Random Thoughts Thursday

Of course, I've decided to join yet another challenge. This time, the 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge. There's something about a challenge that makes me wanna do it. And I love reading, so I figured, why not? So, I'm joining in. Interested? Visit Kay Cassidy's Blog.

I, being the nerd I am, have more than 10 books on my list, but whatever. Some of these books are in my TBR pile, some haven't even come out yet. BUT all will get read.

• Forgive My Fins: Tera Lynn Childs
• Heist Society: Ally Carter
• Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover: Ally Carter
• Only the Good Spy Young: Ally Carter
• Cindy Ella: Robin Palmer
• Geek Charming: Robin Palmer
• Dork Diaries: Rachel Renee Russell (not sure if this is MG or YA, but I'm including it)
• Perfect Shot: Debbie Rigaud
• Sea Change: Aimee Friedman
• Need: Carrie Jones
• Captivate: Carrie Jones
• Evermore: Alyson Noel
• Wish: Alexandra Bullen
• As You Wish: Jackson Pearce
• Crescendo: Becca Fitzpatrick
• Eyes Like Stars: Lisa Mantchev
• Princess For Hire: Lindsey Leavitt
• The Lonely Hearts Club: Elizabeth Eulberg
• The Cinderella Society: Kay Cassidy
• The Reckoning: Kelley Armstrong
• Hearts at Stake: Alyxandra Harvey

And the list goes on. Some of these books I do plan to review. Happy Reading! P.S. I'm seriously looking for more MG/YA books for teens of color! I need more.

On another note, I'm not understanding why, after the Liar (which I'm reading now) book cover controversy, why would the publisher do it again? They drew fire for "whitewashing" another cover. The character in the Jaclyn Dolamore's, Magic Under Glass, is described as dark-skinned, while the model on the book cover is nowhere near. They've decided to cease supplying copies because the jacket design has caused offense. Ya think? Guess they didn't learn from the Liar controversy. Sometimes, things like this make me wanna self-publish, where I'll have total control over my jacket design. Either that, or fight for change in publishing...or maybe both. IDK. I'm disappointed that children/teens of color are being left out when it comes to books, whether it's jacket design or books period. This only makes me even more determined to write and publish books for these kids, so they can read about characters that look like them from authors that look like them.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Man-ificent Monday: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Facts: Born in California in 1972; Father is Black Canadian and mother is of Samoan heritage; He played football at the University of Miami; Became a professional wrestler in the WWF (following in his grandfather's footsteps); The Rock's famous saying, "Can you smeelllll what The Rock is cooking!" I know this because my little 2nd graders were saying this EVERY DAY when I first taught. Started acting in 2001's The Mummy Returns and hasn't looked back since.

Claim 2 Fame: Professional Wrestler in WWF/WWE; The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King, The Rundown, Walking Tall, Be Cool, Gridiron Gang, The Game Plan, Get Smart, Race to Witch Mountain, Planet 51, Tooth Fairy, which will be released this Friday...count me in!

Word to Describe: Gorgeous!

Change of Plans

Due to the response to my "Miscellaneous Monday: Cutie Pie" post, I've decided to change things around a bit. I'm separating my book review and cutie pies posts. Cutie pies will start the week off and book reviews will end it. Here's my new blog schedule:

• Inspirational Sunday: Every Sunday
• Magnificent Monday: Every Monday
• Tickle-Me Tuesday: Every Tuesday
• Writing Wednesday: Every Wednesday
• Random Thoughts Thursday: Every Thursday
• Fitness Friday: Last Friday of the month
• Book Review Saturday: Every other Saturday (I couldn't come up with a catchy name for my book review Saturdays).

Sounds like alot, I know. Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays may be the harder days 'cause I'm acutally writing something. The other days won't be so difficult. So, anyway, with that being said, my Magnificent Monday post will soon follow!

Random Thoughts Thursday

HAITI. Wow! My heart and prayers go out to the survivors and anyone else affected by Tuesday's earthquake. I can't even imagine. The country was already poverty ridden and now this. It warms my heart when I see people coming together to help. Unfortunately, I'm not financially able to help, but I am spiritually able. I'm glad I serve a God who answers prayers and comforts His people in times of trouble.

RUSH LIMBAUGH/PAT ROBERTSON. I get upset every time I think about what these two have said about the Haiti crisis. I mean, really, Mr. Robertson? I wonder if he said America deserved it when 9/11 happened. I mean, this country, as a whole, is slowly trying to erase God and the name of Jesus out of daily life. We as a country are straying far from God and His principles. Does that mean we deserved 9/11? My problem with this is more the judgemental tone that underlines it. We as Christians are not called to judge others. We're not called to point fingers at people who may not believe like we do. We are called to be the salt of the earth...to show the world God's goodness and love. We are called to be compassionate...not judgemental.

And Rush Limbaugh...smh. Barack Obama is the President of the United States. Get over it! Why he continues to hate on the pres is beyond me. Why would Obama use Haiti's crisis to increase his approval rating among "light-skinned and dark-skinned blacks"? He already had an overwhelmingly amount of blacks, light or dark, who approved of him. What sense does that statement make, Mr. Limbaugh? None! I wonder if he said President Bush used the tsunami of Indonesia to increase his approval rating of Asian Americans.

UGLY BETTY. Wasn't last night's episode just sad and happy at the same time? I loved it. And I absolutely LOVE Hilda and Bobby's relationship. I hope Adam Rodriguez gets to stay on Ugly Betty for a long time.

NEW BUSINESS. So, I found that business ownership runs deep in my siblings and my veins on both sides of the family. My mom's grandparents owned several businesses before she was born. My dad's mom owned a nightclub that started off as a small idea. My parents are business owners, too. No wonder my brother, sister, and I are working to realize our dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. It's like we had to!

So, I'm turning my passion to profits. One of my passions is children and teens. I believe they are the reason God put me on this earth. I've already mentioned AYM Enrichment, my sister and my enrichment venture, of which we're working to get our own building. Another passion is writing, which explains why I'm an aspiring author of children and teen books. Yet another passion of mine is baking. I LOVE to bake. It's actually a stress reliever for me. Put me in the kitchen to bake cookies, cakes, and pies, and my worries go away. Enter GaGa's Goodies, my sister and my other business venture. GaGa was the name my mom and her siblings gave my great grandmother, who died 7 months before I was born. I share my love of baking (and my middle name) with her. Although I've never met her, I feel closest to her when I'm in the kitchen. It was the GaGa's angel that saved me when I was a baby...a story for another time. I decided on GaGa's Goodies because most of the recipes we have come from our grandmothers (GaGa, my mom's mother, and my dad's mother). I'm excited about this. I'm excited about my new career choices!

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Man-ificent Monday: Laz Alonso

Laz Alonso

About: Born to a 1st generation Cuban immigrant couple in Washington D.C. Graduated from Howard University School of Business; worked on Wall Street before acting (smart and gorgeous...wow!

Occupation: Actor

Movies: Avatar, Fast and the Furious 4, Miracle at St. Anna, This Christmas, and Stomp the Yard to name a few.

Word to Describe: Guapísimo!