I hope that you are all well. Weekends went well? I had a great one myself. Let's see! On Friday night, I went out with some of my friends to the happy hour event at Don Vicente in Ybor. If you haven't checked out the event, you should really go. I had a ball. Maybe it was because I saw so many of my friends and Sorors; and that's always a good time. Shouts out the 6 Footahs, Illapro and Millennium Men for coming together to do their thing. The music was great and the people were cool. I just had a wonderful time. Saturday, I went to the FAMU Scholarship Gala featuring Dr. Larry E. Rivers. It was very nice. Of course, it's going to be a joyous occasion when you are amongst Rattlers! Yes, yes, yes! I can't wait for Homecoming! Shouts out to the Tampa Alumni chapter for that event. Oh-Mary J. Blige is coming in October with Robin Thicke. And my main man, Frankie Beverly, will be here as well. Get some soul in your system people!
Before I get into this week's newsletter, I want to send birthday shout outs to my sister, Kierra aka Mooda, 7; my sister Stephanie, 17; Mr. Michael, 53 (I think) and finally my roll dawg, my friend and sorority sister, Maranda! Big happy birthday wishes to you all.
Ok-so it seems that many of you were feeling last week's topic. Ladies-I guess yall are kind of quiet?! I asked for responses and the MEN came through. Too bad they don't come through when they come out to the happy hour full of beautiful, educated women. Standing around the wall like yall scared to say whassup. What's wrong with yall? Yall want women to approach yall-nope! There are still women who keep it old school. Come and talk to us! Assume the position of a man! Oh my goodness-did I go off on a tangent!? Whew-I do apologize! That's just a little of what I heard the ladies saying last weekend! My bad, another week!
Back to the regularly scheduled program--two of the men's comments from last week's topic are posted below. The things they pointed out were pretty good. They offered some sound advice and I can tell it came from the heart. Now, this week's topic is going to be touchy! Part of the reason I am so scared to get married is because I am afraid I might catch a case. Lawd-a-mercy!!!
Did yall know that they have services that help married have affairs? It's like a blackplanet.com or match.com type thing. YES! And the people are making millions off it. I saw one of the news last week. The founder is married with kids. He said he would be crushed if his wife cheated or if he saw her profile on a site like his! The whole time I am thinking-"you can't be serious!" You run a site that is strictly for married folks to find dates, etc. All I could say is WOW!
Like my granny would say-can you answer me this? Why do so many married people CHEAT? And why are the people they're CHEATING WITH so willing to oblige? Yall know I'm gonna keep it all the way real with you. Yes, I've seen some married men and thought to myself-wow! And yes, I know I am dead wrong for thinking it, but don't act like yall are blind!! Married or single, eye candy is eye candy! Now while I would love to hear from my married people and single folks who may have married companions, I know that you aren't gonna reply. I know ya scared! I understand. But let's talk about it! What makes people step out? Let's shoot from the married person's viewpoint, first! Is it boredom? Is it curiosity? Is it the adventure or the spontaneity of the situation? Does this person create passion that you miss? What changed? Is it just sex? Do you want things to work with your spouse? Does it add spice to your relationship? What is it? I need some help understanding.
And for the people they cheat with--Are you curious? Do you see at as a challenge because they are married? Do you want to replace their spouse? Do you have low self-esteem? Does it make you feel powerful? Is it pay for play? Does the 'no strings attached, give me what I want because I can ruin you' situation do something for you? Is it just that good? I mean, some people say that when married folks step out, they have so much passion (if you know what I mean)-almost like it's the best cookie or lollipop they've ever had?! LOLOLOL.
But seriously, infidelity is a huge problem. Some people are actually cool with their mate stepping out as long as they are safe and keep it away from them. Actually, that's more of a woman's viewpoint. This is me talking. I've seen some women deal with some real blatant BS; and stay in the situation. They looooooovvee them or don't want to be alone. PLEASE! Miss me with that. I think a lot of men live in a double standard mentality. They can do what they do; and expect for their woman to forgive! But let the thought cross their minds that their woman may be stepping out and its hell to pay.
I honestly commend married couples who are making it work, despite the rocky times. It so much easier to just say I give up or I'm going over here for comfort tonight instead of staying at home, especially when you know there are many people willing and ready to give you what you think you need. Like the guy said, most people are in a 80/20 situation. You have 80 percent of what you need and want at home. However, you take a chance on the 20% person, instead of making your situation work. I don't know what my future holds, but I hope that I won't go through it! Try to respect the union people. I know we all make mistakes, but as long as we learn from them, then it'll be ok. Ponder on that!
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY HAS FULL RIDE FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN
Syracuse University has 10 Full Rides for African American Men and Women Interested in Studying Architecture. Mark Robbins, Dean of Syracuse University's School of Architecture is desperately seeking young men and women of color interested in pursuing a five year professional degree in Architecture. He says he's deeply committed to bringing diversity to his field and has scholarship money set aside to fully cover education costs for 10 students. He says that Hispanic enrollment in the school has increased substantially, but it's been harder to attract Blacks. Syr acuse University 's School of Architecture has a great reputation and this seems like a terrific opportunity, so please pass this on to everyone you know.
Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean, School of Architecture 315 443- 2255,
or mailto:
Free Money for Low-Income Honor Students:
Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, 'When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution.
If you know of a family earning less than $ 60,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans! To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $ 6 0,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.
Call Me Mister Program:
Black Male Teachers Do you know any Black males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for 'FREE' ? Several Black Colleges are looking for future black male teachers and will send them to universities/colleges for 4 years FREE.
The 'Call Me MISTER' program is an effort to address the critical shortage of African American male teachers particularly among South Carolina 's lowest performing public schools. Program participants are selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities.
The Call Me MISTER program combines the special strengths and resources of Clemson University with the individualized instructional programs offered by four historically black colleges in South Carolina : Benedict College , Claflin University , Morris College and South Carolina State University . To provide even greater opportunity and access, students have the option of first attending one of our two-year partner colleges before transferring to one of the four-year institutions to complete their baccalaureate degree. In addition, the project has limited enrollment in the middle school Master of Art in Teaching program. Please click on the participating schools on the menu to the left to learn more about these schools' programs. · Anderson University · Benedict College · Claflin University · Clemson University · College of Charleston · Morris College · South Carolina State University · Greenville Technical College · Midlands Technical College · Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College · Tri-County Technical College · Trident Technical College The project provides: Tuition for admitted students pursuing approved programs of study at participating colleges. An academic support system to help assure their success. A cohort system for social and cultural support.
Visit http://www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htm for more details and the online application or call (800) 640-2657.
