Random Happenings

Boring...as in PP

2010-03-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

I have been dubbed a boring person.
Well not in those exact terms...but I could see it coming.
When someone is shocked when you use the word "sensual" then you have an immediate response as to what the people think of you- Boring.
Recently, I discovered that people have put me in a box with two letters-PP. Actually its unfair to even call them two letters, as it is a repetition of one letter.
PP- Politics, Polite...... That is not a complaint, but I wish that people would see me as more than that. I imagine my parents would be happy that I am not being cast in a negative light.
However, being considered an intellectual conversationista as a friend puts it is not flattering, when you know that you can have fun and do have fun outside the bounds of politics, books and bourgeois expectations.
Do I like to have fun? YES! and I have too much of it sometimes. However, I think that everything has to be balanced out. For example, I will frown upon anyone who seems to think its okay to objectify me as a sexual object. That does not mean that I am not in touch with my sensuality, it just means that I would rather people see a complete picture before they pick and choose what they would want from me. There are some societal stigmas that I very much try to distance myself with. And to that, I try to not accept being called pet names that I feel belittle me eg. shawty, mama, or for the Swahili speakers Supu. I want respect, because I give respect. Respect is what I think is important, and my inner being demands it. Therefore, if I seem too serious, or angry at times, it is because I feel like there is some lack of respect.

I am strong, and I have been raised to be strong. It is something that I am proud of. However, in this day and age, this is become a bad trait to possess. There is a whole set of social norms that are very disrespectful to women...but we are forced by acceptance to see it as a good thing...or a compliment

So if I am polite, its not because I don't want to yell or scream, its because thats who I am. Politics are my passion, so I can't give that up...
but all that does not make me boring, if anything, it makes me interesting ( Just ask my classmates in my political Science classes- )

FOOD INC.

2010-02-26T13:14:00.001-08:00

I thought it was time for this to be discussed. I will probably post it some other time.....in my political blog.

Food Inc. has become the most popular film as far as food is concerned. There have been others, but I have not seen any documentary that has caused some upheaval. The film industry has always benefited from a dependency on the effectiveness of media. and I am seeing that happening as I listen to friends freak out about their food. There are undoubtedly other films that have been made telling the public that if you eat this and that, you will die. The good news, we are all destined to face that particular fate-death.
The way I view this whole situation, is the same way I view the big vs small government. The two are going to kick each other, until one of them wins. Everyone has an opinion. If there is anything controversial, there will be vast opinions.
Now if I wanted to have my voice heard, and get more people to buy my "organic" food, I would start by getting a socially conscious director. Aka Robert Kenner. I have nothing against the man, he makes good films, its just that, I doubt that the world needs another Michael Moore.

I have recently discovered my own amazement at people who are willing to change their lifestyles based on films and books. Before I get myself into too much hot water, let me state that I do admire these people...if for nothing else they put a lot of effort to make those changes. Additionally, I am a supporter of health, and anyone who seeks to be healthy is golden in my book. I think that total well being ie spiritually, mentally, physically, environmentally etc is important and for people to be truly happy, they have to achieve health in all those areas. Not everyone would agree with this, but to each his own.
My puzzlement has come from getting to a place where people have a choice of whether they can eat meat or not. Organic or not. I LOVE meat. Friends and family know of this fact, and maybe tease me a bit too much. But I have balanced that with a good dose of vegetables.
Anyways, what gets to me mostly is the the judgment that come along with the pursuit of vegetarianism. To be fair, these judgments are passed on without one being aware of it.
My first irk moment, is when I am being told the reasons why I should become a vegetarian. I am sure you've heard the classic one: Our bodies were not meant to consume meat. Now, I am a history junkie, so naturally, I want to know how it is that our bodies were not meant to consume meat...how come history shows man from the earliest times eating meat. I mean, these people were hunters and gatherers. and they ate ALOT of meat, and surprisingly they did not kee over and die. So forget all that old rubbish, people are sophisticated and need to improve themselves, and since they are better off...No Meat.
My other favorite argument, "We are the only animals that eat the product of the other animals".
First of all, it is offensive for those of us who enjoy chicken, cheese, milk, the goodness of desserts and the occasional steak. You might wander why it might be offensive....Well think about for a minute, think about it for a minute. You are indirectly telling those that are eating chemically induced muscled chicken that they are defiling their bodies. Second, that scientific notion that we are animals has ruined people really. Unless I am off this one, not very many people will enjoy being compared to a chimpanzee, or a squirrel. Thirdly, we (if we are animals) are not the only ones eating other animals or their by-product....Lions, tigers, bears oh my! I am sure if you walked over to any of these animals, they will gladly use you as an experiment to see if they liked eating other animals' by-products. But don't take my word for it.
It is good to aspire to be healthy, but we are looking for a BALANCE. Eliminating food groups from your diet, not so smart. Although again, that is purely a matter of opinion.
But lets go back to the original topic...FOOD INC.
I would like to have this film shown anywhere else but America. The difference between the West and the rest of the world is that the media has ALOT of influence on people's lifestyle. But again, I am skeptical of a lot of things. I keep imagining the faces of Europeans who are being told that they should give up their cheese because it is a by-product of another animal, or give up their steak and poulet. Oh and the Africans who can barely afford food, being told that they can't have the food they barely get because it is not organic. They would look at it exactly the same way I look at it...BONKERS!
Now referencing to a blog I wrote a while back on organic food trending, organic food is not a new thing. Africans have been doing it for a long time. But the politics and economic demands of the west dictated that subsidies become the norm of agricultural production. Therefore, this film is not a new revelation, but it reveals a deep seated struggle between government and small scale farmers.
To take such a film seriously and life changing, is like watching a Michael Moore film and taking it as the political gospel and basing one's lifestyle and beliefs on the writings of Ann Coulter or the ramblings of Rush Limbaugh. Being open minded is good, wanting to always improve one-self is an admirable goal. But changing a lifestyle all because food Inc. says so, or some "brilliant" writer says so is just not rational or smart. Like most everything else in life- take it with a grain of salt.

Tourism in South Africa

2010-02-15T11:04:00.000-08:00

These questions about South Africa were posted on a South African Tourism Website and were answered by the website owner.
Q: Does it ever get rainy in South Africa ? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? ( UK )
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? ( USA )
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )
A: Sure, it's only two thousand kilometres. Take lots of water...

Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa ? ( Sweden )
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa ? Can you send me a List of them in JHB, Cape Town , Knysna and Jeffrey's Bay? ( UK )
A: What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa ? ( USA )
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the pacific. A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not.... Oh forget it. Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is north in South Africa ? ( USA )
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa ? ( UK )
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa ? ( France )
A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population Is smaller than the male population? ( Italy )
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa ? ( France )
A: Only at Christmas.

Q: Are there killer bees in South Africa ? ( Germany )
A: Not yet, but for you, we'll import them.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )
A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegetarian hunter- gatherers. Milk Is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in South Africa who can dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All South African snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I was in South Africa in 1969, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? ( USA )
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Brooklyn College | Brooklyn Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

2010-02-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn College | Brooklyn Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Hadithi, Hadithi,- The power of the Narrative

2010-02-04T07:45:00.001-08:00

As a child, my friends and I loved to play a lot of games, that somehow have become potent as I look back.
One of the games involved become a story teller. We would seat in a circle, and the "leader" would say "Hadithi, Hadithi" and the rest of us would respond with "Hadithi Njoo". Loosely translated...."Story, story" "Story come!"
We would collaboratively tell a story, that began with "Once upon a time...." or "there was this man..."
I had forgotten about this game until my professor who had spent sometime in Kenya reminded me of this. That was the interesting part. This particular game, had a point to make with how we were raised. You see, narratives are very important. What is your narrative? who gave you that narrative, or rather how did that narrative develop?
we look at politics, or societies, and we interpret them from that perspective.
So for the last couple of days, I am trying to jot down on how my narrative has affected my view of the world....
interesting....

Women's Rights

2010-01-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

I was out dancing the other day. It was an exciting time especially after spending a miserable week working on some issues. So, when I dance, I try not to think of politics, or the miserable world out of that dance room.
Anyways, as it is a courtesy of the dance scene, women get to ask men to dance...Yay, great liberation for women. Now women can have the guts to approach a man...great significance for women movements everywhere. However, there has been the unspoken code that generally, if women get over their comforts of being pursued and ask a guy to dance, the least that a guy can do is politely say "no" as in, I don't want to dance with you, or they can suck it up and dance with the girl (no matter how terrible they might be). Remember that these are the ladies that endured the times you were "getting out" on the dance scene and stepping your way into the world of being a good dancer. There is the other response, that entails looking at the girl and making a face, and giving excuses of "I don't want to dance today", "eh I don't feel like for this song", or the classic "I am just watching for a while". Okay, so you don't want to dance with the girl...and that is fine. but do not give some miserable bullock of excuses. Oh and my favorite, you aks a guy to dance, and he looks at you and says, "This is Bachata"....at which point I look at them and think " No kidding Sherlock, and here I thought I was listening to Reggae. Thank you for correcting my hearing and telling me that I am actually asking you to dance Bachata." In truth, what the guy is actually saying is, "I don't want to dance with you, so here is my perfect excuse...I don't want to dance to this song" Unless off course they mean it, in which case its okay. But if after you leave they start dancing with someone else, then the guy is actually insulting your intelligence.
Anyways, as titled, this is about women's rights....but I had to preface by that to say that, I went to ask a particular acquaintance of mine and knowing that he had been dancing before, I thought I would ask him to dance. (I am becoming much more comfortable asking guys to dance, although there as some guys I will never ask again). Anyways, he gave me one of those bullocks answers and I looked at him thinking, "does he really think that I am stupid?"I off course called out his bluff. In which case he proceeds to tell me that he can refuse to dance with me just because he can and that women are equal to men and are treated as equals in all aspects. Women, according to him, should bare all the blunts that come with wanting to be equal with men. Now, since I know the guy, I know he does not treat his "women" as equal to men....hmmmm okay.
I don't blame him for what he said, but I did not hear the beginning of whatever he said, as I started arguing on "women's rights".
Now, it is true...no disputes that women in the West, especially in America have more rights than women in other parts of the world. But even then, not all women find this freedom. In fact if we want to be technical, the US is the only developed country that has not ratified the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women).
oh, and while the ERA has been passed, it does not give women the rights that feminists strive for. Women are still underpaid. They are still expected to come at the end of the day and cook. They are the caretakers in most cases. The are in some cases expected to be domesticated.
I am sorry, but men and women are not equally treated, and they shouldn't. As they say, women are from Venus men are from Mars. As much we want to delude ourselves into thinking so...there are no equal rights whether it is gender or racial.
After all, women can dress as men without much of a thought on society's mockery while men dressing as women is a whole different can of worms.

Victory from Ashes

2010-01-20T08:55:00.001-08:00

I have been listening, I have been well, paying attention. I have also been crying, and at times really really angry. Since I could not be angry at anyone else, sometimes, the anger would turn to God....Yes, I am not even from Haiti, but I was brokenhearted by the events. I kept wondering what the heck happened.
Anyways, on Monday, I am reading the papers and see these images of Haitians singing, praying, praising God. Take that Pat Robertson. How they could be praising God at a time like that, I can only imagine. I have only been in one instance that could be termed as that, and even then, prayer was the only way through...but I don't remember praising God for my circumstances like the Haitians in Port Au Prince.
There is something to learn from this.
I have friends who have worked hard to dispute the existence of God, or the need for faith. I mean, I think they are childish, and mostly throwing a tantrum. Then I realized that they are spoiled to. They have all the luxuries afforded to them, and they have all the time to debate the existence of God.
They claim they are searching for truth, but I wonder whose truth they are searching for. They distort religion, they distort faith. And their hearts have turned to bitterness, and then they claim to be looking for truth.
However, when all you can do it look up, then there is only one answer....the one who created us. Thats the one you look up to.

Qui Sait, Qui Sait....

2010-01-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

Qui sait, qui sait ?
J'aurai peut-être un jour besoin de ça
D'une main douce et puissante

Qui sait, qui sait ?
D'un chemin plus sûr, où poser mes pas
Pour une guerre non-violente

Tout seul
J'irai pas plus haut, mais peut-être plus bas
Peut-être plus bas

Qui sait, qui sait ?
J'aurai sans doute besoin de toi, de toi
Si je ne suis plus le même

Apprends-moi
Que donner c'est recevoir en plus fort
Si je me fais attendre

Rappelle-moi
Que toutes les vies se valent encore
Les petites et les grandes

Qui sait, qui sait ?
J'aurai peut-être besoin de secours, un jour
Où je n'aurai plus personne
Qui sait, qui sait ?
Une douce phrase dans un matin sourd, qui court
Un petit feu pour les hommes

Who knows if one day
I will need your smile to color my day, my day
If I can't see any rainbow

Qui sait, qui sait ?
L'aube d'un regard qui ne juge pas, non pas
Mais qui partage les peines
Apprends-moi
Que donner c'est recevoir du soleil
Sans qu'on ne le demande

Rappelle-moi
Que toutes les vies se valent pareil
Les petites et les grandes

Oh qui sait, qui sait ?
Oh qui sait ce qu'on sera ?

Who Will be left when they come for you?

2010-01-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

“They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up.”_ M. Niemoeller

No, I am not a communist, nor a socialist...but every time i read this quote, I wonder if people are not letting history repeat itself...stupidly off course. Today, we are so absolved with ourselves, and the idea of ourselves that we have let people die, and stood on the sidelines while innocent lives were lost.
today its the Muslims, the "poor", or the educated....if it is not one group it is the other.
We hate each other, and we encourage the hate. Sometimes I wonder, if we don't speak up now, if you don't speak up now...who will be left to speak for you?

Victorian England

2010-01-05T08:27:00.001-08:00

I have been raised with impeccable manners. My family has strict rules of conduct, and all that, and its not wonder I find the Elizabethan and Victorian courts fascinating.
I was caught up in some reading of what a lady should and shouldn't do, and I was wondering how well I would fare in that. Its not like I am doing so well in following a familial etiquette.
Lady's had etiquette for everything....dinner table, dressing, riding, promenade, proper walking...
its no wonder the men cheated on them all the time

TANGO....yummm

2010-01-04T14:10:00.001-08:00

So I have begun the journey of Tango again.
I am not a fan of American Tango, which is probably why I would prefer to have Argentine Tango instructors.
Argentine Tango is much more sensual, and well, it leaves room for creativity.
Anyways, I think it will be cool to see the extent of my patience...and how well I can follow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!- African style

2010-01-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

I just came off the phone from my family in Burundi. Now that is a load of family. I mean, I think I spend about three or four hours on the phone...trying to play tag with a language.
Between English, French,(little) Kirundi and Swahili, I was able to communicate. Thankfully so.
I found that we had really grown up, and I found that I missed my family. there is something about Celebrating the New Year...Bonne-annee...Happy new year!
Lovely fashion of food, beer, and more food, and laughter..>Dancing. I spend about the amount of time for the family to get happy. Seriously, Africans know how to party like its nobody's business
Anyways, after three hours, I managed to get them singing and dancing, and they were laughing loudly which made it impossible for me to speak to anyone in coherent terms.
If you are African, or maybe you don[t have to be, you remember the all night parties to the new year, and the whole shenanigans. People slept literally and figuratively on top of each other, on the lawns, or on the floors. then woke up and partied some more.
Children played, and laughed. This is where you made you life long friends.
I left too early I guess, because those friendships I made...can't remember jack.
so now I have new friends...go figure.
but all in all...Happy New year!

A Poem on Africa's Strength

2009-12-26T01:41:00.000-08:00

A STRUGGLE THAT IS HUMAN

It is not by raising Africa to the level of the West that we African can answer the world’s Invitation. It is not by endowing Africa with every material good that we shall grow.
It is not by integrating Africa into the world of commerce that we shall hand over to the world what Destiny asks of us.
Certainly Africa must be modernized and, as quickly as possible, Africa must be enriched.
We must work for that with all our strength, not with any ambition to equal or compete with the west, but so that these goods maybe a cloak to cover us as we go forward to build up a renewed humanism.
This cloak must cover our own hearts.
Our conception of ubuntu (Human qualities)
Our love for ubuvyeyi (parental dignity)
Our practice of ubuntungare (nobility of origin)
Our sense of ubutungane (Integrity)
The respect of Imana (God)- our father’s legacy to us.
Let us throw ourselves into such a commitment.
There is not time to lose.

***This poem was written by Micheal Kayoya from Burundi

Know who your friends are...makes life simple

2009-12-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

"Some people come into your life for a lifetime, some come for a season. You got to know which is which. You're gonna always mess up when you mix them seasonal people up with lifetime expectations."- Madea
She definitely said it best.....
Friends are the best assets anyone can have. There are pretty much three categories of friends. At least as I found applying to my life. The social friends, the occasional friends, and the great friends. My friend Kevin put the categories in better KFC terms: There are the Original, the Crispy, and the Grilled. Well, as named, the group in each category narrows down as one goes from one to the other...until you reach a point where you can count on your friends on one hand.
Social friends/Original friends, or what I would call seasonal friends are just that. You see them when you go out. In this instance, I have school friends, work friends, school friends, and salsa friends. These are the people that you put a happy face for, you are never you, because you don't trust them, and in return, they probably do not trust you. They are fun to be around, they make you feel to a certain degree like you belong to a very unique 'club' (and I use that term lightly). Now with these seasonal friends, there are two categories....those you nod to, and those you kiss on the cheek when you see them out. The nodders will be the people you've had maybe one or two conversations with. Those are the ones you smile at, and well, wave too. But anything closer, is speculative. Then they are the ones that you kiss on the cheek. These friends are close to you, to a certain extent. They might know superficial details about you, like your name, where you are from, sometimes they may even know as much as what kind of job you have. They will know who you "seem" close to. In the dance scene, these are the ones who sometimes seek you to dance, and sometimes they will be aloof. There is no contract between you, there are no bounds, therefore, it is quiet okay for them to be on one end of the dance floor, and you on the other. Alert: Do not confuse these social friends for friends. You might see them all the time, but what you have is a superficial relationship. Do not expect to find yourself in their foto albums, and vice versa. Most importantly, you might feel like you are close, and have a good connection, but if they do not have your phone number, or at least your email, then hang out with them, have fun...and at the end of the night, go home, and wait till the next time you meet.
OCCASIONAL friends (Crispy) are the most confusing. you see like the branches on a tree, they can break any time. Some of them do not, but some of them do. Occasional friends has two categories, and an extra category which is bound to be a breaking branch. The first two categories are the call-me-when-you-go-out and the see-you-when-I-see you. the extra category is the dating. the first subcategory is of those friends who have you phone number, and well, they seem to watch your facebook updates too. you are close but not that close. Once in a while, you will go to someone's house and party. But with these friends, there are not dinners,unless they come after a night of dancing. You can get drinks together, but even that comes once every blue moon. The second subcategory is a complicated one. These friends well, you are great together....but that is if you ever go out together. You start out being the best of friends, but eventually, if you lose interest in what you have in common, then you probably will not see them again. For example, these are the friends that you probably used to go dancing with a lot, and as long as you maintained their tempo, you were fine. You guys become a clique, and eventually, you might be recognized not as you, but as part of that group. However, the moment you step back a bit, those friends are not the great group you were. It becomes an occasional thing. In fact, if you do not make the effort to see them, well, then that's that. A good example is the college scene. Friends you had for four years, and you were great, you did everything together, called each other EVERYDAY...even when you knew you were going to see each other sometime that day. then you graduate, and that becomes the end of that. You become something of a good memory, and a once-in-a while call. then there are the dating material...these dart between being seasonal and being casual. You can trust them, but there is a point of holding back, as they are what might be a broken or breaking branch. Some of them stay and become your occasional friends, but some disappear. But some end up fitting in the third category.
Alert:These friends are not really casual, but neither is it something serious. If you were dying, they would not give you their kidney if you needed it, and if you were in a financial bind, they are definately not the ones to go to. (although I should say that, there are some in this group that might take you out and get you obliliated if you had a bad day). It is important to note that you cannot let yourself be upset about them not being there for you. As far as they are concerned, you are not that close. Don't be mad if they won't call you when you are sick, or check on you if they haven't heard from you in a week. Or don't remember your birthday. That is putting too much expectation on what is just a casual friendship.
The Greats (Grilled-cause they are good for you) are few, and very treasured. Or they should be treasured. They are great, they are wonderful. You trust them with your life and they do the same. They take you for who you are, and not for who they believe or want you to be. In a way, the great friends are like the socialist motto: each to his own ability. They give you their time, their space, they let you in, and you give what you have. It is a not a match of equality. It is a match of mutual respect and love for each other.
Some of these greats turn out to be your significant others...but most of all, these are the ones that you can be yourself around. No pretenses, no facades. There are few in these category. If you find three solid ones, then you are the most blessed of persons.
Alert: it is easy to take them for granted, so make sure you don't. Pay attention to their needs, and help when you can....that would be the base of stronger years, and maybe decades together.

***You have to come to terms with who your friends are, and what they do in your life. Confusing these friendships and expecting more from seasonals or Casuals will hurt you eventually. So know who your friends are, and most importantly, do not forget to love those who love you.

Some people are like leaves on a tree. The wind blows, they over there. They unstable. Blows the other way, they over here. Seasons change, they wither and die, they gone. That's alright. Most people in the world are like that. They just there to take from the tree. They there to take and give shade every now and then. That's all they can do. But don't get mad at em, that's who they are. Some people are like a branch on that tree. You gotta be careful with them branches too cause they'll fool you. They'll get there and make you think they a good friend and real strong, but the minute you step out there on em, they'll break and leave you high and dry. But if you find you two or three people in your life that's like the roots at the bottom of the tree, you are blessed. They're the kind of people that ain't goin nowhere. They ain't worried about bein seen, don't nobody have to know that they know you, they ain't got to know what they doin for you. But if them roots wasn't there that tree couldn't live. You understand? When you get you some roots hold on to em. But the rest of it you let it go.- Madea

Birthday Burst

2009-12-20T09:43:00.001-08:00

i hear that this is the one day that you are supposed to be happy, and do WHATEVER you want!
well, I gues I missed that memo. I turned )*&)* years old, and I really felt like that day passed me by. There were papers, and just about every busy thing I could do that day was not enough to keep me entertained.
You see, I discovered that on this birthday, I am absolutely not one to step on people's toes. It is something that I should probably be happy about, but that is also disturbing. I let two people ruin my birthday for me. It was my fault off course, as they had a right to celebrate their birthdays, 20 times if they wished. Now, I can throw a tantrum and say that they were selfish, but I set myself for that. I accepted to celebrate my birthday at a place that I knew there was a potential disaster looming. So I put on a happy face, smiled, and sucked it up. (It is good to be raised to do that...comes in handy)
So how selfish are we supposed to be on our birthdays?
Should we become so obsessed with it, that we can only enjoy it if it is by our terms?
I mean, it is so sad that I had to suck it up on the one day that I should have been "queen for a day" lol...okay that is pushing it a bit. But that was the one day of the year that I feel entitled a bit to sleep all day if I wanted too.
Let me end this note by say or rather clarifying that, my whole Birthday was not a burst. There were good moments...like my friend Chris taking me out for breakfast and giving me truffles. (Which is exactly what I needed after a stressful time with the papers.)
I did take myself to the spa...cost me a penny, but it was worth the trip. Relaxed, got a massage....and had a blast.
Did I mention that my friend took me to breakfast?
I have to say, I have the most fabulous friends ever. I do, and it might a bit biased, but I gues you would have to meet them.
They even had a whole trip but we were snowed in. Instead they took me to dinner and dancing. Then took me to breakfast....actually, the term we like to use is 'kidnapped". All the way to Queens for IHOP. Okay word to the Beuros, we need more IHOPs in NYC.
anyways, I loved it. and I was happy.....

Maybe it was not that my birthday sucked,. it is that the day that did not turn out to be what I had made it to be.
So there you go, we disappoint ourselves all the time. Fancy that. We make a day so big, and build it up to be something that sometimes doesn't pan out to be that.

THe absence of Evidence is not evidence of absence

2009-11-18T17:03:00.000-08:00

In other words, just because you can't see it doesn't mean that its not there. This used to be the case, I would say ages and ages ago, however, lately that has changed. Science has convinced everybody that it the end of all things. Therefore, if it is not science, and you cannot prove it, then it is not true, it does not exist. Its no wonder people are getting depressed, and getting in what I would call "a state of Kappoot". Have we become so stupid? Have we become so mechanical? soon enough, we might actually become like the robots we are trying to emulate.

Look at the arguments presented against the Bible, and Christianity. Or should I say, arguments against Christianity based on the Bible. New archaeological and other types of discoveries are being made all the time that support the truth of the Bible. The phrase you quote simply means that just because we can't presently prove something from the Bible with physical evidence, it doesn't mean that such evidence does not exist, it may simply mean that we have not yet discovered it.

This term is used as a counter-argument to many who try to argue illogically that because something has not been discovered apart from its mention in the Bible it therefore is not true. This is stated in summary form as 'absence of evidence is evidence of absence.' The assumption behind this is that the Bible is a lot of 'campfire tales' and 'Mythology' and where it tells of people they are far removed from the events and so cannot know of what they speak with any accuracy.
However, there now have been many archaeological discoveries made which verify historical, lifestyle and other details from the Biblical records. The fact that these had not yet been discovered did not make the Bible any more or less true than it was before. All that can be logically concluded when there is no extra-biblical evidence yet available is that there is no extra-biblical evidence yet available on a particular subject.

We are willing to accept that things did not exist until they were discovered. I mean, the world was flat before it was round. There were no planets until scientists figure it out that they existed....maybe it is just me...but are we getting stupid?

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS

2009-11-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is the mission statement of this organization:

You were created to love and be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world. My friend Byron is very smart - he says that life is hard for most people most of the time. We believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments. You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.

We all wake to the human condition. We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss. Millions of people live with problems of pain. Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay. We know that pain is very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption. We're seeing it happen. We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need. People sitting across from a counselor for the first time. People stepping into treatment. In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hotline. We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take. We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.

I love this . I love the simplicity of it. and the fact that it offers hope and truth.

My Lord and Savior

2009-11-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning with a full hour of worship. I was listening to Damita Haddon's song and I was reminded of why I am who I am.
I love the Lord. I do, I love him more than anything or anyone. Sure I love to dance, I love to write, I Love going out. I love to cook...I love a lot of things....but nothing has taken precedence to my Love for God.
He found me in my darkest place and rescued me. I am blessed beyond measure. Ask my siblings, they are a testimony as to what God has done in my life.
He is the secret of my joy and my happiness.
I did not find him, He found me. and I truly love him.
People can call it whatever they want, but I know that I would not make it without Him.
I am sold hook line and sinker.

I’ve fallen in love with a man
I love his character, his personality
He has swept me off my feet
I have fallen with his heart, passion
I’ve loved him all my life, but well
I didn’t know just how much I cared

I’ve fallen in love with a man
Who does not expect anything from me
A man who doesn’t want my sacrifice
A man who doesn’t need me to
Offer my body as a sign of my love
I’ve fallen in love with man
Who loves me because I am me
He doesn’t require my perfection
Even though he is perfection itself
Neither does he require my sacrificial
Abandonment, for he rather suffer than see me do so.
All he has asked of me is my love
I thought I loved him, but now
If find am passionately in love with him
I have fallen in love with a man
Who holds me when I cry many nights
He understands me and awaits me
As I ran to other men looking for love
and He awaits me as I ran back to him in tears
I am stuck on a man who is willing to accept me
And stubbornly loves me even when I reject him
he pursues me, passionately so gentle
I have fallen for a man so beautiful
He takes my breath away
With him beside me, I want it all
To be a better person, a better woman
He has given me a passion as a calling
Fight injustices and love the unloved
With Him, I have found my true calling
I have fallen in love with a man
His name is Jesus

Reinesance and Reformation look at beauty

2009-11-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

It is almost unimaginable to think that two periods could have such an effect on the Western Culture, but the Reformation and the Renaissance changed the culture and brought the west to a new order. While the Renaissance focussed on humanism and shaped ideas of beauty, the Reformation changed perceptions on authority, especially in the church.

Beauty in the Western Culture

Beauty is a very important aspect in the Western culture. Females will spend a chunk of time in front of mirror putting on make-up, in an attempt to look presentable. Some will go to through the trouble of changing their appearance by having surgery to have the ideal face or body. The Renaissance was the rebirth of the medieval period, where they brought back the Greek and Roman idealism. They focused on humanism where they explored mankind’s most creative, intellectual, spiritual and artistic parts. Morals degraded and they were concerned about themselves; instead of focussing on God.

One of the things that artists at that time explored was beauty. During this time, the images changed from Madonna (Mary, mother of Jesus), to Venus, the goddess of love. Painters started making humans real by using different colors and shades. While women were painted in their full figure, they were portrayed without any flows and with a certain mystery. A good example is Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The woman, although not a Venus, has a sense of beauty that shines through her smile. The mystery of it is there is no explanation in the painting why she seems happy and content. Another good depiction of the change of perception on beauty is The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. This was such a change from the Sistine Madonna by Raphael. The morals seemed to change where a woman’s beauty used to be a very private issue. Women seemed to be encouraged to explore their beauty. They were encouraged to explore their body and instead of hiding behind the males, make a broad statement and come out of their “shell” that had been created by the Gothic age. Nudity, which had been almost a taboo especially in the arts, became a very open issue and was portrayed in both paintings and sculptures. Obsession with physical beauty and having a certain weight is not a new idea for this culture. In paintings, physical beauty was emphasized and the ideal woman was the one with curves and could get in certain dress sizes. Nevertheless, while the media continues to influence the ideals on beauty in the Western culture, the roots are in the arts found during the renaissance.

The authority in the Reformation

Today, in most countries executive decisions are not made by one person. Even the churches have a governing body that oversees functions of certain church district. In the Western Culture, it is very hard to find centralized control, where one man is making the decisions that will effect a population of people. The Reformation played a big role on bringing about democracy. According to the authors of World history since 1500: The Age of Global Integration, “The Reformation was closely associated with the formation of powerful national states in Western Europe…” (Upshur, Terry, Holoka, Goff, Cassar, 372)

Although this was not the beginning of the strong nations, this brought on a change in the way that the power was shared. Very specifically was the change in the Church. The Roman Catholic Church was basically ruling England, since the catholic beliefs were imposed on the political life of the state. However, with the reformation came the end of papacy. Significantly, there was an apparent change when Henry broke from the Catholic Church and Elizabeth restored the Anglican Church. This allowed the Protestant reformation to flourish in England. Through this, the Council of Trent was formed, which was among the first church council to be created. Today, we see how this has changed governmental operations today. The separation of Church and state originated from here. In addition, the Protestant reformation brought on the idea of denominations, which we still have today. Now, Church councils and distribution of power is common in a churches and governments.

In the changes brought about by the Reformation and the Renaissance, we can find disadvantages and disadvantages. For example, presently we have a skewed image of beauty. What does it mean to be beautiful? Is it the make up, the perfect face, the ideal body or having the least possible amount of clothing on? However, beauty is neither covering your whole body nor being naïve about your body. Every woman needs to find their own beauty, without the influence of the media. Change is inevitable; however, we do not need to violate our morals in order to conform to society.

My Song of the day

2009-11-01T09:28:00.000-08:00

amally maak
We law hata ba eed any,
Fe alby hawak.

Tamally maak
tamally fe baly we fe alby
Wala bansak
Tamally waheshny,
Law hata bakoon wayak.

Tamally maak
We law hata ba eed any
Fe alby hawak.

Tamally maak
Tamally fe baly we fe alby
Wala bansak
Tamally waheshny,
Low hata bakoon wayak.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Tamally maak
Maak alby, maak rohy
Ya aghla habib
Ya aghla habib.

We mahma tekoon baeed any
Le alby areeb.
Ya omry el gai wel hader,
Ya ahla naseeb.

Tamally maak(maaaak)
Maak alby, maak omry
Ya aghla habib
Ya aghla habib

We mahma tekoon baeed any
Le alby areeb.
Ya omry el gai wel hader,
Ya ahla naseeb.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Tamally habibi bashta'lak
Tamally enaya tendahalak
We law hawalaya kol el koon
Bakoon ya habibi mehtaglak.

Translation:

Always with me
And even when you're away from me
Your love is in my heart.

Always with me
Always on my mind and in my heart
And I never forget you
Always missing you
Even when you're with me.

Always with me
And even when you're away from me
Your love is in my heart.

Always with me
Always on my mind and in my heart
And I never forget you
Always missing you
Even when you're with me.

(chorus)
I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

Always with me
You have my heart, you have my soul
My dearest love,
My dearest love,

And no matter how far away you are
You're close to my heart,
My future, my present
My most beautiful destiny.

Always with me
You have my heart, you have my life
My dearest love,
My dearest love,

And no matter how far away you are
You're close to my heart,
My future, my present
My most beautiful destiny.

(chorus)
I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

I always long for you, my love
My eyes always call for you, my love
And even if I'm surrounded by the whole world
I always need you, my love.

One Day...

2009-10-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

When I first saw you, I was afraid of to talk to you
After talking to you, I was fearful of liking you
I liked you so much that I was afraid of losing my heart
But I lost my heart, and the greatest of all, I lost you

Here I am lamenting of what could have been
How is it that even though you are so close to me,
You are still so distant from my arms and my heart
And no matter how much I try, I can’t bring you back

I miss you-such simple words yet they repulse me
It used to be just you and me, what a loss now
I would never ask you because you would never tell me
You never loved me, that I know so well now

They have said if you can’t get someone out of you head
Maybe they are supposed to be there forever
But now, I wish I could stop thinking of you all the time,
And how good you made me feel, when you were with me

I know I was not easy to love, but could you have tried,
I gave you my heart, and hurt myself in the process
I hate the feeling I have, because even though you hurt me
I cannot bring my self to hate you, as am told I should

How can I stop crying every time I think of you
When the thoughts of you are they that bring me tears?
How can I stop wishing for peace of mind?
When the one who can bring me peace is so far away?

I have stopped thinking of you and dreaming of you,
Because those thoughts and dreams have become so empty.
It is not missing you that breaks my fragile heart
But the thought that I once held you in my arms kill me

Now I am saying goodbye, goodbye to your memories
One day you will love me but I wont be there to see it
One day you will cry over me but I wont be there for it
One day you will want me back and I won’t want you

A woman's dilemma

2009-10-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

I don't think anyone knows the original writer...but I found this interesting
1. The nice men are ugly.

2. The handsome men are not nice.

3. The handsome and nice men are gay.

4. The handsome, nice and heterosexual men are married.

5. The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men, have no money.

6. The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men with money think we are
only after their money.

7. The handsome men without money are after our money.

8. The handsome men, who are not so nice and somewhat heterosexual, don't think
we are beautiful enough.

9. The men who think we are beautiful, that are heterosexual, somewhat nice and
have money, are cowards.

10. The men who are somewhat handsome, somewhat nice and have some money and
thank God are heterosexual, are shy and NEVER MAKE THE FIRST MOVE!!!!

11. The men who never make the first move, automatically lose interest in us when we take the initiative.

NOW ....WHO THE HELL UNDERSTANDS MEN??

Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's

a woman's job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into
something you'd like to have dinner with...

thought this was funny

Being poetic

2009-10-11T16:25:00.001-07:00

Who said relationships had to be complicated

2009-10-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am not going to claim that I am a relationship guru. Not even by a long shot.
But I wonder, does it always have to be all games?
Is there a honest person? an honest relationship?

Salsa Dancing

2009-10-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

It has become common knowledge that I love to dance. My recent obsession is Latin dancing. While Merengue and Bachata requires little skill to master, I have been concentrating on salsa most of the time. Yes yes, I can salsa, and I am decent at it.
it has been two years, and now I have come to either become tired of salsa, (might be the guys that I am meeting there) or maybe I am ready to move on to my other Passion...Argentianian Tango. But I am holding this off until I probably have a guy who I will be comfortable prancing and doing all those lifts and drags on the floor. (Okay so those are not the technical terms for them)

Someone should warn people that salsa dancing is dangerous. At the moment, the big toe of my left foot has lost half of its nail. Did i hear painful? yup, prett much.
I want to tell you stories of nights where I have gone from work, and straight to hours of salsa, and then had to wake up the next morning to go to work. Early in the morning. After I graduated, I decided that it had to stop at going out five days a week to maybe three times a week. I do enjoy the rush, the thrill of all of it...but I think I need to maybe not go out so much anymore.
Salsa fashion has been a problem for me. Coming from a family where my mom taught me to never go out unless i look my best, I have had to relearn this lesson, or rather twik it a bit. Salsa does not allow for fashion much....and most of the time I am pushing it.
You see, in the beginning it used to be that i had to go out looking super cute. Since I was not a good dancer, I had to look cute, for the guys to take pity on the cute girl seating down moving her feet to the music but no partner. Now, that I can hold my own on the floor, I am faring much better. Except now, I can't really be all dressed because sweat is the result of holding your own on the floor.
Oh, did I mention that in the last couple of months, three pairs of jeans have ripped mysteriously! I cannot explain it, and I don't know if I want. the humiliation of it is not something I might want to speak of.

I am sure there will be more of this...since it seems I have nothing better to do these days other than salsa dance!