International AIDS Conference 2012 in DC

The International AIDS Conference 2012 is being held in the heart of Washington, DC! "This is the first time in decades that the conference will be held in the United States, and it represents a significant victory for public health and human rights." The conference began July 22nd and will conclude July 27th 2012 (at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center). Some offices/places of business will give workers a day off to go and get free testing if they so desire. I think this is fantastic! WJLA covered a speech that was given by Hilary Clinton in which she said,  "I am here today to make it absolutely clear the U.S. is committed and will remain committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation!" Very wishful thinking, huh? I do not say that sarcastically, but with high risk groups such a sex workers, injecting drug users, etc. this will be harder to combat. This will be much easier said than done. At the same time, I understand that we must remain highly optimistic about the 'wiping out' so to speak, of this virus as it is very serious and very deadly.
In addition, there is also word that there is a new drug that can surpress the virus and prevent it from spreading throughout a person's body. Supposedly if it does this, then it lessens the chance for others to contract the disease. Do we know this to be completely true...of course not, but it means PROGRESS!
At this point, I would just like to emphasis the importance of SAFE SEX practices...honestly a big part of this is that people are just not using condoms (I understand this is not the only way to contract and sometimes condoms break)! If you completely refuse to use a condom, whether you believe your partner/significant other is faithful or not (and esp. with a stranger), or you let your inhibitions go in the heat of the moment, you are taking a HUGE RISK and putting your life on the line. Just think of innocent babies being born already having the HIV virus. A few minutes of pleasure is NOT WORTH A LIFE TIME OF HEARTACHE, GUILT, AND SICKNESS. I used to be a teen advocate in T.A.S.A., Teens Against the Spread of AIDS of Children's Medical Center and we stressed this because it's crucial. If you decide to have intercourse with a stranger or someone you don't know very well, please try to go and get tested together so you both know your status. If you are sexually active, it's wise to carry condoms (that are not expired) on your person. If you go to a club, esp. as a woman, and you decide to drink, bring a friend that will look out for you and do not walk away from your drink. This will prevent date rape, which can lead to contracting HIV. 3% of people in DC have the HIV Virus and this supposedly means that everyday 2 to 3 new people are contracting the virus. PROTECT YOURSELF!
One thing I do agree with is as Clinton said, "If we're going to beat AIDS, we can't afford to avoid sensitive conversations, and we can't afford not to reach the people who are at the highest risk." Will you be making a trip to the convention center this week?

Empathy: Our Need For It Today At An All Time High

Four days from today I have to stand in front of an auditorium full of entrepreneurs and teachers at George Washington University and expound on the importance of EMPATHY in terms of today's time/social business and why it is essential. A good speaker ALWAYS does extensive research on the topic matter at hand before even thinking about writing a speech. So, I ran across this one essay a woman wrote about the power of empathy and it truly brought tears to my eyes...it was so deep and so true. It was one of those things you read and every other sentence you go "Uuummm!" Anyways, it's not like I haven't known this but sometimes when you read others' thought process it helps you to sort out your own...I've come to the conclusion that EVERYONE needs some empathy in their heart, not just social entrepreneurs. The power of empathy is often underestimated. In the essay I read, it gave this amazing intro about how people are so caught up into self for the most part...kids are worried about the next game they're going to play and school grades, college kids are worried about which party to go to next and how to juggle 22 credits while still managing to sleep, eat, and have fun...business professionals are concerned about work, the stock market, etc. Then the author asks the question...
      "Have we ever taken time to feel sympathy and to help disabled and poor people who are hungry and jobless? Have we ever had time to think of old people who were sent to nursing homes and only remembered by their family once in a year? I do hope many of us will say "Yes". I am not surprised though if many of us may admit that we don’t have time for that kind of "luxurious" feeling. In the century of Information Technology, of the Internet and robots, of the stock market, we rush to develop our minds and chase our success. Oftentimes we neglect to develop our empathy. The empathy which is defined to be the action of understanding, being aware of , being sensitive to other's feelings, thoughts and experiences, is very important not only to ourselves, but also to our whole society."
--Nguyen Minh Hien
That's powerful stuff isn't it?! IT'S SO TRUE. WE MUST STOP BEING SO SELFISH...I mean at the end of the day where does it really get us? We are still tired, working hard, long hours...and what's even more important when we are down, in a bind, or going through a really hard time we look for and want and even expect  OTHERS (or a person close to us in particular, like our spouse) to feel some genuine empathy for us. Empathy is not something you just innately have...it must be learned and the more experiences you have the more likely you will be able to understand what someone's going through or "put yourself in their shoes," as we say.
The author then goes on to say..."Unlike empathic people who care about others and try to put themselves in other's situations, people without any empathy always put themselves in first place." This is not a good trait, but you will find that many and I dare say even most are lacking empathy. The author goes on to tell the story of her girlfriend's tragic ending to her marriage. The wife opened up her home to the author (Nguyen) after she had just arrived to the US and showed her empathy by taking her places and keeping her company, but her husband was a workaholic and this was taking a toll on her. He was ALWAYS working. He NEVER remembered his wife's or son's birthdays and other important dates and would still attend lunch business conferences when his family was ill and in need of a doctor. Because of her husband's lack of empathy, they ended up getting a divorce. That story is so sad and unfortunate, and I'm sure it happens all too often, but all that can be avoided if we just take the time to develop empathy...but as FOR ME, I won't sit here typing and pretend I'm "Oh so empathetic" all the time. I have a big heart, but I've fallen short...I have actually forgotten my 'dating anniversary'/"the first day we made it official anniversary'...(I don't know what you call it since I'm not married) more than once. This was totally insensitive because I really hurt my signifcant other (high school sweet-heart) and what makes it worse is usually men are labeled to be the ones to typically forget dates like this. I did not mean it on purpose, but it still was a lack of empathy on my part, so what did I do?...I marked it on the calendar for next year and on Google calendar so I WON'T FORGET!...also I can be a night owl sometimes and I'll creep down the old stairs which creek so loud...but grandma is a light sleeper and it wakes her up almost EVERY time. This means her rest is broken and she will have to work 10 plus hours, tired and unrested. I feel terrrible now that I'm writing this out, but WE ALL do some pretty inconsiderate things. In order to change this I will simply have to make sure I get all my work done and feed my belly before I go to bed so we can both be rested and happy. So to end this really long post, I hope you got something out of it and I challenge you to find areas in your life in which you could be more empathetic! If your a teacher, maybe you can be more empathetic to your students who are struggling in your class...if you're married, maybe you can be more empathetic to your spouse...if you're a mentor maybe you can be more empathetic to your mentee and CALL them.
Til Next Time,
Yaz

Bob Ross' 30,000 Paintings...Where'd They All Go?

Do you ever recall skimming through channels (probably good and well before you had cable) and coming across a funny, fast talking man, with an brownish-orange afro swiftly making beautiful strokes on a canvas? Yep, though he passed only two years after to my birth, I remember seeing his amazing work on PBS as a toddler. His name is Bob Ross. He was both the creator and host of PBS’ show, The Joy of Painting. Ross said that he had painted more than 30,000 paintings throughout the course of his lifetime, but where did all the paintings go? He did not sell them all, that’s for sure.

For every single episode of The Joy of Painting, Ross would create three identical paintings. The first copy always hid off screen, and Ross referred to it while the cameras rolled (none of his on-air paintings were spontaneous). Ross painted a third copy when filming finished. This time, an assistant would stand behind him and snap photos of each brushstroke. These pictures went into Ross’ “How to” books. 

In an interview, Ross told viewers that many of the paintings he donated to PBS stations and often times the stations would auction them off to make a pretty penny! As Ross was also a painting instructor, he would give free paintings to his students and of course he sold some for himself. Once a burglar stole 13 paintings from his van.

Ross died, July 4, 1995, as a result of battling lymphoma with his last episode of The Joy of Painting airing on May 17, 1994.

Do you have an original Bob Ross painting? How’d you get your hands on it?


[Story inspired by Mental Floss]

Isn't It Time For...

A BLACK SUPER HERO ON THE BIG SCREEN?! LOL Seriously! Correct me if I'm wrong...is there one? What?...a Black man can't fly in the air, jump off buildings, and save cute babies?! lol Now that I think about it, there are no Hispanic ones either (Cartoon Network doesn't count :)). There is the AWESOME 'Black Panther,' but that's a cartoon (it's a cool cartoon, don't get me wrong) BUT, they haven't brought him to life yet (on the big screen)...and what's so funny and yet so racist about Black Panther is he's a super hero IN AFRICA! hahaha In the city of WAKANDA, they have never been conquered ever in history...NOT BY THE French, or the British, or the Conquistadors...none of em, and of course for the most part Black Panther has never left Africa. Even Captain America couldn't take him out. I guess they said well, "YES, OF COURSE there can be a Black super hero, but we'll just keep his super behind in Africa!"

Maybe I'm in the wrong business...maybe I should have went into filmmaking! lol I am cracking up inside, I wish you knew and YOU KNOW I'M TOTALLY RIGHT! PS: Idris doesn't count officially yet. He has played the super hero roll (like in Thor and Ghost Rider 2), but it's not a consistant brand like Thor or Captain America. And we can't say "A Black Super hero (and when I say 'super hero' I'm referring to how we usually think of them from cartoon strip/magazine cartoon heros who are now almost all one the big screen in human form) doesn't sell or won't sell to the general public or abroad, because we've never even tried it! lol Right? hhmmppttt I believe I have to make a run to the patent office! :)

Who's Paying Attention? You Just Never Know. Colorado Shooting

Another sad day...yet again another tragedy to shake our heads at and just go..."why?" There are some crazy crazy people out here. These types of attrocities we see in thriller movies and hit criminal justice/investigative sitcoms we never hope to wake up to in real life! If these aren't the end times, I don't know what is. I send my condolences and prayers to the families of the now lost, those injured, and people who were affected. You just never know. You go out on a warm, summer night feeling good and ready to see one of your favorite super heroes on the big screen...you strap your baby in the car, and little do you know that tonight you will be facing death? It's a sad state of affairs...I mean, what are people like this trying to prove? I mean...a rifle, gas mask (or heavy army like materials), explosives, etc...We always try to get more security in places like airports and public transportation systems, but it never seems like enough. Are we ever truly safe from demon possessed people such as this? Evil is prevalent, but it will not win! THE VIOLENCE MUST STOP! We really need to go back and take a look at "the right to bear arms!" If you ain't hunting...why does anyone really need a gun if you think about it? Even police...oh what, self defense? A gun's purpose is to kill...if you want a weapon of some sort 'to defend' yourself then why not use something that will not just up and kill someone?! You may think this statement is naive of me, but I want you to really think about this now! Why does someone really really need a gun unless they are hunting for some food to eat????? #ProjectEnough

Feel The Love

"Ooohh, can you feel the Love tonight? It is where we are!" Do you remember that famous, and oh so loved Lion King song? Well, hum that tune in you head softly as you read this post (with the piccolo, African drums in the background and all). lol One lady I work with, yesterday was just giving me such positive energy...she was giving me compliments and praises left and right and I said you know what...THIS FEELS GOOD! It feels good to be loved and to be recognized...so, I was touched to do mass shout outs on my Facebook page. Oh yes! Not just one, two, or five, but tons. I'm still going at it...I challenge you to see the good in your life...in you and in those around you! As you celebrate this being Friday (it's da weekend! lol) take time to thank or compliment someone...it could be someone you know and love or A COMPLETE STRANGER! Those are actually the most fun because you don't know what you'll get! You will be surprised at how happy it makes you feel...I promise.

Here's a cute story. I remember last school year in college, a young Caucasian girl was sitting on the flowerbed right outside of the main school building. In her hands she held a big, white poster stating "FREE COMPLIMENTS!" as people walked out she asked them if they wanted free compliments...some where like "SURE! GO FOR IT!" While some laughed and thought she was crazy...I thought she was extremely brave and I admired her for it. Of course, I took my free compliment (which all came off the top of her head by the way) and she complimented me on my clothing style! (Well I am a wannabe model by the way right? It would be shameful if I wasn't stylish. haha I crack myself up) Anyways, the funny thing is...SHE WILL BE MY ROOMMATE THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR! OUT OF ALL PEOPLE ON CAMPUS...but it gets better. She was also the one who taught me how to edit videos and post them on Youtube so I can bring you those hilarious videos you see me post on YazzieSpeaks the Truth! Oh boy, I must get ready....We are going to have a compliment fest! lol She is a dollbaby...and very talented, a dancer! Beautiful blue eyes, that make you want to swim in them! Thought that would be a cute Friday story to share! Fell free to check out my Facebook Page 'Yasmine Arrington scholarchips' and read about some amazing ppl...just short blurbs...You may see your name! 

PS: I do not want to hear any excuses as to why you can't be nice for a second today..I have this excruciating pain on my sides and I'm still trucking...lol 

Don't Hate, Appreciate! Phat/Skinny...Confidence is the Prettiest

Random thought I had come to mind as I was scrolling through the Facebook homepage feed...the feed that hundreds of millions of people stare at everyday...more so than newspapers! I am noticing that more and more Plus modeling is gaining popularity and demand...people love and want to see beautiful, thick women with thighs, hips, full bosoms and curves; now granted not all people want to see this (I guess/don't see why not lol wink, wink), but juicy women are making moves! The only thing is, I'm finding it not so nice and fair that some of the so-called "cute" slogans that are coming out are slick shots at skinny women. Don't think so? Well here's one..."If a size 2 is beautiful, than my size 22 must be GLORIOUS!" I get the pun/word play or should I say number play on this, but what does this quote say about a size 2 woman? Every woman that's 'skinny' as we call it, is not anorexic, just like every plus sized woman is not greedy. Here's another one..."A woman with no curves is like having jeans with no pockets...you don't know where to put your hands!" Again, haha funny...ok I get it, but there's still an underlying theme there. Basically something to the effect of a man does not desire a skinny woman or a woman "with no curves" aka LOVE HANDLES/JELLY ROLLS LOL! My point is...plus model industries and their ad campaign managers can certainly make cute phrases without putting down the skinny woman. This does no justice to the cause and in fact seems counteractive...all the years the fashion industry was putting down big women or women who just like to eat a juicy berger every now and then, the plus model industry is no more right then to put down the other side. It's almost like a "I'm going to crticize YOU to make ME feel better about myself." Can't we all just get along?! lol My observation and suggestion is for women...please get to know WHO YOU ARE...inside and out! LOVE YOURSELF AND ROCK WHATEVER YOU HAVE! Men will see your confidence and LOVE IT AND LOVE YOU! Criticizing someone else is SSSOOOO NOT SEXY, it's a turn off. People can tell when you are confident, just like they can tell when you're insecure or cocky. I think above all confidence is the best look...how about a campain for that?! hhmmmpptt

♪Summer Breeze♪

Aaahhh, summer. I love the summer, because I feel it's the time I always meet the most people...new people that is. It's the time of vacations...internships...fun in the sun! lol Everyone is different, yet we all have similarities, whether it be in our lives and dislikes, professions, traveling experiences. The key, I've found to making productive and positive relationships is to find those similarities and draw on them, but also embrace the differences. I realize that when I write these kinds of general 'rule of thumb' blog posts, they're either somewhat in a frustrated tone or in a jolly happy tone! lol Granted, all 'people experiences' will not be good ones, but we should find comfort in the fact that they can ALL serve as learning experiences. I love getting older...it means you've seen more, you've done more...and hopefully that means you're more mature. I am so grateful that my internship at PBS this summer has been more than amazing...all the people I work with are so nice and even those in other departments. They have also done a phenomenal job at balancing the diversity throughout the building! Piece of advice...if you don't like where you are working....GET OUTTA THERE! Life is too short for you to be absolutely miserable in the place you spend most of your time.
There's so much I want to tell you...but you will have to wait for the autobiography for me to break down all the juicy details! In all I do though, I try my hardest to have good, genuine motives...it doesn't always turn out that way, but I try. Anyways...I hope you have a fantastic start to your week.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. It will have vanished before you know it. lol

SIKE! I Haven't Been Holding Back, Won't Start Now

Actually...I LIED! There are some things that have been in the news that I want to discuss...some are rather old news, but oh well...still relevant as these issues WILL come up again. So things I will look into before blabbing extensively about them...Ok. I've seen headlines that Zimmerman secretly raised funds along with his wife to secure bond. Bail was 1 million or something and he thought he was saved by the bell, well not so much. Judge says...DENIED! hhhmmm folks thinking nowadays they can get away with any old thing like murder and molestation. I mean they haven't just been jay-walking or running red lights here. Also, I saw sometime back that Bishop Eddie long stepped down as pastor. I have to verify if this is true. I actually commend that act...It shows owning up to your responsibility as a leader. Better late than never. If you know there are some things in your life you need to work on, like lusting after the young boys in your congregation (this isn't right for anyone), then no...you shouldn't be the head Shepherd leading millions of sheep/people. I saw Madea's new movie. Something good you may or may not know he has now added a white cast into his production and plans to continue. I'm proud of the President he is working hard! Health Care...Student loan interests to remain the same. I know some unmentionables are turning red, and black and blue in the face because of his progress. Also, word is that Sarah Palin is getting a divorce and is looking extremely frail. Honey I know you are stressed, but baby, HEALTH COMES FIRST BEFORE ANY MAN! LOL
Ok. You see? Why should I hold back on juicy, dissenting, realtalk commentary...? That's what blogging IS ALL ABOUT! TO SPARK EMOTIONS AND DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT. How can we take these often serious and/or silly media stories we've all heard and make them relevant to daily life?! Too many people nowadays are too afraid to offend anybody, or speak what's really on their mind...Everything must be politically correct. I haven't been holding back and I ain't about to start now! Plus if I did hold back, I would be just another hum drum nobody venting online....oh no, I'm a WO-MAN, WITH A PLAN! And it all goes down right here!

Tonight 7/6 RadioInterview @8PM

PLEASE TUNE IN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELLE NEWSAM OF SERIOUSLY SENSUAL BLOGTALK RADIO TONITE, 7/6, @8PM online. If you miss it and want to catch it later visit: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/seriously-sensual

GETURDONE! Learning There's More to Life

Hello ladies and gents! It's been quite some time...I do not want to bore you with repetitious dissenting commentary on stories you've already seen and heard 1 million times on the local news, ET Gossip, Yahoo News  etc...like Tom Cruise getting  divorce, the President passing his Health Care Bill, the death of Andy Griffith (though he was a role model to many for so many years), and how many thousands still don't have power (these are just some examples). I just don't know what to say anymore. That's why I love college...always something new! lol As far as I'm concerned, most of the stuff they put out there really isn't news. Most of it is not crucial to enhancing our own personal lives.
Anyway, I realize that though I have grown much mentally and emotionally, the world is still very small to me. I have been learning a really big lesson lately...I think I should have finally mastered now. And that is...I would get mad when I would reach out to someone, usually a grown professional, and they wouldn't get back to me. I would take it personal and maybe even shed a few tears. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS WRONG WITH ME? They are busy. They have jobs, families, friends, events, etc. Who am I so important to but all of my church family and grandma? lol This is true though. However, deep down in my bones I know I'm destined for greatness...I mean WHO DOESNT WANT TO THINK THIS OF THEMSELVES?! I mean, one day I'll be so busy that people won't be able to reach me for months...but Im not that kind of person. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN "GETURDONE!" LOLZ (For all you BlueCollartv fans out there.) If someone reaches out to you genuinely, I THINK, it's common courtesy to at least respond, but apparently that's not common thought.  I just know I'm on the brink of a breakthrough...I can feel it inching on my skin, I can smell it! like fresh honey. In my little mind, there's no way you should be that busy and still be poor! lol If I'm unreachable busy I better be making money or doing something for a really good cause! lol
Anyways...still growing, still learning, still making mistakes...still loving life and reaching higher.

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