KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!!!!

i must admit, I have grown extremely tired of the entire Chris Brown and Rihanna situation. I think every talk show host, radio personality, entertainer, magazine, and blogger have all expressed their views on domestic abuse and Chris/Rihanna's situation in it's entirety.

Many have mentioned how Abuse of any sort is definitely unacceptable and I do agree. No one should ever have to endure being harmed or threatened whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. The problem that i had with most of these show is that it seemed so "one sided". It always places the "woman" as the victim (i know most domestic abuse cases are female victims).

I agree that a man should never ever put his hands on a woman, but i also believe that a woman should never ever put her hands on a man. I am the youngest of 3 children. i have two older brothers. Growing up with two boys that are 9 and ten years older than you, you learn so much from their relationships. I have seen the roughest, wildest, and most irrational women that you never want any of your love ones to encounter. i am talking about women who will break my brothers belongings, hit him, smack him, punch him, put their hands all in his face, yell obscenities, plain ignorant. Women who will lash out because they know "Most men won't hit a woman" and it is not right to provoke someone due to your own anger and aggravation because you know or "think you know" that they won't hit you back. I would have preferred if at least one show or personality could have stressed that "EVERYONE" should practice "KEEPING YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF". I in no way at all agree with putting my hands on another human being. I was taught early on as a child to "keep my hands to myself".

Although this one rule won't be the solution to avoid and "end all" to every domestic abuse case, I do believe that if Many people of "BOTH GENDERS" learn how to effectively communicate and articulate their feelings to each other without raising their voices or their hands, a lot of these cases wouldn't exist today. So, instead of preaching "Men Should Never Hit Women", "Preach Don't Hit Another Person, Unless You are Prepared to Get Hit Back"...

I know I may get a little "Heat" for this but...It's All Good!! Nothing Wrong with a healthy Discussion :)

Where My Girls At!!!!!!!!

I absolutely love my online "Girlfriends". i almost feel as though I am on a webisode of "Harlem Heights, meets TV show Girlfriends online"...lol

Well, My online twin/bff "South Loop Social Light" http://ishea.blogspot.com/ has decided to host a happy hour where all of the young, fabulous, and ambitious women can unite over a beverage and laugh, talk, listen, and learn from each other. Date: April 17th around 6pm-ish. I will keep you all posted on the location. This will be so much fun and you know I will be there!!!!

We all need our Girlfriends, so come join us:-)

ERRO IS COMING!!!!

As many of you know I am a huge Eric Roberson fan (yes, even after he got married on me).lol The Man can create somegreat music and his voice is so amazing to me:-) Well, Guess who will be in my city (Chicago) This Weekend?????

ERIC ROBERSON!!!! (WHOOHOOO)...lol

So, If any of you are interested inattending, he will be performing at the Double Door This Friday, March 27, 2009 @ 9pm 1527 N. Milwaukee. cal them for info 773-489-3160 or go to ticketmaster.com

YOU ALL KNOW THATI WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!!!

'Dog Gon' truth

So, I am an animal lover and like so many others my dog "Diamond" is an irreplaceable member of my family. As a kid "pet care" never really crossed my mind. I enjoyed playing with the dog, washing the dog, and walking the dog. As as adult I have realized that there is a great deal more that goes into being an awesome "pet owner". Their health care and food expenses can add up and become quite costly.

Diamond is my 1 year old female pit (pictured above). Isn't she cute :-) Since having her I have learned some of the strangest things.

1. Female Dogs get their menstrual cycle. As ignorant as it sounds, I had no clue that a dog gets her period and i was a bit shocked when Diamond began her "cycles"...lol

2. This pass weekend, my dog has been a little moody and awkward..guess what.. My baby girl had a yeast infection (in her ear)...lol Who knew such a thing could happen??..lol

Share your "I didn't know" pet stories!!!

Never Too Late...

As Many of you all know, One of my goals this year to try not to complain, but remain positive. In my attempt to remain positive, I have decided to revisit an old "goal". i have always had such a strong appreciation for the "Arts". I love to "view" paintings, sketches, read poetry, day dream with beautiful photography, i find myself drifting into a different place with cultural dances. I Love, Love, Love, the "Arts".. but I have aways secretly wanted sketch. I think it is truly a God given Gift to be able to sit and look at anything and sketch that image on a sketch pad..

I let that little desire slip away long ago feeling as though it is a skill that i should have started as a child and should not focus on it anymore... Well at my attempt to dismiss miss the "old/negative" thoughts and bring the "new/positive" to my reality, I purchased "Figure Drawings For Dummies"...lol I am going to sketch my little heart out because now I know that no matter what your age may be or what goals you want to achieve.. "It is never TOO LATE, to tackle a new challenge...

Happy Monday!!!!!

Self Inflicted Wounds

Life is full of so many experiences. Some are good and some are bad. I like to use each life experience as an opportunity to learn a lesson. A recent lesson I learned with my life is about a self inflicted wound.
Have you ever purposely entered a situation knowing that it had "Wrong" written all over it? Instead of listening to your gut feeling or what I like to call the "Holy Spirit", you follow your own personal and selfish desires. The problem with doing what we want to do instead of following the path of righteousness is that, our own particular road will lead us into places we may not expect. Often time that road leads to some sort of disaster that we want to get out of, but instead of blaming ourselves for ending up in a big mess, we blame someone else, and even worse many times we blame God for allowing it to happen.
Although it is so strange, it is true. We are mad at the bank when a check bounces, but not upset with ourselves for not being financially responsible. We are mad at our children for misbehaving, but not angry with ourselves for not "Training up a child in the way that he/she should go". We slam our finger in the car, but we get mad at the door. We are upset when your mate looked like prince charming, but in reality he is Freddie Kruger with 2 baby mama's. Most of our drama is often the cause of our own faulty decisions.
So, make wiser decisions for your life. Life will always have its good and bad, but you don't want to increase the bad times, by avoiding the option of making a good decision. Be Careful of Self inflicted wounds yall.
Be Blessed,
Jen!

Nine Words Every Man Should Know

9 WORDS WOMEN USE:

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with noth ing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying ____ YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to 3.ANY QUESTIONS??????????????????????? let me know!!!

Myspace: From my inbox to yours...

*** As many of you know I find some of the "characters" on myspace incredibly hilarious and instead of being bothered and aggravated by some of the foolishness i receive, I've learned to find the humor in them and share it with others... The boldness and arrogance amazes me...ENJOY!!!!!

Note 1.How are you doing beautiful??I was just lettin u know that I do like what I see..you definitely are looking good on the outside,but I am more interested in seeing what kind of woman you are underneath all of that beauty. So my question for you is,would that be possible???Believe me I wont be a waste of your time.

Note 2: i'd like to perform in ur city..demand it..thanks 4 your support

Note 3:what's good sexy,i'm hitting you up because i work for comcast and i can get you cable with all the channels,free ondemand,and payperview,and internet and house phone with no monthly bill even if you already have comcast already so if you don't have cable or already have it and your paying to much,you should become one my customers,so hit me back if your interested and i'll give you all the details

note4: I WAS CHECKING MY FRIEND COMPUTER OUT AND SEEN YOUR PROFILE AND HOW U WRITING A BOOK AND ALL..I THINK THAT'S A GOOD LOOK..I TRYING 2 GET EVERYBODY 2 LISTEN AND ADD 1 OF MY TRACKS 2 THEIR PAGE...I DON'T WANNA BE A BUG-A-BOO, BUT IF U GET TIME CHECK EM OUT...BUT WARNING..ONCE U GET HOOKED, THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE..

note5:Hi there.... FYI, I am using my friend's account to send this message. If you wanna write back, please use this address: riplerb@yahoo. I'll send you some pictures of me if you do. We like to know who we are talking to, right?I'm looking to meet some cool (and good looking) guys to chat with....and maybe hang out with if the mood strikes. I gotta go� good luck!

note6:Hit me up on IM

note 7: i wanna know u

note 8:hey i'm a young arthor too sitting on 5 boooks right now looking for a publishing comANY SSO HOW MMUCH DID URS COST AND ERTC AND U FINE!O I SAY THI TOO.nice pic sexy come and check ou my page and tel me if u limke what u see

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!!!!

Times seem to be a little rough for everyone right now. Although we all may be battling a variety of different situations, i have found that in this moment "Laughter is Truly The best Medicine" for whatever it is you may be going through.

Personally, I have my "up and down" moments just like anyone else. I also struggle with finance, romance, academics, health, fitness, family, career, and even spirituality. Fortunately, I have found out that laughter through any trial seems to put me back into a positive state of mind.

Studies also show that Humor Therapy has various benefits with the mind, body, and spirit:

1. Manage your hormones.

Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the efficiency of T-cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.

2.Nice internal workout

A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart. Laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike!

3.Physical release

Have you ever felt like you had to laugh or you’d cry? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release

4.Positive frame of mind.

Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions to them alongside other “mere distractions.” It will make you cheerful and put you in a positive frame of mind.

5.Change your perspective.

Researchers found that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a “threat” or a “challenge.” Humor can give us a more light-hearted perspective and help us view events as “challenges,” thereby making them less threatening and more positive.

6. Social benefits of laughter

Laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you laugh more. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can diminish their stress levels, and possibly improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!
What’s even better is that the more you smile, the more others will too. Seeing a smile creates what is termed as a “halo effect,” helping us to remember other happy events more vividly, feel more optimistic, more positive and more motivated.

7.Fight illness better

People who are optimistic (who are out there laughing!) have stronger immune systems and are actually able to fight off illness better than pessimists.
The research is very clear — this is not some social science generalization — there is a link between optimistic attitudes and good health. And it has been measured in a variety of ways. Overall, scientists have found that optimistic people are healthier. Their biological makeup is different and they have a more robust immune system.

So Grab your girls, an old eddie murphy classic, and laugh it up (it will make you feel much better)..

Your Bill may still be due, homework will still need to be done, alarm will still go off at 6am for you to get ready for work, but at least you know you're not alone and we will all laugh about it later:-)