Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I Am Important To ME!


There are people in this world who don’t know the negative affect they have on others. I’m not sure if it’s that they don’t know or they don’t care. To me, those are two very different things. To “not know” is innocent, forgivable. To “not care” is wicked and inexcusable.

There comes a time when people who are in the situation become fed up and are willing to lose the love of those around them just to not have to endure the pain that this person is causing. Is it worth it to be free in mind and spirit? YES, by all means. When you walk around and your heart and mind are heavy, it’s not good for you or anyone else. BUT, to be free – is wonderful! Think of all the time the person who is causing the pain is walking around free without a care in the world while, YOU on the other hand, have anger, sadness and frustration inside. Imagine what you are missing out on and the fun this person is having. While you are distraught, they don’t have a care in the world. Why should you continue to do this to yourself?

I mentioned “lose the love of those around them” early in this post. Now that is a sticky situation there. You won’t know you have lost anything until what is said is said OR when what is done is done. Is it worth it, I’m not sure – however, I’d rather be straight up and protect myself than to continue to protect someone else who might not need my help. Is that selfish? Maybe – but everyone needs to take time for themselves at one point. You can’t continue to live your life for someone else. When is it your time to be important? When are you going to say enough is enough – I am important to ME!

Hopefully you won’t lose that love of someone in the process of taking control of your own feelings. Hopefully that person will understand that your feelings are important and recognize that what you are doing is both for you and for them. If not, if they love you, they will get over it, after all, you were tired of taking an emotional beating for them. It’s time they stand on their own feet while you stand on yours. It will feel good to only worry about you and not be concerned with protecting them. Life is too short to be worried all the time, especially for things that MIGHT be or how someone MIGHT feel.

I am important to ME! Are YOU important to YOU?

Thanksgiving


During this time of the year, it’s easy to tell everyone who matters to you that you care and that you appreciate them, but what about the rest of the year? Shouldn’t we be willing to inform everyone how we feel regardless if the holidays are here or not?

Some people have a hard time around the holidays. People are lonely, depressed, unhappy, and broke. The list can go on and on. But we all have issues and not everyone knows what each of us is facing. We need to reach out to the people we still have in our lives as often as we can to alert those that we love, that we care about them and they have an effect on our lives. We are all are in tough times, economically and otherwise. None of us are promised tomorrow, so give thanks today and everyday ~ regardless of the day. Be happy and appreciative of the ones who are still in your lives and tell them how you feel. It will make your day brighter and theirs!

So, with that said, to all my family and friends out there who are reading this and to those who aren’t – I love you! Happy Thanksgiving and happy day to you all!

Tiki

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sorry, We Are Closed!


The most interesting of conversations have been occurring at the jobby-job lately. Today I had a talk with a co-worker who is having issues with a girl who is renting a room in her house. Apparently, the girl called her on her cell phone while she was at work to yell, scream and humiliate her. Even bringing up the relationship my co-worker has with her own daughter. Yes, it was out of line for her to go there, but is it right for my co-worker to put the girl (and her 14 yr old son) out of the house?

After hearing the girl had a son that old, I had to ask how old the girl was. She informed me that she is between 47 and 50 years old! WHAT?! (I guess with at that age, I should refer to her as lady or woman, to be politically correct. *side eye* - if she were a woman she wouldn’t be renting a room out of someone else’s house while having an almost grown son. I mean what kind of message is this “woman” showing her son?) Why doesn’t a lady of this age not have her own apartment? I just can’t understand this… She doesn’t have to have her own house, but at least she should be out on her own ESPECIALLY with a son of that age. I had to ask how many rooms the house was, I naturally assumed 4 like I’m sure you just did, NO – 3 which means that the Mom and Son share a room!? WTF?! She needs to be out anyway!

Holla at me!

Weekly Address from Pres-Elect

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Happy Holidays from the Obamas!

My Friend or Not my Friend ~ Is the Question...


I was asked the other day for my opinion on a subject that was affecting one of my coworkers. She asked, “Tiki, if you were really close friends with someone and you knew they were cheating on their spouse, would you continue to be friends with her?” Now, those of you close to me know that I will not continue to be friends with someone who adds chaos to my already busy life. I’m known for cutting off friendships with those who add drama instead of peace to my life. In this day and age, life is too short to continue this.

Matter of fact, the situation got worse the longer the conversation went on. My coworker also added that the friend uses her as a scapegoat while she goes and does her deed with her “manstress”. Apparently, the husband was once a slut and did things that a lot of men are known to do and started the relationship off in a not so great of ways, but has since turned his life around and has changed. I’m not sure if this was before the marriage or not, however, she did choose to marry (or continue to stay) him despite his past.

Sorry, I couldn’t continue this friendship and before ending it, I would let my feelings be known of the subject. I couldn’t continue being friends with someone who doesn’t respect me enough to leave me out of her already contaminated situation. AND to know that she is willing to put my name on the line to continue this bad relationship is enough to make me sick.

Am I wrong here? Of course, someone will say that this person is your friend and you should be friends no matter what – unconditional love. Sorry, but that love is or should be for family. Friends are on the outside of that “unconditional” part. Of course, I’m not above anyone and have done things that I’m not part of, but I do not think that I’ve brought others down with me in the process. My mistakes have been mine and mine alone. I’m sure I may have lost friends in the process for mistakes I’ve made and if so, I apologize for that. I’ve grown up since then and have learned from a lot of my mistakes.

Okay, so with all this said, now is the time to holla at me and let me and the world know what you think!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Obama and McCain - Together Again

The story below is from CNN -

President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain said Monday that Americans are looking for leaders who will come together and "change the bad habits of Washington." In a joint statement issued after their first meeting since the presidential election, the former rivals said they hoped to work together on challenges such as the financial crisis, creating a new energy economy and protecting the country's security.

"At this defining moment in history, we believe that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time," the statement said.

"It is in this spirit that we had a productive conversation today about the need to launch a new era of reform where we take on government waste and bitter partisanship in Washington in order to restore trust in government, and bring back prosperity and opportunity for every hardworking American family," they said.

Asked whether he would help Obama with his administration, McCain responded, "Obviously."

The meeting comes as Obama is trying to fill out his Cabinet with the most capable people and show he can reach across party lines.

They were joined Monday by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, and Obama's new chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

Obama last week met with two former rivals for the Democratic nomination -- Sen. Hillary Clinton and Gov. Bill Richardson -- about the secretary of state position in his administration, sources told CNN.

"I think it shows Barack Obama's a bigger man than most people in the sense that he's willing to take the person who gave him a real race for his money into his Cabinet," he said.

Republicans have praised the prospect of Clinton becoming secretary of state.

Henry Kissinger, who was secretary of state in the Nixon and Ford administrations, said Clinton would be an "outstanding" selection, Bloomberg News reported.

Forty-three percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday morning are very confident that Obama will make the right choices, with 34 percent somewhat confident and only 23 percent not confident.

"Obama is having the kind of honeymoon that no president-elect has had in at least 30 years," said CNN polling director Keating Holland. "It's no surprise that Americans have a positive view of anything Obama might do -- at least until he does something controversial."

Asked which appointment will matter the most to the country's future, 41 percent said the secretary of the treasury; 25 percent said secretary of state; 24 percent, secretary of defense; and 8 percent named the attorney general.

Peter Rouse, Obama's chief of staff in his Senate office, will serve as a senior adviser to the president.

Mona Sutphen will serve as a deputy chief of staff. Sutphen is a member of the transition team staff and has been managing director of Stonebridge International LLC, an international strategic consulting firm based in Washington.

Jim Messina was also named a deputy chief of staff. Messina is currently the director of personnel for the president-elect's transition team. He served as a national chief of staff for Obama's presidential campaign.

Also, a longtime friend of the Obamas, Valerie Jarrett, was officially named Saturday as a senior adviser to the incoming president. Obama, in a statement released Saturday morning by his transition staff, announced that Jarrett will serve as senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. Jarrett is currently co-chair of Obama's transition team and was senior adviser for his presidential campaign.

Holla at me!

Friday, November 14, 2008

William Ayers Discussing His Relationship w/Obama

Ayers was on Good Morning America discussing his relationship or non-relationship with Obama.


Holla!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Raped, 13 Year Old Girl, Stoned in Somalia


Human rights group Amnesty International says the victim was a 13-year-old girl who had been raped.

Initial reports had said she was a 23-year-old woman who had confessed to adultery before a Sharia court.

Numerous eye-witnesses say she was forced into a hole, buried up to her neck then pelted with stones until she died in front of more than 1,000 people... However, Amnesty said it had learned she was 13, and that her father had said she was raped by three men.

When the family tried to report the rape, the girl was accused of adultery and detained, Amnesty said.

Convicting a girl of 13 for adultery would be illegal under Islamic law.

According to Amnesty International, nurses were sent to check during the stoning whether the victim was still alive. They removed her from the ground and declared that she was, before she was replaced so the stoning could continue.

It was the first reported execution by stoning in the southern port city since Islamist insurgents captured it.

The BBC had a reporter in the area, but he was shot dead in Kismayo in June.

You know, we forget how blessed we are to live in America until we hear something as horrible as this. This girl had to endure such hideous things in her short life. I feel for her and her family.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Veteran’s Day


What does it mean to be a vet?

To have seen things that you may never forget

The lives lost, the lives given to be free

The picture above says it more plain than me

Those of us here share in the pain,

But the families of soldiers who have died will remain

In our hearts although they will never know

That the lives they gave allow my children to grow.


And so I say these words to you

May your thoughts on this day be true

Many have died for us today

Given their lives so that we may stay

Free to hope, to dream, to live another day

In our hearts, minds and thoughts you’ll stay!

The Obama's Visit the White House

I wonder how Bush feels having someone who is greatly loved by most of America coming in to visit his now house, while he himself whose approval rating has falling steeply for the passed couple of years is packing getting ready to exit. Who knows? He may be ready to be outta there. It has been a hectic 8 years for the man and for all of us.

Holla at me!

Friday, November 07, 2008

Obama's First Press Conference


Below is an excerpt from Obama first press conference. Holla at me and let me know what you think!

First of all, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provide relief to families that are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear.

A particularly urgent priority is a further extension of unemployment insurance benefits for workers who cannot find work in the increasingly weak economy.

A fiscal stimulus plan that will jump-start economic growth is long overdue. I've talked about it throughout this -- the last few months of the campaign. We should get it done.

Second, we have to address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on the other sectors of our economy: small businesses that are struggling to meet their payrolls and finance their holiday inventories; and state and municipal governments facing devastating budget cuts and tax increases.

We must also remember that the financial crisis is increasingly global and requires a global response.

The news coming out of the auto industry this week reminds us of the hardship it faces, hardship that goes far beyond individual auto companies to the countless suppliers, small businesses and communities throughout our nation who depend on a vibrant American auto industry.

The auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and a critical part of our attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

I would like to see the administration do everything it can to accelerate the retooling assistance that Congress has already enacted. In addition, I have made it a high priority for my transition team to work on additional policy options to help the auto industry adjust, weather the financial crisis, and succeed in producing fuel-efficient cars here in the United States of America.

And I was glad to be joined today by Governor Jennifer Granholm, who obviously has great knowledge and great interest on this issue.

I've asked my team to explore what we can do under current law and whether additional legislation will be needed for this purpose.

Third, we will review the implementation of this administration's financial program to ensure that the government's efforts are achieving their central goal of stabilizing financial markets while protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners, and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance.

It is absolutely critical that the Treasury work closely with the FDIC, HUD, and other government agencies to use the substantial authority that they already have to help families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.

Finally, as we monitor and address these immediate economic challenges, we will be moving forward in laying out a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy in the long term. We cannot afford to wait on moving forward on the key priorities that I identified during the campaign, including clean energy, health care, education, and tax relief for middle-class families.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

He Did It!


As I was watching the TV last night as the states on the map began to change blue, I couldn't believe what I was seeing! My neice and her friend came into the room screaming and yelling with happiness in their eyes! At the bottom of the screen, "Obama, the projected winner!" ("Projected" makes me a little nervous.) I couldn't get happy yet, because I wanted to wait until I heard McCain concede. I didn't want to celebrate to soon, but at the same time, I couldn't wait! Sure enough, McCain was giving his concession speech and I knew that the moment I've been waiting for, dreaming for~had arrived! Obama has won the presidency!

Since we were at my brother's house, I wanted to be home by the time Obama gave his speech. I knew it was going to be an emotional one for me to watch and it was. I couldn't believe it! I sat in silence and listened to every word he said. I listened with hope in my heart and tears in my eyes. This day has come and I was a part of it.

My Mom couldn't believe it! She was emotional as well. Her chin quivering, tears rolling down her face - all out of happiness. She never thought that she would see this day. She grew up in the time of picking cotton, working in a home where they rang a bell to get your attention instead of calling you by name. She's seen it all and NOW, she's seen this! She said that Obama has changed the world already. People who never thought they would vote were registering and waiting in line for HOURS. It was record-breaking - truly history in the making, from start to finish.

"What an inspiration. He is the first truly global U.S. president the world has ever had," said Pracha Kanjananont, a 29-year-old Thai sitting at a Starbuck's in Bangkok. "He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name. He is a truly global president."

In case you missed Obama's speech last night, you can watch it here:


President Elect and the First Lady - sharing a moment:

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Obama - If He Loses, Will He Run Again in 2012?

After all the information that I have read about Obama, the one thing that I haven't heard is if he would run again in 2012 if he doesn't win the presidency this year. Has anyone heard the answer to that? I'm not sure that he will. Would he want to go through this long agonizing ordeal that he and his family have gone through in these last two years all over again? Would you? I don't believe that McCain/Palin would either. I'm not sure I would if given the opportunity.

My Mom and I were talking about this subject last night and she said that even if he didn't win today, he has still won - in her heart and in the hearts of millions of Americans. Well said Mom!

Obama's Last Rally in Virginia 11/3/2008



VOTE then holla at me!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Where They Stand: Obama vs. McCain


There are still some people out there who are undecided on who they will vote for in tomorrow's election. I've found a website that lists the beliefs of each candidate:

http://obama-mccain.info/index-obama-mccain.php - Comparing what Barack Obama and John McCain 'say' they will do if elected. What happens afterwards could be anyone's guess.

Listed on this site are there biography, issue and trivia comparisons. Click on the title of the subject you are interested in and it will show you where they stand on that issue.

Happy reading and please go vote tomorrow!