Oh! What times... what times!!!!

As I sat and watched tonight's events at the Democratic National Convention unfold I was moved...well more than that I was touched. Today was the first time a black man has been officially nominated to lead a major political party on the Presidential ticket. Now to me this is significant in soooo many ways which I will get to in a sec., but first I must point out this one fact to readers who may not know or just need to hear it again.

On Thursday (tomorrow or today whatever time you are reading this) the date will read August 28, 2008 which is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech".
Thursday August 28, 2008 will also be the day Mr. Barack Obama accepts the Democratic party's nomination for president of the United States.....It's chilling to think of how historic a day it will be...it seems like it was written in the stars. Again, no matter where you stand politically you have admit that the significance of this date is extraordinary.


Now I will tell you why it was so touching to me.
Those of you who know me, know that it's no secret or surprise that I grew up in an predominately white private school from pre-k until about the 4th grade. Now when I say mostly white, I can still name and even count on a single hand all of the black children that went to my school. I can still remember learning about the presidents and seeing that none of them looked like me then learning about slavery and civil rights and realizing that even though my family, dating all the way back through the last century, was born right here in this country I still felt like maybe I wasn't part of the America that my other classmates were. This is why I could understand why Michelle Obama made that infamous comment "This is the first time in my life that I have been truly proud of my country." She did not mean it to say that she never was proud of America or that she didn't like Americans, which is what the far right media would have you believe. She meant that as a black woman in America when we look into history sometimes we feel shut out of certain parts of the history books, at least I know I did. And I'm sorry to say it's something that many people may have a hard time understanding and I can't really blame them. Being a minority is something that you can only really grasp when you walk in our shoes.

However, I feel like the gap is slowly closing, and we are all finally getting to a place where we are understanding each other, at least our generation is. That is what is special about our generation. We grew up not really knowing what segregation was or even experiencing the brutal forms of racism that our parents, grandparents, and great parents bore the brunt of.

This is why last year when I argued my older family members up and down telling them that Barack Obama could possibly clench this nomination... they thought I was out of my mind. But how could they not think I was crazy?? They saw a time when they were young. A time where people still didn't want them to even get a chance to vote.
I saw a time where my classmates...my white classmates were wearing Obama '08 buttons and driving with Obama '08 bumper stickers. I've had friends of all races...so I see what America is on its way to becoming. America is becoming a nation of people from all ethnic backgrounds coming together in the name of freedom for all and pursuit of the American Dream. And pretty soon race will just be merely just another adjective and perhaps nothing more. Now I will admit we still have a ways to go but I like where we are headed. So it moves me to see the diverse crowd of people coming to tears when Barack Obama's name was called as the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States. And it's also worth mentioning that Mr. Obama is the product of an inter-racial couple...cause as we all know I've been saying for years that in the next century eventually America could end up being a nation of mixed people...which would mean there could be a hell of a lot of beautiful people walking around .....and hey! Wouldn't that be something!!

On a lighter note: In entertainment news...all has been somewhat boring in Hollyweird...mostly because all the celebs are in Denver!! but I just have to share this with you guys in case you haven't seen it .....
so Solange "I am not my sister" Knowles has been making the rounds promoting her new album which I hear.... is pretty good... something new and refreshing. This week she made an appearance on a Las Vegas local morning news show. And before her segment started a producer asked her if she would mind commenting on the recent closing of Jay-Z's 40/40 club in Vegas....obviously she wasn't down with that, but she mistook the question as being part of her introduction and then....this happened.



Now I gotta admit I admire her for standing up to the woman because she thought she was being thrown a curve ball...but she was too quick with her judgement there ...Oh well lesson to be learned: Homegirl doesn't take any crap!

I realize it may be in poor taste to follow up my inspired post about the history we are making with the Obama nomination .....with celeb foolishness but hey ... I bet it made you laugh!!

Well I'm tired, so that's all for now
Luvs!!
-M.Theresa M.

Giving YOU a little ME

"For the side of you that likes a cup of tea"

I love to connect with people.  Funny thing is, I never knew this about myself.  I just discovered that I loved going out to lunch with people and taking friends out on "dates" just to connect with them.  I love trying to help people become a better person.  One of my favorite things in the world is to make sure that people that I love are constantly growing and bettering themselves.  So this poses a very important question,  what is one thing you should eliminate from  your life because it's holding you back from reaching your full potential?  So often we don't know how to cut out all the excess, the drama, the toxic waste from our lives...and let's just get to the bottom of it, it is not good for you!  At the end of the day, it's just not healthy.  We have friends, family members, books, habits, websites, drinks, etc.  that don't provide POSITIVITY.  I am all about the positivity.  Now, I'm not saying go through your blackberry or your iPhone and click Delete Contact.  I am in no way condoning burning bridges.  On the other hand, toxic is toxic.  Whether it's your boyfriend, childhood friend, or co-worker... how much of your time and energy do you allow them to have?  Is there something or someone in your life who is holding you back from reaching your full potential?  Over a cup  of tea, you should decide. 

"For the side of you that likes ice water with lemon"

Beauty Check:

I have always been a die hard try new beauty products all the time fan.  Being the lucky girl that I am, I have stumbled upon some really really fantastic stuff.  

Now, I was never really into having my WHOLE face made up (you know how when some people get close up they look completely different) but I do love when my eyes pop.   

So #1 on my list is: Loreal Original Voluminous Mascara.  I never really liked mascara.  I didn't really think that it did that much but come to find out, it does wonders.  I had always heard "cheap mascara is the best mascara" and evidently it's true.  You can find this beauty fav at your local drug store for about $8 bucks.  Cool huh?

Everyone who know me, knows that I adore taking baths.  I love them.  All of my friends know that if we're close, at some point in my life I will be on the phone with them while taking a bath.  (Side note: leave your comments at the door). LOL.  So...that brings me to my next favorite product.  #2 Perlier Honey Bath & Shower Cream (Ricette Naturali Perlier Body Honey Miel Crema Per Bagno & Doccia.) I found this product in an Italian drugstore earlier this year while I was traveling in Italy.  My product has the Italian name which I gave you in parentheses but I found out that this product is available in the USA and you can check it out at hsn.com to have it shipped straight to your door!  The internet is a godsend.  A-may-zing.

#3  I'm not a beauty editor at a fabulous fashion magazine nor am I some fashion guru BUT  I have declared the new fall OPI color Malaga Wine as the new HOT color.  Screw all those purples, yellows, and pinks this sucker is "haute."

#4  One random fact about me is that I am allergic to random lipchaps (that's what I call them - I know I made the word up)  such as blistex, chapstick, etc.  It really sucks because no one wants to spend serious money on "lipchaps."  Anywho, if you happen to have this same problem then maybe your lips are like my lips and they enjoy when I smudge Rosebud's Strawberry Lip Balm and moisturizer on them.  Why oh, why are my lips high maintenance? Rosebud's to the rescue.

#5 Enjoy Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo: Create unbelievably smooth and silky hair.  Eliminate frizz. Moisturize and detangle without buildup.  Color safe for all hair types.  $15.95 for the 10.1 fl. oz.  Sometimes I want to renew and freshen my look so...I color my hair.  Coloring you hair is high maintenance.  You have to add in that extra charge at the beauty salon for the "deep conditioner," you can't stay out in the sun too long or you come in looking blonder and last but not least you have to change shampoos that don't fade the color or damage your hair.  This is when my new favorite product came waltzing into my life.  I hope you Enjoy!

 

"For the side of you that likes a good martini"

I wanted to share with you 3 of my world class favorite places to "fine dine."

1. Prime 112, Miami, FL

EVERYTHING at Prime 112 is (as my waitress described) amazing.  It was rather annoying when my guests and I were trying to choose what to eat when our lovely waitress continued to answer all of our questions with "oh, it is amazing."  Yes, the Soy Marinated Sea Bass, Grilled Wild King Salmon, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato & Vanilla Bean Mash and EVERY LITTLE SCRUMPTIADIDDLY (clearly made this word up) thing we ordered was AMAZING.  If I could have met the chef, I would have kissed him because for the love of this man he can cook his arms off!  Prime 112 made an impression of me that I will never forget.

2. Pesce, Houston, TX

If you go to Pesce, you will meet Chef Mark Holley.  He is an extremely personable chef that comes around to your table to check on you for the evening. EVERY time that I have been there I have spoken with him.  Mr. Mark Holley is not just someone you want to speak to...he is someone you want to climb in your pocket and take home with you.  His Southern Shrimp & Grits and possibly anything else on that menu is to die for.  When you go, please have a mojito on my behalf.  The best in the country.

 

3. Crustaceans, Los Angeles, CA

Crustaceans is a dining experience.  The Cracked Crab and Garlic Noodles are a must!  You must have them both.  Crustaceans is filled with celebrities and people in the know every time I go and all I'm thinking about is that Cracked Crab.  This needs to be in that book 1,000 places to go before you die.

From a girl who loves a cup of tea, ice water with lemon and a good martini,

Lauren

Rarely do speeches inspire me like this.....

Hello all! It's pretty late...but I'm up doing job related stuff and un-necessarily looking at things on the internet and I just watched Michelle Obama's speech tonight from the Democratic National Convention.


Now no mattter where you stand politically...to the left or to the right, you have to admit her speech was pretty inspiring. She had so many people in that packed Pepsi Center with tear-filled eyes. That's what politics should be, at least to me. Politics should move you. When politicians speak it should make us want to sit on the edge of our seat and hope that they only want what's better for this country, and that the laws that they are working to pass are laws that are going to make our lives richer and easier. Laws that would fund programs like the CHIP program (the Children's Health Insurance Program) which is why my heart was so broken months ago when our president vetoed the bill that would have funded the SCHIP bill. Actions like that break my heart because no matter what motive you have behind political beliefs children should NEVER fall victim to your motives or agendas. In some ways I had begun to loose faith in politics because it seemed to me like everyone has an agenda, but tonight listening to Mrs. Obama's speech I felt that maybe she really did connect to people like me, people who want to believe in the greater good in mankind!! I don't know only time will tell. But I will say this I too want to see a change we can believe in!...Ok I realize this is a pretty heavy post...so I will lighten things up a bit and shift gears....

So those who know me, know that I have a pretty eclectic music taste (to say the least) and one of my favorite songs ever is Wild Horses by the Sundays...(for my musically challenged readers LOL..it's the song they play in the movie Fear with Reese Witherspoon ) anywho its a song with really beautiful lyrics...and so imagine my excitement when I came across this cover Alicia Keys and Adam Lavigne (from Maroon 5) did together!! of the song!! it's soooo worth checking out...these are two of my favorite artists singing one of my favorite songs... I've added it for your viewing pleasure....enjoy!!! That's all... I'm out One LUV-

M.Theresa M.

The Virgin Post

Hello to all reading this!!! (and yes the title of this post was done with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek LOL)
This is Theresa...so Lauren and I put our ever so busy heads together and decided to collaborate on a blog...So I guess I'm first up to bat...
The first one is always the hard one....but I'm going to keep a little brief until I have something a bit more substantial go run with. Its storming outside so I should be able to get deep because my mind seems to really work well in inclimate weather. What that means.... I have no idea...maybe I'm as deep as I often like to think that I am.. LOL! A little bit about me goes like this...I'm anspiring broadcast journalist. I've just graduated from school the illustrious(or so they'd have us believe) University of Tennessee...where I got an education on all fronts...but more on that later. I previously worked as president of the schools TV station where I was fortunate enough to do a little bit of everything. And I simultaneously worked as an Associate Producer at WATE-6News...I wrote it out just like that because I had to spend the better part of my days answering the phones rattling that off!! I've moved back home and I have begun the grueling yet exciting task of applying for on-air jobs...I say grueling because the process goes something like this....1.) Look for an opening 2.) Apply for said opening 3.) Type up some super fabulous cover letter that will wow them on the spot without even having met you 4.) Print out resume 5.) Burn copy of Demo Reel 6.) Place label on demo reel that corresponds to the job I am applying for 7.) Label large envelope that will be sent to station containing coverletter, resume, and demo reel 8. Place my picture and contact info inside the cover for my demo reel then put inside evelope 9.) Mail off package and hope for the best This is pretty much my daily ritual which I have come to love.........Okay so I'm gonna end this post for now and I will be back later today with something far more interesting to post.
Oh and I am going to add my demo reel to the site for anyone who's curious....also this is my starter version this isn't my best one this one has a few editing errors so bare with me....oh and you might catch my real name...since Theresa is just my middle name....
Also I think Lauren will be up next to bat with her virgin post LOL.....(my weird sense of humor)