A Thanksgiving with a lot of "giving"

It's kind of bittersweet, knowing that this is my last "Thanksgiving Vacation." The so called "real world" is quickly approaching and graduation is around the corner! Nonetheless, I enjoyed my Thanksgiving and I must say that it was the best and most productive one I've had in my life.

About a week or so before the break began, I knew I wanted to do something different this year on Thanksgiving Day. As much as I enjoy my mother's cooking (and boy do I enjoy it) I felt as though I could do something more than eat and then pat my stuffed belly at the conclusion of the meal. I wanted to do something more... for those who needed more.

Photo courtesy of warrentonumc.org

I left my house in the morning and began a different kind of Thanksgiving with my other church friends. Our first stop was our church, which had free hot meals available for individuals in the neighborhood. We filled numerous aluminum containers with food and placed them into plastic bags which also included juice, utensils and a Christian pamphlet. We stacked them all into two large cardboard boxes, packed them in the church van and a total of just seven of us set out to Harlem, New York.

We stopped by a shelter for runaway teens and dropped off desserts. The founders of the organizations were so happy that we were able to stop by.

After driving a few blocks down Amsterdam Avenue, we got out the van and the ladies grabbed one box, while the guys held the other, and we split up into two groups and went around trying to spot those who were in need of a Thanksgiving meal. It wasn't hard at all. The minute we got out of the van, a man saw us and began eyeing all food within the plastic bags, asking if we were distributing them. He and a man nearby were very grateful as we handed them each a bag. One of them even pointed across the street stating that there was a man in a wheelchair that would be appreciative of it.

The men that were with us beat us to the man in the wheelchair--who also accepted the food gratefully. My two friends and I carried on down the block, and stumbled across some individuals who were either alone or with someone else. Whether it was the man who was alone, leaned up against the wall in his over-sized coat and surrounded by his shopping cart and black garbage bags of belongings or the man that dug through a nearby garbage can in search of his next meal or a few valuables--they all accepted our hearty smiles and warm meal.

The most touching part was the reaction of a group of three individuals--two males and a female. The gratitude of the woman was beyond words can express.


"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!" She exclaimed with tears in her eyes. She was sitting down and looked up at her two friends who accepted the bags of food from us. She took her own and raised her hand to her chest, hovered over her heart. "God Bless you! This is a great thing you're doing," she said.

As we departed, they immediately began eating the food.

Photo courtesy healthwise-everythinghealth.blogspot.com

Our box was empty as we made our way back to the church van. We met up with the others and their box was empty as well. I really wished we had more food to hand out, but we all felt the same--satisfied and full of joy.

The feeling I felt on our ride back to the Bronx was indescribable. The experience made me realize that I should be doing things like this way more often. The percentage of volunteers that step up to the plate on Thanksgiving increases phenomenally... but what about the other 364 days?

When I arrived home, I was able to enjoy my dinner fully and spend some much needed time with my family. I was so thankful for everything in my life and just so appreciative of the opportunity that I had to bless strangers in this way for the first time. I'm definitely looking forward to volunteering again, in the near future.

I am not my hair

Singer India.Arie || Courtesy of naturallynita.blogspot.com

“I am not my hair” is the title of a very powerful song by the inspiring singer India Arie. She is one of the few artists in the music industry that sends a genuine, positive message to listeners--particularly women and females of African descent. She embraces her roots and encourages women to be who they are and set standards for themselves. Sure, the song has been around for quite some time, but because I feel that I can now relate, is what caused me to really absorb the lyrics. 

15 years.
This is the approximate amount of years in which I have been getting relaxers, often referred to as Perms. 15 years I have made my trips to the hairdresser and sat in the chair to receive the "creamy crack." I remember being little and wanting my hair to be like that of my best friend--who was hispanic. My mom did what she could to do my hair and turn the thickness into something more presentable, which caused me a few tears here and there and probably some combs that needed to be replaced... but ultimately it was apparently "too hard to manage."

"Just for Me" relaxer
Courtesy of madamenoire.com

"Just for Me: No Lye Conditioning Relaxer" was the product that was used to "magically make my hair beautiful." Little did I know was that it indeed was a lie. I got a little older and had to switch perms, which is when I experienced getting burned; it led to me bawling in the salon--I'll never forget it. I got a little older and moved on up to "Silent Touch," because my head was sensitive to the harsh perms. (All these names... for what?)

I became of age and knew I could make my own decisions regarding my hair, but the choice of ceasing getting relaxers never crossed my mind! It had been such a routine that I felt as though it was something I HAD to get done every 6-8 weeks. Despite all the scary facts Chris Rock's documentary "Good Hair" highlighted, I still went to get my scheduled relaxer without any second thoughts.

September 17. The day I decided would be my last relaxer. 

Why?

I actually said I'd stop getting relaxers before this date, but just kept on going to the salon anyway. It wasn't the money spent... It wasn't the trips to my hairdresser in New York to ensure that I received a good relaxer... and it wasn't because my hair was breaking [it is a little in the back, but the majority of my hair appears pretty "healthy"]... *sigh*  It was:

• THE CHEMICALS
• The stripping away of the outer layer of my hair in order to portray a straightened look
• The concealment of my natural curls
• My unintentional attempt to conform to the look that society wants to see

People have always complimented how "healthy" my hair looks and how long it is. Yet, I look around and I see ladies rocking their natural hair and am always in awe of how beautiful it is; not only that but it reflects their confidence. From the"big chop" look, to the afro, to the twist-outs, to the braids outs, to the dreads, the list is never ending!

Youtube Vlogger: Naptural85
Courtesy of Blacknaps.org

The amount of research I've done is amazing and it stretches from my friends to strangers to Google and to Youtube. Youtube has been phenomenal in helping me continue this "natural" journey (especially Naptural85!!). I am amazed at the amount of young black girls there are on Youtube who are transitioning, providing tips, offering advice and doing everything to help other females like them through this process. My research definitely helped me to remove the idea that natural hair is "unmanageable."

It won't be easy to go through this process, but I AM determined because my hair does not define who I am.

Is "Paranormal Activity 3" worth the money?

I have always loved horror flicks. It's the suspense... it's the "edge of your sit" action (or possibly the literal sinking in your seat)... and it's the fear that is caused to keep the viewer especially engrossed.

I remember seeing the first "Paranormal Activity" on my laptop, in my dorm room with the light on, and yet, I still jumped occasionally at scenes that especially caught me off guard. When "Paranormal Activity 2" was released in theaters, I made sure that I bought my ticket that same weekend. I was indeed satisfied.

"Paranormal Activity 3" poster ||
Courtesy of thereelbits.com

On Friday, October 21, "Paranormal Activity 3" brought viewers back to 1988 and into the young lives of Katie (Katie Featherson) played by Chloe Csengery and Kristi Rey (Sprague Grayden) played by Jessica Tyler Brown, in order to fully understand why the strange, supernatural happenings were occurring in their adult lives, in parts 1 and 2. Their mother's stepfather, Dennis (Christopher Nicholas Smith), sets up video cameras around the house, while Julie remains a skeptic. Viewers realize that Kristi's "imaginary friend," Toby, may be the root of this entire problem. We are then able to finally link the installments together after gaining the history needed.

"Paranormal Activity 3" provides the suspense, the mini-jumps every good horror flick provides and even the laughs from time to time (Because, let's be honest, when surrounded by fellow movie-goers it's easy to find the humor in certain occurrences). Young Actresses Csengery and Brown bring the vivacity the film needs and truly help to intensify those especially scary scenes. Honestly, I don't remember jumping so much during a horror film (because I usually can tell what's coming) but I was sure impressed by the intense scary scenes! The movie did not disappoint--well, until the end, that is.

The conclusion, by far, was disappointing and, without giving too much away, left room for just a bit more answers... and even questions of a possible fourth installment. It ended too bluntly for my taste (and for the many groaning viewers in the theater with me, in fact!) A good film allows for one to fill in the gaps, but this gap was just a little too wide.

Overall, Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman did an excellent job in grabbing the majority of viewers' attention throughout the entire movie, with the frightful, yet realistic, scenes and sound to draw viewers in. The joy of walking away satisfied at a movie actually worth watching? Maybe just the minority.

Have e-readers taken over? *Sigh*

Digital book readers.

• Convenient... 
• Light-weight... 
• Easy to use... 

These are just some of the general reasons why people may choose to purchase an e-reader.

Some of my "general" complaints:

• A little too convenient
• The joys of waltzing into a bookstore are becoming a thing of the past
• Umm, it's not an actual book... 
• The light weight doesn't allow appreciation for a hardcover vs. paperback
• My fancy bookmarks purchased and created, will now catch dust...
• No more "book jackets" *sigh*

Ok, so my complaints may have just cast a huge shadow over the general reasons that I previously provided... but who can blame me?

Growing up, I can't remember a time when I didn't enjoy reading a book. As a child and Night Owl, I'd constantly be reprimanded by my parents to go to bed on time. 

So what would I do? 

I'd hop into bed and hide under the covers, with a flashlight in hand of course. I'd pull out the latest "Two of a Kind" (starring Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen) or "Goosebumps" by RL Stine book and begin reading--anticipating the next page, chapter and plot. 

Kids today, now have the luxury of reading in the dark, with a book reader that is made to provide no excess strain on the eyes. How nice <sarcasm at its best>

E-readers are light-weight compared to traditional books.
Photo Courtesy of Getyimages.com

So maybe I haven't been totally fair here. It's not that I don't admire digital book readers... I do, to an extent. It's just that the old-fashioned way of reading is still in me--and that appreciation is still embedded.

Just two weeks ago I went to my favorite bookstore: Barnes & Noble. Upon entering I saw the fancy display of The Nook. So what did I do to try and lessen my animosity towards the device? I walked over to the sales rep. and asked questions about it. I wanted to give myself a logical reason why I should even continue entertaining the idea of buying a Nook.

The Nook rep. provided me with more details than I have never received before--more info than I actually inquired about. I was amazed at some of the features I was unaware about (I won't even mention it, since you Nook pros out there might start shaking your head at my lack of knowledge). But I was proud to walk out of that department, more knowledgeable about this device and just a bit more impressed. 

Impressed enough to make the purchase? No.

Ok, maybe I was a lot more impressed than I'm leading on here... I just didn't have sufficient money at the time!

Nook app: Angry Birds game || Courtesy of techrockstar.com 

I will always love reading, but I feel like once I make the purchase, the entire essence of reading will be lost in the distraction of apps like Angry Birds (my favorite game), Internet access and other entertaining features. I'll miss turning the page manually and opening a recently bought, brand new, crisp, "untouched" novel.

Seriously, that OMG-a-new-book-finally feeling is one I treasure.

I carry at least one (or maybe two) book with me, in my bag, anywhere I go. I ignore the weight of my bag... the combination of my novels and miscellaneous items adding on the pounds to my poor shoulder.

So maybe the day will come when I will make the idea of purchasing a Nook a reality. I'll still keep my complaints in mind... but I think I'll be just a tad bit satisfied when I walk out of that Barnes & Noble with my new purchase... maybe... just a tad.

Grey's Anatomy: Season 8 premiere starts off strong

Title screen || dvdbeaver.com

The renowned medical drama television series, "Grey's Anatomy," is back with a brand new season, after several months of waiting and anticipation. It is a drama set in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, in Seattle and has led fans through seven successful seasons--filled with shocking discoveries, suspense, relationship drama and of course the bloody surprises working in a hospital brings. Season 8 of "Grey's Anatomy" premiered on Thursday, September 22 at its usual time of 9 p.m. "Free Falling" and "She's Gone" were aired as a two-hour special.

The last episode of Season 7 left viewers with many loose ends. Meredith and Derek relationship appeared to be on thin ice when Derek discovers that Meredith tampered with his clinical trials and then outlandishly deems her to be an unfit mother (to six-month-old Zola whom they had temporary custody of and planned on officially adopting). Cristina and Owen were left to make a decision concerning their unborn child. While Cristina feels strongly about the fact that she does NOT want to be a mother, Owen continued to re-emphasize the idea of a family and overlooks his wife's strong feelings against motherhood.

Season 8 hits viewers with an intensity right before the title screen. Having the earth split open and suck all those in the midst of it, is only one of the few major disasters that have appeared on Grey's (Plane crash with just one survivor, in the previous season and the ferry crash, several seasons back). An unknown couple were swallowed up by this sinkhole after having an argument and one could not help but think if this was a subtle highlight of Meredith and Derek's shaky relationship (no pun intended).

Meanwhile, at Seattle Grace, April Kepner is the new Chief Resident and has not evolved from her meek persona and has a difficult time keeping things in order. Cristina and Owen are still not on good terms, but it is Meredith who informs Owen that Cristina has not gone through with the abortion yet because of him. She finally makes him realize that forcing Cristina to have this baby will "eat her alive," because she herself had a mother who did not want her and who too was a "Cristina."

Meredith loses her job, but regains her title as a doctor at Seattle Grace thanks to Chief Webber. He takes the fall for her and lies, stating that he was responsible for tampering with his wife's Clinical Trials. As he walks out of the hospital, he talks to his wife, Adele, on the phone about coming home for dinner--which illustrates a man making up for all those long hours in the hospital and giving a talented, young surgeon a second chance.

Meredith and Derek saying goodbye to baby Zola || CliqueClack.com

Meredith and Derek receive a visit from the social worker who begins to get suspicious after discovering Meredith was fired and the couple may be living in separate locations. This causes Zola, to be taken away temporarily by social services, until uncertainty is cleared up.

A very controversial scene was certainly when Cristina was laying down, Owen by her side, about to go through with the termination of her pregnancy. Owen held her hand and his face reeked of the pain of the possibility of "what could have been," but his love for his wife superseded all emotions he must have felt deep down.

After being the hated object since he opened his drunken mouth about Meredith's illegal act, last season, Alex hopes to make amends by walking in, after Derek walks away in silent frustration, at the conclusion of the episode. Perhaps the friendship isn't patched entirely, but he was there for her, and that was what truly mattered.

All in all, Season 8 started off powerfully. A lot occurred, but there is still more to be revealed!

The Lion King makes its way to theaters once again... with a 21st Century twist

The world has come a long way since cassette tapes, beepers, Walkmans, CD Players and VHS. We live in a fast-moving world, filled with smart phones, laptops, wi-fi connections, ipods, DVDs and, of course, 3D televisions and movies in theaters. So when fans discovered that their beloved 1994 Disney movie would be re-released, in 3D, for just two weeks, one could only imagine the excitement felt.

"The Lion King" is currently the 28th highest grossing film ever, grossing $783 million worldwide during its 1994 release. On Friday, September 16 and almost two decades later, children, teens and adult alike got in line to pay for movie they had already seen numerous time before. So why shell out the cash for a movie that you've already seen before? Why sit through an hour and a half movie when you are fully aware of Scar's evil ways? Why endure the off-key singing of "Hakuna Matata" by the other movie-goers? And finally, why get emotional when Simba discovers that his father, Mufasa, is dead (and by his own brother)? The only answer that one has for all these questions is: It brings back memories.

InsidePulse.com

So many people long to return to the care-free days of childhood and being able to watch "The Lion King" on the big screen may have been a chance for many to re-live their childhood days of no work, worries, or bills. Experiencing it in 3D may have been even better--for the youngsters, most likely. The three-dimensional images from beginning to end did not really grab you like the memories of "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" did. 3D movies has become such a huge epidemic and quite frankly, it has lost its original hype. All those fancy effects weren't needed...yes, it made it all the more fun to watch, but for the teens and adults, it was simply a rare opportunity to sing aloud the same songs that contributed to the smile on their face and happiness in their heart as a child, in the theater.

All-in-all "The Lion King" in 3D is a must-see, whether you have it stored away on VHS, have seen it countless times already, or haven't seen it at all. It not only brings back recollections for those who were just a child at the time, but teens and adults can fully appreciate the positive message produced through this nostalgic, musical, fun-filled film on the big screen.

Let Go

"Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. We are and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world." -Helen Burns ("Jane Eyre")

Photo courtesy of BookCoverArchive.com

I still remember seeing this statement and pausing. Charlotte Bronte's masterpiece had my full attention, but I just could not go any further without re-reading the young Helen Burns' quote again...and again. I read it until I had it memorized and I think I even put it up as my Facebook status (See what social networking has done to this generation?)

Helen said it right and got it right, for Bronte's time and present-day, as well. What's the point in letting someone live in your head rent-free? No one is perfect and we all have shortcomings in this journey called life, so why spend so much time building up that anger by replaying in your mind what someone did to you two weeks ago?

It's time to let go and let God. Oh yes, I went there. But seriously, you'll find a lot more peace and great comfort once you fully realize that you can take all the weight of your anger, frustrations and social turmoil, put 'em in God's hands... and leave them there.

"Anna and the French Kiss"

Paris, love and a teen-romance-waiting-to-happen can sound just a bit cliche to many. However, as I was perusing the shelves at Barnes & Noble one day during the start of this summer, I stumbled across an intriguing cover illustration. A young woman (possibly in her late teens) sitting on a bench staring intently at the boy sitting next to her, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Readers only see the gentleman's arm, whose fingertips are inches away from the main character's own. So, one can only imagine what this mystery guy looks like, and based on the girl's smile, he may not look too bad at all.

"Anna and the French Kiss," which was published in 2010, introduces a high school senior named Anna Oliphant who was shipped to a Boarding School in Paris, France. She is less than enthusiastic and would rather spend her senior year in Atlanta, enjoying the familiar. When she meets the "beautiful" Etienne St. Clair, she feels less alone in the huge city bustling with life. St. Clair's character and description is one that should be appreciated. Author Stephanie Perkins steers away from the chiseled "Prince Charming" that we have all grown far too familiar with and introduces a handsome guy with an English accent, yet an imperfect and flawed young man--both internally and physically. Although St. Clair has a serious girlfriend, he and Anna embark on a journey together to learn more about Paris and each other.

Perkins dives deep into Anna's character and emotions, and leaves no detail out. Many reviews I have read, mention lack of character development on Anna's part, but I believe it was complete in its own way. Anna aspires to be a successful female movie critic and her knowledge of films are impressive. She is somewhat naive and the things she gets herself into while in Paris exemplifies her sheltered life back home. An over-developed character can cause a reader to know TOO much. It is the art of writing a novel to withhold certain information that would otherwise limit the reader's imagination and bubbling questions that causes him/her to turn the page.

I would recommend this book to the Sarah Dessen fans out there and those who embrace the soft sigh a cute romance novel usually brings. It provides teen romance without being too cliche, a main character who is different from all the rest and a plot that you feel is predictable in the beginning, yet is not entirely so once you are indulged. "Anna and the French Kiss" is the start of many novels for Stephanie Perkins. Her next novel entitled, "Lola and the Boy Next Door" is a companion novel to "Anna and the French Kiss" and will be available on September 29, 2011. Next, is the final addition to Anna and Lola titled, "Isla and the Happily Ever After" available in the Fall of 2012.

<Photo courtesy of Goodreads.com>