Dollar Vacays Part 1

Okay, Okay, sooo I know I have been slacking on my writing duties! But I’m back now in FULL effect…I’ve been busy…Sorry Ladies!

So I was thinking and one word popped into my mind…TRAVEL!

While everyone is thinking about the doom and potential gloom the recession is bringing, there are a lot of bright spots in what seems like a never-ending dark tunnel. I have been in school for the past four years so a lot of my travel plans had to be set aside for the simple fact that I AM A STUDENT and have absolutely no dinero! The downward turn in the economy caused an upward turn in luxury travel by those who are not celebrities or CEO’s of FORTUNE 500 companies.

I have been researching partly because I’m making plans for my 22nd Birthday and partly to hopefully give you ladies Haute destination spots that will ignite the inner traveler in you!

1.Las Vegas-Three words for you... Vegas Is Cheap!!! It’s a great place for single ladies to enjoy Sin City in a hedonistic fashion. And you can tailor your experience to be as toned-down or amped-up as you'd like. Among the hottest clubs to put on your party-hopping agenda are Pure, LAX and Tryst. And pencil in some morning-after rehab with a spate of steam-room and massage action at the Spa Mandalay at Mandalay Bay.

2. New York, New York-The Big Apple offers every obligatory diversion for guaranteeing a good time with your best ladies -- world-class shopping, spas, nightlife, restaurants. For a "Sex in the City"-style soiree, check into the super stylish Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District, where the heated rooftop pool is open year-round and you're just a few Manolo Blahnik-clad steps from some of the city's edgiest nightlife and shopping. Truth be told, however, you won't need to leave the hotel to have a high time. By day, G-Spa, the hotel's spa, is a hip Japanese-minimalist spot for facials, pedicures and massages, complete with steam rooms and hydro pools. After dark, the spa's red-glass treatment rooms get transformed into private alcoves for sipping cocktails and scoping the beautiful people, and the hydro pools, covered with glass, morph into liquid-illusion dance floors.

Okay... Looking to head out into the World on your own???? Well, there are plenty of places worldwide to enhance your solo getaway…you just have to think outside the box!!!

1. India

One of the most colorful and calamitous countries on the planet, India is not for the fainthearted. In fact, India, with its cultural riches and deeply spiritual framework, is one of the most rewarding destinations for women traveling solo.

2. Morocco
In many parts of Marrakech, the vibe is almost European, and fellow travelers abound. The seaside city of Essaouira, a three-hour bus ride from Marrakech, is one of Morocco's most laid-back and beautiful destinations, with a hassle level hovering near zero.

For more information of trendy places to visit and to get more bang for your buck check out http://www.travelchannel.com/.

-Bon Voyage!
Loren

Beyonce Dance Contest!!

So as I was riding to school this morning and I heard on the radio that the infamous Beyonce is hosting a video dance competition to chronicle the "Single Ladies, Put A Ring On It" video. The icon has found yet another way to make some major dollars (not hatin' at all). We've all stood infront of our bathroom mirrors, with our stereos, desperately trying to imitate the dance down to the intricate neck movements. However, only a select few will make the finals and be chosen to have their video shown in Beyonce's latest world tour. Not to mention a nice piece of cash, $2,500 to be exact. For exact rules and regulations see http://www.beyonceonline.com/. Good luck gals and guys!!!!

Word from the Mother: Geneva Smitherman

I don't want to read this book but I am going to read this book simply for the fact that the shit pisses me off! Now you're probably wondering why in the hell I would want to read something that would piss me off...well its because an educated person knows to be enlightened on all fronts not just on the things she agrees with. So basically, as it was explained to me she thinks the AAL (African-American Language) should be taught in the classroom. Then, I ask what the heck is African-American Language anyways?!?!? Well as she explains it, it's phrases and idioms such as "Im fixin to do tha do" or "Move tha hoe 'round". WOW...Really that's what you wanna teach in the classroom! It's not enough that the greater public already thinks that we are inferior and inept to higher learning but let's marginalize black culture more! I'll just say this, I may talk like this in more lax and comfortable settings but I refuse to speak like this in the greater public or in an educational environment! Just because black folks may not take the time to pronounce every syllable in a word when talking to OURSELVES, doesn't mean that this is somehow a language and doesn't mean that we have less education or didn't learn the fundamentals of the English language coming up! Oh Gosh...it doesn't matter how many bulshit degrees you have or how intellectual you are...you will never understand the black perspective unless you are in fact BLACK! So thanks for marginalizing us Geneva Smitherman and she black too! DAMN!

Tell me what you think!

-Loren

Plan A: Prosperity

I was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning and on the morning talk show, they had there own version of Suze Orman (a financial guru) speaking on how as women we can take charge of our own destinies. But the first way to gain control of our lives was by gaining control of our finances.

Now, I am very lucky in that I have absolutely no debt...I went through school literarily without taking a single loan. Of course, I realize that I am the exception and not the rule but that shouldn't stop any of us from reaching our financial goals...although it just might take longer for others. Listening to the woman speak, I started to really think hard about where I wanted to be ten, twenty or even thirty years from now. Evenmore so, what I needed to do to actually make these goals come into full realization. Nevertherless, we all know that this takes careful and meticulous planning.

So, I did a little research and took a couple of notes to make sure as young and intelligent black women we would start 2009 with solid financial footings or at least make attempts to.

1. Load Up On Your Cash Reserves...it's always inportant to have cash for emergencies (unemployment, car trouble, and medical bills) at least three to six months worth.

2. Track Your Monthly Expenditures...it's important to monitor everything you spend within a month therefore you can make cutbacks when needed and save whenever possible.

3. Save...instead of doing your hair every week at the beauty palor maybe go to the stylist once a month. Bring your own nail polish to the nail shop it's cheaper...cut out the bottled water, alcohol and desserts....bargain shop..try the dollar store or drug store instead of H.E.B. or Wal-Mart (contrary to popular belief these grocery chains don't always have the lowest prices.

Immediately you should...

1. Open a savings account...every paycheck you should set aside 10% of your paycheck. It might seem like a small amount but it adds up overtime.

2. Pay off your credit card...pay it off, simple as that. Credit cards can have an interest rate of 19-25% therefore robbing you blind. Every month if your only paying the bare minimum then your only paying the interest. Thereby, it will be impossible for you to get out of debt.

3. What goes down, Must come up...although trust in the stock market is at an all -time low, we should all know that stocks within the next two years will begin to sore...so why not start thinking of ways or places to invest your surplus of cash. It'll pay off in the long run and lead to financial stability.

4. Get a financial planner (if needed)...sometimes their costly or sometimes their free...either way their knowledge and advice is invaluable.

Here are some sites I found very helpful:

www.bankrate.com/brm/calc/creditcardpay.asp

http://www.geezeo.com/

Now let's get on the Road To Financial Security...

-Loren

African-american Father of the Month: Barack Obama

I just wanted to say when I read this it made me want to cry. It reminded me of my father and just how much he loved, advised and taught me lessons that were so valuable. Below is the open letter that Barack Obama wrote to his two daughters: Sasha and Malia. He has a candid and intimate conversation with them about their future life at the White House as well as apologizing for the days he missed. It reminds me just how important black fathers are to black girls. It is touching and Enjoy!

-Loren

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey. When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity. I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other. Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something. She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be. I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential. These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure. I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love,

Dad

from the January 16th issue of Parade Magazine

NAKED

Byrd and Solomon contribute to this collection of 25 essays by black women on a range of issues related to the black female body and image. Everything from hair to feet is explored within the context of American standards of beauty and individual journeys to self--acceptance. The contributors, ranging from young to old, from a variety of backgrounds and hues, share their feelings about their bodies: the attitudes and genes they inherited from their mothers, their treatment--ill and good--by the men in their lives, the influences of American culture on self-image, and their own evolving sense of self. The age-old debates about skin color, hair texture, and weight are prominently featured, but the women each have very personal stories to tell about their paths to accepting and loving themselves. Among the contributors are entertainers Kelis and Jill Scott, former video model Melyssa Ford, writer Jill Nelson, and television personality Iyanla Vanzant. Although the collection is culturally specific to black women, all women will appreciate the struggle with beauty ideals and the need for self-acceptance.

-Naked

My personal views: It is a great read. It will open your eyes to some very interesting topics plaguing black ideology and thought in regards to our bodies, our hair and our self-image. After you read this book, you will feel uplifted and blessed!

-Loren

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