# 10 - First ten songs on ipod shuffle

Be warned I have a very eclectic taste in music:

1. Strength, Courage and Wisdom - India Arie
2. I smile - Kirk Franklin
3. Chocolate High - India Arie and Music Soul Child
4. Am I Worth It - Heather Headley
5. Bruised but not Broken - Joss Stone
6. When I look to the sky - Train
7. Defying Gravity - Kristian Chenoweth and Idina Menzel
8. Into You - Tamia
9. I don't want to miss a thing - Aerosmith
10. Poetry - Javier Colon

# 9 - The importance of education

I could write a dissertation on this subject but I'll attempt to be brief.

• Knowledge is power
• The future belongs to those who prepare for it today
• If I knew then what I know now
• Education equals freedom

There are numerous quotes about the importance of education for a reason, your brain is the most important muscle you have. As this muscle is developed so is every other aspect of your life. Your health, career, social status, opportunities, life experiences etc. - all improve as your knowledge on the respective topics grow. Whats more, the more you empower a person with an education, the more empowered that persons legacy will be because they will teach their children. Education is the one thing that can never be taken away.

If education weren't so important, there never would have been a law forbidding slaves to learn.

# 8 - What I ate today

I am in the process of determining what mixtures of food work well for me. I don't believe everyone needs the same portions or the same mixtures. With that said

• Bacon and eggs ( with cheese) for breakfast
• Strawberry Yogurt for snack one
• Berry Smoothie for lunch (enriched with oatmeal,flax seed and almond milk)
• Plain M&M's for snack two
• 6 inch Turkey w/provolone cheese Subway Sandwich for dinner

# 7 - Five pet peeves

1. People who chew with their mouths open - disgusting, disgusting, disgusting.
2. Inconsiderate people - stop your car in the middle of the street, clearly no one else needs to use the road or go ahead, use your cell phone in the movie theater - we clearly came to hear your conversation and not the movie.
3. Reality TV shows - not all of them but any of the " House Wives" or "Jersey Shores" type shows. Any show that is totally focused on self absorbed people who make no attempt to have a positive affect on the world.
4. Stupidity - not to be confused with ignorance. If you know you are uneducated about something and choose not to learn about it - don't argue a point or engage in a conversation about it.
5. Grown a*# children - Allow kids to be kids, allow them to learn to love themselves before you start to alter their looks with weaves and fake nails and dressing them as if they are 20. Parents treat them like little adults and then wonder why they think their grown.

I'm Just Saying.....

# 6 - Your views on main stream music

This is difficult because I have a very eclectic taste in music. I have everything from Broadway tunes to country to rap shuffling through my ipod. Clearly some genres such as Broadway and Country tell a story and it's hard to critic; however, other genres sometimes disappoint me. More specifically R&B and Rap. I find most released items leave me feeling empty. They very overtly talk about sex in a nonchalant manner. They even go so far as to glamorize hedonistic behavior with no regard to consequences. Other times they degrade women as if our existence is optional to the human race. Lyrics express little value in humanity or life and materialistic values are placed on a pedestal. To summarize, I don't think I've heard anything in a very long time that will be played on the radio in 10 years. The songs are so shallow that they are easily replaced by the next hot beat.

There is one disclaimer. Whereas the music leaves little to be desired, we have some incredible entertainers (not to be confused with great singers). I have admiration for artist such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Daughtry, Eminen, Lil Wayne etc. ability to entertain us but I lack the same admiration for the content of their music. At the same time, artist who can sing but aren't as flashy such as Heather Headley, Kem, Javier (contestant on The Voice) get little recognition and make music with content that addresses more than superficial issues.

Wouldn't it be something if the two worlds meet and start to make beautiful music that matters.

Workout Hair

When it's too hot to have hair touching you because you are rockin it out in the gym or on the track, this is one of my favorite go to hairstyles. I also put the bottom in a separate ponytail when temperatures are in the 90's like today. Never let your hair stop you from caring for your body.

Day one - Day five

I'm starting a little late on the 30 day challenge but how does the saying go "better late than never"

5 ways to win my heart

1. Make me laugh
2. Compliment my strengths but help me improve me weaknesses
3. Be an amazing lover and intimate partner
4. Be honest but kind
5. Love yourself first

Something I feel strongly about

• Parenting is both a noun and a verb. It is something you are and something you must do, even when you don't think you have anything left to give. Parenting is the ultimate sacrifice.

A book I love

• The Autobiography of Malcolm X - I learn something every time I read it

Bullet your entire day

• I'm going to cheat on this. It's too much at this point. Which brings us to today's

Things I would say to an ex

• Thank you for an amazing ride. I have learned as much from our mistakes as I have from our successes. My only regret is that we didn't forgive each other at the same time and therefore missed out on something great. I am grateful that we are able to be friends and though our love has been redefined - it still feels my heart and nourishes me.