KIRK FRANKLIN HAITI RELIEF

I came across this song, "Are You Listening?" produced by Kirk Franklin. Along with a many of today's best gospel artists , he recorded this song to help to raise money for the people in Haiti in conjunction with UNICEF. Not only is the song absolutely beautiful, but the proceeds are obviously going to a great cause. Listen, enjoy and do your part to help if you haven't already done so.

........WHILE DRIVING

I remember years ago before I had a blackerry, before I knew anything about having this type of instant access to the worldwide web, to e-mails, to google, to bbm, I would look at my friends who would use their phones for anything else other than to make and receive phone calls or to send the occasional text as crazy or bored or lame or "too cool for school" so to speak. And don't let me get started on those who would do all this stuff while they were driving. Those people were REALLY crazy!!

Fast forward to a couple years ago and the acquisition of my own blackberry and I became/have become that person I so chastized. It's one thing to put one's phone to full use and by that I mean, go ahead have fun, use all the apps and gadgets on there but the thing I had come to dislike about my own phone usage was that I had become a culprit of doing these things while I was driving.

The thing is I know better!! I've seen all the stories about the accidents that people have gotten into, the deaths that have been caused, that could've been avoided had that person not been fooling around with their phone. I've seen the mothers crying on Dr. Phil and I've seen the anguish that this basically self-serving, selfish act has wrought on the lives of so many. Yet I, like so many others, just convinced myself that I was actually good at it. That it was just those people who didn't know how to text, bbm, google and drive.

Studies have shown that it is equally, if not more dangerous to do these things while driving than it is to drive drunk!! And that still didn't stop me. But something hit me, quite literally, when a friend of mine who drives and texts got into an accident a couple months ago, just moments after he had told me that he was good at doing it. No one got hurt but still....How coincidental or not? It was at that moment that I decided that I needed to make a change.

You see it's just not worth it when it comes right down to it! There is no text or query or bbm SO important that it can't wait until I get to my destination. And if it is, then I need to just pull over and handle it. I mean, what were we all doing before the advent of this technology? We just waited till we got home to check our emails and to look up what ever information we needed to find out. To put other people's children's, mother's, father's, brother's lives at risk for the sake of our own impatience or need to know or tell ASAP is about as selfish an idea as I can imagine. And I am committed to not doing it anymore.

New Year's resolutions are often cheesy and we often break them by January 5th lol, but I made it my business this year to hold myself accountable, to be more responsible, to act like an adult and to stop using or checking my phone while driving aside from receiving or making phone calls and even then, it's only hands-free usage. It's the law here in California anyway. If there are any of you out there who might be reading this blog and who are culprits of this awful habit, I am challenging you today to stop and think about this for a moment and make a decision....is it REALLY worth it?? When you think about it, the answer has to be NO!

He's Just THAT Into YOU!!

So we've all heard that phrase thrown around a lot - He's Just NOT that into you! It's supposed to be the phrase that not so succinctly tells a girl that the guy she wants really isn't that interested in her. We've all been guilty of ignoring those signs....he doesn't want to be exclusive, yes he saw you called - yes his phone is working - no, he didn't call you back, he won't hold your hand in public, he calls you last minute for a "hookup" but won't take you out to dinner or let you meet his friends.

Well after reading a good article today, I thought I would list the opposite list today. How to tell if He REALLY is into you!! Even though these 10 signs surely do not cover all the indications of a swooning man, they should give you a good idea of what to look for. Too often women overanalyze irrelevant details and overlook the tell-tale signs when it comes to gauging just how into you he is. A lot of times women have a general thought or idea of how a man is supposed to act when he’s diggin’ her i.e. flowers, cards, and candy, which can come with time but in the beginning, the signs are subtle yet obvious! Remember, body language speaks louder than words and it would be good pay attention to his gestures! We’ll touch on both areas! So take a look a these 10 ways to tell if the man you’re seeing is in it to win it!

Calls and Texts - if a man is truly digging a woman he will call, a lot of times for no reason. If he calls or shoots you a text saying, “hey, have good day” you’re on his mind! If he returns your calls in a prompt manner, he wants you to know that he’s not dodging you and making an effort to take the time to let you know that.

He Tries New Things for You - you obviously had a life before you started dating this guy so you know that Yoga class you take three nights a week? If you say “hey, you wanna come with me one night?” and he comes along, he’s taking one for the team! Why? Because he wants to spend time with you, get to know you and the things you take interest in.

He Introduces You to His Friends - if a guy is into you, chances are he’s told his friends about you. Men normally don’t go introducing their friends to the “jump-off” so if you meet his boys from childhood, the ones he play sports with on the weekends and the ones he works with, he’s into you. You’ll know for sure if the boys know things about like what you do for a living and for leisure. All this means is he’s been bragging about his boo!

He Gets to Know Your Friends - this is a two way street, right? So if he takes the time to hang out with you and your girls, he’s making his presence in your life known. He’ll also do this to get to learn your role in their lives and how you behave around them. Are you the wild-child party animal, the witty but funny voice if reason or the conservative who sits back and observes? If he’s really into you, he’ll make a point to get in good with the bestie so he knows who to call in case you get missing!

He Values Your Opinion - no matter how big or small the scenario, if he asks your opinion and takes the advice you give, then it’s safe to say he trusts you. If it’s as simple as, “does the blue or black shirt look better with this suit” or “do you think I should take my mother here or there for her birthday?” All this means is he trusts your judgment and values your opinion.

Random Caresses - if a man is into you, he’ll want to be close. If he’s diggin’ you, he wants to be close enough to you to smell you and sneak a touch or two. Some men are the aggressive type and will caress the small of your back, tug at your hips, or give you a solid squeeze.

Open Posture – If the two of you are sitting across from each other and he’s hunched over table, he may struggle with revealing his feelings and thoughts physically and verbally. But if a guy sitting across from you is leaning towards you with his shoulders raised with a slight head tilt, his body language is indicating that he’s interested in you and what you have to say.

Gazing - as the old saying goes “eyes are the gateway to the soul,” and this is so true! It’s easy to tell a man is totally detached if you’re talking about something you feel passionate about and he’s distracted, fidgeting and looking everywhere but in your eyes. He’s not interested, period. But if you’re speaking and he’s giving you eye contact, then he’s connected. Think about it: it’s highly unlikely a man will readily admit that you have him open, but if he’s staring in your eyes while you speak and allows you to look back, he’s letting you in.

Nervous Sprucing - if a guy is totally into himself, then you’ll know the difference between narcissistic grooming and nervous sprucing. If the gentleman you’re feeling is constantly brushing miniscule lint off his shoulder, adjusting his shirt and smoothing his freshly cut hair, he wants to look good for you! He’s trying his hardest to look his best for you, so don’t be surprised if he asks you if he has anything in his teeth! These gestures are simply nervous quircks.

Facial Expressions - you can always tell how a man feels by his expression when he first sees you. For example, if he’s picking you up for a date, pay attention to the look on his face. If he raises his eyebrows and has an expression that mirrors surprise, he’s happy to see you and excited to spend time with you. Men don’t like to be rejected, so if he looks relieved, he’s glad you showed up and thrilled about the time he’ll spend with you. By the end of the night, if he looks like he’s anxious or can’t keep his eyes off you, chances are he’s having troubles keeping his hands off you also. Don’t be too proud to reach out to him for a solid hug!

So Ladies, if you’re currently dating a man and you’re not all the way sure if he’s taking the relationship seriously, these are ways to tell without pressuring him to label or define your coupledom. If he’s doing some of things listed above, chances are he’s going to make the steps towards something more serious without you having to say a word!

And when all else fails.....trust your instincts, they're usually right!!

PRODUCT REVIEW - LUSHAE JEWELRY

A couple weeks ago, I was contacted by a young lady who is the owner of Lushae Jewelry. She was kind enough to send me a complimentary piece of jewelry and I wanted to write a post about it to give my honest review and opinion.

Everyone that knows me personally, knows that I LOVE silver jewelry so it was actually a great pleasure for me to select something from the website. The website was really user friendly and intuitive and there were a wide range of choices for me to pick from rings to Earrings to Pendants, etc. I chose the Cobblestone ring and my order arrived 2 days later.

It came in a nice, little box and I really like the fact the ring actually looked just like it does in the picture on the website. It's heavy and substantial and I like the quality of the silver. I wasn't too sure about ring sizing but luckily there is a link on the page that helped me figure that out.

Here is a picture of the ring in the box and then of it on my finger.




I've already worn it a couple times and I'm sure it will get a lot of use:-) Thanks again Sarah for the piece of jewelry. I encourage you all to check out the Lushae's Jewelry and I wish you nothing but success in your business venture!

M.I.A.

So for the past two weeks, I've pretty much been MIA, Missing In Action, so to speak. When I last updated my blog, I was about to embark on a new adventure - the filming of a TV show that I was lucky enough to be a part of. Essentially, it was a Reality/Documentary type show that will chronicle 12 professional athletes, both active and retired from the NFL, NBA, track and snowboarding, who are learning how to become sports broadcasters.

Some of the cast...George Foster (NFL), Freddie Jones (NFL), Otis Leverette (NFL), Me:-), Gary Payton (NBA), Josh Norman (NFL)

I've always had an interest in that field of work but I've never had an opportunity to "get my feet wet' or any sort of experience. I've always been the person on the opposite end of the microphone answering the questions so it was really interesting to get to see and learn firsthand how to do exactly what it is that reporters, announcers, commentators, news anchors, radio hosts and play-by-play media persons do.
On one of the sets...

To say it was a challenge would be a huge understatement! It was the same kind of exciting energy you feel when you're up for your first jump at a meet. When the producer counts down and that stage manager points at you to start reading your evening news from the teleprompter it was a huge rush. And I loved every minute of it!!! I can assure you that the news persons and analysts on TV make everything they do look WAY easier than it is and I'm sure they will be some laughs when you watch us in that learning process:-/

We were split into 3 teams of 4. My team consisted of myself, Josh Norman (NFL), Gary Payton (NBA) and Ray Crockett (NFL).
TEAM 2!!!! Ray Crockett, Josh Norman, myself and GP

There were three other track athletes on the show - Lolo Jones, Monica Cabbler and Maurice Greene. We had to compete in different challenges every day to earn "Broadcast Bucks" and then at the end of the competition, the winners were chosen. One of the great things about this experience is that we were all able to donate our winnings to the charity of our choice and so that was really fantastic.
Lolo Jones, Maurice Greene and myself

There was a great chemistry and comraderie between everyone but boys will boys and some days were definitely more draining and drama-filled than others but I guess that is to be expected when you have a room filled with such highly competitive people. The cameras were on us all the time when we were at the set, both during actual competitions and during breaks, lunch etc so the Lord only knows what will actually air when the show debuts in June because we all had our moments:-/

There were some CHARACTERS to be sure LOL and some fun times were had but I don't want to say too much more. The ending was interesting and I hope you will all tune in and watch. It is an experience that ranks really high up there for me and I am so thankful that I was chosen to be a part of the Media and Leadership Academy's season 1. I learned a lot and I know that I have much more to learn but one thing is for sure - some of the friendships that I made will most definitely last a lifetime.

A unique opportunity hasalready come up as a result of this show and the sky truly is now the limit!!!


Team 2 had to interview John Salley for our celebrity interview

Myself and Marcellus Wiley, one of our instructors (Former NFL player and current ESPN analyst)

Down at the Staples Center doing one of the challenges

Trisha Brynes (snowboarding), Otis and me

Down at Fox Sports Network (Prime Ticket) - who knows? Maybe I'll be working here one day!!!

HOT/NOT SO HOT in 2010!!!

First let me say Happy New Year to everyone!!! Hope you all have a blessed and prosperous 2010. I'm looking forward to an exciting year with lots of love, life, laughter, happiness and opportunities. That being said, I was just thinking of all the things that I think are still HOT as we move into this new decade and on the flip side some of the things that are NOT SO HOT anymore and should be left behind....

HOT in 2010....Skinny Jeans on women
NOT SO HOT....Skinny jeans on men! (Actually this was never hot, lol)

HOT in 2010....Twitter (although I'm not on it), Facebook
NOT SO HOT....Myspace

HOT in 2010....Looking like a million bucks
NOT SO HOT....actually spending a million bucks (it's a recession people, be thrifty, spend wisely)

HOT in 2010....Robin Thicke, Sade, Jay-Z
NOT SO HOT....Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Christina Milian (she's cute though)

HOT in 2010....Some reality shows are still cool - Kardashians, Project Runway, The Biggest Loser, Intervention
NOT SO HOT....For the Love of Ray J (I mean, please??!!), Girls Next Door (Played out), Jon & Kate plus 8 (SMH)

HOT in 2010....Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, Brothers and Sisters, Sportscenter, Entourage
NOT SO HOT....ER, Lost (I know everyone's gonna kill me for this, sorry I don't get it- they should be found by now), The Price is Right

HOT in 2010....(Insert your own word)
NOT SO HOT....the word "Swag"

HOT in 2010....The New York Yankees
NOT SO HOT....The New York Giants

HOT in 2010....Being a Lover, not a fighter:-)
NOT SO HOT....War, being selfish and self-centered, being petty

HOT in 2010....Being a singer who actually SINGS during your concert, ie. Beyonce, Alicia Keys
NOT SO HOT....Lip sync'ing, ie Britney Spears, sorry to say -Janet Jackson

HOT in 2010....Actually saying goodbye to someone, ie "Goodbye"...pretty simple I think
NOT SO HOT....Saying "Audi 5000" or "Holla at 'cha boy/girl"

HOT in 2010....Pedicures
NOT SO HOT....Pedicures where they put long acrylics on your toenail so it hangs over your shoe....ewwww!!!

HOT in 2010....Cooking at home (and if you don't know how to cook, then learning how to cook....it's much healthier)
NOT SO HOT....Eating fast food every day....those extra 10-15lbs will creep up on you before you know it!!!

HOT in 2010....Having a FIERCE shoe-game!
NOT SO HOT....Wearing Crocs! I'm sorry, I never really got this trend....

HOT in 2010....Blackberry Phones
NOT SO HOT....Cell phones where you have to punch 3 times to get a C or and I, lol!

HOT in 2010...NFL
NOT SO HOT...NHL (Has it ever been hot? They do have some hot players though:-)

HOT in 2010....Women being women (be a lady, take care of your man:-); men being men (chivalrous, responsible)
NOT SO HOT....Lying, cheating, playing games

HOT in 2010....Living life and enjoying it to the FULLEST!!!
NOT SO HOT....Complaining and whining all the time, but doing nothing to change your circumstance! Make changes happen!! Happiness in is a choice!!

Again, these are just my opinions and I'm sure not everyone will agree but I just thought I'd share. Feel free to say what you think is or isn't hot in 2010!

PS.** I'm about to be a part of a new TV show that will begin filming here in LA on Monday. I'm not sure yet whether I'm at liberty to talk about it in detail yet so I'll hold off for now. Suffice to say it is really interesting and a great opportunity for me and I am super excited. I hope and pray that all will go well. As with all things, you will only get out of something, what you put in and so I intend to give my all and do my very best. I look forward to sharing more with you all as soon as I am able.

THAT LEMONADE TASTES GOOD!!!

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity!" ~ Gilda Radner


2009 has turned out to be one of the most intriguing years of my life. If I would have tried to predict the course that it would have taken, I would have been SO wrong! If someone would have told me that I would partially tear and then completely tear my Achilles, that I would have had surgery, that I would not have competed in a single outdoor long jump competition, that I would not have competed in my 10th World Championships, that I would've experienced personal emotional ups and downs, that I would have joined Facebook lol or that I would/could go 8 months without working out at all and still maintain my 6 pack:-), I would have laughed at them over and over again and called them insane!

The fact is, not only have I gone through all that stuff, but I am probably happier than I have been in a long, long time. Sometimes it takes a huge upheaval or change in your life's plan for things to become clear. Our plans are not always His and sometimes without our understanding, we see the blessing that it truly is in the end. My injury forced me to slow down, literally and figuratively. To "smell the roses". To see what else life has to offer aside from track and field and long jumping and rest and lifting weights and traveling. For the past decade and a half, that's ALL I've known! Crazy, when you think about it.

I've become more social, I started playing the piano/keyboard again and I've joined the Women's choir at my church. I've met new people that have nothing to do with track in particular or sports in general. I've spent time with my friends and seen my parents a lot. I've been to dinner and the movies and bowling. I've been to every other comedy club in LA and laughed my head off. I've been to parties and the beach and I've had the time to develop some meaningful relationships.

I've become a Health & Wellness coach. Because of that, my nutrition, which I thought I knew a lot about, has improved significantly and I have to say is the sole reason that I attribute my current physique to. Who knew that you could be as lean and toned as you are from training 3-4 hrs a day just by following a particular nutrition program?? I certainly didn't but I'm so glad that I know now and I love sharing that with people. In that vein, I now co-run a Wellness program at an architectural firm in Santa Monica, with others to come and just got my proposal approved to run a similar program at my church where there is truly a great need.

I went to the Robin Thicke concert last night on a last minute whim and it was OK because I didn't have practice early this morning and so I could come home whenever. Ooooh that concert was fantastic! Love that guy:-) Yes, I've been inconvenienced by my injury and who knows whether my track career is officially over or whether I will be able to go out next year as I had planned, competing and enjoying my beloved sport and officially retiring at the end of 2010. I sure am gonna try but you know what this year has helped me to realize? That I will be OK either way. I've given my all to track and field and so in that regard, I have absolutely no regrets.

Life has a funny way of showing who's in charge and handing out those lemons. But I've made the heck outta some lemonade this year and I am REALLY looking forward to 2010. I know that bigger, better, even more satisfying and fulfilling experiences await me. New opportunities, new adventures, new goals. I'm excited to wake up every day because it just feels more and more like this puzzle that I call life is slowly being pieced together. And I am living and loving every moment of it!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!