"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. :)