When I was a teacher, we taught the scholars (our students) a mantra.  “No Excuses” was ingrained in them. We expected them to operate by it at all times.  They weren’t allowed to make excuses for not doing their homework, being absent repeatedly, running in the hallways or talking out of turn, among other things….

The Weakest Link  was a show in the US from 2001-2003 (the UK version originated in 2000 and ended in 2012).  The format consisted of nine contestants answering questions in the hopes of earning money for each correct answer.  Yet, at the end of each round, the player that answered a question incorrectly and failed to…

I love Thanksgiving.  Besides my birthday, which is also in November, it’s my favorite thing to celebrate. Why, you ask? Well there’s the time I get to spend with my family.  My brother moved to North Carolina almost two years ago and he has a house, yes a whole house to himself.  He has a living room,…

“There are a lot of cliches and adages about every relationship and event in our lives somehow enriching us and making us stronger, better, smarter, you name it.  But to perfectly honest, I’ve had a lot of experiences, and memories, in my life that I could have done very well without.  Most of them had…

My third grade teacher was one of my favorite teachers.  Oddly enough, she was also one of the most strict.  She used to yell at us a lot.  Her favorite thing to yell was “MYOB!” She would tell us to “Mind Your Own Business” whenever she caught us being ‘nosy.’  If a student got in trouble…

When you live in a city like this, you learn quickly that you may need to take on a side hustle to survive.  A full-time job is often not enough to make ends meet. The other day I was on the train and this Asian girl came on selling calendars that she illustrated herself.  She…

I was born in Southern Florida.  But my family moved to Upstate NY when I was seven (and I am still not used to the winter).  We would go back and visit family at least once a year. I remember one time, we drove (yes, drove) to Miami.  While at a rest stop, I saw a truck…

I’m a bookworm.  I literally looked like one when I was younger too – thick, black glasses and all.   I love to read.  I could spend all day with a good book. I grew up watching Reading Rainbow (and sang the theme like it was a hit R&B song).  It fostered my love for reading.  I also…

I’m a worrywart.  I’ll admit it.  To quote the learned scholar, Juvenile, I “get it from my mama.” My mom is the Haitian Chicken Little.  She acted like the sky was falling most of the time.  She was quite melodramatic (no wonder where I get it from).  Even the smallest things led to major productions.  If she…

Is it just me or do guys “holla” at you when you look your bummiest, or most casual (ie., after the gym/dance class)?!  I swear on laundry day you’d think I was dressed for a red carpet event with the attention I get.  Then on the days that I actually put forth some effort…crickets! I…

Whoever says that prejudice doesn’t exist needs to spend a day in my shoes.  I like to believe that I carry myself in a respectable manner.  I think I look smart, especially in my glasses, and am fairly harmless (when I’m not hangry, or have a case of RBF). But for some reason, that still doesn’t keep…

  They say your hair is your crowning glory.  That didn’t resonate with me until I went natural.  My hair also didn’t get much attention until then as well. I went natural after feeling the burn of the relaxer (and the scabs that followed) one too many times.  I had braided my hair one summer,…