In Loving Memory of...

Sunday, August 25, 2001. I'm at church, just finishing up the Sunday school lesson with my 1st graders. I hear a knock at the door. Mama's standing outside the room. "Did you hear?" She asks. I shake my head. "Hear what?" Then, she drops the bomb. "The singer, Aaliyah, died in a plane crash." I'll never forget that day. It literally hurt inside. No, not Aaliyah. It's got to be a mistake. And yet, it wasn't. Later that day, I sat, glued to the TV while reporters confirmed what my mom had already told me. Aaliyah, one of my all time favorite performers, was gone.

Aaliyah's death is one of the few celeb deaths that really affected me. I didn't go throught anything major (depression...stuff like that), but I did cry. I did feel that her death has left a void in music. Beautiful (inside and out), talented, gorgeous voice...Aaliyah was awesome. I'd always anticipated her videos to see her latest dance moves. Her music seriously had me jammin. *sigh*

It's been 7 years since her death and I still miss her. I wonder what things would be like if she were still alive? She would've been 29 this year. I know we'd still be enjoying more number hits and watching her blossom as an actress. But, alas, it wasn't meant to be. It was time for her to go home. I'm thankful God allowed her to share her music with the world. There will never be another Aaliyah (I love Ciara, but never understood why people compared her to Aaliyah...2 totally different artists).

Over the last few years (2000 - 2008), we've lost a few good ones...people who made an impact, be it big or small, in the entertainment business. Have you lost loved ones during this time. I've posted pics and names of a few of them. I'm sure I've missed others...you can add to the list. Enjoy my Aaliyah selections while browsing.

Anti-Saggiing Laws

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that the sagging pants trend is not cute...at least to me it isn't. What's so "hot" about a male walking in public with his underwear showing?

Boxers, tighty whities, drawers - whatever you call it - were meant to be worn under the clothes...invisible to the public. Clearly, that's why they're called underwear. Sagging pants don't work for the infamous (and steroetypical) plumber, and it doesn't work for anyone else - regardless of race and gender. Especially since it originated in the prisons...sagging pants was a way to show homosexuality.

Now, with that being said, I will also admit that I'm against the anti-sagging laws. Cities all across the country are working to make this trend against the law. What? I agree it's sloppy and sometimes disrespectful (I mean, come on, you're in a public place with your pants around your knees), but, against the law? The fines, I get - I seriously do not like the sagging pants trend - but did you know in some cities, offenders could get up to 6 months in jail? 6 months in jail?!?! It really isn't that serious.

In my opinion, if these law makers are going to dictate what we wear (and, that is kind of what they're doing), then don't just target one group of people. What about the women who wear skirts and dresses so short that their underwear shows? Or the celebs who wear revealing dresses? Or, how about people who wear clothes so tight, you can see the outline of their private area? Ooh, I have an idea, why don't we make it against the law to wear all black (unless at a funeral) because it's downright depressing for others to look at (hope you didn't miss my sarcasm here).

Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasure: something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it (Wikipedia).

The other day, while enjoying an episode of Suite Life of Zack and Cody, I got to thinking about things that I enjoy a little more than I really should...my guilty pleasures. Truthfully, I don't feel guilty for enjoying these things (well, except for one - more on that later). My attitude is: "Yeah, I like it. So what!" Or in Spanish, it's "Y que" (And what). It's just that people may look at me funny for liking this stuff (again, I say, "y que"). So, here's my list:

1. Disney Channel: I'm seriously addicted to Disney. You can always find me enjoying Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Suite Life, etc. And let's not even talk about the fact that I know most of the words to the theme songs.

2. I Kissed a Girl: This song by Kate Perry, is seriously addictive. Although I'm not into the girl-on-girl thing, I find myself singing along. The track is hot, what can I say?

3. Jonas Brothers/Miley Cyrus: My taste in music varies. It just depends on what I'm in the mood for. Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Latin, Country...the list goes on. Added to my playlist is Burnin' Up by Jonas Brothers and 7 Things by Miley Cyrus. I don't go screaming like a crazed fanatic when I see or hear them (which would be oddly disturbing since I'm 32 and they're, like, 15-21). I just like their music.

4. Erotic Novels: So, this is the one that I sometimes feel guilty for liking. I mean, I'm a "good girl" and a "good girl" shouldn't be reading that kind of filth, right? *rolls eyes* Whatever. While erotic novels are not my fave type of books to read, I do enjoy reading them...as long as they're tasteful (there are some raunchy ones out there). I love Zane's novels.

5. Phone Games: I'm totally addicted to playing the games on my phone. I play when I wake up and before I go to bed...not to mention the bagillion (I know - not a word) of times I play in between. It's sort of calming for me - just like coloring. Playing my games soothe me. Don't ask why.

6. Fragrances: You may wonder how can fragrances be a guilty pleasure. Believe me, when you're as obsessed with it as I am, it becomes one of those pleasures. I'm not one who has just one fragrance. Nope. My perfume matches my mood. I can seriously do some damage to my finances if I go shopping for perfume. And if I come across a man who smells good, my nose is automatically drawn to him. I remember a time when I had to keep myself from laying my head on the shoulder of a man sitting next to me in church. I couldn't even concentrates because he smelled sooooo good (and looked good too).

7. Books: Why a guilty pleasure? I'm obsessed with books. I LOVE to read. Seriously, I could spend a whole day reading and finish 5+ books before I go to bed. Wanna know something crazy? I have more than 50 books on my shelf that I've yet to read. Some of them I bought last summer, but ended up putting them on the back burner because I checked other books out at the library and read the library books first. And I still have a "must read" list waiting for me.

8. Tinkerbell: Yeah, so I know I'm a little too old to be into Tinkerbell. I have pens & bags...was just eyeing cute Tinkerbell checks, too (if I had a checking account, I'd already have the checks).

9. Stationary: Another obsession. I can't go through the school supply section at stores without getting the urge to buy spiral notebooks, pens, crayons, markers, mechanical pencils, or pencil bags. Even now, I have a box of unused spirals (decorative) that I refuse to give away. And the fam knows to stay away from Rae's pens and pencils. Sometimes, I get a pen/pencil that matches my spiral. Did I mention that I'm slightly OCD? Good thing I'm not the only one obsessed with stationary. My dad, mom, and sis are too.

10. Bags: Yep, you guessed it - yet another obsession. Just like stationary. Backpacks, messenger bags, bags with wheels, totes. If the design attracts me, I want it.

Sadly, there are more, but I don't want to overwhelm y'all. Maybe another post. Do I sound crazy? Maybe. Do I care. Not really. So, what are your guilty pleasures?

Mexico: July 22nd - July 29th

Hi. I'm Rae from Barbados...at least that's who I was when we visited Morelia (another beautiful Mexican city).

They believed me. I even had the "Rihanna" accent down. The weird thing is they think my sis and I (especially my sis) look like Rihanna. I think it's because we're all black with light eyes. Clearly we look nothing like her (not that we're not beautiful...cause we are).

I went to my first Lucha Libre, which is kinda like wrestling. If you've seen Nacho Libre with Jack Black, then you know what I'm talking about. I had more fun than I thought I'd have. The funny thing was seeing how free everyone was with cheering. I mean, even the kids were into it - a few even flicked the wrestlers off with parents sitting next to them. One wrestler, La Sombra, looked mighty nice - pretty brown skin, nice, muscular body (not too muscular), firm butt...the only thing is he had on a mask. We couldn't see his face. *sigh* Alas, I'll always wonder if his face looks as good as the rest of him. Anyway, here are pics:

So, the Saturday before I left, we went to Taxco (yet another beautiful Mexican city).

This place is known for selling real silver for cheap (I love silver). They have vendors all down the streets, selling things like jewelry, clothes, sunglasses, etc. It's very tight - with people bumping into each other...the vendor booths were very close to each other. Guess what happened to me! I was robbed! Isn't that awesome (not really, but, whatever). Get this, the woman who robbed me was old...I'm talking bent over and wrinkles...like someone's sweet abuelita. I had on a small backpack that she'd managed to slit a hole in. My sis caught her with her hand in my bag. The good thing is, she didn't get away with anything important. She only got my brush and camera bag - without my camera - and my headphones. It's quite comical, really.

So, I'd say my trip to Mexico was a success. I had fun and got much needed rest. I even know where I'd buy a place for vacation. It's located in a beautiful condo complex...a 3-bedroom condo for only $500 (American dollars) a month. My sis and I might go half on a condo and lease to family and friends interested in vacationing in Mexico. Can you say, investment? Everyone loved their souvenirs, especially my mom. We bought her a beautiful eagle statue for her birthday (7/31).

So, there you have it. My 5 week vacation to the beautiful country of Mexico. I'm definitely going back - next time I'll be speaking more espanol. My next big trip? Puerto Rico...Spring Break '09 (March 14th - March 21st). I so cannot wait!