The Little Girls

Performers are constantly moving their bodies, looking at their bodies, and admiring other bodies. This makes it is so easy to wish for what is on the other side of the fence.

What do I say to that mess?

I say love what you got.

I have been with a fab group of ladies for the past three weeks. My only complaint is that the majority of them are constantly downing their bodies or trying to figure out how to make it better. Counting calories, pulling at the extra yumminess on their hips, and downing their bodies has become a weekly ritual.

Then there is me. I am the first to let it be known that I love what I got and will eat what I want. I try to be loud and proud about it so that the other ladies will hop on the bandwagon. Everyone's body is so gorgeous and unique here. Men could take their pick from our eclectic group of long torsos, wafting hips, soft tummies, and rib showing group of ladies. Each girl is unique and gorgeous. I try to voice that as much as possible, while also working to love me as I receive constant images and words that say I should not love the rolls that I have.

Hmmm... What do I saw to all of this? What do I do to stick to what I believe? Continue with my mantra, "love what you got" and Ill add to that enjoy it all while you can.

The Complexion of my Skin

Last night I was with my people. We were celebrating Oronde's sister's Graduate School graduation. Talk about being in heaven. I was surrounded by successful Caribbean people listening to soca and calypso while slurping up macaroni pie and channa. There is something about being around other Caribbean people that warms my heart and brings me home. It is the one time I feel like I am fully in my skin and myself. I am sure other people can relate in the same way when they visit their home countries or research their biological roots. It makes you grounded and brings you to your plot of earth.

In between dancing, drinking, and laughing, we got into a conversation about skin complexion. I was told I was light skinned. Not just by dark skinned people, but by a girl, who is extremely light skinned. This was news to my ears. I am still in shock as I write this.

Why does it matter? It matters because if I had been born during slavery I would have been working inside of the house. If I am driving, a cop will sooner let me off the hook than a darker African American. If I am going for a job I am more appealing to the eye in comparison to a blue black Afrikan. Knowing your complexion as an African American puts you in a very different mind set because race has always placed the human race (in particularly us) in different categories.

I even asked my parents this morning if they new I was light-skinned and they said, "Yes, of course you are." My father laughed at my lack of knowledge. I have truly never known. This is something else. Oh well, at least I know now.

Perfect Days

Here are some perfect situations that everyone should commit themselves to at least once per week. I have done all of them except #4. I can tell you that the other three made me just appreciate being in the world. So indulge and enjoy.

1. Lie in bed with your laptop and a book until 1:30pm without talking. Only get up for food and the bathroom.

2. Push your regular sweat-inducing exercise to the side and do 30minutes of yoga as your TOTAL exercise for the day.

3. Lay outside in the sun for at least 20min.

4. Have a conversation with a loved one and look them in the eye and listen without worrying about the things you need to complete for the day.

Hurting the ones you love

Oooowee, yall. This just happened. My little brother got upset at me and my mother because we commented on his grades. The lil' booger nearly started to cry and he would not allow any of us to say a word during his mantra.

I am torn between being aggravated at his unwillingness to respond to criticism as the rest of the family does and saddened that I brought the boy to tears.

When he started to tear up I stood there with my heart in my stomach. I have not seen him be upset since we were very young. Especially not upset at me.

I think we worked it out, but I still feel as if I need to have my piece said. within it all. And he needs to learn how to respond better to criticism. Oh well, time shall tell I guess...

The Tradition of Atlanta Carnival

For the past 10 years my family and about 15 other friends and family members have made a pilgrimage to Stone Mountain GA where my Auntie Anne and Uncle Joe live. They have a beautiful house that houses 15-20 Trinidadians for five days during the Memorial Weekend.

Caribbean people are crazy. They love to eat, drink, dance, and shit talk. You need to have a real hard back to be around them, otherwise you might walk away feeling stripped of your dignity because someone "wined' up on ya real hard" or they tell ya that "your poompsy is no good". It is all in good fun.

Last night as the last leg of people arrived Auntie Anne decided it was time to bring out the tequila. Six shots later a conga line was formed followed by Club Trinidad in the living room. Curry filled stomachs rolled and sugar bottoms churned to the sound of "Island Music". And all of them were your resident drunken singers of the night. Crooning the words of each song making sure to be louder than their neighbor.

I stood on the sidelines with my camera capturing each moment. I can hear them right now talking about the night before intertwined with what will occur tonight. More "bachanal". LOL! God I love my family.

Simple Things in Life

Since I have been visiting my parents house I have gotten up every morning to take a jog, hop on the comp to send emails and facebook messages, then find a place to check out for the night. Such a cool and easy beginning to summer. But do you know what one of my most treasured times are for me?

Its around 10am when I just finished my workout. I grab a bowl of Oatmeal Crisp Cereal, a few grapes, and sit on the back porch that looks out on to the line of trees that cover our pond. This morning while sitting outside, soaking up the sun with my cool mixture of milk, granola, raisins and flakes I saw a leaf fall. It was bright green and next to perfect. I dont know why the image stood out so much to me, but I just thought it was beautiful. In that moment I said that I had to write about it, and find some amazing significance for my blog.

Well... I havent found it. And I have nothing profound to say except it was a beautiful moment that I am sure many other people around the world have experienced, but it was the first time I actually took the time to watch it. I look forward to tomorrow morning :)

Curves v. Rolls

In the middle of teaching me how to riff, somehow my girlfriend and I got into a conversation about her sides and back. Girl talk. Well, she showed me, what appeared to her to be, a roll. I said uh uh, that's curves sweety. She replies, well then whats the difference between curves and rolls.

So I asked my homeboy about it. He said that woman have rolls that are curves and its crazy that women obsess so much about their body. Men don't.

Thank God for black men. My homeboy is black, and him like all my other black brothers appreciate the Curves that us women have. They don't want a stick or anything that is flat. My opinion on curves v. rolls is that curves are the lovely bits of goodness that make us look amazing. That includes those love handles, cottage cheese, and flaps of skin. Rolls are the excessive mounds of fat that reveals the unhealthy qualities of a person. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

My Intern Group "A Team"

We finished the internship on Sunday. I am glad to no longer have to follow the objectives of my principle, work 12 hour days, and at times feel like "just another intern". But I miss my interns. They were all unique in their own ways and I love each and every one of them... for the most part. Their individuality colored our group so well and complemented the different dynamics that arise from having a group of 17 people. If I had to sum everyone up in a few words, my first attempt would look like this:

Brian - One of a kind
Heidi - Cloud 9
James - My lil gofer
Jordan - Resident partier
Aaron - Shandy Man
Sam - Want a random fact?
Josh - Perfect Gentleman
Travis - My lil piece of butterscotch
Eric - The white fox
Dennis - Smooth operator
Nick - Doing it all
Marti - Keepin' it real
Abigail - Everyone's Girl
Tina - Sweetness
Diana - The lil cuke
Andrea - Everyone's favorite cynic
Cassie - Do you see what I see?
Richelle - Ms. Vogue

I love you guys.

The National Anthem

I went on base for the first time in a full year. Going away from the military life and stepping back into it illuminates several things that I never noticed before. This is probably more obvious than I thought, but we had to stop our car in the middle of a round-about, with several cars following suite, because the national anthem was playing.

When I was on base all the time, I remember feeling proud and excited for whenever this happened. The feeling of pride came back again, but I also wondered if this was something that non-military folk ever get to experience. Americans dont get many opportunities to feel their nationality. Hearing the national anthem today took me there.

The Soloist

I never go to the movies. And when I say never, I mean "Sex in the City" the movie was the last thing I saw in a theater. Though I love Carie, that is pretty sad.

My girlfriend and I have been embarking on simple adventures around town and we decided to go see "The Soloist". It also helped that she already had two tickets! We sat through an amazing two hours, jaws sinking into our laps. The movie was a complete reflection on American life. Neglect, impatience, definition of religion, definition of happiness and properness were all examined in this movie. And of course there were the happy parts of joy, simplicity, and finding power through different mediums.

It made me think, you know I sure do spend a lot of money going out to bars, nightclubs, theater, and restaurants. What if I was to make a place in my budget to give back? The give back section sitting right underneath my leisure section. How many people could I help if I did that? We complain about our meager salaries and what we don't have, when there are so many other people that have way less than us. Yet they still find a way to live, be human, and happy within the madness.

The Soloist allowed me to take a step back. I need to step back more often, because it really puts things into perspective.

Last Lap

My Samoan Goddess has peaced out.

Last night, myself and 13 members of my Milwaukee family threw our bodies into the warm weather and thanked God for the goodness provided to us. The night was glorious; warm breezes, gentle earth, and clear skies. Absolutely beautiful. I felt like a kid again. Climbing trees, tossing a ball around, dusting the sand out of my hair and making muddy tracks in my kitchen afterwards. The image is quite precious.

We long for moments like these. Carefree times where we forget the little money that we make, the snow that kept us indoors for months, or loved ones we are about to say goodbye to. Instead we look forward to the warmth and light that we feel and savor the moment. I will miss holding my beautiful Samoan. I told her last night, " I have no one to touch whenever I want to now." But it wasn't a sad moment, because her going created an unforgettable night of walking hand in hand with nature and seeing the light in all situations.

I love you my dear. Thank you for this special moment in time.

Chocolate Chip Cookies under French Vanilla Icecream

I made a Caribbean cuisine last night for two of my ladies. Talk about decadence. We had macaroni pie, calalou, and rice and peas. After dinner, my Simoan goddess fed our luscious waists chocolate chip cookie pie topped with French Vanilla Icecream. We were directed not to think about what was in it.

I curled up on my couch while my ladies enveloped their bodies in pillows on my bed. We spooned warm silky cookie into our mouths, silently. It was like clouds were passing by.

During this time in heaven I couldnt help thinking about the times I had given each of them hugs and felt their soft curves. I thought to myself, "this is what a lady should feel like. It should feel comfortable, like home." Like my mother. You just melt into them as if they are your favorite chair or your parents king sized bed.

I write this as I sit next to one of my girlfriends whose body I have always admired. She has a beautiful belly that makes her silohouette next to perfect. We are watching "Sex In The City", the movie, eating orange flavored cinnamon rolls. Pure bliss.

Monet

I have a girlfriend that visits me every 20 days. I named her Monet. My mother was going to give her third daughter the name "Monet". Well She never did have a third daughter and I have always been jealous that I didn't receive that name instead of Tiffany so I use it for my lil visitor.

I always count the days and know the time period in which Monet should be arriving, but her "effects" always takes me by surprise. For example, I get ridiculously hungry the week beforehand. Don't put a box of cookies in front me. That mess will be gone in point five seconds.

Along with these crazy cravings are mood swings. One moment I will be the most cuddly loving person, the next I am hoping that people can not tell that I fuming with senseless anger. I kid you not. For some reason I get so aggravated and annoyed that I have to mentally tell myself to calm down.

Ex. "Tiffany it doesn't matter that you brought wheat thins instead of triscuits. They are nearly the same thing"

Then the day arrives. And Monet knows how to make an entrance at full force. I feel full all day, although I don't eat much, and I have a skewed perception that I am the ugliest duckling in the pond. Plus it doesn't help that my stomach feels like a brick is pressing against my ovaries. Womanhood, enough said.

Monet left yesterday and I am very relieved. I also look back and think, "That wasn't as bad as it could have been". Funny how things look after the fact. Ill be seeing her again at the top of the month and as always I will not be prepared. Oh well, it is what it is. Im still happy to be a woman.

What's the Gym For?

I see the same people every morning at the gym. I repeat, every morning. It works like clockwork. The chick who only wears a sports bra on the elliptical. The Mediterranean man circling the track, and my good ol' friend who is constantly trying to get me to go to dinner with him. Then of course there is me. A faithful gym-goer of about 3 consistent years now. The routine has changed, the look has been a roller coaster ride, and the location depends on the job. But I asked myself an interesting question this morning.

Why do we go to the gym?

Yes, we do it to be healthy and lose weight, but why do we really go? I see the same people never changing. Even the chic on the elliptical looks exactly the same as she did 9 months ago. This morning I turned the question onto myself. I lost my Costa Rica summer weight after 2 months of work. Also I don't find as much excitement as I did one year ago when heading to the gym. So whats the need?

I think its guilt and the sluggish/ lazy feeling I get when I don't go. Also, its the only time I get to move my body in this city. The gym has turned into my last resort for physical work. Yes, I dance at the clubs and take yoga once a week but the physical strain I get from the gym is incomparable. I realize for other people its something totally different.

The camaraderie a gym brings in the weight room, racquetball court, and sauna is comforting. Everyone has their buddies at the gym and the notion of being in a place with machines makes some think they are actually shedding pounds or are healthy. In all, the gym adds something for everyone, but rarely takes anything but your money and pounds. So I guess I will keep on going even though I am bored and set at my given weight. I just need to be thankful. Why do you go the gym?

Superwoman

Women can really bring it when they want to. Last night I watched Christopher's Project perform live. They are a Hot Ass Jazz/Neosoul/R&B band that takes you away from Milwaukee for hours. Although the saxophonist is the leader of the group, their vocalist Amirah stole the show. The lighting was ridiculously dim on the stage. You couldn't even see her face. But that didn't matter. You could feel Amirah's power and sultry energy without the lights. This chic wore a corset with black gauchos and knee high black boots. Her hair was secured under a black fedora with a blood orange colored scarf streaming out of it. Straight up and down sexy. Every man and woman in that piece was drooling over her. Her vocals took over the mic and her presence took over the stage. Just hot hot double hot.

Imagine if every woman walked around like that. Dudes would not know what to do with themselves. And WE wouldn't be able to help but indulge in ourselves. Feed our mind and body with all of our hearts desires knowing that a diva deserves the very best. I know I have my days when I am exuding self confidence, sex, and just straight up fabulousness to the max. And of course there are those other days in which I would say, "not so much." Well, I'm taking another step in slipping into those diva shoes and strapping them on real tight. When ya'll see me walking with a certain swagger, you'll know whats up. **Smooches and love with kisses and hugs**

If you look in my eyes, youll see what I see

And that is beauty...I think. We all have little things we don't like about ourselves. Our cottage cheese, our nose, our hair, our waist, and of course the list goes on. As you all know, for me its the struggle with Ms. Prego standing strong and firm.

I was getting ready for a shower after one of my morning workouts and as usual was frantically trying to stay on time. As I headed to the bathroom I passed my mirror just as I do every morning. But instead of rushing past like usual, I took a moment to stop, breath, and savor my goodness. My eyes were radiant. Alive from the adrenaline and hard work I had just completed at the gym. My skin was a bit clammy from the workout, but still smooth as silk. As I allowed my eyes to pass from the tip of my nose, to the crease of my breasts, and down to my navel I turned to the side. Profile. Yep and there she was in all her glory. Ms. Prego as prominent as ever. And I felt powerful. I did not suck in nor squish nor prod. I allowed Prego to just be and live in her glory. In her strength. In her beauty. Now if I can institute this mindset every day I will be set in coming into acceptance of what my body tells me is beauty.

Too much of anything is...too much

The body is an amazing thing. It sends signals for EVERYTHING so you are aware of your state of being. Lately, I have been responding to the "I want only veggies and fruit" signal. Meaning I have been eating fruits and vegetables like no ones business for the past 4 days. I think its the quick rise in temperature. Meaning 45 degrees here in Wisconsin.

My body knows that throwing back a couple of grapes and a salad with apples, lite string cheese, raisins, and honey mustard dressing (all natural light of course *wink wink*) will cool my body down. But with all that cooling down, I have consumed a bit too much.

Ive literally been eating grapes, salad with apples, lite cheese, raisins, and lite honey mustard for 4 days now. Today I started having pains in my sides and I can only attribute that to a lack of protein and too much acid from oranges, tomatoes and mangoes. Although humans first ate from the natural goodness of the earth, our bodies have gotten used to processed items. I am a follower of a female whose is on a vegan raw diet. Meaning nothing is cooked or processed and no meat products at all. She seems to be doing fine after 2 months, but that has got to take time to get accustomed to. I wonder if I could ever do it? Its got to feel good after getting over the hump. For me, that means side pains and cravings for chocolate chip cookies.

Think

Think

Think

Naw it aint worth it. I want to eat chocolate and cookies and a PB and J sandwich. I guess Ill just have to wait until this fruit and veggie craving is gone. What food item can you not live without??? Smooches and love with kisses and hugs!

Its ok to be lazy...right?

*singing* "Woke up this morning, with a smile on my face."... well not really as Erykah said, but that's all that's in my head this morning. A lazy tune for a lazy rainy day.

I have found that if I don't go to the gym in the morning, I wont go at all. This morning I had an education workshop and for the rest of the day I will be at Ten Chimneys for a staged reading. Mondays are an actors day off, therefore I usually conduct my ritual of sleeping in, surfing the net, going to yoga, slowly walking back home, and making a big salad. What more could a girl want (well other than a man)????

Since my pattern has been altered this morning I am feeling a bit off kilter. I am very much a type A personality and do not like veering from the path. So when I am not able to workout my mind yells "SLUG".

Yeah I definitely need to get over it, because it's only one day out of the month. Plus its raining! Rain = soup, movie, and bed. Why cant I just fall into that norm and not feel bad about it??? I believe its the whole idea of indulging in the now that myself and Americans lack. We are always running full speed ahead instead of taking the beautiful opportunities at hand.

So although my mind and body are saying, "No no no." My mouth is GOING to say, "Yes, yes, yes. Veer off of the path for just a day." Want to join me? Smooches and love with kisses and hugs.

REALLY- Live Your Life Like its Golden

I was debating on whether or not to write anything on my blog about my cousin, but she is really the only thing that has been on my mind lately.

My cousin Takiyah and her fiance were hit by a drunk drive on Saturday. She is now able to breath on her own but she has severe brain and organ damage. The doctors are unsure of how and if she will recover and when they can operate on her organs because she is so weak at the moment.

I just saw Takiyah a year ago and we have been responding back and forth on wedding decisions (it was to be this summer) and the flavor of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream we were going to share when I came.

Man...it hurts and it is hard to explain the emotions I feel for her, her family, and fiance. As I was talking to my girlfriend, who took me in one night, we discussed how everyone grieves differently. How moments like these put life into perspective and really make us grateful for what we have. Worries and issues of my daily life seem absolutely trivial now. All that I can think of is life. Living life, breathing, and loving. Send your prayers and positive thoughts to Takiyah. And please do not worry or think about me. Send it ALL to her because shes the life we gotta focus on right now. *Smooches and love with kisses and hugs*

Namaste

I have been trying to become more consistent with my yoga practice. Once or twice a week and concentrating on meditation and breath during that hour to 90min. Really good stuff. It calms my mind, gets me out of my home, energizes my body, and I take the time to tap into inner strength.

Mmm, inner strength...

I was doing a pose in which your hands are planted on the ground and your knees rest on your forearm and near or in your arm pits with feet off the ground. For a split second I found my core and it was as if I was as light as a feather. Like a said... it was only a split second. I felt uncomfortable and went back to muscling.

That thing that gives us willpower, drive, motivation, and appreciation for our being. When I am able to focus on that as my goal, things seem to line up sooo easily. And only for the best. Its like a little cheerleader on my shoulder rooting for me and sending me all types of positive energy. I wish everyone could tap into that. There's something in finding our core, releasing our internal knots, and figuring out how to use internal strength that will allow us to truly be. The mind and body are POWERFUL beings. Doctors have discovered only a certain percentage of it. We have the power to do the rest. Have you had a moment of discovering your inner strength? Please do share. Smooches and love with kisses and hugs

Mirror Mirror on The Wall

Mirror mirror on the wall, I look so good. Thank you God!

I hopped across the hall to work with one of the guest artists visiting Milwaukee on an audition I had coming up. Little did I know that audition help would turn into a lesson on life skills. I was working on "Out Tonight" from the musical RENT. And the fabulous Jannie Jones was laid back on her bed, braids piled high on her head and her brown tights hugging all the curves of her body. She kept on saying "girl you just the cutest lil' thang eva' ", in her soulful yet high pitched voice.

I sat across from her and talks of RENT turned into experiences abroad where Spaniards would stare at her and whisper moneca (little doll), men in France would be sure to keep her palate satisfied with delicate treats, and all Europeans stood in awe of her beauty. You see, Ms. Jones has chocolaty skin, long legs, full bust, cheek bones to die for, and a waist that a man's hands could easily get lost in. She said " Girl don't let anyone tell you not to go to Spain. You walk down those streets and the men don't know what to do with themselves." I laugh and easily sit and listen to her tails.

But what caught my ear were not her experiences with Wesley Snipes, Broadway stars, and living the life any performer could wish for. It was her message about herself. She said, "Girl don't let anyone tell you what you should be. You embrace that big ol' butt and cute lil curves you got and roll with it. Society always wants to break you down and make you something else. Don't lose yourself, because it is so easy for this industry to take away your self image. They want you because you are you, not because you are trying to be someone or something else."

WoW!

Yes, we hear this all the time but she had a very interesting perspective. She repeated the old saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". She said those ladies on TV that have flat tummies and are straight as a stick are not her definition of beauty. Curves, voluptuous and sumptuous bodies are what she admires. Because when she looks in the mirror that is what she sees and what shes got. So the next time you look in the mirror, notice why you look good. What you like about you. When I wear one of my signature Beyonce outfits I love how it hugs my butt, the muscles in my arms, the way my breasts are lifted and most of all my smooth, smooth caramel skin. Mmhmm, that's my beauty. Tell me about yours. I can't wait to hear it!!! Smooches and love with kisses and hugs.

Rolls of Thunder

Myself and two other females are sitting, waiting for the rest of the actors to show up for rehearsal. There is a large bowl of stove popped popcorn in front of us and we are going to town. This is my third serving of the night btw. And when I say serving, I mean a medium sized bowl that passed my mouth two times in my room and now again at our rehearsal.

As we chow down, of course the conversation changes to body image. The director has lost an inch off of her waist from turbo jam, my other girl just bought turbo jam to hopefully lose 10 lbs within 3 weeks, and I am coming to terms with my own body and food.

All of us ladies look damn good, but in different ways. We are all of different ethnicities and physical makeup. We have the Samoan goddess with her Rolling Field of a torso. Wide, voluptuous, and full. Then there is the beauty from the east with the cake top. An interesting tummy that goes out, in, and out again. Petite as ever with a stomach that is symbol of her delicate and tiny nature. And then me, a firm toned prego looking belly. Inherited from my father. A man who has always been well-built with a strong tummy that supported me when I was little child.

So many different shapes, with so many different judgements. But all have their own individual beauty. Own it, and enjoy it ladies.

Peace and Love with Kisses and Hugs

In the Wine Time

8:50am Wake up to the Today Show
9:10am Dance Workout
10:00am Shower, clothes, Fiber One cereal w/ a glass of OJ (not from concentrate *wink wink*)
11:00am To Theater for another 10 hour day.

And I go at it full speed ahead. Smile... check. Eye contact... check. Laugh and touch the arm... check. Anticipation for whether or not I am prepared for the day...check. Ok, ok I think I got it down. Now I have rolled through the day and feel relatively accomplished by 9pm.

I get home, knowing I gotta get this and that done. But what do I really want to do. What is my mind telling me to do. Well... sistayvonne is telling yo girl to run to the MetroMarket before it closes in 15min to grab a buttery bag of popcorn, curl up into bed, and watch the food channel.

MmmmHmmm. And we all say, well, why not?!? Its what you want. Its what yo body neeeeeds. Actually its what my mind needs. That odd point in our full, TOO long, day that turns away from the prep work and turns to comfort. That tempting, tapping sensation that nibbles at your core.

Sometimes its not that cookie or bag of popcorn. Its a smooth, deep glass of red wine that makes you feel as if you are helping your heart before you lay it to rest. Or what about organizing the mail that has been sitting on your table, because you just cant work in a dirty space. Haha! Well whatever it is, it gives me that sense of closing the door for the day instead of continuing with it. So thank you for the signal, body, I might just take you up on it tonight. But if I don't, no hard feelings, there is always tomorrow

Kettle Corn and My Bikini

Food, Tummy, Images, good lawd it can really make you go crazy!

I am an actor and as you can imagine I'm in the limelight and gotta look good because you never know who is going to see you. I love to get dolled up. Wearing the largest earrings I can find with a slinky imitation gold or silver necklace that accentuates my breasts. Bringing everyone's attention's not just to my chest but to the fabulousness I have created for my outfit.

But it takes work, don't be fooled. I think all women feel this way at one point or another. And please do not act like you don't look twice in the mirror before you walk out the door. Thinking about the lane of Oreos you had the night before and the attempt to work it off with 30mins on the elliptical this morning.

We wear clothes to be decent and cover the nether regions that are not appropriate to show off in public. Although some are able to get away with it. Hmmph! Some. Why cant it be all? I want to show off my torso and my caramel back. So guess what? I do.

I am a size 7/8 moving to a size 9 and ain't trying to fix it. Ladies, I want to eat my chips, my gooey chocolate chunk cookies, and my rum w/ pineapple juice. I want to live. When it hits summer I, also, want to bust out my Danity Kane lookin' gold and white bikini with my lovely pregnant sized tummy. I want to not have the urge to suck in because I see Barbi and Ken walking by. As May and my stomach rolls along, you had bet your bottom dollar I am training my mind now to practice what i preach. Eat what I want, stay active, but don't hate my body in the process. Instead celebrate and live with it. You wanna join??? Smooches and Peace with Kisses and Hugs.

Welcome

Hello to the world wide web! Cellphones, e-mail, facebook, livejournal, linkedin, and more have slapped us in the face within the past 10 years. Man-oh-Man... and I am now getting up to date.

My name is Tiffany, but I choose to go by Yvonne. I come from a mother and father both born in Trinidad along with their MANY brothers and sisters. Yvonne Benedict is the second to oldest on my mothers side of her 8 siblings. She was born mentally handicap. Yvonne now lives in Grenada in a hospital that takes care of those who have mental problems. It is so easy for the world to forget and set aside those who can not function normally in society. My mother never wanted her to be forgotten so she gave me the middle name Yvonne. I use Yvonne in order to be sure that my mother's wish is granted.

I am thrilled to begin writing and sharing my womanhood experiences with anyone willing to listen. Stay on the lookout for some juicy stories, because I am not afraid to share what we are all feeling and thinking out there. Many of us have the same experiences, but how do you put these into words? How do we describe the core and true essence of a situation that we have all shared? Read, respond and we shall find out. Smooches, Peace, and Kisses & Hugs to all.