Confessions From A Black Rose

Well it is finally here, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(NWGHAAD). About a year ago I was ignorant about this day. I was aware of World AIDS Day and that was about it. Fast Forward a year and there are so many days that I am now aware of. Today is the day we celebrate raising awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. There are so many ways to get involved in NWGHAAD campaign: * Get tested for HIV * Practice safer methods to prevent HIV(safe sex, clean needles etc.) * Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors * Discuss HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues * Provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS * Get involved with or host an event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in your community(example- a red shoe party) Some people may ask why I am so passionate about raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. First I am a passionate person to begin with. I have always fought for what I believed was ...

Over the next couple of weeks I will be going full stream ahead with my new project which according to my boss is my baby. Therefor my new baby is "I Stand with NJWAN" HIV Action and Awareness Campaign. My work will be raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Here is step one, supporting other awareness campaigns. March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is day that recognizes the risks of HIV/AIDS for girls and women but also raises awareness. It is a day that I encourage all young ladies to go out and get tested. Knowing your HIV status is the beginning of battle. Did you know that 80% of new HIV infections of women and girls results from having sex with an infected male partner? I didn't and that statistics scares the bee gees out of me. Did you know that 1 in 5 people living with HIV do not know that they have the virus? Once again, I am scared out of my mind. Why did I not know all of this information? Why are people so secretive and hesitant to discu...

This was probably the first time in years that I woke up after the Oscars nominations were announced. It probably has to do with the fact that I have a resemblance of life now. I am going to work regularly(even if it is just to volunteer) and know that there is more to life than the Academy Awards. Regardless, here I am writing about the Oscar nominations because I am a bit of a dork. There were not too many surprises in the nominations. I feel that most of the nominations were thoroughly deserved. I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my faves( Maggie Gyllenhaal) nominated for best supporting actress. I am impressed with the nominations of Kathryn Bigelow and Lee Daniels in the category of Best Director. They are representing the minorities in field that is dominated by white males. If either of them win, they will be making history. My vote is for Kathryn. My favorite film of the moment, Avatar was nominated for 9 Academy Awards. I know that it will win most of the awards it is n...

So a lot of things have occurred in my life since my last post. Someone really dear to me lost a loved one during the Haiti Earthquake. It was another wake up call for me on how precious and short life can be.It was also a call for action for me, a call to actual live. So i am re energized and ready to give my dreams a shot. Even if they don't come true, I can die knowing at least I tried. During the aftermath of earthquake in Haiti I did not know what to say since according to my peers I am emotionally stunted. I just tried my best to be the crying shoulder. I was able to find a really uplifting biblical verse; "Send to me your Holy Ghost with an abundance of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that I may bring forth words capable of uplifting the souls of your people who are downtrodden and discouraged Oh God". Titus 3 On the job front, this was my first week as a volunteer for a local organization around my hometown that helps women. It has been a learning experience ...

So 2009 is officially over and I am elated. I admit that 2009 had its moments; my sister's wedding, my graduation and becoming a jersey girl were the highlights. Unfortunately 2009 brought a lot of sorrow to my life. I lost two people who were dear to me. It made me think about what life is all about and how I treat people. Now that its over I have learnt from the mistakes of yesterday and I am ready for the success of tomorrow. I believe that 2010 is going to be my year, in fact I have claimed it. I cannot predict the future but I do see great things in my life this year. I have learnt overtime that nothing goes according to plan but there is no harm in planning anyways.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas especially with the snow storm that is in our region. Christmas is always a magical time for me and I cannot believe it is 6days away. Man, that is so close! I got to get shopping. Since the year is coming to an end it only means one thing. The movie buff in me is ecstatic, it's award season baby! Already the Golden Globe and SAG nominations have been announced. It looks like Up in the Air, Precious, The Hurt Locker and Inglorious Basterds are in lock to be nominated for Best Pictures at the Oscars. Things are looking promising for Avatar (which i hear is supposed to be amazing) Nine and An Education also have a good shot at being nominated as well. I think that the best actor category is already locked up. I believe it will look like this: Morgan Freeman-Invictus Jeff Bridges- Crazy Heart Colin Firth- A Single Man Jeremey Renner- The Hurt Locker George Clooney- Up in The Air I recently saw the trailers for The Hurt Locker, The Messeng...

Not only is the year coming to the end but it is the end of the first decade of the 21st century. I am looking forward to all that is in store for 2010 and beyond. In the next couple of days I will be compiling top ten lists of the decade. As a huge movie buff it would not be right to not start there. Here it goes... 10.Bridget Jones Diary Renee Zellweger was in her element. It was quirky, smart and all around entertaining. Colin Firth was an absolute dream as Mark Darcy. It is not only a guilty pleasure for me but an actual good film. 9. The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Funny and brilliant at the same time. Johnny Depp was a complete genius in the role of Jack Sparrow 8. Finding Nemo The best film that Pixar ever made(Up is also up there-no pun intended). Hilariously charming. 7. X2: X-Men United Wolverine and the gang united to deliver the best super hero film of the 21st century. I was left wanting more(little disappointed by the third one but oh well). 6. ...