qurrent events
dopeness
Sep 1st
So, my younger brother is dope. That is pretty much all I want to say today.
See below. He is the only one with (slightly) more color in the photo. He makes me so proud (as do all of my siblings)
**gleaming with pride**
News Releases
19 Americans Sworn-in as Peace Corps/Liberia Volunteers
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202.692.2230
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202.692.1379
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WASHINGTON, D.C., August 30, 2010 – Nineteen Americans were sworn-in as Peace Corps/Liberia volunteers on August 27 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.
President of the Republic of Liberia H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivered remarks at the ceremony and was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Olubanke King-Akerele and acting Minister of Education Matthew G. Zarzar. Karl P. Albrecht, charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, swore the volunteers into Peace Corps service.President Sirleaf’s remarks may be read here.
Fourteen of the newly sworn-in volunteers are serving in regular two-year assignments while the other five are serving in short-term, high impact assignments as Peace Corps Response volunteers. While Peace Corps Response volunteers have been serving in Liberia since October of 2008, this is the first time since 1990 that two-year volunteers have served in Liberia.
Before being sworn-in to service, the two-year volunteers lived with local host families and participated in a seven-week technical training that familiarized them with teaching in Liberian classrooms. As part of their training, the volunteers helped run a summer school program for almost 150 students in Kakata where they developed lesson plans, taught in classrooms, issued and graded homework assignments, and administered an exam. The volunteers received language training in Liberian English and a number of local languages including Kpelle, Grebo, Mano, Vai, Gio, Gola, or Krahn.
The two-year volunteers will teach math, science, and English to middle and high school students in eight of Liberia’s 15 counties.
Over 3,800 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Liberia since the program was established in 1962. The program was closed from 1990 to 2008. Peace Corps Response volunteers returned to serve in the education and health sectors in 2008. Peace Corps Response provides opportunities for returned Peace Corps volunteers to serve again by utilizing their skills and experience in places around the world where they are needed the most. Since its inception in 1996, Peace Corps Response has sent over 1,300 returned Volunteers to more than 50 countries. Peace Corps Response service provides returned volunteers opportunities to obtain career-focused experience while accomplishing tangible results in a condensed period of time. To learn more, go to: www.peacecorps.gov/response.
As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 77 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age.
Aug 29th
And When The Groove Is Dead And Gone / You Know That Love Survives / So We Can Rock Forever
happy birthday to michael j. his spirit continues to light up the darkness.
rip alexander mcqueen
Feb 11th
is it me or does there seem to be an increasing number of suicides as of late? the talented fashion designer was found in his London flat, apparently having committed suicide. he was extremely imaginative when it came to his designs. clothing, shoes, sneakers, luggage; he did it all. sad news. this reiterates to me the fact that true happiness does not stem from money or fame or even what the rest of the world would consider success. it has to come from within. if we are unhappy with ourselves, nothing else matters. **UPDATE** It was later learned that McQueen’s suicide may have stemmed from depression following the death of his mother.**
Jan 15th
I am in reverence of the strength, faith and resilient spirit of the people of Haiti even amidst the incredible loss of life and possessions. They’re singing brought tears to my eyes.
rip mr. teddy pendergrass
Jan 14th
gone at 59. a great loss.
one of the songs i love so much from his Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes days
is so fitting right now as my heart aches for the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in Haiti.
we MUST help
Wake Up Everybody
Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed
No more backward thinkin time for thinkin ahead
The world has changed so very much
From what it used to be so
there is so much hatred war an’ poverty
Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way
Maybe then they’ll listen to whatcha have to say
Cause they’re the ones who’s coming up and the world is in their hands
when you teach the children teach em the very best you can.
The world won’t get no better if we just let it be
The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.
Wake up all the doctors make the ol’ people well
They’re the ones who suffer an’ who catch all the hell
But they don’t have so very long before the Judgement Day
So won’tcha make them happy before they pass away.
Wake up all the builders time to build a new land
I know we can do it if we all lend a hand
The only thing we have to do is put it in our mind
Surely things will work out they do it every time.
please donate what you can to:
Red Cross International Response Fund- Doctors without Borders, Yele.org,
Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, CARE.org
in case you missed it…
Sep 16th
She’s still working on herself, but who of us aren’t or shouldn’t be? I love Whitney Houston and her Come Through, her triumph over her struggle is so inspiring. But what’s most inspiring is her love for God and the fact that she did all she could to seek out His voice to pull her up from her lowest and help her find her’s again. Here is both days of the interview.
smh
Aug 24th
So MJ’s death has been ruled a homicide. See story here. Beside the fact that I have still not dealt with his death fully, none of this going on about how he died sits well with me. I don’t even know how to feel.
the president sends a message to muslims for ramadan
Aug 21st
As some of you may or may not know, the Holy month of fasting, Ramadan, is here. It will be one of the most intense as it is taking place during a summer month which not only has temperatures of 90+ but days when it seems the sun is never going to set. lol But I am so excited and energized by the prospect of a deep cleansing and reconnecting with The Most High. I was ecstatic to read that the president addressed the Muslims across the world who will be observing this period of will power, strength, prayer and charity. The following is from Deputy Associate White House Counsel, Rashad Hussain:
“Ramadan Kareem
Posted by Rashad Hussain
As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.
Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God’s mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns.
This month is also a time of renewal and this marks the first Ramadan since the President outlined his vision for a new beginning between America and the Muslim world. As a part of that new beginning, the President emphasizes that our relationship with Muslim communities cannot be based on political and security concerns alone. True partnerships also require cooperation in all areas – particularly those that can make a positive difference in peoples’ daily lives, including education, science and technology, health, and entrepreneurship – fields in which Muslim communities have helped play a pioneering role throughout history.
The President’s message is part of an on-going dialogue with Muslim communities that began on inauguration day and has continued with his statement on Nowruz, during trips to Ankara and Cairo, and with interviews with media outlets such as Al Arabiya and Dawn TV.
As this dialogue continues and leads to concrete actions, the President extends his greetings on behalf of the American people. Ramadan Kareem. ”
Please see the president’s address below.
in case you missed it…
Aug 20th
I know I’m late but just in case you looked away from the TV for a hot second or blinked, you probably missed this man speed by. Usain Bolt broke his own damn record killing the 100m in 9.58. SMDH. Simply amazing. He makes it look so damn easy. *sigh* “Ni$$as is a beautiful thang.”
**Update** Since the above post Bolt has gone on to break his own record…again. **blank stare** 19:19 in Berlin. Peep it:
In other news, the president was interviewed by a nine-year-old recently. I wonder what I would ask if I ever get the chance to meet President Obama… after I got up off the floor from fainting on him and wiped the drool off his shoes, that is.