WHEN A BIRD SINGS....

So, basically, I had been off my fitness for about 8 months.  Well, besides being an avid biker, I had cut out my workout routine because of my knees.  Exactly, I am not even 30 and I am already having these kinds of issues.  I was diagnosed with runners knees about 4 months ago.  When I walk my knees pop...and with too much strain, they become swollen and bruise.  So, this meant that I had to eliminate running from my routine.  And because the last 6 months, I was displaced...it had been really hard to focus on my health.  However, I am back on it! And I am also implementing a nutrition plan.  I'm not sure if its an approved one, but it has been helping to show results.  I have tried to cut out carbs and starches during the week.  I have only been eating protein and green veggies (for the most part).  And on the weekends, I allow myself to eat what I want (without being a fat a**).  I want to making living healthy apart of m...

SOMEBODY ...PLEASE.....MAKE IT STOP!!!

Really, the title of this blog is just to remind myself not to do the above! I am still working through a pretty big heartbreak and is difficult.  For the most part, I.....ummm... kind of okay.  But there are some days that I get really bummed out about it.  It is really hard to go from having someone to having no one.  Especially when that someone was like your everything.  That someone became your family, brother, best friend and lover.  Then all of a sudden....its all gone.  It's very hard to cope with that reality.  And being out of it, I can see why people would want to stay.  Its comfortable! You get used to that way of life! Couldn't stand the fact of being alone!  How am I coping? Staying close to friends and family.  Loved ones.  Surrounding myself with people who love me unconditionally.  Surrounding myself with genuine people.  Appreciating the love and affection from my Reese's Cup.  Trying to focus...

I totally get that when girls have little girls that they want them to have hair.  Hell, I know I would!! But if your little girl hair is not long enough to fit in a ponytail, please don't force it into one! It actually starts the breakage process that us Black women fit so much throughout life.  Embrace the Afro!! It is okay.  Find some cute bonnets and hats, if necessary.  Please don't have your little girl walking around with knockers and barretts, when really...its not needed!! RAVEN'S RULES FOR SOCIETY!!!

So I recently got put on game on Spotify (why I had not known about this site a long time ago, I'm not sure).  Well anyways it is great! However, I have now used up all the free music that I can listen too, but I am strongly considering buying the membership. While I was enjoying my free session on Spotify, I was able to listen to music that I hadn't heard in a while.  So I decided to share RAVEN'S BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (well those that I can remember).  When I say BEST ALBUM, I am referring to albums in which I can listen to the entire album.  So here they are, in no particular order: Mariah Carey- Emancipation of MiMi (well this is my favorite artist, so maybe that's why she's first lol) Lil Wayne- Carter (the 1st one) Missy Elliott- Under Construction Mac Dre- Dreganomics Raquel Saadiq- Instant Vintage Janet Jackson- Velvet Rope Michael Jackson- Invincible J-Stalin- Prenuptial Agreement Lucy Pearl- Lucy Pearl Lauryn Hill- Miseducation of Lauryn Hil...

One day I fell in love Ohh how beautiful it was His soul was godly and his touch like an angel One day I fell in love I didn't know the outcome, but my mind didn't take the journey for granted Like love birds we connected and we flew when our eyes closed because the day i fell in love; I swear it was outta this world

So if you know me…I’m mean like really know me... then you know that I am true to West Oakland .  So I’ve recently done something that I thought I’d never do: MOVE TO EAST OAKLAND.  Now, to all those who are not familiar with Oakland , they may think its not such a big deal.  But to someone who is bred here, we all know that there is a difference between East and West Oakland .  I feel so out of my element.  Not apart of the community.  Actually, I don’t even feel much of a community around me.  I’m sure there’s one, but maybe I haven’t figured out how to invade it.  Some things I have learned about East Oakland living: No respect for bikers.  Its rare you’ll find a bike land, and if you do… those mo fos don’t care Big a** dogs in everyone yard.  I suppose its an alarm system.  Poor doggies never even get walk! Can you imagine…I’m like the only person you see walking a dog around there...

What is this about good girls like bad guys? Or Nice guys finish last? Uhh, I think not!! I think we are attracted to who we are attracted too.  Just because you are a nice guy...well that doesn't turn me off.  You think I go into situations like .." yea, I'm really looking for a jerk!!" LOL Uhh, no!  I can also say, I've never passed up a nice guy because he was just too nice.  I'm saying, that’s absolutely ridiculous.  I've passed through nice guys just as I've passed through "bad guys”.  Before I wrote this, I was trying to pinpoint one reason why I’ve passed along nice guys in the past.  Well, guess what! I couldn’t….there has been multiple different reasons.  Here are some: Getting to know you stage: well this can both be super fun or long and dry.  I’d like to think that I don’t stay in this stage long.  Well, I just move pretty fast.  So if its gonna take forever for us to move out of this phase, I’m just going to get bo...

As of recently, I believe to have become distant or removed from several of my friends...friends list.  Now, in some cases..as people drift apart, you become accepting to this natural occurrence. However, when rifts and disagreements get in between two friends, I believe its only fair to address it. I understand that I have a hard time not being liked. So it is very hard for me to just accept the fact that a friend, no longer wants my friendship (especially with no clear explanation).  I consider myself an overall likable person, yes, I have my issues.  And yes, I know that there are folks out there who just won't like me because they just don't.  However, the fact that I have lost friendship because of disagreements with no discussion is very hurtful. I pride myself on being a good friend.  Being there for people when they need me to be.  Being supportive.  Making sure that we as friends come together.  Over the years, I have remain ...