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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thanks!!!

Just wanted to thank the people who take the time out to read my blog. I know I can be random and I don't always make sense, but I use the blog as a way to vent my thoughts and opinions. Not everyone comments (most people don't) but I thank you for taking the time to read what I write.

I am no writer, but just a person who just lets things flow as I type.  I hope reading my posts have inspired, made you think, made you act, or just had some type of impact on you. 

One Thing....

This morning I woke up with a lot on my mind. I am realizing that I have less than 30 days until I am 30 years old!!! Although I have my list of 30 things to do while 30 I have started thinking about what I am going to do for my 30th birthday and just some other things that are going on in my life.  (Side note...it is very hard to type with 2 fingers taped together so forgive the typos) One thing that has been really going on in my mind is the one thing that I really don't talk to a lot of people about. Or rather the thing that is dear to me or is a constant thing in my mind, but afraid to share with the world.

I have always been a person that does not open up to people and it takes me a while for me to trust you and then I might open up.  But right now I have this thing that is eating me up and I really want to share, but do not know the person to share it with or if I should share at all...Right now it is just between me...and me. Hopefully one day someone will understand, but right now is not the day.

Do you have that one thing you cna't discuss with anyone? If so how do you deal? How do you cope?

Monday, July 26, 2010

Been on Vacation!!!!

Well I have bee on a semi vacation for the past week and that is why I have not posted on either of my blogs. I wanted to, but I was so tired :-(. Each year I take a trip with the teenagers I mentor through a program at my church called Saving Our Daughters.  We attempt to take them to places their parents might not normally take them or can not afford to take them on their own. We try to expose them to new things, cultural & educational sites, and just let them have a great time. This year we took them to Philadelphia, spent a day in New York City, took a short trip to the beach and shopping over at Atlantic City, and then ended the trip with a day at the amusement park in Maryland. We had a ball and below are a few of the pictures from the trip. Hope you enjoy!

This is a picture of Amish Country. We road past while on a dinner train ride.

Me and some of the girls I mentor after the train ride

The Statue of Liberty

In front of The Apollo Theater in Harlem

The gate into China Town given to Philadelphia by their sister city in China

The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia

The steps from the movie Rocky in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I ran down them, but did not run up them.

Well these are just a few of the pictures from the trip.  I have tons more, but these are just some of the highlights. I hope to go back to these cities to visit by myself to enjoy more of what each city has to offer. Hope you enjoyed!!! Will be back to my regular posts soon. Taking a few days to recuperate from the trip before I go back to work....I need it!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Religious Freedom.....HA!!!!

This morning while I was watching the news there was a story on a petition to stop a mosque in town near where I live.  I had been hearing this story for a few days now, but just got the time (and energy....fractured bone in my finger) to write about it.  This story is really irking me. The United States claims to be a nation of religious freedom....but that is only as long as your are a Christian.

I am a Christian and I love the Lord!!! But I also respect all people for the religious beliefs. I know people and I am friends with people who are Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and Muslim. We don't get into religious debates, and we respect each others belief systems.  I don't force my beliefs on others, but I am also I am not ashamed of my beliefs.

I am tired of people using extremist to get their point across.  Not all Muslims are planning the next 911 and all people who are Christians are "saints." Both religions from my understanding do not promote violence and condemn the extreme actions of their followers that go against the teachings of their belief systems.

Yes, I live in Tennessee and the more and more I see the political, religious, and cultural intolerance (amongst other things....) it is become very frustrating and I know this goes on everywhere. Recently I went to visit friends and family in Atlanta and an older cousin said something that really stuck in my head. That side of my family pretty much lived in the New York City area, but she now has been living in Atlanta for several years. One thing that someone said to her when she first moved down there...Don't forget you are in Atlanta, but once you leave Atlanta you are in Georgia....I'll let that statement marinate for a while.

I think Jon Stewart did a great piece which points out some excellent things....

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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Thursday, July 8, 2010

I just want a man to be a man!

My last post was about expectations and that subject is still getting to me.  That is a topic that gets to me a lot.  I was having a email conversation with a friend and just let most (not all) of my feelings out about the subject.  That helped me process some things and get some of my frustrations out.

What got me or made me think about the subject even more was when a high school classmate wrote a note on facebook about why she loved black men. I don't know if she wrote it herself or got from someone else, but it was very good post. What got me was a comment by a friend (who was a black man) that thanked her for pointing out the positives of black men instead of focusing on the negatives.

Once again....that got me to thinking. I have not given up on men (I will not say black...because it does not matter what color you are to me, which is another blog in itself) but I have come close, matter of fact my hope for men is on life support right now (just being honest). I have become tired of men letting me or even society down. It is not all about a romantic relationship, but relationships rather they be family, friendship, or even work relationships. Is it too much to ask for a man to be a man?

I don't want to focus on the negatives, but when they stand out so much it is hard not to.  I have seen great men who are excellent fathers, friends, husbands, workers, and/or family men, but those are few and far between....and I think that is a problem.  I hate to make generalizations and I know not all men are bad and I do not expect men to be perfect, but I just want them to stop making excuses for their failures. I want them to learn from them and move forward.  I want them to have a "I am my brother's keeper" mentality. Once you learn better, teach the next person to do better. Is that hard?

I think I am done venting....Last note....Being a man to me is NOT who or how many people you sleep with...think I will start this discussion on facebook later. My medicine is kicking in once again. Short nap before work :-) This pain has to go away!

Monday, July 5, 2010

How Dare I have Expectations????

The title is pretty much how I feel. I am tired of people looking at me crazy when I have expectations of people. I do not place my faith in people, but I do expect people to stand by their words and be accountable for their actions.  People always make excuses, but I am honestly tired of them.

I mean I don't expect people to be perfect, but I am tired of people letting me down. One cousin stated that I should expect the best, but prepare for the worst. Which I kind of like that statement, but I think it takes too much work. 

I love people and I see the good in so many, but the negatives stick out too much at times.