All in Together Girls

All in Together Girls is a children’s book that displays and discusses two cousins who play a childhood jump rope game.  The cousins take you on a journey to the steps necessary in competing in a  Double Dutch Tournament.  This book allows children to learn the names of each month and experience the activities and weather associated with those months.  Shay and Jaye will have you ready to take out your double Dutch rope, laugh, and sing with them in their journey down memory lane.  This story will have you jumping with excitement, laughing with anticipation, and encouraging others to break out their jump rope.

Taurus

I read my horoscope in Columbus Alive today. My horoscope (Taurus) read: 

             Have you ever gazed into the eyes of goats? If you have, you know
             that their pupils are rectangular when dilated. This quirk allows them
             to have a field of vision that extends as far as 340 degrees, as
             opposed to humans’ puny 160-210 degrees. They can also see better at
             night than we can. Goats are your power animal in the coming week,
             Taurus. Metaphorically speaking, you will have an excellent chance to
             expand your breadth and depth of vision. Do you have any blind spots
             that need to be illuminated? Now’s the time to make that happen.

In the Goat being my power animal for the coming week. My first thoughts were: what are some interesting facts about goats? What is the purpose of a Goat? And how will the animal be representing me in the next coming week? In researching this information, I found that goats and sheep “were among the earliest domesticated animals. Goat remains have been found at archaeological sites in western Asia, such as Jericho, Choga, Mami, Djeitun and Cayonu, which allows domestication of the goats to be dated at between 6000 to 7000 B.C.” This information obtained from Breeds of Livestock also stated that “goats can easily revert to feral or wild condition given a chance.” This means that goats have the ability to change their behavior and attitude if the situation calls for it; however they can easily revert back to their original state. Goats are generally used for “meat, milk, leather, pelts for rugs and robes, and clothing.” Smallstock in Development also revealed that “goats have an ability to survive under harsh conditions.”

How will the Goat represent me in the coming week?  As my horoscope stated, Goats have an ability to see in the dark, which helped me to link darkness with the Dark Ages. During the dark ages, knowledge was lost. This was a time when a lot of things were not written down. I linked the Goat’s ability to see better at night with their ability to reveal or see things others may have a hard time in seeing. Recently, I was told by a friend that I was very wise for my age. She stated that individuals my age are usually into going out, shopping, and having fun. She stated that she could see something in me that was different from other people my age. This spark of light she seen in me was also revealed in her. I recognize her as a light bearer of knowledge, which is often seen by other light bearers.

How will I expand my breadth and depth of vision? Breadth represents the things that I will take in and exhale from my body. This deals with nutrition, happiness, stress, and many of life’s situations. I will deal with everything the best way that I know how. The only way to deal with new situations or conflict is by experiencing it and learning from positive and negative experiences. The word vision represents to see or to illuminate something. My vision will include me working toward increasing my skill in understanding people and bringing light to many detrimental situations. It is my passion to write in such a way that others will be able to grasp all of the concepts written on the page. I will divulge who I am, which in terms will reveal other like or aspiring souls.

Remembering Whitney

As a child, I grew up listening to all types of music.  My mother's 8-track/record player blared out the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, while my sister's radio played the sweet sounds of Soul II Soul.  I, a Millennial or Gen Y child, learned to appreciate the various musical talents of those who sang so beautifully on my mother and sister's sound systems.  Some of these artists included greats such as Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendegrass, and of course Whitney Houston.  There was something about Whitney's voice that entered into my spirit so easily.  It was as if a piece of me was missing that I did not realize until she sang her beautiful songs.  Though I was not at the age in which I could relate to the songs on a personal level, I knew that something inside of me wanted to understand the feelings involved in those songs.  I wanted someone to run to and love me.  I wanted to feel The Greatest Love of All because I was the future.  I wanted someone to always love.  I wanted to feel just as Whitney did as she creatively exposed her talents to catchy rhythmic tunes.

Whitney, thank you so much for giving us a piece of you.  We all know that life comes with many temptations; therefore we refrain from judging you on life's lessons that we may or may not have had the privilege of understanding.  Judging others is the easy part.  The hard part is accepting people for their downfall and moving forward in helping them overcome their situation.  We love you and will miss your lovely voice.

Poetic Outlets and Dead Wrong

Get your very own copies of Poetic Outlets and Dead Wrong today.  Poetic Outlets, will take you on an emotional rollercoster and poetically enter your spirit, which will definitely release emotions that have longed to be set free. You will hear and feel the presence of my soul, as I take you on a journey to unwavering passion and commitment.  Dead Wrong is about a young lady who falls in love for all the wrong reasons. She will soon come to grips with her decision of love with the threat of death being held over her head for it. The main character fantasizes about loves, socializes with friends, and flirts with death.

Poetic Outlets is also available on Kindle!

Words: A Skilled Craft

Brain pickers

Thought trickers

Mind manipulators

Stealing ideas

And saving none for later

Idea takers

Sincere fakers

Switching from the Bulls to the Lakers

Speaking with enough poetic toxin

To turn a good girl bad

It’s so sad

The words you chose to expel

Because a chance you never had

Poetic woes

Rhythmic flows

Disguising your gift

As a right on the spot

Love Jones

Deceptive truths

Labeled as aloof

But as I say

The pudding’s

In the proof

Vice versa

Skilled tongues

Cow dung

Deceivers I’m among

Mind rippers

Strong tempers

Being in the company of

Skilled word pickers

Waiting for a Defining Moment

Sometimes in life, you know when things are over and have no chance of being rectified. However, you sit and wait for a defining moment that seems to take longer than your next birthday. Anticipation swells in your soul as you imagine life at that particular moment.  The thought of accomplishing your heart's desire sends you in a passionate thrust forward with your Eyes on the Prize.  You know that no momentum can be gained by siting around and waiting for a miracle.  So I ask you, "what are you waiting for?"  It's time to stop waiting for the moment and define your own moment.  Time is of the essence.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Roads to Memphis: American Experience)

Almost 44 years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and we continue to ask that one question that is a constant in our lives, which is regarding if we have really progressed as a people.  When I say people, I don't mean one race, one sex, or one particular population.  I mean we, the individuals that King wanted to walk hand in hand and exemplify that we can conquer anything, no matter our differences.  The same we that is a constant in our minds, but have yet to be a complete constant in our hearts.  People feel bad not for the execution of a historical figure, but for the souls that have committed the horrendous crime.  Why not put down the badge of hate down and pick up the sweet, taste changing packet of equal?

King knew that with his great activities as an activitist, came great concerns for his life.  It was irrefutable that he was a man of many supporters and many enemies.  He knew that life could end before expected; however he took that charge and dealt with the consequences.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered as a heroic historical figure who wanted to cash in a bad check that was written to the African American population.  He is remembered for his participation in the Southern Christina Leadership Conference and membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.  Lastly, he is remember for his  Non-Violent tactics, protests, and many speeches.

I suggest that everyone watch Roads to Memphis: American Experience.  The movie discusses King and the man who assassinated King; James Earl Ray.

National Geographic: China's Lost Girls

As you can see, I love watching and writing material on true events.  This gives people a sense of what they should expect from the movie, article, or event that I had the pleasure of seeing, reading, or attending.  In preparing for work, I decided to watch National Geographic: China's Lost Girls.  I chose to watch this because I have always been interested in China and their population growth.  I had also read or heard something about China's one child law and how they often gave up children with mental or physical disabilities.  While this documentary did not address the mental and physical disabilities issue, it did address the one child law.

How tough would it be if you lived in a country where you were only allowed to have one kid?  It would be even tougher if your first and only child had to be a boy, so he could work and take care of his family when they got older.  Maybe you are reading this reaction and realizing that you do have a tough decision, such as the one stated above.  Well, this is one of the touch decisions individuals in China have to, in order to control its population.  This law, inacted in 1979 by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, is the very reason why males are outnumbering females, which could cause an increase in violence, rape, and anger issues amongst males.

 I know after reading the information above, you are asking a lot of questions such as: What happens if someone decides to have a second child?  Where is the female population going?  And what type of socialize skills does a child have being raised with no siblings?  Well, families that have more than one child have to pay a child tax.  For all those others who do not want to pay the child tax, they give up their child or horrible things happen to that child, such as death.  Can you imagine giving up your very own child or sentencing your child to death because of not wanting to pay the child tax or because you had two girls?  Well, these are some of the issues and concerns that people in this country are facing.  A lot of the female babies are being placed in orphanages and/or are adopted by American families.  It usually takes up to a year for an adoption to be completed and can be as expensive at $18,000.  While the price does seem a bit high, there has been many American families that have adopted female Chinese children.  As for the question regarding the socialization skills for children without siblings, it seems that there has been an increase in obesity within the country.  This can be attributed to the child being spoiled, playing video games, and not having an in-house playmate, as do others with siblings.

While this law does not seem to be changing anytime soon, as confirmed by Zhang Weiqing in 2006, the information is informative to those who are interested in adopting.

   

From Pretty Women Wonder

From “pretty women wonder”

To “friends, fans, and artist must meet”

These are the lyrics

That my heroines speak


From Daniel’s “knock, knock”

To the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

From “living my life like it’s golden”

Listen to all these lyrical skills

I listen so intently

Because these lyricists

Expose my mind to the multitude of mental satisfaction

That some have attempted to achieve

But failed considerably at what others perceive

If I could

I would wrap my body in the essence of Erykah’s verbally influenced mind

Permanently implant the vocals of Lauryn Hill’s song When It Hurts So Bad in my earlobe

Breathe in the passion of Maya’s beautifully written poem about pretty women

I would answer Daniel’s knock, knock

And tell him not to fear

Because truth and justice

Is finally here

Like Jill Scott

I have to live my life like it’s golden

Because one life I’m permitted

And like in poker

I’m not folding

Thank you spoken truths

That flow so graciously

Out of the mouths of my teachers

Teach me

To be me

Teach me

To live life

And be

Free

 

 

Justin Bieber in Never Say Never

Ok, call me late, but I just watched Never Say Never for the first time.  I would have watched it sooner, but I was focused on one thing when the movie was released; obtaining my master's.  Well, now that I have my master's, I can get back to watching movies, writing books, and just enjoying live.

I want to say that Never Say Never was very inspiring.  I loved how Justin's mother set the stage for him to be who he is today.  She loved him and provided him with the necessary tools to go after his dreams.  She is a great example of how mothers can make a way, despite the many challenges that may arise.  Justin's mother also surrounded Justin around many talented musicians, who aided in his growth and development as a drummer and singer.

The movie displayed Justin as a sweet young man, who loved to have fun and prank people.  He enjoyed life and being around his family, friends, and staff.  The portion in the movie that I liked was prior to Justin getting signed.  Scooter Braun, Justin's manager, told him not to say anything to anyone.  When Usher arrived, Justin ran straight up to him and asked if he wanted to hear him perform his song.  Usher said no.  When Mr. Braun said something about speaking to Usher, Justin replied, "you said not to say anything to Jermain Dupri.  You didn't say anything about Usher."  How cute and witty.  I definitely recommend this movie as a must-see.  Check out the trailer below.