I heart Emirates and Random Taxi Drivers

Flying International with Emirates is a must…Perhaps this is a bias statement, because I’ve never traveled abroad so I wouldn’t have any other airline to compare my flight to. But if it gets better than this…

I have to admit, the highlight to of my flight was watching The Hannah Montana movie. Geesh, that song “It’s the climb,” really put things into perspective for me. Anyone who’s reading this and is familiar with my schedule, should be well aware of my tendency to over extend myself. Listen to the song. It’s FIRE!

Oh, and then the second highlight was watching Slumdog Millionaire. Which I have at home, but it seemed way better in the plane…maybe because we were headed to Dubai. That movie was so cleverly organized. Everyone who was involved in the production is brilliant. My favorite scene was when they were rolling down the hill after being thrown off the train, and during their roll down the hill they aged and became teens (This is the Telecommunications part of me rambling).

Then, as if my flight couldn’t get any cooler, I listened to that song “A Change Gone Come,” after discovering they had no songs by The Temptations (how dare you have a playlist called the 60’s and not have any Paul, Blue, Otis, David and Eddie???)

Anyway, the song “A Change Gone Come,” is simply lovely. Essentially, the lyrics are still relevant.

But the absolute coolest part about flying with Emirates was the flight attendants. They had on cute little red hats, with silk scarves hanging from them. They all have accents, and its obvious they are from different countries. Their uniforms are absolutely perfect-with high waists (I looooove high waisted-anything), and they have sock buns! Remember sock buns???!!!

So, basically I found myself daydreaming about when I wanted to be a flight attendant. Some of ya’ll may remember that. But I don’t like airplanes, or the fear that comes with missing a flight, or losing things…airports stress me out BIG TIME.

Anyway, I typed this while in the clouds. It’s pretty cool, our TV also allows us to see the view from below the plane and in front, in addition to watching our plane on the world map. I probably sound like a premature traveler to some…but I don’t care, I am. I plan to make traveling an ingrained part of my life, so get used to it!

Since then I've spent a night in Dubai and it was simply amazing. Imagine...3 students + 3 open minds + 1 cool cab driver= completely surreal.

Will post details soon:)

http://www.ustream.tv/record?mode=broadcast&id=fC.AWvgQ1hTcAYRn.tL2n5.VBYK3cgTY

Every Year Is the Best Year Ever

Do you all ever say that? This was my best year ever? Or, this year went by fast? Or, this year was tough?

Ummm...my point is...this was my best year ever, but I'm certain I say that every year. I guess it's a good thing. I guess.

Yes, we've arrived in an economic crisis and we've witnessed the earth making some strange moves in 2008.

But we've also seen this country come together in ways that we thought would only amount to a dream by Dr. Martin Luther King. A dream that would-you know...kinda happen.

Sure segregation is no longer an obvious component of the United States of America (although the black side of town still exists in most cities...the black mall...the hang-out in the city where only white people go). These are all cliches' that I'm by no means endorsing, just the truth.

Umm...back to Dr. King. Sure, we are granted all of the freedoms that the Constitution promises. But before President Obama arrived, you have to be honest...we were not a UNITED States of America. Still aren't completely.

But I can't stop the giggles inside that arise when I'm in a room with the most random group of people, whom I'd never imagined sharing jokes with and sharing stories about Obama.

I am absolutely hysterical inside when I observe the ego-revealing this campaign has allowed. The deal with this campaign is that it has allowed any and everyone to create an Obama Organization...so, if I wanted to create an Oklahoma-born, TSU graduate, People who just don't get exhausted For Obama Group...I could of.

At the same time, the strategy behind the "everyone can be a leader campaign," proved to be super clever. Time Magazine described Obama's campaign as one that put trust and confidence in everyday people. While other campaign's kept their data to certain "privileged," individuals-the Obama campaign would entrust anyone with a desire for change with information that could have very well been used in a harmful way.

But the winning element here is...trust.

Obama trusted that our hearts were in it, and we trusted that he would deliver.

And while I often found myself frustrated because I'd never been so passionate about politics and could not understand why all of my peers weren't equally passionate...I have now come off of that high, and realize that no one is obligated to do anything.

If you're just not moved to get involved...then you shouldn't force yourself to (or be guilted into it by a certain, obnoxious, super-hyper young lady:).

During the campaign I forgot what it's like to be unmotivated. I forgot how great it feels to sleep in on Saturdays and neglect my blackberry for a couple of hours, and HA! take care of myself...

And I have to say, I put in a lot of time...but the whole country did. There was a young, energized, optimistic girl like me in every city in the world. Actually, hundreds in each city.

I admire every person who volunteered, every person who wore the t-shirts, every person who put the bumper sticker on their car, and every person who kept the dialogue going about how awesome it would be when Obama wins the election.

Umm...so, besides my experience in the campaign...this year was my best year ever because I'm closer to reaching that place in life where my purpose is revealed. That statement deserves an explanation...but to avoid writing a post within a post...I will say that I've arrived at a place in my life where it's easy for me to distinguish my likes and dislikes and not feel bad about only being involved with things that I just don't like (this revelation can and has been applied to people as well).

I learned something at church that is simple and applicable, "God in front, the world behind." Which to me, is translated to mean...the things of this world can't possibly be my focus if I hope to live in my true purpose.

And, I've fallen in love with my best friend...again. It's beautiful, he's the most spontaneous person in the world...and he reveals his soul when you least expect it.

And, I'm learning to respect my money! Thanks to Suze Orman.

And, my friends and family are still ROCKSTARS!

And, my mother is still dancing...I'm starting to dance just like her...I can't wait to write a book about her and the dances we share...

Frustratedly Blogging

Disclaimer: Some may be offended and/or annoyed by my patronizing…but…the internet is a social, communication democracy so…

I write as freely as I like.

That said, last week my cousin called me an “under-achiever spotter.” I replied with “Are you saying I judge people?”

She said, “We all do.” (She actually said more, but if I shared it with you, the essence of our blackberry messenger relationship would no longer exist).

Anyway, my point is…clearly I’m flawed…at noticing flaws, but I’m gonna pick on some people in this blog and because I admit to having an I-just-don’t-get it-Attitude, it is with no regret that I express my latest frustration.

I’ve said before, my unyielding support for Senator Obama is not solely based on the fact that he’s a black man. But…my life is rich in history and I realize that I owe it to myself and to the ancestors to do something…anything, during the most historic, political battle of my generation…hell my parents generation, no…I mean “the most historic, political accomplishment an amazing group of people thought they would never live to see.”

That’s what I really mean.

Ponder these things:
Slavery ended in 1865
The Tulsa Race Riots happened in 1921
Emmitt Till was murdered in 1955
Martin Luther King was murdered in 1968
Sean Bell was murdered in 2006
The Jena Six case was born in 2006
I know this is just scratching the surface of our history but…you get the gist

On Youtube, Myspace and all over the net, racial slander occurs…daily
In jobs and schools and prison, racial injustice exists.
On TV negative stereotypes of blacks dominate the popular shows (i.e., Flavor of Love)
Oh, and let’s not forget about the clubs, the cars, and hip-hop’s degredation of women…these are the things that various groups of people are making millions of dollar from, at the cost of…

My point is…we have NOT made as much racial progression as we often carry on about. Although Obama’s presidency is not the savior of Black America. I believe it can save the future of Black America.

Black Men (and yes, I do believe it’s hard out there for a black man), young black men especially will have something so divine to look forward to.

Funny how we can got to HBCU’s, join Sororities and Fraternities (supposed to be committed to service, founded because of racial inequality, and yes, back in the day-they marched for voting rights), glorify the hood, be real quick to holler, “I bet if I was white,” complain about ANY injustice faced by black people…but cannot commit 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, to work toward electing a very capable, black man as President of the United States of America.

*Side Note
-Based on new statistics released this week, eight million U.S. blacks aged 18 and over are still not registered to vote.
-And despite the electoral college, your vote really does count. See this link http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html#meaningful
-And, I originally posted this blog on September 4, I've since witnessed leaders of the Pan-Hellenic council advocating Voter Reg on the local news station

Grapes has a Baby!?!?!?

What a blessing...everyone's already in love with Dylan Kathleen Day!

Living as a Champion

Okay, so obviously this year I'm infatuated with being a Champion and living in Championship Moments (crazy what a basketball game can inspire).

I graduated this year and feel that I'm in the best position one could ever hope to be in.

Degreed. Careered. Single. Independent-not bragging, it's the truth.

When you're 23 with a job, not strings attached-it's like, you determine your destiny. This is not the best time for excuses.

So now that this reality has set in, I go on to think about what I want to do with my life. I know that God has gifted me with this relentless energy, this desire to sound off about everything, and to reeeaally exercise the freedom that this country and my ancestors have afforded me.

As is such, I will be coordinating several voter registration drives in Houston, as we approach the presidential election in November, I plan to continue reminding the world about Black Wall Street, and to keep advocating for breast cancer awareness on behalf of the Circle of Promise (thanks to the Axis Agency, this cause has become one of great significance to me).

Meanwhile, I'll always be Jonesing, and Chronicle-ing, and dancing. I'm inherently a dancer, I just didn't take the classes.

Maybe I'm just coming down from the high of yesterday's Voter Registration Drive at TSU (which had it's glitches, but was an overall success).

But, my current state of thought is : We're always living in Championship Moments, you just gotta go get it. Life is a Championship Moment. It's up to you how many winning titles you're going to have.

You should always be in pursuit of a Championship Moment.

My Obama Moment

I am so grateful to be living in a world where I have been told of the civil rights movement, where I was born about 5 minutes from Black Wall Street, and where today, we have an amazing leader who is multi-racial, brilliant, charismatic and will very likely be our next president.

The interesting thing is that all who know me, know that I am most proud of being black and female. Simply because I think black is beautiful and being a woman means being passionate. Now, I have a more complex explanation for my infatuation with my race and gender, but this scratches the surface...enough for now.

That said, I initially was on the fence about who had my vote. I was comfortable with the Clinton's, they had a familiarity with me. Now I understand that it's this technique they were using called low-information signaling that had me lovin the Clinton's. LIS is basically a method of distracting voters to focus on stupid stuff that has nothing to do with the "issues." (See this article in Time Magazine for more info on LIS.)

This clever-media-manipulation has always been done and always will. It's used in the Obama campaign too.

Ummm...okay, my point is- that's why I loved the Clinton's. Ignorance on my behalf, I'll take that.

Just plain trickery I tell you.

So, I listened, I read and I started to understand that this man (Obama) gets it.

Then I became Obamafied. I volunteered with the campaign when it was here in Texas and would later become a delegate in my precinct. My Obama Moment, was on March 4, 2008 at MacGregor Elementary on the day of the Texas Primaries.

I pull up in my Obama gear, sign in-hand, ready to spread the HOPE and ensure that Obama wins in Texas. First thing I see is this Japanese, middle-age man. He's on the corner, in his Obama shirt and holding his sign while yelling, "Obama!"

I later found out that this man knew very little English, besides words like...Democrat, Obama, Caucus, etc...

His wife on the other hand, spoke English very well. She was a member of the Japan House of Councils. She was a college professor, and was once an International student (see where I'm going with this?)

She asked me what was my Obama Moment? I thought about it for a second, and replied with, "The entire Obama Movement is my moment. I'm a college student, from a low-income family, I feel like the bar keeps being raised...like dreams are unattainable because of economical disadvantages, and I do want to see what this world has to offer me...that's what the Obama campaign is all about."

By the end of the night she'd given me a T-shirt with the face of the President of the Democratic Party of Japan...she and I connected. I told one of my fellow Obama loyalists, "I'm International Now." By the end of the night, I realized that I'd just experienced my Obama moment. I was in my Obama Moment.

I connected with a middle-aged Japanese Politician whom had flown across the country, with her non-English speaking husband, to come to Houston to what is commonly known as The ward (i.e., 3rd, 4th, 5th), but now is referred to as "midtown," to spread the HOPE.

Since then I've been told by non-blacks, "He's not too black,"-when referrering to their comfort with him.

I've heard people of Mexican descent say, "This country is for white people."

I read in Time Magazine that a subscriber whom is black and almost 60 years old feels that this is a white man's world, and Obama better have a conservative, southern Caucasian American on his ticket (the subscriber said these were her thoughts with no animosity). I believe it.

Some people can't grasp the idea of Black Male President, White Female VP.

I've heard educated, upper-class Europeans say, "I'm voting for Hillary."

Delusional, I tell ya.

I personally don't care about people's deep-rooted prejudices. Those will always exist. There will always be those who say things like:

"He's only half black."
"He talks white."
"He's not you know, black-black."

But because my BLACK RADAR is always in tune. I'll be the first to say, "He is definitely a black man."

And while he may address the ills in black society openly...he does so because he truly HOPES for the greatest for the African American population.

Gloria Naylor said, "We have yet to feel within this country that we are home." Barack Obama as president, will welcome us home.