Sunday, June 30, 2013

*The Anna Nicole Smith Story- From Fame to Death*

Everyone dreams of becoming famous. They want to make something out of their "small, normal, town" names. Many people will go to the extremes to get there. Anna Nicole Smith always knew she wanted to leave a legacy. In the end, that's exactly what she did. Unfortunately, she put her fame before herself, her children, and her health. She neglected to care for her son, Daniel Wayne Smith, who passed away from a drug overdose. Anna Nicole was extremely selfish. She searches for happiness in all of the wrong places. The only thing she ever wanted was love and fame. When she realized the destruction it caused her, she couldn't be stopped. Ultimately, she died the same way as her son. Anna Nicole Smith left behind a young daughter, Dannielyn. Perhaps, it was for the best. Anna Nicole never forgave herself for the death of her son, whom she neglected. When an addict hits rock bottom, it's either death or the perseverance to change. Unfortunately, Anna Nicole chose death.  

Saturday, June 29, 2013

*Places that Must Be Visited in Italy*

The sound of the Italian language greeting you at the Fiumicino Airport in Roma, the smell of authentic espresso brewing and pulling you in; there's nothing like it. If you're planning a trip to Italy, you must fly directly to Roma. Rome is the main connection to history. While you're there, visit "il Coloseo" (the Colosseum), Piazza Venezia, Piazza Spagna, Campo Dei Fiori, The Vatican, etc. The food is absolutely delicious. While you're there, try some trippa alla romana (if you like tripe) or if not, pasta all'arrabiata. These dishes are delicacies to the region. I must warn you, beware of where you eat. Make sure it's an authentic italian restaurant. Not all restaurants in Rome are good. If you're looking for expensive, luxurious, but delicious, then I'd suggest "Harry's Bar." If you're looking for affordable, I'd suggest "L'Asino D'Oro" and "Il Pagliaccio." If you want to spend the night, I'd recommend "The Grand Hotel Gianicolo." It has the most gorgeous view of Rome. Rome opens up the opportunity to travel anywhere. Hop on a bus, go to the main train station, "Termini," and go wherever your heart desires; Venezia, Firenze, Toscana, Le Marche, Calabria, Sicilia, Etc. Wherever in Italy, there's history. To be continued. Tomorrow, I will give the must visits to another city I may have or not mentioned.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

*Michael Jackson's Children- Why their Grandparents Should Have Continued to Shelter Them*

We all remember the scandal behind Michael Jackson and his children from the moment they were born. The first two had blonde hair and light skin. Could these two children actually be his? Behind all the scandals and corruption, Jackson was an extremely intelligent man. He wanted his children spared from the media. They wore bandana like cloths that covered their noses and mouths. There were only few instances that unmasked their faces. People began to doubt his biological relations. How could he father children with blue eyes, light skin, and blonde hair? The public wanted to talk, so they voiced their opinions in whatever way they sought fit. They failed to acknowledge that anything is possible. It wasn't until Jackson's death that his children's identities were fully exposed. They were unveiled and freely sharing their features. Who is to blame for these revelations? Is it the children? The Jackson family? Was it the grandparents? Or, was it the public? In fact, the grandparents have full custody for all three of Jackson's children. They are to blame for the exposure. It has psychologically disturbed them all in different ways. One child was harmed more than the others. Paris, 16, Jackson's second child,  has overused the social media to unveil her severe depression. These children were brought into a sheltered environment, were masked by their father to protect their innocence, and should have continued to remain behind the veil. The damage that the court case, media, family members, and the public has caused is irreversible. Paris already attempted suicide. What's next? The sad reality is that it all revolves around money; the route of all evils. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

*Bullies in Our Schools? Were You a Victim?*

I will never forget my elementary school and early middle school years. They were the most difficult ones in my life. Perhaps, it was because I was different. In fact, I was wise beyond my years. I never cared what anyone thought about me. I didn't dress to impress and I didn't go out of my way to be "friends" with the cliques in my schools. You see, I'm from a very small town in New Jersey. In elementary, middle, and high school, "cliques" are the  "most important" groups in the school. All it took was one person to "push" forward a cruel joke. I was incapable of being an evil person. My morals were extremely diverse. I was always wise beyond my years. I allowed myself to look beyond the school "cliques," which consisted of the "popular" kids, the "nerds," and the kids that didn't seem to fit in. I was in the third group. In my early years, my parents worked hard to ensure that I lived in one of the nicest homes in Nutley, N.J., had the best clothes, the biggest playroom, and the coolest toys. It was the towns dream, which made a lot of children resent me. They would pretend to be my friends to come over and enjoy my toys, come to my birthday parties, and eat my mom's cooking. As I got older, no one wanted to hang out anymore. If the popular kids played with me, it was in my neighborhood. I wasn't allowed to tell anyone in school or they'd deny it. It was extremely stupid and disappointing. When I was at school my "popular friends" would team up with their "real friends" to torture me. The verbal and physical abuse was unbearable. It wasn't too bad in elementary school. Kids would talk, but they didn't act on any actions. In middle school, they talked, pushed me down some stairs, and called me hurtful names. I never retaliated against these people. Actually, some of them used to be my "friends." We went to the same pre-school, elementary school, and then middle school. You can imagine how mortified and disgusted I was with their behavior. Sixth and seventh grade in Nutley, were the worst years of my life. In sixth grade, I was accused of committing a crime that I would never dream of because of my social status. My teacher that I trusted interrogated me. I couldn't believe that I was accused of harassing an individual. I could barely defend myself. The Nutley Police Department called me in for questioning and I went with my mother. They "asked" me questions about the crime and then began to read me my Miranda rights. I was 11 years old for God's sake. Of course, I wasn't guilty and my mother freaked on the detective who questioned me. Someone else was convicted. All of this happened because I was quiet. I never defended myself. I chose to ignore these cruel kids with no morality. Looking back, it was the best decision of my life. In 7th grade, I faked sick every day and when I started to believe it, the nurse sent me home. There's so much a kid can take until they snap. This girl decided to call me a bunch of names in my math class when a substitute teacher was in. She continued on with her cruel intentions. I had enough of her crap, so I put her in her place. I told her to shut her trap and called her a bitch. No one in the room expected me to speak. I was in tears before I said anything. I couldn't help, but yell it out. The substitute saw that it wasn't my fault and sent the girl to the principal's office. She couldn't believe that she was being reprimanded and not me. I was humiliated. When my math teacher came back the next day, the issue was brought up. My teacher defended me and told the girl she deserved getting in trouble. I will never forget that. When my parents revealed that we were moving to another town, I was extremely excited. I couldn't wait. We left the summer before my 8th grade year. The only people I would miss were the few girls, who were as "odd" as me. They became my town sisters. At times, they defended and fought for me. We still keep in touch today. I don't hate any of my bullies. They apologized a million times throughout the years. Their apologies helped, but they didn't mean anything to me. They could never take back the names I was called, the pain if caused, the humiliation, or the terrible grades I got because I didn't care. I didn't try because of them. I knew I wasn't stupid because my grades got better when I moved away. Had I stayed in that town, I could've been tortured to the point of suicide. I know it's a terrible thing to say, but it's true. I am grateful for my latter years. I had the time of my life. My younger years taught me to be strong. I don't regret them because I made lifelong friends who I could never thank enough. I consider myself lucky. Why? Because many of those "popular" kids have a history of drug abuse. Thankfully, I've never had any of those issues. I can finally say that I don't feel sorry for myself, but for them. 

Monday, June 24, 2013

*Prostitutes in the U.S. and Italy - The "Hidden" Truth*

Prostitution is a touchy subject legal and illegal across many cities in the world. Nevada is the only state in the U.S. where prostitution is legal. Unfortunately, many U.S. cities close one eye to solicitation. If you know the right person, you can find a prostitute in any state. The laws binding solicitation aren't severe in the U.S. In fact, most states in America classify prostitution as a misdemeanor. Prostitutes never spend more than a few days in jail, unless it's tied in with another offense, such as drugs, which could result in felony charges. In Italy, prostitution is legal. They're all over the place. In some cities, you can find them on the entrance of the highway during late night hours. In other towns like Rome, you can find them during the day on stretchy roads that lead to the main mall. Most prostitutes in Europe are foreigners. They come to the country struggling to find a job. They are illegal residents and have no choice, but to solicit themselves. Others, who are Italian, have had a bad upbringing or a history of drug use. They are unstable and need the extra cash. There are many different types of prostitutes. A lot of them are transsexuals who look exactly like women. The only way you can distinguish them is by their Adam's Apple. Believe it or not, many men turn to these prostitutes in desperation. They can't find a woman or their wives don't satisfy them. Many of these prostitutes don't care about the STD risk factor and don't protect themselves. They have lost all respect for their bodies and don't care if they live or die. 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

*A Femme Fatale in America- Jodi Arias*

I often wonder what drives people to do the unthinkable. How can people lose control of reality and snap? What causes them to "forget" their actions? It begins with lust and falls into obsession. It's undeniably painful when someone fails to reciprocate the same feelings that you have for them. What draws the line between a psychopath and a "normal" individual? The common human backs off and learns to accept the truth, but hopes for a change. The psychopath never backs off and continues to push the other individual. They believe that their partner is in denial and that they can help them have a realization. When the psychopath begins to realize that there is no "hope," they take matters into their own hands. I believe that Jodi Arias murdered Travis Alexander because she finally accepted that he didn't want her in the long term. She was extremely obsessed with him and their relationship, so she took his life to prevent anyone else from experiencing him. Arias felt no remorse for anyone, but herself. She took advantage of Alexander at his weakest point, when he was relaxing in the shower. He was taken by surprise and had no chance to defend himself. Arias must've made direct eye contact with a pleading Alexander, but didn't stop. She was his "Femme Fatale." The power of sex controls the route of all evils. You can never trust someone too much. In the case of Arias, the question that remains is, why? Why did Arias take Alexander's life? What did he do or say to trigger the killer inside of her? Will the public ever know? There's no use in protecting the truth anymore. She might as well reveal all of her "dirty little secrets." 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

*America's Justice System- A Corruption*

Ultimately, the verdict will determine your fate. It's insane to think that 12 jurors must decide what will lie ahead for the rest of your life. When the jury is chosen in any case, they must have no knowledge or formulated opinions about the case. The reality is that, there will always be an opinion and anyone can lie. It's easy to deceive people about what you know. All individuals are human and when you give up your daily routines to work on a case, you live, eat, and breathe all the details. The constant scenario is always replayed in your mind. It's impossible to think that jurors aren't thinking about the case. It's difficult to convict someone of a crime because their freedom revolves around your decision. Ultimately, the evidence and the judge have the final verdict. Many times, people are wrongfully found guilty or innocent. If they killed someone and weren't found guilty, they cannot be tried a second time based on new evidence. Either way, it's absolutely absurd and justice isn't served. Therefore, a criminal continues to live on as a free man until he commits another crime. Welcome to the American Justice System! Welcome to corruption! Welcome to reality.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

*Social Networking- "An Addiction"*

It's no secret that many Americans have an addiction to social networking sites. In recent years, a variety of studies were performed on social networking and its effects on the human brain. More teens are likely to become addicted to social networking than older adults. The reason is that the apps are readily available on their cell phones and they're more computer savvy than older individuals. Schools have completely thrown out textbooks and are now forcing students to read off I-Pads and tablets. In my opinion, it creates a diverse way of learning and violates basic history. The foundation of America is stamped on a piece of paper with in. It's devastating that computers are completely taking over. Sure, it's more convenient, but it takes away from the values of education. The brain is becoming distracted by "Internet lingo," which is becoming part of the dictionary. That is a disgrace to the English language. Slang is now at the top of the list. The fundamentals of the American language is slowly revolving around Internet language. For example, Lol (laughing out loud), SOS (same old stuff), etc. It's a parents responsibility to ensure that children crack a book and study. They should learn the value that America's forefathers set before them. They should be allowed limited access to social networking sites and concentrate on their studies. I will not take the books away from my future children. I value knowledge written in ink! If you don't agree, that's okay, but think about the addiction. Children will learn to ignore their parents. The computer will become the most important thing in their lives. I am no saint. I am addicted to social networking, but I still value the books. It can go both ways or one way. Learn to cherish history!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

*Looking for Adorable Places to Food Shop?

It's no secret that the economy is in minor shambles. Sure, it's getting better, but how much? It's still tough to save money and to find a job, but let me not go there. If you're looking for affordable shopping, don't seek the "normal neighborhood store," Publix, unless you're planning on buying their own brands. Otherwise, you can leave there spending $50.00 on 10 items. That's absolutely absurd. If you're looking to shop for the next few weeks, the best place to go is Walmart. Walmart always the best brands at affordable prices. If you spend $200.00, it's always worth it. You can freeze your meat and it will last a month. Other places that are worth the investment for gas prices or shopping in bulk are Costco and BJ's. The food you buy there can last for four months or more, which is absolutely ideal when you have a big family or time to shop, once a month. The gas is always a few dollars less than regular stations and last well over a week when you have an SUV to worry about. Hope these tips help you out. Best of all, this is a "cheap" way to start saving money! Be smart! You never know when you'll need the extra cash.

Monday, June 17, 2013

*What's the Best Site for Me to Reconnect with my Culture in South Florida?*

Are you looking for a little taste of your heritage and can't seem to find it? Well, for many people living in South Florida that would like to connect with their routes, there are limited options. In the northern regions of America that range from the west to the east, there are many alternatives. In states like New York and New Jersey, there are a large variety of cultural Caffé's, social clubs, etc. If you're a young Italian American in South Florida, there are barely any events or clubs that you could attend to. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I always feel as if something in my life is missing. I was raised in New Jersey around large Italian families and had a lot of fun spending time with them and getting to know their diverse personalities. When I moved to South Florida, everything changed. There is barely any trustable people that live here and there is a minimal amount of Italians. Whenever I spend time with an Italian family or relative, I feel like it awakens my heart. When you're raised around a lot of culture, you don't appreciate it. When it's taken away, you learn to regret all you've taken for granted. After eleven years of living in South Florida, I decided to do some research to see if any Italian connections existed. Throughout the years, I learned that Spanish is more valuable in South Florida, which is unfortunate. There are many diverse people that live here. I am a lover of languages and love experiencing different cultures. Everything seemed to be missing until I came across meetup.com. Meetup.Com allows users to join for free, create events, explore events, etc. I was shocked to uncover that there were actual Italian American meetings amongst people in their early twenties and up. For a small fee, you could attend a dinner, a class to brush up on your Italian, a historical seminar, etc. The remarkable thing is that it not only offers Italian events, but many other cultural groups as well. All you have to do is search and your heart will feel lighter. I haven't attended any events as of yet, but I plan on it. If you're feeling the same way I do, you should to. www.meetup.com
Have fun & unwind! 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

*Happy Father's Day*

I dedicate this post on Father's Day to all of the great fathers out there. Being a father is more than a title. It's being there for all of your children. Thank you for standing up and being wise. It takes a real man to be called a father. You're worth more than you know. Love you all!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

*My Tanning Salon Nightmare*

Need a tanning alternative? Ever turned and cheated by soaking up the rays of a tanning salon? Who hasn't? Well, my tanning experience has recently turned into a nightmare. I know, I know. I live in South Florida. Why not go to the beach for free? Well, I wanted to, but unfortunately, I only enjoy two days off from work. Therefore, I don't have the same luxury of soaking up rays as most people do. Sounds like an excuse? Oh well, who wants to go to the beach alone? I figured I would go once a week for one month until I go to Italy. Since I live in South Florida, I didn't want to look like a ghost. Unfortunately, I suffer from severe anxiety. I don't know if any of you have ever watched the, "Scream" movies, but I have. If you're familiar with them, then you remember the one with the girl getting trapped in a tanning bed. This mortified me. Realistically, I know it's rare to happen, but the idea is traumatizing. I can't breathe thinking about it. It's like getting trapped in a coffin alive. I thought I would overcome my fears by laying down and tanning. It was fine the first time. The second time, I wasn't so lucky. One thing had to throw me off and that's exactly what happened. As I started the bed, the top cover of the bed popped open. That's not supposed to happen. I approached the manager and told him my concerns. He brushed me off and thought I was insane. He offered absolutely no consolation. Well, there's $20.00 to waste! Now, I'm forced to soak up the sun on my days off. Only if I'm lucky.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

*Do You Take Your Skin for Granted?*

Lets face it, most of us have abused our bodies. First off, for my southern Floridians, I am sure most of you have avoided sunscreen at one point or another. Wether it was as a tween, teen, early twenties, and etc. Did you make the right choice? The reality is that your skin may be paying the ultimate consequences. The sun doesn't seem like it will destroy your skin, but trust me when I say little by little it does. You don't think about the sunscreen when you want a nice tan, but you actually should. If you want nice skin later in life, start earlier rather than after. When I was a child, I was lucky enough to have parents that taught me to worship my skin. My fondest memories are going to Brighton Beach in New York with my father. Before I was allowed to touch the water, he made sure I was covered in sunscreen. The salty, sweet, aroma of the ocean air combined with my "Banana Boat" 50 SPF sunscreen vividly plays in my mind. Every inch of my body was covered. I didn't appreciate it then, but now I do. As I look at fellow classmates, I notice the slow destruction of their skin. Many of them are in their mid-twenties and covered in wrinkles. Maybe they are naive to their looks or they may not care, but I would. As soon as I noticed many of  my peers developing wrinkles, I started taking very good care of my skin. I get bi-monthly facials, use moisturizing facial creams, etc. Many blame the slight creases on their skin on genes, but I blame it on sun worshipping. Not only does this cause wrinkles, but also skin cancers. As the years fly by, the sun gets stronger. It's important to avoid the burning rays by applying and reapplying sunscreen to your skin. You may not see the consequences. Maybe it's because you simply don't care or because you're blind to your appearance. I would care because when your thirty, you don't want people to mistake you for forty. By then, the damage may already be done. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

*The Benefits of Making Your Own Juices*

Wether it's apples, salad, kale, spinach, or any other fruits or vegetable, humans don't intake as much as they should. Most of us have daily careers and don't have the time to ensure we eat every nutrient that our bodies need. I know that I am guilty of not eating any fruits at all. I eat plenty of vegetables, but fruits never seemed a priority in my life. The reason is pure laziness. Who wants to peel an orange, slice apples, kiwis, etc.? Guess what? Unfortunately, everyone needs a daily serving of fruits and vegetables because they're beneficial to your well being. If your lazy like me and have been getting sick often, it could be due to a lack of your daily fruit and vegetable intake. You may be eating fruits and vegetables here and there, but guess what it's never enough. I'm an extremely healthy eater and avoid carbohydrates in any way I can. Don't get me wrong, I eat the daily serving, but I prefer chicken, pita chips, and salads over pasta that makes me exhausted. I know, a shock because Italians are in love with pasta. I used to be too. I are it every time of the day. I was a full on carbohydrate girl. One day, I woke up and decided that enough was enough. I was exhausted all the time due to a sugar high from all the pasta my body processed. I decided it was time to take care of myself and my body. I have never been overweight in my life. As I got older, I developed a slight stomach pouch and a round face. Remember, I am 5 feet 8 inches tall. The most I've ever weighed was 155 pounds. Since I cut the carbs and started to eat healthy, I weigh 135 pounds. The lowest I got was 132, but guess what, I feel absolutely ah-ma-zing! I'm more energetic and am able to get more things done. I eat a full breakfast, which includes three pieces of dark chocolate and cereal with almond milk. For lunch, I eat a salad and for dinner I eat chicken with a salad or any other vegetable. I don't avoid cheese. It's my favorite thing in the world. I don't care if it's fatty. I eat it all the time and I'm perfectly slim. My glass of wine a night is t glass of wine. A glass of red wine keeps the doctor away. Preferably, Cabernet; Malbec or Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, I work in an atmosphere surrounded with germs. I try to wash my hands as often as I can, but sometimes that's not enough. If your coworker is ill, it's hard to avoid that. I've worked in a highly germ infested atmosphere for a total of 4 years. Recently, it all caught up with me. In November, I caught a nasty cold, which followed a voice loss. It was possibly, laryngitis. I didn't immediately consult a doctor and when I did he prescribed me a Z-Pack. After two weeks, my terrible cold came back to haunt me. My doctor continued with a higher dosage of antibiotics, which I never picked up and a future blood culture. I continued to fall ill for the next 6 months. My blood results were all normal. The only thing I had was a deficiency in Vitamin-D, which is normal for women who work all day. I don't have time for the sun. It was highly suggested that I take Vitamin D3, which I started immediately. In addition, I took a multivitamin. Unfortunately, everything caught up with me at once in May. I left work and decided to go to the emergency. I had a high fever of 102 and the doctors gave me another blood culture. Everything came back normal. I had the same symptoms from November; congestion, body aches, coughing, etc. I explained that I was getting sick every two or three weeks and that something was wrong. The doctors yet again prescribed me a higher dosage of antibiotics. They destroyed my stomach. After a few days, I had to stop taking them. I immediately began on a probiotic. I felt awesome for the next month, but in the beginning of June I fell ill again. I was mortified and I didn't want to consult a doctor again. My body is physically tired of all the bad meds and I know that's all they would give me. I started taking emergen-c every day in addition to my daily vitamin, vitamin d3, and probiotic. I drank lemon chamomile tea and continued to eat as I eat, healthy.  I concluded that the results of my "sinusitis" is allergies. I was horrified that my home was mold infected, but thankfully the culture came back negative. I cannot afford to seek an allergist, but I believe that severe allergies are the result of my congestion. In addition to a probiotic, I recently began a Vitamin C pill and Echinacea, an immune booster that a massage therapist suggested would be best for me. When I went for a daily wax appointment, my esthetician suggested that I start "juicing." Don't confuse this with steroids, people. I mean making my own juices. She told me that she was falling ill and developed shingles because her immune system was so low. She explained the benefits and said that she juices every morning. Ever since, she hasn't fallen ill in a year. She was just as horrified as I was, but not anymore. Last night, I finally have in. I went fruit and vegetable shopping. I bought kale, lemons, spinach, apples, cucumbers, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, and etc. I made my first juice in a processor. It included lemon, kale, apples, spinach, and cucumbers. I would have it this morning before breakfast. It was absolutely delicious and refreshing! It's an immune booster and antioxidant. It fights off diseases and bacteria. I consulted an incredible website with millions of "juicing recipes." I would highly recommend every individual healthy or unhealthy to start juicing. You only need one a day. It will ensure that you are getting a daily dosage of fruits and vegetables that our bodies need. Remember, we only have one body. Treat it right!!!! It's extremely important to stay healthy. Consult juicerecipes.com for more healthy mixes. Have a blessed and healthy day! I know I will!

Monday, June 10, 2013

*Need Your Hair Done, South Florida?*

Well, I've had my hair done by many diverse people, but I trust very few. A hair salon in, "The Coral Ridge Mall" in Fort Lauderdale was actually the first to give me highlights. I was 13 years old. My mom was extremely nervous because she is a hairdresser and I wanted someone different to touch it. Needless to say, the woman that touched my hair did a decent job. She gave me exactly what I wanted; a few streaks to brighten up my face. Other people that brightened my face include, Valerie, my moms best friend and salon owner, where she worked for a few years and my own mother. Unfortunately, when I started dying my hair, I developed a serious allergy. My mother and father are both allergic to dye. My mother developed the allergy after 20 years of specializing in color. I am 1 in 20% of people allergic to both henna and PPD chemicals in organic and regular hair dye. I have suffered through the sores and blisters on my scalp to become whatever color I desired. The only place where I wouldn't break out was in Falconara Marittima, Italy. I informed my colorist, Eleonora that I was allergic to hair dye and she immediately concocted a solution. I was able to become a brunette, redhead, and etc. Occasionally, I broke out on my ears, but that was nowhere near the pain I suffered the last time I dyed my hair. My mother put dark brown on my head last July. I didn't read the ingredients and assumed that because it had a soy complex, I wouldn't have a reaction. Unfortunately, it was the worst I have ever had. I knew something was terribly wrong immediately after the dye came off my head. I went right to bed. My face and head felt extremely heavy. I awoke an hour later with sores all over my scalp and a terrible headache. I immediately went to the hospital and was given a strong dosage of steroids to kill the allergy. Unfortunately, the blisters didn't subside on their own. I waited them out for a few weeks. Ever since that happened to me, I decided that dying my hair wasn't the most important or necessary thing in my life; until I discovered my first gray hair. I could have gone the alternative route and only highlight it, but I decided I didn't want to be a brunette. After a year, I needed a change in my life. I wanted color! I went to Whole Foods on a rampage to discover a color that would work. I didn't read the ingredients on the product I picked, "Nature Tint." It turned out to be a henna product. After a patch test, I discovered I could not use the product. My arm broke out in a rash in the middle where I put a small amount of dye on it. The next product, which I mentioned on my blog, "Palette" by Nature, which I had to special order online, is something completely organic, which I'm not allergic to. It felt like hitting the lottery when I first tried it. Unfortunately, it's only a brown color and I wanted change. My friend, Renee is an extremely talented colorist, who wouldn't give up on my dream. She concluded that we would strip my hair with highlights and apply the red I wanted in foils. Fortunately, it worked and I haven't had any reaction to it! She is absolutely amazing. If you're interested in finding an awesome colorist, please go to her. Not only does she do good color, she gives awesome cuts. You won't be disappointed. Most importantly of all, she loves what she does! 
 
Go and take a look at her portfolio and book your appointment at: https://www.styleseat.com/m/index.html#/reneemarieplante?pref=search&rank=5&q=Cassi%2BRenee

Sunday, June 9, 2013

*Completely Speechless*

Some things happen in life that are inevitable. People put their opinions where they aren't welcome and ruin lives and relationships. I remember one relationship that shouldn't have ended. I would mention it nationally, but I prefer to keep everyone wondering. There comes a point in life where you must let go. Sometimes when you finally have, that very person throws you off with a proclamation. It messes you up physically and emotionally. These situations give you bitter confusion that you can't let go. It's extremely draining and unforgivable. So we urge the person to stop. They have a happy life and we all should to. We all deserve it. It's time to move on. This is a post different from most. It's my thoughts on a recent unsettling situation. It's healing to our hearts. I'm sure it's confused everyone. I'm sorry. Tomorrow, I will have better words of wisdom. Until then, happy Sunday!

Saturday, June 8, 2013

*Shorter Women More Desirable than Taller Women?*

Many recent studies confirm that shorter women have more estrogen, maternal instinct, and desirability than taller women. On behalf of all of the tall women, I tend to disagree. I believe that values and morals are essential in any females behavior. It is not 100% true that taller women have less estrogen and maternal abilities. I am 5 foot 8 and adore my femininity. I also attract gentleman of all heights. My whole life, I've longed to become a mother. If taller women are as less sexually attractive than shorter women, then why are most of them ideal models? Our society has worshipped taller women for centuries. Sure, it's difficult for some of us to become comfortable with our height, but we didn't ask for this. It doesn't mean that our sex appeal is nonexistent. It's a complete insult and downgrade to hear people worship these studies. It's bad enough that women have their own insecurities. Now they're adding these types of "results" to discourage taller women. Listen, worship your body! You're beautiful and sexually wanted, no matter how tall you may be. In response to someone who said the smaller the better, they're there, but you can't always feel them! ;)

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

*Whatever Happened to Natalee Holloway?*

Shortly after graduating high school in Alabama, Natalee Holloway went on a trip to Aruba with fellow classmates, never to return again. It's every parents nightmare; your child goes on an every day trip that should be a fun and peaceful time. He or she is under the supervision of past teachers, who allow the graduates to have some space. You trust your children to make the right choices. You know they will, after all, you've raised them right. Maybe you were "too strict" and this is their chance to discover themselves. You never imagine that on the final day of the trip that your child would be missing from the head count. Initially, no one panics. Maybe he or she overslept. Their friends rush to the room to wake them up, but no one is there. All of their belongings are perfectly in place. Their friends' hearts begin to flutter. They don't want to freak out, so they run around the entire hotel searching for them, but the missing is nowhere to be found. Two or three people may have been with the vanished the night before. Guilt starts to choke them. They should have never left the missing alone, especially when they're young and vulnerable. The missing never experienced time away from home. This was their chance to rebel, but at what cost? The victim may have paid the ultimate price, their life. It's unfortunate, but true. Young women are more likely to become targets of rape and kidnapping than men. Aruba and other foreign cities outside of the U.S. have been prime connections to human sex trafficking in the past. When a child goes missing, parents would do anything to keep them alive. No one wants to lose hope for their child and will continue to fight for justice until they're found. Unfortunately, Natalee Holloway was never discovered. All evidence points to one prime suspect, who was convicted of murdering another young girl after Natalee disappeared, Joran VanderSloot. VanderSloot is currently in prison and although he admitted to killing Natalee and disposing of her body on a leaked YouTube video, he was never tried for her murder. Unfortunately, Natalee's body was never found, but her mother, Beth Holloway. has made it her life's purpose to find her daughter. She has become an activist for missing people all over the world and continues her search for her beloved, Natalee. Unfortunately, Natalee may never be found, but she is remembered by all that new her as a sweet, loving, smart, and beautiful girl who had a bright future at her feet. Children must be taught to always stay in groups. Friends must never leave each other on their own, especially in a foreign country. They must never trust anyone, no matter how well they think they know them. Your friend may never get the chance to come home. That guilt, forever lies on your shoulders. Life is more valuable than taking a chance. It should never be cut too short and become a memory. The world is extremely dangerous. Stay together and if you feel a situation is becoming strenuous, contact law enforcement or the proper personnel immediately. Help save a life and stay together. Unfortunately, Natalee never had the opportunity to advance in her dreams, but someone else can. Her body was never found and there is always hope. The prime suspect has since fathered a child, killed an innocent young woman, and is expected to wed. Meanwhile, he was the last person to see Natalee and has moved forward in his miserable life. Karma is strong and I'm sure he is haunted with the truth ever day. It is only a matter of time before it all catches up with him. He will have no choice, but to speak. Unfortunately, he is serving the maximum sentence for murder in a Peruvian prison for 28 years. If he is lucky, he will make it out alive. His victim, Stephany Flores will not. Natalee Holloway may never be seen again. Her fate rests in VanderSloot's hands. I am a firm believer that there is a righteous God and one day, justice will be served for Natalee and her entire family. This is your chance to be safe and stick together. No one wants or deserves to evolve into a memory.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

*Vivid Dreams- What Do They Mean To You?*

I'm sure we have all woken up from a shaky dream. Sometimes, it's extremely realistic and feels as if it actually happen. Perhaps it disturbed your heart, made you laugh, cry, and etc. Maybe, you actually wished it was part of your life and didn't want to wake up. You could take the dream as a sign from God. It could be a forewarning or a closure of some relationship. We all have diverse dreams. Sometimes they involve people who have departed our world or people who are still alive. Every dream is a part of our brain. Some have said that dreams are a part of our innermost thoughts. Other refer to them as delusions. I believe every dream has a meaning or they wouldn't exist. I always find myself looking up certain colors or situations that I've dreamt about in a "dream dictionary." Perhaps it's silly, but not to me. If I see a realistic situation occur in my dream, I take it as a blessing. Some people I've dreamt about have passed away and I smile when I open my eyes. I may have not bid them adieu in the waking life, but I did in my dreams. Other dreams are useless and strange. They flutter our hearts and we can't wait to open our eyes. What do they all really mean? Why are they a part of our lives? What significance do they bring us? My overall question is why? 

Monday, June 3, 2013

*High Impact Sports: Would you Allow your Children to Play?*

Whether it's football, soccer, basketball, tennis, boxing, etc. there is always a chance that the player can get injured. Sometimes those injuries are severe and cause players to develop problems in the future. One of the most common injuries that can result is a concussion. Many people don't believe that it's not a major condition, but that is far from the reality. In the future, many of these people who are injured more than once can develop dementia pugilistica, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease. The symptoms can take up to 16 years to occur. It's extremely difficult to grasp the side effects of these sports and there is no way to fully protect your children. If it's their passion, let them experience it. Unfortunately, sometimes you have no choice.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

*Great, Inexpensive, Unforgettable, Gifts*

Have a special friend and event coming up? Stumped at what to get them? Buy a nice picture frame that suites them. Google their names, personality meaning of the name, copy, cut and, paste it into a blank word document. After it is in front of you, choose the font and letter size you want. Finally, print it, attach a fashionable picture of your friend, and attach it all in the frame. It's unique, valuable, cherish able, and from the heart. Most likely, they don't already own one and they probably didn't know that a personality meaning existed. Another good idea is a collage of photos from memories you've had together. It's the thought that counts. I'm sure they'll hold these ideas close to their hearts.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

*My Views on "Perfect Bodies" and Females*

Hello, Ladies! Many of us have grown up with the idea that a "perfect body" is like the one on the cover of Maxim or Vogue magazine. Is that really what we want? Do you know how many women struggle to transform their bodies into that "perfect shape?" It's highly unlikely that the cover story is the ideal image. Our society should be ashamed of their "sexy looks." In this generation, skinny is the only shape. People grow up with the idea the skin and bones is the acceptable image. They turn to eating disorders or severe dieting to become thin. Whatever happened to healthy? Believe it or not, if you eat healthy and follow a balanced workout routine, you'll look good. Some of us weren't meant to be thin. There are many different body physiques out there. Be comfortable in your own skin. It's the only one you get, so treat it right! We don't get a million chances to change ourselves. Sometimes there is only one. Think things through thoroughly before you decide to alter your appearance. Sometimes we all need change, but only if it's good. Be happy and appreciate what you have. Be unique and not another statistic.