Reader Mail: God Supports Those Who Follow Their Soul

Dear Te-Erika,

I've spent the whole evening reading your diaries with great pleasure. It surprised that that even though we have lived totaly different lives, we have quite a lot in common in our attitudes! I felt especially close to you in your entry "I'm not mentally ill" - it felt like you described my own feelings! I had the exact same problems in life with other people calling me insane because I couldn't keep a job for long time just because I didn't feel I can be myself there. More than that, my mother (RIP) has taken me to psychiatrists that tagged me as a manic depressive or having ADHD disorder.

Some of them also said I behave like this because I used to be a heroin addict. But the truth was, that I didn't see these things like most people. I couldn't appreciate the "normal life" people live, and going to the same work everyday as such a gift because we all live only once, and I can do so much more to contribute than kill my time in an office or a factory. Even in when I studied in professional school, I felt like they teach me how to be someone else that "would sell better". I hope you understand what I mean.

My luck was that I met some good people that had the same problems and kept telling me that I have to find my own self and my own way. So when I was backpacking for two years, sometimes on the streets, sometimes in the nature and sometimes finding a place in a squat, I had plenty of time to learn myself and to find out that when I don't "have" to do something that somebody else tells me to, when I am free to choose what I do with my time, I actually don't have depression at all. And I felt really happy, even if I was sometimes cold or hungry. I also managed to stop using heroin, which seemed impossible to me, because the whole time that I was working, I was on and off using.

I started it when I was 17, it became worse after my mother's death when I was 18, and I truly lost myself in it, because I had no family and no one to take care of me. 5 years of addiction with endless tries to quit seemed like forever to me. And the whole time people said to me "why can't you just be normal?".. So you can imagine how surprised I was that exactly on the "lowest point", when I had no home and family and I was a backpacker in a foreign country, it was suddenly possible for me to quit, be happy and keep it that way. Just because I felt free and had hope for the future.

My man has also given me a lot of hope, since he has gone through the same way, and together we can keep each other from depression and drug addiction, that both of us were facing when nobody around could understand or support us, and the feeling that we were living someone else's life. I know it sounds silly, but before taking my journey I simply didn't imagine that there's another way to live, a way of MY OWN.

I truly believe that God supports those who follow their soul, just like he did for me, time after time. And I believe that your journey is not for nothing, that you will reach your goals, or maybe get to a deeper understanding of yourself and your mission in this life.

I hope this letter would bring support and strength to you. I am sorry again for taking your time with this long letter.. I just was so excited when I read your diary that I had to write this to you.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I hope you keep in touch with us. Please take care of your beautiful self.

Big warm hugs from Romania and best wishes!!

Love,
Karen

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Day 19: I Have A Book Bag

I bought a new bag today!

Oh my gosh! This means so much to me. I had been carrying around my laptop and personal belongings in a shopping bag (pictured on the right) for so long and now I have a real bag to carry things in. I got it from Walmart after my earnings from working as a vendor.

I am so proud of my bag. It goes over my shoulder and my laptop now fits inside and I am so happy!

I know it sounds crazy but you forget the luxury of having a real bag or a purse. I had neither. Now I have a book bag.

I am sooo happy!

This feels just as good as my first shower!

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Day 18: Weaving In And Out Of Traffic

Walking up and down that median today I was really about to quit.

It was so hot. I was sweating. I never sweat. I hate sweat on others. Sweat makes me ill.

But there I was with a fake smile plastered on my face weaving in and out of traffic asking for donations.

I prayed for rain.

The Gods heard me.

It rained and rained and rained. We sat next to the IHOP talking for 3 hours.

I only made $25 today.

On the van back to the shelter all of the vendors were joking about all the ways people try to ignore us when we are asking for donations:

They quickly pick up their phone and act like they are texting
They look over their shoulder into their back seat and act like they are talking to their child. (We can see that there is no child there. WTF?)
They pretend to be engrossed in applying make up.
They stare straight ahead like mannequins and don't even move their eyeballs.
They open their packed meals and pretend to be eating so they can't speak.

We see the strangest things as we walk from car to car waving and smiling:

Women plucking the hairs from their chins.
Women digging in their noses.
Men yelling at their wives.
Men with their penis' sticking straight up out of their pants.



Sometimes I feel like I am in a fog and just rotating through traffic and waving.

HI! Would you like to donate to support the Homeless Shelter today?

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VIDEO: How To Braid Hair

Learn how to do a french braid and save your child a few headaches from those ponytails.

VIDEO BELOW-

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My Savvy Sisters Own Their Preferences

Reeses or Snickers?

Morris Chestnut or Taye Diggs?

Soccer or Football?

Which do you prefer?

What makes our world so wonderful is each person's ability to experience new things and decide which experiences make them happy.

Each experiences allows us the opportunity to add another barometer to our existence and pushes us toward better defining what brings us joy and pleasure.

Your preferences for your lifestyle or goals for your future are never wrong. You can't get it wrong. You can't allow anyone to lead you to believe that what brings you pleasure is wrong.

My Savvy Sisters know this. My Savvy Sisters are free to be who they want to be and live how they want to live.

My Savvy Sisters define their preferences and become proud of them, never settling for less than what will bring them toward their ultimate desire of happiness.

Own your preferences.

It's okay.

Live life on your own terms and bathe in bliss.

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REBUILD: Meet Maria- Homeless Mom

32-year-old Maria joins me in Rebuilding Her Life. She is a homeless mom who came to the homeless shelter just before her son was born.

View the video now!

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Study of Royal Romances Reveals 7 Steps To Catch A Prince

"Seven Golden Rules" are Based on Badoo.com Global Study of 107 Romances Since 1945

LONDON, April 28, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- Kate Middleton's met her prince. Want to meet your own?

Well, forget kissing frogs and start thinking strategically. That means attending university (ideally, Cambridge), playing sport (ideally, tennis) and targeting the right places (Europe generally; Monaco and Scandinavia particularly).

In short, follow the "Seven Golden Rules" for meeting a prince, drawn up by social networking site Badoo.com (http://www.badoo.com), after studying 107 royal romances worldwide since 1945.

"Until now, the only known strategy for meeting a prince has been to kiss lots of frogs," says Lloyd Price, Marketing Director of Badoo, the world's largest social networking site for meeting new people. "We've produced the first practical strategy based on analysis of historical data."

To Catch A Prince: Badoo's "Seven Golden Rules"

1. Think Global - Nearly Half Of Princes Marry Foreigners

2. Target Europe - Ideally, Monaco or Scandinavia

3. Get Educated - University Is The New Royal Marriage Market

4. Get On Your Party Shoes - Princes Like To Party

5. Think Sporty - Best Of All, Play Tennis

6. Get A Job - Ideally, In Media or Showbusiness

7. Fame Helps - Boost Your Odds By Being Famous First

You don't have to be either royal yourself to make Badoo's rules work. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of the women who romanced European princes in Badoo's study were commoners, like Kate Middleton; and 63% were foreigners.

So, one Badoo rule states: "Target Europe". European princes are more likely than others to marry both commoners and foreigners. Your best odds are in Monaco or Scandinavia.

Another rule: "Get Educated - University Is The New Royal Marriage Market." Kate met William at Scotland's St Andrew's University and 10% of Badoo's women met their princes as students. Best, target Cambridge, the only university to produce more than one royal romance.

Another rule: "Get On Your Party Shoes". The more parties you attend, the better. Best of all are parties given by mutual friends.

Sport is another good way to meet a prince. But some sports, like polo or, best, tennis - are better bets than others, like beach volleyball.

Finally, get going. There are more princes out there than you think. The princes in Badoo's study came from 30 countries, 33 royal families and four continents. At least one must be right for you.

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Blog Carnival 7 - 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 6th 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!


Michelle K Sweeney presents Giving Back posted at Yours Faithfully.

Healing Loves Tears presents Sandy's story.. posted at Healing Loves Tears.

Donna Cullen presents 10 Online Dating Pickup Lines posted at Top Dating Sites.

Chetan presents Scholarship Opportunity for Teenage Mothers posted at Online College Classes.

Charles Chua C K presents How to Grow Your Career posted at All About Living with Life.

Samuel Benson presents Sewn Together by a Thread: Top 50 Tapestry Blogs posted at Liberal Arts Degree.

Sarah presents Dress Your Children with Plus Size Trendy Clothing for Kids posted at Plus size trendy clothes.

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EDITORIAL: Get Back On Track Through Adult Learning Centers

By Erika Martin

Education Columnist

Getting a high school diploma or a GED when you're an adult can be daunting and exciting all at once. Many times, one doesn't know where to start to pursue these goals. It is easier than you think.

There are adult learning centers located across the country and are usually cost-free due to grants, federal funding, private donations, etc. These centers are a great place to start in furthering your education. Most centers have a diploma, GED and high school completion program, as well as other classes that can help to get you up to speed in different subjects and skills such as technology, internet classes, academic studies, etc. A simple Google search for "Adult Learning Center ______" (fill in the blank with your city and state) will pull up different options and locations for you to check out.

Three years ago, a dear friend of mine decided to pursue his high school diploma and contacted the Vermont Adult Learning Program in our area to achieve this. My sister also received her GED through the same program two years ago. When I decided to pursue my high school diploma, I knew that this program would be perfect for me. I started the process through the VAL program in February of this year and will be finished in time for graduation in June. While this may seem like a quick program, most students choose to take longer to complete their programs due to other commitments in their lives.

Adult Learning Centers are very flexible to work with and those that are involved in running them are there to help each person realize their educational needs and goals. Assessors are assigned to students to help them in the areas that they need help with, to work with them as they complete their projects and to successfully finish the program with a complete understanding of the skills and knowledge they need to gain. My personal assessor here in Vermont has been amazing to work with and has been flexible with my schedule. She has been encouraging and supportive of my goals and dreams for a future career in psychology. In talking with others that have gone through the VAL program, I've heard the same about the assessors that they've worked with.

If you are looking to increase your knowledge in certain academic areas or looking to pursue a high school diploma or GED, I would highly recommend checking out your local Adult Learning Center. It is a wonderful alternative for higher education and filling in the gaps to help with your current job or in looking for a new job. The cost is minimal or free in many centers. Some centers even offer childcare so that students can learn with as few obstacles as possible.

About the columnist:

Erika Martin was withheld from attaining her high school diploma and a higher education due to living in a spiritually abusive upbringing. She is currently working towards attaining her high school diploma and plans to pursue a degree in Psychology after graduation this June. Erika will highlight relevant news and information that relates to education as well as chronicle her journey toward her diploma.

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30 Years After 1st "Test-Tube Baby," Economy May Be Biggest Obstacle for Infertile Couples

Arizona couples waiting longer to seek help, says Phoenix expert, although $99 test could help

PHOENIX, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty years after the first American baby from in vitrofertilization (IVF), Arizona's economic woes have all but replaced the limits of medical know-how as the chief reason infertile couples aren't seeking help, says the medical director of Arizona's largest fertility clinic.

"Compared to the early days, today's chances of IVF success are about five times greater," says Dr.Drew Moffitt, of Arizona Reproductive Medicine Specialists (ARMS). "But in 17 years of practice, I'm seeing patients waiting the longest ever before coming to us."

The trend is high in the minds of fertility doctors this week, designated as National Infertility Awareness Week by the patient advocacy group RESOLVE just months from the 30th birthday of America's first IVF baby, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, born December 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia.

In Arizona, demand for IVF – a procedure rarely covered by health insurers – peaked in 2007 at 1,837 treatments or cycles statewide, according to statistics published by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. In 2009, the most recent year for published data, the number dropped to 1,798.

Recent technology could spare the heartache of waiting too long, Moffitt said. A new $99 test indicates the state of a woman's biological clock, potentially leading to better-informed decisions about the timing of parenting.

The Ovarian Assessment Report (OAR) uses a blood test and an ultrasound examination to indicate the state of a woman's egg supply. Egg quality and quantity decrease with age – by age 35, women often face a sharp decline in fertility.

The test "won't tell you that you have 10 years left to get pregnant," Moffitt said. "But it will tell you if your basket of eggs is getting critically low." ARMS is introducing it to Arizona as part of a "Biological Check" program. Some patients may qualify for free testing under a research program.

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Day 16: Project Updates & Emotions

I'm trying very hard not to break down right now.

When I first came I saw a woman with a 5 month old child living here. She told me that she was very private and wouldn't speak to me at all. I am respectful so I stayed out of her way.

Today I saw her in the cafeteria and she sat next to me, without her baby. She told the tale of being kicked out of this shelter and sent to a motel and then coming back to the shelter and child protective services taking her baby.

"I saw him today," she said and looked down at her hands. "They gave us an hour. "

This made me think back to my own sons and how grateful I am that they have a father who lives a conventional life. A year or so ago I would have told all kinds of horrible stories about him in an effort to show how mean he is, but none of that matters. What matters is the fact that he does a better job than I do at taking care of our sons right now.

For some reason I got this personality or this vision or this curse or this blessing, whatever you want to call it- I got it. It doesn't allow me to stay at jobs for long or to be satisfied with the status quo. It makes me feel insane when I have to do repetitive work and I feel like the walking dead when I have to work in an office setting.

I prayed for so long that I would change and fit in with the rest of the world. I was so tired of being different and feeling like an alien. Even here at the shelter, I'm the journalist but I'm also homeless. I'm different but I'm not.

I talk to the mentally ill people here more than anyone else because I want to see myself in them. I want to be up close and personal with them to give them the understanding and love I wish had been given to me.

I'll sit and listen to their ramblings and understand their plight because it mirrors mine. We think alike; a jumble of racing thoughts and frustrations that reflect our inconsistent attempts to be heard and understood in this world.

It may sound like random chatter to you, but it's our innermost light trying to explain, to shout, to let you see that we are good. We have good to give too.

If my best friend were reading this, she'd probably say, "Tee, you always find a way to identify with the underdog." Well, maybe I do.

I just want to understand people and connect with them because no one ever understands me or accepts me as I am. I'm told I'm beautiful all day every day but I've never been truly understood or appreciated for who I am.

I don't know. I guess I'm rambling. I posted a new video today of me talking about some of my frustrations. You wanna watch?

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Your World News Report - April 27, 2011

Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

WikiLeaks Spills

WikiLeaks disclosed US mishandling of Guantanamo’s detainees. According to Leaks files the US have held some inmates captive without sufficient evidence for years while releasing some of the world’s deadliest criminals. Leaks unveiled more than 700 documents highlighting the US uncertainty and perplexed decisions based on deficient evidence.

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Diplomat Ousted

As tension rises between Shiite and Sunni Arab in the oil-rich nation--the second secretary to the Iranian Embassy was exiled. Hujatullah Rahmani, the second secretary to the Iranian Embassy was ordered to leave Manama, Bahrain. Since protest erupted in February at least 34 people have died. The Bahrain Island is the home for the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

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Escape from Afghan Prison

480 inmates escaped from Sarposa prison in Kandahar an Afghan prison on Sunday--officials have declared 65 of the escapees have been captured. The Afghan National Security and the International Security Assistance Force have initiated mass searches. The inmates escaped through a 1,000 foot hole which was dug for several months connected to a house underground not far from the Sarposa prison. Kandahar is the birth place of the Taliban and officials reports that the Taliban were responsible for the encroachment. Officials have the support of Afghanistan citizens in recapturing the escaped convicts and task force is working diligently to detain the escapees.

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Back in Full Frontal

Less than four days after a tornado hits official anticipates the St. Louis airport to operate a full flight schedule. The massive tornado caused windows to shatter and ripped partial of a roof off a building at the airport-- many flights were cancelled due this cyclone. The damage will take months to repair and to restore the airport back to its original state. Thankfully no fatalities were reported.

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Cultivate Your Fantasy Life

Write down the answers to the following questions.

1. The one thing in my life that makes me truly happy is…..
2. After a hard day at work I like to come home and….
3. If I could jump up right now and do something I would….
4. I love it when I meet people who…
5. People always call me when they need help with…
6. When I was younger I used to make believe I was…
7. The one habit I have that I KNOW is keeping me from complete happiness is…
8. If I had a magic wand I’d wave it over my life and change…

Now take a look at your list.

Look at it again.

The answers to these questions are chief indicators of your fantasy life as well as the obstacles that are hindering you from achieving it. Don’t be ashamed of what you wrote down. These clues will guide you as you continue to cultivate your fantasy.

Meditate on what you wrote. What skills do you have that people seem to need? Is it something that you enjoy? Is it the same thing that you used to fantasize about doing as a child? If all these things match up then you have a direct line to one of the key factors of your fantasy life.
If they don’t match up that may mean that somewhere along the line you may have been sidetracked in pursuing that thing you love by doing what someone else told you would be best for you.

You can still have the life you deserve but you must first imagine your life as the complete expression of your dreams. Take a minute to enjoy the fantasy. Allow it play out in your mind over and over again like your favorite tune. Embrace the thoughts. Bless the dreams. Awaken the fantasy.

Take the time to visit FutureMe.org. You can write an e-mail to your future self detailing the dream life you hope to have. Choose a date sometime in the future and challenge yourself to take steps toward embracing that fantasy by that date.

It’s your life. It’s your fantasy. Cultivate it by daring to believe you can have it.

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Savvy Blogger We Love- Shelia Goss

Shelia M. Goss is the Dallas Morning News and Essence Magazine Best-Selling author of Savannah's Curse, Delilah, My Invisible Husband, Roses are Thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, and the teen series The Lip Gloss Chronicles.

Her current novel, Delilah, has created quite a buzz. She's received many accolades, including receiving multiple Shades of Romance Magazine Multi-cultural Reader's Choice awards and Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Literature.

What do you love about being a blogger?

I love the interaction with readers. I like having my own platform to talk about a variety of subjects: books, fashion, entertainment and current events. As an author and avid reader, one of my goals for my blog is to make others aware of books by African-American authors.

Why is it important to be a Savvy Sister?

We come from a history of strong women. Many have shed tears and died for us to be able to live our dreams. Let's make our ancestors proud and enhance the legacy they left behind. Quitting is not an option. You will face obstacles. It's not going to be easy. Obstacles may detour you, but don't allow them to stop you.

For more detailed information, please visit her website www.sheliagoss.com

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Day 15: Barely Keeping My Head Up

Today was a fairly good day. It began with a call to 911. As soon as I got to my site to take donations, my chest tightened and I had trouble breathing.

The ambulance came and said that my air passages were clear and my oxygen saturation was at 100%. "Are you anxious about something?" the paramedic asked me.

I shook my head.

I made it back to the shelter and I felt better but then my spirits began to sink. All the negative thoughts I had been chasing away came flooding back in.

You need to do more!

You're wasting your time.

You're a failure again.

No one cares about your project!

You still only have TWO businesses! You suck!

I tried to fight them off but they got the best of me. Instead of crying my eyes out I decided to adopt a new perspective.

If I can't be successful in this project then I'll focus on something else. Maybe I'll turn my job fair into an opportunity for me to hold my first real motivational seminar. The room is already paid for. I'll invite everyone and tell them the story of my goals and my failure and how I will keep going.

I'm kinda of tired of the "keep going" attitude. I feel like I'm constantly dusting myself off and trying again. I know I have a good heart. I know I am living my destiny but I just want to show myself that I can do something good.

I haven't yet.

So I'm sad.

But through the sadness and disappointment with myself I pushed forward and made a new video. This video talks about how if you have nothing, you may as well reach for the stars. It's also the video I will use to promote myself to find myself a source of income.



My heart is flip flopping right now. I have half hope and half disappointment in myself. I wish that I could just do something good, do something right with my life.

I feel like I'm stuck. I can't believe people are writing me to tell me I am an inspiration. How? Nothing has turned out like I wanted it to yet.

I still have 2 weeks before the job fair. This week I'll hustle and see if I can get more businesses. Some say they'll think about it but I'm not getting any call backs. Maybe it's time to adjust.

I am hurting so much.

Well, you can watch today's video and forward it to anyone who may be able to utilize my gifts and talents, if you'd like. I'd really appreciate that.

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How To Argue Productively

If you’re a living being on planet Earth at some point you’ve had a heated discussion with another person whose opinion was different from your own. These heated discussions become arguments when the people involved are focused more on proving that they are right than gaining a firm understanding of what the other person is saying/feeling and expressing their differences in way that brings both parties to a mutual understanding of what they believe individually.

If you are engaged in a conversation where the other party does not agree with your point of view you should care about preserving the respect and integrity of the relationship despite the difference in opinion.

If you don’t care about the person’s feelings or view you might:

1. Behave immaturely by calling them names like DUMB or STUPID BITCH.
2. Scream at them.
3. Demonstrate inactive listening by cutting them off while they are speaking.
4. Focus your eyes on their mouths to see when they pause so you can get your words out.
5. Hang up in their face and send insulting text messages immediately. (If you’re on the phone.)
6. Walk away while they are talking.

No one involved in such an immature discussion will benefit from it. Negative emotions are running rampant and there’s no turning back unless you take control of the situation by:

1. Lowering your voice so that the other person is forced to lower their voice in order to hear you.
2. Understanding that their viewpoint is just as important as yours.
3. Listening to what they are saying and trying to understand why they feel that way.

Don't Say: That's some off the wall mess you're talking. No one thinks the way you do.

Say: “I understand that you feel that XYZ. I can see why you would feel that way.”

This helps by validating their feelings which will immediately cause the other person to become less defensive leading them to be more receptive to listening to your view.

4. Asking questions about their view. One of the most simple desires of this human life is to be heard and understood. When you take the time to question them in a non aggressive way, you actually satisfy that desire and allow them to express their opinion and even re consider if they want to continue to hold that viewpoint.

Don’t Say: What the hell is wrong with you? That’s a dumb idea!
Say: I’m not sure if I agree with that. Why do you feel that way?

5. Changing the conversation with a joke and a compliment. This infuses love and laughter into the situation and you can carry on with your relationship in a healthy way.

Don’t Say: Your crazy ass needs to go see a therapist! (That’s not funny. It’s hurtful.)
Say: Even though there’s no way I would do what you’re about to do, I still think you’re sexy.

Make friends. Be nice. Make love.

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VIDEO: When You Believe

Even when you're set free and you're on your way to your destiny, you can still falter through fear. Don't make the mistake of going back. There can be miracles, when you believe.

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Day 14: Tonight Is A Good Night

Every night isn't a bad night at the Homeless Voice homeless shelter.

Some nights, someone will come in and you can tell they snuck away and had a drink and they walk in looking crazy and we all make fun of them.

Tonight is kinda cool. I'm in a great mood after spending 12 hours working on my latest video and I am proud of it!



The guys are laughing. The girls are smiling and watching TV.

Everyone is smoking cigarettes as usual.



Jenn is talking about her sexual adventures as usual. Marcus is getting his hair braided. Dinner was great as usual. Yes, I sure do enjoy that cafeteria food. I'm usually one of the first 3 in line!

I'm feeling happy right now although my deadline for the job fair is fast approaching. I've done my best. I've survived. I cry sometimes but then Chris will come by and say something stupid and makes me smile.

Everyone is cool. Oh, Sean, the owner is not feeling well. The ambulance came to pick him up. He gets sick because he has so much pressure and has to take care of so many people. I hope he gets better.

Tonight is a good night. Tomorrow I hit the road to stand on the corner and ask for donations again.

Hope someone comes by and drops a million in my bucket.

Yeah. =)

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EDITORIAL: The BP Gulf Spill- One Year Later Congress Stalls

By Christina Fermin

Politics & Society Columnist

It has been one full year since the horrific BP gulf oil spill that killed 11 people and caused a disaster of unimaginable proportions. One year later and Congress has failed to act. This brings to light how incompetent Congress has become. When the oil was gushing out of the bottom of the sea floor everyone wanted to do what they could to help stop it. One year later congress is still cozy with big oil and has not passed one single measure to ensure an accident like this never happens again.

Living in Florida I am well aware of the crisis that has hit the community. I now I feel like our elected representatives have either forgotten or do not care. Gulf coast residents have been devastated, their economy has been crippled and oil continues to wash ashore beaches along the gulf. The BP oil claims department has been criticized for its handling of the claims and the $20 million gulf spill fund. In the meantime the money has gone all over the gulf states while government officials have made lavish purchases on new cars, boats and ipads.

BP has spent about $2 million in just the first quarter of 2011 lobbying congress to weaken any measure against oil companies, liability, responsibility and measures to protect the environment. BP also recently helped pass the ‘Put the Gulf Back to Work Act’ which speeds up the process for obtaining a drilling permit. Despite the disaster BP and Transocean executives have gotten huge bonuses that would make any one of our salaries look like chump change. The elite continue to reward themselves while making a mockery of the system that was suppose to be in place to protect the people.

One year later and we have not gotten a straight answer on what exactly happened, while blocking any media access to the disaster site and communities directly affected. Our government has assisted in hiding scientific and medical findings in the gulf coast region such as the mysterious illness that has broken out amongst workers and those exposed to the toxic dispersants which were used to break up the oil. The White House even tried blocking findings scientists made linking the deaths of masses amounts of sea life such as turtles and baby dolphins to the BP oil spill.

Government scientist and BP insist that everything is fine and things should be back to normal soon, but the truth is hundreds of millions of gallons of oil spilled into the gulf and oil continues to seep out of the cracked sea floor. Hundreds of different species have been found to be stained with black in and on their bodies, but the government and BP insist that the food is safe to eat and the water safe to swim. Tests results from people who lived and worked close to where the oil spread show high levels of toxic chemicals such as Benzene, Ethylbenezene, and Xylene all of which are highly toxic to humans cause havoc on the body and can lead to premature death.

We as a people need to come together to help one another through such tragedy. First off, if you live in the gulf region; Florida, Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana, contact your elected official and demand something gets done. Sign the petition, donate to one of the many institutions helping in the recovery process or an environmental group, volunteer if you live within vicinity, boycott oil spilling companies, and most importantly do not forget about the gulf. Check out this page for more tips and ideas: http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/gulf-oil-leak-all-hands-on-deck.

Peace & 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.

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VIDEO: Getting Out Of An Abusive Relationship

If you are being abused verbally or physically, if you are being punished for not doing things right or if you are in a situation where you are sick and tired of being controlled you can get out of that situation.

Here are the immediate steps you can take to get out of an abusive situation.

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My Savvy Sister of The Week- Dee Dee Rosemond Williams

Dee Dee Rosemond Williams

23

Las Vegas

CEO & Founder of the Sports Management Firm Duchess Entertainment

In a male-dominated industry 23-year-old Dee Dee Williams owns and operates a sports management company that represents professional athletes who seek to expand their brand name outside of the arena. “If an athlete wants to get into acting, it's my company's responsibility to find them the best theatrical agent and through my keen relationships with casting directors, get them auditions as well. If an athlete wants to launch a new product, it's my company's responsibility to create a campaign to market the product, hire the best Public Relations Firms' to promote the product and throw the event to launch the product. Basically, my clients are professional athletes who want to make more money and obtain more popularity outside of sports.”

Dee Dee said starting her own business was relatively simple. “I used my friends who were professional athletes at the time as clients,” she explained. “I would work for them for free, booking them on interviews, public appearances to even babysitting their children.”

This social butterfly recognizes the importance of networking her way to success. “Networking is 99% of what you have to do to keep your brand relevant. You can't be in this business if you're anti-social. At first, I would attend a lot of events for networking purposes and some athletes wouldn't take me seriously. I'd tell them about the company I was starting and they would be more interested in taking me on a shopping spree or flying me out of town for a vacation. That wasn't my desire. I wasn't trying to get a free meal or a Gucci hand bag. I was only concerned with having the opportunity to do business with them. My mentality has always been this way and through my perseverance I overcame those challenges by simply ignoring the temptation and not taking ‘no’ for an answer.”

The young CEO was always interested in leadership. “Before I started Duchess Entertainment I was constantly brainstorming, developing new ideas and/or reinventing another way to do something that already existed,” she said. “Once I knew that I wanted to become a permanent fixture in the male-dominated industry of sports I began studying the work ethic of successful women in other male- dominated fields. Queen Latifah was the most influential person to me. She conquered the Hip-Hop Industry and is now a global brand and who is endorsed by several fortune 500 companies. When it comes to business, she will always be influential to me.”

“A lot of things set me apart from other people in my field,” Dee Dee explained. “The most recognizable features would be the fact that I'm young with a no-nonsense attitude. I'm very serious at what I do to the point where people have openly admitted not wanting to be in my presence when I'm in work mode. I stay focused and most importantly I don't like wasting time or money.”

Any advice for My Savvy Sisters? “The only advice I would offer women who are afraid to step out and become their own boss is to discover whatever it is that they enjoy doing and do it with confidence!” she said emphatically. “Be extremely confident in yourself and your abilities to the point where it's mistaken for arrogance. Passion and self reliance has gotten me along way.”

To learn more about Duchess Entertainment please visit her website at www.DuchessEntertainment.com.

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