Enough Negativity!

The End of My Pregnancy Journey

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Fri, 1 Mar 2013 16:54:00 GMT

It has been about four weeks since I gave birth to my beautiful angel. Her name is Matasha and she is just a cutie baby girl. I wanted to give as much information as possible on what happened before delivery, during delivery, and after.

37 Weeks: Baby Coming in 4 Days!

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Hello! I am very sorry that I have not written as frequently as I wanted to. I am 37 weeks into my pregnancy, as the title says, and the baby will be here on January 29. That is exactly four days away for me.

I am excited, nervous and anxious -- a little bit of everything. When she arrives all of those feelings will go away.

31 Weeks Pregnant and Climbing

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:08:00 GMT

This has been quite a journey again with my fourth child. Only reason I say that is there has been so much going on with me and my family. I am finally moved and settled into our new home. I am still going to school, but this is my very last course and I will be done!!! I am very excited; this degree has been a long time coming, and I was not going to stop until I finished. My other three children are doing great and growing big, and my husband remains supportive and strong for me.

Pregnancy at 23 Weeks!

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:09:00 GMT

It has been a little bit since I wrote, but I have a lot to tell. My mysterious absence is due to a couple things. The first is I am moving and have been going back and forth between two states. The transition is a process within itself, so that is one of the things. I still have packing left to do, moving trucks, cleaners and carpet cleaners coming.

Expecting Number Four!

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:08:00 GMT

The title pretty much says it all. I am expecting my fourth child which is indeed a blessing. Of course, having gone through this three times previously I should know what to expect, right? Wrong!

Let the Haters Hate!!!

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:06:00 GMT

It is one thing to have to wake up every day and deal with being HIV+. It is quite another issue to have to deal with a hater. Let me just say the playing fields are not even. Why in the world am I talking about haters? Is this blog not supposed to be about positivity? This is still true and this blog will be just that positive.

Finding Strength After Adversity

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:59:00 GMT

Life is filled with ups and downs. It is not always easy to keep a smile on your face. Sometimes I forget how vulnerable my body is. One week I will feel strong as an ox, and then the next week not so much.

Secrets Are Not Always Worth Keeping

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:48:00 GMT

Sometimes secrets can be light-hearted and carefree. Then there are those secrets that are detrimental and not good to keep. It would seem like the right thing to do is be honest about whatever the secret entails whether bad or good. That is not often times what individuals do to one another. Sometimes secrets are kept from another to hurt that person(s). For example, if I am hurt then I will just hurt you. Then that becomes one very vicious and mean cycle. One secret, which is HIV/AIDS, should not keep anyone in the dark.

2011: Grateful and Thankful

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Can you believe 2011 is coming to a close? For me this year has really been surprising and unique. There have also been some glitches here and there. Overall the year shaped up to be really good. What do I vision for the year of 2012?

Finding Enjoyment in Life

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Is life to be feared while living? Or is life to be enjoyed while living? Believing that if you enjoy the life you have it may change things perhaps? Now, not trying to say think super-happy thoughts and you will become wealthy and famous. No, but within that mindset perhaps one could become wealthy and famous?

Being realistic is good to an extent. Yes, receiving an HIV+ or an AIDS diagnosis in reality is not what anyone ever wants or wanted! I get that, and others that have this condition would too, but being depressed and angry forever will not do anything. Those feelings cannot turn back the hands of time to undo what has already been done. At the same time, it is not ever easy to just put on a smile and show the world a happy person.

At the End of the Day: Remembering Meds When Life's Run You Ragged

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:30:00 GMT

On its own, being a parent comes with many challenges. Then, throw in being HIV positive and having to ensure you take your meds, which is another difficulty and sometimes a pain to do.

Take Life Seriously, but Do Not Forget to Have Fun!

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:30:00 GMT

Hello again, and yes it has been a little bit of time. Do you ever wonder why people take life so seriously and never smile or laugh or even joke? For me personally, I used to be that person. Life for me, when I was given my diagnosis, was not fun or happy, and forget cracking a smile. I was a very mean, upset, angry woman, and that would also add to my stress. After having a family of my own and going through some things, I can say life is meant to be enjoyed!!! Yes, I understand there is a time and place for everything, but adjusting your thinking can make all the difference.

Being Optimistic: Hard but Possible

msdrake98@ymail.com (Teniecka Drake) — Wed, 4 May 2011 15:36:00 GMT

Hello! My name is Teniecka Drake and I have been interviewed on a few occasions for TheBody.com. I have three children all under the age of three and I am excited to be blogging for TheBody.com. I really wanted to be able to have an even more personal touch along with the interviews.

I'm also in Ebony Magazine, in the April 2011 issue. That came about by the editor seeing me on the Who's Positive Web site. Who's Positive is the organization that runs the tour I was on in 2006. The Ebony editor contacted Tom Donohue, the founder, and he contacted me. That was very exciting, to see myself in a nationally known magazine! I'm excited to say the Ebony issue is so good. I surprised myself that I looked so happy!