Where you been?

It's a new year and I've been absent. No excuses. No more. I've been thinking about ways to enhance this blog and make it more of what I initially intended it to be: a forum for conversation and dialogue for my family, and family of friends. I joined Twitter and Facebook this past year and spent some time reading and posting there. Then, I heard from family, more and more and more, that I should have a blog. Funny thing is... I do have one. An underused, often ignored, outlet for the random moments and thoughtful insights that just don't fit 140-character bytes of talk. The time is now and we're going to beginning the new year off right. Check back soon for the right mix and information and dialogue to help you all Dream Loud.

In February, we'll talk Love and Relationship.. for sure. Seems that last year was the year of break-ups and breakdowns. Married couples found it even harder to stay together, and mistresses were becoming newsmakers often thru illicit gain. Not fair. What happened to playing by the rules. Mistresses are not to be seen, nor heard.

Also, in February, let's talk about non-traditional images in film, particularly people making an impact now. Kathryn Bigelow won a DGA for The Hurt Locker. She's nominated for an Academy and if she wins, she's one of a handful of women directors to do so... she's my American Idol... what I'd like to be when I grow up. At 54, she gives me hope and inspiration that it's not too late to make my dreams come true.

Of course, I'll throw in some diversity for Black History Month. Right now, I'm thinking of Lee Daniels, Precious, that was also nominated for an Academy Award along with his actresses Gabby and Monique. If you recall, it was the early-90s when John Singleton was nominated. Too few ppl of color being recognized. And, Lee isn't a film school guy. He's just one more reason to keep pursuing my dreams. I still haven't seen his movie yet... just not the kind of thing to take in on the big screen for me. I might need to pause, decompress, and hit play again. All kinds of abuse run rampant there and as a mother, it might be too much to handle. I'm honest with my emotional state.

That's not all. I'll hit on the actresses making moves like Zoe Saldana and Anthony Mackie, two young talents selecting purposeful roles, some times under the radar, but making good movies in the process. Did you see Avatar? or The Hurt Locker?

March is Women's History Month and the official kick-off of my mentoring initiative, Daughters of the Glades. I'll be giving young girls a foundation in "being all that you can be."

Between now and then, there's the Super Bowl in South Florida. the Academy Awards, my trip to Snow Mountain/Stone Mountain (Georgia) and of yea, the regular job, teaching college students the importance of the spoken word.

Ciao!

To Inform and Educate

I have a blessed life. Just two short years ago, I was on the move, in transition, taking in my mom and nephew, having a baby, changing jobs and literally running away from a crazy relationship. I didn't know what the future held, but like my Grandma always said, "I did know who [holds] my future." So, even though my life was in chaos, my joy and peace was slowly returning, and thus, my strength and stability to continue to do and be me. I don't know how I got so blessed to do all that I do with a smile on my face, but I do. (A smile is universal, baby.) I find success in my family and our commitment to one another. I find joy in students living their dreams. And, I still find time to make small accomplishments for my personal and professional success. The Heavens have shined on me my whole life. No joke!

I was delighted that my institution thought well enough of me and what I bring to the campus and students to send me to attend the NABJ 2009 Convention in Tampa this past week. I reconnected with all friends and made new associates. I shared what I know thus far with others. And, I brought a new student member along for the journey. I am excited about the possibilities to continue to inform, educate and mentor young people and this experience has reaffirmed that I am exactly where I am suppose to be in my own life journey.

My students rocked at the American Black Film Festival in South Beach this past week. Khalifa and Deltoiya represented PBCC and participated in the Youth Filmmaker Program.

Summer Courage

My nephew is in town. It's been raining for days. And, my son and I are co-sharing a previously owned Oldsmobile until he gets a job and earns the vehicle. Other than that, getting motivated to lose weight this summer and send my writing pieces to a publisher. It is one of those experiences that tests my courage to be me. Writing and having your creative works read are completely satisfying experiences for the audience of one. But, when you add in sharing, it's fearful. Fear of failure. Being exposed. Fear of being exposed as a failure or fraud. So, although I can do the speaking thing with relatively ease these days, I still have other things that scare the dickens out of me... and sending my pieces, portions of my life, to a publisher is one of the most courageous things I've done in a long time. So, peace be with me. And blessings to you all too. Live courageously this summer. And continue to Dream Loud.

Twitter Mom twitters on life

I have recently joined Twitter and frequently give updates on my life. Short, brief 140 character glimpses at the similarities of it all, our lives. We are so much more alike than different. See, that's what happens when spring break starts and your children are still in school, you have too much time on your hands. Our school breaks was 3 weeks apart. So, can you really consider that a break, to have to do your regular routine, but just not work. Nevertheless, I am so fortunate to have a job I love, that works for my schedule and truly awesome kids who rarely complain so what's the big fuss. To make-up for some of these challenges w/ our schedule and being 100s of miles from most of our extended family, I will soon throw my first dinner party that my soon-to-be 16 y.o. can use to invite friends over too. Can you even remember what it felt like to turn 16? Time really does fly by, I guess that's why I was given a miracle baby 2 years ago--the Father must have thought I could do this all over again. He definitely had a great sense of humor that I am just now starting to appreciate. Anyway, I digress. After the dinner party, food, friends, fellowship and a nice ambiance of song and spirits, we then have a niece's college graduation in Georgia, a day trip next month to visit Granny's twin and her family in Tampa, and our own mini-family reunion/BBQ for all of them on July 4th. I know it's not that big of a deal to many, but for me it is. I try really hard to pack family into our daily lives and how we also plan our vacations. I know I am fortunate to live like I live and be able to do what I do when others lack the means. It's such a small price for my children to know my mother's family or the 100s of extended family members from south Florida to California, New York and overseas. For me, when all is said and done, I want to be like Warren Buffet and count my wealth by the number of people who cherish and remember me well. True wealth is not in things but in the legacy of a life well spent. I hope that my children have a passion for family and the priceless gift it brings to the quality of their lives. Because I find it a privilege to know the names of them all, to know something about their lives and the common threads that bind us together by blood and faith. Which reminds me, the first play I did in high school sums it up best for me, "You can't take it with you."

Love & care

My mom is getting settled in a new ALF (asst living facility) and I am feeling the guilt of not spending much time with her. I wish I didn't care so much like the other five who are going on with their lives without nary a care in the world. But, God made me special. I am different and unique. That allows me to do for my own children, as well as my nephew. And it allows me to care for my mom too. I wish it wasn't so hard, so difficult, but in many ways, I wouldn't change a thing. Its been a privilege to get to know my mom all over again and do for her what she couldn't do for me--love and care. My father would be proud and that's more than enough sometimes. We're going to church today, all together, all one family.

You Can Dream Loud

It's a wonderful time to be an American. Change has come. Celebrate. Congratulate. Commemorate. Cast your own dreams into the universe. And, never Cease serving, loving, caring, being. One love. One nation. One people.