Women and Girl's Conference in D.C.

Today is March 10. It is National Women HIV/AIDS Day. Washington's Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated hosted a Women and Girl's Conference at the Catholic University of America. It has been a good conference so far. Shawn Yancy was the guest speaker. There are seminars on teen dating violence, HOME, finance, effective communications, estate planning, bullying, and personal branding.

I was honored to escort my sister in law Kai Bear to this conference. She never heard of Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is kinda cool. So, I got to tell her a brief overview of the women's organization.

It is a sea of pink and green. But, I was excited to see a HU alum in the building from the School of Communications. It was detailed, on time, and organized. PLUS! Best part of the conference is the cute pink bags given to the participants.

Press Towards the Mark

       Wow. I received word via my brother that Whitney Houston died. It was one of those situations that I expected but not now. I am shocked and at loss of words, because my children do not know the sound of one of the greatest voices of this generation. It is only february and so far, Don Cornelius and Whitney Houston has died. Both are deaths that not only ROCKED the black American community, but the greater American community.
      This is a sad, extremely sad day. My thoughts and prayers go to the Cornelius and Houston families.

The sad thing is there have been many deaths in my personal family. I pray that I become more serious about how I spend my life. I want to ensure that I value my worship and time. I am worth more that a government check or a pension check. I'm worth more than a selfish man or woman monopolizing my time. The best thing for me to pursue my time and effort is pursuing Jesus Christ. I need to read more. My new theme song is "Press towards the mark." When I don't feel like kneeling to pray. I will press towards the mark. Thank you Lord that I have knees to kneel before you and a bed in a home to thank you for. When I am in a rush to pray, because I'm late into getting in the car. I will press towards the mark, because the Lord blessed me with a car and a job to be in a rush to go to. I want my attention span to go outside of tangible items.
        I went to GIANT (supermarket) and I was so happy to have a lil' pocket change to get all the food that I wanted. I was thanking God for all the money I have. Went to the cashier and a man with special needs was bagging my groceries. I never thought to thank God daily for my mind. So, I remind you all that you have no control over many things. But, Thank God in heaven that HE sent HIS Son Jesus Christ for you and me. I can't believe that HE loved me that much.

Life Is Just A Minute

Life is just a minute—only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon you—can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it—didn't choose it.
But it's up to you to use it.
You must suffer if you lose it.
Give an account if you abuse it.
Just a tiny, little minute,
But eternity is in it!

By Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, Past President of Morehouse College
Listen to this message by Pastor Hawkins, Super Bowl Sermon




http://www.highcalling.org/scmedia.php?type=mediaplayer&loc=www.highcalling.org/media/media/mediaplayer.php&id=201202050202134AF863

"Press Towards the Mark" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L81FapMFUo8

Are you an Undergraduate Student looking for a summer experience?

As we head into February, many undergraduate students are looking for a job, internship, or worthwhile experience. Columbia University has a free summer program for minority (I honestly hate that word to lump up everyone who is not an Anglo Saxon Christian Male) students interested in Public Health.

According to the website: 

"THE SUMMER PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOLARS PROGRAM (SPHSP)

The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students to increase interest and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers. SPHSP is a partnership between Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University School of Nursing and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Together they represent the broad spectrum of public health practice. SPHSP grant funding was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of the Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE).

The program is designed for undergraduates in their sophomore or junior year, and recent baccalaureate degree students, who are undecided about their career goals and who have a minimal GPA of 2.5. The program includes Public Health course work at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders, and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students exposure to the breadth and importance of public health as a career option.

Program Offering Include:

SPHSP is a ten week summer program that begins May 28, 2012 and ends August 3, 2012. Program offering include:

• Orientation: One week Orientation at Columbia University Medical Center. During this orientation, scholars will be introduced to their mentors, their field placement sites and the field of public health. During the second week, students will participate in a one week Orientation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention IN Atlanta, GA.
• GRE Preparation Course: Students will participate in a GRE Preparation course provided by Kaplan
• Field Experience/Mentoring: Scholars will be paired with health professional mentors of various health disciplines in a public health setting. Each of the selected students will be interviewed by the Program Coordinator to determine the most appropriate placement. Students will work under the guidance and supervision of their mentors, 3 days a week for eight weeks, gaining direct exposure to the practice of public health.
• Field Trips: Scholars will have the opportunity to go on supervised field trips once a week to various communities throughout the New York City metropolitan area to observe public health interventions and programs in operation.
• Academic Enrichment: Scholars will attend 3 lectured base courses one day a week for eight weeks. The courses are: 1) Introduction to Public Health, 2) Introduction to Epidemiology and 3) Health Disparities and Cultural Competence. The courses will be facilitated by Columbia University Medical Center faculty from all four health science schools. Scholars will work in small groups with their Teaching Assistants to discuss practical application of class work. Students will work on current health problem or issues using “real” case studies. Lectures will be held at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.
• Stipend: Stipend will be provided to all program participants.
• Travel: Each scholar will be provided with round trip travel.
• Housing: Housing will be provided to all students.

Program Eligibility

• Students who will have completed at least two years of college at the beginning of the program
• Recent college graduates (after April 2011) who have not been accepted into a graduate program
• Program Students with an Associate degree must provide proof of acceptance into a four-year institution
• African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, and economically-disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5

Application Guidelines

To apply for admission into SPHSP, please complete the application by no later than Tuesday, February 14, 2012."

God speed and good luck! 
I have included the weblink below. 
http://www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/programs/about_sphsp.html

My Fellow Beautiful Naturals

After shaving my hair in 2008, I realized that I never knew how beautiful I was. I'm not pompous. I don't spend hours in the mirror. I walked around with my head held high, even when I did not feel attractive. My mom always called me her beautiful brown baby. But, I never felt that inner feeling of contentment with my physical being. I knew that my body was boom bam plow! lol. Just kidding. But, I never looked at my face and hair and said "Gorgeous you are from the beginning of this world and gorgeous you will be to the ends of this earth."

Guilty Pleasure

We all have our guilty pleasures. I, like most people, like to conceal that one thing that embarrass us. For me, that guilty pleasure is "Love and hip-hop." I really hate to like this show so much. I don't like it enough to buy cable to watch it. But,  I like it just enough to sneak to watch it after dinner.  Am I the only person with guilty pleasures?

We all have them. Some pleasures come and go with the seasons of life. Others may seem to haunt us through many facets of our life experiences. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a guilty pleasure. But, I am also not fearful of letting it go. I know those girls on that show are not examples of the "Virtuous Woman" found in Proverbs. But, I, J'aime, enjoy looking at craziness to make me feel a little saner at the end of a long stressful day. I don't to pay for it, but  I enjoy looking at it. 

For My Fellow Students...

Education is a great predictor of future income. Many wish to continue their education past high school. But, it is a daunting experience, especially for first time students. So, here are some quick tips: 

1. Take ALL classes seriously. Getting an A in a stupid class is still getting an A. If you get a C in a stupid class, that you acknowledge is STUPID, then how does that make you look? HMMMM....

Grades are the great distinguisher! Believe me. I've seen students take remedial classes to achieve a 4.0 GPA and receive more scholarships than honors students with a 3.0. I am not encouraging you not to challenge yourself. I am challenging you to choose classes carefully. Plan according to the school you wish to attend. 

2 Once in school, look up special programs. Ronald McNair is an EXCELLENT program, especially at the University of Maryland. Graduate school applications cost an arm, leg, and toes. McNair program gives students graduate school application waivers and fellowships (which you do not have to pay back CHI-CHING)

3. Volunteer in academic offices: If you have a good personality or decent work ethic, volunteer at your school with a teacher that has either attended or taught at the school that you wish to attend. This may not be ideal in some situations  (i.e. out of state). However, some students wish to attend a school that is a town over. Volunteer once a month. People are less likely to reject people that they know. 

SIDEBAR: People who know you will reject you. I previously stated that they are less likely to reject you. 

4. Do not FACEBOOK Stalk people. I cannot explain this enough. If you are scared not to make friends prior to college, FB is not the way. They track you. Use Twitter. That way you see where they are hanging out. And, you can search what people have to say! People tell all of their business on social media: I got this award or this scholarship. Google it, then apply for the same award the following year. BINGO!

5. If you attend a state funded school, chances are your delegate, senator, city council, mayor, governor, Congressman, and state legislature all have scholarships. Call around, email people. Don't pester them. But, don't take no for an answer. They receive taxes to do their job. You are a citizen and have a right to receive help to fund your education. 

*Maryland: go to mdelect.net to find your delegate/state senators all give scholarships and you can apply for all of them $500-$1500 per year

6. Do Research: research helps you become closer to professors and looks great on scholarship and graduate applications. 

7. Don't limit yourself to government loans. Look at international, national, state, local, and private scholarships. There is money for every one. Even at my church there is a scholarship. But, most students don't ask. 

I am providing these tips in the hopes that you will use them to your advantage. 

Just the Two of Us

Sometimes i forget how quickly time goes by ...John and I have known each other since 2004 and married since 2006.

What makes being married to john so much fun is the actual FUN. I hate being sad. I just dont see the point.

We have fun at the supermarket.

We have fun at KJ's house! We have fun making fun of KJ and CJ!

We used to travel more. But some blue and white cellular company *cough* takes up our weekends. They really need a better company culture. I see why there is such a low retention rate.

We even complain about ppl together and enjoy it.

For many years, I was more into John than he was into me. Then God turned the ties. Then he was more into me than I was into him. I like the latter better.

Now, we are more into our children, then into the childish games of who likes who more.

So, if you see us making funny faces, it's because we are working on US!

I graduated with my family by my side. This is truly my favorite picture (even though my hair was JACKED). Jalise was the baby I wanted and Jordan was the baby that John wanted. I am pro-life, because I was told to abort my children, because they didnt fit into the plan that my family and friends had for me. I won't pretend like I didn't consider it, because I couldn't imagine how they'd fit into my plan. Those two are the BIGGEST blessings that I could have ever had.

Thanks Poogie for helping me pay for school! Also, being there for the many SCLC events! Un-official SCLC member. Love you.

God bless you for working. Lawd knows I can't stand a man that doesn't work. I enjoy laughing at your Nigerian/Jamaican/British accents that make no sense at all!

Happy New Years Babes!

Remember ya'll a good marriage=blesses a community.
A bad marriage=problems
a marriage without Christ is no marriage at all!