There’s nothing like a black man’s smile.
His love is so powerful, so enduring, so captivating,
So humble, so loving, longing, waiting, wanting,
For your love to grab him and take control.
Embrace his face, his smile, his love, hopes,
Wishes, dreams, desires.
I love my black man’s smile.
inspired by JC's smile
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Things PMS will make you do
So, I’m 34 single with no dependents. Society says that I should be married with about 2 children by now and a progressive career by now. In fact most people are in that predicament by the age of maybe 25 at the earliest. Not I and I really don’t have a desire for the former, married with children. However, about every 21 days or so, I get this distinct urge to want to be attached to someone other than myself, my destiny, and my mentees. Today is one of those days. I have the urge to want to ask Mr. Dude, we should move in and you take care of me. We can just be roommates with benefits. LOL! Doing something I would totally regret because of PMS issues frightens me and makes me edgy, shameful, and a threat to myself. During this time I like to stay closed off from society and the world in general. Lord forbids I go ahead and do it. I would make the biggest fool of myself. Once that 2 week time is over, I’m back to my normal free self. The 1st week isn’t that tough to get through. It’s the end of that 2nd week that gets me to the cliff’s edge. PMS is a monster for real. And those dealing with PMDD should not be allowed to walk the streets during this time. We need FMLA excused absence once every 2-3 weeks for real.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
TRAIN THE TRAINERS FOR YOUTH JOB READINESS WORKSHOPS
Dear Community Members, Partners, and Volunteers:
This is just a friendly reminder to please RSVP for the Train-the-Trainers Job Readiness Workshop (if not already done so) to make sure we have enough material for everyone attending. There is still space for January 15 at 3 pm and January 25 at 9 am (details below).
The Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), the Nashville Community Coalition for Youth Safety (NCCYS), NUPACE, Oasis Center, and Pencil Foundation are partnering once again to put on a Job and Summer Activities Fair for Youth on March 27, 2010. The event will include: Employers who hire teens and Summer activities/list of provider. However, before the event, we wanted to plan as many job readiness workshops as possible to prepare youth for the job fair. The workshops will include: Academic Resumes, Computerized Job Searches, Dressing for Success, and Networking Strategies to help both teens and adults better understand how to look for a job. These workshops will be conducted at local High Schools, community centers, after school programs, and other venues by facilitators that complete the "Train-the-Trainers" Job Readiness Workshop on January 15 or 25, 2010 (details below). Hence, please let me know if any of you are interested in becoming a facilitator in the job readiness workshops and/or want to be one of the vendors at the Job Fair.
Train the Trainers Job Readiness Workshop
A Train the trainers workshop will be held for those that are willing to facilitate the job readiness workshops. The job readiness workshop will cover various topics including resume writing, interview/communication skill, etc. Once again, please let me know if any of you are interested in being a facilitator for the job readiness workshops by replying to this email.
Train the trainers Logistics
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010
Time: 3 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: YOC, Oasis Center, 1704 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203
RSVP by January 13, 2010 to: vsamaniego@mmc.edu
Train the trainers Logistics
Date:
Monday, January 25, 2009
Time: 9am – 10:30 am
Location: YOC, Oasis Center, 1704 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203
RSVP by January 21, 2010 to: vsamaniego@mmc.edu
Job and Summer Activities Fair for Youth
Date:
Saturday, March 27, 2009
Time: 9am – 2:00 pm
Location: YOC, Oasis Center, 1704 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203
Gracias,
Vicente Samaniego, MPH
Program Manager
Meharry Medical College
Family & Community Medicine
(615) 327-5997
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009
This was my talented friend's end of year poem. it sums up how she's feeling about 09 and what she's looking forward to in 2010. Love it! She's a great poet! Please don't steal any parts of this poem. She is founder and owner of YUR Magazine, an online urban entertainment/informational magazine. She has big things coming soon and very soon. The Lord is watching and taking notes. Be Blessed! Enjoy.
2009
Arriving in a chariot pulled by horses of promise,
promise of wealth, good health and a long awaited success,
each New Years Eve praying the same prayer and making the same proclamation.
This is My Year, last year almost took me out but this is the year.
365 days lead to 10 years.
10 years, 3 months and 20 days later of the same proclamation,
now anger and discouragement sets in,
bitterness towards “passa” for saying your change is gonna come.
Well my change has been coming since Sam Cooke bellowed those notes.
A degree, house, 3 cars and 3 death certificates later,
feeling as stable as a mobile home on a vault line in Cali .
Heart been broken so much from disappointment that its consistency can be sifted like sand be the sea shore.
Perfectly wearing that smile written about by Hughes,
faking the funk so much that even I began to believe the lies that rolls so sweetly off the tongue,
fooling surface friends and concerning those who know me too well,
unaware of the rise and fall of the sun and moon,
stars go unnoticed,
even the trees and flowers are ignored for more important things like
bills and bill collectors
late mortgages,
and notes that were not left by ones of unconditional love,
shivering with fear at the buzz of the phone,
buckling at the knees with the open of mail stamped with last notice.
You see it was divine in 05, fixed in 06, clever in 07, late 08, left behind in 09 and now we stand at the threshold on twenty ten
baggage in tow
every dream, vision, and promise
tucked neatly in K Mart luggage awaiting for it’s time of exposure to light
shaking with anticipation of manifestation
I feel like a soldier
battle scars and war wounds
memories of yesterday haunting me,
got people in my ear telling me to forget about it and
focus on a brand new tomorrow.
The day I had to pick up 3 death certificates, were once tomorrows
brand new tomorrows
As I take one step to the door of 2010 and reflect on 2009
I can’t help but remember soulful songs that pricked my heart and drew tears of happiness,
words of poetry from the lips of homeland soldiers in community trenches that
spiritually see the bright future of a discarded generation.
familiar gestures of kindness acted out towards a stranger,
friendships bonded,
and blessings of the Almighty coming forth from unfertile stones.
As I enter into 2010 I can’t help but awaken and shake my faith,
the size of a mustard seed but has the power of an unseen yet Powerful God,
As I move into a new decade,
I feel grateful for second chances,
thankful for joy, peace, protection and favor,
all of that overriding past hurts,
I am here
now
here
present
alive
here
walking
here
breathing
here
alert
here
I step forth
take another step
and another
and await for the new chapter to unfold.
-----LaToyur S. Tisdale
2009
Arriving in a chariot pulled by horses of promise,
promise of wealth, good health and a long awaited success,
each New Years Eve praying the same prayer and making the same proclamation.
This is My Year, last year almost took me out but this is the year.
365 days lead to 10 years.
10 years, 3 months and 20 days later of the same proclamation,
now anger and discouragement sets in,
bitterness towards “passa” for saying your change is gonna come.
Well my change has been coming since Sam Cooke bellowed those notes.
A degree, house, 3 cars and 3 death certificates later,
feeling as stable as a mobile home on a vault line in Cali .
Heart been broken so much from disappointment that its consistency can be sifted like sand be the sea shore.
Perfectly wearing that smile written about by Hughes,
faking the funk so much that even I began to believe the lies that rolls so sweetly off the tongue,
fooling surface friends and concerning those who know me too well,
unaware of the rise and fall of the sun and moon,
stars go unnoticed,
even the trees and flowers are ignored for more important things like
bills and bill collectors
late mortgages,
and notes that were not left by ones of unconditional love,
shivering with fear at the buzz of the phone,
buckling at the knees with the open of mail stamped with last notice.
You see it was divine in 05, fixed in 06, clever in 07, late 08, left behind in 09 and now we stand at the threshold on twenty ten
baggage in tow
every dream, vision, and promise
tucked neatly in K Mart luggage awaiting for it’s time of exposure to light
shaking with anticipation of manifestation
I feel like a soldier
battle scars and war wounds
memories of yesterday haunting me,
got people in my ear telling me to forget about it and
focus on a brand new tomorrow.
The day I had to pick up 3 death certificates, were once tomorrows
brand new tomorrows
As I take one step to the door of 2010 and reflect on 2009
I can’t help but remember soulful songs that pricked my heart and drew tears of happiness,
words of poetry from the lips of homeland soldiers in community trenches that
spiritually see the bright future of a discarded generation.
familiar gestures of kindness acted out towards a stranger,
friendships bonded,
and blessings of the Almighty coming forth from unfertile stones.
As I enter into 2010 I can’t help but awaken and shake my faith,
the size of a mustard seed but has the power of an unseen yet Powerful God,
As I move into a new decade,
I feel grateful for second chances,
thankful for joy, peace, protection and favor,
all of that overriding past hurts,
I am here
now
here
present
alive
here
walking
here
breathing
here
alert
here
I step forth
take another step
and another
and await for the new chapter to unfold.
-----LaToyur S. Tisdale
Email repost: 2010 Handbook
This has been going around in emails since forever. It's pretty good so thought I'd post it hear for safe keeping and clear my email :-)
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile..
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile..
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy
HAPPY NEW YEAR
So what is my mood for the end of 2009? Do I feel accomplished as far as my goals? Yes. I have done or at least attempted most of the things I set out to do this year. I know there's a list around here somewhere. I just have to make and effort to locate it :-) It's probably on my pc. That sounds technical and practical of me.
What's new for 2010?
1/2 marathon
loose 20 pounds
tighten up body
smile more (thats always on my list)
prep for phd program 2011
read the word more
completely read bookclub selections
no sex ( think last time was june 09)
no more irrelevant relationships just to be with someone
drink more ...just kiddin
cook a new dish a month
buy a house
create and live on budget
develop yur teen nonprofit
less timewasting net browsing
less non-work related net browsing
this list is around somewhere as well. there are many more ideas to list. but thats about all i can think of at the moment. what are yours? the most significant ones. ones that are so important to you that you have already started working on them as early as october or november maybe.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
My first MEME
So I just found out about this Meme thing and I still don't really understand it, but I think it helps boost your blog interest. so here goes. This is from a Meme called Stealing Sundays. and I love it because Its cool and I like stealing great interesting ideas but of course giving credit where credit is due!
Sunday Stealing: Lola's Holiday Meme
1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show?
Frosty the snow man
2. What holiday character do you think you're most like?
Rudolph
3. What holiday character does your spouse think you're most like?
N/A
4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song?
Jingle bell rock
5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song?
N/A that i can think of right now
6. If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it?
December 1
7. If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it?
Love it!
8. Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas present?
Oh I would loooooooooove to but havent found that worthy person yet :-)
9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer's father?
HUH??? I have no idea
10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people's holiday decorations?
Absolutely
11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, 'oh that's lovely'? Or do you think, 'oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn'?
Love Love Love
12. Are you counting the days to Christmas with excited anticipation or dread?
Oh no how about a little of both. Excitement because it means vacation. Dread because I'm broke and hope ppl arent expecting anything
13. When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap?
hmmmm cant remember that I ever have. Maybe I should this yr. And ask for a date while i'm at it :)
14. Do you make a Christmas list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you?
Oh I'd rather they pick my gift themselves. That way It means more and I know they pay attention and really tried.
15. When do you put up your tree?
Thanksgiving night while drinking spiked egg nog lol
16. Real or fake?
100% mother nature!
17. When do you take your tree down?
Jan 2nd...maybe
18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for?
Oh no, cant take the crowds. I just wait it out and pick up what i see when i see it.
19. Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend?
More like a lunch. Work for state government so dont think we can really do that and tax payers not get upset. Even though we as employees are tax payers as well. No one ever gets that. Go figure!
20. Do you have your New Year's Eve Plans set yet?
Church then home for breakfast and mimosas with friends acquaintances, family, and strangers. :-)
Sunday Stealing: Lola's Holiday Meme
1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show?
Frosty the snow man
2. What holiday character do you think you're most like?
Rudolph
3. What holiday character does your spouse think you're most like?
N/A
4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song?
Jingle bell rock
5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song?
N/A that i can think of right now
6. If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it?
December 1
7. If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it?
Love it!
8. Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas present?
Oh I would loooooooooove to but havent found that worthy person yet :-)
9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer's father?
HUH??? I have no idea
10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people's holiday decorations?
Absolutely
11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, 'oh that's lovely'? Or do you think, 'oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn'?
Love Love Love
12. Are you counting the days to Christmas with excited anticipation or dread?
Oh no how about a little of both. Excitement because it means vacation. Dread because I'm broke and hope ppl arent expecting anything
13. When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap?
hmmmm cant remember that I ever have. Maybe I should this yr. And ask for a date while i'm at it :)
14. Do you make a Christmas list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you?
Oh I'd rather they pick my gift themselves. That way It means more and I know they pay attention and really tried.
15. When do you put up your tree?
Thanksgiving night while drinking spiked egg nog lol
16. Real or fake?
100% mother nature!
17. When do you take your tree down?
Jan 2nd...maybe
18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for?
Oh no, cant take the crowds. I just wait it out and pick up what i see when i see it.
19. Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend?
More like a lunch. Work for state government so dont think we can really do that and tax payers not get upset. Even though we as employees are tax payers as well. No one ever gets that. Go figure!
20. Do you have your New Year's Eve Plans set yet?
Church then home for breakfast and mimosas with friends acquaintances, family, and strangers. :-)
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