The beautiful thing about living in America is the amounts of people with different views, beliefs, religions, politics and most importantly nationalities. With the amount of racism that still exists in America today it amazes me that some people don't understand that this land was taken from immigrants in the first place. Through out the years plenty of people and villages have claimed the Land of the Free as their home.
Alaska has turned into one of the most diverse places to live. Many Africans, Orientals, Pacific Islanders, and Caribbean Islanders call this place home. When I was growing up here, only one part of town was "ethnic" and the others weren't; now where ever you drive or walk you will see a little bit of everything. I love going to malls and down town walking around and hearing the many accents, seeing different wardrobes and watching little shops from Russia, Africa, Jamaica, Dominican Republic etc come up; form the food to clothes it's something great to see.There's a little sense of the world and understanding coming to Alaska, and it's making this place even more beautiful than just land. It's unique in many ways thanks to the people that are migrating to it adding a little flare to the 49th state.
Pride isn't just about loving your country, nationality or family. Pride comes in many forms from clothing, understanding, religious views and knowledge. We all know that there are many people who are not so accepting to change and different peoples nationalities. When asked what I was, I would always say Trinidadian because it's true. Then I would get oh so you're like Jamaican? For me that's very disrespectful, Puerto Rican's and Dominican's don't like to be called Mexican; Japanese don't like to be called Chinese and vice versa when they are not. There is a difference even if they speak the same language. I would try not to get mad because I know that a lot of people are ignorant and don't understand the difference. In my heart, through my veins and in my family I'm aware of who I am and what makes me.
Today August 31st marks my country's 50th Anniversary for Independence; Trinidad and Tobago. An accomplishment that is highly celebrated and appreciated among those I know and those I'm getting to know. Happy Independence Day to all my Trinidadians around the world, lets celebrate.
It's Everywhere! No not sex, working out! Sexy pictures roaming through Facebook of females in lingerie carrying weights, and sweaty men with a chiseled chest and to die for abs. The First Lady has been trying to make our school systems healthy and getting kids more active. More celebrities are advertising water commercials and sports drinks. Self & Shape Magazine has recent stars like Demi Lavato and Jordin Sparks who were pretty hefty and now in decent shape looking healthy and happy! They both said they have incredible amounts of energy and feel really good about themselves (and guess what! They only workout 3-4times a week).
So for those who think the gym is for people who want to be skinny and starve themselves.. shut up. please and thank you! Now you might be saying Ebony why so harsh? I workout 5 days a week and sometimes 6. I always get the you don't need to work out you're skinny (which I am not and proud about that), then they joke on how they need to go to the gym and start laughing... I'm not out of shape, or obese or anything along that matter. BUT there was a point in time when I was over 190lbs thanks to a previous relationship. Before I gained that weight I was at 145lbs. Why did I work out?? Well I'm naturally athletic, always have been in sports and after high school I kept it up. Then I got caught up in someone else instead of myself and BOOOM I blew up! After that I realized I lost who I was, felt kind of miserable and needed to get back to the old me. I went straight to the gym and began my workouts, in a matter of months I dropped 20lbs. Now a couple years later I'm at a solid 160lbs and loving it. Still have some meat, my shape is defined, I still have a little jiggle which I love and I can run my mile in under 7 minutes again.
Release
The gym is a great stress reliever. Hell you don't even have to run all day and lift weights or have to be in the gym for hours at a time to feel good. My girlfriend lost tons of lbs just by doing kick boxing twice a week. Get some of that stress off of you, and kick something, dance it off run or even walk. It's not just about getting "skinny" as some say, it's mainly about living longer and loving yourself. Not all of us are supposed to be skinny and slim. Majority of people are thick and big boned there is nothing wrong with that by any means. I know girls who are bigger than me but in really great shape and can out run me. When you're comfortable with yourself, feel great every morning, don't feel guilty by indulging, and having fun everyday; I say you mastered being happy within yourself. For me apart of that is the gym. It's my escape, my therapy and honestly helps me look pretty damn good. (hey I work hard at it, I'm allowed to love the way I look)
On the other hand, I know plenty of people who don't workout, are obese and eat whatever whenever they want, and they are still very happy. That's great and I love them just the same, it just breaks my heart to see them in pain, can't breathe, have sudden health issues, get tired so quick and don't want to do certain activities. Not everyone needs to go to the gym to feel better, but living life is pretty awesome and I would like to live it to the fullest; thanks to the gym I believe I can live it longer.
Skinny People Get Crap For Working-out Too!
Skinny people have it just as hard in the gym as heavier set people. If you are one of the two body types, you will get looked at by someone who is most likely judging you. I used to work with a young lady, very cute and petite (when I say petite she has to be like 5'4" and weighed maybe 110lbs) Her and I were talking about working out because she is crazy about the gym like I am. She said when going to a gym like Planet Fitness she would always get stared at because she was the only skinny girl in there, and she felt as if she wasn't welcome therefore causing her to cancel her membership. Makes perfect sense to me, I know other guys and gals who say the same thing. SO! Guess what, whether you are skinny, big, in the middle, purple or yellow doesn't matter, you're always going to be judged by someone in the gym. My advice, if you want to complete whatever goals you have put in those head phones and make the gym your bit**!
After coming back from a very calm weekend and much needed me time. I started off my Monday at the store grabbing some breakfast before I headed to work. While I was at the store I ran into a Facebook friend. I didn't know this person personally but I knew of them. She approached me and said: "You're Ebony right?" I nodded and stared waiting for her to finish speaking. "Well my name is ****, I have you as a friend on Facebook. I sent you a request because I think what you go through and how you channel that into your writing is cool. How you have found your calling at such a young age and been in a difficult industry to remain relevant is hard. But why write a blog? I mean I love reading it, but I always wondered." I smile and looked and this woman. She is much older, sounds articulate, and VERY energetic for how early it was. I put my bags down and I told her: " Someone once said to me "You aren't paid to think" I write because it is my only form of expression that I'm able to use. Writing lets me see my own thoughts and answer some deep questions I've asked myself. I write down what people say at times and study it. I look into those words and meanings. Through that I'm able to see who is really there for me and who really loves me. Its a way people can get a hint of my life and what goes on in my mind. Just a taste of some emotion. Most of the time speaking to people who claim to be your friend and others who say they love you, isn't enough, because in the back of some peoples mind, you're full of shit or you don't make sense. This has happened to me alot, my feelings aren't cared for and how I think is not accepted. BUT once I write it down for them to see, all of a sudden it makes sense. It's a little confusing since I've been saying things and it not be taken to heart, but for some reason when I lift my pen, or turn on a computer it makes perfect sense." She smiled and said, "I completely understand. At 50 years old I still continue to fight with releasing emotions." I told her "Try writing it literally saved my life."
So why do I write? Besides for expression, it's who I am and what I know. It's a gift that wont be taken away; something that I have control over. When I write, I'm able to say what I want, how I want and I could care less If I hurt peoples feelings or if someone thinks a blog is about them. I don't care if someone is offended by my words and wants it to be taken down. Why? Because my writing is me, if I edit myself I am a lie to what I stand for and what has God created. I refuse to be that, take me or leave me. Thick skin is what got me to where I am, I believe that people are so shaded and soft they don't know how to be tough or react to someone with a very strong voice. If that is you, don't read my blogs, don't send me a friend request, don't follow me on twitter or instagram; because I won't be censored. AND the icing on the cake, when people doubt me, say mean things and try to steer me away from my passion. It makes me work 10x harder. :)
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