Action

It has been awhile since I posted anything new, but I have still been in action... Today, I have been working on some new designs for the shop (I'm posting from my phone, and am unable to add pic now) but follow me on twitter (and let me know what u think)...I plan on adding these designs to the shop by the weekend :) I'm excited about the new direction!

~Marsha

Can't Hardly Wait

If you have been reading my Soundtrack posts, you know I am a fan of music of all kinds. And like many of you have been awaiting the return of Lauryn Hill. In the last few weeks there has been a lot of buzz around what we have been dreaming about with Lauryn Hill's song Repercussions. Many people have been skeptical about how new the track is or is it an unused track from the age of Mis-Education, however I am more concerned with if the song is a single form an upcoming album or a fluke...
But like everything by Ms. Hill, I have added to my play list



Another person that I have been waiting for is Marsha Ambrosius formerly of Floetry. I have to say that their break up confused me. One moment they were touring and making appearances then that was it. Leaving us with just two stereo albums and one live album. In all that I have read about them since the split in 2007, no one is talking about what happen. But I guess that is history because Marsha has been working on a solo album. I recently go to hear what looks to be the first single I Hope She Cheats on You (with a Basketball Player). I have added it to my play list but tell me what you think....



Then there's Jazmine Sullivan with her new single Holding You Down... The song and video has a throwback feel but like the other two women discussed, Jazmine has a timeless sound. Her first album Fearless made me a fan and it sounds like the new upcoming album will keep me one.

Crazy World

Recently I have been talking a lot with friends about good music and I often see N'Dambi on t.v. but I didn't know much about her. So I did a little research and now I am a fan. After listening to her songs and viewing some of her performances on youtube.... I had to add her to my soundtrack, Crazy World is my favorite of what I have heard.... Let me know what you think


Learn more about N'Dambi

Something New

For the last few days (weeks maybe) I have been thinking about new things that I could try to add some excitement in my life. Now let's be clear, I'm no daredevil so I hope you're not disappointed by my list... ( I'm somewhat of a dork, so many of the things on my list you may have done) but this is my list! However I would love to know somethings you would like to do :)

-Learn to shot a gun @ a gun range

-Get a tattoo ( I have always wanted one, haven't had the heart to do it)

-Lock my hair

-Road trip (no plan, good friends and a car... We end up wherever the car takes us)

-Go carts,mini golf (the kid in me wants to have these missed experiences)

-Take a self defense class (something that I should have done years ago, the weird situations I have been in)

-Go out of the country (Africa, Australia, South America)

Going On

Today's Action: Faith

I am a strong believer in working hard and opportunities will present themselves that will allow you to grow, and be reward for your effort. For the last 20plus years I have worked diligently at my education. Avoiding peer pressure, staring clear of situation that would somehow negatively impact my goals in life.

Recently obtaining a MA in Education, I feel that I am prepared to seriously enter the employment world. In a position that (I hope) will allow me to grow as a person professionally and personally while somehow impacting others. Part of my goals is to not use my skill as a mean for pure income but as a tool to empower my community.

Getting us to the discussion of Faith because for the last four month I have been focused on finding that job that will fulfill me on all levels. And with that said, I understand that it is a recession and hard time for everyone, but I often feel defeated when I send out resumes with no response.

At times (like this) I feel defeated, but it is my faith that motivates me to get up daily and search for and apply to numerous positions. I'm sure that this down time is something that I need, and will in some way help me better appreciate what is in store for me as I continue on my path. While at times I vent about the darkness I feel now, I know that the light will grace me soon.

So until then I will have Faith...

~Marsha

Music

I am a fan of all music, Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Blues....
You name it and I like it, however I am somewhat slow on the trends. It takes awhile for me to get into an artist, causing me to be an album or two behind the curve but a fan none the less. Don't get me wrong I listen to the radio a lot, but my ipod and personal CD collection (yes I still buy CDs) has names like Ray Charles, Jill Scott, Biggie Smalls, Billie Holiday and Amel Larrieux on repeat.

These artist (to name a few) move me, inspire me... to write, think, cry, pray and rejoice in my experiences. Lately I have been listening to Amel Larrieux and India Aire a lot. At one time I had all of their CDs, but over the years my collection has been broken down (presently in the stages of rebuilding). I'm not sure if its the lyrics, the tone, or the message of their music but it lulls me, calming my thoughts (that recently have been up and down in reference to just about everything).


Playlist:
Amel Larrieux~Sweet Misery
India Aire~Private Party
Erykah Badu~Out My Mind, Just in Time
Amel Larrieux~For Real
India Aire~I Choose
India Aire~Get It Together
Bilal~Soul Sista
Ledisi~In The Morning
Amel Larrieux~Weary
India Aire~ Beautiful Surprise
Amel Larrieux~Make Me Whole
India Aire~Purify Me
Ledisi~Higher Than This
Lathun~Fortunate

Last Year

It has been almost a week since I posted to the blog, but I have been writing...Trying to stay up to date with my one page a day. Sadly I have not written that much but have been busy. So here is the next installment of my one page a day, hope after I write more I can try to crave out a clear direction for my book...Enjoy (I hope!)

~Marsha
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This time last year, I was sick. And for the last few years I have gotten pretty sick during the summer, but last year was different. Lasting from July until November, and truthfully I was a little scared that it was more then just a cold when I couldn't keep any food down.

And I think my parents where a little scared as well, a summer plagued with swine flu, and now one of their kids were sick. It seemed that nothing we tried made me feel better. But by my birthday I felt better and any signs of sickness was gone.

During this time, my father would visit me a lot (or at least call) to ask if I felt better, or more importantly if I tried one of his home remedies that he remembered from his childhood. One, I must confess I never tried...

Chopped Onions
First you need to chop up two average size onions
Then get four rags and fill them with the onions
Tie off the rags: tie them around your wrist, and ankles

Now like I said, I never tried this, but from observation... You will sweat A LOT (kinda the idea, sweating out the germ) and will smell like onions for a day or more. And I hope (if you wish to try) you have some strength, because you will need to change/wash your clothes and sheets asap.

It's crazy how everything that happens, I have a memory of him. Well, I guess its great, because it is a testament to our close relationship.

So this year I got sick again, but it has come and gone. The shortest time I have been sick in a very long time...Maybe its him, watching over me.

One Page Per Day

While online I found a site the stores your writing....one page at a time, and sends you a remember to write just one page a day. As I told you it is a goal of mine to write a book, so I joined and here is my first page... Enjoy (I hope!)
~Marsha
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Introduction...
It was in my home I learned what love was, could be and how it could make you do and tolerate things that you could never imagine. And I am thankful for the lesson, an experience that I share only with my sisters, I find myself at a lost for words when I try to explain my upbringing to others. I lived in a home somewhere in between the Cosby's and the Adams family. Often the things that happen in my home was made for t.v. and other events we tried to keep shielded by the four walls.

While many of my peers were the product of a broken home, mine was not however on a clear day you could see the cracks. Some cracks went deep and others just brushed the surface, but with the strength of my parents and the confident women they created we keep it together.But since the start of the new year, the cracks grow less important as the health of one of our cornerstones declined. As we try to keep things from falling apart, it was the lessons of love and strength that have helped us continue and create on the memories. And with the lost of my father, I have started to question our relationship and how it has impacted many of my decisions in life but mostly importantly in love.

So it is my intent to explore the father-daughter relationship in the African American community using my experience a guide to how women both with and without male role models navigate their romantic life.

Experience over Observation

Today's Action: Growth

Last week my summer job started and I have spent the last two weeks talking to the girls about confidence, friendship and respect. On Tuesday (after a fight almost broke out in my classroom) I realized that I am trying to talk them through lessons they have to learn with experience. Now by no means was I tolerating the foolishness that they involve themselves in as a teen, however I do remember my parents, and older family members telling me to ignore issues in school, and that gossip and rumors were not important.

But it wasn't until I had to face these things that I learned that what people were trying to tell made sense. Hindsight I guess....

Over the years, I have lost friends, fought and tried to make others see my true self... But the older I get the more I understand that I can't control what others do, say or feel. So I am me, take the information in and do with it what you will!

What matters most is want you think of yourself...

~Marsha

No Second Chances

Today's Action: Making a good impression

Now while I am not a fan of caring about what other people think of me, I think it is very important to be on your best behavior when invited out. If for no other reason then to respect the person that "invited you to the party," and this seems to be a big theme during the holidays. A time spent with family and friends that normally would not spend time together.

As the saying says, There are No Second Chances at a First Impression.

So I leave you with this, when you are out try not to do anything that will cause you to be removed from the guest list. Mingle, participate in the activities but under no circumstances embarrass Yourself!

~Marsha

Today's Action...Update

Today's Action: Focus on Rest and Relaxation

And as of July 1st: Today's Actions will be updated weekly
(It is my hope to return to daily updates after the summer has ended)
But for now, enjoy the Holiday and look for "Today's Action"
the Weekly edition on Monday


~Marsha

Fast Getaway

Today's Action: The Great Escape (making a fast getaway!)

Summer is the time of vacation.... Visiting friends, and finding new and exciting destinations, but how do you getaway when you aren't on vacation?

It is my belief that everyone should have a hobby that allows them to take time out of the day, week, month and just relax. I'm a lot a bit of a nerd so I enjoy exploring the Internet and learning new things, this blog has also given my a place to escape. Taking time out from my job search, or the mindless reruns on television. So the great escape does not always have to mean leaving home. You should be able to find something that you can do in your free time and as you move along in your busy life, it is important to make time for yourself.


So how do you make your great escape?

~Marsha

Just in Time

Every few months I get a new CD that I play everyday... all day!

I have been a fan of Erykah Badu since the first time I heard On & On from her first album Baduizm and she has not disappointed. Each album she releases reminds you why you are a fan and gives you a little more of Badu.

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) has become the soundtrack to my life as I travel though the hot beginning of summer.

Like you I was introduced to the album by all of the controversy surrounding the Window Seat video. And when the song hit the air ways, it spoke to me... Facing a lot I desperately wanted a ticket out of town...

But with each rotation of the CD in my stereo or touch selection on my ipod, I found other sounds to connect with... And if I had to pick a favorite song, Out my Mind, Just in Time is it. It reminds me of Green Eyes from Mama's Gun. It is that song you don't want to end, changing seamlessly but holding a common thread in theme.

Sadly, I must say that I have never seen her in concert... but after this album, I'm on a mission to change that!

The Lessons of Life

Today's Action: Supporting others-Findind the Lesson

So because I did not post for yesterday's action, today is an extension....
Yesterday’s action was to support others (there is always a lesson for self in helping others), and today's is finding the lesson.

Everything that happens in our life has a purpose, no matter how tiny the event. From deciding to have a girls' night out to picking the great new job and moving away. We must take the time to find the lessons... I started to understand this lesson thing best during college. I have always wanted to move away, and college was my ticket out. I turned down some great opportunities, to go to college out of state. And as much as I wanted to stay away, after two years, procrastination and a little bit of laziness (I can admit now) I had to take a semester off and move back home.

I didn't want to, but had no other option. However when I got home and started to work (for the first time). I begun to appreciate what I had, and what I would need to do to accomplish the goals I had set for myself.

I even started to appreciate being home, I started to understand that the issues I thought I was escaping by moving away followed me wherever I went. So I have faced many of them. And in the process learned to appreciate my experiences, learn from my challenges and face my fears...

During a challenging times in your life, what lessons have you learned?


~Marsha

Just Do It

Today's Action: Stop talking and do it

I have decided today to stop talking about how I want to do this or that and just do it.... I have a list of things that I want to do, and talk so much about them that I can make you believe it. But that all stops Today! I am always talking about starting my own online business, and by the end of July it will be up and running. And if it isn't, I will stop talking about it, because the truth is I am making myself sick.

What's something you need to stop talking about and just do?

~Marsha

Hypnotized

How do you select music? Are you a fan of the artist, like a song or two that you've heard on the radio? Or is it purely power of suggestion?

Now there are some songs and artist that I can not see what the point of their music is, and I am good friends with their fans. And for the past few weeks, I find myself listening to Nicki Minaj's new song "Your Love." But you must understand that when she started, I didn't get it, I was not a fan. However it seems that she is everywhere, so much so that young girls are starting to dress, and talk like her and she is on heavy rotation on the radio....as a feature for the most part. So there is no escaping her.

And it seems that the more I hear her songs, I start to like her a little bit more...snail distance (it's slow going). Now I like this "Your Love" song but it is a departure from her normal Barbie theme, maybe if she stays in this lane for a while the appeal will grow a little faster.

But I guess this idea of suggestion can be applied to everything...
So my question is, how much of are consumption is choice or the power of suggestion?

Time Travel

So I don't think that the writer's block is over, normally I have so much on my mind... But I continue to time travel, looking over my past though my writing. I found my yellow folder (which houses all my poetry) and I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote some of this stuff. And then there are other pieces where I can tell you where I was when I wrote it, who or what I was thinking about and how the piece is still relevant to my life.

I have even found some old copies of a friends magazine that she created in middle school...and my writing in that is a mess. But it has been interesting to look back, I just hope I can move forward soon.

I have some ideas, I just need to work them out...I'll keep you posted!

Just My Luck

Now that I have decided to focus on my writing, I can't think of anything to write. I have been trying to write some guest blogs for different sites and can't seem to get anything down, that I like. In hopes to find some inspiration, I have been looking over some of my old stuff from college and found this...

Writer's Block

This is the second time today
I tried to write
Tried to find
Clever metaphors
Even childish rhymes
But nothing

Just sitting back, staring at the screen
Watching the time
With useless thoughts of how good
My last poem was

How I fear that nothing I say
Will be new, fresh
The best
of me

My vocabulary has disappeared
And I am unable to write
So I ramble
Thinking fast,
But never typing a line

Deleting for a new start

Writing A Book

I have decided to write a book, I write all the time... But recently, since the passing of my father I have thought a lot about our relationship. I have always wondered about how the father-daughter relationship affects young women. Having a very different relationship then my peers, my parents were married, and my father was so much a part of my life, I sometimes wanted a break from him. I have always wondered how I would be if I was not so close to him, if I had a father that was not there. Who would have been my male prototype, the man I look to for guidance. So the plan is to write a book that discusses the relationship I had with my father, how that has effected my romantic relationships (or lack there of) and the impact the father-daughter relationship has on young African American women. Right now I am in research mode, trying to get my hands on any books that talk about black families.

Right now I am reading...

Ensuring Inequality: The Structural Transformation of the African American Family
By: Donna L. Franklin and William Julius Wilson

It is my goal to...

Work to help minority students both in and outside the classroom
Create a non-profit organization
Attain publication for my writing
Promote positive change for myself and others