Good news for me and hopefully for ya'll. I will be working on my music project later on this month and in July!! It has been a long time coming!!! But I am SOSOSOSOSOOO excited, I LOVE the songs and the people I am working with! I will be giving updates when I can!
Enjoy the sunshine!
Tif
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Catching up.
It has been a while. I am not the best blogger. And I really should be, I have been told I write pretty well, and I love doing it. It makes me feel like Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, because they often have scenes where she is typing and you can hear the words in her head. Just thank God that you can't hear mine.
Next Saturday marks the third wedding I will have participated in over a time span of thirty days. My cousin Sara got married in South Carolina. It was a precious wedding and I spent priceless time with my family. It was such a blessing to get to do that. I love my family so much and the older I get, the more I treasure them. The highlight was probably taking Sara to get her hair done that day and taking her through McDonald's to get a hamburger, because McDonald's has always been her favorite and I used to think she was going to turn into a "Golden Arch". She has always been such a sweet, little simple soul, and the couple of hours we got one on one was the sweetest. The next wedding was my friend Megan's. It was held at Riverwood Mansion, a beautiful place here in Nashville. She was a beautiful bride, and I loved getting to know her family and friends better. I wish her and Ryan all the happiness in the world, Megan has such a kind soul, and there is something very soothing about her presence. I know she is one of those people who will work very hard to make her marriage the best it can be.
I spent 10 days in Ottawa, Canada for Soles4Souls. The charity was a guest of Canadian Tulip Festival, and we participated in a wonderful event called "Shoes and Champagne" that raised money for us. I also discovered some shoe designers that I am in love with: Phil Daluca and Georgina Goodman. It was my first time ever out of the country. I had my little passport with me, my pic looks like a junkyard dog. Canada is a beautiful country. It is so clean; it was a little disheartening for me because the U.S. is so dirty in many places. I also walked everywhere. It was AMAZING. You can't do that here. We should, because I didn't see many overweight people in Canada. But even here, the roadways are not pedestrian friendly. But I still love my country more than anything.
I have read quite a few books in the last month. "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Steve Harvey. What a book!!! I was either laughing out loud, or tearing up. He is awesome, and does an amazing job explaining a very simple message all women need to hear. In honor of being in Canada, I read "French Women Do Not Get Fat". Also, a great book. After I had a lovely conversation with a British woman, and watched Canadian women, and read this book. I am more convinced than ever that American Women need to CHILL OUT on the dieting crap. Sure, we need to make good choices and move around, but for some of us, diet and exercise control everything. That is not the way it is meant to be!!!!! I am currently reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I can't even begin to communicate the message of this little book, but it is one I needed desperately.
My cat ate all the fur off of her front paws due to her anxiety over being separated from me and now has to take Xanax when I am gone. My Sassy doesn't do well when I travel, and this time around, it was bad. I got home, and walked in the door and she just leaned on my arm and purred. I cried. She is better now, and her fur is growing back, but she is the closest thing to a child to me and to see her in a frazzled state hurt me. I love my little furpeople, and they give me such joy.
Ok, there is a recap. I will do better in the next few months, because there will lots of cool stuff for me to write about.
I will leave you with something that I meditating on right now:
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Next Saturday marks the third wedding I will have participated in over a time span of thirty days. My cousin Sara got married in South Carolina. It was a precious wedding and I spent priceless time with my family. It was such a blessing to get to do that. I love my family so much and the older I get, the more I treasure them. The highlight was probably taking Sara to get her hair done that day and taking her through McDonald's to get a hamburger, because McDonald's has always been her favorite and I used to think she was going to turn into a "Golden Arch". She has always been such a sweet, little simple soul, and the couple of hours we got one on one was the sweetest. The next wedding was my friend Megan's. It was held at Riverwood Mansion, a beautiful place here in Nashville. She was a beautiful bride, and I loved getting to know her family and friends better. I wish her and Ryan all the happiness in the world, Megan has such a kind soul, and there is something very soothing about her presence. I know she is one of those people who will work very hard to make her marriage the best it can be.
I spent 10 days in Ottawa, Canada for Soles4Souls. The charity was a guest of Canadian Tulip Festival, and we participated in a wonderful event called "Shoes and Champagne" that raised money for us. I also discovered some shoe designers that I am in love with: Phil Daluca and Georgina Goodman. It was my first time ever out of the country. I had my little passport with me, my pic looks like a junkyard dog. Canada is a beautiful country. It is so clean; it was a little disheartening for me because the U.S. is so dirty in many places. I also walked everywhere. It was AMAZING. You can't do that here. We should, because I didn't see many overweight people in Canada. But even here, the roadways are not pedestrian friendly. But I still love my country more than anything.
I have read quite a few books in the last month. "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Steve Harvey. What a book!!! I was either laughing out loud, or tearing up. He is awesome, and does an amazing job explaining a very simple message all women need to hear. In honor of being in Canada, I read "French Women Do Not Get Fat". Also, a great book. After I had a lovely conversation with a British woman, and watched Canadian women, and read this book. I am more convinced than ever that American Women need to CHILL OUT on the dieting crap. Sure, we need to make good choices and move around, but for some of us, diet and exercise control everything. That is not the way it is meant to be!!!!! I am currently reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I can't even begin to communicate the message of this little book, but it is one I needed desperately.
My cat ate all the fur off of her front paws due to her anxiety over being separated from me and now has to take Xanax when I am gone. My Sassy doesn't do well when I travel, and this time around, it was bad. I got home, and walked in the door and she just leaned on my arm and purred. I cried. She is better now, and her fur is growing back, but she is the closest thing to a child to me and to see her in a frazzled state hurt me. I love my little furpeople, and they give me such joy.
Ok, there is a recap. I will do better in the next few months, because there will lots of cool stuff for me to write about.
I will leave you with something that I meditating on right now:
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
FATIMA..A LITTLE LIGHT OF HOPE.
I went to a fundraiser for the YWCA last week, and was blown away by some of the speakers. As many of you know, the YWCA offers assistance for women of all ages who are suffering from abuse well as many other programs such as adult education, after-school programs for young women, etc. I listened to several women tell their heartbreaking stories of verbal, emotional and physical abuse from their significant others. One woman left after her abuser went to work, with nothing but the clothes on her and her 14 year old son's back. They found shelter, support and counseling at the YWCA. The Y is currently helping this woman transition from the shelter to a home of her own, thanks to their women in transition program.
I listened to a 13 year old girl tell us how Girls, Inc. (the Y's after school program for adolescent and teenage girls)has increased her self-esteem and helps her make better choices at school and with her friends. A mother gave a powerful testimony about losing her own daughter to domestic violence.
10 women in the state of Tennessee DIED from domestic violence related crimes last year.
There was a beautiful young woman from Rwanda that shared her powerful story. She came to this country after she had lost her family in the genocide that occurred in her homeland. She came with $500, and a promise that help would be waiting. She landed in Nashville to find no one at the airport waiting for her. Her cab driver helped her the next day and compassionately opened up his home to help her get on her feet. As if losing your family and leaving your home wasn't enough, Fatima came here only to be disappointed.
I met Fatima in 2006, she was looking for a new place to live, and had a man in her life and a baby on the way. She is beautiful, with sharp, dark eyes and rich deep skin. Her smile goes from east to west. She settled in to her new place and all seemed well. She showed up in my office one afternoon very pregnant only to inform me that the baby's father had changed his mind and did not want a life with her and their baby to be. She was heartbroken; I remembered asking her if she could go back to her family and she whispered "I can't go back". My company was able to let her leave her place without the enormous costs and penalties involved.
This beautiful young woman on the YWCA platform this morning was Fatima! She completed her GED through the YWCA's adult education program and is working, thriving and looking forward to going to college. I was able to catch up and talk to her. I remembered so vividly our conversation that day when she pregnant, abandoned and alone; I had no idea that she really had nothing in Rwanda to go back to. This woman is a survivor. She is resilient, and her inspiring story humbled me.
I want to go back to the YWCA programs a second and just share a few things, this organization is amazing. Their outreach efforts are so powerful! Check out their site at ywca.org.
I listened to a 13 year old girl tell us how Girls, Inc. (the Y's after school program for adolescent and teenage girls)has increased her self-esteem and helps her make better choices at school and with her friends. A mother gave a powerful testimony about losing her own daughter to domestic violence.
10 women in the state of Tennessee DIED from domestic violence related crimes last year.
There was a beautiful young woman from Rwanda that shared her powerful story. She came to this country after she had lost her family in the genocide that occurred in her homeland. She came with $500, and a promise that help would be waiting. She landed in Nashville to find no one at the airport waiting for her. Her cab driver helped her the next day and compassionately opened up his home to help her get on her feet. As if losing your family and leaving your home wasn't enough, Fatima came here only to be disappointed.
I met Fatima in 2006, she was looking for a new place to live, and had a man in her life and a baby on the way. She is beautiful, with sharp, dark eyes and rich deep skin. Her smile goes from east to west. She settled in to her new place and all seemed well. She showed up in my office one afternoon very pregnant only to inform me that the baby's father had changed his mind and did not want a life with her and their baby to be. She was heartbroken; I remembered asking her if she could go back to her family and she whispered "I can't go back". My company was able to let her leave her place without the enormous costs and penalties involved.
This beautiful young woman on the YWCA platform this morning was Fatima! She completed her GED through the YWCA's adult education program and is working, thriving and looking forward to going to college. I was able to catch up and talk to her. I remembered so vividly our conversation that day when she pregnant, abandoned and alone; I had no idea that she really had nothing in Rwanda to go back to. This woman is a survivor. She is resilient, and her inspiring story humbled me.
I want to go back to the YWCA programs a second and just share a few things, this organization is amazing. Their outreach efforts are so powerful! Check out their site at ywca.org.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Religulous...Is a really good documentary
Maybe I am getting old, but I am starting to enjoy a good documentary. Seeing the stark reality in this form is very raw, gripping and inspiring to me. I saw "Religulous" this week, a documentary filmed by and narrated by Bill Maher. Maher interviews people of different faiths, namely Christians, Mormons, Jews and Muslims as he questions them about their faith, their belief in Creation, in the existence of heaven and hell, their religion's views of peace and war, comparisions of each faith's spiritual leaders, etc.
Maher does not believe in God and is very upfront about that. The film has moments that are hilariously funny, as he catches people unsure of how to answer him, or his responses...he is SO sarcastic. But I have to applaud him because he did his homework, especially on the Bible, and at times, is more educated on the literary facts than the ones he is interviewing. His seeking soul won me over too; this is a man who is almost convinced there is no God, but has taken the time to really dig deep for the answers here. He lets believers pray with and for him. He sees the injustice in women praying in a seperate area in the Muslim temple built in Jerusalem. He is enlightened (for just a moment) with comparision of the Holy Trinity to water,steam and ice(if you were raised in the Bible Belt and went to Bible School...you know what I am talkin bout). He is just so honest about this quest that I can't be angry at him for some of the views he expresses.
I thought about the movie in bed after I watched it and what my repsonse to this movie would have been a few years ago. I would have been outraged, insulted, I probably would have cut the movie off early. But I understand now, more than ever, doubt. Doubt in myself, in God, in everything. I also understand grace, and forgiveness. I understand faith, even though I can't taste it, touch it, see it. I just understand that it is there. I know there is a God who loves me and created me, I don't really know every single minute detail, but I know he did. I believe in Jesus and that he lived and died for me, and because of this I have a relationship with my Creator. I know He hears me, and He cares about everything in my life.
And I can't give you all the historical facts about Jesus, about Creation, or about the future of mankind. But I know that it is so real in my life, and that I also struggle with doubt too.
If anything, I walked away from that movie admiring Bill Maher for digging REAL deep, probably deeper than alot of the leaders he interviewed. I hope he finds something that satisfies the quest he is on. He challenged me to dig deeper so that my words and actions will coincide and speak volumes for the things I cannot explain.
My faith became the most real to me through the love and actions of others, which prompted me to seek more truth from classes and books. Whether or not Maher realizes it, his little movie may be the springboard alot of us need to push into the deep waters of our faith.
Go to Redbox, or Netflix, or Blockbuster and get it. Trust me, if you have an open mind, it won't offend you. If it does, I will give you a dollar for watching it.
Maher does not believe in God and is very upfront about that. The film has moments that are hilariously funny, as he catches people unsure of how to answer him, or his responses...he is SO sarcastic. But I have to applaud him because he did his homework, especially on the Bible, and at times, is more educated on the literary facts than the ones he is interviewing. His seeking soul won me over too; this is a man who is almost convinced there is no God, but has taken the time to really dig deep for the answers here. He lets believers pray with and for him. He sees the injustice in women praying in a seperate area in the Muslim temple built in Jerusalem. He is enlightened (for just a moment) with comparision of the Holy Trinity to water,steam and ice(if you were raised in the Bible Belt and went to Bible School...you know what I am talkin bout). He is just so honest about this quest that I can't be angry at him for some of the views he expresses.
I thought about the movie in bed after I watched it and what my repsonse to this movie would have been a few years ago. I would have been outraged, insulted, I probably would have cut the movie off early. But I understand now, more than ever, doubt. Doubt in myself, in God, in everything. I also understand grace, and forgiveness. I understand faith, even though I can't taste it, touch it, see it. I just understand that it is there. I know there is a God who loves me and created me, I don't really know every single minute detail, but I know he did. I believe in Jesus and that he lived and died for me, and because of this I have a relationship with my Creator. I know He hears me, and He cares about everything in my life.
And I can't give you all the historical facts about Jesus, about Creation, or about the future of mankind. But I know that it is so real in my life, and that I also struggle with doubt too.
If anything, I walked away from that movie admiring Bill Maher for digging REAL deep, probably deeper than alot of the leaders he interviewed. I hope he finds something that satisfies the quest he is on. He challenged me to dig deeper so that my words and actions will coincide and speak volumes for the things I cannot explain.
My faith became the most real to me through the love and actions of others, which prompted me to seek more truth from classes and books. Whether or not Maher realizes it, his little movie may be the springboard alot of us need to push into the deep waters of our faith.
Go to Redbox, or Netflix, or Blockbuster and get it. Trust me, if you have an open mind, it won't offend you. If it does, I will give you a dollar for watching it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Some Twists and Turns, but its all good....
Right now, I think everyone is experiencing the vulnerable state of our world. You may not be financial trouble right now, but your world is probably affected by it in some way, shape or form. Everyone seems on edge right now, unsure, yep, maybe even freaked out.
It is easy to hide out and run away when things don't look good, but is that really gonna help me? Nope. Even if I haven't felt like it, I have gotten out in the sunshine and joined the human race.
Last Saturday, I rode down to Pulaski, TN and hung out with a good friend of mine. We rode around in the country for almost three hours. I saw the most beautiful swinging bridge over a creek, we stopped on the side of a hill and watched the clouds pass over the valley and you could see the shadow of the clouds; it was breathtaking. I ate a FRIED PIE. It was decadent, to say the least.
I had dinner with two of my dearest friends this past weekend. They are both a little frazzled by the state of our world because they don't necessarily know what is next, but we ate and laughed and talked about life, and it reminded me again that things can come and go, but our relationships and connections are priceless.
I guess what I am trying to say is "don't worry". This is so hard for me, worrying is like water for me. I have literally been a worrying soul since I was in Pampers. But what good will it do me? All I can do is love my family and friends, do good in life, work hard and hang on. I mean, really, that's all we can do. The moments are what matter anyway. Like the sunpatches on the valley that I saw last week, I have to live for those, they are golden. Sure, the clouds will come up, the sun will go away, but it will come back! It's kind of like when you cry yourself to sleep, I always wake up feeling better the next day (I look like hell, but I feel better).
"weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"
It is easy to hide out and run away when things don't look good, but is that really gonna help me? Nope. Even if I haven't felt like it, I have gotten out in the sunshine and joined the human race.
Last Saturday, I rode down to Pulaski, TN and hung out with a good friend of mine. We rode around in the country for almost three hours. I saw the most beautiful swinging bridge over a creek, we stopped on the side of a hill and watched the clouds pass over the valley and you could see the shadow of the clouds; it was breathtaking. I ate a FRIED PIE. It was decadent, to say the least.
I had dinner with two of my dearest friends this past weekend. They are both a little frazzled by the state of our world because they don't necessarily know what is next, but we ate and laughed and talked about life, and it reminded me again that things can come and go, but our relationships and connections are priceless.
I guess what I am trying to say is "don't worry". This is so hard for me, worrying is like water for me. I have literally been a worrying soul since I was in Pampers. But what good will it do me? All I can do is love my family and friends, do good in life, work hard and hang on. I mean, really, that's all we can do. The moments are what matter anyway. Like the sunpatches on the valley that I saw last week, I have to live for those, they are golden. Sure, the clouds will come up, the sun will go away, but it will come back! It's kind of like when you cry yourself to sleep, I always wake up feeling better the next day (I look like hell, but I feel better).
"weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Who says greatness has to be grandiose?
Maybe it is the touch from a single mother to her child leaving for school in the morning?
Or the smile given to an elderly person sitting alone in a restaurant?
It could be the change that buys a homeless man breakfast.
Maybe it is the warmth coming from the hands that cradle an abandoned puppy?
In that moment, in the lives of those being comforted, IT is enormous, even grandiose.
It is the song they dance to. The incentive to live.
It is greatness.
Maybe it is the touch from a single mother to her child leaving for school in the morning?
Or the smile given to an elderly person sitting alone in a restaurant?
It could be the change that buys a homeless man breakfast.
Maybe it is the warmth coming from the hands that cradle an abandoned puppy?
In that moment, in the lives of those being comforted, IT is enormous, even grandiose.
It is the song they dance to. The incentive to live.
It is greatness.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Heart of Stone Documentary
As alot of you know, I went to the Sundance Film Festival as a guest of Puma Footwear on behalf of Soles4Souls. Puma had a three foot long sneaker that celebrities signed; the shoe will be auctioned off online and the proceeds will benefit Soles4Souls. It was indeed a very surreal experience, to have conversed with people like Ashley Judd, Mo'Nique, Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Bridges, Michelle Trachtenbug, Susan Saradon, Nick Cannon, Anne Heche..just to name a few, wow.
But the highlight of my week came in the form of a chance meeting with producer Paul Bartick and his teenage son Max, who were waiting in our area to get their photos taken. After we asked each other what brought us both to Sundance, Paul and Max told me about the documentary they were showing at Slamdance (which is a part of Sundance representing more independent projects) I was captivated by the story behind the film, and this incredibly sweet family, and Paul brought us tickets.
The documentary blew me away, it is the true story of one man's mission (Principal Ron Stone) to change the culture of a what once was a prestigious high school in Newark, New Jersey. It highlighted the lives of three students (two of them being the neighborhood leaders of the Crips and Bloods, who are friends thanks to the influence of Principal Stone. The film was just AMAZING, and a reminder of the footprints we can leave in the lives of others. It is also a portrait of a great human being, Ron Stone, who decided to leave his comfortable principal's office and go out into the culture of students and DO life with them.
I am going to attach a link to the trailer for this wonderful film. It won the Slamdance Audience Award for Best Documentary!!!! Yay!!
PLEASE WATCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7oW8c6_VLc
So, amidst of glamour and glitz and snow of Park City, UT, I left challenged by this humble film. And reminded that it is what we do as individuals, in the circles around us, that matter the most!
But the highlight of my week came in the form of a chance meeting with producer Paul Bartick and his teenage son Max, who were waiting in our area to get their photos taken. After we asked each other what brought us both to Sundance, Paul and Max told me about the documentary they were showing at Slamdance (which is a part of Sundance representing more independent projects) I was captivated by the story behind the film, and this incredibly sweet family, and Paul brought us tickets.
The documentary blew me away, it is the true story of one man's mission (Principal Ron Stone) to change the culture of a what once was a prestigious high school in Newark, New Jersey. It highlighted the lives of three students (two of them being the neighborhood leaders of the Crips and Bloods, who are friends thanks to the influence of Principal Stone. The film was just AMAZING, and a reminder of the footprints we can leave in the lives of others. It is also a portrait of a great human being, Ron Stone, who decided to leave his comfortable principal's office and go out into the culture of students and DO life with them.
I am going to attach a link to the trailer for this wonderful film. It won the Slamdance Audience Award for Best Documentary!!!! Yay!!
PLEASE WATCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7oW8c6_VLc
So, amidst of glamour and glitz and snow of Park City, UT, I left challenged by this humble film. And reminded that it is what we do as individuals, in the circles around us, that matter the most!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
