"Cause black is the skin I'm in"

I read any and everything I can get my hands on once it seems interesting enough. Today I went to the library to pick up some books that were placed on hold for one of the kids I babysit. The books were chosen for her summer reading.
I, of course, had to check out the books and see if it was something I'd like to read. Like I said, "I read any and everything", even if its something that's meant for a 9 year old. Like that old saying goes, "Age ain't nothing but a numbah".
+ I personally have no clue what someone my age should be reading. You know how some people start out reading lower level books, and then move upward and onward from there? I started, in my opinion, at an extremely above normal level. I mean, I think I was the only 10 year old child in my class (or maybe the whole school) who had her head buried in mysteries & thrillers by Dean Koontz, James Patterson and Mary Higgins-Clark, just to name a few.
Anyway, what I've been trying to say is that one of the books off Ebony's summer list is a novel by Sharon G. Flake called "The Skin I'm In". I absolutely adore this book and will make sure it's the first that she reads. If the title of the book doesn't give you enough of a clue about what the book is about then you should know its about a young girl whose trying to accept who she is. Nothing is sugar-coated. You're in there with her, struggling along with her from day one. Here's a bit from it. My favorite bit:

"All I done for you," Char says. "You gonna leave me out to dry like this. Wait till later, you ugly, stupid black thing."
Call me by my name! I hear Akeelma say, and I scream it too. "Call me by my name! I am not ugly. I am not stupid. I am Maleeka Madison, and, yeah, I'm black, real black, and if you don't like me, too bad 'cause black is the skin I'm in!"

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I am not a summer baby.

I was born in August. The month of the Lion, who I'm told revels in the sun. I'm here to say right now that I do not "revel" in the sun, or purr or stretch or whatever those overgrown felines do. I squint, cringe, and ::shudder:: sweat.
I mean, don't get me confused with those people who for some ungodly reason abhor daylight. I love lots and lots of sunlight, preferably when its pouring through the window while I'm in the house with the air conditioner on at a reasonably non-styfling temperature, or perhaps in a car with the window down (air conditioner rule applies here as well).
Now the autumn/fall weather is more my style; the weather is not too hot and not too cold. Now that is the season I definitely "revel" in.
That is all.
Toodles.

PS: Maybe I should simply just wear my hear short during this hot weather :/
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untiligetmarried.com

So I recently stumbled upon this blog. It's called "Until I Get Married" and it features the meanderings of a bachelor, Jozen. So far I've read and liked "Five Compliments Women Should Learn To Appreciate". Here's a little excerpt:

SHE LOOKS GREAT IN THE MORNING

Ever tell a woman she looks great before she gets in the shower, puts on her makeup, and freshens herself up for the day? A classic response is, “You’re just saying that.” Or, “I do not. Stop. Don’t look at me.” Whatever.

Look, if a man can see some beauty in a woman before she even gets all beautiful, there’s only one way to respond to such a thing. Morning sex. (Kidding (no I’m not))

SHE LOOKS LIKE INSERT BEAUTIFUL CELEBRITY NAME HERE

I don’t care what she thinks of the celebrity I say she looks like, if I didn’t say she looks like someone who is is considered to be unattractive, she should take it as a compliment. The problem is, most women cloud the compliment I give with their own opinion of whatever celebrity I say they look like, and if it’s not a celebrity they find cute, they will disagree and reject the compliment. Matter of fact, they might even find a way to twist my words into an insult. Well, I didn’t ask her what she thought about the celebrity she looks like. I think she’s fine. That’s all my girl should be worried about. It’s not like I said, “Girl, you look like Oprah.”

Follow his link to read more. :)

Concrete

I absolutely adore this image of my cousin, Tamika. This was taken at this cute little bar & restaurant (called CONCRETE) located around 37th street and 7th avenue, I think. :)

forever is made up of nows.

I need to go away for a bit. I remember I used to feel disgusted whenever I heard a person claim they hadn't 'found themselves' yet and needed to go away a bit to do it. As pathetic as it sounds I need to do just that.
I feel constricted; not so much, but every now & then the feeling of being claustrophobic pushes its way through my subconscience & I feel like I need to get out quick.
Life feels as if its become mundane; dull. Yesterday feels like today, and today will feel like most days to come.
I need a change, but then again, they always say be careful what you wish for.
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Unfair.

Okay. I have to speak out. I'm getting way tired of hearing people say that if men can cheat on women like Christina Millian & Halle Barry, that us "women of lesser morals & substance" (my voice is heavily sarcastic here) obviously cannot hold unto a man.
Seriously? What the fuck?! Yea, I'm mad. Yes, I understand that these are successful, beautiful women but what makes them any different from every other woman on earth? Yea, some of us might not be as successful as they are, or perhaps look as naturally (I use this word loosely) beautiful as they do, but I believe that each woman has within her something that is extremely unique & beautiful to offer.
Anywho, whose to say why these men cheat? People are currently assuming that these men cheat on women like Halle & Christina because there is something wrong with these women. But why is the blame on only them? My problem is if you're no longer attracted to the woman/man you're currently with, then let them know & move on, instead of allowing them to face the indignity and humiliation of your unfaithful ways. Also, just because a woman is a celebrity that does not make her "woman of the year". Halle & Christina are normal women, just like us. Not super women. They get hurt & they bleed just like us. Their men cheat on them, they do all the things we do; minus those women who actually follow their psychotic urges.
Bottom line, don't place these women on a pedestal, and don't assume that these men are blameless.
That is all.
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You Must Always Think Positively

You know when people tell you that & you try real hard to push yourself to be positive but you just can't do it? I mean, its hard for someone whose constantly faced with negativity from every turn to instantly be positive about some things.
Not that I'm a pessimist or anything. I believe that I'm a true optimist. I go into the situation with probably the same amount of doubt & uncertainty that a 'normal' person may or may not have. I say to myself, "yea, I'm positive (which I totally don't feel), but I shouldn't get my hopes too high."
Don't want it too badly. That's probably what my brain is sublimely telling me every time I'm aware of something that I want badly.
Put simply, I suck at being entirely positive. But I always hope that things would pan out some way or the other.

Jenaya
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