Getting Naked

I love how comfortable she seems in her skin

I have been working out on a more regular basis these days since hubby got me a membership to his gym. Back in Philly, I would hit the gym and jump in my car, never seeing the inside of the women’s locker room. Now that I am in NYC, things are a tad different.
I come to the gym straight from work and obviously, I have to change. The first time I entered the locker room I could not get over how, for the lack of a better term, naked the women were. Women of all shapes and sizes were parading around, without a care in the world.
I tried not to stare but let us face it; we look. Maybe it’s to judge, compare, or whatever but at one time, or another; we have all looked. Moreover, to be quite honest, it was refreshing to be surrounded by women who did not mind being naked especially in a culture where we are judged constantly on appearance alone.
I am so used to hiding my body, afraid what others will say when they see that my stomach is just a tad flabbier than Beyoncé’s (just a tad). Or when they see that, my arms are more defined than the average woman.
At work, women of all shapes and sizes surround me and it is interesting that the ones who have the “perfect” body are the least content.
It takes way too much energy to figure out how to switch out of my regular bra and into my sports bra without taking off my shirt (Yes I have tried).
While I will not be one of the ones strutting around in my thong, I will appreciate the body that God has given me and you should too.

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Cheers to the Graduate!

This is my absolute favorite show

image courtesy of people.com

Last Sunday I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing my best friend of twenty years (damn, really?) graduate from medical school. The few minutes before they called her name, I was beside myself when I realized that she was truly a bona-fide Doctor. I was acting as if I was receiving the diploma!
It was surreal when they introduced her as Doctor BFF because I know how hard she fought to get and stay on top. Even through all the trials, I never saw her complain and I admire her for her strength and faith.
Let this be a lesson to you (and me) that dreams do come true. Nothing worth having is easy. Sometimes you will want to cry, stamp your foot, and want to quit. However, in the end, all that matters is that you fought and won.
Congratulations my friend on a job well done. Unfortunately, there is still work to do but know that I am here supporting you every step of the way.

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Book Review: Someone Knows My Name

Image courtesy of kirkland town library

 

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

If you did not already know, I love historical fiction.  Love it.

I picked up this book a while ago and could not put it down.

In this new land, I was an African. In this new land, I had a different name, given by someone who did not even know me. A new name for the second life of a girl who survived the great river crossing.” Continue reading

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Lets talk about the big “C”

image courtesty of soc.ucsb.edu

 

This morning I woke up to news (via Twitter) that Angelina Jolie had undergone preventive double mastectomies. As someone who works with the breast cancer and lymphedema population, I was instantly intrigued. However, I was also interested for reasons that are more personal. Continue reading

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Funerals and Legacies

I hate funerals. The thought of the end of life depresses me, as I guess it should. It makes me feel helpless, the thought that one day I may die. Or my loved ones. I attended a funeral a few Saturdays ago for a family member and as I heard the wails of the widow, it really made me think about the fragility of life.
The pastor commented that how after the funeral the widow would be alone and in that moment, it pissed me off. Why would he say that on the day of her husband’s funeral? Why would he reiterate what was already going through her mind since the death of her life partner? It was like pouring salt in an open wound. Continue reading

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Book Review: Little Bee

Image courtesy of chriscleave.com

One of my fellow book loving friends recently mailed me a book and she warned me it was a “depressing” read.

She was right.

New York Times Bestseller Little Bee by Chris Cleave is a story about a young refugee who forms an unlikely and unconventional relationship with an older woman after meeting one day on a beach in Nigeria. Throughout the book, Little Bee’s faith is challenged however; she remains resilient to the very end. Continue reading

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We started from the bottom, now we here

Sorry about the title, I could not resist.

Hubby and I just celebrated three years of marriage last week and I am still scratching my head in shock. I cannot believe it has been three years already. I wake up every day grateful to God that my best friend is snoring beside me. Continue reading

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Book Review: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith’s first novel White Teeth is brilliant and makes me want to burn everything I have ever written. This is the first time I’ve read her work and I am disappointed I did not discover her sooner. To say that she is an awesome writer is an understatement; Zadie Smith is a masterful storyteller. From the very first page, she pulls you in:
Continue reading

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Dead End

I did not even hear their voices anymore. All I heard was the steady drone of white noise, passing behind me like California smog. I knew it was there, I just stopped caring. I stared at the computer screen willing the tiny numbers to fast forward or freeze so I could leave or at the very least read more of my book from lunch.
The planets aligned in such a way that caused them to rally against me at every conceivable turn. The numbers switched to 1:00 and I knew that the steady stream of patients would bring in more white noise. Continue reading

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Saturday morning

I wake up to the smell of Folgers coffee wafting in my room like a secret lover anxious for quality time. I sniff the air and stretch my arms overhead, the aroma providing my body with a much-needed wake up call. Since she received her brand new coffee maker, my mother makes a pot on most mornings but it’s most appreciated on Saturdays when I do not have to rush to work.
I roll out of the bed, shove my feet in my favorite worn purple slippers, and trudge into the kitchen where the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee along with the lively sounds of Radio Soleil is waiting for me.
“Good morning Brendy!” My mom says in a singsong voice that envelopes me like a hug.
“Good morning Mudzer.” I kiss her on the cheek, I have a million names for her but “Mudzer” is our favorite. Continue reading

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