tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48670851670732319232012-02-11T10:34:00.820-05:00...work, play, and my ever-evolving life (the silly, the serious, and all that's inbetween). Sharing info. that will enlighten, inspire, motivate, and humor -- this is who I am!*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.comBlogger3641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-38650712920810549912012-02-11T10:34:00.001-05:002012-02-11T10:34:00.848-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYyNemaLxxM/TzYaUCEWZlI/AAAAAAAABWA/CIDwO-obLK8/s1600/grace%2Bjones.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707778509193504338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYyNemaLxxM/TzYaUCEWZlI/AAAAAAAABWA/CIDwO-obLK8/s400/grace%2Bjones.jpg" /></a> Everything about this picture screams: bold, edgy, provocative, and confident... Grace Jones is definitely owning every bit of the image. And I can't do anything but feel empowered whenever I see her and her diva-tude (<span style="font-size:78%;">minus the cigarette, of course</span>). So with that, I am determined to make this a productive yet stress-free Saturday.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3865071292081054991?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-22702521998988866672012-02-08T12:05:00.002-05:002012-02-08T12:21:55.254-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5hEF4WklzY/TzKuXDk-KPI/AAAAAAAABV0/B8-ieTfV3Yw/s1600/reflect.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706815388952439026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5hEF4WklzY/TzKuXDk-KPI/AAAAAAAABV0/B8-ieTfV3Yw/s400/reflect.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2270252199898886667?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-38659092315021417702012-02-06T22:32:00.005-05:002012-02-06T23:04:39.926-05:00How fitting is it for the naturally fabulous Viola Davis to be on the February cover of the LA Times magazine (<span style="font-size:78%;">and it just so happens to be New York Fashion Week, technically beginning on February 9</span>)?! She is definitely one of my favorites, not only because of her talent but her crown of regalness and fashion sense that gives us just enough. Rockin' a new natural do', I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking (<span style="font-size:78%;">blogging</span>) for me.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQJ-RrKpuYM/TzCgLRRv56I/AAAAAAAABVo/_-1tkMpeu2U/s1600/fashionable%2Bvdavis.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706236843355269026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQJ-RrKpuYM/TzCgLRRv56I/AAAAAAAABVo/_-1tkMpeu2U/s400/fashionable%2Bvdavis.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d294Yhe9xJI/TzCgKqTKuCI/AAAAAAAABVc/0n2k0puPwUc/s1600/beauty%2Bviola%2Bd..png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706236832892237858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d294Yhe9xJI/TzCgKqTKuCI/AAAAAAAABVc/0n2k0puPwUc/s400/beauty%2Bviola%2Bd..png" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRON1QIoTLc/TzCgKZbi50I/AAAAAAAABVQ/QlhemRS9nnw/s1600/vdavis2.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706236828363974466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRON1QIoTLc/TzCgKZbi50I/AAAAAAAABVQ/QlhemRS9nnw/s400/vdavis2.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3865909231502141770?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-51809760174496760682012-02-06T21:03:00.007-05:002012-02-06T21:21:25.422-05:00Last week, <a href="http://mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com/2012/02/love-peace-and-soooooooooul.html">Don Cornelius</a> committed suicide, and to pay tribute to the imprint he left on Black pop culture, someone had a cool idea to coordinate a flash mob Soul Train line right in the middle of Time Square!! Kudos to the cool person/people with the cool idea!!!<br /><div align="center"><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-SO-TaxTRe8" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><p align="center"><br /><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~</em> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5180976017449676068?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-83646174841265053642012-02-03T09:39:00.000-05:002012-02-03T09:39:00.482-05:00<div align="center">Morgan Freeman said it. ...and I totally respect his point.<br /></div><div align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LLg7D7zxTrA" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~ </em></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8364617484126505364?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-33977767415672480132012-02-02T21:00:00.009-05:002012-02-03T12:51:14.035-05:00<div align="center">Multitasking at its best.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydhBa70Qi8I/TytDDmaiTwI/AAAAAAAABVE/_nBdka0ypDY/s1600/Aretha%2BFranklin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704727082125381378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydhBa70Qi8I/TytDDmaiTwI/AAAAAAAABVE/_nBdka0ypDY/s400/Aretha%2BFranklin.jpg" /></a> Aretha Louise Franklin: "THE Queen of Soul"<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist</div><br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-o1Bg7yBxQo" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><br /><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~ </em></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3397776741567248013?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-40227196151645176192012-02-02T09:23:00.004-05:002012-02-02T11:24:54.210-05:00<div align="center">Featured in the <em>Jet</em> Magazine, December 1957 issue, Janet Quinn (of Toledo, Ohio) was the first Black high school football queen.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fozo8pjm4O0/Tyotc1XlcdI/AAAAAAAABUU/2BoS_CR2--M/s1600/janet%2Bquinn%2B-%2Bfirst%2Bhs%2Bftball%2Bqueen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704421851403743698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fozo8pjm4O0/Tyotc1XlcdI/AAAAAAAABUU/2BoS_CR2--M/s400/janet%2Bquinn%2B-%2Bfirst%2Bhs%2Bftball%2Bqueen.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgiMa2-2KBw/TyouptDxw4I/AAAAAAAABUg/3zSCLI78rjk/s1600/hs%2Bqueen%2Band%2Bcourt%2Bcirca%2B1957.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704423172023108482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgiMa2-2KBw/TyouptDxw4I/AAAAAAAABUg/3zSCLI78rjk/s400/hs%2Bqueen%2Band%2Bcourt%2Bcirca%2B1957.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"></a><br /><br /><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~</em> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4022719615164517619?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-23195065586277746562012-02-01T23:29:00.006-05:002012-02-02T21:30:00.157-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GNREhgtcok/Tyoin9TniuI/AAAAAAAABUI/OjoDUOm7rT8/s1600/RIP-Don-Cornelius.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704409947885243106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GNREhgtcok/Tyoin9TniuI/AAAAAAAABUI/OjoDUOm7rT8/s400/RIP-Don-Cornelius.jpg" /></a> Don Cornelius (1936 - 2012)<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Creator of Soul Train<br /></div><br /><div align="center">....To the man who was determined to broadcast Blacks in a positive light, showcasing our vibrant personalities, our electric moves, and our keen fashion sense. Because of Soul Train many people of varied brown skin tones, know exactly what it means to feel good to be Black.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~</em> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2319506558627774656?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-27367099037239641032012-02-01T04:45:00.004-05:002012-02-02T11:25:55.660-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r160-uCZYy8/Tym5geraXaI/AAAAAAAABTw/hWpCgT-Jy_A/s1600/g4.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704294370683542946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r160-uCZYy8/Tym5geraXaI/AAAAAAAABTw/hWpCgT-Jy_A/s400/g4.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />On February 1, 1960, four Freshmen (Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. aka Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond) at the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina [now North Carolina A&amp;T State University] sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, NC.<br /><br />The four students wanted to protest laws that prevented Blacks from being served in certain public places. They agreed to stage a sit-in at Woolworth’s, a variety store that had an eating area. Blacks were allowed to shop in the store and eat at a stand-up snack bar, but they could not sit at the lunch counter. “We didn’t want to set the world on fire,” Khazan said.” We just wanted to eat.” Khazan and his friends never knew that they would later become known as the <em>Greensboro Four</em>.<br /><br />At Woolworth’s, they sat down at the lunch counter and placed their orders, but the store manager asked them to leave. When the men didn't leave, the manager called the police. The men remained seated. The store closed early, and the four students eventually left peacefully.<br /><br />Later, they rallied several campus groups together to join them for other sit-ins at Woolworth’s. Each day, more and more participants joined the four men. Some of them were harassed, but no one was harmed.<br /><br />These peaceful protests gained attention across the country. The Greensboro Woolworth’s finally started serving blacks at its lunch counter on July 25, 1960. The four men became known for their courage and fearlessness not only at A&amp;T, but also throughout North Carolina.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdlCxJEZX7s/Tym5grdU5fI/AAAAAAAABUA/N_0OBPtO9Ew/s1600/g4seats.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704294374114125298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdlCxJEZX7s/Tym5grdU5fI/AAAAAAAABUA/N_0OBPtO9Ew/s400/g4seats.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Rocking my blue and gold today. It's a great day to be an Aggie!!!! To be an Aggie, is to be fearless!!! #AGGIEPRIDE<br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>~Black History is EVERYBODY'S History~</em> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2736709903723964103?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-62510000877452227422012-01-30T22:18:00.006-05:002012-01-31T11:58:34.891-05:00<div align="center">Let's just say I came home super exhausted and stressed. So for a pick-me-up, I rocked out (<em>literally</em>) with Jimi, hot chocolate and sour straw candy. All three managed to ease my mood. I couldn't stop listening to Jimi and the ridiculous sound of his guitar. Regardless of his personal woes, this man was genius at that insane thing called Rock &amp; Roll.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UVfoDO05xWM" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GoF5PM5E9OQ" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x1-fggfSDQY" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gOzfKdeTxvQ" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6251000087745222742?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-61496702431762453142012-01-27T10:13:00.003-05:002012-01-27T10:27:04.125-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4A9FxEZd8/TyLBvj_qUXI/AAAAAAAABTM/FWfnnLz0IX8/s1600/phylicia-rashad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702333101064737138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4A9FxEZd8/TyLBvj_qUXI/AAAAAAAABTM/FWfnnLz0IX8/s320/phylicia-rashad.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">“The stubbornness I had as a child has been transmitted into perseverance. I can let go but I don't give up. I don't beat myself up about negative things.” </span><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">-Phylicia Rashad</span></div><br /><br />The next time someone calls me out on my <em>stubbornness</em>, I'll correct him/her and tell them it's simply perseverance. ;)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6149670243176245314?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-18556567093602876852012-01-25T09:55:00.000-05:002012-01-25T09:55:00.113-05:00<div align="center">One of my friend's said this was one of his favorite songs. I never heard it until this morning. </div><br /><div align="center">I smiled.<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z8SPwT3nQZ8" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br />...Hope this gets someone through the rest of the week. As my mom would say, "Boo, don't sweat the small stuff." </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Happy Hump Day!!! :)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1855656709360287685?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-46451919894965842012012-01-24T00:44:00.012-05:002012-01-26T23:19:38.401-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du5gdhYzAX8/Tx79azfojKI/AAAAAAAABSs/oMoYZlOLl6Y/s1600/redtails%2Bmovie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701272815238941858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du5gdhYzAX8/Tx79azfojKI/AAAAAAAABSs/oMoYZlOLl6Y/s400/redtails%2Bmovie.jpg" /></a><br />So like most mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, I went to go see Red Tails. After the film, I Facebooked, "the movie was great...very empowering." Don't get me wrong, it wasn't the <em>best</em> movie (contrary to the numerous tweets and Facebook statuses that stated otherwise...<span style="font-size:78%;">I don't know what movie they were watching</span>) BUT it wasn't the worst either. I think the movie served its purpose by being graphically designed well and providing a very brief overview of the Tuskegee airmen.<br /><br />Would I have liked to have seen more from the film? Yes, most definitely ...More coverage on racism and the depiction of what the airmen endured. ...The telling of how the airmen first came to be. ...and so on.<br /><br />What I thought was most disappointing and perhaps unrealistic, was the fact that there wasnt any (<span style="font-size:78%;">nada one</span>) black women represented in the film, regardless of the time period. All black men (and women) know that behind every black man, there is a black woman (...mother, aunt, sister, cousin, friend) supporting them and holding them down.<br /><br />Yet, given my previous knowledge, the film (<span style="font-size:78%;">mostly, the <em>real</em> life story</span>) was/is empowering. Just to know that these Black men were fighting for a country that didn't find them suitable, equal, or human even. My God. I highly doubt I would've had that kind of will or courage...hence me referring to the story as empowering.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't think people without any previous knowledge of the Tuskegee airmen walked away with any profound understanding of the sacrifices those men made. I don't know if people really got it...which kinda sucks.<br /><br />If I had to rate the film, I'd give it two <em>bent</em> thumbs (forward). ...Lol. Come to think of it, with all of what I've just said/written, maybe my Facebook reference of calling the film "great" was a tad bit presumptuous... **<em>shrugs</em>** Be that as it may.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4645191989496584201?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-4944392507975367402012-01-20T12:01:00.000-05:002012-01-21T13:06:11.204-05:00<div align="center"><br />...Loved for her voice and respected for her sassiness. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3UqvKNng2A/TxpVnh0bWjI/AAAAAAAABSg/CVmw40O6j80/s1600/Etta_James.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699962415972309554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d3UqvKNng2A/TxpVnh0bWjI/AAAAAAAABSg/CVmw40O6j80/s400/Etta_James.jpg" /></a><div align="center">Etta James <span style="font-size:78%;">aka Jamesetta Hawkins</span> (1939 - 2012)</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here are three of my favorite songs:<br /><p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pyMd19sE6U4" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b-59strhDLY" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe><br /><p align="center">...though there are several versions of <em>Sugar on the Floor</em>, I enjoy hers the most.<br /><p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/anYsd7vmF6I" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe></p></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-494439250797536740?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-31671229071747336812012-01-20T09:32:00.002-05:002012-01-21T21:10:33.615-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zf__TN9D-o/Txj-JqdhIvI/AAAAAAAABSI/bia9FeB09pE/s1600/saltsouthgate.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699584770407736050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zf__TN9D-o/Txj-JqdhIvI/AAAAAAAABSI/bia9FeB09pE/s400/saltsouthgate.jpg" /></a>I just finished, <em>The Taste of Salt</em>, by Martha Southgate. Not only was I able to relate to the main character, Josie, on multiple levels, but I also connected to the author, who's from Ohio and currently lives in New York.<br /><br />Josie, a Cleveland native who works as a marine biologist, tries to escape her family and the addiction that consumes it. Yet, confronted by the past of her father, her brother's attempts to shake his addiction, and her complicated marriage, escaping all that she has ever known proves to be a challenge. Despite Josie's need for escapism, she finds herself drawn to a colleague for solace.<br /><br />The novel is multi-layered, but Southgate does a good job of bringing all of the characters to life. ...To the point, I found myself admiring, yet understanding the relationship she has with her brother. <em>The Taste of Salt</em> embodies the bitterness and comfort of family, love, self-identity, and one's past. I highly recommend this book.<br /><br />It's safe to say that I'm now a fan of Martha Southgate, and I'll be reading more of her books this year.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3167122907174733681?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-6980791438170183112012-01-16T01:19:00.003-05:002012-01-17T10:26:22.036-05:00Recently I came across an article, written by Shauna Niequist, called <em>11 Things to Know at 25(ish)</em>, in <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/">Relevant Magazine</a>. Even though I'm a couple years removed from the 25 year mark, the article touches on everything my friends and I have thought/talked about as we're reminded that we're getting old<em>er</em>, wondering where did the easy days go...and questioning what to do with ourselves as we become "more grown up."<br /><br /><strong><em>ll Things to Know at 25(ish)...</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><em><strong>1. You Have Time to Find a Job You Love</strong><br />Now is the time to figure out what kind of work you love to do. What are you good at? What makes you feel alive? What do you dream about? You can go back to school now, switch directions entirely. You can work for almost nothing, or live in another country or volunteer long hours for something that moves you. There will be a time when finances and schedules make this a little trickier, so do it now. Try it, apply for it, get up and do it.<br /><br />When I was 25, I was in my third job in as many years—all in the same area at a church, but the responsibilities were different each time. I was frustrated at the end of the third year because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do next. I didn’t feel like I’d found my place yet. I met with my boss, who was in his 50s. I told him how anxious I was about finding the one perfect job for me, and quick. He asked me how old I was, and when I told him I was 25, he told me I couldn’t complain to him about finding the right job until I was 32. In his opinion, it takes about 10 years after college to find the right fit, and anyone who finds it earlier than that is just plain lucky. So use every bit of your 10 years: try things, take classes, start over.<br /><br /></em><em><strong>2. Get Out of Debt and Stay Out of Debt<br /></strong>Part of being a healthy, mature adult is learning to live within your means all the time, even if that means going without things you think you need, or doing work you don’t love for a while to be responsible financially. The ability to adjust your spending according to your income is a skill that will serve you your whole life.<br /><br />There will be times when you have more money than you need. In those seasons, tithe as always, save like crazy, and then let yourself buy fancy shampoo or an iPad or whatever it is you really get a kick out of. When the money’s not rolling in, buy your shampoo from the grocery store and eat eggs instead of steak—a much cheaper way to get protein. If you can get the hang of living within your means all the time—always tithing, never going into debt—you’ll be ahead of the game when life surprises you with bad financial news.<br /><br />I know a lot of people who have bright, passionate dreams but who can’t give their lives to those dreams because of the debt they carry. Don’t miss out on a great adventure God calls you to because you’ve been careless about debt.<br /><br /><strong>3. Don’t Rush Dating and Marriage</strong><br />Now is also the time to get serious about relationships. And “serious” might mean walking away from a dating relationship that’s good but not great. Some of the most life-shaping decisions you’ll make during this time will be about walking away from good-enough, in search of can’t-live-without. One of the only truly devastating mistakes you can make in this season is staying with the wrong person even though you know he or she is the wrong person. It’s not fair to that person, and it’s not fair to you.<br /><br />“Who are you dating?” “Do you think he’s the one?” “Have you looked at rings?” It’s easy to be seduced by the romance-dating-marriage narrative. We confer a lot of status and respect on people who are getting married—we buy them presents and consider them as more adult and more responsible.<br /><br />But there’s nothing inherently more responsible or more admirable about being married. I’m thankful to be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this summer, but at the same time, I have a fair amount of friends whose marriages are ending—friends whose weddings we danced at, whose wedding cake we ate, whose rings we oohed-and-aahed over but that have been taken off fingers a long time ago.<br /><br />Some people view marriage as the next step to happiness or grown-up life or some kind of legitimacy, and in their mad desire to be married, they overlook significant issues in the relationship.<br /><br />Ask your friends, family members and mentors what they think of the person you’re dating and your relationship. Go through premarital counseling before you are engaged, because, really, engagement is largely about wedding planning, and it’s tough to see the flaws in a relationship clearly when you’re wearing a diamond and you have a deposit on an event space.<br />I’m kind of a broken record on this. My younger friends will tell you I say the same things over and over when they talk to me about love, things like, “He seems great—what’s the rush?” and, “Yes, I like her—give it a year.” And they’ve heard this one a million times: “Time is on your side.” Really, it is.<br /><br /></em><em><strong>4. Give Your Best to Friends and Family<br /></strong>While twentysomethings can sometimes spend a little too much energy on dating and marriage, they probably spend too little energy on friendships and family. That girl you just met and now text 76 times a day probably won’t be a part of your life in 10 years, but the guys you lived with in college, if you keep investing in them, will be friends for a lifetime. Lots of people move around in their 20s, but even across the distance, make an effort to invest in the friendships that are important to you. Loyalty is no small thing, especially in a season during which so many other things are shifting.<br /><br />Family is a tricky thing in your 20s—to learn how to be an adult out on your own but to also maintain a healthy relationship with your parents—but those relationships are really, really worth investing in. I have a new vantage point on this now that I’m a parent. When my parents momentarily forget I’m an adult, I remind myself that someday this little boy of ours will drive a car, get a job and buy a home. I know that even then it will be hard not to scrape his hair across his forehead or tell him his eyes are looking sleepy, and I give my parents a break for still seeing me as their little girl every once in a while.<br /><br /><strong>5. Get Some Counseling</strong><br />Twenty-five is also a great time to get into counseling if you haven’t already, or begin round two of counseling if it’s been a while. You might have just enough space from your parents to start digging around your childhood a little bit. Unravel the knots that keep you from living a healthy, whole life, and do it now, before any more time passes.<br /><br />Some people believe emotional and psychological issues should be solved through traditional spiritual means—that prayer and pastoral guidance are all that’s necessary when facing issues of mental health. I disagree. We generally trust medical doctors to help us heal from physical ailments. We can and should trust counselors and therapists to help us resolve emotional and psychological issues. Many pastors have no training in counseling, and while they care deeply about what you’re facing, sometimes the best gift they can give you is a referral to a therapist who does have the education to help you.<br /><br />Faith and counseling aren’t at odds with one another. Spiritual growth and emotional health are both part of God’s desire for us. Counseling—like time with a mentor, personal scriptural study, a small group experience and outside reading—can help you grow, and can help you connect more deeply with God.<br /><br />So let your pastor do his or her thing, and let the person who has an advanced degree in mental health help you with yours. </em><br /><br />Read the rest <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/25956-11-things-to-know-at-25ish?start=1">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-698079143817018311?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-85866460635294726742012-01-12T20:19:00.006-05:002012-01-12T23:14:41.787-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE9StmEvInw/Tw-MIP_N_lI/AAAAAAAABQA/MfiUDJ6699w/s1600/purenamaste.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tE9StmEvInw/Tw-MIP_N_lI/AAAAAAAABQA/MfiUDJ6699w/s320/purenamaste.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696926127005498962" /></a>As I lie here on the couch with aching hamstrings, I can only think about yoga. Last night, I went to yoga class with <a href="http://frugalartist.blogspot.com/">Maya</a>. The class was a Basic (beginner) class, at a chic yoga center in the Upper Westside. It was my first time doing group yoga, but it was a free class so I figured what the heck. I usually do yoga via dvd...but I haven't done any of that in awhile.<br /><br />Nevertheless, the yoga class did my body good. I needed to be stretched and twisted and put in awkward positions with 20 strangers in a body-heated room. I needed to be there because I was working off of three hours of sleep from the night before. I needed to be there because it was Wednesday - a true Hump Day.... an "I can't wait til' Friday" kind of Hump Day. So there I was, working up a sweat, doing Downward Dogs, Trees, and Warrior poses (all the while, trying to stay balanced and focused), when the instructor says, "Push yourselves to the limit. Yoga's about finding calm in difficult positions. If you master this, you can master this peace in difficult situations outside of the classroom." <br /><br />Say Whaaaa?!!! <br /><br />I'll be honest. After I heard that, I snapped out of my trance only to acknowledge just how deep that was. It was affirmation to the state of living, to the state of maintaining...and keep on keepin' on!!! And that, my friends, is what gave me life (and these aching hamstrings) last night. Needless to say, I was in a super chill mood today, totally in an "I got it" state of mind. <em>It </em>meaning life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8586646063529472674?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-71514019719298513732012-01-09T18:57:00.008-05:002012-01-12T11:04:28.534-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnipgWFND08/Tw5zndXdbgI/AAAAAAAABP0/xo5uyRj1VKI/s1600/in-search-of-sisterhood-sistersmeeting.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696617700405374466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnipgWFND08/Tw5zndXdbgI/AAAAAAAABP0/xo5uyRj1VKI/s320/in-search-of-sisterhood-sistersmeeting.jpg" border="0" /></a>And thank God for that!!<br /><br />I recently took a trip to Orlando to visit my friend, Ileen, for her birthday weekend. We hadn't seen each other in FOREVER (<span style="font-size:78%;">I think it's actually been about five or six years</span>). Though it's been ages since we've been in each other's company, it was like we'd never missed a beat. We had our typical "catch up/who's dating who" gab fest, and had good food and drinks in tow (<span style="font-size:78%;">of course</span>). I stuffed my face with empanadas, drank shots of Coquito (<span style="font-size:78%;">Puertorican eggnog</span>), and made a sincere attempt to dance Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. It was an all around good time.<br /><br />I say all of this to say...some friendships just don't expire. It's great when you can pick up where you left off ...when you know your friend's likes/dislikes ...when you can look at a piece of clothing and know how exactly it fits into her personal style ...sharing advice that one may not want to hear, but <em>needs to hear </em>...having conversations that start off with "Remember when..."...knowing the signs when she just doesn't want to be bothered ...getting the cue when she's not feeling the guy who's trying to get/keep her attention ...taking her secrets to your grave and being able to trust her with yours (<span style="font-size:78%;">Despite having some friends who can't hold water, let alone a secret, I still love them all the same. Lol!</span>). I truly value and cherish my friendships. Some of my strongest/longest friendships are shared with chicas who live a gazillion miles away from me but when we reunite, it's like we never left each other -- the good ol' days.<br /><br />Granted, some friendships do get sour and lose its luster, and that's life, but my closest, truest sistagirls are bonded like Elmers. After all these years (and miles) between us, I'm thankful my friendships are still fresh and unwavering.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chidi.com/Sisters-Art.htm">Source</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7151401971929851373?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-39311879931204544092012-01-09T10:49:00.003-05:002012-01-16T20:49:12.204-05:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;">"That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."<br /></span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Steve Jobs</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3931187993120454409?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-51736689017864848442012-01-03T11:13:00.001-05:002012-01-03T11:13:00.488-05:00<div align="center">Yes, this <em>is</em> a mini movie..... but this song is my life these days!!!!<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LH8xbDGv7oY" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5173668901786484844?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-6089205690198039292012-01-02T13:33:00.006-05:002012-01-02T15:05:28.078-05:00<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693127646685505938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngTrVUq-HQY/TwINbmGlKZI/AAAAAAAABPk/H2NT2AJh1FU/s320/photo%255B1%255D.JPG" />In scrolling through my usual social media timelines (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) this morning, I came across some really relevant 2012 advice from one of my contacts. The advice read:<br /><br />"CHOOSE.... Be intentional, create a plan, be positive and persistent!..." (<span style="font-size:78%;">I could see this in a fortune cookie.</span>)<br /><br /><br />This is advice that never gets old. And I plan to live it, breathe it, and love it <em>all </em>lifelong!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-608920569019803929?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-31015859274799650122011-12-31T14:52:00.003-05:002012-01-01T21:25:26.975-05:00I can't believe it's already the end of the year. This year...<br /><br />I got MY first apartment. Let me just say, there is absolutely nothing like having your own.... No roomies! Just you, those walls, and your furniture. I used to think I'd eventually make my home in Brooklyn but I'm so over that notion. I honestly can't see myself living in any other borough than Harlem.<br /><br />I finally found a hair stylist (thanks to an Essence article). It was time. The Dominican salons just weren't keeping my strands healthy, and people know how picky I am about my hair. Long story short, I made a decision to go au naturale (that's another blog post for another day).<br /><br />I went to Pennsylvania for the first time. ...I didn't get a Philly cheese steak but I did make it to Hershey Park! It was cool. I got the chance to be a kid again (not that I don't get that chance often).<br /><br />I lost a very important link in my family to cancer (wish I would've...could've ...but didn't).<br /><br />Ghoe was GHOE as usual. (...and that says a lot)<br /><br />I was told to "dumb down" my writing for a formal document I created...but I reminded myself that this request was a mere compliment and only a bruise to the recipient's ego.<br /><br />I made a Thanksgiving dinner that could feed a small family. No doubt about it... I ate reeeeal good that week. Lol. I even made banana pudding for dessert. I was proud of myself. I went to the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. It was a "To Do" on my bucket list.<br /><br />I rallied some of my absolutely terrific friends and family for community service over Christmas break. I was in the giving mood and got 11 of my friends and family together to help out at the Freestore Foodback in Cincinnati during the week of Christmas. I can really count on my friends and family to make things happen!!!<br /><br />Ma came to visit me... Hands down she's my most favorite person in the whole world. Any time is a good time when she's around. And after a conversation with Ma, while she was in town, I decided to follow my passion.<br /><br />...and with that folks, I am super excited about 2012!!!<br /><br />With all of that said, be easy, thankful, and amazing in 2012!!!!!! It's only right!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3101585927479965012?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-27917928852108479602011-12-30T14:20:00.002-05:002011-12-30T14:41:47.439-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T5OhGW7CSpk/Tv4T0Pra8wI/AAAAAAAABPY/BSUU2BJp5UA/s1600/button.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T5OhGW7CSpk/Tv4T0Pra8wI/AAAAAAAABPY/BSUU2BJp5UA/s400/button.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692008767325664002" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2791792885210847960?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-3764970243572167532011-12-30T13:06:00.002-05:002011-12-30T13:06:01.016-05:00<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17C4vYY2ZJY/Tv0dYzXrMUI/AAAAAAAABO8/favAx7ZDweE/s1600/solo...jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691737816009748802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17C4vYY2ZJY/Tv0dYzXrMUI/AAAAAAAABO8/favAx7ZDweE/s400/solo...jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLTwF16qePY/Tv0dYpenNFI/AAAAAAAABO0/RNmTyaw3JgU/s1600/fab%2Bsolo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691737813354493010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLTwF16qePY/Tv0dYpenNFI/AAAAAAAABO0/RNmTyaw3JgU/s400/fab%2Bsolo.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-376497024357216753?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-41670552633431983642011-12-29T20:58:00.006-05:002011-12-30T14:45:31.167-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfpK7JWHWx8/Tv0bJPMTLjI/AAAAAAAABOo/EBhIuZKhCrQ/s1600/father%2Bdaughter%2Btime.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691735349577068082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfpK7JWHWx8/Tv0bJPMTLjI/AAAAAAAABOo/EBhIuZKhCrQ/s400/father%2Bdaughter%2Btime.jpg" /></a> ...because he's there.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4167055263343198364?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-34978719581406441402011-12-28T20:08:00.005-05:002011-12-28T21:13:47.605-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ie2H_ixoVs/TvvK4LvwmZI/AAAAAAAABMk/cM2Bz8EEh0Y/s1600/Recently%2BUpdated.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691365620687346066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ie2H_ixoVs/TvvK4LvwmZI/AAAAAAAABMk/cM2Bz8EEh0Y/s400/Recently%2BUpdated.jpg" /></a> Give back ALWAYS, be in good company EVERYTIME, rest well WHEREVER, eat/drink sinful things SPARINGLY, party LOTS, thank a soldier OFTEN, hold cute babies EVERY CHANCE, and appreciate your birthplace and all of its goodness WHENEVER possible. The holidays call for it!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3497871958140644140?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-13505997980885989572011-12-24T12:57:00.001-05:002011-12-24T12:57:00.599-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_QmPBajYpY/TvQo8SNz3PI/AAAAAAAABMM/fqqWqgT7GDo/s1600/youth2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689217245422804210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7_QmPBajYpY/TvQo8SNz3PI/AAAAAAAABMM/fqqWqgT7GDo/s320/youth2.jpg" /></a>This week, I came across a heartbreaking article in The Huffington Post that was written by Carl Siciliano, about the young homeless LGBT population in New York City....<br /><br /><em>"Over the past few weeks I have been meeting with homeless LGBT youth. Each young person was, at the time I met with and photographed them, struggling to survive out on the streets as they waited for one of the few youth shelter beds in New York City to open up to them.<br /><br />Their stories do not fit in the traditional narratives of the holiday season. No warm family gatherings for these kids. No presents, no feasts. No "sleeping in heavenly peace." Many have been cast out of their homes, driven out by homophobia. Made to know that being LGBT makes them unlovable in the eyes of their families. Made to know that being gay made them disposable.<br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689217240965562482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCScQCD1j6I/TvQo8BnHwHI/AAAAAAAABMA/DuAXTg0e414/s320/parisyouth.jpg" />Nor do their stories conform to the traditional narrative of "coming out" that the LGBT community likes to tell. Coming out for these kids was not primarily experienced as liberating and freeing, nor was it experienced as finding acceptance in the broader LGBT community. For these kids, coming out meant being driven from their homes, denied love, denied all economic support, made to suffer utter destitution. And, shamefully, despite the numbers of homeless LGBT youth across the nation reaching epidemic proportions, their plight has not been at the forefront of the attention of the LGBT community."</em></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-siciliano/homeless-gay-youth_b_1158040.html;">Read the rest of the article and learn about the teens' stories</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1350599798088598957?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-17995793754966297972011-12-23T08:39:00.000-05:002011-12-23T08:39:00.350-05:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"The fact that most of us get up and try no matter what. That's amazing, isn't it?"</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Jeff Burton, a photographer ...when asked of his inspiration</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1799579375496629797?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-17753458226388306742011-12-22T13:30:00.001-05:002011-12-28T23:42:12.495-05:00<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689020216032465762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRqXBzP8vnE/TvN1vqihk2I/AAAAAAAABLo/ph4IA5KzOcM/s400/define%2Bnecessity2.jpg" /><a href="http://communio.stblogs.org/2011/12/define-necessity.html;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1775345822638830674?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-43959062766350106422011-12-21T11:12:00.003-05:002011-12-21T12:08:18.171-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zrmuMaTug8/TvF9sPYw2vI/AAAAAAAABLE/WO4hYuTO8fw/s1600/FRISK-ny.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688466003343760114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zrmuMaTug8/TvF9sPYw2vI/AAAAAAAABLE/WO4hYuTO8fw/s320/FRISK-ny.jpg" /></a>Police brutality and racial profiling is real. After reading Nicholas K. Peart's article, <em>Why is the NYPD After Me?</em>, I wondered if I would have to warn my brother, son, grandson, nephew, and godson, as Peart's mother had cautioned him about the police...<br /><br /><em>"WHEN I was 14, my mother told me not to panic if a police officer stopped me. And she cautioned me to carry ID and never run away from the police or I could be shot. In the nine years since my mother gave me this advice, I have had numerous occasions to consider her wisdom.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>One evening in August of 2006, I was celebrating my 18th birthday with my cousin and a friend. We were staying at my sister’s house on 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan and decided to walk to a nearby place and get some burgers. It was closed so we sat on benches in the median strip that runs down the middle of Broadway. We were talking, watching the night go by, enjoying the evening when suddenly, and out of nowhere, squad cars surrounded us. A policeman yelled from the window, “Get on the ground!” </em><br /><br />Read the rest of the story <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/opinion/sunday/young-black-and-frisked-by-the-nypd.html?_r=1&amp;scp=1&amp;sq=peart&amp;st=cse;">here</a>.<br /><br />Those who know me, know exactly how I feel about police and law enforcers, but I won't get into all of that because I could go on and on about it. However, I will say most of the system and the robots in it are screwed up (for a lack of/care for intellectual diagnosis). I find it hard to swallow the fact that our black (and brown) men are treated in unjust, while those who are expected to protect, bully and abuse the innocent. It truly makes my stomach hurt with disgust, just thinking about it.<br /><br />Nicholas gave his account from the perspective of a New Yorker, but racial profiling is everywhere, and as a Cincinnati native I know how bad racial profiling can be. In general, the racial tension in Cincinnati is thick and between the police and the citizens, there's an "us versus them" mentality. After unjust shootings, a number of riots and boycotts, the people's stance is understood and quite clear, yet not justified. I understand their anger and actions behind it.<br /><br />It just saddens and even enrages me that black (and brown) men have to become well-versed and taught at an early age of what to do, and how to react, when a cop stops and frisks them for no other reason, then being most commonly told they "fit the description" of a suspected criminal.<br /><br />This all makes me wonder if I'll have to protect my future kids <em>from</em> the police rather than entrusting the police to serve and protect <em>them</em>, because, from the looks of things, their mission has been forgotten ....to say the least.<br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>**The article was written by Nicholas K. Peart, and published in the New York Times**</em></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4395906276635010642?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-86573308048602207132011-12-19T11:41:00.000-05:002011-12-19T11:41:40.826-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jY8mz3rwcM/TumAhIL8QfI/AAAAAAAABKo/EAeV6CcpMp0/s1600/office%2Bholiday%2Bparties.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686217311153570290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jY8mz3rwcM/TumAhIL8QfI/AAAAAAAABKo/EAeV6CcpMp0/s320/office%2Bholiday%2Bparties.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Well, it's that time again! Time for gift exchanges, Secret Santas, and dancing with co-workers. Let me just say, this is not my thing. Never has been. The office holiday party thing. The <em>forced</em> fun. Because usually by the end of the night, things get awkward, people drink waay too much, and dance reeeeeeally crazy to music from Casey Kasem's Top 40 list! And I would just rather do without it. Granted, I love the holidays, and I've worked with some amazing people. ...And I actually think it's totally cool for colleagues to socialize afterwork (<span style="font-size:78%;">I really liked my Chicago work family and loooooved our outings on the lake</span>)...but it's just something about office holiday parties that make me feel like I'm in a twilight zone...or like I need to be beamed up by Scotty and join him in his spaceship. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8657330804860220713?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-73896704144574323012011-12-15T10:55:00.000-05:002011-12-15T10:55:00.829-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyu3ldTDW3w/Tult4Yze5wI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Llb5afjCgbc/s1600/lights.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686196820030449410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyu3ldTDW3w/Tult4Yze5wI/AAAAAAAABJ4/Llb5afjCgbc/s320/lights.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...Christmas lights! Living in this concrete jungle, I miss seeing Christmas lights ridiculously plastered along the outside of people's houses. As a kid, I remember taking night drives with my family around the neighborhood looking at all of the lights.<br /><br />...Candy canes. The rainbow-colored ones are my favorite.<br /><br />...Christmas songs in heavy rotation. Silent Night is my all-time favorite.<br /><br />...Traditions. My family has many. Without fail, the Christmas Eve celebration at my mom's house leaves people (in the wee hours of Christmas day) with full stomachs, jolly spirits and good stories to tell. Let the good times roll!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-atcLmtFD7f8/TulwXxAju6I/AAAAAAAABKQ/qVwkfnh2xcg/s1600/Holiday-Travel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686199558126943138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-atcLmtFD7f8/TulwXxAju6I/AAAAAAAABKQ/qVwkfnh2xcg/s320/Holiday-Travel.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...Crowded airports. (No explanation needed). Just as much as I love to fly, I hate crowded airports.<br /><br />...Ugly Christmas sweaters. I want to go to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party...<span style="font-size:78%;">but maybe that's only <em>a</em> <em>big thing</em> in the Midwest</span>.<br /><br />...Good food and even better drinks. I have really abused my body this year with both. *_* ....A detox diet is in order soon. With me being in two weddings next year, I'll have no choice but to pull it all together. LOL!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hm-5toem1M/Tulwj-xlqAI/AAAAAAAABKc/p9y5ya3T5gk/s1600/slopes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686199767980681218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hm-5toem1M/Tulwj-xlqAI/AAAAAAAABKc/p9y5ya3T5gk/s320/slopes.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...Snow and ice. There was one time in my life when I loved snow and ice, but those days are long gone. But given that it's December, I suppose... <em>tis' the season</em>. Right?!<br /><br />...And by gosh darnit!!! I will be skiing one of these bloody cold winters. You just wait and see!! <em><span style="font-size:78%;">**I digress**<br /><br /></span></em>...Family and good old friends. Good company calls for good times. Since I'm usually a gazillion miles away from some of my faves, it's always super exciting to schedule friend dates and catch up.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDnWwEfOvHY/TulwKaqKH6I/AAAAAAAABKE/L7B1_B_OrP4/s1600/hotchoc.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686199328789110690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDnWwEfOvHY/TulwKaqKH6I/AAAAAAAABKE/L7B1_B_OrP4/s320/hotchoc.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...Playing nice. I don't know what it is, but this is the only season that people are known for being extremely nice--you know, having that "Christmas cheer" vibe. ...but on the other hand, don't be fooled by the chestnuts roasting and the jingling of bells. The holidays tend to bring the best <em>and</em> worst out of people.<br /><br />...Hot chocolate and such.<br /><br />...Gifts. I remember as a little kid (probably about four years old) I had three Christmas trees to visit (from 2 grandmothers and an aunt). Though, back then, I was the sole recipient of the abundant gifts, I really like <em>giving</em> gifts--the thoughtful kind. This year will be no different.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7389670414457432301?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-56433294878994831252011-12-12T11:23:00.001-05:002011-12-22T09:51:53.149-05:00<div align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F7VmU8aHAtw" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">This should be interesting.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">...but when there's lots of celebs in one movie, it's usually not a good sign....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">...but I may check it out anyway.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5643329487899483125?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-640277750245388242011-12-09T08:32:00.001-05:002011-12-09T08:32:00.876-05:00<div align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hi8F8pWmmkA?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-64027775024538824?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-941320625287179402011-12-04T11:53:00.001-05:002011-12-04T12:46:36.209-05:00<p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pp9yj5hcWUY?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></p><p align="left">Whenever I hear Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," without fail, I think of Pepsi Colas, potato salad, solitaire card games, and the <em>stories</em>.... To be more specific, I think of Johnnie Mae (my grandmother). As a kid, I remember listening to her sing the song just as smoothly as Billie, as she played her hand of solitaire. Many times, I tried to imitate, sitting on th other end of the couch attempting to win, but I was always pretty lousy at the game. My grandmother would sip Pepsi, only pouring a little at a time out of the bottle, in between her games and her naps. She'd awake to a phone call from one of her girlfriends...reminiscing about the good ol' days (the parties, her many friends, and family time). Most times, I eavesdropped while playing with my dolls or writing in my notebooks, only trying to create stories from the fancy photos in the livingroom's photo albums of her and her friends who were always freshly draped in cool clothes. And just as my grandmother was faithful to her card deck, she was loyal to her <em>stories</em>. That's what she called them. While watching her <em>stories</em> (<span style="font-size:78%;">she favored All My Children and One Life to Live</span>), she'd sit and peel potatoes in preparation of her amazing potato salad (<span style="font-size:78%;">til' this day, members of the family still yearn for the recipe</span>).</p><br /><p align="left">Though my grandmother is indescribably missed, I know she's off somewhere teaching other folks how to be beastly in a good ol' game of solitaire, and has undoubtedly quit smoking as she had hoped. And today, because it's her birthday, I'm sure she's humming this song ...only this time with golden magical harps playing in the background. </p><br /><p align="left">...and perhaps, even making potato salad.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-94132062528717940?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-90013707088118637432011-11-27T23:18:00.004-05:002011-11-27T23:41:01.571-05:00<div align="left">I've had all intentions and desires to blog on a regular basis...you won't believe how many posts I've actually attempted and can't finish (<span style="font-size:78%;">and I hate start something and not finishing....#personal pet peeve</span>). But I'll never be a writer (<span style="font-size:78%;">blogger</span>) who posts content that doesn't inspire me nor will I post content just to say I did.<br /><br />But with lots on my mind, a few possibilities, some inspiration, and of course a tad bit of stress, I found no other way to clear my head than to grab my journal and pop in Kem's album. His music makes me feel some kind of way....and this song will remain one of my favorites. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iefPsDDvz1k?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-9001370708811863743?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-39001898547995500972011-11-21T23:20:00.003-05:002011-11-22T00:26:57.424-05:00I was at a Young Professionals event several months ago, and one of the presenters of the event stated that, <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"Dream jobs aren't advertised</span>.<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"</span> Most recently, that indirect advice/rhetorical statement has resonated with me as I evaluate my life, choices, decisions and such (<span style="font-size:78%;">well, it's <em>always</em> ever-evolving--the beauty of these terrific twenties, I suppose</span>). The conversations I've had with several people during lunch dates, dinner dates, happy hour talks, late night chats, and so on have spoken to me in volumes....and sometimes you (I) just have to listen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Stay tuned...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3900189854799550097?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-81436656245756450332011-11-14T11:01:00.001-05:002011-11-14T11:40:40.575-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SV_bIPfCkIk/TsB0Af7Pc2I/AAAAAAAABJY/6xL-xCf8o9I/s1600/jay%2Bows.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674663082405622626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SV_bIPfCkIk/TsB0Af7Pc2I/AAAAAAAABJY/6xL-xCf8o9I/s320/jay%2Bows.jpg" /></a> Last time I checked, 99% did not include Jay-Z.<br /><br />The word on the street is that Jay (<span style="font-size:78%;">yeah, I dropped the "Z" just because...</span>) and his people at Rocawear designed a t-shirt, spinning off the Occupy Wall Street movement. The creative folks at Rocawear decided to take the original <em>Occupy Wall Street</em> slogan and scratch out the 'W' (in Wall) and add an 'S' (to Street), reading <em>Occupy All Streets</em>. Now, the idea was a good one. Cute. Clever, even. I'll admit it. I would've even perhaps bought the t-shirt...IF some, if not all, of the proceeds went to the actual movement.<br /><br />A response issued from the Rocawear camp stated that, <span style="font-family:courier new;">"The ‘Occupy All Streets’ T-shirt was created in support of the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement. Rocawear strongly encourages all forms of constructive expression, whether it be artistic, political or social. ‘Occupy All Streets’ is our way of reminding people that there is change to be made everywhere, not just on Wall Street. At this time we have not made an official commitment to monetarily support the movement." </span><br /><br />I get the idea of expression....I get the message the camp was trying to convey. And, I would like to believe Carter and Friends had good intentions, ...but to not give any monetary contribution????....In my best New York accent with my face scrunched up, " C<em>'mon son</em>." They should've forseen this controversy abrewin'. Really! Where were his PR people?? They obviously didn't think this bright idea through....Great idea, but total flop. For all of the proceeds to go back to the hands and mouths of Mr. Carter, Lady Carter, baby Carter and fellow 1 Percenters..... tisk, tisk, tisk. Besides, we all know, the Roc...empire isn't hurting one bit. I'm sure the brand could stand to give a portion to the cause.</p>The shirt has been pulled from the Rocawear website, until further notice...<span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8143665624575645033?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-86529062325327490972011-11-08T20:32:00.015-05:002011-11-08T22:58:15.596-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izeYS-BC6eQ/TrnfT-5Cf9I/AAAAAAAABH4/3fHUMrpQ2c0/s1600/1108-heavyd.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672810740042596306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-izeYS-BC6eQ/TrnfT-5Cf9I/AAAAAAAABH4/3fHUMrpQ2c0/s320/1108-heavyd.jpg" /></a><br />...so I waited until details officially confirmed the sad news about Heavy D's passing, in spite of seeing various Twitter and Facebook posts. But all of that was after talking to my mom. She called right before dinner. Our convo went like this:<br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Ma:</span> Hey babe. What's up? <span style="font-size:78%;">(she was returning my previous call)<br /></span><em><span style="color:#6633ff;">Me:</span></em> Nothing. I was just calling you before I had dinner <span style="font-size:78%;">(despite never having a curfew as a kid, I still tell my mom my whereabouts even though we live several states away)</span>. I'm out at a restaurant <span style="font-size:78%;">(Go figure...if you've read my previous </span><a href="http://mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/thank-god-for-food.html"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#996633;">post</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">)</span>.<br /><span style="color:#339999;">Ma:</span> ...Ok. ....Oh, and Heavy D passed. They said they rushed him to the hospital this afternoon because of an unspecified infection.<br /><em><span style="color:#6633ff;">Me:</span></em> Ma, now, are you forreal, because you know they always kill people off. Where did you hear this? What's the credible source?<br /><span style="color:#339999;">Ma:</span> I heard it on the radio.<br /><em><span style="color:#6633ff;">Me:</span></em> Now, you know they tried to kill Sinbad off a couple of years ago and he was alive and well. I don't know if I should believe the media.<br /><span style="color:#339999;">Ma:</span> No, that's what they said. They said he passed.<br /><br />...we hung up shortly after and I was determined not to believe it. Heavy D.? Dead? Say whaaaaaaaaa?!!!<br /><br />But after dinner, it was confirmed. He had passed....People are assuming a medical condition but nothing for sure has been determined.<br /><br /><div align="center">When I think of Heavy D, this comes to mind.....<br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/S6sGofCFmKg?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br />This song always brings me back....seventh grade. Me, wearing my Bad Boy Ent. Total sunglasses, doing the Snoop handwave above my head in my bedroom on a Sunday, and listening to cassette tapes on my boombox. Ha. At the time, I felt "cool"....today, thinking back, I feel extremely old.<br /><br /><div align="center">And another...<br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2RZUuw5m6UM?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br />I was five years old when this song came out, and I remember singing the chorus repeatedly around the house while braiding my Barbies' hair (obviously, I was too young to know what this song was <em>really</em> talking about).... LOL! Hey, don't judge me! Oh and I love the fact that Heavy was the only big guy that I saw on screen not afraid to get his two-step on. Love the moves!<br /><br />And what about this one...<br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VJEbfeG2oAE?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br />Ok, so I say all of this to acknowledge Heavy's music, moves and his spirit. Is it me, or does it seem like all of the <em>good ones </em>are leaving/taken away from us? ....Come to think of it.....Nope, it's no coincidence. It's kinda eerie if you ask me. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8652906232532749097?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-73486365697995810882011-11-07T09:34:00.001-05:002011-11-07T09:34:00.421-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc67ASLvVWA/TrWCgQEnuJI/AAAAAAAABEg/aFqDYE6LhnU/s1600/lena-horne.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 295px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671582796324780178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc67ASLvVWA/TrWCgQEnuJI/AAAAAAAABEg/aFqDYE6LhnU/s320/lena-horne.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">“Always be smarter than the people who hire you.”<br /></span></div><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Lena Horne<br /></span></div><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">**I couldn't agree more. I wonder if leaders/managers have this in mind when hiring the best talent. ...I doubt it.**</div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7348636569799581088?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-37492472005469449272011-11-06T18:37:00.008-05:002011-11-07T09:59:19.074-05:00<div align="left">Anybody who knows me, knows that I love food! ...Like reeeeeeally love food! It truly adds a special component to my happiness and fullness <span style="font-size:85%;">(literally and figuratively)</span>. Whenever I am linking up with old or new friends, I always suggest that food is involved. Even as a little kid, my mom said whenever I would eat something, she always knew that I enjoyed my food because I would wiggle my toes back and forth... LOL! Well, these days, I don't wiggle my toes, but I do know good food when I see/taste it.<br /><br />This weekend, it was all about me ...and my food. Friday, after getting the do' done, I was in the mood for something delicious. One of my local Harlem spots, <a href="http://chocolatlounge.com/"><span style="color:#996633;">Chocolat</span></a>, was jam-packed and I didn't feel like waiting, so I made my way over to the Upper Westside to <a href="http://www.toastnyc.com/menu_downtown.html"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Toast</span></a>. I was in chill mode but wanted to be among a crowded restaurant, yet without all of the noise and hassle. Toast always makes it happen for me no matter when I grab a table. I've never had to wait for a table or fight for a server's attention, and the food has always been satisfying. Toast was no different on Friday night. I ordered my usual Chicken Penne Pasta (with pesto sauce, peppers, and shredded parmesan cheese - hold the mushrooms).<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Viq-ir4YJTw/TrcpXpi-dQI/AAAAAAAABGY/5zchWazTM24/s1600/Toast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672047741962712322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Viq-ir4YJTw/TrcpXpi-dQI/AAAAAAAABGY/5zchWazTM24/s320/Toast.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday, after a late start to running errands, picking up clothes from the cleaners, and buying new shoes....I found myself hungry <span style="font-size:85%;">(Go figure, right!)</span>. I didn't want to go too far into the city so I stayed Uptown and tried a gourmet pizza place, called <a href="http://www.badhorsepizza.com/menu.html"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Bad Horse Pizza</span></a>, that I had been curious about for awhile. I grabbed a windowseat and ordered a glass of Malbec and a 10' pepperoni (and spinach) pie. I ate it all, of course. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHr_PcLjAF0/TrcoG7oQqkI/AAAAAAAABGM/T69uV8TvkIE/s1600/badhorsepizza.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672046355247311426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHr_PcLjAF0/TrcoG7oQqkI/AAAAAAAABGM/T69uV8TvkIE/s320/badhorsepizza.jpg" border="0" /></a>Then I ordered the Oreo-crusted cheesecake...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672045170555598914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNypUdvgZ6Y/TrcnB-TvuEI/AAAAAAAABGA/pOTsWoCPfpI/s320/Oreo%2BCheesecake.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br />And Sunday....well, I headed to the grocery... </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3749247200546944927?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-19849337894569529912011-11-03T12:28:00.001-04:002011-11-03T22:19:06.476-04:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyomYbs3GRQ/TrH23ipHptI/AAAAAAAABEU/EqhwPm_hI8A/s1600/applause-sign-clap.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670584839888676562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyomYbs3GRQ/TrH23ipHptI/AAAAAAAABEU/EqhwPm_hI8A/s320/applause-sign-clap.jpg" /></a> ...but I do admire your drive and hustle. I love the fire in your eyes -- your ambition to handle your business, take care of your family, and overall just get things done. I completely applaud you for your desire to dream and conquer.<br /><br />For the past couple of months, I have shared the coolest and most serious and most enlightening conversations, laughs, stories, and dreams with some of the most ambitious guys I know. I will be the first to admit that I don't tell you guys enough how much I'm proud to see you make your own rules, explore your passion, and most importantly, following through. I must give credit where credit is due. And you, sirs, inspire me without even knowing it. <br /><br />To the guys who are their own bosses, or striving to be their own bosses....those who are not taking "no" for an answer when it comes to bettering themselves and the lives of those in their corner.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I see you!! ;)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1984933789456952991?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-64909962875187871262011-10-28T12:26:00.005-04:002011-11-05T15:06:06.394-04:00<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWWWHVqAhHQ/TqrXwFZ5rII/AAAAAAAABB4/WwhiVuIB1vQ/s1600/CAT.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668580302083697794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWWWHVqAhHQ/TqrXwFZ5rII/AAAAAAAABB4/WwhiVuIB1vQ/s320/CAT.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."</span> </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Eugene O'Neill</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6490996287518787126?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-78861948141618167712011-10-26T19:46:00.004-04:002011-10-26T21:13:03.334-04:00Um, so yeah. This morning, I was on my way to work...on my merry lil' way, when lo' and behold a physical altercation broke out. A guy dressed in a suit randomly attacked a guy twice his size, accusing him of "walking in front of him." <span style="color:#993399;"><em>Really, dude?! It's rush hour, crazy packed on the trains...and most importantly, waaaaaay too early for such foolery.</em></span> That's what I was thinking.<br /><br />When the altercation "broke out," like everyone else, I looked back to see what the commotion was all about but I continued to mind my business. Personally, I didn't feel uncomfortable ...nor did I feel scared. Dunno. Maybe it was the fact that the <em>attacker</em> was dressed in a black suit, was short in stature, and I assumed that he had probably just woke up on the wrong side of the bed ...meanwhile running late to get to his downtown office. Besides, the guy who was <em>attacked</em> was twice his size. Needless to say, I felt like the whole ordeal was a non-threatening situation and a typical New York mornng.<br /><br />But it wasn't until I was walking back to the trains this evening to go home, did I begin to play the morning scene back....wondering if I had turned into <em>that </em>person...<em>that </em>unfazed person...<em>that </em>typical New Yorker, who just thought people were crazy and that was just the way things were in the city ....When I first moved to NY, people warned me about "changing"...changing into the unfazed, stone-faced, calendar-filled, places-to-go, more-important-things-to-do New Yorker. Was this it?...Had I become her?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7886194814161816771?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-16932950070922416292011-10-25T09:13:00.004-04:002012-01-12T20:09:07.133-05:00<div align="center">I'm Thankful Now!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">...for my girls (near and far). You'll never know how much...<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">...GHOE! It's an experience. ;)</div><br /><br /><div align="center">...for <em>THIS</em> experience of life -- NY, this move, this apartment (the works). I will forever be gratful for it all.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">...for dodging a couple of bullets<span style="font-size:78%;"> (<span style="color:#990000;">figuratively, of course</span>) </span>. Thank God I missed out...or they missed out on me!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">...traditions. My family is the most loyal when it comes to traditions.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">...for Brooklyn. It's always a frustrating hike/train ride to get there from Harlem, but always well worth the trip. Taniese and Shelby are still trying to talk me into the move.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">...for those who inspire me without ever knowing it.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxi74R6d5c/TqY2JIZR6XI/AAAAAAAABBo/6weedKLXC1o/s1600/thankful.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667276711592585586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxi74R6d5c/TqY2JIZR6XI/AAAAAAAABBo/6weedKLXC1o/s320/thankful.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1693295007092241629?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-81170711758598905212011-10-20T19:46:00.005-04:002011-10-20T20:41:09.548-04:00I had all intentions to blog sooner...but time management is a constant struggle in my life. And stress <span style="font-size:78%;">(both good and bad)</span> kept me away. But after a mini-vacay to NC for #GHOE <span style="color:#009900;">aka</span> the Greatest Homecoming On Earth <span style="color:#009900;">aka</span> my homecoming at my undergrad., I'm absolutely fantastic. People who never went to, enrolled in, or graduated from an HBCU will never EVA understand why it's such a gigantic deal, but it is....and it was AAAAAAAALL a ridiculously good time....from the time I met some seasoned fellow Aggies during my delayed flight to the Friday night party I attended with my girl Joy <span style="font-size:78%;">(it was 21 and up....and we felt SUPER OLD--yikes!!)</span> to the time on the yard catching up with old friends to the insanely wild Saturday night out to even missing my 6am flight back to NYC because of it all. Lol! I can't lie....just thinking about last weekend still makes me chuckle and even shake my head at some of the events and activities that took place.<br /><br />You may not even know, or care, about what I'm rambling about but I needed to write today for my own sake....to get back to the basics. And the trip was much needed. ...not that taking a trip melted all of my stress away, but it made me forget about it a little <span style="font-size:78%;">(...okay maybe, a lot) </span>...And that was all I needed to get my butt back in gear and back on track. I'm back!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8117071175859890521?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-27656753947128833842011-10-05T09:45:00.003-04:002011-10-05T12:51:22.943-04:00<div align="left">Last night, instead of going home after work to wash my hair as I had originally planned, I walked down to Liberty Plaza to support the Occupy Wall Street Movement, and be among the protesters.<br /><br />After I read <a href="http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/675403/how_killer_student_debt_and_unemployment_made_young_people_the_leaders_at_occupy_wall_street/"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">this article</span></strong></a> via Facebook, per my girl Issa's posting, I felt completely helpless and hopeless. I felt like I had to learn more about what was going on, and be around people who knew this was a dilemma to take seriously. So after work, I decided to walk to Liberty Plaza.<br /></div>Before going, I got a text from my mom saying, <em><span style="color:#6666cc;">"Hey Babe, Be careful in participating in the Wall Street Movement...Pleeeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you see trouble, leave."</span></em> ...Gotta love moms!<br /><div align="center">Along my walk, I ran into this guy... </div><br /><p align="center"><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lpdQfl8CWE/TovDL2YkJDI/AAAAAAAAA-8/c0LV3qyF8Hc/s1600/owstreet1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659831965065684018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lpdQfl8CWE/TovDL2YkJDI/AAAAAAAAA-8/c0LV3qyF8Hc/s320/owstreet1.jpg" border="0" /><br /></a>This was the scene when I got there... There was a public library of donated books. ..books of theory and politics and psychology and sociology.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHn_KDYqPDM/TovDMOrLw1I/AAAAAAAAA_E/yNP9sobmL2c/s1600/ows2.jpg"><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KImAxuEPqCs/TovPfTmfQpI/AAAAAAAAA_M/uSE6999t10U/s1600/ows3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659845493465760402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KImAxuEPqCs/TovPfTmfQpI/AAAAAAAAA_M/uSE6999t10U/s320/ows3.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">With all that's going on, it makes you think...<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659845501083712882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oHuT_wz0b8/TovPfv-v_XI/AAAAAAAAA_U/by2tnkFA3VM/s320/ows4.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><div align="center">Donated food.<br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cL7OrkKCBM/TovPhkW3L-I/AAAAAAAAA_c/U7a5RLA7xpw/s1600/ows5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659845532323360738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cL7OrkKCBM/TovPhkW3L-I/AAAAAAAAA_c/U7a5RLA7xpw/s320/ows5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EcAju53hMg/TovSOsumPNI/AAAAAAAAA_0/gTX9HRtLjkE/s1600/ows6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659848506687765714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EcAju53hMg/TovSOsumPNI/AAAAAAAAA_0/gTX9HRtLjkE/s320/ows6.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">I met this girl who said she had just gotten there. She donated some bananas to the protesters, and wanted to help out more so she grabbed a paint brush.<br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659848501550704466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6v3Ii2e47T4/TovSOZl051I/AAAAAAAAA_s/1GHZx3HeliM/s320/ows7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">They drove 21 hours (from Nebraska) to protest on Wall Street.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWIzuzFsUBM/TovnW4FeIKI/AAAAAAAABBU/doxeIo1YOzM/s1600/ows-1737.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659871736919629986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWIzuzFsUBM/TovnW4FeIKI/AAAAAAAABBU/doxeIo1YOzM/s320/ows-1737.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center">The sign says "NYPD protects and serves the rich."<br /></p></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hll7_zD3mRc/TovSOMgG5yI/AAAAAAAAA_k/oPY8YOsdBbE/s1600/ows8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659848498037057314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hll7_zD3mRc/TovSOMgG5yI/AAAAAAAAA_k/oPY8YOsdBbE/s320/ows8.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><br /><p align="center">This guy and his sign pulled at my heartstring, because I know so many people in his boat. His sign read, "I have a MA, 7 years experience, AND NO job.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knbeWnKwMTY/Toxlx-LueWI/AAAAAAAABBc/LfV6QB0_Mgw/s1600/ows8989.jpg"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660010740878047586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knbeWnKwMTY/Toxlx-LueWI/AAAAAAAABBc/LfV6QB0_Mgw/s320/ows8989.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"><br />On the other side of his sign, it read, "Unemployed, mentally ill, Congress I have nothing left for you to take." </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659853936069308738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dBqTQ9284Y/TovXKuwB8UI/AAAAAAAABAM/PMQp-kw14Ig/s320/ows10.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><br />The news was there. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659853933372682786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iwFP0PWalU/TovXKktGsiI/AAAAAAAABAE/tjqSSk6rJ2A/s320/ows11.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">"The corrupt fear us, the honest support us, the heroic join us."<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmWsm4zURZY/TovXKXXRhiI/AAAAAAAAA_8/vM3k_DTeJQQ/s1600/ows12.jpg"><br /><p></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659853929791456802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmWsm4zURZY/TovXKXXRhiI/AAAAAAAAA_8/vM3k_DTeJQQ/s320/ows12.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmPxu2ZrT7E/TovX3NgV6uI/AAAAAAAABAc/Z_yZmGbVA7Y/s1600/ows14.jpg"></p><br /><p align="center"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659854700239252194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmPxu2ZrT7E/TovX3NgV6uI/AAAAAAAABAc/Z_yZmGbVA7Y/s320/ows14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Richard D. Wolff is a Visiting Professor, who is currently teaching at New School University. He spoke and rallied with the crowd.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659854703381888162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZS7ZsYLYnf8/TovX3ZNmvKI/AAAAAAAABAk/RjAwyodZ5pw/s320/ows13.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Night fell...people stayed.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwhy1Zm9phM/TovZVvaaiNI/AAAAAAAABBE/83ZSoWwfB4Q/s1600/ows17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659856324248897746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwhy1Zm9phM/TovZVvaaiNI/AAAAAAAABBE/83ZSoWwfB4Q/s320/ows17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659856321502591554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4XwvhlevVs/TovZVlLpOkI/AAAAAAAABA8/Ma_LRpo4Ltc/s320/ows16.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Perhaps, a harsh reality.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659854698153165074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puFMf9U8Fz4/TovX3Fu-wRI/AAAAAAAABAU/iEvLt1cDPTU/s320/ows15.jpg" border="0" /> </div></div><br />Being at the Plaza with so much passion abrewin' about such serious issues (e.g., corporate corruption, unemployment, GenYers' futures, etc.) made me wonder, "Is this what it felt like to fight for what you believed in during the 60s? Bands playing, people lying in sleeping bags rain or shine, political talk with strangers, dreaded hair, a subtle hint of weed in the air, on-guard police officers, and roaring crowds. Despite being dressed in work slacks, I felt liberated listening to the sounds of homemade musical instruments, surrounded by my fellow grunged/hippy GenYers.<br /><br />On the train ride home, I couldn't help but to think about how this government (of many years) had failed us, and how my generation, in particular,(though well-educated both formally and informally) now faced uncertain futures. This was truly a Movement.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2765675394712883384?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-53569316340538665462011-10-01T21:36:00.012-04:002011-10-01T22:45:23.758-04:00<div align="center">...Living in Harlem, there is absolutely no way I could leave this song off my personal playlist. You have to watch this video<span style="font-size:78%;">*</span> until the very end in order to truly appreciate the Sugarhill Gang.<br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ljUnyv5XUA8?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe><br />As a kid growing up and watching Soul Train, I always dreamt of being on the show ....dancing, twirling, and even helping Don Cornelius with the Word Scramble board. </div><br /><div align="center">Haha! ...Silly kid, I know.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Much peace and many blessings to the late Sylvia Robinson <span style="font-size:85%;">(singer, songwriter, and mostly known as the mastermind behind this song and the conception of Sugar Hill Records)</span>.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">*<em>Obviously</em>, this video is the property of Soul Train Holdings, LLC, and not my own.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5356931634053866546?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-67430940914534349352011-09-25T12:49:00.003-04:002011-09-26T09:50:39.089-04:00Ok, so I'm thinking that my apartment is the inspiration behind me exploring my cooking/baking wants and desires. Lately, I've been in the mood to create new things in the kitchen <span style="font-size:85%;">(kitchenette)</span>. Today, I baked <strong>my first</strong> pizza from scratch, and I was really excited about it. It had a garlic and herb crust and was topped with pepperoni and sausage. If Dana was here I'd probably describe the pizza as <em>deliciosa</em>!!! Hahaha! No but really, it was really good. :) My only gripe is that next time, I would actually bake the pizza in a pizza pan, but regardless, the pizza was still eaten and I was left happy and full. ;) What more could a girl ask for?!?!?!!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuWwjIxnWvU/Tn6kUwfMgPI/AAAAAAAAA-0/ozvO7_N9He0/s1600/pizza1st.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656138858544005362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuWwjIxnWvU/Tn6kUwfMgPI/AAAAAAAAA-0/ozvO7_N9He0/s320/pizza1st.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6743094091453434935?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-67539603757861592552011-09-24T12:12:00.002-04:002011-09-25T04:09:45.655-04:00All things aside...it was a good week. ...but I'll keep it brief.<br /><br /><strong>Monday</strong><br />It was so good to see Sharon....catching up after a year, laughing, crying <span style="font-size:78%;">(on my part)</span>, eating mac &amp; cheese, and sharing wine. Seeing Sharon makes me realize just how much I miss my <span style="font-size:78%;">(thoughtful)</span> Cali folks!<br /><br /><strong>Tuesday</strong><br />I attended the New York Urban League Young Professionals event. It was a panel discussion about "Taking Control of Your Career." There was a panel of five professionals. One thing that one of the speakers said was, "Today people are hesistating when going back to school for a second degree. It's understandable. I wouldn't be one to recommend going back to college only to graduate in debt and in a time of such uncertainty. If it's just your passion, by all means, go for it; otherwise, seek other options to get ahead because a Master's degree may not be the wisest." This response came during the Q and A segment of the discussion, referring to the Wall Street report that stated a recent decline in college enrollment. The speaker had an interesting outlook ...and one of these days you'll know exactly how I feel about this whole education thing. Not now.<br /><br /><strong>Wednesday</strong><br />Troy Davis. He was executed by lethal injection in Georgia. Troy's last words gave me chills, "For those about to take my life, God have mercy on your souls. And may God bless your souls." ...I am slowly losing faith in more things.<br /><br /><strong>Thursday</strong><br />I woke up with chest pain....anxiety from the Troy Davis case, still thinking about him and his family and this screwed up government. ...Remembering my VP saying that there was no security in anything.<br /><br /><strong>Friday</strong><br />...meanwhile, I continued to invest in <em>self</em>.<br /><br /><strong>Saturday</strong><br />I volunteered with some inner-city kids, whose parents are trying to better themselves via computer classes, GED classes, Spanish/English language classes etc. I'll admit, as I woke up to my 8:30 wake up call, I couldn't help but ask myself, "Why did I sign up to do this?" <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">I'm sooooo not a morning person, especially on weekends</span>.</span><br /><br />But all I can say is, "Wow!" I had a really good time!!!!!!!!! We did crafts and acting...and block building. Most of the kids in my class were Spanish boys, ranging from ages 6-8...and many of the boys had to translate for their mothers when they were being dropped off. During my interactions with the kids, I learned about their families, what they liked to do, where they lived, and so on. Oh and today was my first time in a loooooooooong time actually seeing <span style="font-size:85%;">(and using)</span> Elmer's glue and Crayola crayons. I was kinda excited. It all made me miss being a kid.<br /><br />We grow up way too fast.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6753960375786159255?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-8457135438363090472011-09-23T11:32:00.007-04:002011-09-24T00:12:07.892-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHU6wOPFJ-Y/TnynRz8eZ8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/_a-DIx-UGfQ/s1600/fallnyc1.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655579156513974210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHU6wOPFJ-Y/TnynRz8eZ8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/_a-DIx-UGfQ/s320/fallnyc1.png" /></a> Fall! Autumn!..... It's officially here (as of Sept. 23).<br /><br />I don't know how I feel about it. I've never been <em>that</em> type of girl. Ok, ok....maybe I'm getting a little excited <span style="font-size:85%;">(just alittle)</span>. Maybe it's this apartment that has me excited (this year I'm anticipating carving a pumpkin, sipping cider, and attempting to make my own soup from scratch)....oh, and of course I have to have my share of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Chili"><span style="color:#000099;">Skyline</span></a> chili <span style="font-size:85%;">(as a Cincinnati native it's a <em>must</em>, no matter where I reside)</span>.<br /><br />Most of my friends are absolutely in love with the Fall season and its chilly mornings, chunky sweaters, gigantic coffee mugs, Halloween, boots, savory sweets, scents of cinnamon, soup slurpin', pumpkins, hay rides, football games, earth tones, colorful leaves, layering, an extra hour of sleep, and holiday planning.<br /><br />I guess if this is what Fall brings, I can dig it <span style="font-size:85%;">(I don't really have a choice)</span>...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-845713543836309047?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-43630909566604142522011-09-22T11:23:00.006-04:002011-09-22T11:52:46.793-04:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself." </span></strong></div><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Galileo Galilei</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center">One of my Twitter followers tweeted this quote this morning and it totally hit home for me since this week has been all about my continuous journey in discovering my own (as well as others') full potential. May you also be inspired within.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnL5uwXY2d0/TntZUALA6zI/AAAAAAAAA-M/GKWyE71pAAg/s1600/adam-jones-skyward-view-of-fall-colors-in-the-eastern-deciduous-forest-north-america.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655211957272242994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnL5uwXY2d0/TntZUALA6zI/AAAAAAAAA-M/GKWyE71pAAg/s320/adam-jones-skyward-view-of-fall-colors-in-the-eastern-deciduous-forest-north-america.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4363090956660414252?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-17906678909362259512011-09-21T08:24:00.004-04:002011-09-21T08:24:00.438-04:00Today at 7pm, Troy Davis will be executed for an accused (not proven) murder of a Georgia cop, which happened in 1989. I'll let you read on <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-20/troy-davis-clemency-denied/50475190/1"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">here</span></a>.<br /><br />....I've said this before, and I'll say it again, I will never be in support of the death penalty. Georgia, this week, you lost the <strong>few</strong> cool points you <em>did</em> have from me!!<br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">#thatisall</span></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1790667890936225951?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-51313249102907643182011-09-16T10:22:00.005-04:002011-09-16T10:22:00.182-04:00<div align="center">Ok, so Fashion Week has ended, but after checking out Rachel Roy's Spring 2012 collection, I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo ready for Spring. Yeah, I know...it's technically still summer despite the Fall chill (and I still have to get through winter), but how could I resist...?<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yCJPQo9Vaqw?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460" height="315"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Media source: ybfchick via Youtube</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5131324910290764318?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-20893622173070374972011-09-14T23:40:00.004-04:002011-09-15T00:10:09.213-04:00<div align="center">...this Belstaff leather jacket would be hanging in my closet riiiiiiiiight now, awaiting the first brisk Fall morning....</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13D2gkOgnus/TnF3OvaANwI/AAAAAAAAA8U/3dO_XF5YeiY/s1600/belstaff%2Bleather.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652430102454089474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13D2gkOgnus/TnF3OvaANwI/AAAAAAAAA8U/3dO_XF5YeiY/s320/belstaff%2Bleather.jpg" /></a> ...but with the oh-so-small price tag of $1,525, I'm thinkin' I'll just settle for an almighty cruel cruel world...for now! ;)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2089362217307037497?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-57076163508067983452011-09-13T22:36:00.009-04:002011-09-14T01:15:50.904-04:00<div align="center">I would be remiss to not mention or acknowledge the lyricist/activist (he got it from his Black Panther mama), Tupac Shakur. </div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mb1ZvUDvLDY?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe></p><br /><br /><div align="center">I still listen to (and defend) him (and his strong messages) like he's the newest artist out. Just a month ago, I was in a heated debate with this guy about Biggie-vs-Tupac...I won't get into details but I will say that the guy lost MAJOR COOL POINTS after disrespecting Tupac (i.e., calling him "loud" and militant....and some racial references here and there) in my presence. Needless to say, I have no desire to converse with him again... (I know, a bit dramatic...but true). Ok, I digress....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Tupac was truly before his time. May he rest in peace.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5707616350806798345?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-8486056269266389492011-09-09T11:19:00.002-04:002011-11-07T10:55:08.229-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3MCUQUFVW8/Tmm4a8zbxgI/AAAAAAAAA78/FveLFm9nlkE/s1600/central_park_river_bridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650249980650964482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3MCUQUFVW8/Tmm4a8zbxgI/AAAAAAAAA78/FveLFm9nlkE/s200/central_park_river_bridge.jpg" border="0" /></a> 37. Central Park gives me life everytime. It's a beautiful park. Thanks, Sha!<br /><br />36. 96.9% of all restaurants have take out.<br /><br />35. New York is just as windy as Chicago.<br /><br />34. New Yorkers are not as rude as people think. Surprisingly, I have seen many of them give spare change to the random homeless person on the street or on the train, or even give someone the <em>correct </em>directions to a destination.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poMqVL60R9U/Tmm6BcQ3wZI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3sTDs2Vd-w4/s1600/mta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650251741442589074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poMqVL60R9U/Tmm6BcQ3wZI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3sTDs2Vd-w4/s200/mta.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />33. But in the same breath, the New York way is push or be pushed (literally and figuratively). It is inevitable that you will get into an argument, altercation, or mean mug with someone on the train or elsewhere. And trust, I've gotten "into it" with a few men, old ladies, teenagers, and tourists. ...Hey, <em>it </em>happens!<br /><br />32. I have finally learned the subway system. FINALLY! (Even though I still get lost everytime I'm headed to Brooklyn.)<br /><br />31. The Bronx is known for neck-shakin', eye-rollin' at-ti-tudes. My supervisor who just so happens to be a Puertorican from the Bronx has vouched for this notion proudly.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-06xT-gWuT_I/Tmm1RNBA3gI/AAAAAAAAA70/rY3KZVB8WWc/s1600/apartment_ads.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650246514669313538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-06xT-gWuT_I/Tmm1RNBA3gI/AAAAAAAAA70/rY3KZVB8WWc/s200/apartment_ads.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />30. Looking for an apartment is THEEEEE most stressful thing I've ever done in New York. It's an intense task....Luckily, I found mine in three weeks, but boy was it stressful!<br /><br />29. One must always keep a bottle (or two) of wine in the apartment. New York hustle calls for it.<br /><br />28. It's impossible to live in NYC without several cocktail dresses in the closet. You'll never know when you'll be invited to an afterwork event, charity benefit, Broadway play, etc.<br /><br />27. Black is the unspoken dresscode for most nights out.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssDUahMN1XE/TmmybFrJZiI/AAAAAAAAA7s/wsxa7tUZNCg/s1600/q-tip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650243385962358306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssDUahMN1XE/TmmybFrJZiI/AAAAAAAAA7s/wsxa7tUZNCg/s200/q-tip.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />26. I'm a fan of Q-tip's dj sets...and I've made my friend Kevin a fan too!!! :)<br /><br />25. New York is diverse, yet segregated (i.e., Chinatown, Spanish Harlem aka East Harlem, Jamaica Queens, Little India aka Queens, Little Italy....)<br /><br />24. The standard <em>small </em>is not the same kind of <em>small</em> in New York. It's actually smaller. For example, a small apartment literally means tiny, quaint, little...and no exaggeration.<br /><br />23. Harlem is so under-rated. ...so much history, culture, chillness, sophistication (don't get me wrong, there are some hood-like elements too, but I enjoy my space).<br /><br />22. No one looks anyone in the eyes, especially on the trains. You just don't do it.<br /><br />21. Speaking of trains, anything...and I do mean ANYTHING is bound to happen on them. I've witnessed a lot.<br /><br />20. New York is soooooooo not as big as everyone thinks.<br /><br />19. You never know who you'll run into when out and about...whether you want to or not. :/<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhAoAl2uHqo/TmmujfNJlUI/AAAAAAAAA7U/COti7SVV8P4/s1600/red-velvet-cake1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650239132208305474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhAoAl2uHqo/TmmujfNJlUI/AAAAAAAAA7U/COti7SVV8P4/s200/red-velvet-cake1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />18. Red velvet ANYTHING is the New York staple. You can find it anywhere (along with cheesecake, of course).<br /><br />17. After awhile, you get used to the random smells of pee, poop, and grunge. It's funny because when people visit and we ride the trains, they always say, "Eww. It sticks down here. Do you smell it?" ...and fortunately (or unfortunately) I never do.<br /><br />16. Rats are no big deal. They're everywhere.<br /><br />15. After awhile, you get used to paying an arm and a leg for any and EVERYthing. Whenever I go out of town, I can never believe how <em>cheap</em> things are there. In New York, it's easy to spend $200 on a night out.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2BB7fXIoqk/Tmm5B_nXzuI/AAAAAAAAA8E/4UsTw3mUed8/s1600/open-all-night-daisy-yellow_large.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650250651420577506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2BB7fXIoqk/Tmm5B_nXzuI/AAAAAAAAA8E/4UsTw3mUed8/s200/open-all-night-daisy-yellow_large.gif" border="0" /></a><br />14. At absolutely any time of the day/night/week, you can find something to do. How could anyone complain about that?!<br /><br />13. New Yorkers and Jersey-ians (yup, I made that word up) are the most dramatic individuals I know. Really!<br /><br />12. Speaking of which, it is very common to hear a guy use the words, "Yo!", "Son", "mad" and "B" in one sentence at a rapid speed ....just to get his point across.<br /><br />11. When getting to know someone in a typical introduction, one of the first five questions will be, in the most genuine manner, "What are you mixed with?" ..or "You American?" Everyone wants to identify....particularly because you can't tell who or what people are just by looking at them.<br /><br />10. Location matters. Everyone is very protective of their borrough. Brooklynites are die-hard fans, while people of Manhattan swear by their residence...and the other borroughs? ...Well, they don't matter ...lol.<br /><br />9. Most of people's income goes towards housing and social life....I truly believe expenses are so high here because you're simply (or complicatedly) paying for the lifestyle.<br /><br />8. Celebrity sightings are no big deal. I've seen a couple and there's no hoopla. No TMZ cameramen like in LA. The celebs walk around Soho and anywhere else like normal...after all, they're <em>just</em> people.<br /><br />7. New York summers are hhhhhhhhhhhhot!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vAEyVh47m8/TmmwQJZj9uI/AAAAAAAAA7k/_fAl3nQe37Q/s1600/Cafeteria.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650240998960527074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vAEyVh47m8/TmmwQJZj9uI/AAAAAAAAA7k/_fAl3nQe37Q/s200/Cafeteria.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />6. Mac &amp; cheese at <span style="color:#ff9900;">Cafeteria</span> is amaaaaaazing...and so are their deep-fried Oreos. **sigh**<em> I love this life!!</em> :D<br /><br />5. The hype around Dominican hair salons die down after you realize your hair is fried and damaged after repeat visits, but the bone-straight strands, $20 blowouts and $35 relaxers are very enticing. Been there, done that...<br /><br />4. Before moving to New York, I was claustrophobic. It's safe to say, I've been forced to get over it.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzdHyW6hOPk/Tmmvj9agfdI/AAAAAAAAA7c/SQoZvo2WcEI/s1600/crowded.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650240239829024210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzdHyW6hOPk/Tmmvj9agfdI/AAAAAAAAA7c/SQoZvo2WcEI/s200/crowded.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />3. New York is a bigger, faster, dirtier Chicago.<br /><br />2. People either love this big ol' crowded city or they hate it.<br /><br />1. I absolutely love it here....what a friggin' life?!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-848605626926638949?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-11526660927132974082011-09-07T09:48:00.006-04:002011-09-07T10:02:13.468-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_m-4k-L8HM/Tmd2MU9NGrI/AAAAAAAAA7M/nXeq1pOOEkw/s1600/Prince.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649614211715504818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_m-4k-L8HM/Tmd2MU9NGrI/AAAAAAAAA7M/nXeq1pOOEkw/s320/Prince.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"Cool means being able to hang with yourself. All you have to ask yourself is "Is there anybody I'm afraid of? Is there anybody who if I walked into a room and saw, I'd get nervous?" If not, then you're cool."</span><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">-Prince </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1152666092713297408?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-51124345605081057652011-09-06T15:37:00.007-04:002011-09-06T16:38:13.733-04:00Funky-Fresh-Cool-Dope (I don't even think I've ever used the word <em>dope</em> in my bank of vocabulary, but Erykah Badu calls for it after watching this video) ...I can't even describe her in one word. Hence, <span style="color:#ff6600;">Funky</span>-<span style="color:#ff6600;">Fresh</span>-<span style="color:#ff6600;">Cool</span>-<span style="color:#ff6600;">Dope</span>...<br /><div align="center"><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28372985&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0"><br /><br /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28372985&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=00adef&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="250"></embed></object></div><br /><br /><div align="center">I love her answer to the last question...so unexpected, yet so simple.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5112434560508105765?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-90996167990965338592011-09-05T04:57:00.009-04:002011-09-05T16:17:05.024-04:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZiqvd-c7Q/TmUJK0lSPbI/AAAAAAAAA64/XDSxEQbn2a0/s1600/cincinnati_skyline-01.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648931389124525490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZiqvd-c7Q/TmUJK0lSPbI/AAAAAAAAA64/XDSxEQbn2a0/s320/cincinnati_skyline-01.jpg" /></a> <div align="left">On this very day (last year), I boarded a plane to New York with the plan to never return to Cincinnati. I can't believe it's been a year. Me. Here in New York City. I dreamt this to life. Me among all of the crazies!!! <br /> <br />I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. Loading the car, headed to the airport, thinking, "Next time I'm in Cincinnati, I'll be a visitor.....This move is really going to change my life forever." The drive to the airport was one of fun-nervous anxiety. To my memory, the conversation had a upspoken energy between all of us in the car. I do know that I was dead tired from attending a wedding and last-minute packing the night before. I'll never forget how I felt hugging and kissing everyone before walking to the security checkpoint line...I'll admit, my body was shaky and I had a lump in my throat determined not to let them see my watering eyes (and I never disclosed my emotional feelings about any of this until NOW). Besides, I was thinking, "I'm a grown a-- woman who's about to follow her dreams. I gave myself two years to get to New York and here I was ready to see the rest of the world (because let's face it, New York is the rest of the world in a nutshell). Big girls don't cry (and I've been known to <em>only</em> jokingly tell my friends that, "Emotions are for suckas!"...lol)." So I didn't cry. <br /> <br />Instead I sat at the gate, occassionally texting my brother back and forth, who I'd just said good-bye to minutes ago. Before boarding, I remembered my mom had told me to open my carry-on bag when I got settled at the airport because she had put a little something it in. This lady (my Ma) can pick out the most appropriate, most sentimental, most heart-pulling cards better than anybody I know. I won't tell you what she wrote in the card, but just know that the words in that card meant EVERYTHING to me. <br /> <br />With my heart full, I boarded the plane, found my window seat, buckled my seatbelt... <br /></div> <br /> <br /><div align="left">..... and Facebooked, <strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">"Welp, this is the beginning....Here goes...."</span> <br /></span></strong></div> <br /> <br /><div align="left">And as I sit here now in my quiet Harlem apartment (one year down and a lifetime to go), I am thankful, excited, and still in disbelief to the fact that this is <em>my</em> life -- I live in New York City! </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5dwEDrfVcI/TmUhPu2UocI/AAAAAAAAA7A/pCsxzO4q0qg/s1600/new-york.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648957861763785154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T5dwEDrfVcI/TmUhPu2UocI/AAAAAAAAA7A/pCsxzO4q0qg/s320/new-york.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-9099616799096533859?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-71047426797681607872011-09-03T19:02:00.002-04:002011-09-03T19:07:36.655-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">"It's all talk until you do it."</span></div> <br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;">- Kimora Lee Simmons</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7104742679768160787?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-32492491368925416522011-08-30T11:20:00.005-04:002011-08-30T11:48:12.171-04:00<div align="center">So it's starting to feel like Fall, and with Fashion Week just around the corner (YAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!), I can't help but drool all over KAUFMANFRANCO's Fall collection.</div> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OHeXUrErsw/Tl0C9BTDY3I/AAAAAAAAA6k/ePnL_ZMRT8c/s1600/look-trench.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672755136095090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OHeXUrErsw/Tl0C9BTDY3I/AAAAAAAAA6k/ePnL_ZMRT8c/s400/look-trench.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQD_Lb7eq2E/Tl0C81f8mGI/AAAAAAAAA6c/EJwOV10JP1A/s1600/look-showsomeback.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672751968950370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQD_Lb7eq2E/Tl0C81f8mGI/AAAAAAAAA6c/EJwOV10JP1A/s400/look-showsomeback.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTSIvpbNplM/Tl0C8k84RLI/AAAAAAAAA6U/5sWIEubmcYE/s1600/look-highcollar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672747526898866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTSIvpbNplM/Tl0C8k84RLI/AAAAAAAAA6U/5sWIEubmcYE/s400/look-highcollar.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zFEqEplCzE/Tl0C8e8epmI/AAAAAAAAA6M/IMX3eOiDIiM/s1600/look-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672745914607202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zFEqEplCzE/Tl0C8e8epmI/AAAAAAAAA6M/IMX3eOiDIiM/s400/look-2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKF4pv3vMDE/Tl0C8IHQiTI/AAAAAAAAA6E/mFQidyTKg94/s1600/look-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672739785804082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKF4pv3vMDE/Tl0C8IHQiTI/AAAAAAAAA6E/mFQidyTKg94/s400/look-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3249249136892541652?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-29932043857101684512011-08-27T18:00:00.003-04:002011-08-27T22:31:16.300-04:00Growing up in the Midwest, I'm used to tornadoes but I know NOTHING about hurricanes. After searching all over New York for flashlights, radios, and other "in case <em>stuff</em> happens" stuff...(and the results of my journey were an epic fail because I returned home empty-handed), I've come to grips with the notion that I really need a survival pack. <br /> <br />First an earthquake, then Hurricane Irene...too much has happened this week. <br /> <br />So as I sit hear ill-prepared and waiting for Irene and such, I've made a wishlist of a survival pack (and yes, I do plan to wish all of these items to life and buy them next week <em>after </em>the hurricane when they are all back in stock...I know, completely backwards but at least I'll be prepared for the next time, right?!). So anywho, here goes... <br /> <br />So I realize I need: <br />- a radio..the weather tracker kind <br />- a flashlight (and batteries of course) <br />- a solar unlocked phone (I didn't even know these things existed until a colleague put me on to them.) <br />- a watch <br />- a whistle (I know. ...a bit dramatic but hey, if I get trapped somewhere, maybe somebody could hear the whistle. lol...I think I heard about this somewhere. Who knows?!) <br />- some cash <br />- water <br />- nonperishables, of course (If I didn't have flashlights and such, I had plenty of food) <br />- candles and my fire wand (because I don't do matches) <br />- first aid kit <br />- a bottle of wine...ok, maybe a couple of bottles (and corkscrew), but I definitely need to stock up on some Cabs. <br /> <br />Ok, that concludes my list. <em>I think </em>it's pretty logical. Right? ...Right! <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2993204385710168451?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-43793421960989435312011-08-24T12:03:00.011-04:002011-08-25T13:38:57.161-04:00This time yesterday, I was sitting at my desk, eating my lunch, when all of a sudden my chair started moving. I gotta admit, for a minute I thought I was just trippin', and just getting light-headed or something. After I realized everyone in my office was feeling the same way, I grabbed my purse, phone, and Metro card (and the rest of my grapefruit, because I wanted to finish eating) and got the heck out of there. As I plunged down 21 flights of stairs with hundreds of others, I pleaded that whatever was causing all of us to react in haste was not terrorist-related (because I work next door from the Federal Building, 1 block away from City Hall, and about 5 blocks from the World Trade site). ...Living in one of the most fearless cities in the world, I've learned to not take things like buildings shaking too lightly... <br /> <br />When I gathered on the streets with a lot of random others, among several tall buildings, I was informed that I had experienced an EARTHQUAKE...... No phone service, people talking to strangers, others reporting headcounts, and there I was sitting on a bench, eating my grapefruit (in-between trying to reach my mom). <br /> <br />While having dinner with my friend, Greg, last night, who was in Harlem when the Earth shook but didn't feel a thing, he told me that he has a survival bag ready just in case of a natural disaster. He explained that it wasn't much but it could hold him over a couple of days. In his bag, he has some cash, flash lights, candles, batteries, and matches. When I first moved to NYC, I told myself that it was imperative that I prepare a survival pack for times of the unknown. So maybe I'll do that sooner rather than later. <br /> <br />Despite being caught in the confusion of the earthquake, I couldn't help but read some of the FB and Twitter statuses that read: <br /> <br /><div align="center"><em>"NYers are sooooo dumb. During an earthquake, you're not supposed to go outside. The buildings will crumble you to pieces. Instead, stay inside. Get under a desk or other sturdy structure."</em></div><em> <br /></em></div>This is sooooooo true. I even learned that in grade school, but it all goes out the window when in a panic, and because I AM in New York, last time a big disaster occured and people were in their buildings, it didn't end well. So I guess it's all a 'Catch 22.' <br /><div></div> <br /><div align="center"><em>"S/O to those trying to get back to God after experiencing the earthquakes."</em></div> <br /><div align="left">I just thank God it wasn't a horrendous earthquake. But in the same breath, I guess when it's your time, it's your time. (I feel like an old Southern grandma saying that...lol)</div> <br /><div align="center">Lesson of yesterday: Be more reactive, literally. ...Or maybe not. </div> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioF62bYHhrE/TlU5Mua8xdI/AAAAAAAAA4o/r_9g_a6q0g0/s1600/grapefruit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644480598761063890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioF62bYHhrE/TlU5Mua8xdI/AAAAAAAAA4o/r_9g_a6q0g0/s400/grapefruit.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br />Oh, and shout-outs to my Ohio friends who reached out to check on me!! Preciate' chu!!! Really!!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4379342196098943531?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-71075587853033403442011-08-16T15:44:00.006-04:002011-08-16T17:11:02.538-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PijogHlvEEY/TkrIvC-X1RI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/of1TOA5FHYs/s1600/vibram.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641542193812854034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PijogHlvEEY/TkrIvC-X1RI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/of1TOA5FHYs/s400/vibram.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br />No matter how much I try to look at these shoes, I still can't help but to think that these are THEEEEEE ugliest shoes I've EVER seen. I can't even take these things seriously....Like forreal! I'm grossed out every time I see people wearing these on the train...probably because it resembles way too closely of a bare foot on the filthy train floor. EEEEEEWW!! <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5m44ZDyIlI/TkrI1q5ZlZI/AAAAAAAAA4g/OQv524GQ114/s1600/eww%2Bvibram.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641542307608630674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 355px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5m44ZDyIlI/TkrI1q5ZlZI/AAAAAAAAA4g/OQv524GQ114/s400/eww%2Bvibram.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /><div></div> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7107558785303340344?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-69408686774728420692011-08-09T10:35:00.001-04:002011-08-09T10:49:53.960-04:00The last couple of days proved as confirmation as to just how lucky (<span style="color:#33cc00;">moreso blessed</span>) I am. I truly truly absolutely have some awesomely amazing people in my life. <br /> <br />I went back to Ohio this past weekend for a friend's wedding and a cousin's 80th birthday party. Now usually when I go "back home" I always feel some sort away, yet always making it a point to spend my time there only with my faves... :) This time was no different. I genuinely value all of my hearty friendships and relationships. <br /> <br />Let me first just say, my friend Candice is AWESOME!!! She is one person who has never waivered in who she is or compromised her positive energy and spirit for as long as I have known her. Having lunch with her was a breath of fresh air and many laughs (<span style="color:#ffcc00;">of course</span>). <br /> <br />Now, being that I'm twenty.......something (lol), convos around "When do you feel grown-up?" have been recent repeats between me and my friends, but this I know for sure...when I'm going to friends' weddings, I'd have to say that's pretty grown-up. This past weekend I witnessed one of my friends get married. And when Iyana walked down the aisle, there were many watery eyes (<span style="color:#ffcc00;">mine included</span>) and wet cheeks. She looked so stunning!!! Many blessings to Will and Iyana!!! <br /> <br />Needless to say I had a full agenda last week, so after the wedding reception, I went to my cousin's 80th birthday party! I always tell people proudly, "My family celebrates EVERYTHING" -- as we should! This time, I brought a friend along and to say he was comfortable and thoroughly enjoyed himself is probably an understatement. But it was my cousin, Amber, who confirmed, "Tash, I mean, it's pretty hard to be uncomfortable around our family," which is such a fact. With that said, we all shared laughs, songs (<span style="color:#6633ff;">we sang Happy Birthday, in true Stevie Wonder fashion</span>), dance moves (<span style="color:#6633ff;">and yes, we had a Soul Train line</span>), food, and drinks. If I had to describe the love I have for my family, I'd say one word, "Admiration." <br /> <br />Ok, so at the end of all of this rambling and mushy love fest for the people in my life, I have to say I'd rather my life be this than that...spending it with those who matter. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSv_HUh50rA/TkFEP2UCQuI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/0XRgVG_zFSo/s1600/would-you-intro.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638863247512847074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSv_HUh50rA/TkFEP2UCQuI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/0XRgVG_zFSo/s400/would-you-intro.png" border="0" /></a> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6940868677472842069?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-78484143522949262272011-08-02T09:13:00.008-04:002011-08-02T11:54:40.633-04:00This morning while eating my butter croissant from Starbucks and doing my usual run-through of The New York Times, I was stopped mid-chew when I ran across the top story, by Jeffrey Gettleman, that read <em>'Somalis Starve as Insurgents Block Escape</em>.'<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xstiNoTGIis/TjgBncb92sI/AAAAAAAAA4I/CU06fDuCr-g/s1600/worst%2Bdrought%2Bin%2B60%2Byrs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636256710814194370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xstiNoTGIis/TjgBncb92sI/AAAAAAAAA4I/CU06fDuCr-g/s400/worst%2Bdrought%2Bin%2B60%2Byrs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weYES-IImww/TjgBeTZan0I/AAAAAAAAA4A/KkTpEujEx24/s1600/SOMALI%2BCHILD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636256553768755010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weYES-IImww/TjgBeTZan0I/AAAAAAAAA4A/KkTpEujEx24/s400/SOMALI%2BCHILD.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ95O9P2Z2M/TjgBXGQg7lI/AAAAAAAAA34/KGo8qoSAQSo/s1600/20110802-SOMALIA-slide-ABS8-jumbo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636256429982674514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ95O9P2Z2M/TjgBXGQg7lI/AAAAAAAAA34/KGo8qoSAQSo/s400/20110802-SOMALIA-slide-ABS8-jumbo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3LVgSCOrTc/Tjf_vJo5FhI/AAAAAAAAA3w/0c15UG7XRY4/s1600/20110802-SOMALIA-slide-B25K-jumbo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636254644183832082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3LVgSCOrTc/Tjf_vJo5FhI/AAAAAAAAA3w/0c15UG7XRY4/s400/20110802-SOMALIA-slide-B25K-jumbo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1epqeHWwbY/Tjf-9D1ZemI/AAAAAAAAA3o/orkRVIeR-0E/s1600/a%2Bmother%2527s%2Bcry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636253783632214626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1epqeHWwbY/Tjf-9D1ZemI/AAAAAAAAA3o/orkRVIeR-0E/s400/a%2Bmother%2527s%2Bcry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lU5o9m29Ss/Tjf-0SGQCQI/AAAAAAAAA3g/t15KzO2AZPg/s1600/humanitarian%2Bdisaster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636253632842172674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lU5o9m29Ss/Tjf-0SGQCQI/AAAAAAAAA3g/t15KzO2AZPg/s400/humanitarian%2Bdisaster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Somalia is currently facing the worst drought in 60 years. And like pouring salt over an open wound, the insurgent group, Shabab (who is said to be linked to Al-Qaeda) is not allowing any of the Somalis to leave the land or any Western aid groups to enter. Meanwhile 500,000 Somali children have already died of malnourishment. With Somalia labeled as a no-go deadly zone, this complicates matters even more, making it "one of the worst humanitarian disasters in Africa," and describing the country as more dangerous than Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Very long story short...the Shabab group anticipates to get rid of all Western influences, and awhile back they did away with Western immunizations (for measles and cholera) claiming that the US was killing their children, despite now having a land full of unvaccinated children dying. I could really go on and on about this story and politics and corruption and control....but I'll save it for another day. I just wanted to make you aware of what's happening on the other side of the world.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">My heart really goes out to the Somali people who are left with limited options: flee to neighboring countries where there's governmental tension or stay controlled by the Shabab group who seems to be welcoming, if not aiding to, the Somalis' suffering state (i.e., refusing access to rivers and food).<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Just when you thought YOU had something to complain about....!</div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Pictures and coverage from the collaboration of Jeffrey Gettleman and Mohammed Ibrahim of The New York Times.<br /></div></span></em></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7848414352294926227?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-32406266173810177812011-07-24T21:33:00.006-04:002011-07-25T13:51:38.948-04:00...was pretty iiight!<br /><br />I spent my Saturday at a cookout in the Bronx, where all of the proceeds ($30 entry [included unlimited food and drinks] supported a children's community center). And even though I feel some kind of way about the Bronx, it was a really good time. The 300+ people in attendance didn't seem to notice the 99 degree weather. With two dj sets, food galore, endless drinks, cool people, and a good cause, what more could I ask for?!?<br /><br />Later Tangy and I went to one of our spots in Harlem, Brownstone Lounge. We've been here several times but this time just seemed to be a tad bit "local".... Nonetheless, we made it a great night, in spite of.<br /><br />Sunday, I attended <a href="http://www.sundaesermon.com/"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Sunday Sermon</span></strong></a> (it's not really a sermon...more like a house party in the park). The theme was Girl Power, which showcased all female djs. To be honest, the only female dj that I was anticipating was Beverly Bond, who didn't show up at the last minute. But as always, I was in good company with Tamia and Tang, so people-watching kept us entertained.<br /><br />Another weekend well spent.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3240626617381017781?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-7219229728628762582011-07-12T22:33:00.009-04:002011-07-29T14:33:31.654-04:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6l4gckSPDuw/Th0pTXd196I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/3R5ITWVDFBI/s1600/Central%2BPark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628700521976428450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6l4gckSPDuw/Th0pTXd196I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/3R5ITWVDFBI/s400/Central%2BPark.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yesterday evening, after work, I decided to take a detour to Central Park. While lounging on my colorful stripped blanket, with the CNN building, the Essex Hotel, and fancy smancy high-rise condos in view, I was reading an essay by author Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts in August's Essence magazine. She basically posed a question that really resonated with me. Maybe it's the recent death of a close relative that sparked it all, but the article connected with me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Her question: "If she saw me now, would <em>she</em> recognize me?" <em>She </em>meaning [her] Big Mama, aka her great-grandmother. Sharifa goes on to explain how she left her hometown for college, not looking back or ever wanting to live there again [<em>Me either]</em>, and didn't take the typical partnership and motherhood route early [<em>Yup, I don't see those in my immediate future either]</em>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>But in considering her initial question, I couldn't help but wonder what my grandmothers and aunts would think of me? Would they recognize <em>me</em>?"</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Mama (that's what I called my grandmother, only imitating what most of her friends and family called her) would probably &lt;<em>I hope</em>&gt; be really proud of me for moving to this tough-guts place (New York). I don't think she'd worry about me though, because she'd know that I have skin of leather. Mama would give me tough advice, while overlooking her plastic-rimmed eye glasses.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Grandma Bertha <em>would</em> worry. She'd be skeptical of my big city livin'. She would probably say, "Now, Lala (that's what she called me), let me know if you need anything," and when I respond and tell her I'm fine, she'd ignore my judgement and equip me with all of the goodies, treats, and old wise sayings she could think of...as she always did during our visits to her house, right before saying, "I love you."</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Aunt Mott would smile; though I am not sure she'd recognize me. Last she knew, I was a small little girl who was quiet and afraid of car washes tunnels [<em>I'm still afraid of car wash tunnels]</em>...Nevertheless, we'd most likely talk fashion and swap fashion stories.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>...and Aunt Ruth, as she most recently said during my Mother's Day visit this past May. Referring to my usual NY update, she said, "That's so good. Your grandmothers would be really proud if they could see you now...Just don't run off and get married." Lol.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>All and all, I think at this point in life I would appear foreign to them, and maybe a bit daring, but I'd think they'd be smiling with approval. Just as Sharita mentioned in her article, "Whether or not this is the life [they] would have wished for me, I think they would wish me to live it whole." </div><br /><br /><br /><div>...And that's exactly what I expect to do.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-721922972862876258?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-69021791690966718942011-07-11T09:05:00.004-04:002011-07-11T10:53:58.791-04:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9G0PSJHOu8/ThsJTH2plGI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/nqwiYZLiBsM/s1600/Smile%2BArt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628102383459996770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9G0PSJHOu8/ThsJTH2plGI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/nqwiYZLiBsM/s400/Smile%2BArt.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ok, so today is Monday....but on the way to work I found three things that made me smile during my morning train commute.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>1.</strong> The lady who got on the train, and with THEEEE most hilariously thick New York Puertorican accent asked all of the passengers in this particualr car, "Exxxxcuse me (<em>insert neck roll and dramatic hand movement</em>), but can somebody tell me if this train goes to Lefferts Blvd.? ...I'm from the Bronx. I know nothing about Queens. Is this the right train?" As random people began to yell the correct (and somewhat confusing) directions to her, I couldn't help but smile about how hesitant, yet willing people were to assist this lady in the black skirt suit, who was wearing a slick bun and carrying a small Barney's shopping bag. ...and her accent was sooooo dramatic, which I've come to learn is true New York fashion. I don't know what it is...I still get a kick out of those thick New York accents. But I'm pretty sure people feel the same way about my Midwestern twang.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>2.</strong> The transgender guy (... or woman?) who was rocking to whatever he/she were playing in their earbuds, wearing loads of gold chains, and totally confident in his/her skin. There is nothing like a person who is completely comfortable with who they are.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>3.</strong> The lady who is always yelling in a high-pitched voice, at the Chambers stop, "Gooooood morrrrrrning, get your AM New York paper. ...AM New York paper has coupons,...20% off at Macy's ....there's a special at JC Penny's this week.... (<em>she even translates all of this into spanish</em>)." I promise this is the most energetic (morning) person I have encountered, <span style="font-size:85%;">with my mom coming at a close 2nd</span>. The energy that people possess is infectious, and the bubbly personality that this lady has is a great way to start my walk to work everyday....and it's not so bad to hear about all of the daily sales either. (<span style="font-size:78%;">wink</span>)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-6902179169096671894?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-11739245130345098572011-07-06T09:42:00.003-04:002011-11-11T14:50:36.333-05:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">"Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go so much further than people with vastly superior talent."</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">-Sophia Loren</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1173924513034509857?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-40274495860659458752011-07-05T10:31:00.002-04:002011-07-05T15:58:15.590-04:00It's very common for me to be in route to/from work or on my way to meet a friend, and be entertained by local talent <span style="font-size:78%;">[with a donation bucket/jar in tow]</span> on the trains, train platforms, or on corners. Recently, I've come across lots of talented people - an Italian guy who sang beautiful Opera on the S shuttle from Grand Central to Time Square (I had no idea what he was singing, but it sounded pure and heavenly) ...and a guy who went from car to car on the A train singing and playing a song on his keyboard, of which he mentioned he had only taught himself six months ago...and the lady at Chambers who is always accompanied by a chair, small speaker, and microphone, who can belt out some of the strongest notes and make it look easy....oh, and I can't forget about the three guys with a Motown feel at the 103rd stop who made me smile and kinda rock a little as I waited for my train (when I heard them singing, it reminded me of good times watching The Five Heartbeats movie with my brother).<br /><br />Every time, I've come across such talent, I can't help but to wonder, "What happened??!?"<br /><br />I mean these people are good, talented people (I'll even go so far as to call them musicians)....but what happened? Why didn't they make it?<br /><br />Did they lack the drive and motivation to reach for the stars? Or was that never their dream in the first place? Or did they not meet the right people or go to the right places? Did they get caught up in the wrong things/people, only to eventually find themselves entertaining random tourists at train stops or on busy street corners?<br /><br />But I guess my wonderment is stemmed from the question, "What's the difference from the people who make it and those who don't?" And I know. The term, "make it" is completely subjective...but I'm still always curious of people's stories.<br /><br />Personally, my "made it" standards are measured by:<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">happiness</span>...pure blissfulness. This is soooo achievable. I've actually had several blissful moments...it's a continuous element of my life.<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">butterflies</span> ...I have a friend who describes love as "being filled with butterflies." Though, I laugh at her every time she makes this reference (because I think that only happens in Disney movies and stuff..lol), I think it'd be cool to feel this both professionally and personally.<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">the ability to play</span> <span style="color:#cc33cc;">Santa for Ma</span> any day of the year, just because. It goes without sayin'.<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">the old lady mentality</span>....the moment I can say yes or no to anyone without thinking too much of the consequences/judgements behind it. I always joke about wanting to get old so I can be one of those old ladies who says whatever (and I do mean, whatever) is on her mind and could care less about who disagrees because she's been there/done that and any opposers just don't matter. These lil' old ladies are fiesty and years removed from the be-polite-and-make-everybody-happy moments in life. With them, it's take it or leave it, and either way is cool with them.<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">working for myself</span>, both figuratively and literally.<br />- <span style="color:#cc33cc;">doing what I love</span> to do absolutely everyday.<br /><br />Come to think of it, maybe the folks I see singing their hearts out and/or playing their instruments, with only gratification of making others smile, have made it. ...I'll never know.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4027449586065945875?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-85149595609113594242011-06-30T13:50:00.005-04:002011-06-30T14:35:39.252-04:00After coming off a honeymoon-like birthday week, I'm now back to reality--the life of agendas, stress, rushing, fast walking, lunch dates, drink meetups, handshakes, business cards, the "can I's," the "will you's," etc...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrSRYVuUnnI/Tgy--Xy26KI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Xuhwwj-tjLk/s1600/howdy%2Byall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624080013427402914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrSRYVuUnnI/Tgy--Xy26KI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Xuhwwj-tjLk/s400/howdy%2Byall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But today, I ran across this picture and couldn't help but want to relax on somebody's back porch, overlooking a Southern backyard, while feeling the cool breeze on my skin and doing nothin' but enjoying <em>me</em> and my thoughts! So I say all of that to say, this chic, laidback look inspired me to desire to leave the New York hustle behind...just for a moment.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8514959560911359424?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-49138324712814700752011-06-27T10:38:00.009-04:002011-06-27T11:14:47.791-04:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwsgSPWjbeI/Tgib9_e8cmI/AAAAAAAAA2g/r6K0pVd7ijg/s1600/cake22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622915624087614050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwsgSPWjbeI/Tgib9_e8cmI/AAAAAAAAA2g/r6K0pVd7ijg/s320/cake22.jpg" border="0" /></a> All I can say is.....I have some amazingly special people in my life!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I can honestly say this (past) birthday week was one of the best ones I've had...from 2 pairs of shoes, dinners, desserts, museum visits, random dances to Michael Jackson, a mini-trip to Pennsylvania, the Hershey Park, a concert in the park (aka Sunday Sermon), lounging on picnic blankets, groovin' to <a href="http://www.vegarecords.net/"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Louie Vega</span></strong></a>, a new haircut, and lots and lots and LOTS OF LOVE from my favorite people, it was all good!!! </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-4913832471281470075?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-726664474617754202011-06-20T21:48:00.005-04:002011-06-20T22:37:59.058-04:00<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620495210642568050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bGgcjvEIGo/TgACnYwic3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/Oluh0qeHJ74/s400/exchanging-business-cardA.jpg" />I had absolutely NO plans of blogging today, buuuuuuuut after attending a mega networking event tonight, that catered to all local HR and OD chapters, I was inspired.... Let me just say on a superficial/I'm-only-human side that the food was good (they even had dessert -- which was a delicious surprise) and drinks were passed around. So to the organizers of the event, a big ol' meaty thumbs up!!!<br /><br />Now in other business...the really nitty gritty...the folks I met! You know, I am always, and I do mean ALWAYS surprised by the people I cross paths with, both personally and professionally. But I must confess, tonight's event was the best networking event that I've come across (not counting the ODN Conference) in a looooong time. Granted there were occasional awkward "crickets" moments when someone would join the convo and it just didn't mesh well, or the rambler who just talked and talked and talked, or the sly saleperson who couldn't wait to pass you his/her card to make a new account, but overall, I met some people that I could potentially do business with or even just talk business with (Lord, knows I love to talk about my field with people who really get it ...or at least those who respect it.). But at this particular event, I was not only able to "get something" from it , but also give some helpful tips and advice to some newly graduated graduate students who were all actively seeking employment. It was humbling to hear their frustrations and concerns, knowing I was in their shoes not too long ago, but now able to give helpful advice and tips about things I've learned in the past. Talking with them made me realize we had/have similar hopes and aspirations ...and some of us even lived on the exact same block (<span style="font-size:78%;">NYC is not as big as one may assume</span>). But in a nutshell, the event was an awesome experience...meaningful convo, good eats and drinks, and an all around cool time.<br /><br />I've said this before, and I will continue to repeat myself and say, "New York really has some amazing people and organizations here!!!"...and with that folks, I'm signing off (<span style="font-size:78%;">to figure out what tomorrow's wardrobe entails</span>).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-72666447461775420?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-31387800259460042892011-06-14T08:53:00.002-04:002011-06-14T08:53:00.543-04:00<div>Kelly Rowland is definitely workin' it! She was not only given kudos for having the No.1 single, <em>Motivation</em>, but she is looking amazing while promoting her upcoming album!!! Check out her promo pics for the album....</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S27u2y-AQac/TfbIpy39BqI/AAAAAAAAA1o/37AruKYKYxk/s1600/kells4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S27u2y-AQac/TfbIpy39BqI/AAAAAAAAA1o/37AruKYKYxk/s400/kells4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617898205547923106" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqn0fCOspcU/TfbIqck8eCI/AAAAAAAAA14/7pCs7g3Fj8Q/s1600/krow3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vqn0fCOspcU/TfbIqck8eCI/AAAAAAAAA14/7pCs7g3Fj8Q/s400/krow3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617898216742484002" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxZ05j0KBi4/TfbIqD_00nI/AAAAAAAAA1w/B-p5OXVsws4/s1600/krow2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxZ05j0KBi4/TfbIqD_00nI/AAAAAAAAA1w/B-p5OXVsws4/s400/krow2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617898210144342642" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uEN6dnBR3Y/TfbIq0VXwdI/AAAAAAAAA2A/kj9KJMrYTxI/s1600/kells5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uEN6dnBR3Y/TfbIq0VXwdI/AAAAAAAAA2A/kj9KJMrYTxI/s400/kells5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617898223119614418" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFohwVSpgBw/TfbIrVcBjrI/AAAAAAAAA2I/82u0IYc80kY/s1600/krowpromo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFohwVSpgBw/TfbIrVcBjrI/AAAAAAAAA2I/82u0IYc80kY/s400/krowpromo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617898232005889714" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3138780025946004289?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-23635025198720651312011-06-13T09:53:00.002-04:002011-06-21T09:47:51.491-04:00<strong>9. </strong>Use your resources (e.g., people, places, and things) sparingly. Being unemployed means that you have to be strategic and creative when reaching out to contacts and networking and such....don't wear them out or run them down to depletion, as your resources may prove less endearing the next time you warrant their help.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>8. </strong>You snooze, you lose! Job hunting is a job in itself. It is true what they say, the early bird <em>does </em>get the worm. So start your day of hunting early.<br /><br /><strong>7. </strong>Read the job description. Simple!!<br /><br /><strong>6. </strong>There is a very VERY thin line between persistance and annoyance. There is nothing wrong with be assertive and persistent when contacting people in HR roles, but there is something extremely wrong with calling them, harassing them, and emailing them several times inquiring about positions you have applied for, or are thinking about applying for. Most importantly, if a job posting says no phone calls, this means absolutely no phone calls....So paaaaaalease refrain from this exercise.<br /><br /><strong>5. </strong>If you call the HR department of a prospective employer, <strong>do </strong>remember what job you are inquiring about...Furthermore, <strong>do not</strong> ask the HR professional questions that you could easily access online. It just screams <em>lazy</em>.<br /><br /><strong>4. </strong>If you don't have a plan, you're pretty much screwed (for lack of a better evaluation). You have to have a plan, or you will surely fall into the tunnel of complatency. Map out a strategy. Set goals. For example, give yourself a month-long plan. If you're still unemployed after your 30-day plan (this could be a sign that you're doing something wrong or not enough), go back to the drawing board. But always, always, ALWAYS set realistic goals. When creating a plan, you have to be brutally honest with yourself, your strengths, and downfalls.<br /><br /><strong>3. </strong>Beggars can't be choosers! If you have no relevant experience, paaaalease get off the high horse, and come back to Earth. If your resume and experience do not provide real actionable responsibilities and entail true contributions, you <strong>cannot</strong> be picky. Keep in mind, all successful people had to start somewhere. So be willing to take the internship or volunteer to get the experience and build your resume.....but....<br /><br /><strong>2. </strong>In the same breath, know your worth and true value. <strong>Do not</strong> sell yourself short. You really have to know when to bend and compromise when it comes to seeking employment. Ask yourself, what's on the bright side? If you take the low paying job, will you be able to grow from that position? Will the position be a stepping stone? Determine what are the pluses and minuses.<br /><br /><strong>1. </strong>NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK!!! I cannot stand to hear people say, "I don't have time to network." Get outta here with that nonsense!!! It's not <em><strong>only</strong></em> about who you know, but also <strong><strong><em>who knows you</em></strong></strong>!!! Remember that!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2363502519872065131?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-8946653910921217932011-06-10T09:10:00.003-04:002011-06-10T09:45:15.577-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc9933;">"It's about connections. The OD <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">(Organizational Development practitioner)</span> role is evolving from the agent of change to the agent of connection - helping people make connections." </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Yael Zofi </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-894665391092121793?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-25067682312351920132011-06-09T09:30:00.004-04:002011-06-10T09:22:35.813-04:00<strong>14.</strong> The flowers are absolutely gorgeous!!<br /><br /><strong>13. </strong>Despite my personal thoughts on the very high temperatures, I love feeling the sun on my skin.<br /><br /><strong>12. </strong>Consequently, sunglasses....<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6O6VFAgo7gs/TfA2jwGWNYI/AAAAAAAAA0U/xbdatSqbs5g/s1600/HotDogBurnt%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616048723165853058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6O6VFAgo7gs/TfA2jwGWNYI/AAAAAAAAA0U/xbdatSqbs5g/s200/HotDogBurnt%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>11. </strong>Burnt hot dogs (with loads of ketchup and mustard or barbeque sauce)! Yes, they are a <em><strong>must</strong></em> at picnics and barbeques.<br /><br /><strong>10.</strong> Rooftop parties!!!!!<br /><br /><strong>9. </strong>Summer trips begin.<br /><br /><strong>8.</strong>Street fairs and markets. This year I'll be enjoying all that Harlem <span style="font-size:78%;">(and Brooklyn)</span> have to offer. It's always great to see how awesomely talented people are with their showcases (i.e., homemade crafts, jewelry and art).<br /><br /><strong>7. </strong>Bonnaroo Music Festival<br /><br /><strong>6. </strong>The first day of summer - June 21st!<br /><br /><strong>5. </strong>Bold colors in the wardrobe!! The colors this season/month are all things fabulous!!! Bright, refreshing colors....coral, pink, and neon yellow are definitely hot colors!!! Wooohoo for June...and the rest of the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Apparently, nude colors are <em>in</em><br />too, but on a personal note, I think they're waaaay too borrrrrrrring!!!)<br /><br /><strong>4. </strong>Art museum visits and such...And thanks to <a href="http://purpleskyyys.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Purpleskyyys</span></strong></a> head's up, I'll be checking out <a href="http://www.missvan.com/"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Miss Van's</span></strong></a> exhibit this month.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiO4PLShkUg/TfBQ5WCnz8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/-0FWGqGCqws/s1600/blowcandles.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616077681430351810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiO4PLShkUg/TfBQ5WCnz8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/-0FWGqGCqws/s200/blowcandles.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>3. </strong>My birrrrrrthday!!!!!!! I love all birthdays, especially mine! Call me crazy but I feel that everyone should celebrate the day they were born....scream it to the top of their lungs. I don't know, blame my family who will find absolutely any reason to celebrate or throw a party or enjoy good company. (I actually have an uncle who celebrates his birthday for the entire month....and my mom who does it big each year for her special day)...and with that, Readers, I <em>am</em> a product of my environment....<em>and</em> proud of it, gosh darnit! :D<br /><br /><strong>2. </strong>Late nights, early mornings! ..Living in New York, this is very common, and a New Yorker's social scene usually embodies late nights and early mornings but it's just something about summer nights and summer mornings in June (the smoggy possibilities at night, and the crisp, bright potential in the mornings).<br /><br /><strong>1. </strong>Working out!!! Yup, you read that right! For as long as I can remember, June has always been my "motivation" month. Maybe it's because it's beachbody season...or the amazing fashion (Summer fashion is my fave...it's when I'm most creative) or the amazing park scenaries...who knows?!?! But working out in June/the summer is soooo my thing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2506768231235192013?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-86914366977573366532011-06-06T11:10:00.010-04:002011-06-06T11:51:09.873-04:00<div align="left">This morning while doing my morning read-through of The New York Times, I ran across a <a href="http://www.jamelshabazz.com/"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">Jamel Shabazz</span></strong></a> spread. I must admit, I never even heard of the photography genius until this morning (don't judge)! But after a little exposure, I'm hooked!! His work showcases all things New York...the culture, the vibe, the bluntness, the sass...oh, and not to mention the 80's flavaaaaa. This is why I can't see myself anywhere else!<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615125780860103330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37-6hwCpN-s/TezvJcFN6qI/AAAAAAAAAzM/xiUJX8XNpsY/s400/JamelShabazz_3.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Camera Man</em>, Mr Shabazz himself, back in the day </p><br /><p align="center"><br /><em><br /></em><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615125792809138930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwrNveZi-Xo/TezvKImFuvI/AAAAAAAAAzc/D-J_nenMQF8/s400/jamelshabazz_img8.jpg" border="0" /> </em><em>The Righeous Brothers </em><em><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615125274675890194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uYTLAUmMNo/Tezur-ZfyBI/AAAAAAAAAzE/qlB8-QT8ik4/s400/best%2Bfriends.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Best Friends </em><em><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615124803534729058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qikhYgzdQY/TezuQjQsL2I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Bev5n7rVrEs/s400/2149160200_bc926e2035.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Chilling on the Ave </em><br /></p></em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8691436697757336653?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-84184962766862523482011-06-02T00:18:00.006-04:002011-11-11T15:12:44.691-05:00<div align="left">Beyonce has recently released three songs from her upcoming album, as every man, woman, child, and grandma is anxiously awaiting to see what's in store this go round' ...and soooooo I couldn't refuse to give notice.... </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WwMsWjrlu54?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Contrary to my last post about love and how I think it should be, there is still truth in her lyrics (even the unfortunate ones). Needless to say, I like the song ;) </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MBK_GqLHEZo?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="440"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div align="center">This song is beautiful...even after hearing Jazz's rendition of it all weekend long. Lol!<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VBmMU_iwe6U?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div align="center">And of course, her name would not be Beyonce if she didn't give us a girl anthem. I can't (and won't) lie and say that I haven't attempted the dance!! Lol!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8418496276686252348?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-2388432499301795022011-06-01T09:18:00.002-04:002011-11-11T15:18:29.080-05:00<div align="center">The other day I was telling a friend that, "love shouldn't be hard work. Instead,finding love should just be icing on the cake (of life) -- a big ol' happy hunk of icing." And then I came across this video that said it all!!!<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V1OC_XmeIck?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460" height="315"></iframe><br />Ahhh, kudos to all things pure, honest, and <em>SIMPLY </em>amaaaaaazing!!! How could anyone not love LOVE?!?!?!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">...and with that, HAPPY JUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-238843249930179502?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-59060999377081133182011-05-26T22:04:00.006-04:002011-05-26T23:51:40.819-04:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSFCRj8O6sA/Td8HxXKSyWI/AAAAAAAAAx4/KHoobhkQlwQ/s1600/s-ANGER-large.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611212205339101538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSFCRj8O6sA/Td8HxXKSyWI/AAAAAAAAAx4/KHoobhkQlwQ/s400/s-ANGER-large.jpg" /></a>New Yorkers are not the rudest people on Earth, despite what the majority may think…(including my mom). <span style="font-size:78%;">Ok, so this post may seem completely random…well, this <em>is</em> my life – random, but be that as it may. </span><br /><br />This post was inspired by today’s train ride home, as I sat and watched many New Yorkers who were deep in their convos from a long day of work/school, stop to give dollars to a man, who was not homeless but yet needed help turning his electricity on in his house after disability benefits proved insufficient. Long story short, the man explained <span style="font-size:78%;">(all of this on the train)</span> that he had a stroke, and because of paralysis couldn’t work his union job and was forced on disability. He went on to say that he was embarrassed to have to ask others for money in order to support his three kids and keep the lights on. <span style="font-size:78%;">(I'll save my feelings about healthcare ...and the homeless for another blog.)<br /><br /></span>This is not the first time that I’ve seen this type of generosity among my fast walkin’, funny talkin’, stern-faced New Yorkers. Often times, I see random people offering help to mothers with baby strollers in tow up, or down, the subway station stairs, or providing the <em>correct</em> directions to tourists who blatantly have their train maps awkwardly extended, or giving spare change to the person in the grocery line who happens to be a couple cents short of their amount due….Oh, and don’t eeeeeven get me started on the outstanding customer service that I get EVERYTIME at the Bed Bath &amp; Beyond store in Chelsea.<br /><br />Granted, I have experienced my share of rudey-poots, but they’re in every city. Only difference is …New York gets the bad rep. Now, by no means, would I consider New York the friendliest place on Earth, I’d just say that it’s <em>friendlier</em> than what media portrays or what outsiders would expect.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5906099937708113318?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-11664621552039436262011-05-25T09:41:00.003-04:002011-05-25T11:02:35.601-04:00<div align="center">....Today is a <strong><em>very</em></strong> sad day in tv land</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir2yWTQMl4w/Td0HU48J6zI/AAAAAAAAAxw/WQzgvZvvEiY/s1600/20110523-tows-finale-graphic-2-430x330.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610648766236977970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir2yWTQMl4w/Td0HU48J6zI/AAAAAAAAAxw/WQzgvZvvEiY/s400/20110523-tows-finale-graphic-2-430x330.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center"></a>I guess all good things must eventually come to an end ...Where's the kleenex??!<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1166462155203943626?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-38795543439313637702011-05-19T16:16:00.003-04:002011-05-19T16:27:22.867-04:00<div align="center">Given that today is the birthday of El Haaj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, I'm assuming that Malcolm X Blvd. (in Harlem) will be shut down (i.e., businesses will close early today) as it is every year on this day, symbolizing respect for the outspoken activist....Only in Harlem!!! Oh, how I love my neighbor(hood)!!!!!<br /><br /><br />So I say all of that to say, Happy Birthday, Malcolm X!!</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Wh9cfQksM/TdV8o78F_SI/AAAAAAAAAxo/U8pecCSaD7U/s1600/malcolm_x.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608525953686175010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Wh9cfQksM/TdV8o78F_SI/AAAAAAAAAxo/U8pecCSaD7U/s400/malcolm_x.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-3879554343931363770?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-89444840163257842972011-05-19T10:01:00.002-04:002011-05-19T10:01:00.976-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc6600;">"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."<br /></span></div><br /><div align="right"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">- Marcel Proust</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8gIdOYVIjo/TdSJm9JHgAI/AAAAAAAAAxg/YVm2DOyPLYg/s1600/gratitude.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8gIdOYVIjo/TdSJm9JHgAI/AAAAAAAAAxg/YVm2DOyPLYg/s400/gratitude.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608258738323947522" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8944484016325784297?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-23426507971362335012011-05-16T21:04:00.007-04:002011-06-01T19:53:24.302-04:00<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607494360215462674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7N_aclewTbY/TdHSaSymIxI/AAAAAAAAAxY/n9FpahVMdgk/s400/ribbonstringaids.bmp" />Yesterday, I participated (among 44,999 others) in <span style="color:#cc0000;">AIDS</span> Walk NY in Central Park. The 6.5 miles felt like 16.5 but I survived...and totally went back to sleep after the walk, but I was/am extremely happy to be apart of it!!! In total, there was over $6,000,000 raised. And I want to thank ALL OF YOU who donated to a really good cause!!! Words <strong>cannot</strong> express how grateful I am of my really <em><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">REALLY</span></strong></em> cool friends and family who sponsored me for the walk. Within two and a half weeks, I raised over $300. I am sooooooooooooooo thankful for your contribution and couldn't ask for a better group of people in my corner. When I asked, you guys gave generously ...... without hesitation!! I appreciate you 1,000 times more than you'll ever know!!!!!!! Lots and lots of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2342650797136233501?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-19489392623368678772011-05-13T22:36:00.005-04:002011-05-14T16:55:31.306-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc6600;">"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;color:#000000;">- Tweeted by one of my Twitter followers</span></div><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;">*** I quoted this back in Aug. 2010, but some things just deserve a repeat.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1948939262336867877?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-80211520660108769172011-05-12T21:47:00.003-04:002011-05-13T23:27:07.622-04:00<img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601965227507254898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTs1wpC4ug8/Tb4tsaWpBnI/AAAAAAAAAw4/eNV_JqUm2Gc/s400/glassceiling.gif" />For the past four weeks or so, I have been in deep engaging conversations with several people (a black Jew, and a man who identified himself as homosexual and even some folks from Mexico, Chile, Barbados, and Portugal). Living in NYC makes it fairly easy to get a variety group like this together at a roundtable to discuss differences. I love my city!!!!...never a melting pot, but more like a fresh salad bowl, or an everything bagel, ....or a hearty stew even ....<span style="font-size:78%;">[ok, <em>I digress</em>]<br /></span><br />...Our various conversations together have all been centered around diversity, structural racism in the workforce specifically, and what we should do after talking about it all. Among the colorful group, some interesting stories and insights were shared. From the discussion and the shared research studies, it can undoubtedly be concluded that our society is not as diverse as it could, or should be. All of the -ism's (racism, sexism, agism, etc.) are still there.<br /><br />A couple of days ago, I witnessed firsthand just how much work still needs to be done to really consider ourselves 'accepting of differences,' when I had a meeting with a CEO and his team. As initial firm handshakes filtered through the lobby, it was obvious that the men of the meeting (I was the only female) wanted to carry out business in old traditional fashion, as they coincidentally "forgot" to shake my hand and acknowledge my presence. <span style="font-size:78%;">[Don't worry, I forced them to remember, as I sternly extended my arm for a firm handshake.]<br /></span><br />We eventually took our seats gathered around a traditional wooden conference room table. As my VP and I discussed our organization's policies and regulations, and our expectations of the vendor, I couldn't help but notice what the picture looked like from the outside: 4 50-ish year old white men, 1 mid-50 year old black man, and me - a 20-something year old (who is annoyingly, and quite often, mistaken for a teenager....<span style="font-size:78%;">I know, I know, I'll enjoy it when I'm older but for now it's pretty annoying</span>) black woman --- all in suits, all attempting to plead our business perspectives on a particular change initiative. During the entire meeting, I not only held my own during the discussion, but observed the direct and indirect cues of the attendees. Unfortunately, I did notice times when I had to aggressively assert myself during the conversation to make my case, when certain details of my statements were disregarded, and when the CEO and his team would automatically look to my VP for all information discussed only to find out that I held essential data regarding the meeting's sole objective and subject matter.<br /><br />Was I surprised by this? Nope! Not at all. ....As James Brown sang, "This is a man's world," ...well, so they think!<br /><br />But I couldn't help but think about how much work we/society STILL had ahead, despite <em>some</em> progress. I was at another meeting when someone said, "You can always tell how diverse (i.e., thought, race, gender, religion, age, etc.) a company is by their leadership. If you don't see colorful leadership, then your company still has work to do." And truthfully, leadership should emulate that of their culture and employees. Come to think of it, I haven't worked for too many companies that really demonstrated diversity (both inside and out)...That's pretty disappointing.<br /><br />So the question is, "So what do we do about it?" First we (all of us) really need to understand the value of diversity and what that specifically looks like, and become committed to having tough conversations around our differences. It's funny how people thought because we had a bi-racial (yet self-identified Black) President that the election deemed the U.S as finally "diverse" and discrimination-free. WRONG! In all actuality, our differences from person to person have been magnified and deserve responsible attention. But, in order for diversity models and concepts to become adopted AND embraced, it takes the continuous involvement of those in leadership, because as we all know in most cases, the leaders set the tone. And because most leaders are results-driven, it would benefit them to know that positive implementations of diversity could have a domino effect on absolutely every aspect of the organization (i.e., recruiting/staffing, product marketing/branding, consumers/clients, employee retention, performance, and profit). It's a win-win!<br /><br /><em><strong>Bottomline:</strong></em> We must eventually realize that diversity is not just the latest buzzword but a social responsibility.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8021152066010876917?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-21818002018844804652011-05-10T14:46:00.004-04:002011-05-11T01:48:16.334-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc9933;">"If <strong><em>A</em></strong> is a success in life, then <strong><em>A</em></strong> = <strong><em>x</em></strong> + <em><strong>y</strong></em> + <em><strong>z</strong></em>. Work is <em><strong>x</strong></em>; <em><strong>y</strong></em> is play; <em><strong>z</strong></em> is keeping your mouth shut." </span></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">- Albert Einstein</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2181800201884480465?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-50331746399988741672011-05-03T21:12:00.004-04:002011-05-03T21:22:14.841-04:00<div align="center">Today was/is National Teacher's Day!!!! And to my friends who have dedicated their time, money and effort to the academic world with zeal and optimism...In the words of Tupac, "You are appreciated!!!!" Teachers seldom get the credit they deserve.<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnQOMoz3FGI/TcCpsrLU1XI/AAAAAAAAAxI/5FD7lWeJ_ZU/s1600/teacher.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602664521418462578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnQOMoz3FGI/TcCpsrLU1XI/AAAAAAAAAxI/5FD7lWeJ_ZU/s400/teacher.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-5033174639998874167?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-21866623083501271312011-05-02T09:23:00.005-04:002011-05-02T10:21:36.258-04:00<div align="left">So word on the street is that Osama Bin Laden is dead, done, finished, finito, no more, terminated...yada, yada, yada. And lots of people are celebrating...<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602112301888610802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xanmeCYv3s4/Tb6zdRHqofI/AAAAAAAAAxA/yyTaz85BMvg/s400/osamabin.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br />People's reactions have flooded the social media waves. Last night, people tweeted:<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"><em>".....Killing ur enemies is not the purpose of ur life."<br /><span style="color:#009900;">"War doesn't decide who's right, war decides who is left..."<br /></span>"....Looks like Obama is up for re-election now!"<br /><span style="color:#009900;">"I'll celebrate when all of the troops come home and I get to see my older brother again!"</span> </em></span><span style="color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><span style="color:#000000;">This morning the local papers rejoiced:</span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><em>"Rot in Hell!"</em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">But you know....I cannot celebrate his death. I actually feel the same way about his death as I do about the death penalty. And that is, it won't make things better. When people are killed because of their wrongdoings, it's just an easy-out. It just gives others a piece of mind <em><strong>for a moment</strong></em>. In reality, I think the US should be on guard more than ever. Because the fact of the matter is, it ain't ova'!!! And living in New York during this time is a little scary! One person in my Twitter timeline warned, "<em><span style="color:#cc9933;">US citizens, the same way you/we look at Bin Laden as an extremist, others look at the US ideology and imperialistic ways as extremist</span></em>." ...somethin' to think about, I'd say!</span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">I repeat, it ain't ova'!</span></p><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-2186662308350127131?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-87158717042558068382011-04-28T22:50:00.008-04:002011-11-11T16:15:59.952-05:00<div align="left">It's no secret that the U.S fosters some of THEEEE most unhealthy kids (who will later grow into unhealthy adults) in all of the world, despite being a "developed" country. But many kudos to First Lady Michelle Obama for launching her 'Let's Move' campaign video today (with the help of Beyonce...and Swizz <span style="font-size:78%;">[not Swiss, Ma] </span>Beats), encouraging kids to get off of their bums and become active...sweat, burn fat, and just have fun being a <span style="color:#009900;">healthy</span> kid.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Check it out!!!!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mYP4MgxDV2U?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="460"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">...and of course Beyonce and her playful heels were working it out with the kiddos!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8715871704255806838?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-88538935590777847622011-04-27T11:10:00.008-04:002011-04-27T11:49:44.181-04:00<div align="left">Last night over a pretty healthy dinner at Toast with my girl Cherita, we were doing our usual gabfest, when she said one of the realest things that just stuck with me....<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc9933;">"It was all good until it wasn't...." </span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><span style="color:#000000;">....</span><span style="color:#000000;">Such is life!!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-8853893559077784762?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-78985404157434774062011-04-20T21:51:00.006-04:002011-04-20T23:12:39.757-04:00<div>Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not handy <strong>AT ALL</strong>!!! I'm such the girly girl when it comes to tools and "do-it-yourself" household projects but all that changed today.....well, kinda....</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtSvypQjZlg/Ta-XJOZArSI/AAAAAAAAAww/fk0r35zybHo/s1600/IMG00128-20110420-2130%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597859046582431010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtSvypQjZlg/Ta-XJOZArSI/AAAAAAAAAww/fk0r35zybHo/s400/IMG00128-20110420-2130%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a><br />After days (and I do mean, <em>DAYS</em>) of trying to figure how to use my electrical screwdriver, and what kind of screws to use..tonight, (a couple damaged screws later) I FINALLY got it right. Basically, I posted my dish rack on the wall of my sink to utilize every ounce of my space, and to minimize clutter on my countertop. The job sounds pretty simple, but given the chica behind the tools, it is much to brag about....so there you have it!! I can go to bed patting myself on the back!!! :)<br /><br />I'm soooooo ready for my next project. <em>Stay tuned!!</em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-7898540415743477406?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-92224780918993447462011-04-19T21:20:00.004-04:002011-04-19T21:35:01.437-04:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc9933;">"It's not about talent acquisition, it's about talent activation."</span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:78%;">- from (today's) LinkedIn workshop</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-9222478091899344746?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-16302644348456971812011-04-18T22:22:00.004-04:002011-11-11T16:31:21.399-05:00With the news of four weddings, one proposal, and a baby on the way....this year is all things lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about new beginnings!!! ...oh, and summer will be here before we know it. With that....<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="460" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QzCBLVnTAdI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1630264434845697181?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-14526837622072271622011-04-15T09:44:00.006-04:002011-04-15T15:33:26.833-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAiMNgeGdww/TahL7Yr01GI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Ry3rWdbJ0EQ/s1600/vera_showpage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595806020618474594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAiMNgeGdww/TahL7Yr01GI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Ry3rWdbJ0EQ/s400/vera_showpage.jpg" border="0" /></a> Last night, I went to see the off-broadway play, <em>By the Way, Meet Vera Stark</em>, starring Sanaa Lathan. It's a comedy from the Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright, Lynn Nottage. <br /><br />She gives humor to the tough times of the 1930's and racial issues in Hollywood. <span style="font-size:78%;color:#999999;">(I think it's quite interesting how both of those issues are circumstances of today's times.)</span> Basically, the play shares Vera Stark's dream of becoming an actress. It notes the struggles that come with following your dreams, the criticisms that accompany them, and the judgement that will have others talking for years to come. <br /><br />Sanaa did a great job. It was my first time seeing her away from the big screen, and she did really well. The entire cast was/is very talented! If you're in NY, <strong>go see</strong>!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-1452683762207227162?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-8759346479851186462011-04-13T22:40:00.012-04:002011-05-04T13:30:11.433-04:00So I'd like to think that I'm a girl who's not hard to please .. ;) And one of the things that simply makes me smile is getting stuff in the mail <span style="font-size:78%;">(most of the time)</span>.<br /><br />So first I got my dishes in the mail!!! Thanks Ma!!<br /><br />Then when I arrived to my apartment door, I found my very antique-y vanity tray for my bathroom. It arrived waaaaay earlier than expected. The tray works perfect in my space. The pictures didn't do it justice. It's a rustic mirrored vanity tray, with unique bird handles. And even though, I'm not a fan of <span style="font-size:78%;">[the sight of]</span> birds, I'm in love with this new purchase. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLty1G-fvp4/TaZnBzievdI/AAAAAAAAAwI/CAN3VcoDXhs/s1600/antiquestuff.jpg"></a><br /><br />And to keep me simple and forever grounded, my <a href="http://www.lifekitlifestyle.com/"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">LifeKit</span> </span></strong></a>came. <span style="font-size:78%;">Yall know how I love to support conscious entrepreneurs...</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POYfaA3NoZA/TaZkVQMgxcI/AAAAAAAAAwA/u2GyVg4pKrA/s1600/lifekit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595269903341897154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POYfaA3NoZA/TaZkVQMgxcI/AAAAAAAAAwA/u2GyVg4pKrA/s400/lifekit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Oh, and to welcome me to Harlem, the Apollo Theatre sent me some really cool stuff for some upcoming events!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-875934647985118646?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4867085167073231923.post-9375406940845486822011-04-10T21:19:00.007-04:002011-04-11T10:09:40.884-04:00Saturday, I went to an independent film premiere/showcase for Sunnyside Down Productions. It was a really good turnout!! People don't realize how far support goes! It speaks volumes. But what was even more apparent Saturday night was the passion that Julius B. Kelly, the brainchild of the production company, had for all things acting/film-related. In the field of entertainment, you get in where you fit in....and most people don't make the cut. And because of that, it makes me want to give kudos to everyone following their heart and accomplishing their dreams (especially in the acting world), rather than sitting on them. Aside from Julius' comedic timing and humble beginning, his drive within bleeds through. And I love supporting waymakers...and he is just that. As Julius says of Sunnyside Down Productions, "<em>Everyone gets to shine</em>." Check out <a href="http://www.whoissunny.com/"><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Sunnyside Down Productions </span></strong></a>. Support the passion, drive, crew, and actors!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4867085167073231923-937540694084548682?l=mybeautifulcocoon.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>*Tashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10140857034054063916noreply@blogger.com0