Thursday, November 29, 2012
Black Friday, Ashes in Bangladesh
Do you remember sometime back I told you about the documentary called "Life and Debt"? The documentary focused on American factories in overseas countries, particularly focusing on Jamaica. Many of us are well aware that the United States funds/pays workers in sweatshops in poor countries, but we only bring it up when terrible tragedies happen such as the recent fire in a Bangladesh garment factory. Approximately 112 employees were burned to death after being trapped in the seven-story shop which had no fire exits. Many of the bodies are burned so bad they're un-identifiable. Some people jumped out of the building but still ended up dying. This is truly heart-breaking. It is reported that all of 4, 000 ex-amount of Bangladesh sweatshops do not have the proper fire precautions. This shop produces products for companies such as Wal-Mart, JC Penny, H&M and others.
I just feel a deep sense of sympathy for the families who lost their loved ones. If this were to happen in the U.S. people would go absolutely biserk, so we just take it overseas...and turn deaf ears and blinds eyes. My Human Services professor told me that in North Carolina some time back there was an incident similar to this, a chicken factory caught on fire and the employees died because the doors were locked. It's crazy. Places like WalMart make workers work all through not only Black Friday, but Thursday as well. Make more money, don't pay workers any more, and pay abroad workers little to nothing and don't care if a Bangladesh factory has fire exits or not. Even though we like to buy things at reasonable prices and make profit, what ever happened to the humane side of thinking? I guess big business and even the slightest sensitivity to humanity don't mix. Sad.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Had The Strangest, Scariest Dream: A Lot to Be Thankful For/My 1st Sermon
This has been a year of abundant blessings for me, but also a humbling and sometimes stressful year. Grandma laughs and says, "STRESS! You don't KNOW stress til you start having a husband, and kids, and grocery lists, and bills!" Lol She's totally right, but as I tell me beloved Tino when he compares his Engineering Physics homework to my Communications homework...anytime I say it's difficult, he says "You don't know difficult"...while this has some humourly truth, we cannot usually perceive anything more difficult than the situation we are dealing with. One subject or issue may be harder for one person to deal with than another. I was struggling to write for while, because I didn't want you to think I turned my attention from any global, national, or local issues and decided to turn everything "Young, Black and Beautiful" about me, but I realized 1) this is a specialized blog and 2) I make some revealing observations about the world I don't often hear people talking about...and no worries, I will certainly talk about global issues in due time...but as I've said this year has been very busy. Israel is in my prayers.
So about this dream...I don't know if the scary factor has anything to do with all the Thanksgiving sweets I ate prior to going to sleep a couple hours later...side note: I wonder if sugary foods before sleeping causing bad dreams is a biological truth or a superstition (I will find out) anyway I interpreted it much different. I had a dream that my house nearly burnt down...and this was in the dream, apparently not the first time, but the second time. We had to rush out and the flames looked so real...I watched them creep up the kitchen wall, and later into the rooms upstairs...I was so terrified. I was thinking Lord why...where are we going to live? We'll have to start from scratch. Grandma said leave everything, or if I wanted to risk it I could try to go grab a few things of value and clothes. I ran upstairs to grab a few things and heart racing, I said a simple pray something like, "Lord I'm scared, but if this is your will I will accept, just please don't let us die. I give my life but I know there are still things I have to do on this earth and when I walked down stairs the flames had subsided. I couldn't believe my eyes. I took the hose off the sink and sprayed the kitchen wall and the fire was out. I was so relieved and couldn't believe it." I woke up a little after that. You can imagine how shook you'd be after a dream like that, but I look at it this way...a little bit of faith can go a long way. We may see ourselves in a bad situation and think that our end is near, but if we just had a seedling of faith and cry out, we can be restored. The dream still resinates with me as a little weird, but I will not take it lightly. It's been an enormously long time since I've had a dream I can remember so vividly.
Anyways, the last thing I wanted to share with you was my amazing Sunday. Last Sunday I had the tremendous opportunity to give my first unofficial sermon (not my initiation sermon to become an ordained minister, but that's coming soon). I wanted my family to come but things came up which prevented that. I wanted a church member to come, but that didn't happen. However, the love of my life Tino was there and one of my favorite professors who had introduced me the the first lady of the church at an informal lunch and she introduced me to the church. These two and first lady were just smiling up at me and it did my heart good! I spoke at Union Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for their 9th Annual Corner2Corner Conference Sunday morning service. Pastor Sir Walter Mack Jr. is the kindest man I've ever met...he sat me in HIS SEAT! I SAT IN THE PASTOR'S SEAT YALL! And believe it or not this was one of my visions...never dreamed it would happen at 19 years old. I poured my heart out to the congregation. my topic was "Making the Choice to Bounce Back: Making Your Setback a Comeback." Many of us beat ourselves up for past mistakes or find ourselves struggling to let go of the things someone else 'has done' to us, but in order to let God use you in an effective and wonderful way we must forgive people. At the second service Roland Martin (CNN) spoke he did a good job, he's rather riske in his commentary sometimes, lol but I felt bad because the ex-offenders/C2C graduates were jumping up in agreement at some of his comments like "Will you same church folk walk up to a drug dealer and give him the good new" and all the ex-drug dealers were hollering "NOPE, NOPE THEY WON'T!" I felt bad because I poured my heart out as a child of an ex-convict...I spoke out of love and passion and they weren't hollering like that. Perhaps because they felt convicted a little...but people loved my sermon, especially pastor and First Lady. I have to realize that I can't worry about what people think, what was said was said, and it came from my heart and I know it was received my someone. But to add to the blessings, Pastor gave me a honorarium and a donation to ScholarCHIPS for over $1,000! I cannot wait to get a copy of the dvd, I will post the video so you can see it, or some of it if you so wish to put a visual with my story.
Back to reality I've struggled with finding rides this year...even the Megabus has decided to jack up the prices on holiday time tickets. My ride home dumped me on the corner in a rush to get home, but Thank God I still made it home in warmth and peace...I may not have a car, but when I get one I will be as helpful as I possibly can because I know what's it's like to be without. I've been on tv and radio, in magazines and editorials and God's not finished with me yet! I've got more sermons to preach, more children to help get into college, more lives to touch, more hurtful tests to endure, but I've still got shoes on my feet, a roof over my head, an education and a sound mind! In addition, I will be giving the opening poem I wrote for Gospel Choir's concert. I HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR!
(Me in the middle of Pastor Sir Walter Mack Jr. and his Queen, First Lady. I met her at a lunch with my professor, had no idea she WAS a first lady of a church or that her husband would have me speak).
So about this dream...I don't know if the scary factor has anything to do with all the Thanksgiving sweets I ate prior to going to sleep a couple hours later...side note: I wonder if sugary foods before sleeping causing bad dreams is a biological truth or a superstition (I will find out) anyway I interpreted it much different. I had a dream that my house nearly burnt down...and this was in the dream, apparently not the first time, but the second time. We had to rush out and the flames looked so real...I watched them creep up the kitchen wall, and later into the rooms upstairs...I was so terrified. I was thinking Lord why...where are we going to live? We'll have to start from scratch. Grandma said leave everything, or if I wanted to risk it I could try to go grab a few things of value and clothes. I ran upstairs to grab a few things and heart racing, I said a simple pray something like, "Lord I'm scared, but if this is your will I will accept, just please don't let us die. I give my life but I know there are still things I have to do on this earth and when I walked down stairs the flames had subsided. I couldn't believe my eyes. I took the hose off the sink and sprayed the kitchen wall and the fire was out. I was so relieved and couldn't believe it." I woke up a little after that. You can imagine how shook you'd be after a dream like that, but I look at it this way...a little bit of faith can go a long way. We may see ourselves in a bad situation and think that our end is near, but if we just had a seedling of faith and cry out, we can be restored. The dream still resinates with me as a little weird, but I will not take it lightly. It's been an enormously long time since I've had a dream I can remember so vividly.
Anyways, the last thing I wanted to share with you was my amazing Sunday. Last Sunday I had the tremendous opportunity to give my first unofficial sermon (not my initiation sermon to become an ordained minister, but that's coming soon). I wanted my family to come but things came up which prevented that. I wanted a church member to come, but that didn't happen. However, the love of my life Tino was there and one of my favorite professors who had introduced me the the first lady of the church at an informal lunch and she introduced me to the church. These two and first lady were just smiling up at me and it did my heart good! I spoke at Union Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for their 9th Annual Corner2Corner Conference Sunday morning service. Pastor Sir Walter Mack Jr. is the kindest man I've ever met...he sat me in HIS SEAT! I SAT IN THE PASTOR'S SEAT YALL! And believe it or not this was one of my visions...never dreamed it would happen at 19 years old. I poured my heart out to the congregation. my topic was "Making the Choice to Bounce Back: Making Your Setback a Comeback." Many of us beat ourselves up for past mistakes or find ourselves struggling to let go of the things someone else 'has done' to us, but in order to let God use you in an effective and wonderful way we must forgive people. At the second service Roland Martin (CNN) spoke he did a good job, he's rather riske in his commentary sometimes, lol but I felt bad because the ex-offenders/C2C graduates were jumping up in agreement at some of his comments like "Will you same church folk walk up to a drug dealer and give him the good new" and all the ex-drug dealers were hollering "NOPE, NOPE THEY WON'T!" I felt bad because I poured my heart out as a child of an ex-convict...I spoke out of love and passion and they weren't hollering like that. Perhaps because they felt convicted a little...but people loved my sermon, especially pastor and First Lady. I have to realize that I can't worry about what people think, what was said was said, and it came from my heart and I know it was received my someone. But to add to the blessings, Pastor gave me a honorarium and a donation to ScholarCHIPS for over $1,000! I cannot wait to get a copy of the dvd, I will post the video so you can see it, or some of it if you so wish to put a visual with my story.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Have You Ever Seen A Big Lady Ice Skate?
You have to check this out! This girl is good...I've never seen this before and It's great! lol You should watch her and pay attention to how your face reacts! Americans are unfortunately not used to seeing ice skaters or models who are over a certain size, so watch I promise you will be amazed :)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
StillShot Video Project
Loving that Digital Media Convergence Class! Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-45wiWP5e8&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-45wiWP5e8&feature=youtu.be
Sunday, November 11, 2012
My Teen Vogue Article
Check out my Teen Vogue Article that was just published TODAY: http://www.teenvogue.com/my-life/giving-back/2012-11/yasmine-arrington-college-scholarships
My Diversity Poster: Photoshop Creation
Hey Guys...wanted to share my photoshop creation with you! I love learning how to manipulate all these advanced programs!
Also, please keep clicking this link and sharing til Dec. 1st! : http://forums.ilenecarol.com/post/Yasmine-Arrington-Tell-Us-Your-Story-6033315
Also, please keep clicking this link and sharing til Dec. 1st! : http://forums.ilenecarol.com/post/Yasmine-Arrington-Tell-Us-Your-Story-6033315
Monday, November 5, 2012
TODAY IN CLASS, MY ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS OUTBURST
In digital media convergence class today we were talking about how Apple wants to make an Apple TV and rid of all their competitors...(i.e. Sony, Panasonic)! They also want to get rid of all their mobile competitors (i.e. Sprint, Verizon).
As a terrible reflex, I slightly bang the table with stretched eyes and exclaim "HEY! WAIT! They can't do that! That's a monopoly!"
CLASS LAUGHS.
My professor says..."Don't buy it!"
I say, "I won't but a lot of people will!"
My professor says: PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG! SSTTOOPP THEM!"
Absolutely hilarious! But seriously...I'm going to dig into this some more. Those greedy mongers! I see now that a one-world government is no joke! Big companies, orgs, and government to rule everything!!! Does no one else not see something wrong with this? STOP BUYING THE LATEST IPHONE every year...you don't need it boo! What? For a higher screen resolution and just 5% more bandwidth than the phone you have now and a smaller size by .05 inches?! REALLY? WHY YOU NO USE BRAIN???
As a terrible reflex, I slightly bang the table with stretched eyes and exclaim "HEY! WAIT! They can't do that! That's a monopoly!"
CLASS LAUGHS.
My professor says..."Don't buy it!"
I say, "I won't but a lot of people will!"
My professor says: PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG! SSTTOOPP THEM!"
Absolutely hilarious! But seriously...I'm going to dig into this some more. Those greedy mongers! I see now that a one-world government is no joke! Big companies, orgs, and government to rule everything!!! Does no one else not see something wrong with this? STOP BUYING THE LATEST IPHONE every year...you don't need it boo! What? For a higher screen resolution and just 5% more bandwidth than the phone you have now and a smaller size by .05 inches?! REALLY? WHY YOU NO USE BRAIN???
YET AGAIN
Hello My lovelies!
Tomorrow is the day. Many people are nervous. Please don't be. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a purpose and I'll just leave it at that! lol You can vote twice today...that's right. Once for president of the United States and once for a beloved friend! Totally not on the same level, but don't minimize. haha. Anyways. Please click the link below and scroll down and hit five stars. I promise after this one is over...I'll sit my hind-parts down, but this is a chance for me to be on a magazine cover as a plus model :) No worries, it will be elegant...no peep shows here!! lol Did someone just say breakthrough? This industry is almost impossible unless you get the exclusive inside connection! But every once in a while someone is kind enough to open the opportunity to new faces and every once in twelve blue moons someone is nice enough to open the opportunity for a plus size model.
One thing I hope you've learned from me, is that you don't have to limit yourself to one subject, or field or career. You can be whatever and do as many things as your heart desires. Life's too short for holding back and out and regrets. While it's important to be an expert in one area, it's also very useful to have some knowledge on a plethora of things...it keeps life eventful.
Tomorrow is the day. Many people are nervous. Please don't be. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a purpose and I'll just leave it at that! lol You can vote twice today...that's right. Once for president of the United States and once for a beloved friend! Totally not on the same level, but don't minimize. haha. Anyways. Please click the link below and scroll down and hit five stars. I promise after this one is over...I'll sit my hind-parts down, but this is a chance for me to be on a magazine cover as a plus model :) No worries, it will be elegant...no peep shows here!! lol Did someone just say breakthrough? This industry is almost impossible unless you get the exclusive inside connection! But every once in a while someone is kind enough to open the opportunity to new faces and every once in twelve blue moons someone is nice enough to open the opportunity for a plus size model.
One thing I hope you've learned from me, is that you don't have to limit yourself to one subject, or field or career. You can be whatever and do as many things as your heart desires. Life's too short for holding back and out and regrets. While it's important to be an expert in one area, it's also very useful to have some knowledge on a plethora of things...it keeps life eventful.
Aaahh, I'm in the lead! 2 minutes and five stars is all it
takes :) http://forums.ilenecarol.com/post/Yasmine-Arrington-Tell-Us-Your-Story-6033315 Competition ends December 1st!
PS: If you missed the BLACK GIRLS ROCK SHOW visit this link: http://www.bet.com/video/blackgirlsrock/2012/exclusives/crest-empowerment-suite-yasmine-arrington.html
It was truly amazing to watch it with family! THIS IS NOTHING BUT GOD'S FAVOR!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
BET/BLACK GIRLS ROCK SHOW AIRS THIS SUNDAY AT 7PM
Hey! Hey! hey! The BLACK GIRLS ROCK SHOW will air THIS SUNDAY on BET at 7PM! LaLa Anothony introduces me and I'm in a royal blue dress! Thanks again for voting and all your love and support. Without you, this would not be possible. I LOVE YOU AND I HOPE YOU ARE WELL!
LOVE YAZ, @Yazziebeau93
PS: Don't worry...I'm still making observations about the world...just have to find time to sit down, escape the daily chaos and write it all down :)
I met some of my favorite actors as the show...Meagan Good and Idris Elba...and Black Girls rock founder and celebrity DJ Beverley Bond!
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