Inspired!

Over a year ago I sat at my desk in the Phat Fashions offices early one morning reading the Daily News. I came across an article that changed my life, it was the story of Jasmina Anema a 6-yr girl battling a rare form of Leukemia. Each word, line and paragraph painted a picture in my mind and before I even finished the article I logged into my email account and drafted an email. The subject: "She needs a miracle....it's our duty to help!!!! LET'S SAVE JASMINA" That day. That moment. Nothing else mattered I wanted to get the word out to as many as I can...

As I continued to read the article I realized that little Jasmina had been adopted, her adopted mom had no way to contact her biological family and in order to fight this leukemia Jasmina needed bone marrow. The African- American presence was very low in the donor registry and the article was calling out to African-Americans to sign up to see if they were a match for the most resilient 6-yr old out there. A bone marrow drive was being held at Jasmina's school in the West Village that following weekend...

I sent an e-mail out to all my friends and family with the details for the bone marrow drive, I asked them to forward the email to everyone they knew. I prayed for Jasmina. I prayed that the turnout of African-Americans would lead to a match for Jasmina. I secretly prayed that I'd be a match. I would have completely humbled and thankful if I could have been of help to this precious and great-spirited young girl.

The turnout exceeding my initial expectations. There were SOO many people who showed up, my friends, college classmates, sorority sisters, family members and colleagues were in attendance along with hundreds and thousands of others who saw that article, heard that story and wanted to be the one to help save Jasmina.

My sister and I were both in contact with DKMS and we had a bone marrow drive in our community for Jasmina. We raised money and swab cheeks of many on a rainy Sunday afternoon in downtown Brooklyn, NY.

A few months later the news had reported that a match was found for Jasmina, it was a happy day! They stressed the fact that Jasmina's body may reject the bone marrow but everyone was pulling for Jasmina, and she was fighting for her own life as well.

Today I got word that Jasmina Anema has passed away. My heavy heart could only rejoice because today Jasmina Anema became an angel. She went home with the Lord where there is no pain, no suffering and no leukemia!!!!!

As sad as I want to be, I can't find the tears of sorrow. I can only smile at the thought that a six-year old changed my life. Who would of thunk it? She inspired me and hundreds of thousands of others to be selfless, to care more, to rally for a good cause. Jasmina Anema has increased the number of African-Americans in the bone marrow registry significantly. Another suffering individuals life will be saved because of Jasmina's story.

Jasmina is a perfect portrait of the work of God. I can see her face in my head as I type... Smiling.

I'm smiling back...

God bless Jasmina's family, friends and supporters... "you got your angel now"

RIP Jasmina!!!!

I Read Therefore I am

Barnes and Noble has always been one of my favorite stores. I love books. Reading is one of my hobbies. You could usually find me in the Non-Fiction section. I read for knowledge, to learn new things about me, about the world, about people. Every now and again I'll hang out in the fiction area but usually I use my library card for my fiction fix. There is nothing like getting lost in a great book. It recharges your imagination, develops your creativity and allow you to experience a completely different world and live a completely different life, if only for a moment.

At the start of 2009 I made a goal to read at least 15 books. On average that's pretty much a book and some a month. Not bad. A fairly modest goal, considering I have work and more work. I did a brief assessment of my goals recently and realized instantly that I needed to catch up on some reading.

This week I finished "Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory" it was such a great book. So great, it will have it's own post shortly!!!

In conclusion. Reading is fundamental. You should try it ;)

Shy, not so much

not really shy. it's all a facade. a polite way of telling YOU I don't want to talk to you. at all. maybe soon I will re-think. maybe i will decide you aren't half as bad as one would assume. but until that time just call me shy :) Undeniably, Shy.

All the small things....

hugs and kisses. hot combs and flat irons. barbie and ken. upscale dinner. mr.chow. serafina. drinks. glass of wine. red. white. sangria. loft parties. late night taxi rides. sleeping till noon. waking up to the sun smiling at you. late nights. random trips. dancing on tables. long talks. graphic tees that hug. laughs. smiles. laughing till your stomach hurts.cute text. cute people. cool breeze. warm sun. SoCal. DUMBO. high fashion. a-list. celebrities. airplanes. first class. music. loud music. soft music. songs by him. him being jay. jay being z. beyonce. obama and michelle. comedy. memories. classic. throwback. howard university. daisies. orchids. yellow. pink. green. summer time. rita's. good food. european destinations. tanning. nail polish. essie. opi. bright. dark. poor lil rich girl. bermuda shorts. sunglasses. short shorts. dresses. sandals with straps. embellished. tory burch. miami. stars.south beach. collins and ocean. brooklyn. yoga. vinyasa. bikram. downward facing dog. possibilities. dreams. imagination. reality. today. tomorrow. forever. love. love. love.