Create Your Own Adventure

Are you ready to spice up your life? There's only one sure-fire way. It's a secret.

How To Find Answers To All of Life's Questions

Do you want wisdom? There are 3 ways to find it.

Review: Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

Vicky Christina Barcelona weaves a tale of transformation of two besties who visit Barcelona for the summer unaware that the trip will challenge their current belief systems.

Survival Series: How To Survive A First Date

If you're ready to begin dating again, you'll need to know these mental strategies to make the most of it.

Where Is My Success?

Have you been toiling away for years and don't see any rewards?

Friday, March 11, 2011

REBUILD: My Savvy Sisters Introduces The Rebuild Your Life Project

On April 11, 2011 My Savvy Sisters.Com will begin its first massive outreach to empower women. The Publisher, Te-Erika Patterson will lead an inside look at what it is like to lose everything and have to rebuild again by giving away all of her possessions and living in the streets as a homeless person to teach women survival strategies and to instill the belief that even if they lose everything, they can still rebuild and prosper.

Tsunami hits Japan after 8.9 earthquake

March 11, 2011- A tsunami warning
i
ssued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii after a large earthquake in Japan was widened beyond East Asia late Thursday to include Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Central and South America and the rest of the Pacific Ocean.

Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake.

The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo, and numerous casualties are feared. It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks. The tremor hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT). Seismologists say it is one of the largest earthquakes to hit Japan for many years.

In Tokyo, public transport has been suspended, elevators are switched off in many buildings and thousands of people have gathered in squares and around train stations.

The tsunami warning was extended to the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Russia and Hawaii.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the wave could extend as far as Chile.

In Tonga, the Tonga Meteorological Center and proper authorities immediately issued a tsunami warning. The Tonga Meteorolical Center has issued an official tsunami warning for people to just be advised and to take urgent action to protect their lives and property.

‘Ofa Fa'anunu, director for Tonga Meteological Services said that, "The latest information regarding the tsunami warning for Tonga was received at 1030 PM, and such a warning is being issued for preparation in case of any disaster."

"Locationwise, there are a lot of other Pacific Island countries in the region between Tonga and Japan. The closest to Hawaii is the U. S Territory of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands - then there is Fiji and New Caledonia,"

"There is a widespread warning and watch for the whole of Tonga, and for people to be aware for their own safety."

Tsunami warnings are issued due to the imminent threat of a tsunami.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011.


Video: What is a tsunami?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Walmart Commits More Than $2.5 Million to Empower Women in Latin America


BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walmart Foundation is committing more than$2.5 million in grants to projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. Through the Latin America Women's Initiative, projects funded in six countries will help empower more than 9,000 women, building their capacity to rise out of poverty, support their families and improve their communities.

"We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered," saidEduardo Solorzano, President and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. "So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America."

This initiative is part of Walmart's broader efforts to improve economic opportunities for women around the world. The organizations and programs receiving funding from the Walmart Foundation are:

  • Pro Mujer: $300,000 will allow Pro Mujer to expand its footprint into two new regions withinArgentina, reaching more than 3,900 women with its integrated package of services, including microfinance; business and empowerment training; preventative health education and high-quality, low-cost primary healthcare.
  • TechnoServe: More than $485,000 will allow TechnoServe to provide 750 Nicaraguan women the financial skills, support and networks needed to reach their full potential as business leaders.
  • CHF International: Nearly $500,000 will help CHF increase the incomes of 200 vulnerable women in four Honduran municipalities by improving their business and legal skills and increasing their engagement in sustainable production value chains.
  • Save the Children: More than $400,000 will allow Save the Children to work with 3,000 women in San Pedro Masahuat, El Salvador, a municipality heavily-damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2009, to improve production value chains related to poultry and local sweets.
  • Aid to Artisans: Nearly $490,000 will allow Aid to Artisans to help more than 800 Wayuu women in northern Colombia increase their incomes from handicraft sales by providing business training, product design support, new market development and buyer linkages.
  • Heifer International: More than $340,000 will help Heifer International provide 700 women in the Peruvian highlands with training in agricultural production, animal health management, soil management and market analysis, helping the women be better positioned to sell their final products.

Top 4 Ways Car Sellers Trick Women

If you're single and you do not have a lot of people around you to help get things done, you may consider buying a cash car from a private owner. There are a few of the way private sellers trick you into purchasing a problem.

1. They lie about recent repairs.
Have the car inspected by a reputable car repair shop. Have them detail what isn't working and provide you with a list of items that need to be fixed. If you are buying from a private individual who says that they had multiple repairs done on the car, ask them to list these repairs in writing and have them sign it so that if anything goes wrong with the car, you can get your money back.

2. They tell you everything works just fine.
Check all of the doors, windows and locks to be sure they are in working condition. Open the trunk to look inside. Open the hood to see if anything noticeable is missing. Touch the tires and look at the tread. The tread is the amount of rubber that is on the tires. The grooves on the tire should be deep. This is an indication that you have a good tire. If it is smooth your tired will need to be replaced soon.

Drive the car. Not just around the block. Drive it to the bank. Go get something to eat. Drive it for at least 15 minutes so that you can tell if the air conditioner really works or the car overheats suddenly.

3. They will say they own the car when they don't.
Ask for ID. Ask to see the ID of the owner so that you can have his name and address in case something happens. Be sure to notice if the name on the ID is the same name on the title.

4. They will give you a title that isn't real.
Check the title of the car. Have the owner go with you to the title agency. Some owners do not know that the title they have is rebuilt or has been updated. If this is the case, you will not be able to get your car registered and you will not be able to drive your car.

For My Savvy Sisters: Have you gotten into trouble by not following these tips? What other tips do you have to share to make used car buying easier?

Get Free Samples

All Free Samples is a website that lists the best in online freebies, free samples by mail, and other free product offers. Their site serves as a directory where you can find all the free product samples being offered by some of your favorite companies.

Just browse all the categories you might be interested in to find many freebies and special offers to check out all the details to see which ones are a good fit for you.

To browse and start collecting free stuff CLICK HERE.


For My Savvy Sisters: What is the best thing you've ever gotten for free?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Blog Carnival 2 - Resources For Women

A Blog Carnival is an event for bloggers to share their writing and expose their blogs across the blogosphere. Today My Savvy Sisters hosts its 2nd Blog Carnival. Submissions were sent in from bloggers sharing their expertise and inspiration on different topics just for women.

Peruse the blog posts and enjoy!

Daphne Eck Coppock presents Business Lesson #2: Let Go and Find the Flow posted at The Work in Our Bones.

Samantha Miller presents To Self Publish or Not – That is the Question posted at Associate Degree Online.

Tina Marconi presents 5 Reasons to Socialize With Other Pet Owners posted at Vet Tech.

Mary Armstrong presents Dance Don't Diet: The Top 15 Zumba Blogs posted at Medical Assistant Colleges.

Aparna presents Dealing With Excess Skin After Weight Loss posted at Beauty and Personal Grooming.

Carolyn Elliott presents 4 Tools to Awesome Your Life posted at Awesome Your Life.

Rick Schiano presents Making Your Marriage Sweet posted at Ricks Victory Blog.

Kindle Apps Are Free For Your Phone Or PC

If you want to be in on the latest trend in technology for literature you should buy a Kindle reader. But, the real deal with the Kindle doesn't come with a sticker price because it's FREE.

You can now download Kindle apps to your phone or your PC for free. You will be able to instantly download all kinds of books, blogs or newspapers for less than the price of a print copy and many of your favorite books are free.

My Savvy Sisters is listed under Kindle blogs. You can subscribe to us on your Kindle app as well.


Savvy Blogger We Love- Laurel Delaney (Escape From Corporate America)


Laurel Delaney
Writer/Blogger

Zodiac Sign: Western Libra
Chinese: Horse

If you haven’t heard of Laurel Delaney, you’re definitely missing out. She is the pied piper of the blogging world leading women away from the constraints of the cubicle with her blog Escape From Corporate America. While she describes herself as, “Happily married. A good daughter, caring sibling, respected and trusted business colleague and a friend to many,” My Savvy Sisters wanted to know a bit more about the woman leading this revolution and how blogging has changed her life.

“Blogging is a great way to express yourself,” she explained. “I have been blogging since 2004. The women who love our blog simply want to Escape From Corporate America and eventually create their own destiny be it through starting a business or fueling a passion which might be a hobby that can be turned into a business. The bottom line is this: women want freedom, flexibility, recognition, more money, and opportunities to leave a legacy -- all the things they once thought they would find within corporations and haven't. That's why starting a business is appealing to the vast majority of women right now, especially during such challenging economic times.”

Laurel’s life has had a complete transformation since her blog became synonymous with the word empowerment. “More people know about what we do!” she remarked emphatically. “Hence, we are able to scale faster and help more women achieve their goal of starting a business or nurturing a hobby that may someday turn into a business. And I am a whole lot busier -- productive busy these days!”

From Laurel’s perspective the Top 3 Reasons Women Won’t Plan Their Escape From Corporate America:

1. Afraid of eliminating their security blanket (a fat paycheck -- even though they may HATE what they do day-in and day-out).

2. Lack of confidence. To start a business (or anything new online, for example) you need confidence in your abilities and a certain self-assuredness that your damned good at what you do!

3. Listening too much to what everyone else is saying or doing. Stop analyzing and just do it!

Visit her blog Escape From Corporate America to change your life.


For My Savvy Sisters: Have you ever dreamt about escaping corporate America? What stopped you? Do you know someone who did it and became successful? Share your story.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Daytona Bike Week Kicks-Off 2011 Women's Riding Season


Harley-Davidson Celebrates the Season with Women-Focused Events Nationwide

MILWAUKEE, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This week thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world are hitting the open road in search of one destination – Daytona Beach, Fla. Every year since 1937, the town plays host for more than 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts during Daytona Bike Week, which serves as the unofficial start of the motorcycle riding season.

While Americans will see thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life behind the handlebars this week on our highways and byways – they might be surprised to see a growing number of women in the saddle of their own motorcycles. Women now account for 23 percent of all U.S. motorcyclists, as well as about 12 percent of new motorcycle sales for Harley-Davidson.

To celebrate women who have already accepted the calling of the open road, as well as to inspire even more women to participate in the sport, Harley-Davidson and its nationwide dealership network are staging a series of initiatives over the next several months including Garage Parties, Women Riders Month in May and the first-ever Biker Boot Camp for Women.

"We're very proud of the efforts we've made as a company to pave the way for even more women to turn their dreams of riding into reality," said Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson and Creative Director, General Merchandise, Harley-Davidson. "But we know there are still thousands of women out there who dream of riding their own motorcycles, which is why we're committed to inspiring them to take the first step, as well as providing them with the necessary tools and support they need."

Women Take Daytona

Daytona Bike Week activities take place through March 12. Activities for women include demo rides and interactive motorcycle displays at Daytona International Speedway, as well as a women's area featuring bike lift seminars and Jumpstart at Riverfront Park on Beach Street.

Women riders also hit the road for a good cause this morning (Tuesday, March 8), during the Women's MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Ride. Karen Davidson led more than hundred female riders from Riverfront Park to Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson to support those affected by neuromuscular disease.

Harley-Davidson Opens the Garage for Women

Since 2005, local Harley-Davidson® dealerships have hosted women only Garage Parties, which provide a fun and engaging environment for women to learn about the sport of motorcycling. These free events are designed to be both fun and educational, covering topics such as a review of the basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle's style and ergonomics, and how to gear up for a ride.

Garage Party event attendees are organized into small groups, getting their first taste of the camaraderie that goes along with riding. Groups will visit four informational stations, including:

  • 'Motorcycle Orientation' is a basic introduction to the motorcycle controls, as well as all of the models in the Harley-Davidson family.
  • 'MotorClothes Gear' to discover the important attributes needed in head-to-toe motorcycle gear, from helmets to protective leather to proper boots.
  • 'Motorcycle Fit and Function' to learn how to customize a motorcycle to reflect a rider's personal style and ergonomic needs.
  • 'Bike Lift' is a hands-on demonstration that proves picking up a bike – even a Harley-Davidson – isn't as hard as you might think.

Between stations, women get the chance to interact with each other, as well as hear from women who are already living their motorcycle dreams.

Celebrating Women Riders Month

This May marks the 3rd Annual Women Riders Month, which celebrates women who already ride, as well as inspires other women to grab life by the handlebars. Dealerships around the country will hold events throughout the month, including a series of organized women-only rides on Saturday, May 14.

During Women Riders Month, the Motor Company also plans to stage the first-ever Biker Boot Camp for Women at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The special camp is designed to take women's dreams of riding to reality by immersing them in the culture of Harley-Davidson, participating in the Rider's Edge New Rider Training Course and celebrating with other new women riders.

Harley-Davidson has created a robust section of their Web site specifically for women riders (www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders). The site features information including stories from other women riders, as well as Harley-Davidson's Roadmap to Riding, which offers a series of milestones featuring the tips, advice and confidence women need to turn their riding dream into reality. The site also includes a calendar of women events scheduled throughout the country.

How To Survive - Toxic Friendships

As we grow and we encounter people during the many stages of life, some change and some don't. We all go through that awkward stage where we aren't happy with ourselves or the lives we have created.

This stage could last for a decade or maybe more, but when you reach the end of it and you look around, many of your friends may still be firmly grounded in this plateau. You don't want to leave them behind because you remember when you were there, but you can't move forward without letting go of their hand and you know they need you and will be disappointed if you do.

How To Recognize A Toxic Friendship

A healthy friendship is one where you interact with the person and you feel better about life and your future.

A toxic friendship drags you down to your lowest place, reminding you of where you once were and keeps you there with consistent stories of betrayal, disgust for the world and everything in it. Your toxic friend is highly critical of herself and of you.

A healthy friendship allows space to do the things you love. You feel free to come and go as you please and you want to interact more in this friendship because of this freedom.

A toxic friendship feels like you are in confinement. You feel obligated to listen to their tales of sorrow and misfortune. You often wish you had a magic wand so that you could zap the negativity out of their life.

A healthy friendship helps you to de-stress. This kind of friend helps you to laugh at life's "seeming" misfortunes. They shift your perspective away from the pain and you breathe easier when you are interacting with them.

A toxic friendship adds more stress to your life. Each time you interact with this friend you feel worse about life and love because you care so much about their well being and you feel powerless to pull them out of their pit of despair.

A healthy friendship leads you to where you want to be most in life. This friend has the knowledge or the perfect motivation to help pull you toward your best life. This friend trusts your decisions and celebrates them with you, believing in the best for your future.

A toxic friendship reminds you of all the problems that could happen on your way to your goals. This friend can never see the light at the end of the tunnel because they don't believe it is there. They want you to stay in the darkness with them.

In order to be fair, I must reiterate that ALL of us have been a version of the "toxic friend" at some point in our lives. Gratefully, that phase didn't last long as we matured and we let go of trying to control the situations and people that entered and exited our lives.

Sometimes it will take a little longer for our loved ones and close friends to release the need to control and it's okay to step back and give them their space. They may be resistant at first, thinking that everyone around them is deserting them but really, as your energy changes to a more light-hearted vibe, you won't feel the desire to be around them anymore because you will enjoy the playful, hopeful energy more.

Energy is contagious. This is what we call a vibe. Have you ever noticed that after speaking with your toxic friend, your entire mood changes and you feel sick on the inside? They have just shifted their energy onto you. We all do this in every interaction. People subconsciously want you to feel the way they are feeling inside. This is why they share the stories they share or speak to you the way they do. They want you to feel like they do.

If this feeling is not a good feeling then it's okay to walk away. Do it gradually. Take baby steps. Call less. Decline offers to hang out. Shift the conversation away from the complaints and the negative behaviors or simply make an excuse and end the conversation altogether.

You are not obligated to a life long relationship with a toxic friend. They will move on and find another toxic person to engage with or they will wake up and realize all they've lost because of their negative expectancy. It's not up to you to make them realize this. They have to heal and mature on their own terms.

For more information you can read about the Toxic Friends Project.

For My Savvy Sisters: Have you ever been the toxic friend and lost your friends because of it? Have you ever walked away from a toxic friend to have them return later in a much healthier state of mind?

Movie Review: The Timer (2009)

What if a scientist invented a gadget that could count down the years, days and hours until you met your soulmate? Would you buy one? Would you trust its prediction?

The 2009 movie TIMER tests this premise. Emma Caufield stars as Oona in this engaging film that blurs the line between scientific evidence and fate. The TIMER is a device that when purchased, is installed on your wrist. It has a screen that shows a countdown to the day you will meet your ONE. Caufield brilliantly portrays the internal conflict that arises as she and her half-sister (Michelle Borth) wrestle with the idea that the TIMER may or may not be accurate. Her sister's TIMER predicts that she won't meet her ONE until she is 43 years old. Caufield's character's TIMER is blank which means that her ONE hasn't gotten his TIMER installed yet.

Will he ever have it installed? What does she do in the meantime? Does she accept love from anyone other than the person predicted to be her ONE, if the prediction ever happens? How would you interact with friends and suitors if you knew that the relationship would not last?

This film raises so many questions about love, consumerism and faith. How could one device alter the lives of those who use it and those who choose not to?

This movie had me holding my breath and gripping my pillow as I watched it. You will love it too!

Rating: 4 Stars
Highly Recommended



For My Savvy Sisters: Have you seen this movie yet? If you had the chance to know beforehand exactly when you would meet your ONE, would you want to know?

My Savvy Sister Of The Week- Kathryn Alice

Kathryn Alice is the author of Love Will Find You:9 Magnets To Bring You And Your Soulmate Together, a guide to helping singles to prepare for their soulmates. Kathryn is a celebrated author, speaker and love experts. Her workshops teach singles how to believe in and connect with their ONE before the physical meeting. Kathryn's book teaches that you will connect with your soulmate wherever you are in life without having to change or transform.

My Savvy Sisters caught up with Kathryn as she vacationed with her husband in Barbados. Kathryn and her husband have been married for 10 years and enjoy spending the winter months vacationing in the Caribbean.

As we chatted, I could feel the positive love energy that exuded from Kathryn's core. She shared with me that she wasn't always this content. "I was an insecure wreck trying to find my way," she said. "I thought of myself as a failure. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life until I was 35."

Kathryn said she always wanted to be a writer but she became a publicist to pay the bills. Working to care for her child as a single parent, Kathryn almost gave up on her dream. "It was by the grace of God," she asserted. "I had been a failure in life and one day I taught a workshop and that very first one was so well attended that I had an epiphany. When you find your calling, things start going well. It's like a natural flow."

Before the flow of life eased her into the comfort she enjoys now, Kathryn said she had to do a lot of inner work, beginning with affirmations like, "Life is easy. God can make a way."

She would repeat these statements over and over until she felt that they were her truths. "I would journal out my frustrations and then I would leave that negative state and focus on where I wanted to go instead of where I was at the time," she said.

Kathryn Alice offers My Savvy Sisters 5 Things You Should Never Do When Hoping To Attract Your Soulmate:

1. Don't sell yourself short. Most people go into it thinking the other person's doing them a favor and they have to compromise to keep them. The biggest attribute that contributes to attraction is self confidence.

2. Don't believe the statistics. The studies show so many negative things that will keep you feeling hopeless about love. Ignore them. I've seen people get married at every weight, at every age and from every race.

3. Don't make it into a logical thing. Let go and trust that you will have what you desire. When you're in a good mood and you allow it to happen, it happens.

4. Do nothing about it. Sometimes its best to include unstructured time in your schedule. Hop in your car and say, "I am going to stop where I land." Sit home and don't do anything productive. Just the gesture of doing something unstructured leads the way to a playful feeling of energy that calls in your soulmate.

"If you want love you get it, "Kathryn asserts. "It's incredible and it's so much fun and it will be nothing like you've ever had before. When you meet your soulmate there are all of these extra gifts that you get that makes it even better than what you could imagine. It's okay to hope for love. That longing for your soulmate indicates that you have one and it will lead you two together."

To learn more about Kathryn visit her website at KathrynAlice.com.




For My Savvy Sisters: Have you met your soulmate? Are you still hoping for one? Are you doing anything specific to attract them?

Celebrating The Beauty of Mixed Race Women

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, My Savvy Sisters would like to honor the beauty of mixed race women.

Love their style. Love their flair. Love them because...they are.

(Pictured- Eva Marcille)













Victoria Rowell



Soledad O'Brien


Mariah Carey



Jennifer Beals



Kimora Lee Simmons



Halle Berry



Lia Johnson



Cameron Diaz



Alicia Keyes


For My Savvy Sisters: Do you know someone of mixed racial heritage who is absolutely stunning? What is it about them that makes your mouth drop open in amazement?

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Most Awesome Engagement Ever- Remember The Ritz

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketWords by Te-Erika

To date more than 100 million people world-wide have experienced the breathtaking slide show that captured the engagement of Atlanta residents Robert Gray and Keisha Williams.

The link to the slide show, set to music by the Chicago based choir from Shekinah Glory Ministries, has traveled the world by email like the whispered words of a common folklore. Movie studios have shown an interest in making a film based on the slide show and women across the nation and abroad have passed along the link as a symbol of renewed faith in love, in life and in God.

Ever since that fateful day on Sunday, June 10th when Keisha, 29, who works in public relations and Robert, 28, a Certified Public Account with General Electric passed along the link to 65 of their friends and family, both say that their lives have never been the same.

“People stare at us whenever we go out,” Keisha said. “When we’re at the bookstore I see people pick up their cell phones and call their friends whispering, ‘They’re at the bookstore right now.’ We’re recognized wherever we go and journalists from all over have contacted us to find out the details of our story.”

It is indeed a unique story. During our interview the couple joked back and forth like childhood best friends. When asked how he knew that Keisha would one day be his bride, Rob replied, “I don’t know, she ain’t that cute!” Then he added, “It was more of how she carried herself as a woman and I could see her passion for Christ.”

Keisha agreed that those same qualities were what attracted her to him. “Much like God, Rob loves me in spite of who I am and what I do. I’m not the easiest person to get along with. I’m not that friendly and I’m very spoiled,” she admitted “Robert says I’m mean sometimes but he loves me anyway. I trust him unconditionally as long as he follows God.”

Although a wedding date hasn’t been set due to the whirlwind surrounding the release of their private slide show, which Keisha insists was not intended for public viewing, this love story doesn’t begin when the first images of the engagement photographs appear on the screen.

Its value is not calculated by the amount of money that was spent to create such an amazing event. The foundation for the silent message behind each frame was built upon a rocky beginning, a love for God and a commitment to honor each other with friendship.



Rob & Keisha: Their Love Story

Keisha paused as she stood outside of her car, one chilly winter day in December 2003. She had agreed to help her good friend Tesha set up for a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend Gavon at an Italian restaurant in Midtown Atlanta.

Fumbling with the birthday cake, balloons and various other packages, Keisha looked up when she heard footsteps in the parking garage. A man walked by, noticed her struggling to manage the packages, gave her a head nod and walked on. Keisha rolled her eyes at the lack of chivalry. She managed to balance the packages on her arms and painstakingly walked into the restaurant’s foyer.

Also standing there was the man from the parking lot. “You’re going to the party too?” he asked innocently.

Annoyed, she ignored his question and turned to the hostess. “I’m here for the surprise birthday party,” she said and was immediately ushered inside.

The surprise party was a hit and by the end of the night Keisha informed her friend that everyone she had met that evening was nice. “Except for him,” she muttered and gestured toward the man from the garage.

“Robert?” Tesha inquired. “That’s Gavon’s friend. He’s nice.”

Keisha silently disagreed, but decided to keep her unfavorable opinion to herself.

A month later, once again, Keisha offered to help her friend set up for Gavon’s housewarming party. The doorbell rang as she and other guests stood mingling in the kitchen and Keisha excused herself to answer it. When she opened the door it was Robert smiling back at her. She immediately slammed the door in his face and walked back into the kitchen.

Since both Robert and Keisha were close friends of the happy couple, neither Tesha nor Gavon could understand why their spirits didn’t mesh.

“He’s such a good guy,” Tesha explained to her. “And you’re such a good person too. You should get along. I don’t get it.”

Both Tesha and Gavon tried several times to ease the feud between the two, but Keisha remained obstinate in her distaste for Robert. Her first impression of Robert remained rock solid and she refused to let go of her displeasure.


Wishing You the Best Now & Forever
On Valentines Day 2004, Keisha was surprised to receive a bouquet of pink roses while at work. The card read: Wishing you the best, now and forever.

She called the florist to inquire about the roses but the florist refused to identify the source saying, “The sender wishes to remain anonymous.”

When no one stepped up to claim the flowers she decided to dismiss the mystery. A month later Tesha invited Keisha to a church-league basketball game at a local gym. She didn’t want to go but her friend pressed her to attend and she reluctantly agreed to her friend’s request. As she entered the gymnasium she spotted Robert sitting next to Tesha on the bleachers. She frowned and thought, “Oh God, here we go again.”

Obviously annoyed, Keisha commenced to pouting during the entire game, never even giving Robert as much as a cordial Hello.

Afterwards everyone went out for dinner and as they waited in the lobby she found herself alone with Robert. She picked up a Creative Loafing magazine to discourage him from speaking to her but it didn’t work.

He questioned her about her life, her career and her goals and eventually she let go of the animosity and responded cordially.

“How did you like the roses?” he asked suddenly and she jumped.

“How do you know about the roses?” she asked him.

“Because I sent them,” he said, searching her face for a reaction.

She laughed to herself at that moment as his good intentions melted the ice around her heart. Later, when he asked for her phone number she hesitated for only a second before giving it to him.

Keisha knew that most men play the waiting game when it comes to contacting a woman they have just met, but Robert proved he was unlike most men when he called her the very next day.

Things began slowly between the two. Robert didn’t press for a first date immediately. They would talk on the phone, getting to know each other’s character through friendly conversation. They both learned that they had the same zeal for Christ and that knowledge cemented their friendship.

Robert allowed a solid month to go by before he asked to take her out. For their first date, she joined him and two of his younger cousins at Olive Garden for a quick dinner and then on to a movie. Watching him playfully interact with his cousins erased all of the remaining negative vibes from their first few encounters. It was that night that Keisha realized she had been completely wrong about Robert Gray.

Over the next four years their friendship bloomed into a stable, loving romance. The possibility of marriage was discussed but it wasn’t a topic of daily conversation. She immensely enjoyed her career in public relations as well as the excitement of being a wedding and event coordinator. She appreciated the thrill of bringing perfectly planned events to pass. “It’s the details that are most important,” she would often explain to Robert after her events garnered rave reviews.

She didn’t think he was listening, but he was.


Tell-Tale Signs
Robert had heard the story of his parent’s courtship many times during his childhood. His Dad and Mom got together in their early 20’s and his Mom worked to help pay his Dad’s way through college. When his father completed his education, he returned the favor by supporting her dreams.

Since Robert attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by earning scholarships, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to meet the self sacrificing woman of his dreams in the same manner so he hoped for a sign.

As he ventured into real estate and invested his time and energy into those goals, much of his income became tied up in his investments, leaving very little for grand tokens of appreciation for Keisha.

She never complained or uttered a negative word. Instead she would take him out or offer to go dutch when they spent time together. As he took note of her selflessness and the passion with which she served others, Robert knew that this was a sign that she was indeed the woman he had been waiting for.


Crafting the Vision
The idea for the engagement came together like pieces of a puzzle as he prayed about his decision to propose to her. The more Robert studied the Bible, the more clearly the vision presented itself.

“The ideas came to me like daydreams,” Robert remembered. “God was testing my faith by giving me such an elaborate idea.” By all accounts Robert would consider himself to be a frugal spender. “I went ahead with my plans because I wanted her to know that even though I’m usually cheap, she has access to all of me in every way,” he explained.

He went about planning for their engagement in secret, attending to the most minute details of the evening just as had seen her do as a wedding coordinator.

Fifty of their closest friends and family were invited to take part in the surprise engagement ceremony. He booked 10 hotel rooms at the Ritz Carlton for April 28, 2007.
He would place members of his family and friends in selected rooms and allow them to speak blessings over their impending union.

He prepared scripts for everyone to read with quotes and scriptures from a book called Married For Life and he even scented the stationary himself by placing scented oil inside a drawer in his entertainment center along with the stationary, checking it every few days for four months to be sure that the aroma was just right.

Robert then secured Ross Oscar Knight, an Atlanta based photographer, to photograph the fulfillment of his God-given fantasy.

He ordered 12 roses dipped in gold as a tribute to the story of King Solomon in the Bible who prepared his temple for God by overlaying it with pure gold. He also ordered 400 long stemmed roses and countless rose petals and candles to place in each of the hotel rooms.

To cap off his signature engagement plans, Robert had the engagement ring custom made to ensure that the symbol of his love for her was as unique as she was. On the day the jeweler called for permission to pour the platinum, Keisha became frustrated with his evasiveness and complained, “You know what? You’re not romantic enough.”


The Main Event
On the afternoon of April 28, 2007, Keisha left the beauty salon and headed home to get dressed for her little brother Terrence’s 26th birthday dinner. When she walked into her bedroom she was puzzled when she saw a garment bag on her bed. Next to the garment bag were a pair of earrings and on the floor she spied a pair of brand new heels.

Since she shared her home with her little brother, she walked over to his room and woke him from his nap. “What’s going on?” she asked him.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything,” Terrance replied groggily and turned over.

She called Robert but he didn’t answer his phone so she went to her room and sat on the bed next to the gown, a white strapless floor length gown with a black sash that tied around the mid section. She had seen the gown before once when she was out shopping with Robert and had even tried it on.

The doorbell rang suddenly and she rose to answer it. A woman she knew stood at the door with a big bag in her hand.

“What are you doing here?” she asked the woman.

“I don’t know anything. I’m just here to do your makeup,” the woman replied firmly. “Please let me do what I came to do.”

Keisha flooded Robert’s phone with phone calls and still received no response. Exasperated, she got dressed and allowed the make up artist to do her makeup. Robert finally called her phone and explained that they were going to a formal dinner to celebrate Terrence’s birthday.

When Terrence stepped out of his bedroom wearing a suit, Robert’s explanation made sense and she relaxed.

As she and her brother headed out to the birthday dinner, he mentioned that he had to make a quick stop to pick something up from his friend who was at The Ritz Carlton. Keisha shrugged and enjoyed the scenery of the crisp evening as they drove through downtown Atlanta.

They parked the car near a side entrance of the hotel and Terrence ran inside, returning a few minutes later. “Hey, he’s not here yet. Would you mind coming into the lobby to wait for him? He’ll be here in a minute.”

Keisha was hesitant at first but then agreed to get out of the car. She walked into the lobby and watched as wedding guests walked by happily. When she looked around for her brother, he had disappeared.

She sat confused for a minute until the elevator doors opened and Robert stepped out. He strode confidently up to her and made a simple request. “I have a very special evening planned and in order for it to go smoothly, it would be better if you did not ask questions.”

The slide show captures the rest of the story as Keisha is led into the first room which is filled with Robert’s closest male friends from near and far. At this point she still had no idea what was about to happen but she went along with Robert’s game and didn’t ask questions.

In the first picture where Keisha is in the room with all of Robert’s friends you can see that they have their heads bowed and are praying in a circle around her. Her eyes are open because she couldn’t understand why they were saying what they were saying. The man leading the prayer spoke purposefully, ‘Lord, protect her and guide her into this next stage in her life. Prepare her to fulfill her new role.’”

“What role are they talking about?” Keisha wondered. “What is going on?”

By the time she reached the third room and saw her childhood best friend and her husband, she burst into tears at the realization of all that Robert had done for her.

“God you are so wonderful to me!” her spirit exclaimed. “I can’t believe how you blessed me! I am so undeserving of all of this.” All of the years of honoring God and trusting Him to bring about His divine will for her life had resulted in a miraculous union.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketRoom by room she greeted the individuals who had blessed her life; her Bible study group, her college girlfriends, her cousin and her husband, her friends Gavon and Tesha, Robert’s best friend and his wife, Robert’s parents and her parents. Each room, decorated with roses and soft candles set the perfect scene for her introduction to life as Robert’s wife.

Upon entering the final room, she felt as though someone had knocked the breath out of her when her feet fell upon a path of rose petals illuminated by candles leading up to a throne.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket The entire night had been so spirit filled and intense that Keisha was surprised by how “light” the mood now seemed. Robert read a personal note about his views on the importance of marriage. He then pulled her close to whisper a private prayer into her ears. He stepped away asking her to take a moment to reflect on God’s importance in their lives.

His proposal was short and sweet and in the end she laughed and said, “Yes.”

He showed her the ring before placing it on her finger and she grinned when she saw the custom made, Asscher cut diamond sitting delicately in a platinum setting.

After both of their parents joined them in prayer, Robert & Keisha went up to the penthouse where all of their guests were waiting to greet them in celebration of their new life together.

VIEW THE SLIDE SHOW NOW

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For My Savvy Sisters: Do you have a memorable engagement story or love story? Contact us. We'd love to share it with everyone.

Closing the Corporate Gender Gap

Kellogg School of Management study reveals gender make-up on corporate boards increases access to top executive positions for women

EVANSTON, Ill., March 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite continued gains in low to mid-level management positions, women still struggle to break through the corporate glass ceiling for coveted top management positions. Today, women account for nearly half of the nation's overall workforce but hold only 6 percent of corporate CEO and high-level executive roles. New research from the Kellogg School of Management atNorthwestern University finds that one key to career advancement for women may lie in the gender make-up of a company's corporate board.

The research examines female representation on corporate boards and its subsequent effect on the gender composition of the company's top management positions. According to the study, a higher representation of women on a company's board of directors directly increases the female share of and access to higher positions within the company.

"Unfortunately, there are still institutional gender barriers in today's workplace that prevent women from holding high-level executive positions," said Professor David Matsa, assistant professor of finance at the Kellogg School. "Our research uncovers the impact of 'women helping women' at the highest level of company leadership. Women who hold board positions have a unique opportunity to propel their female colleagues into executive roles, so in effect when women's share of board seats increases, their share of top level positions also increases."

Matsa, with co-author Amalia Miller of the University of Virginia and the RAND Corporation, a non-profit research organization, analyzed data about corporate board members and top executives for a large panel of publicly traded companies from 1997 to 2009. During the sample period, women's share of board seats increased by 7.2 percentage points (a 94 percent increase from initial levels) and their share of top executive positions increased by 2.8 percentage points (an 86 percent increase). Remarkably, the share of companies with female CEOs increased more than sixfold to 5.7 percent of companies.

"In addition, we also found that as a board's gender composition evolved and increased its number of female seats, over time the likelihood that these boards would select female managers also increased," said Matsa. "However, this gender shift can take multiple years. Our research shows that while the female share of board seats may increase the desire to hire other female executives, there is a lag time for women to achieve these roles probably because the positions are currently occupied by qualified candidates."

Interestingly, the researchers noted that the reverse situation is not true: having female executives in top roles did not impact the gender make up of corporate boards over time. This implies that female board membership typically precedes shifts in executive positions held by women, but not vice versa.

"Overall, the results show that women are each other's best advocates, and by helping one another they have the potential to make remarkable gains in today's workforce," said Matsa. "When women are seated at the highest levels in corporate America, they are in a unique position to serve as mentors to those below them and to create more opportunities for female leadership and management roles."

The study, "Chipping Away at the Glass Ceiling: Gender Spillovers in Corporate Leadership," will be published in the May 2011 issue of The American Economic Review: Papers and Proceedings.

EDITORIAL: Do Your Research: Toxins Are Everywhere

By Christina Fermin

Society & Politics Columnist


A few years ago I came across some information about the dirty little secrets many corporations do not want their consumers to know. Because there is little to no regulation on the many industries that we entrust with our lives, these companies literally get away with poisoning us. I took it upon myself to do some research in regard to what gets put into our food, cosmetics, medicines and other basic items we use everyday. I was amazed by the amount of toxins and chemicals that we are exposed to on a daily basis. After realizing the amount of chemical substances that are used in our foods and cosmetics it is no wonder the rate of cancer and disease has risen.


After the research I have done I have made an effort to be a conscientious consumer by reading the labels of everything I purchase. I do my best to stay away from toxins as well as anything with a caution and danger label. Your body is your temple and you only have one, treat it as such.


My first advice: read the labels! Reading the labels can be tricky since many of the ingredients are hard to read let alone pronounce and that should be your first sign. Many of us have cell phones that are able to connect to the internet via 4g, 3g or wifi. By doing a simple search of any specific ingredient you can know right away if that is something you can apply or ingest safely into the body.


As a matter of fact go look inside your food cabinet take out your favorite foods, lotions, shampoos, or detergents. Skim through the ingredients and do the research. You will be startled by what you find. I tell my friends and family to stay away from anything containing the ending paraben. Parabens are low cost preservatives found in many cosmetics, research studies have indicated exposure to these chemicals researchers found links to cancer, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity and developmental/reproductive toxicity. Now of course there is not a direct link, until further research is done I would not trust it.


The bottom line is we are the consumer and we rule the market place. Make your voice heard and make your vote count by the power of your purchase. Don’t buy from those companies that you know are putting harmful substances into the environment and everyday things you use. Write to those companies, write to your congress person, start a petition, sign one that exists and tell people about it. Europe has many regulations in regards to genetically modified foods, chemicals and toxins in their toys, cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Here in America, we are literally being poisoned by our own volition.


Don’t you remember that scare with the lead in children’s toys from China? That was just the tip of the iceberg. In recent years people have become more aware of this danger and that is why there are many alternatives and many websites out there aiding you on how to make your own lotions, soaps, detergents, etc. Take advantage; you will be happier, safer, feel better and be healthier. I have noticed a tremendous difference since I have been using all natural products. I feel better about myself and I know I am minimizing my carbon foot print. These companies are not going to change, so it is up to us to force that change. One website that has helped me make decisions in some of the things I purchase is www.cosmeticdatabase.com. This is a great resource where you can search by product, ingredient or company.


Peace and Love,

Christina


About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

No More AZT For Me : Natalia's Story

Natalia** has a face that only a mother could love. She has battled with her deformity since her early teens and had been teased and taunted by classmates years before that. “My chin sticks out. I have wrinkles around my mouth. My cheeks are sunken in. My doctor says I have all the signs of early aging,” she explained.

For many years she had no idea what caused this malfunction in her body’s growth. “I feel like I’m supposed to be taller,” she remarked. “My arms are really long. My neck is long too; something happened.”

That something happened 21 years ago when she was born. She was diagnosed with HIV at birth. The doctors said that her mother had passed the disease to her and she was given her first dose of HIV medication. After 20 years of taking the medicine just last October Natalia decided to stop.

A college student earning mostly A’s, Natalia said her physical and mental well-being has changed during the four months she has been off the HIV medication. “It always looked like my face was shrinking. Now everything is more stable,” she said. “When I was taking the meds I always felt so horrible. I felt drained all the time and nauseas. I don’t feel like that anymore.”

Although Natalia’s family is not convinced that her decision to stop taking the medicine will benefit her, they support her decision nonetheless. “My Grandma doesn’t mind because she always heard bad things about the medicine,” Natalia said. “My aunt is different, she believes the media. My siblings think I’m gonna die.”

A vast array of media reports support the claim that HIV medications like Zidovudine, also known as AZT (brand name: Retrovir), Didanosine, also known as ddI (brand name: Videx), Zalcitabine, also known as ddC (brand name: Hivid), Lamivudine, also known as 3TC (brand name: Epivir), Stavudine, also known as d4T (brand name: Zerit) and Abacavir, also known as ABC (brand name: Ziagen) are helping to keep HIV infected citizens alive.

Natalia claims that after taking a combination of some of these medications throughout her entire life, her body has become deformed because of it. “I asked my doctor why it was destroying my system. Then she mentioned about the virus replicating. We argued back and forth,” Natalia recalled. “Even if I took it with food I always felt some sort of nausea. I was also tired of getting treatments for my face. I would get injections.”

These injections were taken to redistribute the fat cells to make her face look more normal. Natalia would have Radiesse injections and sculptures done to her face up to 6 times per year to try to correct her deformity. Her doctor bills would mount as time went on; each treatment was nearly $1,000.

Today, Natalia feels that getting off the HIV medication has given her a new perspective on life. She is actively seeking a healthcare specialist for alternative care.

Going against the mainstream opinion about the remedy for a deadly disease hasn’t been an easy task for Natalia to undertake. “They’re entitled to their opinion and I know how I feel so much better without it,” she explained. “I feel way more confident without [the medicine]. I can function. I feel like I can date now. I feel more like myself. I don’t feel like I need to be indoors to hide my face. I’m able to get out there. I don’t feel like something is wrong with me anymore.”

**Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual.

*** - 3/13/11 - Natalia sent me a text last night saying, "I just wanted to update you since I went to the doctor. My T Cells are better than last time. My red blood cells are better than usual. My liver and kidney function is good. I have no risk for diabetes. I also have low cholesterol and my weight is stable."

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