The words fail me and I feel like a failure in one particular area. I just feel inadequate and I hate it. I can't do what's natural to me. I don't know how to proceed.

° I just finished reading "The Dreamer." It was such a good book. It's amazing to me that my reading picks have changed so drastically in the last few years. I readily bypass the urban lit section now. I am more into the motivational books. I guess my tastes have grown up.

° My favorite month of the year hasn't been going in the manner I've wanted it too. But, I've got my fingers crossed for a fantastic finish.

° I have a new favorite song today. Tamar Braxton's "Love and War" is it. I am not a fan of her antics and diva attitude on her reality shows but this single is e-very-thing and I am here for it.

° I'm not loving my hair. I don't know what to do with it. I've been wearing it in a bun for weeks now. I am just lost about where to go next with it. Either I figure it out or I'm cutting it off. It's just hair right? This could just be my über frustration with things in general.

° As far as 2013, the one thing I want more than anything is to just be a better version of myself overall. I am not silly enough to believe that I have finished growing. I welcome the growth. I crave it. Need it. Praying for it.

° Really can "Scandal" get any better? I mean, I don't know what will happen next but I am ready. This is must-see tv. If you haven't gotten in to this show, I do not know what you are waiting for. Get into it.

° I am almost 2 weeks into this December Squat-a-thon and it is kicking my ass literally. But, it feels good. So yay for me. The first few day's were easy because I did it in the house. I break up the squats into 2 sets; one in the morning, one at night. I can say that day 8 (this past Saturday) was the worst so far. It took everything for me to get through my 55. That has more to do with my emotions than my physical. When it comes to health and fitness, every little bit counts right?

° I really look forward to Christmas every year. It's the one day out of the year that I really, truly enjoy. My family is a very loud, rambunctious group. But, I wouldn't have them any other way. I do love them. I cannot wait to see them.

° I took a hard stance on an issue. I am not sorry about it. But, I really hate the outcome. Hate that it has burned a bridge that I didn't foresee. All I can do is pray about it.

°I really do need to start using Spanish on a daily basis. I feel like I'm losing my skills. Can't have that. Feliz Navidad. And my favorite saying in Español "yo no se¡"

Food For Thought

I am inspired easily sometimes. These images have done that for me. The first one describes me perfectly. I have never been one to act my age. I really don't even know what that means. I don't necessarily act younger or older. I'm just me. Sometimes serious, sometimes silly, always myself though. I don't know how a 32-almost-33 year old is supposed to act. But, if it's any way other than my current state of mind then I'll pass. I happen to like the way I act. Everyone else should too.

"Alice In Wonderland" has long been a favorite of mine. I loved the book as a kid and enjoyed the movies as an adult. There are a ton of quotable moments in the story. One of my favorites being "I've sometimes believed almost 6 impossible things before breakfast." Another being the passage below. It's still true to my life. When you have a decision to make and you don't really know where you're going or what you want, then the road you choose really doesn't matter. I think people forget this. It is a quote that I will always carry with me.

I love this image. I've seen it multiple times with certain words being added or deleted. I love the overall message of it that simply means "enjoy your life." It is a reminder to live life while you can. Because in the end, worrying, stressing, over-thinking will not make you enjoy your life any more. I always need this reminder. I need to remember to simply be in the moment. To exist right now without thinking ahead so much. It is one of my bad habits. I am an over-thinker. Have been for as long as I can remember. And, the reality is it's too much weight for me to bear most days. I need to be more and think less. I know some say that less is more but in the case of this image it's the other way around. I need more, deserve more. And, I've decided to grab my more and leave the less behind. I have to. Theses images gave me food for thought. And allowed me to take my mind off of the other things consuming my mind and life. This is just a little food for thought. Take with you what you need. Leave the rest for someone else. Feed your mind!

Ladies Love Lyrics: Holiday Edition

For this edition of my "Ladies Love Lyrics," I decided to go in another direction. I am NOT a big fan of holiday music. Mainly because the stores od on them starting right after Halloween. I do, however, have a few tunes that I will never get tired of. One will always remind me of being a teen and high school. At the time, Brian McKnight and Boyz II Men could not have been hotter. Great singers who produced great music. "Let It Snow" is classic to me becuase it put a decidedly R&B twist on a holiday hit. The song takes its name from an old Bing Crosby hit. The lyrics are nothing like that song though. I just love it. My other pick is Donnie Hathaway's classic track "This Christmas." This song reminds me of my Dad and being a kid who loved Christmas. I lived for the tree and the lights and the music. So, sit, listen and enjoy the holiday spirit with me. Happy Holidays!!




"Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's just another Christmas holiday
Just me and you
The weather's stormy but we're okay
And there's nothing that I'd rather do

Than lay you down beside the fireplace
Nowhere to go
You run out of breath, I start to shake
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Come over here
Pretend like I'm the tree and you are the star
You're all the present that I'll ever need
Just wanna be everywhere that you are

Hear the carolers, the sleigh bells ring
Where's the mistletoe
We feel happiness the season brings
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow
But the fire's blazin'
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

And oh, you are my everything
Won't ya come? Won't ya come?
God must have sent you down from heaven"




"Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better, this Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together, this Christmas

Fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
Very special Christmas for me

Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you, this Christmas
And as I look around
Your eyes outshine the town they do this Christmas

Fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
Very special Christmas for me, yeah..."

Things I Like: Michael Kors

I have developed an affinity for anything Michael Kors. Like most women, I love fashion. I am an accessory queen. I love my watches and rings and bracelets. I only wear necklaces every now and then. I literally hoard handbags. I love them so much. Let's not even get started on me and my shoe obsession. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, " a woman can never have too many shoes." I am not into name brands that much. I just like quality, well made, aesthetically pleasing pieces/clothes. That is always my guideline when shopping. I like what catches and holds my eye. Michael Kors does this. I always notice his ads in the magazines. I am always drawn to his lines in the stores. That registers with me.

There is just something about his designs that I dig. I love the fabrics he chooses. The man is a fashion genius in my book. He can do know wrong. I've picked a few of my favorite must have pieces by Kors. They are pictured throughout. They are my favorite pieces. The Rose Gold watch is one thing that I must have. They would all make great birthday and/or Christmas gifts for a December baby like myself. *hint, hint* Feel free to buy these for me :) These are just a few things I like.

A Scandalous Affair

If you've been following my blog, then you should already know how I feel about "Scandal." I am a proud Gladiator. The show is golden. The acting is superb. The writing immaculate. And the way the scenes unfold on screen always leave me wanting more and more. I am never disappointed. I have watched the most ridiculous conversation week by week spawned from the show. On Twitter and Facebook, people are upset with others who like the Olivia/Fits extramarital affair. These judgy folks have decided that those of us who like the relationship are championing the relationship. As if we aren't intelligent enough to decipher real life and tv. "Oh I can't believe that y'all are so into this relationship. It makes me sick. You guys should be ashamed." Well, excuse the hell out of me for being entertained by a show who's whole premise is to entertain.

Are folks really that dense? Seriously. If you cannot separate what's real from what's fake, you my dear, have a bigger issue. That is a personal problem. I suggest that you work that out within and stop projecting your issues on others. Are people so jaded that they can't differentiate between scripted tv and reality? It's almost as if these people don't understand that I can just simply enjoy the chemistry between Olivia and Fitz. Here's a clue: I can champion this fictitious relationship and be against adultery in real life. What I like to watch, hear or read does not equate my real life. They are all forms of entertainment. That is their only purpose: to entertain me. I watch shows like "Scandal" as a way to get out of my head for a little while. Adultery is wrong in real life. I'm more lenient of it on tv, in books and the like. That doesn't make me a bad person. It does make me a woman who can discern between what's real and what isn't. 

A friend on Facebook posted that "Olivia is going to have women thinking it's cute to sleep with another woman's husband." My response "If a tv character can weld that much power, then said woman has bigger problems." I'm sorry but that's just silly as hell. A scandalous woman is going to be just that because she chooses to be. A Jay-Z song has never prompted me to sell drugs, "50 Shades of Gray" does not make me want to dive into the BDSM lifestyle, nor has "The Wire" made me want to raise a son to be a corner boy. I'm smarter than that. People are who they are. They don't need validation from a fictional tv show. People who feel this way are doing entirely too much in my opinion. I like all of the characters in spite of their actions. I have the right to do so. If that makes me scandalous, I'll be that. Handle ya scandal people!

Attitude of Gratitude

Life is a precious gift from God. In living, I take too much for granted. I get so caught up in my own everyday-ness, nothingness that I forgot how blessed I am. Forget to give thanks all the time. Life has a way of doing that to you. It's easy to get caught up in the materialistic things that life has to offer. So easy. Or to get so involved in the drama/comedy that is my life. So this is me taking just a moment to say "thank you God." I've said repeatedly that I'm not an overly religious woman. But, I am spiritual and I do have a relationship with God. I do think I know a lot, but not everything. I know that my life has a reason, purpose. Even if I haven't totally captured it yet. I know that He knows his plan better than I ever could.

I am always so humbled by the fragility of life. We treat it so cavalier as if it is guaranteed. It is not. We are all here for a short time. It's up to us to make that time count. I've been really reflective over the last few days. That had caused me to be severely emotional when I didn't need to be., hey I am who I am. A woman a week away from her 33rd birthday who is finding her way to her destiny. I do not have any of it figured out. That scares me. Prayer calms me. I have to remember to be thankful in the good times as well as the bad. They all shape me. The holidays always have this affect on me. I'm in my head more than normal during this month. Just thinking. Wondering. Hoping. And, most of all praying. Just trying to display an attitude of gratitude. Hoping that the next year narrows my focus more than ever before. Happy Holidays, Readers!!!

Places I Must Visit: Toronto, Canada

Toronto is gorgeous in pictures. I want to see it for myself. I think the city would be a great tourist spot. I have a thing about zoo's and Toronto is known for theirs. The Skydome is simply a site to see. I want to go there. The city is famous for its Harbourfront. It is known for its art galleries, shops, craft boutique restaurants, theaters and hotels. I would definitely want to stay at a hotel in this area. I would want to go in the winter because I am fascinated by snow. Being from the south, it is something that I am not used to. I would have to visit the Toronto islands as well. I did not know that these existed until I was researching the city. Toronto's "Wonderland" is known for its rides, roller coasters and water park. This would be a great family outing as well. Toronto seems to be a city that has a lot to offer. I want to explore it. That is why this city is on my list.

Teen Angst on TV

Growing up, I always felt different than others. I wasn't necessarily awkward. But I was always acutely aware that I wasn't like everyone else. I was fine with my weirdness. It's who I was. I was the girl you would find inside snuggled up in a chair with a book when it was a gorgeous day outside. I've immersed myself in literature since I was 3. When it came to the shows I watched on tv, I liked shows outside of the norm. It was just my personal taste. I craved dry humor and sarcasm because those were two languages I spoke fluently.

° MTV's "Daria" was my ultimate fave. The main character was exactly me on cartoon form. I loved Daria's sarcastic yet realistic view on life and people. She had the best one liners. She was super sarcastic and very matter of fact. I enjoyed Daria because she was intelligent, funny and real. I loved all the characters on the show but Daria and Jane were my favorites. Oh, and the "Daria" theme song still gives me life. I watched every episode as well as the two movies. This series is on dvd now. I need it in my life.

° "My So-Called Life" was the epitome of teen angst on the screen. Everything about this short lived dramedy was perfect. I identified with Angela so much. It's hard to believe that the show only lasted one season. It introduced me to the gorgeousness that was Jared Leto. His character was an ass but I liked him still. The show touched on so many issues that were outside my relative box. It was great.

° "Boy Meets World" was the comedy angle of teen angst. Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Angela were extremely deep and emotion teenagers. They were like little adults. I loved Cory & Topanga's relationship. They were my goal in high school. Mr. Feeny was an amazing character. He went from the old grumpy man next door to the excellent teacher to the wisest guy. I watched every episode. (Sidebar:I'm super stoked about the "Boy Meets World" spinoff "Girl Meets World." I will be watching to see how Cory & Topanga are as parents to daughter Riley.)

I can honestly say that these shows influenced me as a teen. Navigating high school and teenage hood can be hard. I am thankful that my Mom equipped me with right tools to make it through. I was never afraid to stand up for my beliefs. I was never a follower. I've been a leader. If I did something stupid, please believe I spearheaded the idea. I stood up in my weirdness and wrapped myself up in it. I was just me. Just Yokenda. I don't think I experienced too much teen angst in real life. I'm thankful for that. What shows did you watch as a teen? Let's discuss.

Around These E-Streets (II)

I am a voracious reader. Whether it is books, magazines or online, I am almost always reading something. I wanted to share so interesting things I ran across this last week or some on the web. Hope you guys enjoy it.

° I really loved these two articles: "25 Ways to Communicate Respect To Your Husband" & "25 Ways to Communicate Respect To Your Wife." Am I a wife? No,` but I am in a committed relationship. Am I super religious? No, but I am deeply spiritual. Both lists are full of common sense advice with Biblical backup. I truly enjoyed reading both. I think they are great guidelines to any one in a relationship.

° I blogged about the lessons I learned from "The Alchemist" here. This article reminds me of one. It is this "When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." This is what the law of attraction is all about. This article touches right on that. It also links to Oprah talking about the LOA as well. If you haven't read "The Alchemist," I suggest you do.

° As a music lover and blogger, I am always looking for places that combine the two. I was in luck when I read my girl BK's blog yesterday. She blogged about a situation that a music lover as myself could get into. "To All The Artists I've Loved Before...I Thank You" comes from a place of deep love for music and artists. I loved it because I feel the same. Read and enjoy.

° I am a worrywart. I think it developed once I became an older sibling. I cannot shake it if I tried. Trust me, I have. And, currently still. Any way, this article was all about worrying about the wrong things. It is good. It also led me to this article which is a funny, tongue in cheek way that explains things not to worry about. Both really gave me some insight.

° If you do not know the name Angela B. Murray, you should get familiar. She is the former of Essence magazine, current editor of CocoaFab.com. The website is bright and informative. I love sites that are dedicated soley to women of color. The articles are geared towards my needs, concerns, thoughts and likes. Murray did a wonderful job at Essence and I have no doubt that her website will flourish as well. Check it out.

° If you know me then you know I am an SATC fanatic. So, in the first movie, Jennifer Hudson's character Louise is always getting hot bags from a site called Bag, Borrow or Steal. I literally did not know this was a real site until last week. It's a novel idea. But, I love my bags too much to have to send them back. I get the appeal though.

° I have no real words for this. All I can say is DMX. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Remix. Just watch. Enjoy LOL!

° My favorite singer/performer/entertainer is on her way back. Beyonce' will be everywhere come February 2013. First, she will be headlining the halftime show of the Superbowl om February 6, 2013. A week later, her new documentary will premiere on HBO. You can read about it here.

Ladies Love Lyrics: Nikki Leonti "The Walk"

Imagine my surprise to find a new music jewel via a crap show on VH1. I was channel surfing and stopped on VH1 to answer my phone. As I was talking to my cousin, this song starts playing on tv. I told her to hold on so I could hear it. After about 30 seconds I knew I wanted to hear more. So, to YouTube, I went. There I discovered Nikki Leonti. The song was "The Walk" and I was sold. I haven't listened to anything else by her yet. I am a fan of this particular track. The music pulled my attention away from my conversation. But, the lyrics made me search for this artist. Take a listen and vibe with me.

"Racing away
all out of breath
looking above
asking what could be next
Send me a dove
send me a sign
I prayed for peace
and I prayed for light
and out of the blue
you stopped me in my tracks
I took in the moment
and didn't look back
and stopped running

(chorus)
Then I walked to you
into forever
And I will walk with you
Now and forever
And I will speak love into your life
The hand that I give will hold on
when there's darkened skies
We will walk it through
and this is my promise to you.

Seeing the worse is easy for me
When I see future, your face is all I see
The sun reminds me our day is here
The peace that I feel it tells me I'm ready
And into the blue I will follow the tracks
And now in the moment
we never look back
and stop running

(chorus)

When our bodies grow weak
our love will grow stronger every time
Let us never forget the better
when the worse tries to divide..."

It's December Baby!!!

It's December. My absolute favorite month for a plethora of reasons. My birthday is this month on the 14th. Then there's Christmas which is a huge ordeal for something more than the gifts. And, then it's New Year's Eve. Everything about the month of December is awesome. I love the smell of the holiday season. I am enthralled with the Christmas lights and decorations. It's the time of year when the weather finally gets cooler here. There is Christmas music on the radio all the time and Christmas movies on the tube. I have been a fanatic about this month all of my life. As a kid, I loved it for the Christmas holiday break from school. Also, because this break always followed my birthday. I took it as my gift from the school board.



I thought as a kid that I would get over my love of this month. I'll be 33 in two weeks and it hasn't changed yet. I beginning to believe that it won't ever change. I am more than ok with this. I feel differently about my birthday and Christmas though. They excite me for other reasons. I do not care about gifts as much as I used to. Thoughtful things are always welcomed. But, I no longer worry about the quantity. I focus on quality. It's the thought that matters the most. December just makes me happier than any other month of the year. Yes, I know I'm biased. I am more than ok with that. What's your favorite month and why? Tell me!

Ask Before You Butcher

Names are a wonderful thing. They define who you are. Names can be simple and classic or unique and different. But, they are our introduction to the world. I saw the above tweet on Tumblr. It instantly pissed me off. How dare a woman with the ridiculously common name of Jenny tweet such a thing. It's not my fault that your uneducated tongue cannot pronounce my name. It's not my fault that you Jenny forgot to check your white privilege at the door. I do not care who you are but if you mispronounce my name, I will correct you instantly. If I have to correct you more than once, my tone will change. That's your fault. The responses that followed on Tumblr made me smile.

"I’m tired of people asking me to smooth my name out for them. They want me to bury it in the English so they can understand. I will not accommodate the word for mouth. I will not break my name so your lazy English can sleep its tongue on top. Fix your lips around them. No you can’t give me a stupid nickname so that you can replace this gift of five letters." - Hiwot Adilow (from the above piece)

I do not believe that having my name pronounced correctly is a chore. It is not that huge of an undertaking that I expect a thinking human being to have the dignity and respect to learn and say my name correctly. Am I wrong to believe that I deserve that common courtesy? I do not think so. My name is my name. To mispronounce it more than once is disrespectful. I take it personally. It pisses me off. If you have a simple, common name, you will never endure this. And,lucky you. I was given a moniker that is one of a kind, just like me. I demand, deserve respect. So, do me a favor and get it right. In the words of Destiny's Child, "say my name, say my name" correctly though. It's really not that hard to ask a person to pronounce their name for you. I do it all the time. People ask me all the time. My name always sparks a conversation. Hey, I'm an ice breaker all by myself :) For future reference, those of us with unique, uncommon, difficult names would prefer being asked before you butcher our names. Take this into consideration the next time the situation arises.

"Give your daughters difficult names. Give your daughters names that command the full use of tongue. My name makes you want to tell me the truth. My name doesn’t allow me to trust anyone that cannot pronounce it right." - Warsan Shire