Palm Sunday and changing times...

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and times have definitely changed. Palm Sunday was a big deal in my family especially for my grandmother. We'd have to go to bed early to make sure we were well rested for service (church) the next day. We'd have special outfits (to differentiate from any other Sunday of course) and we HAD to come home with "the palms".
My grandmother would stay home to cook Sunday lunch, while we went to church. Automatically I was suspicious. Why were they dressing US up and sending us (my cousin and I) to church? Sometimes my grandmother would go on a Saturday but WE had to go on Sunday mornings. It was so ceremonial that I thought "they have to be prepping us for sacrifice" (yeah, I definitely read too much into the Bible stories), and what was so important about those palms anyway?

(Google Images)

My grandmother STRESSED that we HAAAAAAD to bring home those palms. It was almost implied that if we didn't get get one, we might as well sleep in the church. So my cousin and I would walk to church, and I was ready! When I got there, I didn't care if I had to fight the priest, I was leaving there with a palm. (Luckily there was enough for everybody)...but that is a tradition that has since faded in my family.

And I was talking to my sister today about letters. Noone really writes letters or sends cards anymore. A card store near to my home recently closed down because I probably was the only customer! I would walk in and there'd be aisles of beautiful cards and stationery and little cutsie knick-knacks that I couldn't wait for an occassion, any reason to send to someone, to celebrate or just say hi. Now I get e-vites and e-mails and withdrawal symptoms if God forbid Facebook's website was under construction! lol
Calling has now evolved into texting, or facebooking, twittering, or myspacing in and out of this world! Now we're finding so many creative ways to keep in touch that we're over-saturated with applications, literally at our fingertips. The other day I received a text to check my facebook page only to log-in and get a message that could have been texted in the first place.
Now don't misinterpret, I'm a big fan of the social networking sites because I'm only one click away from sooooooo many friends and family members ALL OVER THE GLOBE! So I LOVE it! We laugh & have discussions and meet new people and stay in touch....and it sure beats the line at the Post Office...just as long as we remember that no click on the computer (or phone) could ever replace meeting vis-a-vis! Recently in the news an old lady died in her home and noone even knew. The autopsy revealed that she could have been dead for over 3 months. How do you not miss someone for 3 months? Didn't she have family? Or friends? Or neighbors?

Simple    human   contact.... After all we don't wanna evolve into I-Robots, now do we?

Upcoming Performance in NYC People! :)

Hey peeps, I want to let you guys & gals know that I'll be performing at the Walker Sound Stage on April 16th, 2010. Doors open at 7pm but the show starts at 10pm. Venue is 56 Walker St, New York NY (off Canal St, btwn Broadway and Church). $10 till 9pm, more at the door.

For those who like to party hearty, there'll be an afterwork party from 7pm, then the show, and even more partying after that, so hope to see you there.

Much Luv

Mandy

Happy Bday Grandpa!

Yesterday was my grandpa's birthday. My grandfather is the coolest ever; he has his own swagger. :)
He has never left Trinidad yet he's filled with a wealth of information. He's taught me so many things (although when I was younger I thought most of it was gibberish!)
He taught me to love without color or abandon. He always emphasizes the importance of education and he let me sing to my heart's content (even when it might've been painful to everyone else :)
He is great with business and a very fair man. I always thought he would have experienced so much more in life had he travelled all over the globe but he loved my grandmother dearly and would NEVER leave her side. (He was the adventurous one, she wasn't).

My grandpa always believed in me and I love him dearly. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!!

A moment to vent

You know I TRY to be good but every once in a while my mad blood surfaces and I feel like running people over!!!! So allow me a moment to vent:

1. Dear Drivers, if you are entering a lane and you are waiting for someone to let you in, PLEASE   PAY    ATTENTION!!! WHAT are you searching around your car for AT THAT VERY MOMENT!? You have 3 seconds to look up and get in front of me or I am passing you by and you could wait for some other schmuck to let you in. Good luck with the 50 cars behind me!

2. Do NOT SQUEEEEEEEZE your car in without indicating that you want to be let in. Indicate and wait. Indicate and wait. I attend RRA (Road Rage Anonymous...well, not so anonymous anymore) and until I am "cured", enter at your own risk.

(Google Images)

3. Stop texting/ talking on your cell while you drive!! This is everywhere now...and you know it's serious when OPRAH has a on-going campaign to stop this. You may THINK you have the skills to do this but since your a** is swerving in my lane GET OFF THE DAMN PHONE!!!

4. You are a crossing guard...not the State Police! Yes you protect people and that little red octagon in your hand is muy importante but if I don't see anybody there waiting to cross the street...or they are HALFWAY UP THE BLOCK I am running you and your sign over!

Ok breathe....take a deep breath in....

You Are Very Special!

I don't remember where I got this card but it has a very poignant message that I want to share with you guys:

"In all the world there is nobody like you. Since the beginning of time, there has never been another person like you. Nobody has your smile, your eyes, your hands, your hair. Nobody owns your voice, your handwriting, your unique way of communicating with others.

You're special.

Nobody can paint like you. Nobody has your taste for food, music, dance or art. Nobody in the world sees things as you do. In all time, there has never been anyone who laughs in exactly your way, and what makes you laugh or cry or think may have a totally different response in another.

So - You're Special.

You're different from any other person who has ever lived in the history of the world. You are the only one in the whole world who has your particular set of abilities. There is always someone who is better at one thing or another. Every person is your superior in at least one way. But nobody in this world can reach the quality of the combination of your talents, your feelings. Through all eternity, no one will ever love, walk, talk, think or act exactly like you.

Remember - You're Special.

You're rare, and in all rarity there is enormous value. You're Special, and it is no accident you are. Please realize the God of Heaven and Earth made you for a special purpose. The God of light and love has a job for you to do that nobody else can do as well as you can. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified. Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes - and that one is you.

You Are Very Special!"

Sometimes people lose sight of their own uniqueness, or they never get the chance to know just how special they really are, so they try to dim your light. Perhaps it makes them feel better but each and every one of us is special in our own way. Remember that!

Have a great day everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY ANN RUCKERT !!

A few years ago my path was aligned with Lady Ann Ruckert.
My sister and I had a lengthy phone conversation about living our dreams and that day began my musical journey. I began attending seminars at The Learning Annex....anything relating to music and the entertainment business, I was there. That's when I met Ann.
She was a guest speaker at one of the seminars and although I was enthralled with her lecture I said to myself 'her workshops are for songwriters, not for me, I'm just a singer'.
Well how wrong was I! Ann encouraged me to not only sing but also to write the words that were wrestling in there and now I am currently working on my debut cd.

Her she is fussing that I turned down (performance) jobs abroad to be with my son...

......soon Ann, SOON! :)

It was because of this remarkable lady that I've had so many great opportunities in music, one of which was singing with Mr Jimmy Norman who wrote "Time is on my side" (which later became a Rolling Stones Hit).

Here I am singing with Mr Jimmy Norman on his birthday

There are never enough words in any language to express one's gratitude, but I hope she knows just how grateful I am to her for everything; teaching me music theory, her words of encouragement and advice, for kicking my a** when I wanted to throw in the towel...for everything.... and just how much I love her.

Happy birthday Ann and I know,  "PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!"

(Also I know this might be short notice for some of you but Jimmy Norman will be performing one last time at Roth's Steakhouse, 680 Columbus Ave (corner of 93rd), New York, NY tomorrow at 9 pm. He has been performing there every Saturday night for the past few years so if you wanna witness this living legend doing his thang, come on down the price is right!)
http://www.rothsnyc.com/

The beginning of a new story...

(His birthday cake)

Today's my baby's birthday! He woke up, looked for money in his birthday card (there was none lol), worked out WITH dumbbells because he needed to keep his "cannons in shape" then had a slice of his birthday cake for breakfast!

As I walked him to the school door (he allowed me to... since it's his birthday... replete with kisses) I thought 'wow, look how he's grown! My big boy!'

Of course I remember the first time I held him in the hospital and wondered how the heck I was going to take care of this little person when I could barely take care of myself! Now he's almost as tall as I am ALREADY ...and by the Grace of God I'm raising him as best as I possibly can.

My sister has a video of me dressing him when he was a newborn; it took almost an HOUR to do that because I was so afraid to break him. (Now I'm the first one threatening to break every bone in his body if he ever got outta line! smh lol)

Today mark's another year of his life and as his cake says "the beginning of a new story"!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUTS TO SHERAYNE, KERON, REGI, LANA and GRANDMA JO - all of whom share a bday with ma bay-bay! ;)

Also if you're in the NYC area, check out my girl Galia Arad, performing at Arlene's Grocery, tonight at 9pm (95 Stanton Street, New York, NY). To listen to more Galia click on http://www.galiaarad.typepad.com/my-blog/full-of-sht-free-exclusive-mp3.html

Spring Cleaning !

I am feeling this weather! Spring officially begins next week but I have started getting rid of stuff during the winter ALREADY. Why? Out with the old and in with the new! Time to make room honey! Not just for more "stuff" (like material things), but the blessings that 2010 can bring.
For one, I've had cabin fever. If you read my "Winter Wonderland" lyrics, you could tell... snow, and the winter in general, is soooooooo not my thing.
Also, cleaning is a form of catharsis for me. If I'm not using something, then someone else might value it, so I give it away. This not only refers to things I don't use at home, but also relationships/friendships. Now I'm not saying that people are dispensable, absolutely not, but sometimes you have to rid your life of the DRAMA that is associated with people in order for YOU to live a healthy life.
I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, other times I'm a pure beast... lol.
We are human and we allllll make mistakes. People may not always share your views or opinions and that's cool, but it doesn't mean you have to stick around and be their doormat either. Do I love them any less? Yes, they can kiss my big.........KIDDING! It simply means they go their way and you go yours.

I'll leave you with one of my fave quotes from Natasha Munson: "We cannot allow anyone's insecurities to affect our energy. We cannot allow anyone's need for our time & energy to become overwhelming & stifling. There are some people that become envious of your joy & will find any possible reason to diminish it or put the attention back on them. You simply cannot stand for their drama or need for attention."

So on that note, (singing)... "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."

Race, Mo'Nique and the Oscars!

I finally caught "Race" on Broadway this weekend. It is a very compelling play with incendiary performances by James Spader, Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier and Richard Thomas. The language is coarse and raw but definitely meant to stir your emotions and make you think. A must-see if you're in NY and looking for a stunning play.

Kerry Washington (in Race)

(Google Images)

 I absolutely luv her...she is much tinier than I expected but her voice is powerful and commanding!

And speaking of powerful, did you happen to catch Mo'Nique's speech at the Oscars? Wow! Kudos to her! I love her because she seems so down-to-earth (I love that she does not shave her legs and doesn't care either! lol)

Congratulations on your Oscar win Mo'Nique, and for being the 5th African American female to win this award (preceded by Hattie McDaniels, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson).

Mo'Nique accepting her award

(Google Images)

Now the ONLY reason I watched the Oscars this year was because of Mo'Nique. Yes, some of you might be thinking "gasp!" as you LIVE for Oscar night, (I know someone who rents a tux, his wife gets dressed in a gown and they sit in front of the tv all dressed up to be a part of the show...uhmmmm a little weird for me but hey whatever floats their boat) but it is one of the most BORING award shows EVER!! An hour and a half into it and NO MUSIC??

I wasn't too thrilled with Doogie Howser what's-his-name opening the show with that sarcastic lame skit but I said 'hey, he's doing his thing' and somewhere along the line I figured they'd inject a performance or two...NADA! Then I remembered that is exactly why I don't watch that show!

Now when I'M going up for my award I will want everybody and their momma to watch, but in the meantime this is my 'never humble' opinion :)

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Al, Sylvia and Darion!!

I fell in love and I wanna share...

...well not share with you LITERALLY lol...but continue reading...

Meet KINKY-CURLY...

Kinky Curly Custard

I read an article on Essence blog about Alicia Keys' hair. The particular hairstyle she had in that article was a natural wavy type look. They recommended a gel called Kinky-Curly so I thought I'd try it and let me tell you how I LOVE this product!!!

I've been growing out my natural hair (meaning NO relaxers, thanks to encouragement from my cousin, Jamella). That was NOT an easy task because (1) I have thick hair and (2) when you are making the transition from relaxed hair to au natural it is a CHALLENGE!!!

There were MANY days when I washed my hair then looked in the mirror and saw Chaka Khan on crack staring back at me. But in recent months I have bit the bullet...or rather the wide tooth comb...and I am falling in love all over again with my natural hair.

See in picture below Exhibit A:

This is how my hair looks now (with the Kinky-Curly gel)

(when you don't have a personal photographer in your entourage this is the best you could do...lol)

At first I thought 'hmm, this is different but I'm kinda feeling this', so off to work I went. To my surprise a LOT of people have complimented me on the new look so I figure I really have to share this with you guys, especially if there is anyone out there who is trying to make the transition with their hair but is having the same dilemma. This is one way to rock a new look (this is Day 2 of new look :)

I found the gel at Ricky's in the city but you could check out their website (http://kinky-curly.com/shop.php) for more retail locations as well as other products.