i am chanel ellis.: i believe.

I am grateful that my friend is sharing her life story. In so many ways, it's like she pulled these thoughts from my mind. This is one of the reasons I admire her so much. Read her story below and you will understand why she is an important part of my life.

i am chanel ellis.: i believe.: "'Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.' -Mark 9:23 (King James Version) have you ever made an attempt to pursue something that has so much potential but when you look at it in its present state, all you see is nothing? perhaps you can see fruition clearly in the future but a pile of ruble in the present?

it's hard to look past your current circumstances to see a bright road ahead but for me, it's even harder to see the prize at the end and then come back to reality only to find my face in my hands.

i'm at an interesting place in my life right now. i'm glad i've come to a point where i can speak positively about my life. (the power of the tongue is so serious.) i've been speaking over my life with such conviction that i've taken myself to a whole 'nother place, the place i've longed for... the place i call peace. i dream more. i've become more creative. i'm excited about life!

but then i look at my current situation and think how am i going to get to the happy place that i keep dreaming about? it's good to be able to say you're going get to your destination. a positive outlook is essential. however, the plan to get there always holds us back.

if we look at our lives and compare where we are right now to where we want be, it can be quite overwhelming. you want to be financially free but you owe everyone on the planet. you want to be physically fit but it's always time to make... and eat the donuts. you want to be married but you're constantly spending your evenings passionately with tivo. it's drastically overwhelming and if we keep comparing point a to point b, we'll never get where we want to be.

thats where i am right now. i have never seen so much potential in my life. i get excited just thinking about it! i've developed so many ideas and goals. those ideas and goals whisk me up and away... but they're just dreams and i'm back to reality, overwhelmed by my current state.

i think speaking goals and ideas outloud is great. but a word is just a word without belief. i know there's been times i said i was going to do something but i didn't really believe it. without believing, getting to that place of destination is gonna be mighty difficult.

when i wanted to work as a radio personality, i wrote "i am a radio personality" on a piece of paper. i kept it in my wallet and said outloud everyday until it happened. after being out of the industry for a while, i decided i wanted to go back but nothing ever happened. the difference between the two instances was that i once believed what i said.

believing puts things in motion. when you believe you're going to do something, you prepare. you plan. you execute. saying something means nothing without belief.

so, in the midst of my circumstance or in the midst of my point a, i not only say that i'm gonna get to point b but i believe that i will. a blueprint has been drafted, direction has been given, and i am now on the road. there will be a day i won't have to dream about it... i'll already be there. "

It Doesn't Matter to Me

Recently, I've been applying for freelance writing positions.  Why? Writing has been something I've always wanted to do, something I've always remained very passionate about and something that I love to do.  I don't know why I changed my major from journalism to biology my freshman year in college.  And I don't know why I never pursued writing as a career.  But, I guess that leads me to where I am now.  I've been writing a lot lately and I've been seeking out freelance opportunities (paid and unpaid) to build my portfolio.  So know matter how far I get away from writing, something always brings me back.  Though, it's never really far from me. 

I applied for an opportunity and received a response back from an editor at an online magazine.  His response, "your writing is not good enough..........," I don't really remember much after the words "good enough."  Though stunned, I was a a little confused because as I remembered the online magazine, the writing wasn't that great to begin.  So compared to what I'd read on the website, I thought my writing was of better quality.  Not good enough.  Really?  What exactly do those words mean to me? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! 

At this point in my life, I am confident and faithful in my skills and my abilities to do whatever I put my mind to.  So when this editor tells me my writing isn't good enough, though at first taken aback, I brush it off and keep moving forward.  I could have easily associated them judging my writing as judging me as not good enough. I keep moving forward past the many jobs I apply and interview for and they chose someone else.  I could have easily associated the selection of someone else to mean that person is better than me.  Instead, I am thankful because that job wasn't for me and had it been given to me I would surely miss out on what God has waiting for me.  So as I move forward, I move past all the NOs I receive.  I move pass those troubles that in past have broken me down and torn me to pieces.  As I face those challenges, I stare them straight in the face and ready to take them on with a fight.  By know means will it be an easy fight.  Yes, I have those days when I can't seem to win, where I can't seem to get a break.  When I think things are bad, sometimes they get worse.  And just as I'm knocked down again, again and again and want to stay down, God picks me back up, dust me off and places me firmly where I need to be.

This hasn't been an easy journey and I know that when things get better, somewhere in my future,  another test awaits me.  Each time I get stronger.  But, each time I wish God had chosen someone else.  But each time, I thank God, because each time the test is shorter than the time before.  Shorter, because I've learned to be obedient.  I've learned to lean on (and stop questioning) God's will.  I've learned to humble myself to my struggle and I've learned to share my testimony with the next person.  I've learned that it's never about me.  It's about God's choice to use me to be a blessing to others.  I've learned to thank God and be grateful for those time when I'm told no. 

So when someone tells me "your writing is not enough" or "you don't have what we're looking for" or anything else that simply means NO, I throw it behind me and keep moving forward.  I know my worth so what someone else thinks doesn't matter to me.

Queen Latifah

I love Queen Latifah. Her stories of strength, inspiration and motivation are amazing! Check out her latest story as posted on Online USA News by clicking on the link below.

Queen Latifah Comes Out

Raw Honey and Brown Sugar Facial Scrub

Honey and brown sugar are for more than just eating.  They have some amazing characteristics that help the skin too.  Being that I have oily, acne prone and sensitive skin, I am always on the look out for something that leaves my skin clean, blemish free and glowing.  I came across this facial scrub on moptop maven's blog (check her out at http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com) and though I'd give it a try.

I've been using the mask 2xs a week for 3 weeks now and I absolutely love it.  It has amazing exfoliating benefits (helps to slough off dead skin cells) and my skin has never felt better.

Raw Honey and Brown Sugar facial Scrub
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 tablespoons of raw honey

• brown sugar - sugar has glycolic acid  which helps to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, protect the skin from toxins, and gently exfoliate superficial skin cells 
• raw honey-soaks up and cleanse your skin and pores of excess oil.  Also purported to stimulate skin regeneration.

 

 Here's the regimen I followed, today, when using the honey & brown sugar mask. 

- cleansed skin using oil cleansing method
- applied raw honey and brown sugar facial scrub (massage on skin for 3-5 minutes, rinse with warm water to remove honey and brown sugar, follow with a cool rinse to close pores)
- applied homemade apple cider vinegar toner
- used grapeseed oil as my moisturizer

                                                    WITH THE SCRUB ON MY FACE

 

                                                      
                       FACE AFTER SCRUB (I've also already applied toner and moisturizer)

Good-bye 2010....I'm glad to see you go

source: Crunch Gear

"Such is life" - my mom

2010 has been a thorn in my side since it began.  I never saw the horizon because I spent so much time in the valley.  It seems as if everything that could go wrong in my life, did go wrong.  It pained me to see some of the things I worked so hard to achieve taken away from me.  I felt like I spent most of the year down and defeated, trying to fight off every battle that was thrown my way.  Do I think I've grown? Absolutely.  Am I grateful for the obstacles I've faced? Yes.  Did I like it? No, who wants to experience life when it seems everything is going wrong.  If I had to chose to do it again, would I?  Yes, if it was God's plan for me.

So while I am glad to bid a farewell to 2010, it is mainly becuase I am ready to take on everything that is waiting for me as I step in 2011.  I will continue the journey that I started in 2010, but my outlook will be brighter, my steps will be stronger, my faith will carry me and I will take with me, everything that 2010 threw at me.  Most of it knocked me down and some of it kept me down, but I'm shaking it off and using it as the foundation that I step on to move forward to what is waiting for me.

So farewell 2010, I wish you well.  I eagerly await everything that your sister, 2011 has for me.  Bring it on, because I'm ready! 

Happy New Year

Buried in Brooklyn

I laughed at the people in New York because they were buddled up with hats, scarves, gloves and North Face coats and it was still in the 40s.  Even in the 30s, with the sun shining, it was still nice outside.  The weather in November and December, in New York was nothing compared to the frigid weather that my family faced in Chicago. 

Fast forward to Christmas weekend and a winter storm would fall upon the northeast, dropping plenty of the white stuff right over Brooklyn.  The cancellation of hundreds of flight would let me know just how bad the snow had disabled the New York, New Jersey and Philadephia areas.  Heading to the airport I was happy to know that American Airlines flight #1918 was scheduled to leave on time.  Check-in and security were a breeze.  In fact, I had just 1 hour before my flight was scheduled to board.  Max was settled in his carrier and just as I settled in to drink my apple juice, it happened.  One glance of the flight board and my flight was delayed for three hours, until 9:20pm. 

Fast forward another nine hours and I pulled my suitcase through the snow.  The snow that was piled so high that the cab driver couldn't drive down my street.  Snow that was so high, I had to pick up Max because it was too much for him to walk through.  Snow that covered the front porch of my building.  Finally at 2:00am (12 hours after leaving for the airport in Chicago), tired, hungry, sleepy and with a major headache, I walked into my apartment, left my luggage by the door, got in my pajamas and went to bed (ok so I watched an episode of Cold Case first). 

Here are pictures of what waited for me and Max, this mornng, as we went on our morning (well, afternoon ) walk.   Hopefully, we won't be buried in Brooklyn for too long.



a neighbor trying to dig his car out of the snow





looking for a place to do his business





I guess the saying is true "rain, sleet or snow" you will get your mail





my front porch



He is...............

source: tvguide.com

Laz Alonso, Laz Alonso, Laz Alonso.  The brother is so fine, I gotta say his name three times.  So many times, I've mentioned his name and how fine he is and usually most women will say, "who is that?"  And since I have his pictures saved on my computer like he's a member of my family, the only thing I can do is e-mail his photo to the person that is clueless to his name.  It's never a surprise that the response e-mails I receive always says something like, "oh yeah that brother is fine," or "oh my God, I watch the movies he's in just to stare at his face," and my favorite, "good God no one should be that fine."  So it's pretty obvious that he has a face that no woman can forget.

Here's a little about Laz (source: www.imbd.com)"Born and raised in Washington DC, Laz always knew he wanted to be an actor. He remembers at a very early age entertaining his family by imitating relatives and family friends. He graduated from the prestigious Howard University School of Business, earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. After college, he worked on Wall Street at an investment banking firm. He and several partners eventually started their own marketing business, promoting mainstream products to the trend-setting urban market. Owning and operating his own successful business freed up Laz's time to finally explore his passion for acting. Laz began taking classes in the evening to hone his craft and it didn't take him long to begin landing roles in commercials and videos.

From D.C. to New York, Laz feels his upbringing not only taught him how to deal with the school of hard knocks, but also prepared him for his biggest goal, his acting career. He credits the move to NYC as his move into manhood and the city holds many great memories for him. Laz also credits his acting ability to these life experiences, as he is able to bring a little of what he knows or has dealt with into his characters."

While Laz has appeared in many movies and television shows, some of his most memorable are Miracle at St. Anna, This Christmas, Stomp the Yard, Just Wright, Fast & Furious and who can forget Avatar.  So blue, and still so fine!  Laz is the kind of fine that you'd lay in the bed at night just staring at his face, while he sleeps (yeah, I know that's a little stalker like).  He's the kind of fine that you root for his character in a movie, even though he an asshole, because he's too fine to root against (i.e. Fast & Furious.....I did not appreciate Vin Diesel crushing and killing him).  He's the kind of fine, that during This Christmas, while Regina King was whooping his ass for cheating on her, you kept your fingers crossed that even if only for one second, you hoped that towel would drop to the floor.  And he's the kind of fine that even though Just Wright starred Common and Queen Latifah, it took you a while to really get into the movie because you kept rewinding back to date scene with Laz and Queen Latifah.  But, I don't know, maybe that's just me.

So there you have it.  If you haven't figured it out by now, Laz Alonso is fine.  Educated, yet talented and oh so super fine.  Well, just in case you're one of those who is still trying to figure out who I'm talking about, you can come from underneath your rock and look at the photos below.  Enjoy, I'm positive you will!

source: nydailynews.com

                                                             source: (universal) from www.zap2it.com

source: starpulse.com

source: JetMagazine

source: humormilmag.com