Okay, maybe titling this post “Funemployment” would have been taking it too far. Having survived a year of unemployment, I have learned that once you have surmounted the depression that La Donna discussed, it is possible to maintain a social life as well. Being unemployed does not simply mean surviving, you are allowed to LIVE. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered from living the unemployed life:

Stretching those dollars:

• Saving aggressively is a good habit to start even if you are employed. It will certainly help you prepare just in case… (I won’t even say the words.)
• Temporary income, i.e. unemployment, gigs, selling things, tax returns are funds that can help tie you over and extend your unemployed survival. Note: I’m not too good for contests and prizes.
• Recession special- Businesses are feeling the pain too. Many are offering ridiculous sales to simply keep the business alive. Make a vow to not pay full price for anything, as was suggested in a previous post.

Support system:

• Pride aside-As La Donna mentioned, friends and family love and want to support you. If they offer help, accept it. If you don’t want to feel indebted, you can repay them when you get back on your feet. It would be worse if you needed help and had no one to help you.
• Unemployeds unite!-Talk to other people in the same situation. Knowing you’re not alone helps, and you all can swap tips of what’s keeping you through the trying time.
• Networking- Surround yourself with people who are in industries you would like to be in. They can offer valuable information and may be helpful from the inside. (I recently realized that all of my previous jobs except one came through referrals from employees of the company.)

Now can I say FUNemployment?

• FREE fun- With Barnes and Noble, Borders and amazon.com practically synonymous with “books,” so many of us have forgotten about the trusty old library that was our good friend back in elementary school. Our long lost friend is still there with a plethora of books AND movies.
• TheUnemployedTourist.com is an odd but interesting site that highlights free activities around NYC.
• Pursue your passions- You new found free time grants you the opportunity to take up that hobby that you’ve been putting off. Nothing is more fulfilling that doing what you love, and it could lead to a lucrative career.

Lady D

Her Journey Magazine released the Spring 2009 issue “Love is in the Air” just in time for Valentine’s Day.

What you’ll find inside:

Take a trip across the country hot date spots recommended (page 14) and get ready for your special night with the Get Cute Quick tips (page 22).

If you haven’t accumulated enough frequent flier miles to visit your significant other, a dose of the love doctor, The Fly Guy, might help your long distance relationship (page 10).

Attention single ladies: survivor of abusive relationships turned relationship expert and empowerment specialist, Sil Lai Abrams prepares you for your next relationship with her words of wisdom (page 18).

End the adventure with a visit to Cleveland, Ohio in Rep Yo’ City (page 24).

ENJOY!

While I was completing my college applications, my mother, being the overachiever that she is, added a mandatory reading assignment to my course load. That was when I was introduced to Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Disgruntled, of course, I read the book because disobedience was not even an option.. (Skimming wasn’t an option either because my supermom usually required reports on these extra assignments.) I was immediately intrigued by Dr. Ben Carson’s story started with a mother very similar to my own. By the end of the book, I was so genuinely inspired that it became the topic and motivation for a number of my college application essays.

Although it has been a while since I’ve read the book, I vividly remember the inspiration I felt and highly recommend it. Though I think the book would be a rich and rewarding experience, thanks to the magic of cinematography, The Ben Carson Story has been made into a movie that will air on TNT on Saturday, February 7, 2009 and 8:00 PM EST. With a cast including Oscar-winning Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kimberly Elise, this reenactment of this powerful story has certainly piqued my interest and think you will enjoy it as well.

Here are a few brief synopses to fill you in on the story:

Carson’s mother was the center of his early life. Through her strength, determination, and intelligence, and despite little education and a struggle with mental illness, she was able to instill a strong work ethic within her son and taught him to set high expectations for himself. At each level of his academic career, Carson started as an average or below-average performer. But after much hard work, he always eventually moved up through the ranks to emerge at the top.

Read more of the BrainConnection.com Review

Carson’s autobiography is the inspiring story of an inner-city kid with poor grades and little motivation, who, at age thirty-three became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Dr. Carson serves as a role model for young people in need of encouragement to attempt the seemingly impossible and succeed.

(Read more of review from the Prince George’s Community College)

I would love to hear what you all think if you get a chance to catch the movie.

As this year comes to a close, we thought it necessary to highlight some of the big moments that 2008 brought:

1. Of course this post wouldn’t even be possible without the launch of SASSY. It is such a great idea and has definitely satisfied a need for us twenty-somethings. The Quarter Life Crisis, SASSY 101, Stop Stressing, Spice it Up, What Am I Going to do With My Life, Motivate Me, The SASSY Lady and Poverty Blog Action Day Post, and SASSY Self Care are among my favorite posts. Domestic Violence & Tyler Perry and CNN’s Black in America have certainly gotten the conversation started.

2. Sex and the City, The Dark Knight and Iron Man made a big splash in the box office.

3. Michael Phelps made a big splash and Usain Bolt left his footprint at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

4. A hstory making election that drew record breaking numbers of voters…And of course the victory of President-Elect Barack that ignited a flame of hope around the world!

5. Kanye…enough said.

6. The loss of some greats: Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes and Eartha Kitt

7. Can we say RECESSION?

What were you favorite posts (from any blog), movies, events, personal moments? Let’s celebrate 2008 by remembering the great things that happened this year. Let’s get excited about 2009. The possibilities are endless!

]]> http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/30/2008-in-a-nutshell/feed/ 1 http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/15/12-books-of-a-sassy-christmas/ http://sassywomenonline.com/blog/2008/12/15/12-books-of-a-sassy-christmas/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:17:22 +0000 Lady D http://www.sassywomenonline.com/blog/?p=144

In search of a book for our next book club reading, I couldn’t resist the urge to do the obvious: search “SASSY.” Much to my surprise, there were just too many appealing titles to choose from: books about everything from food to friendship and all that is sassy. I’ve composed a list to satisfy many of your sassy needs, my gift to you. Some may even make good Christmas gifts for your fellow twenty-somethings.

Advice

1.          Speaking Our Minds, Sage Advice From Sassy Women (Little Books (Andrews & McMeel) (Hardcover) by Andrews McMeel Publishing

2.           

Get On with It!: How to Be Sassy, Successful and Single by Sue Ostler

3.           

Sassy, Single,&Satisfied – Secrets to Loving the Life You’re Living by Michelle McKinney Hammond; (also by Hammond:The Sassy Girl’s Checklist for Living, Loving, and Overcoming, A Sassy Girl’s Guide to Loving God: Discovering the Ultimate Relationship)

4.            Sexy, Sassy, Singularly Happy : the savvy girl’s guide to enjoying the single life by Marivi Soliven Blanco

5.           

A Sassy Little Guide to Getting Over Him by Sandra Ann Miller and Michiko Stehrenberger

6.            30 Days to Finding and Keeping Sassy Sidekicks and BFFs: A Friendship Field Guide by Clea Hantman

Fiction

7.           

Sassy Sistahood Series: Made of Honor by Marilynn Griffith; If The Shoe Fits and Happily Even After

8.            Wild and Sassy by Cia Leah

According to the Amazon.com Product Description:

U.S. Marshall Clint Brandon vows to avenge the murder of his friend, Chuck McKenna.  What he doesn-t count on is falling in love with Chuck-s daughter, Sassy, at first glance.  Together, they stand side by side, fighting a ruthless man hell bent on taking Sassy and her ranch.

9.            SASSY by Valerie A. Howard

According to the Amazon.com Product Description:

Cecilia Richards is single, saved and sassy as her nickname implies. She is also an unapologetic know-it-all. Sassy has no problem pointing out the imperfections in others’ lives, including her best friend, Amber, who is involved in an illicit relationship with a married man, and her neighbor, Jayna, who has a deep, dark secret from her past. Sassy’s pristine world begins to crumble when her man, Darnell, finds fame and fortune more alluring, she falls out with both of her girlfriends, and her career as a top marketing executive is compromised. Can “Miss Perfect” get it together before she loses it all?

Cooking

10.        Sassy Sips & Nibbles by Emma Roberts

11.        

The Sassy Spoon: Fun With Food by Jennifer Colla

12.        

Going Wild in the Kitchen: The Fresh & Sassy Tastes of Vegetarian Cooking by Leslie Cerier

Has anyone read any of these books? If so, do tell.

Wowed by a quality cast: my all time favorite celebrity, Alicia Keys, Grammy Award winning Queen Latifah, Academy Award winning Jennifer Hudson and the childhood wonder Dakota Fanning, I was initially very excited by the trailers for The Secret Life of Bees. After all the anticipation, I couldn’t help but leave the theater slightly disappointed. I enjoyed the movie but was left wanting more. At several points in the movie my questions were left unanswered. But the story piqued my interest, and I had to explore it further in the book that the movie was based on.

Sue Monk Kidd constructs a story set in South Carolina in 1964 during the Civil Rights Movement at the height of racial tension. The contrast between blacks and whites is as pronounced as the text against the pages. Several other themes run throughout the text as well: father daughter relationships, motherly love, romantic love, forbidden love, women and religion.

Kidd develops and distinguishes each of the character’s complex stories: Lily Owens, whose story is more complicated than any average 14-year-old should have to deal with; and each of the Boatright sisters with their unique traits: August Boatright with the familiar wisdom of a mother, the tough charade of June Boatright and the burdened innocence of May Boatright.

Lily and her nanny Rosaleen run away from their troubles in their hometown and what they find in the pink house of the beekeeping Boatright sisters is where the story unfolds. The strength of this novel is the beautiful language that sets the scenes of this Southern home. The text is saturated with the sights, smells and sounds of Southern country that put you right in the story. The details strengthen the story, even the truth with which she paints the depths of pain that the characters suffer. Kidd combines the familiar and unfamiliar: portraying southern details that others can appreciate but introduces unique details that build a fantastical aspect of this story. Kidd presents the intricacies of bees in a way that could put one with apiphobia at ease.

Now that I have satisfied that yearn to read the novel, I’ve realized that the movie introduced us to this beautiful story but it is in the book that we are allowed to fully explore the depths of its beauty. Thankfully, the movie relayed the story without distorting it with creative liberations.

While reading the text, one question persisted: what made Sue Monk Kidd write this story that goes so deeply into the lives of these African American women? The book offers an interview with Kidd that gives insight to her motivation for the novel. The summer of 1964 stood out for her and changed her life. Even at her young age at the time she was aware of the racial injustices and this novel is her personal protest. Her memories of bees in her own home stemmed the theme that ran throughout the text. Even though she is content with Lily’s story as is, Kidd is toying with the idea of a much requested sequel.

To get this discussion started, here are a few discussion questions from the book along with a few of my own:

How do you think the movie compared to the novel?

The Boatright sisters, particularly August, and the Daughters of Mary remind me of women many of us have grown up with in church or in our families? Did they remind you of anyone specific in your life?

How do you feel about what happened to May?

How do you imagine Zach and Lily’s relationship if they had explored a romantic relationship?

How do you imagine Lily’s story continuing a few years down the line?

-Lady D

Presenting the Book Club book for October:

For those who have seen Russell Simmons in action, you cannot deny that he just is who he is at all times. Catching glimpses of him on Run’s House and seeing him firsthand at a book signing at Emory University, what I most appreciate is that Russell Simmons simply says what he thinks, with no apologies. From his casual demeanor one would not detect that he is a multimillion dollar mogul, as the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of Phat Farm, backbone of the hip hop pioneers Run DMC, among numerous other accomplishments, but his wisdom reveals a powerful and successful individual. What is even more admirable, Simmons is a selfless philanthropist, initiating tremendous efforts like Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Simmons is undoubtedly a hardworking man who is not often seen in the forefront of the celebrity limelight but is commonly acknowledged and always respected for his work that has propelled hip hop to what it is today.

Russell Simmons shares his wisdom from his years in the industry in his book Do you!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success, which opens with a foreword by Donald Trump expressing his utmost respect for Mr. Simmons. With no false promises to provide a quick and easy 12-step plan to guaranteed success and no attempt to impress readers with forced scholarly jargon, Simmons simply shares his knowledge in 12 laws:

• See your Vision and Stick With It
• Always Do You
• Get Your Mind Right
• Stop Frontin’ and Start Today
• Never Less Than Your Best
• Surround Yourself With the Right People
• There Are No Failures, Only Quitters
• Science of Success: Plant the Good Seeds
• You Can Never Get Before You Give
• Successful People Stay Open to Change
• Be Powerful, Be Heard
• Spit Truth to Power

He reiterates simple concepts that we have learned but neglected and draws attention to those that lay the foundation for a mentality for success. With a voice that has already gained tremendous respect in the hip hop community, Russell Simmons speaks directly to an audience who may not have otherwise been granted this information as plainly and clearly as Simmons presents it. He shares stories from his career, making references that our generation can certainly relate to. He shares his lessons learned with humility but shares his wisdom with bold messages. Be forewarned that there may be many times when you are inclined to put the book down and run out to pursue your dreams immediately.

Russell Simmons draws from various sources of inspiration, some of which may be foreign, but please do not let that deter you from the overall messages. Simply continuing reading and take from it what you will. You may not agree with it all but at the end you will be equipped with a mentality set for success. His passion is contagious, and his message is inspirational. Not only does he build the foundation of a success driven mindset but he also ignites the passion within you until it is ready to burst out of you to pursue your dream whatever it may be. This is certainly a book you can read time and time again to discover new lessons or rekindle sparks once felt.

Do You yall!

Back in March, Anairo visited the issue of the Quarter-Life Crisis.  Well here I am, 22 years old, trying at all costs to avoid or at least minimize the frustration of this rite of passage into adulthood. After graduating from undergrad in May 2007, I started a position that September.  By November, my company announced in they would be closing my center, I wasn’t in the least bit disappointed since I had already been planning my escape. I sat in the corporate meeting thinking, I’m going to book a flight to Trinidad, a trip I was wracking my brain to negotiate into my existing work schedule. Within those final weeks at work, I saved every drop of my paychecks and decided to dedicate my hiatus to exploring, solidifying trips to Trinidad, Seattle, and Atlanta.  Excuse the cliché, but I feel like I found myself. I can say that it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. In those nine months, I was even able to apply my passion for travel and produce a project that I’m proud to present as Her Journey, my baby, if you will.

During my break, a few things really clicked for me. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, proved themselves worthy to be shared:

Quiet time.

Sitting in silence every once in a while not only reduces the stress from the rigor of your everyday routines but it also grants you uninterrupted reflection. Being alone with your thoughts allows you to get in touch with your deepest, sincerest desires and aspirations, and once you have revealed them you are already one step closer to achieving them.

Write it down.

You’ve heard it time and time again. For one, writing helps you capture all those thoughts racing through your mind. It also reminds you of goals, helps you keep track of your progress and solidifies your commitment to those goals bringing you yet another step closer to accomplishing them.

Research.

If you’re passionate about something you will be hungry to learn everything you can about it. Knowledge combined with passion is a good foundation for success.

Just do it.

Whoever said “I am the master of my fate” knew what they were talking about. You are the master of your fate and you can create opportunities for yourself to do what it is that you love. Simply, do what you want to do.

Go hard.

Once you’ve identified your passions, solidified your goals, done your homework, and you’re in a position to do what you love, you won’t have a choice but to do it wholeheartedly. Your passion will probably propel you actions beyond your conscious efforts.

Please be clear that I do not claim to have it all figured out, but these concepts have helped me thus far, and I only hope that in sharing them they can be helpful to you too. It is my hope that you all will contribute your wisdom as well, and our combined efforts will increase our chances of beating the Quarter-Life Crisis!

-Lady D

Every college student and graduate, shoot, almost every person, can attest to their personal financial woes, particularly those during the college years. Well, Angela Nissel recorded hers and shares them in her blog-turned-book, The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke. Nissel recounts the all too familiar stories that many of us have our very own versions of, including the first check cashing encounter and a Greyhound horror story. Nissel should have received extra credit for her creative solutions as she dances with the fine line between creative and criminal solutions to financial woes: “The Top Ramen is 35 cents./I was sooooooo embarrassed. I only had 33 cents. I (please don’t laugh) put the money on the counter and quickly attempted to dash out the door with my chicken-flavored salt noodles” (19).”

It is difficult not to sympathize with Nissel during her tribulations.  Her humor sheds light on the situation, reminding us all that everyone goes through those times at some point in life. Nissel writes with the sick humor that many college students acquire to survive the collegiate years, and the way she creatively conveys the range of side effects that come with financial hardship make this such an enjoyable read.  My faves include:

Sadness that can lead to temporary depression:

This is my own personal Great Depression” (82).

Anger:

“Today was…one of those days you get mad at homeless people for assuming you have money to give them” (18).

Apathy:

“I found some really good books on job-hunting at the bookstore today./Too bad I can’t afford any of them until I get a job”(151).

Glimpses of hope:

“I’m becoming so used to my car breaking down that it’s routine. I don’t get sad when she breaks down, I just get happy when she starts” (122).

Desperation:

“Please-let-there-be-enough-for-one-serving-of-grits-please-let-there-be-enough-for-one-serving-of-grits. I chant this in my head like a sacred mantra./I open the tube top and peer in./A grit stares back at me…I have never seen a solitary grit in my life” (21).

Rationalization:

“The universe knows the difference between good stealing and bad stealing” (163).

Pride:

“All of this is just making me a better hustler” (32).

Delusion:

“I am so broke today I am going to knock out my own tooth and hope the Tooth Fairy is down for adults”(103).

Joy that comes from the smallest but highly significant victories:

“I saw a sign today. The sign said ‘All Pants $2.’/The sign was hanging off of a rack of clothes outside of the local dry-cleaning place./Well, guess what—I finally got my pants out of the dry cleaner today! They were on the $2 rack! They would have cost me $9 to get out the regular way! Woohoo! I missed my pants” (23).

The good news is that Angela Nissel’sbroke days are now fictional. Not only a best-selling author of the Broke Diaries and Mixed: My Life in Black and White, Nissel also combines her degree in medical anthropology from University of Pennsylvania and writing humor as a co-executive producer of the medical sitcom Scrubs. You may also recognize her as the undercover dater from The Tyra Show.

I highly recommend this book to any college student who needs a break from the textbooks. The Broke Diaries is an easy and entertaining read, sure to make you laugh out loud and lighten the stress of your financial load, even if just for a moment.

~ Lady D.

Habana Outpost first opened its doors in 2005 in Manhattan (which I have not been to yet) but I have had the pleasure of enjoying the experience at the newer homely location in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. They proudly describe their cuisine as “Latin food with unique Cuban and Central Mexican accents.” However if you want to categorize it, their food is tasty and full of flavor. Word on the street is that you must try the “World Famous corn.” Just like the food, the staff and overall vibe is full of flavor. Reopening the season on May 3^rd with a block party, Habana Outpost maintains an ongoing fiesta throughout the summer with events that add to the already fun outdoor courtyard environment.

This place is more than just about food and fun. They have a strong mission that is evident all throughout the restaurant. New York’s first “eco-eatery” goes to great lengths to conserve and recycle in any way they can: with solar panels, biodegradable and compostable place settings, tables made from recyclable aluminum and recycled plastic. Not only would you be conserving the planet’s resources, but you may also learn a few things from the fun facts posted throughout the restaurant. You’ll never guess what the cups are made from (you can find the answer on your next cup of lemonade). You’ll find even more fun eco-facts on their website:

• 75% of our trash can be recycled.
• 1 billion worth of trees is thrown away each year in the U.S.
• Each year our supermarket goes through 60,5000,000 paper bags.

They also support the local market, serving Brooklyn brewed beer, hosting local vendors and displaying local art throughout the restaurant.

The man behind this neighborhood friendly hangout stretches his helping hand well beyond his restaurants. Owner Sean Meenan is active in countless efforts including ETSY.com and Positively Green magazine. In an interview on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, he explained his approach of promoting his message without judgment or force. Thanks to him, Habana Outpost shares their afterschool special message in a fun and tasty way.

Note: I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t suggest you go across the street for a piece of Cake Man Raven’s red velvet cake for dessert.