Top 5 People Who Inspire Me

Sure, I am blessed to be an inspiration but that only came once I realized that I have all the power to change my perspective. I no longer seek out the filth, pain and anger related issues that used to sustain my negative countenance and view of the world. I was once one of the most pathetic people you would ever meet, consistently looking for sympathy or a solution from someone else because I felt powerless.

I am no longer a victim. How did that happen? I am a student of success. I study successful people for fun. I love reading biographies and analyzing business models. Every job that I have had, I took the time to notice how each employer motivated their employees and its affect on me. From all the studying that I've done and all the profiles that I have read, there are 5 distinct people that I think of everyday who inspire me when I begin to feel hopeless about my mission.

1. Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a slave who ran away to find her freedom and eventually led hundreds more to the same escape. As I read about her I was filled with a sense of hope about my mission. This woman had a dream that she could not even begin to understand. What is freedom? It was a concept that she only dreamt about. How do you make a move toward a dream that you don't understand?

I wept when I read her story because she forced people to wake up and realize that a huge chunk of their lives were missing. She led them toward this dream of a new life and they didn't even want to go. She risked her life many times for the well being of others. She broke the physical chains of slavery and allowed other slaves to experience a piece of heaven that they had no idea even existed.

How could she do that with no education and no resources? How do you dare to dream for others? She was a strong woman. It wasn't about her looks or her connections, it was about her MIGHT.

And I am inspired by her. I hope one day, this lofty dream that lingers in my spirit, will allow me to do the same thing although I am not half the woman she was.

2. Queen Latifah
Who is she? A rapper turned actress turned global icon. How did she do that without scratching her reputation at all?

I watched her rap about UNITY and then saw her with her own series. I watched her turn into a household name and then go one to be endorsed by multi million dollar companies. How did she do that? Was everything strategic? She is my dream interview. I would love to know what she did and how she remains so cool while she's consistently adding to her empire.

She is an inspiration to me.

3. Florence Scovel Shinn
I don't know this woman. I've never seen her. I've never heard her speak. I didn't watch her career evolve but I do know, her book THE GAME OF LIFE AND HOW TO PLAY IT, changed my life in its entirety. It taught me personal responsibility for my life and it snatched away my tendency to act like a victim. I hated who I was before I read that book and I love who I am today even when I am disappointed with myself.

Her teachings are the core of everything I teach and every principle that I live.

4. Michelle Obama
This is not a Black thing, this is a strength thing. All jokes aside, I KNOW FOR A FACT IN MY HEART that THIS WOMAN is the woman behind the man who runs the most powerful country in the world. THIS WOMAN is the woman who nourishes him and takes care of him and drives him to succeed. She whispers words of instruction in his ear and guides him in his position.

She is the heart of his success.


5. Kanye West
Kanye is the only reason the title of this post isn't 'Top 5 Women Who Inspire Me'. I had to have him on this list because the story he tells through his music mirrors my own desire to reach my own version of success. He is so inspirational and I love how he shows his emotional side. He is a true artist in every sense of the word. He is fearless, original and silly.

Someone forgot to tell him about society's rules for behavior and I am so glad. He's not a puppet. He's not looking for approval. He is not swayed by popularity. He is so amazine.

Sure, I want to have a baby with him just to see what we would get, but more than that I would love to have a chance to do a creative project with him on any level. Both of our creative talents combined would be too much for the world.

When he sang, "You're gonna touch the sky, baby girl," I believed him.

Read More

Your World News Report - May 11, 2011

Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

A Soccer Field Grave

68 bodies were found in ten burial mounds in a soccer field in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. Guilaume Ngega, the Deputy Director of U.N. Human Rights Division claims the pro-Laurent Gbagbo militias are probably responsible for the killings. Families identified the dead and were interviewed in addition to possible witnesses. The brutal murders happened on April 12, a day after Gbagbo was arrested by the army –Gbagbo militias supporters are raged in the nation’s democratic elected leader Alassane Ouattara in last November elections.

READ MORE

Microsoft to Buy Skype

Microsoft Corp is in the works to buy Skype for 8.5 billion dollars in cash. Skype who have 145 million internet users on a monthly basis will become a new business division for Microsoft. Tony Bates, Skype current Chief Executive will head the division. As this deal is a great move for Skype experts find this deal unfavorable for Microsoft.

READ MORE

Pakistan to Investigate bin Laden

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan addressed the Pakistani Parliament informing them there will be an investigation conducted on how Osama Bin Laden lived in Abbottabad unnoticed for the past six years. The prime minister appointed Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal to lead internal investigation in the Pakistani military and police. Prime Gilani said Pakistan is not the birthplace of AL Qaeda nor did they invite Osama Bin Laden to Pakistan--Pakistan is determined to eliminate Al Qaeda and terrorism in Pakistan. Simultaneously, approximately 500 protestors marched outside in outrage over the killing of Osama Bin Laden by the US secret agents.

READ MORE

Fire Burns in South Florida

A fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve has caused Miami Dade and Broward County to under smoke manifested filled atmosphere throughout the counties--The National Weather Service issued an air quality advisory warning drivers to take precautions while driving. Forecasters are predicting that air conditions will remain the same over next few days. The brush fire is believed to have started by lightening two weeks ago--officials report the fire is 60 percent contained, but over 35,000 acres have been burned.

READ MORE

Read More

REBUILD: I May Be A Sucker

They prey on sympathy.

I realize that now. I am too sweet of a person and too sensitive to cries for help to do this. Here at the shelter, everyone needs help and they're not afraid to ask.

I cried tonight because I keep trying to help and help and there's no end to the asking.

Maybe I'm not meant to be in this business of helping others. Goodness knows, if someone needed a shirt, I'd pass mine along. But some of these people don't need a shirt, but they'll take it anyway. They'll laugh at you afterward for giving it to them as if they got over on you. They consider you weak. Maybe I am. I have a weakness for people in need.

I try not to give what I don't have but it's getting to me how hopeless people are and how much they need.

I think I need to get out of here but I don't know where to go. I still haven't rebuilt my life yet and I find my heart is turning cold towards the people in this shelter.

I never had a cold heart. Most people call me a sucker because my INSTINCT is to help. I'm learning, the hard way, that people will take and take and take and then walk away and ask someone else if you don't give it.

But how do you distinguish those who are truly in need from those who are simply trying to get over?

I have to toughen up.

But for now I'm thinking this place isn't for me. I'm beginning to be disgusted.

All I wanna say is HELP YOURSELF.

Read More

REBUILD: Waiting For Something To Happen

I pulled myself back together after the frustration of realizing that I have to remain homeless for at least another month.

I sat down and made my next objectives:

1) Secure employment in journalism, try to sell my stories
2) Interview 30 employable homeless women
3) Secure donations for the grant for the homeless woman
4) Research more resources for women in need
5) Market this project more

So now I have to organize it. I can't spend the entire day working on ONE aspect of the project or I'll get bored unless I'm in a zone so every morning when I arrive at Panera Bread in North Miami, I sit down and smile and check my email and then I decide to do one thing at a time.

This morning I'll write a little and then I'll reach out to all the shelters and ask for appointments to come visit and try to find women to profile.

Yesterday, I pitched my story ideas to a few publications to try to sell them to be able to have income.

Oh yeah, I DID meet up with that guy yesterday.

I wasn't nervous about engaging with him at all because I don't care if men like me, I expect them to think I'm weird anyway.

So he agreed to pick me up outside of Burger King and drive me back to the shelter.

As I stood outside of Burger King, a man pulls up and tries to flirt with me. I'm laughing at him and he's taking it as I'm flirting back. Another man comes up and does the same thing.

I'm looking down at my sweat pants and t-shirt with my sweater tied around my waist like, "What do these dudes SEE?" I'm certainly not beautiful today.

While the guys are trying to keep my attention, the guy I met the other day pulls up and I smile. It reminds me of when I was young and beautiful in college or highschool and life was all about handsome men in nice cars coming to see you. He's actually way more attractive than I remember. In fact, he's a little TOO attractive for me. I'm kind of a plain jane, earthy type of chick and he looks like one of those guys who needs to date a supermodel. Not my type.

But I hop into his beautiful ass car, shiny red with rims and everything and we drive off. The conversation is awesome. He tells me he was a basketball player overseas and was injured a few years ago so now he's working and trying to figure out what he wants to do next.

I have a gift for understanding what people's underlying needs are and I see that he needs to feel honored. He's a cool dude though. I'm kinda upset that he didn't flirt with me and try to sleep with me which is exactly what I NEED right now to de stress but then again, maybe it's for the best.

When I got back to the shelter, I sent him a thank you text and walked in to find that everyone was locked out of the shelter because of a sewage problem.

I walked around and around waiting for something to happen so I could video tape it.

I'm at the shelter and I am homeless and people treat me well there. At the end of the fiasco I came up with an idea to make a news report to show some of the things that happens at the shelter.

Here it is!

Read More

Rebuild Your Life Job Fair: Nicole Is Versatile

Name: Nicole Rogers

Age: 24

Education: High School Diploma, Licensed Esthetician

Work Experience: Account Representative, Crew Member at McDonald's

Business Strengths: Customer Service, Giving Facials/Doing Nails

Aspires to Become: Owner of a beauty salon

Describes herself as: Versatile, Punctual, Excellent Multi- tasker

Employee Promise: I promise to be a valuable addition to your team and dedicated to giving 110%.

Contact Nicole: nro06@yahoo.com

Meet Nicole at the Rebuild Your Life Job Fair to be held in early June. To participate please email RebuildYourLife@MySavvySisters.Com.

Read More

Rebuild Your Life Job Fair: Lara Is Self Motivated

Name: Lara Branscum

Age: 22

Work Experience: Line Cook at Pepper Jax, Team Member at Papa John's

Business Strengths: Customer Service, Cashier

Aspires to Become: Office Manager

Describes herself as: Punctual, Team Player, Self Motivated

Employee Promise: I promise that all my tasks will be done on time and to the highest standards.

Contact Lara: laraakashay@yahoo.com

Meet Lara at the Rebuild Your Life Job Fair to be held in early June. To participate please email RebuildYourLife@MySavvySisters.Com.

Read More

EDITORIAL: Corruption Exposed!

By Christina Fermin

Politics & Society Columnist

While the media focused its frenzy on the royal wedding and the death of Osama bin Laden, Wikileaks published one of the most threatening findings underway at the federal level of government. For those of who do not know about the international non-profit organization, Wikileaks publishes private, classified secret information submitted by news sources and whistleblowers. The document can be found here http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2005/01/05OTTAWA268.html, between Ottawa, Canada and Washington D.C. created January 28, 2005. Barely reported by the media and unacknowledged by the White House, pushed aside as a conspiracy theory, I believe this memo proves otherwise.

This cable that was released for the American people to view, is about the secret workings of the creation of a North American Union. The memo talks about the economic and security benefits of integrating the north american continent; Mexico, Canada and the United States of America. The memo also mentions how this idea “should not be oversold” to the public in fear of retaliation, rather than it mentions how they could achieve this by taking an “incremental approach to integration.” Once economist can establish a single market, the cable mentions creating a single currency, such as the Euro, or as the conspiracy theorists called it the Amero.

This memo goes into further detail how integration is already occurring with the passage of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which set up free trade between Mexico, Canada the United States, in 1994. Along with other bilateral and unilateral actions that have been taken by each countries governments. The memo covers process, border vs. perimeter, border risks, labor markets, regulation, customs union and currency union. With congressman Ron Paul warning the American people during the Bush years about this behind the scenes event taking place, it was his outspoken attitude that alerted the people and allowed the people to stall the construction of the NAFTA superhighway, which was suppose to start construction in 2007.

What this memo indicates is that our government, the men and women we elect to honor and protect our country and our constitution have betrayed us. The America that we were taught about in history class does not exist any longer, in place we have a hijacked nation being run amuck by unimaginable greed and corruption. I know it is shocking and I feel betrayed as well, but now that the truth is out we must not lose sight of what we as sovereign people must do to protect our freedoms and liberties. It is now obvious that our elected officials do not have our best interests at mind.

So what can we do? First and foremost 2012 elections are around the corner as the contenders begin bashing it out on debates and town hall appearances. Do not be fooled, we must be the educated voter when going to the polls, instead of voting on party lines or voting for who has the best commercials, it is time we do our research on who these people are, who is funding their campaign, where did they come from and what are their interests in taking office. We need to elect people that want to help with the advancement of civilization and assist in creating a peaceful society. We need to elect officials that are willing to stand up to Corporate behemoths, greed and corruption. We need to elect officials who are not afraid to regulate markets and end the wars. We need people that will help reclaim our once great nation and take charge against the powers that be. As the old world begins to crumble, what role will you take to help shape our future?

Peace & Harmony,

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.

Read More

REBUILD: When Helping Is An Impulse

I am trying to highlight the good parts of this project, trying to keep it positive. Trying to joke as much as I cry.

This project is tearing me up inside most days because I know who i am in the inside. I KNOW it. My circumstances don't match though.

I feel guilty for being here and being a journalist while these women have such little hope for themselves or resolving situations and I can't help.

I feel like a little mouse unable to save the baby mice.

I feel so sad right now. But I'm trying to focus on my project.

I didn't try to be so involved with the homeless lifestyle. I just became homeless to show that I could rebuild. Then I met them one by one, women with hopes, sincere smiles, sad stories.

I met them and I loved them.

I hugged them and I wanted to help them. I couldn't.

I can't.

And i hate that I think of myself during the nights when all I long for is a pair of arms to wrap around me and wake me up from this dream.

I feel guilty for wanting a kiss.

I feel guilty for knowing each and every day that one day this experience will be a memory for me. I'm not stuck. I don't know HOW to get out but I will. That's what I do.

Nothing is permanent. There's something for me to do here. I can't see what it is or how I'll get it done. The problems these women face are problems that I can't fix- not by myself.

I won't try to carry the burden but in my heart I do anyway.

That's the way I am. Sometimes I wish I could just walk by and not help or care or be concerned but I can't.

I don't know why I was made this way.

Helping is an impulse.

Read More

REBUILD: Who'd Want To Kiss A Homeless Chick?

Today I spent the day at Panera Bread working on my project. I redefined things a bit more and reached out to publications telling them that I can write about what I have learned, asking for a chance to write so that I can earn money as a writer while I continue to fundraise and research.

I'm crossing my fingers but I do have some awesome revelations to share.

After I was done working one of the women here came to me and said, "I have some bracelets a woman gave to me. I think you'd like them."

When she pulled them out of her bag I gasped.

These are sooooo ME!

My eyes lit up!

Oooh! I'll rock these with some bronze hanging earrings, my brown strapless dress that sweeps the floor and open toed heels and I'll wear my gold makeup and look like the African Princess that I am!!!!

Then my heart sank.

You don't have that brown dress anymore.

Your heels are gone.

You have no makeup.

You only have sweat pants and t shirts.

You've gained weight too. Your stomache is pudgy now.

Ugh.

Then I cried again.

This is the first time that I have REALLY missed my old clothes. I was never too into shopping. In fact, most of the things I wore were hand me downs from my friend Marsha who is a shop-a-holic. But I wore those things with pride and I was always so beautiful in them!

I felt like a princess in those flowy dresses with no bra and no panties. I always got compliments wherever I went. I always felt like such a star.

I met a man today.

I'm not usually attracted to men physically because physical attributes aren't what attract me to men but THIS man had that weird vibe and look that makes me laugh so I went up to him and said Hi. He smiled and said Hi back.

"I'm trying to pick you up," I said in my usual straight forward, flirty, aggressive tone.

He smiled and wrote down his number.

"Tonight?" I asked.

"It's mother's day. What about tomorrow?"

I frowned. "Ok, enjoy your family. Tomorrow is fine."

I walked away laughing. I love it when I get what I want.

Then I walked down the street and called my sister and told her I finally met someone I was attracted to.

"What are you going to tell him about being homeless?" she asked.

Oh.

Ugh.

People think homeless people are dirty.

They think we smell.

They think we have germs.

Yesterday I went to visit my Mama and as soon as she opened the door she asked, "Did you bathe?"

I raised my eyebrow. "MAMA!" I couldn't believe she said that.

"Go right to the shower. Here's a fresh bar of soap."

She washed all of my clothes including my sneakers and forbid me to touch anything until after I had washed thoroughly.

I was amused but also confused.

Damn. That's messed up.

I am pretty sun burnt from collecting donations out in the sun. My face is blotchy. I have no make up. My clothes kinda match but not really. I wear comfortable stuff now- not trying to be pretty at all.

Who'd want to date a homeless chick?

I don't care anyway. I have bigger things to do. It's just, well, I don't like being treated like a leper or feeling like I have to apologize for being homeless or explain. I would like a hug. I would like to be touched.

Who'd want to kiss the homeless girl?

With no clothes. No shoes. No makeup. No car. No job. No nothing.

Just a dream, a plan that keeps being revised, and a camera around her neck.

I know I can get more "stuff". I know that. It's just, I miss FEELING pretty.

I do not feel pretty right now.

Read More

REBUILD: Redefining The Rebuild Your Life Project

Today I almost had a breakdown. Standing in traffic looking at the cars pull up I thought to myself, "I'm wasting my time asking for donations. There's so much more I need to do."

The reality is, the donations I collect on the street corners help fund this project and without them I wouldn't be able to assist the women that I meet or take buses to the places I need to go.

Most people think this project is about homelessness. It is not. The Rebuild Your Life Project is about facing your biggest fear of losing everything and becoming homeless and how even the worst case scenario can be overcome with the right mental attitude, knowledge of resources and belief.

After my first attempt to organize the job fair did not go well I have to redefine my intentions, which haven't changed much.

MAIN OBJECTIVE of The Rebuild Your Life Project:

To empower women to overcome their fear of failure and losing everything by allowing them to watch me as I rebuild my life from nothing.

1. Teach mental strategies for success through video.
2. Showcase resources that women can use to find help if they need to rebuild their lives.
3. Establish a grant to help a single mom move off of the streets and into her own place. 3 months rent and living expenses. Target: $3,000
4. Host a job fair specifically for homeless women in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that has 30 businesses participate.
5. Raise funds to redevelop MySavvySisters.Com into an online community that serves women.

In addition I will now have to:

Find a quiet place with a strong internet connection to work on my project during the day and evening hours EVERY DAY.
Secure events to raise funds for this project
Profile 30 homeless women who are employable to showcase to potential employers
Seek donations to furnish the home of the woman who wins the grant.
Secure speaking engagements to share about my project and the resources I find.
Continue to provide empowering articles and resource information through MySavvySisters.Com.
Continue to assist other homeless mothers in their quest to rebuild their lives.
Continue to investigate the homeless lifestyle and it's trappings and resources and report on them.

I have a lot on my plate and the hours seem to go by fast every day.

Bit by bit. Day by day. Phone call by phone call.

I will do this.

Read More

REBUILD: Dusting Myself Off

My heart is hurting so much right now.

I'm 3 days away from my job fair and now I decided to cancel it after realizing: YOU CAN NOT QUIT YOU DIDN'T REACH YOUR GOAL.

I wrestled with this idea for a half hour. I called my sister and we went over the ramifications and the truth is, if I don't finish what I started I will be a liar.

I have to set another date for the job fair and I have to start all over again. I have two interested businesses and I have to set the time to find more. This month was a slow start with me adjusting mentally and physically to this new beginning and lifestyle.

I can't even BEGIN to look for employment for myself until this job fair is a success.

I'm feeling like a failure a little bit but I'm trying to give myself some room to grow and make mistakes.

All kinds of things went wrong during this first month:

The post office never set up my PO Box so all the mail I SHOULD have received all month was sent back to the sender. When I gave the job fair venue my date and time I asked them to let me know if anything needed to be changed and they didn't so I began marketing this event and at the last minute I had to change the time which made my two businesses have to back out due to the time change. My first donor said she mailed me a check and I never got it which held me up from securing the venue. I began vending (asking for donations for the Homeless Voice newspaper) on the streets which wore me out physically and mentally as I transformed from website publisher to a street walker asking for donations.



My goodness! I am doing so much at once. Adjusting to a new lifestyle and trying to do something that no one can lead me through doing and I don't have much strength to be emotionless. I cry every single day.

I feel like crying right now.

I don't know what I'm doing and how long this will take and I miss my sons and I don't even know if this is something that will be good for anyone.

I am feeling the pain of not seeing my sons for a month.

I was all happy go lucky yesterday and now look.

I'll write more later when my spirits are up.

Everything is a good thing. I'm trying to remind myself.

Read More

REBUILD: Hop In Your Car For A Dollar

Would it be too weird of me to say I'm gonna miss this place?

I know I'm supposed to show the horrors of homeless living but if you count the guy who farts all day or the stinch of stinky feet there's really no horror.

These people are weirdos, but so am I.

I fit in but I don't. None of us fit in but together we make sense.

I'm extremely horny. Everyone else is too.

If I don't get to see the man who "finds" clothes and tries to sell them for crack money, I feel sad. Everything he has is "brand new" and "only $2." I bought 3 pairs of pants for $2 one time. I'm wearing a pair right now.

Then there's an older lady who uses curse words that were outlawed in the biblical days. She "finds" prescription drugs and tries to sell them to everyone else.

There's a lady here who has 3 men fighting over her. "I don't know what to do, Tee," she said. I laughed and laughed. Her ex came one night and sat outside, crying and crying because she won't see him.

There's drama everyday and I wake up smiling to see what will happen next.

I've come to really like the people here even when I'm angry because I need affection so badly and I take it out on everybody by being a bitch.

"I hate you!" I'll announce to everyone and feel better after saying it. Until I get a real hug, I hate everyone.

Today was a rainy day out on the streets asking for donations for the paper. I still made good money because there were plenty of men out driving today and my shorts are so short it looks like I'm not wearing anything. My tanned and toned legs bring in the donations, even on a rainy day.

While I'm on the median and walking back and forth through traffic my mind is buzzing with all kinds of thoughts like:

What will my baby with Kanye look like?
How long will it take to get out of here?
Men are waving me over to their cars with $1 bills in their hands; I feel like a prostitute.

In fact, a man propositioned me today.

"Why don't you come with me to my house for a couple of hours," he suggested.

I laughed and called my Mom.

"Mama! I think I got my first offer for prostitution!"

"Ewww," she said. "How much?"

I laughed.

"Is that gonna be your next 'assignment'?" she asked.

"Mama! I told you I'm gonna be a dominatrix next!"

Read More