Who's Your Daddy!!!!

Time Magazine has a really great article:

Passing as Black: How Biracial Americans Choose Identity

Boris Kodjoe

Alicia Keys

Kimora Lee

It was a long but easy read.  In a nutshell I believe what has happened is that, that golden rule of 1 drop of black - "you black" - has taken affect.  So now, according to the article, most biracially mixed Americans are identifying more with being black.  They identify by choosing ethnic clothes, music, language, etc.

Good to know, but hopefullly at some point, our world will stop 'identifying' with things - ethnicity, sexuality, ect. and we all can say what Popeye says, "I yam, that I yam!"

Read article: http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/16/passing-as-black-how-biracial-americans-choose-identity/#ixzz19QKH7WqU about bi-racial people.

Book Review

A Tale Of Urban Horror
Night Biters

- If you know the Bay Area, you'll like this book - I remember the Sears store.

- If you know about taggers (which I didn't :)), and skateboarders, you'll like this book.

- If you know anything about beats and rhymes (Omari has a serious CD with great lyrics - PAY CLOSE ATTENTION), you'll like this book.

- If you like super bad chicks (Jennifer) that kick butt (which you know I do :)), you'll like this book.

Author A.J. Harper, is so creative (the Crimsons and the Cobalts - I get it), he has taken the night and shown its purpose.  From people turning into bats, to young men with superhuman strength, Night Biters shows exactly what happens in the night - while we're at home safe and sound :). 

I can best relate to Sister and Brother, Omari and Jamilah with their, "what the what?  What just happened here?  How did this person get there so fast?"  Sergeant Bright knew something fishy was going on too!

All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and you will too. 

Let me know what you think.

MTV's Teen moms

Teen Pregnancy is on the Decline



I love these girls and their beautiful babies

 

Article by Kelly Marrone

http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/teen-pregnancy-decline-12-23-2010

What Will MTV Do?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its preliminary findings of all things birth rate for America in 2009 on Tuesday.

The Daily Beast’s Casey Schwartz discusses the point that even though teen pregnancies have gained popularity in the media, the actual birth rate experienced quite a drop last year. She claims that it is baffling researchers.

With shows like MTV’s 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom alongside Bristol Palin performing on Dancing with the Stars and gaining media attention for her teen pregnancy, it’s interesting that as the public intrigue with teen pregnancy increased, the actual teen pregnancies decreased.

Schwartz writes that in the 70 years since birth rates records were kept, the rate among American teenagers is now the lowest it has ever has been. In 2009, 39.1 in 1,000 teenagers had a baby, which compared to the 41.5 in 2008 that is a 6 percent decrease.

“Six percent is a huge drop,” said chief program officer for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy Bill Albert. “To get a birth rate dropping 6 percent in one year is really quite remarkable.”

Natalya's opinion

I like this article!!!!  I love babies, but babies having babies is so hard.  I watched MTV's 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, those young ladies had it hard.  It was not pretend.  When a baby comes into your life, it's not about 'you' anymore.  That's hard for a teenager to swallow.

What are your thoughts?  Let me know.

How was your Christmas?

I had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas. 

I always remember the reason for the season. 

I love Jesus and I love Santa Claus!!! :)

I think you have to believe in the magic, if nothing else.  So many people have lost their belief in the magic and can only believe in what they can see - things that they 'think' money can buy them.  But it's the MAGIC that brings forth the money, it's the MAGIC that brings forth things inside of your imagination  - to life!  When you don't believe in the magic and use the magic to bring forth all of the GOOD things inside of your imagination, you miss out on some really good uses of your 5 senses:

Sight (seeing the beauty all around you)

Sound (hearing sweet music, like Mahaliah Jackson)

Smell (Christmas Dinner aromas)

Taste (Christmas Dinner aromas :))

Touch (A hug from family and friends)

Ahhh - Can't beat the Magic!!!

And if you don't want to believe in the magic

- so be it, your choice -

I'm not talking to you.

Bah-hum-bah

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Mahalia Jackson
Go Tell It On The Mountain

 

Go tell it on the mountain

Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born

Halleluya

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born halleluya (2x)

The sheppard kept their watchin
All over the sheep
He hold the light from heaven
That shone a holy light, everybody

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

Born this bright glorious morning
Christ is born today
He came to redeem every sinner
And to wash, their sins away, halleluya

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills Lord, everywhereGo tell it on the mountain

That Je……sus Christ……. Is……. born

Toys for Tots

Children are one of our nation’s most valuable resources.  Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders – civic, business and social.  Alarmingly, approximately 13 million America children live in poverty.  Studies reveal that growing up in poverty can have an adverse psychological impact on a child.  One of the adverse impacts is low self-esteem – a by-product of little or no hope for the future.

Each child has a choice of two paths to the future.  One path leads to a productive life as an asset to the community.  The other path leads to a life of dependency on the community for support.  Without outside help, the path of least resistance is too often the path to a life of dependency.

TO READ MORE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK:
http://www.toysfortots.org/about_toys_for_tots/toys_for_tots_foundation/educating_the_public/default.asp

I've already donated 1 toy for a girl - 1 toy for a boy.

I know times are hard, but imagine how hard they are for children with NOTHING!

The toy doesn't have to be expensive - Go to the $1 store.

Whatever you do, please find a child to give to.

Thank you,
Natalya

That's my outfit!

You know that feeling when you go out somewhere and see someone wearing what you have on.  Well here's some pictures of that feeling.

I hate that!!!!!  :)

Yahoo's Word of the Day

concise

DEFINITION:	(adjective) expressed briefly and simply; succinct.
EXAMPLE:	Less than a page long, the Bill of Rights is a concise statement of the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
SYNONYMS:	abridged, compact
DICTIONARY:	American Heritage� Dictionary

Tiya was very concise when she told Maria about her cheating boyfriend! 

"Loser!"

Movies for - 'this Christmas'

Don't forget to check out some holiday movies:

Gathering to celebrate Christmas together for the first time in four years, the Whitfield clan uses the opportunity to air their true feelings about one another in this ensemble film that fuses family drama, comedy and holiday cheer. Small arguments over traditions such as trimming the tree erupt into major conflicts that test the family's bonds, making this Christmas the most memorable yet. Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer and Regina King co-star.

A young boy's faith in the holiday spirit is revived after he makes his way by train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve in this warm-hearted computer-animated tale inspired by Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning children's book. Co-executive producer Tom Hanks also lends his talents to the role of the kindly railroad conductor, who helps the boy find a reason to believe in others -- and himself. Robert Zemeckis directs.

This humorous, nostalgic look at Christmas in 1940s Indiana is a holiday classic concerning 9-year-old Ralphie's (Peter Billingsley) desperate wish for a "Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time." As Ralphie wages an all-out campaign to convince his parents (Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon) the toy is safe, his dad wins a major award -- and displays it in the window.

When Santa falls down drunk in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, reluctant Macy's supervisor Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) offers the job to a bearded Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar) purporting to be the real Santa! During the Christmas season, he shares a flat with Doris's neighbor (John Payne), who has eyes for Doris. Kris hopes to unite the two while winning over Doris's skeptical 6-year-old daughter (Natalie Wood).

These are just a couple of my favorite. 

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie?

This Christmas

Original by Donnie Hathaway
(Chris Brown did a good job redoing it too).

CLICK HERE TO SEE CHRIS BROWN VIDEO

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

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

Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you, ohh yeah
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
A very special Christmas, for me yeah

Alright, break it down, ha ha ha

Ooh yeah, yeah yeah, alright
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Alright now, right now, now

Fireside, oh, is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night, yeah
And this Christmas, will be, oh
A very special Christmas, for me yeah
And this Christmas, will be
A very special Christmas, for me oh oh

Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Merry Christmas, ooh yeah
Gonna have a merry Christmas, ohh yeah, oh oh
Merry Christmas, oh it will be
Oh, a very very very special Christmas
A very special Christmas (this Christmas)
Alright now, right now, yeah oh
It will be now, oh (this Christmas)
Oh, this will be, this will be, baby
A very special
Have a merry merry Christmas (hey yeah)
And a happy New Year
Oh hey, alright, yeah yeah yeah
Merry Christmas
This Christmas
Oh this will be, this will be, baby

Smell, My Life - by Mary J. Blige

Singer Mary J Blige will launch her debut fragrance, My Life, this July in conjunction with Carol’s Daughter. My Life is named for Blige’s 1994 album of the same name.

My Life features notes of gardenia, pear, freesia, tuberose, jasmine, lily, apricot blossom, cashmere woods, praline, sesame and incense.

Mary J Blige My Life will be available in 50 ml, concentration unknown,


for $46. It will retail on HSN, and will come with a clutch purse. (via wwd)

I like Mary, she tries to keep it sophisticated.

WARM COATS FOR THE SEASON

Seaons Greetings Park People!

Hope you all are doing well.  We would like to invite you to support Arroyo Viejo Park this holiday season.  We are collecting gently used and new coats (as well as gloves, scarves, etc) of all sizes to be distributed at our annual "Holiday Bazzar" in partnership with the CEOs of Oakland (Community Enrichment Organization). So please, take a moment to look through your closet and find any coats your family may not need.  Or, pick up an extra coat when you head out to do your holiday shopping. Help make someone's winter a little warmer and brighter.

Thanks in advance.   =)

Maribel Corral

Oakland Parks and Recreation

Recreation Supervisor - Arroyo Viejo Park

7701 Krause Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605

office - 510.615.5755 Cell - 510.867.0732 fax - 510.615.5882

Jazzy Sophisticated Ladies

This past week I listened to Yahoo's Jazz Christmas Song station.  I'd have to say, there were some pretty sophisticated ladies back in our grand parents day :).

Check out theses ladies styles and grace (and what Wipikedia says about them).




Lena Horne


Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was an American singer, actress, civil rights activist and dancer.
Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood, where she had small parts in numerous movies, and more substantial parts in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. Due to the Red Scare and her left-leaning political views, Horne found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood.








Billie Holiday


Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan^[1] April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday was a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo.  Critic John Bush wrote that she "changed the art of American pop vocals forever."^[2] She co-wrote only a few songs, but several of them have become jazz standards, notably "God Bless the Child," "Don't Explain," "Fine and Mellow," and "Lady Sings the Blues." She also became famous for singing "Easy Living," "Good Morning Heartache," and "Strange Fruit", a protest song which became one of her standards and made famous with her 1939 recording.



Dorothy Dandridge


Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress and popular singer, and was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.^[1]
She performed as a vocalist in venues such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater. In 1954, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Carmen Jones, and, in 1959, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Porgy and Bess. In 1999, she was the subject of the HBO biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She has been recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.




Ella Fitzgerald


Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist.^[1] With a vocal range spanning three octaves (Db3 to Db6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.
She is considered to be a notable interpreter of the Great American Songbook.^[2] Over a recording career that lasted 59 years, she was the winner of 14 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Art by Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush.

These Women display class. 

They are sophistication at its finest. 

Check out some of their their songs and let's get sophistication back.

Santa Baby

Keeping the old school Christmas Songs going!
Eartha Kitt

Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, a 54 convertible too, light blue
I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fella's that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you check off my Christmas list

Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey, one little thing I really need
The deed to a platinum mine

Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with the duplex and checks
Sign your 'x' on the line
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffanys
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing
A ring, I don't mean on the phone
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry, tonight

Weight!

I came across a pretty good article, basically it says that if you want to lose weight turn your fat into muscles!  That's one of the reasons why guys lose weight faster than women, their muscles.


CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE



Sounds good to me.  I think I'll try it.  Let's find a way to turn our fat into muscles.

Let me know which way you are going to work it!

Barbie Dolls

OHHHH - Now I get it!!!!

So, I guess Nicki Minaj is supposed to be a Barbie Doll.  Oh, okay, a doll, so the way she acts and behaves, it's like she is a doll, created by Mattel, that has come to life - that explains her personality.

Lil Kim is angry because Lil Kim is "the original" Barbie Doll?

Okay.

So the question is, who one is the better doll?  Hum, I would say...
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Kim Kardashian!

According to Wikipedia:

Ruth Handler creater of Barbie

Barbie: the beginning

Ruth Handler had noted that her daughter Barbara, who was becoming a pre-teen, preferred playing with her infant paper dolls and giving them adult roles. She wanted to produce a plastic doll with an adult body but her husband and Mr. Matson thought it wouldn't sell. But when the Handlers were on a European trip, Ruth Handler saw the German Bild Lilli doll (which was not meant for children at all; rather a gag gift for adults) in a Swiss shop and brought it home.




Back home she reworked the design of the doll and re-named her Barbie after her daughter. Barbie debuted at the New York toy fair on March 9, 1959. Barbie became an instant success, rocketing the Handlers and their toy company toward fame, if not fortune as well. Later, they would add a boyfriend for Barbie named Ken, after Handler's son as well any many more other "friends and family" for Barbie's world.

:( Ut oh, NO I DON'T GET IT -

why would a live human being want to be "a plastic doll with an adult body?"

Happy Holidays

The Christmas Song


CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way;
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is going to spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you 

President pardons a couple of turkeys!

LOL - the President pardoned a pair of turkeys - Apple and Cider (: /

The two turkeys were raised on a Modesto, Calif. farm.  Modesto in the house! :)

The Los Angeles Times reported:

As if on cue, Apple let out a proud gobble as Obama made the pardon official. The president then made his way over to the bird, giving its head a pat down as he quizzed its owner about the wattle. The first daughters declined the chance to pet it as well.

Way to go President Obama...unfortunately the turkey I had this past November 25th was prosecuted.  Sorry.

Let's Read!!!

Hey book lovers, let's read - Night Biters.

(Back Cover)
When sixteen year old Jamilah and her fourteen year old brother Omari arrive in Oakland, California, a mysterious stranger gives Omari a magical compact disc and a crucifix.  Upon listening to the CD, the siblings learn that the lyrics and the crucifix can aide them against the danger of vampires.

But danger has never been as attractive as the handsome and charismatic heartbreaker Tyrone, or as beautiful and deadly as the vengeful Jennifer.

Soon the siblings find themselves in twined with rival gangs, the Crimsons and the Cobalts.  Their leaders transformed into vampires whose hatred for one another threaten to destroy the city.

Fasten your seatbelts, you're going to a place bustling with taggers, skaters, gangs, girls that literally kick butt, hip hop and vampires.

Let's meet back here next month - December 24th, 2010 and talk about it.

To get your copy, please check out www.urbanhorror.com

The author, A.J. Harper lives right here in the bay area and the book is straight out of Oakland!

Iron Jawed Angels - Movie

Starring Hilary Swank and Frances O'Connor.

Netflix:

From 1912 to 1920, a group of fiery young suffragettes led by Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor) band together to wheedle the United States into adapting a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Along the way, they incur the wrath of President Woodrow Wilson (Bob Gunton) and anger other suffragette leaders (Anjelica Huston and Lois Smith). Directed by Katja von Garnier.

Two thumbs up!

A great movie to see anytime.  It wasn't just about voting, it was about women earning the 'right' to vote.  Yes, we had to earn the right, and the movie shows what these women (Alice Paul and Lucy Burns) were willing to do to help ALL women get this right - like being thrown into prison and being force fed by a tube shoved down their throats. 

Watching a movie like this helps you understand the RIGHT to stand as a Sophisticated Lady!

Get the movie and let me know what you think.

Date Rape

In the movie, For Colored Women, one woman was date raped.  Unfortunately, this is something that happens too often to women - at this point in life, probably men too.  Like my blog's opening song says, "I Want To Know What Love Is".  We're all just looking for love. 




So, here are my thoughts about date rape.




1.  It's usually not about the act of sex - it's about power.

2.  Any person that thinks they can just take something from you, is a spoiled brat!  Only children take toys from other children.

3.  If someone aggressively tries to take something from you, 9 times out of 10, it's probably because someone aggressively tried to take something from them - and probably did. :(

4.  People need to feel powerful in some sort of way.  Conquering another person gives this weak minded person power - in their mind (it's not true, they are weak for doing it).

So, notice the pattern here?  The problem lies within the other person - not you. 

YOU ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.

This act of violence is terrible, but don't let it stop you for continuing to look for love.  God's love! 

BUT NOW - you don't wear red to a crips' party and you don't wear blue to a bloods' party.  You don't wear a doe's perfume into a den of lions and you don't take your pit bull over to .... house.  Okay!? :)

I'm not a therapist, or PH.D, or none of that.  I'm just an auntie-cousin that loves all of my Sophisticated Ladies and that's my opinion.  I'm here to talk.

Talk back :)

I Want To Know What Love Is

Original by Foreigner
Redone by Mariah Carey

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older
Aaaah woah-ah-aah

Now this mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
And through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
Aaaah woah-oh-ooh

I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me, oooh ooh-ooh ooh-ooh oooh
I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
I can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is
And I know, I know you can show me

Let's talk about love
(I wanna know what love is) the love that you feel inside
(I want you to show me) I'm feeling so much love
(I wanna feel what love is) no, you just cannot hide
(I know you can show me) yeah, woah-oh-ooh
I wanna know what love is, let's talk about love
(I want you to show me) I wanna feel it too
(I wanna feel what love is) I wanna feel it too
And I know, and I know, I know you can show me
Show me what is real, woah (woah), yeah I know
(I wanna know what love is) hey I wanna know what love
(I want you to show me), I wanna know, I wanna know, want know
(I wanna feel what love is), hey I wanna feel, love
I know you can show me, yeah

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thursday, November 25, 2010, is Thanksgiving, what are 'you' thankful for?

I am thankful for where I am in life.

Thank you God for where I am mentally and physically.  

Have a safe and happy

THANKSGIVING!

How a Bill becomes a Law

The series produced original episodes between 1973 and 1999.

We all have to follow rules, regulations and laws.  Knowing that we have to follow them is another important reason why, when you are of legal age to vote, you should do it. 

Years ago, School House Rock had cute, commercial shorts, to education the young in different topic matters.  One of them showed How a Bill becomes a Law.

If you don't understand why certain laws are in place, remember someone created a Bill that turned their thoughts into a Law.  If you want to create a Law, create the Bill.

CLICK HERE to see how a Bill becomes a Law.

You have any ideas on some new laws?

Word of the week

mimicry

DEFINITION:

(noun) imitation, aping.

The way my little sister says the same things that I say, is a mimicry.

********

So be careful Sophisticated Ladies, little Sophisticated Ladies are imitating you.

I'm looking for a new love

So, if love did not work in the last relationsihp, what's going to make it work in a new one?  What tools do they have now that they didn't have before?

Let me know what you think.

Hum, not sure what Bow Wow did to send her to 50?  FIFTY!?

Britney and Kevin
Well, they do say once you go black, you don't go back.
:) She hasn't gotten it together since!

Again, I just love this baby, cute-E!
Halle and her baby daddy, literally.

I'm not saying that you cannot move on from love, but is the move left, right, up or back?

Let me know what you think.

What Happened!?

I'm curious, what happens when couples split?  At first they are so in love, then all of a sudden you hear that they've split up. 

What do you think happens?

I hear they are still friends but, what happened from this point?  Other women?



 I'm not sure what happened here, but they were cute little sweethearts.  Maybe first loves?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT A LACK OF COMMUNICATION

about CHEATING - lying  - FINANCE - impatience - RELIGION

What happened to these two?  I actually liked them togegther -
but I do love Halle's daughter Nahla (together with Gabriel).

CAN YOU THINK OF SOME OTHER SPLITS?

We Are The World

by Michael Jackson
and various artist

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW!!!!

There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on
Pretneding day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart
So they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

When you're down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Love



Denzel & Pauletta Washington



Do we look to Hollywood for lessons on love?  If so, what are we learning? 

Above is a picture of Denzel Washington and his wife.  Denzel was the first guy that came to mind for me, in Hollywood, that appears to be authentic as a man - and treats his wife like the Sophisticated Lady she is.

What have I learned?  I would have to say that any time I have seen Denzel in an interview and his wife is with him, he actually has respect for her.  He listens to her and values what she has to say.

WHO DO YOU THINK OF?

AND

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM WHAT THINGS 'APPEAR' TO BE?

For Colored Girls

Review

Applauds to the actresses in this movie. 

They all brought their A games - they really did.

A+ for them all.

BUT - I believe it is time for a movie where an African American woman finds love without having issues!!!!

The movie was adapted from a stage play that first came out in 1975.  It is sad to know that in the year 2010, this play can become a movie and a lot of women can say that they can relate to it.  That tells me that in 35 years things have not changed.  Really!?  That's not good.

Are you saying that in 2010 we are still dealing with the same type of issues that women from 1975 dealt with?  I say we put an end to that.  In this day and age, we definitely should be farther along in the love department than rehabbed prostitutes, alcoholics, gold diggers and just simply naive rich women.

My wish for the next Tyler Perry movie is that the lead woman character, African American, is a Sophisticated Lady that displays love, is love and that finds love.  WE DESERVE TO BE LOVED - without having had an issue.

I have written plenty of stories where Sophisticated Ladies find love. 

Need a story line Tyler - hit me up :)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Sing A Song
by Earth, Wind & Fire

When you feel down and out
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Here's a time to shout
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Sometimes it's hard to care
Sing a song, it'll make your day
A smile so hard to bear
Sing a song, it'll make a way

Singasong
Singasong
Singasong
Singasong

Bring your heart to believing
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Life ain't about no retrieving
Sing a song, it'll make a way
Give yourself what you need
Sing a song, it'll make your day
Smile, smile smile and believe
Sing a song, it'll make a way

Singasong
Singasong
Singasong
Singasong

Keke Palmer - A Black Girl That Rocks!

On Sunday, November 7th, BET hosted its1st annual Black Girls Rock, show.   

I'd have to say my applauds went to Keke Palmer.

KeKe Palmer

Keke said that she began her career at 9 years old.  Wow, that was when she played Akeelah, in Akeelah and the Bee.  She is now 17 (born August 26, 1993) and I'd have to say that I am proud that she has not gotten herself caught up in the problems that so many young girls in Hollywood find themselves in.  It is very hard trying to transition from the tweens (9 - 12), into your upper teens (17, 18, and 19) and then on into young adulthood (21+). 

I have my eye on her - my hands in prayer for her - and my wishes of success for her.

Not only does this Black Girl Rock,

she is also an example of  a Sophisticated Lady.

Applauds to  Keke Palmer!

Dance your way into health

Just Dance 2
by Wii

As we all know, exercise is an important part of a healthy body.  I've tried a lot of exercise routines and at last I've found 'my' niche. 

Can you say - JUST DANCE 2? 

Mu-hahahahahaha

This game is so fun, I love it.  I don't play many Wii games, but I do love this one.  Gets you up and moving.

It is fun - while I'm doing it;

funny - when a group of us are doing it; 

funnier, when my 5 year old is up and jamming!

I use the sweat portion of it that says I am burning calories. 

Whether I am or not, I love the funky music and hip dance moves.  Do it every day and I'm sure you'll lose some pounds, with a smile on your face.

And you will sweat!

Demi Lavato - Cut!!!

Los Angeles Times Headline

Demi Lovato's crisis shows the risks of teen stardom

Demi Lovato is known for her roles in such Disney shows as, Sonny with a Chance, Camp Rock and Princess Protection Program.  The article suggest that being a star child is very stressful and what Demi is going through right now are some of the consequences of it.  She is hurting herself by cutting herself and she has an eating disorder.

But

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A CHILD STAR TO BE STRESSED!

According to the article, the crisis has forced her to "withdraw a concert tour with the Jonas Brothers to seek treatment for 'emotional and physical issues.'"

Why is this headline news when thousands of our young people are suffering from emotional and physical issues everyday?  I'm sorry it is happening to her but here is my advise...to her and other young people across the world.

TALK IT OVER BIG TEAM - TALK IT OVER!

You have to get it up and out.  Whatever is bothering you, whatever is on your mind, you have to talk about it.  You have to talk about it.  You have to talk about it.  You have to talk!  If you don't, just like Demi, you end up doing things that can seriously hurt you.  Even kill you. 

The dark side of life wants you to think there is no hope.  The dark side of life wants you to think that you can't survive, that you cannot come up with a better way of doing things.

Here are some of the things that the dark side of your brain might say to you:

• Shhh, don't tell anybody, anything.
• They will laugh at you.
• They will think you are dumb, or stupid, or weird.
• Nobody, will understand.

So the dark side of your brain begins to suggest bad things:

• Have a drink.  Have another.
• Take a smoke - a cigarette, maybe even some marijuana.
• Use some drugs.
• Have all the sex you want.
• Cut yourself.
• Don't eat that - don't eat at all.

The worst thing your dark side will say to you, "You should just kill yourself!"

CUT and scene!

You must stop listening to the dark side of your thoughts.

You must talk about it.  You must be able to talk to someone.  Demi can go and see a therapist but there are a lot of people who do not have the ability to do so, so here are some ideas of people YOU can go and talk to:

• Parents.
• Grandparents.
• Sisters or Brothers.
• Aunts or Uncles.
• Friends.
• Talk Groups.
• Neighbors.
• A friend's parent, or a friend's sister, or brother, or aunt, or uncle.
• Little lady on the bus.
• Old man at the corner store.
• A teacher or principal.
• The list is endless.

And #1 - ME :)

(all of us - sign in and talk about it)

Here are some of the things that the light side of your brain wants you to know:

• There is a truth!
• There is an answer!
• You are not the only one that has gone through it!
• You can change things whenever you want to!
• You have the power!
• You have the smarts!
• You have the know how!
• You are creative!
• You are Love!

TALK IT OVER BIG TEAM - TALK IT OVER!