He's my true blue. My partner in crime. My confidant. My crayola crayon brown twin.
My little brother is so unassuming. He's the most kind, compassionate person I've ever met. He's a DJ, producer and future billionaire. And I'm blessed enough to have the honor of being able to call him my friend.
When my Dad showed me this picture of me and him I just had to have it. It's a perfect illustration of our relationship. I'm silly and loopy, never posing seriously for a pic. He's strong, oftentimes showing more common sense than I've ever had. I know for a fact that he's always got my back and I am humbled by that reassurance.
I promised my readers I would pour out my heart in my blogs and well... he IS my heart.
Came across this video on WorldStarHipHop.com and could not stop laughinggg! When you grow up in the church like I did, you realize that those choir singers don't only sing about Jesus; they sing about ALL things that give them joy! Lol.
Bah-dah-dah-dah-dah... I'm lovin it!
[[there is DEFINITELY some truth in that sweet tea though! whew! i almost broke out!]]
Ok soooo... next to my Momma there's only one other woman who has influenced me to be the best woman that I can possibly be. That's obviously my godmomma-in-my-head, Oprah Winfrey. The woman is amazinggggg; from her talk show to all of her many humanitarian efforts. If i can grow to be even half of the woman she is I know that I will surely changed the world. I'm inspired by her intelligence, her grace and her willingness to question things that other people see as the norm.
That said, I peeped the trailer for her next season on the Black Eyed Peas' Dipdive and have decided to share it with you, my readers, my loves... <333
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children... to leave the world a better place... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
I'm always looking for what's new and uplifting in our community. Recently, I came across a movie trailer on YouTube.com that was so inspiring. The Providence Effect documents Providence St. Mel, a predominately African American charter school in Chicago where 100% of the graduates have been accepted to college. The film has received numerous honors prior to its release. It will be released in selected public venues in September and I encourage everyone to go peep it when it comes out!
I peeped this video on GrindStar.tv and remembered how much my brother was feelin this beat. I've never really liked the song like that, but the video is very artistic; dark, but colorful. Besides, Drake's wordplay is always crazyyyy!
So this one is dedicated to my little-big brother....
I received an email in response to BLOG 8 and was given permission to share. Here goes...
Hi Nadia,
I'm really enjoying your blog. Your writing and ideas are awesome. I wanted to respond to your "My name is Nadia. And yes, I'm single." blog. I thought it was very positive and uplifting, but also a little unrealistic. You're twenty three and happy with the single life. But do you think you will feel the same five years from now? I don't. I'm 28 and sometimes worried about being alone forever. I'm not unhappy, just lonely sometimes. I think your blog failed to address the fact that we all get lonely sometimes; even YOU :) So what are your thoughts? You're speaking in the present tense, but what are your goals relationship wise for five to ten years from now?
Keep me updated, Emily
My Response:
I actually wasn't thinking much in the future tense when writing that blog. I suppose it's easier for me to say the things that I'm saying while I feel like I have so much life ahead of me. I do see myself in a very committed, long term relationship at some point, preferably before I'm thirty. So, I do see where you're coming from.
But I also hope that if that doesn't happen,[[Lord, pleeeeease let it happen! Lol.]] I'm not wallowing in my singledom. I think society has made singleness seem like a disease, when in fact it is very much a gift. Being able to say that I enjoy quality time with me is a gift that I haven't always had. I'm alone sometimes, but I'm never ever lonely. [[it's a spiritual thang]] That's the difference between what I was saying and how you interpreted it. I'm so happy with me that I'm able to enjoy other people in a real way. That feeling has no age.
Thanks for reading! Keep sending me your comments, suggestions and questions at nadia@shakesomething.com ... all love <3
I'm starting law school this week. And, to say the least, I'm terrified. [Lol] This is probably the hugest challenge that I've decidely taken on in my little 23 years of life. I don't know what I'm afraid of. I know that I'm more than capable of succeeding. So, today, I am making a public declaration of my God-given power. I know that I am prepared for this task and I will take it on with all that I have. Today may very well be the beginning of the rest of my life.
I found a quote in the September issue of O Magazine that spoke so clearly to my new endeavor. [[I know, I know. I may be young, but Oprah is the truth! Lol.]] This is the quote. It motivated me and perhaps it will motivate you, my readers, my loves...<333
"The magnitude and reach of your power is up to you. You must be prepared. You must commit the time, energy and effort required to achieve. Be persistent. The passion you exhibit for your ideas and ideals will further enhance your power. All of this requires COURAGE: the courage of your convictions, the courage to get started, the courage to keep going." -Shirley Ann Jackson
So many people texted me during the premiere episode of MTV’s Daddy’s Girls on Tuesday to tell me that I act like Angela Simmons. After watching the first two episodes online last night, I’ve decided to take it as a compliment. Angela is a little loopy and goofy, but all of her hijinx have so much love behind them. A well intentioned free spirit… ME? I’ll take it.
Other than that, I LOVE what the Simmons girls are doing and I’m glad that the network picked them up for a second season. They’re good girls doing big things, a welcomed change from drunken Real Worlders and the ridiculousness of The Hills. I intend to watch and I hope you do too. New episodes air every Tuesday at 10pm on MTV.
For those of you who didn’t watch, here’s Season 2’s premiere episode…
My friend told me I should write something about men.I’m not exactly sure what she was expecting me to write.I’m a reasonably single woman [lol.] and, well, I have no problem with men.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard girls complaining and whining about men…. about how they’re no good or how they never say or do the right thing or how they always get caught cheating, etc.But those same girls who I listen to complain are always with a man.And more often than not, they’re with the same man they’re always whining about!My question is, if men are so bad, why are you always with one???!
It is easy to drift from relationship to relationship hoping that the next man will be different.But the more difficult task to take on, especially since we as women are so prone to nurture and thrive in meaningful relationships, is to be content enough in your own skin to be alone.
I know you’ve heard it and read it a billion times before.I’m not going to go on and on about finding your joy and crap.BUT how about you embrace singledom and have a little fun?
I don’t whine and complain about men because I don’t give them the opportunity to act up.Why waste the time? I date. I have fun. [[pimp,pimp....hoorayyy!lol.]]But at the end of the day, I know that I haven’t met the man who will sufficiently compliment my most fabulous qualities.I also know that I can’t just keep someone around who has a few of the qualities that I hope to find in a man, expecting him to magically change.That concept is not only nonsense, it is settling for less.
Ultimately, men only get away with what your limited expectations allow them to.And, when you get to a higher plane of thinking, that thing that says: “Yea. He’s grimy, but he never deserved me.”, you’ll realize that there’s something to be said for loving and respecting what God made.
My name is Nadia. Yes, I’m single…. and I’m enjoying every bit of it!!!
*Sigh* This song has made me smile for months, and now the video is finally being released. This is the smoothest breakup song I've ever heard. [[Next to my boo Maxwell's "Pretty Wings", of course.]] It's not a "I'm-gona-get-you-for-doing-me-wrong." It's more of a "thank-you-for-the-good-times." For that, Mr. Houston gets much respect.
Peep it. Love it. Share it.... "Sunset" by Marques Houston
Nia Long is the latest celebrity to lend her name to PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. I, personally, am for the ethical treatment of all things living. I've also never been a fur-wearing kinda girl. [[However, I do love a good leather jacket/shoe combo. Don't judge me. Lol.]]
Anyway, here's Ms. Long... being all political, and fab, and naked and stuff...
PS... Is that supposed to be a NY subway? If so, the coloring is all wrong. [[Lol. Leave it to me to critique the background.]]
Apparently, Fabolous shouted me out in one of the tracks on his latest album, Loso's Way. I've never been a huge fan of what they call "real hip hop" [[LOL!]] so I've only really heard whatever they play of his on the radio. But since he's shoutin' me out, I'm going to shout him out! His album was released on July 28th and is IN STORES NOW!
"That's why I'm with Nadia. I call my gun Nadia. When she say hi to ya, Ba-ba-bye to ya..." -Fabolous, song entitled "Imma Do It"
Soooo I came across a crazy fly photo of Kanye West, Rihanna and Jay-Z on Necole Bitchie from the set of their video for Jay-Z's latest single "Run This Town"...
I love the song [[even though NY radio is playin it wayyy too much]] and I'm excited to see the finished product. Until then, Enjoy!
My first love was [[and still is]] the most simple, and perhaps the one who will always have my heart.His name is Freeport.And though I’ve had many loves since him, he’s the one who was easiest to fall for… didn’t even feel like falling at all.I was no more than a babe when I met Freeport and we’ve parted ways quite a few times since I’ve met him, but his familiarity always seems to pull me back in.They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and [[oohhh baby! ]], whoever “they” are….. they aint neva lied!
After Freeport came Pittsburgh.We had a sort of love/hate thing going on.I loved to hate him! He was sweet to me at first… always reminding me of how intelligent and beautiful I am, encouraging me to grow.Unfortunately for him, I grew right up and out of love with him.It was one thing for him to push me to be better. I appreciated that.It was a completely different thing for him to try to make me into the person he wanted me to be.Your twenties are all about finding who you are on your terms.Pittsburgh wasn’t having that.And I wasn’t about to sacrifice me for someone who wasn’t worthy.He had to go, as did the twenty pounds I gained while I was with him.
London embraced my newest wobbly bits [[Yes honey! I was wobbling!]], and supported me as I worked hard to pop, lock and drop the remnants of a relationship gone wrong.He was a little older than Pittsburgh and a lot more sophisticated.I can’t say that I took to him right away.He had a strange accent and looked at things completely differently than I did.I can say that upon meeting him, I was immediately intrigued.I was curious about his thoughts and opinions, even when I felt that they were completely wrong.He was new and exciting, a breath of fresh air.We clicked.
This is the part when I’m supposed to say that things went sour and London turned out to be a terrible guy.That was not the case at all.London was there for me when I needed him, built me back up and let me go when it was time.We had a mutual respect for each other that extended beyond the boundaries of a romantic relationship. London reached deep down into my soul[[mm hmmm…]]and allowed me to re-connect with me.
Almost immediately after London and I called it quits, it seemed as though Harlem was screaming for my attention.He wooed me with his suave sophistication, then schooled me to the game with his street smarts.[[He was wayyy more hood than me!]] I was captivated by his larger than life demeanor and found familiarity in his New York swag.With his confidence and my new lease on life, I was sure we would be a perfect fit.
But Harlem was a grimy-little-two-faced-mofo!!! [[Excuse me yall! But this man pissed me off!]] I gave him my love, my energy, my money and (most importantly) my time.All he gave me was stress, anger and disappointment.His love of all things street, which I was blindly in love with at first, became my hugest burden.They say opposites attract, but in this case opposites collided and caused a five car pile- up! I’m just going to end this by saying… LESSON LEARNED.
Now, I’m single.
I sometimes feel like I’m just floating in the air waiting on my next adventure.I do have a new crush.His name is Brooklyn. [[And, as you well know, he goes hard! Lol.]] We’ve been on a few dates and I’m really feelin his unique style.He’s cultured and well spoken.He listens to Jay-Z, but he’s not so deep that I can’t slip in a Maroon Five CD here and there.He possesses a lot of the qualities that I see and like in myself.Perhaps he will be my new conquest.Or, better yet, maybe he’ll be my final one… the one who shows me forever.Whatever the case, I’ll keep you guys updated. My readers, my loves.
Maxwell will be gracing the cover of the September issue of GIANT Magazine. The "Pretty Wings" singer is enjoying the success of his comeback album, A BlackSummer's Night, and [[good lawdddd!!!]] he's looking great while he does it! [[whew!]] I don't know the last time I actually purchased a magazine, but this one may be worth it.
You can peep this issue on stands in September, but until then... :-)
"i love being corny. it's bought my entire family homes and allows me to put smiles on millions of faces. corny don't stop til the casket drop!" -Nick Cannon (on responding to Eminem's vulgar nonsense)
[[this quote speaks to uhhh... EVERYTHING i am, and everything i hope to be. lol.]]
Chris Rock is releasing a new comedy this fall. I'm so excited about it! I mean really, what is "good hair"? Lol. Thanks to Mr. Rock, I think we're about to find out. Here's the trailer...
There are probably a million other things that contribute to who I am, and who I will be.However, on the surface, to the utmost and deep in my soul, I am a Black woman.
I’ve read quite a few articles since President Obama was elected in November 2008 that claim we live in a “post-racial” America.To that I say, post-racial to who?!
There are some things that certain groups of people in the United States will never understand.I have always secretly hoped that every single person that I come in contact with from day-to-day sees me as I see myself. I mean, I see me as beautiful, funny and intelligent[[Just to name a few. Lol.]].In short, I see myself as a good, well rounded human being.Of course, upon meeting me one wouldn’t be able to ascertain all of that.But I guess I just hoped that people would be open-minded enough to give that a chance.My experiences in the United States over the last twenty-three years have led me to believe that my “good person-ness” is secondary to my race.
I am, above all else, a Black person.I’m supposed to know things about Hip-Hop music and culture.I’m supposed to answer questions about the texture and maintenance of my hair. I’m supposed to be sensitive to the fact that Becky from Oklahoma has only encountered African Americans through her television screen and, until the Obama family entered the public eye, had a very narrow view of who I might be.[[I mean, reeeeeally… Name one Black person you know who can HONESTLY say they’ve never ever been in the same room with a white person! Now try that same statistic the other way around!]]
I am educated, driven and empowered and that is more often the rule among Black Americans than it is the exception. One wouldn’t know that by looking at certain entertainment networks or the evening news.You’re more likely to see a scantily clad Black woman [[backin’ it up and dumpin it… back back back backin it up & dumpin it LOL]] in a music video next to some overly accessorized rapper than you are to see a well dressed Black woman doing investigative reporting on your evening news.It’s not that Black investigative reporters don’t exist.It’s that they don’t fit the national norm.
It is the challenge, but also the exquisiteness of being Black in America… It’s what makes us angry at times and also what has made us so unbelievably strong as a people. History was made when President Barack Obama was sworn into office on January 20th of this year, but it was not erased. Four hundred years of slavery and oppression are not wounds that will close over night.It’s going to take more than five decades to heal that hurt.And, our white counterparts should be sensitive to that fact.
Post-racial America does not now, nor will it ever exist in my lifetime.And although I feel very passionate about this fact being true, I’m also genuinely encouraged that my children, or my children’s children will prove me wrong.
slave scarred from beating.
photo courtesy of www.nines.org
slaves in the field.
photo courtesy of www.derrickswindow.blogspot.com
king family attends Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s funeral.
photo courtesy of www.michigandaily.com
black power salute. 1968 Olympics.
photo courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk
our First Family abroad.
photo courtesy of nydailynews.com
He's my true blue.
