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.

Hiram Revels

In 1870, Hiram R. Revels became the 1st African American US Senator (which also made him the first African American in the US Congress). He is one of only six African Americans to have served in the Senate.

Hiram Revels

(Google Image)

Facts about Hiram:

• 
  
  He was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1822 to a dad of white and black ancestry, and a mom of Scottish heritage.
• 
  
  He was ordained as a minister in 1845 and was imprisoned in 1854 for "preaching the gospel to Negroes".
• 
  
  He established private schools in Maryland and Mississippi.
• 
  
  His election was met with opposition by the Southern Conservative Democrats; they argued that no black man was a citizen, but Revels supporters refuted the argument stating that only applied to blacks who were of pure African blood and since he was of mixed ancestry that did not apply. Revels was elected by a vote of 48 to 8 (the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 granting citizenship to ALL persons born or naturalized in the US)
• 
  
  His term lasted one year during which he fervently fought for equality.
• 
  
  He died in January 1901 while attending a church conference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Rhodes_Revels

Broken Dreams

As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend

I brought my broken dreams to God because He was my Friend.

But instead of leaving him in peace to work alone

I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own

At last I snatched them back and cried "How can You be so slow?"

"My child," He said "what could I do? You never let them go"

~ Author unknown

One of the hardest things to do is let go. We hold on so tightly to things that are meaningful to us: our careers, our children, relationships, anything that we consider valuable. It's scary to let go of the familiar, of the things we want to protect so dearly...but as the old addage goes 'the tighter you hold on to something...' well, you know the rest.
It's like sand, when you grab it, it slips right through your fingers, but watch the difference when you cradle it gently in your hands.
So DO your absolute best of course, but have Faith in God too. Have faith in yourself that at that very moment you are giving it your all. When you give it everything you have, there is no room for regret....but remember to let God do His thang too.
Have a Blessed day people!



I heart Green Day...everytime my son heard this song he would be so focused and sing along to it...he just LOVED this song...and he was only about 4 or 5 years old.

Granny stop hollering out mih name!

Granny

It's the 2yr anniversary of my granny's passing. We didn't have the typical grandmother/ granddaughter relationship but of course I miss her.
I was (and in some ways still am) a rebel lol. She was SOOOOOO old-school! I mean STRICT! When I went to the movies, if the movie ended at 6pm, THAT'S the time she wanted me home...6 PM!! I was like "Could you give me time to take a taxi home at least?!" (smh). There were no sleepovers, no male friends visiting (much less a boyfriend), no NADA! I didn't understand her and she didn't understand me, so there was a LOT of friction!
I wasn't into half the mischief she thought I was but I didn't go out of my way to ease her mind either. I didn't drink or do drugs (I stole my grandfather's cigarettes occassionally because I thought smoking was too cool) but all I wanted to do was hang out with friends and do things that teenagers do. When she wouldn't let me hangout, I did it anyway. I excelled in school, so my thought process was 'hey I'm doing well academically so get off my back, I just wanna hang out sometimes'...of course in hindsight, I understand WHY she was that way.
Later on in life I started realizing just how much she DID love me... in her own way e.g. she would cook a meal for the family, and if it was something she knew I didn't like, she would cook something else for me. I imagine it must have been hard for her, seeing her daughter in me (my mom, who passed away when I was 3 yrs old), or having to raise a fiesty granddaughter with her own ideals and arrogant ways (what do you really know in your teens? lol)...and I was always the "Why?" child. You couldn't just tell me the sky was blue and I would accept it...no, if I saw a hint of gray in there I wanted to know 'why?' lol. THAT is considered being rude in my family. You listen to the adults - no matter WHAT they say -  end of story! lol

It wasn't until I told her I was pregnant (already an adult and out of the house) that we had a breakthrough in our relationship. It was THEN that she told me that all she ever wanted was for me to get my education and graduate from school. Since I'd done that and was working and supporting myself, she felt that I would be alright. It was the first time that my grandmother and I didn't have an awkward conversation. As a matter of fact, she told me about how SHE felt each time she got pregnant (she had 9 children - God Bless her!) and how my grandfather always wanted 'dis ting' (sex)... at that point in the convo I didn't want to bond anymore, it was just TOO much info!! lol

Now that I have a son, I would probably choke the crap out of him if he went hanging out after school and I had no clue where he went...but I'm also learning to nurture our relationship. He could talk to me about anything and he's allowed to ask 'why?' if he genuinely wants to know something (not if he's being fresh...trust me, parents know the difference! lol).
As always is the case, I sometimes find myself saying to him SOME of the stuff my grandmother said to me, and I CRINGE because those are the lines that I HATED when I was growing up. I guess she had some clue about what she was talking about after all! :)


General Degree - Granny song! lol

So Beyonce DID make it to Trinidad after all

Beyonce spotted in Trinidad

(Google Images)

They fussed, hooted and hollered that Beyonce would take away from their revenue in the aftermath of Carnival, but the R&B D-D-DIVA made it to Trinidad after all to perform yesterday.

Some of my friends who attended the concert said that she KILLED IT (as usual) and so did local performers Machel Montano and Destra.

I wish I was there (even at $1600TT a pop! Yes that's how much they paid for tickets, VIP I think...about $260 US)

I heart Beyonce. I think she's a phenomenal entertainer and if you listen to her "I AM...YOURS" cd live in Vegas, that girl's got some pipes on her! (My friend, Michelle, is probably rolling her eyes and fussing as she reads this but that's ok! We agree to disagree sometimes lol)

As for those of you who may not know what Carnival is, it is a FUN parade throughout the streets of Trinidad. Actually it is a VERY big event in Trinidad and Tobago and the partying starts RIGHT AFTER Christmas (yes, we Trinis party any and every chance we get lol). It is an entire production: the parties, the steelpan competitions, soca (a.k.a. calypso) competitions and of course the parade. The parade last for 2 days, usually the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday...yes it's so nice, they do it twice lol. The costumes are gorgeous (and sometimes rather skimpy - so you fellas will have plenty eye candy! :)  but it is something you should experience at least once in your lifetime (so put it on your "bucket list" now! lol)

Here is my darling friend, Jo, sexy as ever in her costume!

Feeling stuck in a rut? Listen...

...well read actually :)
This is my own mini infomercial, just for US!

Sometimes in life we feel stuck. We may have access to everything in the world that we possibly need, and yet we feel like we're driving in mud. The wheels keep spinning but we're just NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
Well I think it is a great indication that we need to reflect and re-evaluate. Sure as human beings, we tend to sulk, depression creeps in and we feel absolutely hopeless. It's natural for us to feel that way at times. HOWEVER, we have to remember that we CAN decide if we are going to attend our own pity party OR if we are going to live our BEST life TODAY!!!
So cry, scream, yell, bawl, talk to yourself (and hope noone calls the white-coat people to have you escorted away), and when you feel you've had your moment to get it all out of your system, ask yourself "What am I going to do TODAY to live my BEST life?". You woke up this morning, so you've been given another opportunity to LIVE TODAY.
One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes is "Each of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have travelled, and if the future looms ominous, or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well".

So I send my LOVE out to each and every one of you!
HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY !

MY Winter Wonderland Lyrics

Here's the thing, are you listening?
Right now outside, it is snowing,
A beautiful sight, but I won't be happy tonight
When I'm shovelling in this Winter Wonderland

Gone away, are my supers
And I'm left, in this stupor
To clean up these files
Will be here for a while
Working in this Winter Wonderland

In the driveway I could build a snowman
Just the thought of that sure gets me down
He'll say: are you on vacation?
I'll say: No man!!
Then I'll get pissed off & kick him down!

Later on, I'll conspire
As I thaw out, by the fire
I'll sit there and hate
on all those who went away
And left me in this Winter Wonderland

Cause in Trini right now there's no snowman
I'm sure they're having fun acting like clowns
drinking, partying and chilling at the beach...man oh man
the beach sure would turn my frown upside down

When it snows, it aint' thrilling
And my butt, sure is freezing
I'd frolic and play, if only I went away
Far away from this Winter Wonderland....

on an islaaaaaaaaaaaand,
far from thiiiiiiiis
Winter WOOOOOONNNNDERLAAAAAND  !

How much wood...

...could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? WHO CARES?????? All I know is that little rodent saw his shadow and that means six more weeks of WINTER?????!!!!! Ok first of all, whose idea was it to NAME the groundhog? (sideways glance)...WILLIE and PHIL???? smh ('shaking my head' for those of you who are not hip (....is it even hip to still say 'hip'? my son told me I'm so 2009! lol). Secondly, who made the groundhog the weather man/pet? The world is a sad place when we rely on a rat to tell us how much longer we need to bundle up.

Anywhooo, as for THE GRAMMYS.

My best friend and I had a serious discussion about the Grammys. She thought it was 'the worst ever'...but I beg to differ! I LOVED it! I thought they were all amazing performances! Where do I begin? Lady Gaga? Phenomenal! I love her..she zones out when she plays and is totally engrossed in her performance...ok so I might not wanna sit directly behind one of her head pieces at a show but I'd still love her. (My bff loves her too btw).
Jamie Foxx - funny and so talented. Love the Opera bit of his performance.
Pink - my new hero, did her trapeze act WHILE singing... wet... and in heels?! That deserves applause!
And Beyonce? Moved across the stage on her knees while twirling her head around and around and around, got up, continued singing, never missed a beat or a note (and did not stagger either)? Well I went home and tried to re-enact Bey's performance. I decided 'how hard could THAT be'! It didn't matter that I had no music, no knee pads and about 2 (or was it 3?) glasses of wine at the Grammy party...at that moment I said to myself "I could be Beyonce". I got down on my knees and...they started buckling from the pressure of my weight! Did I stop there? Nope! I tried to swish across my living room, on my knees of course, while humming Alanis Morrissette "You Oughta Know" to myself. Well my knees now look like the prototype for a grater and as for the twirling of the head, I almost gave myself a damn concussion! I heard crick-crack and that was it...I was down for the count! So you know what? Beyonce gets two thumbs up from me JUST for that!

Here I am proud that I finally was able to get off the floor!

At the Grammy Party with Daniela, Regi and Galia

And could I just say how much I LUV Rihanna?!

Rihanna - Essence Pics

Here she is looking gorgeous at the Grammy Awards and I LUV this dress!

Quick sidenotes: 1. Happy Bday to my niece Leilani and my friend's daughter Mai.

2. Today, 140 years ago, the 15th amendment was passed allowing ALL citizens to vote despite race or color.

"Dealing" by Eric Roberson & Lalah Hathaway

Someone told me about this song today. I heart it so I'm sharing with you...(and by the way it took me a hot minute to figure out how to post this video OK... lol... but I did it! ;)

GRAMMY WKEND..and the winner is...

Oprah? Well uhm no, she's not nominated for a Grammy but today is the mega-mogul's bday! SO? HBO! (Happy Birthday Oprah...lol...by the way, her company Harpo Films has an exclusive contract with?...yup, HBO).

Guess who? (Oprah images lol)

Oprah is known for her philanthrophy, her talk-show, being just about the RICHEST AFRICAN AMERICAN on...the...planet, her stellar performance in The Color Purple...and did you know she was Eudora, the voice of Princess Tiana's mom in The Princess and the Frog?!
Her childhood was certainly no walk in the park but she has become one of the most influential women of our time, PROVING yet again that it CAN be done!

And once again the Grammys are here! For as long as I could remember, this Award show has been one of my absolute favorite. I plant myself firmly in front of the tv, noone is allowed to speak to me, not even my child, ok MAYBE during commercial breaks lol, and I soak it all in.

My girl Lady Gaga, Bey, and Taylor Swift are all due to perform

(Billboard Image)

No word yet whether my girl AKeys will perform or not but trust to know I'll be firmly planted in front of a tv somewhere!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! HAPPY BIIIIIRTHDAAAY!

Today is my aunt Sherry's bday. Y'all already know she can cook her butt off (read my previous blog entries if you didn't), she is cool, well sometimes (she's a bit of a firecracker a.k.a. hot mouth but don't tell her I said that lol), she is funny, stylish, we share a passion for eating and travelling, and I heart her!

My Sherry Amour

I am also gonna shout-out my Aunt Pat and Uncle Ricky, both of whom have had birthdays earlier this month (16th & 17th)...and today is also Shauny's bday (Lalita's sister) and Shaena from NARAS.

HAPPY birthday peeps and God's Speed for many more wonderful birthdays!