I'm a Shoe WHORE 4 sure!

I was just laughing at how many shoes I brought over my man's house just in case.....

Minique~

The ART of Conversation

How many times have you heard, "Communication is key!" This is so true and relates to all aspects of life including both business and personal. You can not have a successful 'relationship' with anyone with out effective communication skills. As a 20 something lol year old woman, I am learning alot these days about my personal communication style and how that either aides or hinders me in my personal life as well as business relationships. I know personally that I communicate more effectively via writing than orally but I'm working on merging the two skills so that they coincide.
There is definitely an ART to conversation. How often do you find yourself in an elevator with 5 to 6 individuals all looking up at the ceiling, straight forward or down at their feet? This has always puzzled me. Is it because people feel uncomfortable speaking to strangers, feel awkward in such an enclosed space or are people just generally rude? IDK
When it comes to personal acquaintances, conversation is very essential. When speaking with a friend over the phone, she mentioned that someone she knows decided to end a relationship because their partner tended to watch television often and could not hold a decent conversation because she was always disengaged from 'reality.' The ability to hold a 'decent conversation' is vital in your personal relationships, especially if this is someone you wish to spend the rest of your life with. What happens when you are old and grey and can no longer engage in that physical activity you currently use to express yourself? You will need to have the ability to converse that's what. Older couples spend their precious time talking and reminiscing about the good times, so if you can't hold a decent conversation then what's life going to be like for you in your elder years as a couple?
The art of conversation includes both the ability to speak effectively as well as listen attentively. Don't you hate it when you are speaking to someone and they cut you off in the middle of your thought in order to interject theirs? This is not only rude but an ineffective communication style. You can not possibly be listening to what the other party has said if you jump right in before they are able to complete their sentence. Also it is often said that "Reality is Perception." You may intend on meaning one thing with what you say, however the reality is how the receiving party perceives it. I have often been at fault with this one myself. You have to remember to watch your tone and delivery so that your thoughts are communicated just as you intend them to be received.
The art of conversation is a learned skill that you develop from early childhood and it continues to evolve as you interact with new people. If no one has ever complained about your conversation or communication methods then congratulations, you are a master at it; however if it has been brought to your attention I would only suggest that you take heed. If so, you will likely find that you attract the attention you wish and command the respect that you deserve and you will notice a dramatic difference in the way that other's perceive you and your new image.

Minique~

Interracial Dating

I have been pondering this topic since viewing the movie, Australia, the other day. Featured in the movie was a mixed boy named Nahla whose mixed ethnicity of White and Aborigine deemed him being labeled as a "creamy." His complexion was caramel with almond shaped eyes and sunkissed curly locks. A very handsome little fellow I might add, was in danger of being taken away from his mother and native land to be cast into a 'boarding school' simply because of his race and being labeled as 'wild.' HIs own white father tried to kill him in the movie as to avoid being found out. This entire scenario made me thing about interracial dating and the differences as well as challenges some still face today, in 2009, in what is supposedly a nation of many liberties.
The controversy around interracial dating and marriage has existed for many centuries. Most opposition has stemmed from insecurities and fear of 'racial impurity.' As you may know, many moons ago, interracial marriage and or dating was banned in many countries including the great United States. Although, now in 2009, these banning laws are nonexistent, there still exists an underlying discontent for interracial marriage, especially when it comes to mixing the black and white race. I personally think that those White racists would rather see an Asian and White or Hispanic and White couple as opposed to a White woman with a Black Man. This sentiment leads me to my next question. For those who choose to date outside their race, what is it that drives you to 'something new?' What are the differences if any found when dating outside of your race? I have always heard comedians talk about the ABW and this being the reason why brothas flock in droves to date a White woman, as we supposedly have too much attitude and sass to deal with. Contrarily I've also heard Black women complain about there not being an ample population of educated, progressive thinking and employed brothas to choose from so they flock towards dating white men. For me, I know that I want to marry an educated, employed and progressive man myself. I don't think that I am opposed to dating outside my race. I've dated a Dominican, Puerto Rican and Ghanian man in the past but ultimately in the back of my mind I still believe that there is nothing better than a 'Black' man for me lol It is just something about their swagga, physique, complexion and driven attitude. I'm not saying that I can not find this in a man of another race but I would prefer to wed and raise my children with a man of my own race. I guess the old saying of "Don't knock it til you try it" rings loudly here. What could be the harm? What are your thoughts???????


Minique~

Dominican Hair Salons

If you are a New York woman you know as well as I do that there is nothing like a Dominican "Doobie" as we like to call it. I love going to the Dominican Salons for several reasons. They are well known for giving you healthy hair from using their Dominican conditioners (Diez de Uno), roller sets that give you that va va voom,  they are very inexpensive and quite fast at rolling and blowing your hair once dried. I personally go to Milly's Dominican Salon on Austell Road in Austell, GA. My stylist is Ruth and she is awesome plus I get to practice my Espanol too :0) Milly's even does $19 wash n sets and $45 relaxers' on Tuesdays. On a regular day the wash n set is $25. Now I know as a native New Yorker that these prices can be seen as astronomical compared to a measly $10 you can pay back home but for GA they are on point and much less expensive than going to a black salon where I have to wait all damn day and pay out the you know what!

If you are ever in the neighborhood visit Milly's. You won't be disappointed.

They can be reached at 678-324-8969.

When I Grow Up!...

Recently my counterpart wrote about her visit to a strip tease class, and titled it, "I wanna be a stripper when I grow up!". Well, I went to an actual strip club this weekend, and I must say, the strippers there were surely all grown up!, lol. The things those woman can do with their bodies, lol...I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. And the way that they command full attention of all the men in their prescence, is an admirable quality! Their bodies make you want to run out and get a Brazillian, lol! I tell you, it takes some real balls to have enough confidence to strut around naked and have strangers practically all up and in between your everything! They flirt, they tease, they flaunt, they smile....they make their money, and their on there way!...and aint nothing wrong with that at all!:)

~J.Genese

A Piece of ME

I had the privellege of hanging out with my best buddy this weekend and doing something a little different, as she put it. We went to see "A Piece of Me", a stage play by playwright Jermaine Smith. The premise for the play was a young man trying to battle the anger and contempt that he held for his abusive and alcoholic father in the midst of a troubling time, and when his father and family needed him the most. This play dealt with drug abuse, sexual abuse, infidelity, and strengthening family ties...all the while sprinkling in The Lord, here and there. Now I have never been to what I would call a "religious play", nor would I categorize myself as an avid church goer, but the message of the play was loud and clear, and I didnt need a Bible to understand it.

"A Piece of Me" was cleverly written and very entertaining, once the ball got rolling. But my only discrepancy with it would be the issue of sex, which the play touched on by having a short, somewhat awkward scene, about being celibate. Now I know many a church goer who tote their Bible around M-F, and then are "shakin' it fast" in the club by the weekend. Their preaching fidelity and celibacy on one day, and then are trying to get in your pants the next. I went to Atlantic City this weekend, a mini sin city, and was almost trampled in the crowd trying to get on the bus back home at 6 in the morning because people were trying to make it to 9am church service! I mean come on, shouldnt we be practicing what we preach?, as the old saying goes...


~J. Genese

The NEW Path Train!!

So I finally got to take a ride on the NEW and improved Path train this morning, and I must say that I was thoroughly impressed! As soon as I saw it pull into the station my eyes lit up!, and upon entering through one of the 3 sets of doors, they got even bigger! First of all, the cars are huge!, providing way more riding space for commuters. The seats are extra big and provide just the right amount of space for riders to sit comfortably during their trek from NJ to NY, and vice versa. There's a nice and loud automated "conducter voice" which announces each stop and the next, so that riders can be fully aware of where they are headed. Thats going to be great for tourists, who always seem to hop on the wrong train, lol. And last but not least, the ride was very smooth and quiet....providing a nice and easy ride to start off my work day!:)

Nice going NJ Transit!

~J.Genese

WTC...FINALLY Making Progress...

As we embark upon the 8th anniversary of the tragic World Trade Center catastrophe, I am some what delighted to say that we are finally making progress. I travel to New Jersey every day on my commute to work, and have passed the WTC site almost everyday after its re-opening. As Ive looked out the window over the years Ive noticed the snail paced progress that was being made in the attempts to rectify and recover the site where the World Trade Center once stood. I slowly started to not even bother to look, because the debris filled site was just a constant reminder of what once was, and of how far we had to go to get to where we needed to be.

Well out of the rubble and ashes and debris rises a new clean slate that builders have started working on to bring forth the new and improved World Trade Center....I'd like to call it a great progress in the making...

~J. Genese

Everybody's Different

Everybody's Different....

Everyone is different stems from a radio talk show I listened to yesterday while running to the dollar general :0) The radio jockey talked about how the current economy is affecting couple's relationships. He went on to say that although the two people decide that they no longer wish to be involved because of the economy many are choosing to remain in the same home and in some instances remain to have so called 'guiltless' sex. WTF! Is it that hard to move out on your own and set up shop on your own turf? Once married couples decide to get a divorce or 'separation' yet still sleep in the same bed for the sake of the wallet oh and let's not forget about how confused the children must be after you've sat them down for the "This is not working" talk yet they see you two behaving as you would on a normal day. I just don't get it????? but I have to remind myself that everybody is different.

Minique~

Angry Black Woman

I had a conversation recently with a man in my life about the "Angry Black Woman," and he had the nerve (neck rolling) to say that I could be categorized as an ABW because I don't like stupidity and often get angered at adults displaying ignorance and lack of commonsense. I beg your pardon Sir! lol Just kidding but really the ABW has often been categorized as a black woman who is achievement oriented, kind of no nonsense, not particularly kind or compassionate but driven. I would admit that I am driven when it comes to things I am passionate about but by no means am I an angered woman who always is walking around with a frown on my face and my hand on my hips. I am not a tart-tounged, neck rolling, loud mouthed sistah.  I am not ghetto-fabulous, I do not feel as though my life is grim and bleek and nor am I anyone's babymomma looking for a hand out or mad at the "Man" for my position in life. Today the ABW is so ingrained in our society that the tag gets slapped on the back of any black woman who is assertive or in a position of power. I must admit yes one of my biggest pet peeves is stupidity. I am angered when interacting with adults who feel as tough ignorance is bliss and common sense is optional BUT I am not an ABW. 

I am me ;0)

Minique~