Hello World, It's me, Keyani.....I'm here!

At only 1 day old, I looked at her face and knew that, without a doubt, she would be a beautiful girl.  Now, I'm one that believes that most babies are not so cute when they are born.  I mean usually their heads are smashed and shaped liked a football, their eyes and lips are swollen and even after the nurses clean them of the stuff they picked up coming through the birth canal, they still never look quite right.  I've said it about my family and friends' babies time after time.  Well, it only takes one to pull at your heart in that special way. 

Keyani Skylar Mosley was that one.  Born six weeks early to my best friend, with one look at her, I knew I would no longer classify babies as not so cute at birth.  As I watched her reaction to the nurses poking and prodding at her as they cared for her pre-mature body, I knew she would develop a unique personality.  They poked, she cried and squirmed.  They stopped and so did she.  They rolled her on her side, she cried.  They stopped and so did she.  They picked her up and rubbed the back of her head, she cried.  They stopped and so did she.  I guess she figured what else do I need to do to get these people to leave me alone so I can sleep.  When it was time for her feeding, they tried to insert the nipple of the bottle into her mouth, she cried.  Not even food was enough for her to want to wake up from that sleep. 

There would be 48 hours of constant test, temperature checks, blood sugar tests, feedings to get her weight up and much more before she would be allowed to go home.  They say she was pre-mature.  What I saw was a baby who was telling the world, "No, I'm not pre-mature.  It was just my time to be here."  Strong, healthy and beautiful, Keyani looked ready to take on the world.  Not one thing in her 4lbs, 11oz and 17.5 inch long body showed any signs of a baby that was born six weeks early. 

Much like Keyara, her big sister, Keyani is going to be something special, something big, someone that will be that spark to change the world.  I feel honored and blessed to be a part of their lives.  Get ready world, because here they come! 

I dare not show my best friend's face.  Though I thought she still looked her normal, cute self, I know she'd kill me for posting pictures of her the same day she gave birth!

Top 10 Natural Ingredients for Your Hair

At some point we all want to have healthy, beautiful hair. I've spent so much time on natural hair care forums, you tube and lately I've read quite a few books to educate myself on what I think my needs to grow strong and stay healthy. Surprisingly most of the things I've come across I can buy myself and use them, without mixing them with the extra ingredients that manufacturers often use in their products. Take a look at naturallycurly.com list of Top 10 Natural Ingredients for Your Hair. I must admit, all of these ingredients are regulars in my natural hair care.

To Brooklyn, with love

As I stood there looking at it, I was thinking, "You must be crazy.  And it's raining too." I had always promised myself I'd do it.  But at this moment,I stood frozen. Frozen with fear, frozen with thoughts of the unknown, frozen because I didn't know how long it would take and frozen because I didn't know what would happen along the way.  Anyway, I took a deep breath, pullled the belt around my coat a little tighter, put on my gloves and began my journey.  This journey would take me across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Like many parts of my life, my journey across the Brooklyn Bridge was not without its challenges.  On this particular day, the day I had planned to walk across the bridge, it was raining and extremely cold.  But since I was only going to be in New York for three days, I figured it was now or never.  I try to visit New York at least twice a year.  And everytime I take that trip I promise myself that I will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  So how is it that seven years have passed and once again I was sitting in my hotel room, in Tribecca, blaming the weather as the reason why I would not walk to Brooklyn.  However, this time as I stared out of my hotel room window, I could here my mother's voice saying, "Cheney, life doesn't always happen the way you plan.  These setbacks should not stop you from accomplishing the things you want to accomplish.  Now get an umbrella and get your butt across that bridge."

 A few blocks from my hotel, was the entrance to the bridge.  The night before I made my journey, I had attempted to cross the bridge.  However, since it was dark and I couldn't see the path ahead of me, I decided it was not a good idea to make my journey when I wasn't sure what was ahead of me.  Life sometimes happens in the same way.  I've hesitated in making decisions because I didn't know what was waiting for me.  It's said, "the journey of a million miles begins with one step."  Well, in this case I don't know about a million miles, but I took that first step.  About 10 minutes into the walk, the winds and ran started to pick up and I wanted to turn around.  I figured this would be easier than continuing across because it was so cold.  But I could hear my mother's voice and my determination wouldn't let me quit, so I continued on.  Half way across, I got some extra shelter and was able to get a few photos of......the foggy sky.  It was so foggy outside, I couldn't see anything for miles.  So after catching my breath and arranging my umbrella and purse I continued on to Brooklyn. 

 

Twenty-seven minutes later, cold and wet with soaked trouser socks, (and the hem of my trouser pants) I walked 2 blocks to a restaurant where I would stand at the counter and joke with the Italian guys behind the counter about why Chicago's pizza is better than the pizza in New York.  Next, I would spend twenty-five minutes talking to a man, about 80 years old, who loved my hat because it reminded him of one he'd had for 50+ years.  He reminded me of my grandfather and I guess he noticed something, as he looked at my teary eyes because he asked, "What are you thinking about?"  "You remind me of my grandfather," I would tell him.  "Well I'm sure he's thinking and loving you wherever he is," the eldery man said to me.  I told him that my grandfather had been killed when I was five years old so just sitting and talking to him made me think about how I'd wish for moments like this with my grandfather.  "Well he can still love you from heaven, can't he."  Smiling, I sat thinking if I'd never taken that journey across the Brooklyn Bridge, I would've missing hearing my grandfather telling me he loves me.  And even though I already knew that, it felt really good to hear it anyway.

Undercovers

Undercover, a new NBC drama, starring Boris Kodjoe. Boris Kodjoe.....daydreaming.....Boris Kodjoe. Oh wait, where was I going with this. Oh yeah, a new drama, starring Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, tells the story of husband and wife, Steven and Samantha Bloom, who own a small catering company in Los Angeles.

The couple used to be CIA spies but retired 5 years earlier when they fell in love. When a fellow spy and friend, Nash(Carter MacIntyre) goes missing while working a case, Steven and Samantha are reinstated by CIA boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney) to locate and rescue Nash. The pair returns to their old life of being CIA spies as they follow leads that take them around the world -- and the Blooms realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing.

I surley hope this show makes it. The previews look good and Boris, well, you know, he is just FINE. I'm tuning in just to see his face and hoping that this show is really a hit with some longevity on NBC.

Its All About Max

I was one of those people who used to think that people's obsession with their pets, particularly dogs was insane.  I mean really, who would take their dog everywhere with them, buy them clothes and doggie daycare..........FORGET ABOUT IT! 

Well, September 7, 2007 I became one of those people.  On that day, the most precious thing was delivered to me.  At only 10 weeks and 3.6lbs Max entered my life and I haven't been the same since.  I must admit, I've become one of those people I used to talk about and call crazy.  And now it all makes sense, to me anyway.  Max goes everywhere with me, he has all the freshest clothes and yep he's a doggie daycare regular.  He brings me so much joy.  When I'm away from him, I miss him and can't wait to see him again.  He makes me laugh, he makes me cry, he calms me and knows the right things to do to get on my good side (even those times when he's knocked over the grocery bag to steal the turkey jerky).  There a saying that goes something like, "people and their pets are the same."  Well it must be true because together, Max and I will sleep the day away.  I am not a morning person and Max well, sometimes I have to wake him up.  I get so jealous when I have to wake up early and he stays sleep the entire time I'm getting dressed with that "better you than me" look on his face.  I have medical issues and Blum Animal Hospital knows me on a first name basis because Max is there so much.  With everything (including the cost) that comes with caring for Max, I wouldn't trade him for anything. 

He's a very smart dog, a sharp dresser and very good looking!  One look at the face and whatever I'm stressing about goes away.  Yes, he sleeps wild, wants to play ball too much and passes gas that stinks all to be damned but I love him.  Whenever God decides to put a man or a child into my life, they will have some stiff competition because Max will be all over them, making sure they are right for me. 

Love All Over Me

This has been a great year for Monica.  And she's back with another great video for her song, Love All Over Me.  Although I was wishing for either Stay or Go or The Mirror to be the next single released off of her album, I do like Love All Over Me and this video is making me like it all the better.  Now the ending...........well, you'll see.

UPDATE.....video below is with the new ending.

Forget What the Critics Say

What were they thinking when they gave Sandra Bullock a Razzie award for Worst Actress in the movie, All About Steve. Maybe its the hopeless romantic in me (and I love romantic comedies) but I watched that movie on late night cable (unemployment = insomnia) and I thought it was a good movie.   But could it be I'm a huge Sandra Bullock fan and it could actually be a bad movie, but I lover her so much I was determined to see it as funny. 

I'm that consumer that reads every review on a product before purchasing it. Usually if the reviews aren't good, I may skip on buying a product or search for a close alternative.  I mean sometimes I spend 1-2 days researching and reading reviews on products before I make a decision on whether or not to purchase.  Now movies are a different thing.  I just don't trust what these so called expert critics have to say.  Yes, I know its only their opinion but movie goers look to these reviews before making their weekend plans for going to the movies.  And the Oscars are no different.  There are so many people that should have received an Oscar and did not and then there are those who received them when the space they chose to display the award should be empty. 

Here are a few of my favorites that were missed during Oscar season:

MALCOLM X - now who was smoking crack that year when both Denzel Washington (Best Actor) and Spike Lee (Best Director or Best Screenplay) did not win.  Denzel was nominated for Best Actor and Ruth Carter was nominated for Best Costume Design.  See the movie's award nominations and wins http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104797/awards 

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT - Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne (think he was still going by Larry back then) BECAME Ike and Tina Turner.  During the summer of 1993 I was on a hunt for Laurence Fishburne just to give him a beat down for what he did to Angela Bassett.  For the longest time, I think people believed Tina Turner was going around impersonating Angela Bassettt.  They were just that good!

DREAMGIRLS - I think the Oscar's voting committe picked the wrong drug addict.  Surely Eddie Murphy's character in Dream Girls should have won over Alan Arkin's character in Little Miss Sunshine.  I mean how long was Alan Arkin even in the movie before his character died?  Don't get me wrong, I thought Little Miss Sunshine was a good movie but not enough for Eddie Murhphy NOT to win.

PRIMAL FEAR - "There never was an Aaron."  Oh I loved Edward Norton as Aaron/Roy in this movie.  His performance was outstanding.  He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but Cuba Gooding, Jr. took home the Oscar for his performance in Jerry McGuire.  Norton would go on to be nominated for Best Actor, in 1999, for his performance in American History X. 










Then there were some of the times the Oscars got it right. *this list may not include each performance, if the actor has won an Oscar multiple times. 
Jamie Foxx - Ray
Hillary Swank - Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby
Denzel Washington - Glory and Training Day
Jennifer Hudson - Dream Girls
Mo'nique - Precious
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
Morgan Freeman - Million Dollar Baby
Sean Penn - Mystic River and Milk
Dustin Hoffman - Rain Man
Tom Hanks - Forest Gump
Jodie Foster - The Accused
Kathy Bates - Misery
Charlize Theron - Monster
Whoopi Goldberg - Ghost
And of course Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

And finally, there are those I just don't understand. 
Halle Berry - Monster's Ball.  Sorry, but I still (to this day) don't understand that one. 
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  Too many other great nominees who's performance was better than Penelope Cruz (Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Amy Adams and Marisa Tomie).

Some of these movies, actors and actresses received good reviews, from critics, and some received bad reviews.  That just goes to show you that sometime you have to forget what the critics say. 

What were some of your favorite movies you feel was missed over during award season?