Random Thoughts Thursday

RIP Corey Haim. So tragic about his death! As a kid, I didn't have a huge crush on him, but I did think he was cute...especially that dimple. *sigh* Sad...

Another Death. But this is the death of one of my all time favorite TV shows: Ugly Betty. Only 5 more episodes left. I keep hoping that another station would pick UB up, but it doesn't look like it's happening. No more Betty? No more Wilhemina? I loved all the characters. And I loved the fact that the cast was diverse - lots of people of color. Not happy about this. I am happy America Ferrera will be in a movie (Our Family Wedding), tho. I'm definitely going to watch it...maybe this weekend. Lucky her, she gets to have cutie pie, Lance Gross, as her love interest!

50/50 Challenge. Clearly I haven't been doing a good job on my 50/50 challenge. This would be week 26 or 27, I think. Soooo, I'm starting over. Yep, all over. My motivation? My Gramps. He was rushed to the hospital last week...had a mild heart attack. He's doing well now, it's just that the scare was a wake-up call. Plus, I'm having problems with my high blood pressure again (constant headaches, swollen ankles, etc). Gotta take better care of my health. So, I guess my blogland peeps, along with my fam, will be my accountability partners; keep me on my feet.

Tickle-Me Tuesday

As a teacher, I LOVE videos like this...especially about reading.

Man-ificent Monday: Taimak

I had the HUGEST crush on Taimak!! The Last Dragon happens to be one of my fave movies...in spite of the fact that I look at it now and realize how cheesy it was. I love that movie. Taimak was gorgeous in The Last Dragon and he's just as gorgeous now, at almost 46...still in shape, too. Look at that smile...those dimples! Be still my beating heart!!!

Word(s) to Describe: Enticing!

Inspirational Sunday

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

Rae's Thought: This verse teaches us three things:

• No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. Tempted? You're not alone. When we're going through something - whether it's a temptation or hardship - it's easy for us to pity ourselves and feel that we're alone in our struggles. We're not. Men and women have struggled since the days of the Garden of Eden, when Satan tempted Eve. Even today, men, women, and children are constantly having to deal with temptation. We can take comfort in the fact that our own Savior, Jesus Christ, had to struggle with temptation. Though He didn't fall, He still knows what we're going through.


• And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Did you know what, as a child of god, you have the power, through Him, to resist any temptation that comes your way - just as Jesus did? No temptation you encounter will be more than you can bear. God knows what you can and cannot bear. If you can't handle it, He wouldn't allow it. Whenever temptation comes your way, remember you are stronger...not the temptation. You have power because Jesus has power.


• But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out that you can stand up under it. The Bible doesn't say, if. It says when, meaning you will be tempted. If you haven't struggled with temptation yet, keep living. You'll get to it some time in your life. Maybe even several times. Temptation is a given. Sounds depressing? It is if you're not a child of God, but for those who love the Lord...well, we've got good news. There is ALWAYS a way out. Always. You may say, "But, when I was tempted, I didn't see a way out. The temptation was to strong, so I gave in." First of all, see point #2. NO temptation will be too strong for you, no matter what it seems like. Second of all, did you care to look for a way out? Look for it. It's there. The question isn't is there really a way out; it's are you gonna take the way out or will you give in - not because you're not strong enough, but because you choose to?

Random Thoughts Thursday

So about 2 years ago, I came up with a list of things I wanted to do before I turned 35 (Rae's List). Clearly, I'll be 35 next year (Yikes!!!) and haven't really crossed much off the list. Sooo, I'm updating my list and making it a list of things to do before I turn 40...which - not that I really wanna think about turning 40 - but will happen in 6 years (Yikes!!!). This gives me 6 years to concentrate on crossing things off my list. I think the fun comes with trying to do each thing. Of course, I'd love to get married and have a child before I'm 40, but that's not my call. That's all on God. BUT, I'm putting it on my list. I'll update every few months and blog about my progress. For most of the things on my list, it's not that I'm afraid to do it or don't have the time. It's that I don't have the funds to do it. I'm not worried though. Let's see how much I can cross off in 6 years, 6 months, and 24 days. Ready? Set? GO!

Updated List:

• Become Dr. Rae Weakly, EdD
• Get counseling license
• Sky dive
• Para sail
• Jet ski
• Swim w/dolphins
• Bungee jump
• Cliff dive
• Stay in a hotel (or beach house) on the beach
• Stay in a resort
• Stay in an expensive hotel for at least one night without worrying about price
• Learn Spanish - be able to hold conversation with native speakers & my sister
• Learn a 3rd language (Portuguese, Italian, French, or Japanese)
• Learn to play acoustic guitar
• Shake hands w/a celebrity
• Become a published author
• Fall in love
• Get married
• Have a child
• Travel to other countries/cities/states - Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Brazil, Holy Land, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, Italy, Spain, Japan, Cuba, Columbia, Tahiti, Philippines, Virginia, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Phoenix, Jamaica
• Become owner of THRIVING business, AYM Enrichment Center
• Learn to belly dance
• Learn to Salsa
• Take Hip Hop class
• Get a professional makeover
• Go to a spa
• Get 3rd tattoo
• Ride a motorcycle
• Take kickboxing class
• Fly first class
• Have at least one of my novels optioned for film
• Wear shorts in public *NOTE* When I wrote this 2 years ago, I hadn't worn shorts in 12 years cos I was self-conscious about my legs. Still kinda self conscious, but I have worn shorts since I added this to the list. Yay me!
• Wear a daring (yet tasteful) dress
• Start research on what makes other countries' educational system work & what America can do to catch up
• Comfortably wear a swimsuit without cover (no shirt over it...no beach pants to cover my legs, etc)
• Participate in a walkathon
• Run a mile
• Go white-water rafting
• Learn how to ski
• Try a fruity alcoholic drink: Had a margarita...pretty good!
• Sing at a karaoke bar
• Learn sign language
• Become debt free
• Buy first house
• Buy my Escalade EXT
• Approach an attractive guy (if only for conversation. Even @ 33, I clam up around cute guys)
• Attend a Superbowl game
• Go to an awards show
• Get nose pierced
• Climb the Statue of Liberty
• Eat @ an expensive restaurant: Did this for my birthday, thanks to my friend!
• Set up a foundation for kids
• Become a motivational speak/mentor for young girls/teen girls
• Play basketball without dying
• Buy my parents their dream house
• Spend a whole day doing absolutely nothing (take a me-day): Had my 1st "me-day" early last year...have had several since then.
• Donate a substantial amount of $ for a worthy cause
• Learn how to play piano
• Plan a camp for girls and/or creative kids
• Experience Las Vegas (or Atlantic City) gambling once
• Research both sides of my family. We have a whole side of French and Native American (my great great grandparents on both sides) ancestors that I know nothing about. I also want to research our ancestors who were slaves.
• Read the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation
• Lose @ least 50 pounds and work to stay @ ideal weight (ideal in MY mind...not society's)

Tickle-Me Tuesday

Man-ificent Monday: Paul Walker

The first thing I notice about Paul Walker is his gorgeous eyes. They're so...hypnotizing! You've seen Paul in The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Into the Blue, Flags of Our Fathers, and Fast & Furious.

Word(s) to Describe: HOT!