Month: December 2015

Happy Holidays!!

Normally, I love summers. However, after staggering around pregnant in stifling southern heat, I’m actually liking fall for the first time. It’s a bit calmer, cooler, and collected. This is the time of year to enjoy a delicious cup of hot cocoa. I’ve been guzzling it like water. Here is a recipe I found in my stash of recipes I will never make. It’s fun looking at them though. I wish everyone a safe and happy holidays. I will return in early 2016 🙂

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • â…“ cup hot water
  • â…› tsp salt
  • 4 cups milk (Dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Combine the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan.
  2. Over medium heat, stir constantly until the mixture boils. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil.
  4. Remove from the heat and add vanilla; stir well. Serve immediately.

Recipe taken from: http://www.momables.com/how-to-make-homemade-hot-cocoa/

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Lupita Nyong’o in Star Wars

I don’t give a damn about the Star Wars movie. It’s odd considering I love all things science fiction. While I liked the original Star Wars films, the new ones haven’t really peaked my interest. Even knowing my girl crush Lupita Nyong’o will be in the latest film, isn’t enough to propel me to the nearest theater. However,  I came across a great read that features the lovely actress. In the article “Lupita Nyong’o: ‘Under the makeup, Star Wars is just human wants and desires,'” Nyong’o talks about growing up privileged, her personal connection to the character of Patsey from “12 Years a Slave,” and her new off-Broadway play.

Nyong’o sure knows how to take gorgeous pictures. I wish her well in the Star Wars franchise.

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Photo from: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/12/lupita-nyongo-interview-star-wars

Billboard’s Women in Music

Recently, I asked a young woman to tell me what the quan was. She broke out in a full dance routine. What in the world. What happened to the good old roger rabbit. You know you are getting older when…

The truth is, like most Gen-X folks, I’m stuck in the 80’s/90’s musically. There are some contemporary folks I like (Janelle Monáe, FKA Twigs, Fantasia, etc.), but overall most music today is cringe worthy. And what’s with all the culture vulture /blackface antics going on with white singers today. They are annoying, but I digress.

It’s been nice to see some of the old school women comeback. One of those trendsetters, Missy Elliot, will be honored at Billboard’s Women in Music. Elliot helped revolutionize music in the 90’s and doesn’t seem to be quitting anytime soon. Good for her. We need to stop the youth obsession happening in music today. Back in the day it was not uncommon for folks to start their singing careers in their 30’s. The awards show will air this Friday on Lifetime.

Ghost Summer Stories

I couldn’t sleep for weeks after reading Tananarive Due‘s “The Good House.” It was a deliciously disturbing book. I soon became a huge fan of Due’s work. Due tends to be lumped in with science fiction writer Octavia Butler, but Due dabbles more in the supernatural/thriller genre. Her work stands on its own.

When a good friend asked me if I wanted a book for my birthday (she knows I love to read), I said “Ghost Summer…please.” I’ve been itching to get this book. I was excited when it finally arrived in the mail the other day. The book contains 15 short stories. A perfect read for a new mom like myself.

I’m scared already 🙂

 

Women of Color and Motherhood

“So, how do you like being a mother?” somebody/anybody asks me. I pause slightly and look up to the sky. I’m trying to formulate my words. The somebody/anybody eyes start to glaze over and they begin fidgeting.  I am not answering fast enough for them.  I am suppose to be happily extolling the virtues of motherhood, not pondering it deeply. Finally, I say it’s “interesting.”

I love my baby, I do. But like many new mothers I got the baby blues after he was born. There have been many late nights I have wrapped myself with my arms, rocked back and forth and muttered “what have I done?”

Becoming a parent means sacrificing your time, money,  goals, etc. It’s not that you will never have these things again, but it will be harder.  And when you become an older parent like I have (over 40), you really wonder if you will make it. While other folks will be done with raising a child, you will be dealing with a moody teen in your 50’s/60’s. Oh joy.

For mothers of color, there tends to be the typical parent concerns, plus cultural/community expectations. In the article “An Honest Conversation With Women of Color About Postpartum Mood Disorders,” mothers of color talk about their struggles  with motherhood. There are not a lot of opportunities for women of color to share these kind of stories. For many it’s the fear of not living up to stereotypes of being a “Model Minority” or a “Strong Black Woman.”

The article was a moving read and made me realize how important it is for mothers of color to build a supportive network. Having a child can be a wonderful thing, but it should never be at the expense of our mental or emotional health. It’s okay to tell folks that being a mother is “interesting.”  We shouldn’t have to fake the funk to keep other folks fantasies of motherhood alive.

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My new love.

 

The Walking Dead/MockingJay

I love The Walking Dead series. It has all the elements of drama, suspense, and gore that an Apocalypse obsessed woman like me needs.  I have finally watched all the new episodes…I was a season behind.   The death of Tyrese, Carol threatening to feed a little boy to zombies, the tower crushing the “unbreakable” walls.  Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. The show always has great twists. I can’t wait to see what the crew does when the new season starts in February. I’ve been wanting to read the graphic comics, but was surprised to learn there are over a hundred issues. Umm, never mind. Ain’t nobody got time for that. The show will do for now.

I have also finally caught up with the The Hunger Game Trilogy. Well, I still need to watch “Mockingjay Part. 2,” but I get the gist of the final film. “The Hunger Games” movies have worried me. There are sci-fi/futuristic films that come off as unbelievable, but there is something scary about how real”The Hunger Games” movies feel. It’s probably because the current gap between the rich and poor is alarming.  And the fact that the elite seem oblivious/even hostile to the plight of the poor.

Recently, a friend shared a video where a guy conducted a “money suit” experiment. He pinned a bunch of $1 bills all over his jacket and walked around with a sign that read “take some if you really need it.” As he strolled through a well off neighborhood, folks wearing/carrying designer outfits/bags would silently walk up and snatch the money. The guy would ask “do you really need it?” The people would ignore him, stuffing the cash into their Burberry bags. He then walked down a public street. A homeless guy read the sign a couple of times before hesitantly approaching the guy. He quietly asked for a couple of bucks.  The suit man was surprised. “You’re not going to take more?” He asked. The homeless guy said no, he just wanted  few bucks to get something to eat. In the end, the guy doing the experiment gave him some extra funds.

The experiment made me think of “The Hunger Games.” The 1% percent taking more than what they need/hoarding resources, while the have nots too nicely ask for what is rightfully theirs.  As with “The Hunger Games” films, it’s beyond time for an uprising.