The Month of April is.....FASHION

Hello Everyone!!!!!!

I love my city as you all know by now, but may people do not know that Detroit have it's own unique style when it comes to fashion. The whole month of April I will be showcasing all the wonderful and homegrown clothing labels and companies that you may not be that familiar with. Starting on the first of April( no joking) I will have interviews and reviews on and about every thing Fashion, Detroit Fashion. Take a seat and enjoy the ride through our fashion.

Personal rant

I just had to write these feelings out. It's a personal rant that I am posting just to show someone out there that is going through something like this that you are not alone.




I started this out not knowing what to say. This thought has been really have on my heart as of the past few months. I feel like this is a safe place for me to express these thoughts and emotions. I been in love with a man for 10 years of my life, but I always been the best friend. For 10 years, I just played my role as my heart bleed. Don't get it wrong, I had relationships, but my heart always wanted him. I tried and tried so many times to get over him and "let it go", but there was always something not allowing me to let go. Now I see that the writing is on the wall and he has a girlfriend, but that force will not let go. I miss my best friend, but this foolish pride will not allow me to reach out to him. I guess I don't want to seem like a pest or something. I guess I just got to get use to not talking to him, and it's going to be hard since I known him since I was 14.

New Year = NEW CHANGES

 Happy New Year Everybody!!!!!

As some of you can see, I changed up my blog background. I came up with the idea to change the background every month. It's important to shake things up every once in a while, right? This year I will be more open and getting back to what my blog originally was started to do. Promote Detroit in a positive light.

I want to thank every single person who have came to my blog, read my post, and left a comment. I promise to make this blog bigger and better.

New Year & NEW PLAN

Hey everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the last post of the 2013, and it's been a great year for me. I want to thank all of you for the love I have receive here on my blog. I have over 1,700 views, and it's all because of you and I thank you.  2014 is going to be even big and better. I plan with your help and support we can make my blog popular and spread the word about the Good in people and my hometown. With your help and support, I can stay with my diet and be healthier.

I still can not be it's the end of 2013. Tell me in the comments below or tweet me using the hash tag below with what's your plan / New Year Resolutions for 2014, and I will reply to the first 20 people who use this tag.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

#awordwithjhonzalee

Update on me (Weight loss)

I made a post a little time ago about me losing weight and loving myself a little more. I am writing this post to update you on that plan. I admit I fell off track (hey I'm only human), but I am back on track doing my workouts and eating health as possible.

Here are the videos I found on YouTube that helped me to get up to work out. They made me realize you can turn anything into a work out and that the most simple move and give you the most results. Just like any weight loss or workout plan... PLEASE talk with your doctor before doing any workouts or diet/weight loss plan. I most want to work out but keep my female curves. Leave me a comment down below with it any suggestion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gVWVAhCzKI&list=PLL51yzNxM8lDlgC8z2aZWIpq_tza32w3L&index=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-BZsLpu1FE&list=PLL51yzNxM8lDlgC8z2aZWIpq_tza32w3L&index=4 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEMD-_MqUzg&list=PLL51yzNxM8lDlgC8z2aZWIpq_tza32w3L&index=6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah0VZ33TuCE&list=PLL51yzNxM8lDlgC8z2aZWIpq_tza32w3L&index=13


#awordwithjhonzalee
#pullupaseat

World Aids Days

Today is the world Aids Day! I want all of you that are sexually active to go get tested. Not just on the December 1st, but every 3 months. Its important that everyone knows their status no matter what "lifestyle" you live you need to know your status.

More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 5 (18.1%) are unaware of their infection. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly young black/African American, are most seriously affected by HIV. By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV. 

HIV Diagnoses (new diagnoses, regardless of when infection occurred): In 2011, an estimated 49,273 people were diagnosed with HIV infection in the United States. In that same year, an estimated 32,052 people were diagnosed with AIDS. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 1,155,792 people in the United States have been diagnosed with AIDS.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men of all races and ethnicities remain the population most profoundly affected by HIV. In 2010, the estimated number of new HIV infections among was 29,800, a significant 12% increase from the 26,700 new infections among in 2008. Although  represent about 4% of the male population in the United States, in 2010, accounted for 78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections. Accounted for 52% of all people living with HIV infection in 2009, the most recent year these data are available.

In 2010, white continued to account for the largest number of new HIV infections (11,200), by transmission category, followed closely by black (10,600). The estimated number of new HIV infections was greatest among in the youngest age group. In 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among occurred in young black/African American aged 13–24. Young black accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black and 55% of new HIV infections among young overall. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 302,148 with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 5,909 in 2010.

Heterosexuals and Injection Drug Users also continue to be affected by HIV. Heterosexuals accounted for 25% of estimated new HIV infections in 2010 and 27% of people living with HIV infection in 2009. Since the epidemic began, almost 85,000 persons with an AIDS diagnosis, infected through heterosexual sex, have died, included an estimated 4,003 in 2010. New HIV infections among women are primarily attributed to heterosexual contact (84% in 2010) or injection drug use (16% in 2010). Women accounted for 20% of estimated new HIV infections in 2010 and 24% of those living with HIV infection in 2009. The 9,500 new infections among women in 2010 reflect a significant 21% decrease from the 12,000 new infections that occurred among this group in 2008. Injection drug users represented 8% of new HIV infections in 2010 and 16% of those living with HIV in 2009. Since the epidemic began, nearly 182,000 injection drug users with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 4,218 in 2010. 

Now, its your turn to do research and get tested for your self, This time I need you to go get tested. Stay safe and wear a condom every time.

New Age Bullying

On this topic, I have mix emotions, so I'm keep it short. The educated woman in me is all for ending all types of bullying, but the bullied little girl in me is screaming "fuck that!!! I was bullied and every adult in my life knew, but they counter act the bullying by raising me and gave me encouragements and self esteem."

I know bullying is wrong. In all honesty, it needs to end like yesterday. To every child/teen who are being bullied or have been bullied, don't let any one's negative words hurt you. Remember it's not your fault, the problem do not live in you it lives in the other person. Trust me, just follow your dreams and keep doing what puts a smile on your face, and when you are on the top you see how a rough sand paper can only polish a diamond, but it can not hurt it. I have this question. What are you going to do to the parents of the bully? I see on the news the children that were doing the bullying being put in jail, but think where did they learn that? Look at the parents of the bully. They had to see the signs that their child had a bullying ways. I learn through some of my bullies that they learned it from their parents, older siblings, and other relatives. Now, I ask this, don't you believe that the parents of the bullies should be punished too?

Ashley Stewart: My favorite store

I am a big fan of Ashley Stewart! I have been wearing their clothes since I was a freshman in high school. I would say 95% of my closet is Ashley Stewart clothing. Out of all the stores that cater to the plus size woman, Ashley Stewart is the only store that make me feel like I can be a part of the new fashion. Most stores keep their clothes blend, and you don't feel like you would stand out in a crowd in them. Ashley Stewart on the other hand, make you feeling you are walking down a catwalk everyday. I always get compliment on my outfits that I get from this store more than anything else I have in my closet. I shop at the store located in Redford Michigan. That is my main Ashley Stewart store I shop at, unless they out of my size then I go to the Southfield store. I known the mangers there since I was a freshman in high school. They always there to help me and mom pick out the best outfits. They are also have helpful along with the rest of the staff. The store is always clean and playing the best music.  I remember one of the mangers (her name is Shaun) telling me "you been wearing our clothes for years they should make you this region spokes model" I love shopping there.

Me in one of the most popular summer outfits from Ashley Stewart i own(the whole outfit is from Ashley Stewart minus the shoes and necklace)

I admit that the clothes can me expensive specially in these hard times we all are in, but now they have more sells than ever. Rather if they are in stores, online, or both in stores and online. If you like their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/byAshleyStewart you get all types of coupons and promotions, and if you join their mailing list you get 15% off your full purchase on http://www.ashleystewart.com/ .

I love this store and their clothes. I could go on and on about this store but why? You go online and find the closest Ashley Stewart store and go shopping, You thank me later.

Role Model Couple #4 Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

It's time for couple number #4!!!! I know it may comes to a shock to some of my new readers, but I am a support of Gay Rights. I have express my thoughts on the topic in an earlier post. I feel that Neil Patrick Harris and his Husband David Burtka are a great role model couple not just for the LGBT community but for everyone no matter what. They may be different than the other couples on my list, but they are the same as them too. They are the traditional family that we grew up seeing on TV and in movies the only difference is its two daddies. 

Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, producer, singer, and director. He is best known for the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold & Kumar series, and the title role in Joss Whedon's musical web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

Harris was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010, and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2011. Harris has also hosted the Tony Awards on Broadway in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Harris confirmed that he is gay in November 2006 by saying,

 "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."

Harris attended the Emmy awards in  2007 with his fiance David Burtka, later confirming the relationship, which he said began in 2004, in an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. 

On August 14, 2010, Harris announced that he and Burtka were expecting twins via a surrogate mother. The  twins Gideon Scott, a boy, and Harper Grace, a girl, were born in 2010.

Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in New York on June 24, 2011, Harris and Burtka announced their engagement via Twitter, stating that they had proposed to each other five years earlier but kept the engagement secret until same-sex marriage became legal.

Today, the oldest of my little brothers left a comment on one this  "Meme" I post on my facebook. It said:

"Hey sis. Can I give you some advice? You should never make promises you can't keep. Everybody falls. The question is whether or not you get. You may fall, but you better always get back up. Now that is a promise you can keep." 

     I chuckled after I read it because he's right. I re-read what the "Meme" said and I could see how he came to this point.  His comment motivated me to write this post today.

     It's true, we all fall. We all have something in our lives that made us weak or "fall", but no matter how long it takes we always should get up and keep going. There have been many times in my life where I had fell, and double of those times I got back up.

    You should NEVER let something, someone, or even some event stop you from your goals in life. If life gives you a dead end, always look around because there is always a detour sign to help you get to your goal. I know it is hard and easier said than done, but once you see that you met the goal you be so happy that you kept going. The struggle is just that a struggle. Struggles do not last always, but you got to have the strength to over come the struggle, and not let the struggle you been through define who you are and what you do. It's OK for people to see you trip, stumble, and even fall, but it's more important for them to see you get up, dust your self off and keep going. To all my readers, remember you are bigger than what you are going through. You will come through the storm you currently in better and stronger than you was while you was in that storm. keep your head up.

Role Model Couple #3 Bishop J. Drew Sheard and Mrs. Karen Clark Sheard

 

     I am back with couple #3 of my list. I had to show love to a hometown couple. They have two children Kierra Valencia and J. Drew, II. Pastor Bishop J. Drew Sheard and his wife, 4-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, Karen Clark Sheard shows the world how important it is to keep God first in not just a marriage, but in life as a whole. This couple has been together in holy matrimony for 28 years and counting.

   They also have a popular television show on B.E.T called The Sheards. Through their show they show how no matter how popular you are or how much fame you have, that you should always stick close to your roots. The family has deep roots in the church, and they show this on their show. Now-a-days it is rarely shown of a family praying together and walking by faith.

     Out of all the couple on my list, this couple is the one I view and look towards as a guide of how I want my relationship to be. This is the couple that shows that you can have it all and still have a reason to praise God for all of his blessings. I could go on and on about this couple, but why would I do that when you can get a speak peek for yourself by watching their show The Sheards season1 and season 2 coming soon.

I would greatly appreciate if a comment is left.”just to let me know you were here" and ideas on future entries are welcomed.

Respect=Love

Ms. Tina Webster's post title Another love really got me to thinking, looking around me at my surroundings, and thinking some more. Here's the link to her blog post so you can read it as well.
http://myteencity.blogspot.com/2013/11/another-love.html

     After reading Ms. Webster's post, I really start to think about what I REALLY want in a man rather than what I was taught I needed FROM a man. I never really sat down and thought about it. Today, I sat down in my room with a pen and notebook. I sat there and just image what kind of life I wanted then what kind of family I wanted for myself. I start to write down all the qualities I liked for in my future mate. The first thing I wrote down wasn't humbleness(which was the second one on my list), height, and not even money making abilities. The first thing I wrote down was respect. I didn't even pay it any attention until I was done with my list. I thought about the word Respect.

    I start to look around me and I see so many young women around me being disrespected. I see how so many women being treated like dogs just because they carry their self to a higher standard than the norm require of them. I see it everyday men holding doors for the "pretty" girls and slamming doors on girls that look "average". I had guys let doors hit me without a second thought. I realize I want a man that respect me. Respect me as a woman, lover, friend, and most of all as a human being.

     I say this to all my young women out there. You are more than your thighs. You are more than your breast. You are more than the clothes you wear. You should show people how to respect you by showing yourself respect. A diamond is made miles underneath the ground. It takes a man days, months, and even years to reach a point of being able to see the diamond before they can dig it out. Let a man work to see you in your glory. One day he be able to say he worked hard for his diamond.

    Fellas, treat ALL women with respect. She is someone's grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and daughter. Act how you would want someone to treat your mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and even your cousin. If you see or hear one of your friends mistreating or disrespecting women, Speak up. One act of standing up, can change a life time of behaviors.

What do you think? What is your top 5 qualities you want your mate to have or must have?

First Love

What is love? Love can be anything some will say. Others may say its anything good in your life. I notice the one sure answer to that question is there is no sure answer. I know the answer for me. To love for me, is to love unconditionally. That's what I do. I love unconditionally. I have a story of that.

Its my freshman year of high school. I was not popular but I had my friends and classmates I was cool with. I met this guy through one of my best friends. They went to middle school together. He had the biggest crush on my my best friend, and I had the biggest crush on him. Due to that, I never told a soul. My best friend knew with out me saying a word, and she tell me all the time to go for it, but I never did. As the years went on the guy became my best friend. We was your topical best friends, well at least to me. One day senior year he told me he had a girlfriend. I had a boyfriend, but I was so hurt that he had a girlfriend that I didn't talk to him for 2 months. How I did that when we went to the same high school, I do not know, but I did it. I start to text his girlfriend from his phone a few times and one day he let me talk to her on the phone. I never forget that moment as long as I live. I told her that I loved him and few other things. I SAID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY WITH OUR CLASSMATES LISTENING ALONG WITH HIM. I couldn't believe I said that. I been friends with him for many years now, and I still love him. Even thou we never dated or be came a couple, I still love him as a wife loves her husband. I finally told him one day over the phone and he said he never knew I felt that way(I don't buy that at all). We still friends and my love still grows. What can I say? I'm the type of person once I love you that's it unless you betray me unlike no other. We both date and meet new people, like we should since we both single, but I just cant stop loving him. I play my role as best friend never letting the two cross, but no matter what I do I can stop the love. Who knows what the future holds, he may love back, he maybe my soulmate, or one day I just stop loving him. Who knows but after 10 years of loving someone I don't think it happen over night. Tell me, who was your first love and do you still love him/her?

LGBT FRATERNITITES

I saw something on Tumblr today that really had me thinking. It was a post about having more Christian and LGBT fraternities on college campuses. As a college students, I see Christian fraternities a lot, but my question is this How will the rest of the fraternities on campus feel about having openly express and showing LGBT fraternities on their "yard"? I am not dumb to the fact that there are some LGBT fraternities out here and you may be walking by a member of one with out knowing it.

The reason I post this question is this: We all know how much hate is shown towards the LGBT community. Now with fraternities out in the open, where they should be because no one should have to hide or a group should not have to hide, wouldn't that cause more hate crimes on College campuses? Like I said in my previous posts about this topic, I do not care who you love just as long as they are respecting you and giving you the same love back as you giving to them. I think that there are still a lot of work that needs to be done against the bad stigma of the LGBT community before we can go to next step as in fraternities. I have many gay and lesbian friends and I do not want them to be shun or hurt because they joined a LGBT fraternities. TO BE FRANK... we need more work as a whole. More understanding and peace between us as humans before we can truly say we have made a difference in this world. I think it be a good idea to have the LGBT fraternities bond and build a friendship with the Black fraternities since at one point they were kept off college campus and had to fight from their own piece of the pie. what do you think?

Spirit Day

Today is Spirit Day. This is a day to educate people on the horror of bullying, and teach young people to stand up to bullying. Today is the day to teach children to stand up to bullying, but not through fighting, yet by speaking up to up against the bully and tell an adult. It’s important for us as adults to teach children not to bully others because their different, and to tell an adult there is an act of bullying taken place.

I have my own personal stories of bullying. I experience bullying from classmates all the way to my own family members. It was a hard time for me and I still have my own struggles with it even today. I had friends who would stand up for me, and even teachers who took a stand against. My bullying story started in the fourth grade. It was valentine day and I gave a boy I had a crush on a card. He came over to me, and he picked up a red dictionary and began to hit me over and over again. Ever since then I would be scared to tell a guy I liked or crush on him. I even wore black every year until recently. I remember the school faculty tries to blame me for the fight. My parents took me out of the school.

Bullying is a topic I take seriously. To all you out there that are going through bullying, it will get better, trust me! I know it’s hard but it will get better. If you being bullied, tell an adult you can trust. If you see someone being bullied, take a stand! Tell an adult immediately and tell the bully it’s not cool to bully someone. We can end all the acts of teen suicides and youth trying to harm themselves. Don't let NO ONE convince you to end your life or hurt yourself. Keep your head up! I LOVE YOU ALL!

WHAT GROUP DO YOU BELONG TO??

Am I the only one who wonders why we are friends with certain people and not others? I notice today that the world is set up like the fictional high schools in the 90's movies I use to watch. Even in college, jocks sit and hang out with jocks and the list goes on. Myself, I do not fit any one special group. I like to do my own thing. I even notice teachers would treat you different if you fit in a certain group or not. I always find this to funny.  I Never knew that belonging to certain groups and stereotypes was a big deal in this country or world.

I am not the "normal" girl. I like wrestling and cartoons. I can also make a sailor blush with the way I talk. I see how I don't get the same respect from my male counterparts as my more "feminine" friends. I think that is crazy. Just because I don't wear tight clothes, high heels, go clubbing every night, and twerk on every guy I see don't make me any less than a woman. Treat us all the same!!!!!!!!! I learn to do things on my own because over the years guys showed me that because I am the " home girl" or their buddy I don't get the helping hand from them. I learn to open my own doors, cut my own grass, figure out whats wrong with my car, and to protect myself when I walk late at night.

Fellas, if you see a woman is walking behind you, no matter how she is dress or looks hold the door for her. Let her feel like a woman for just a mere second, since the rest of the world wont let her have that respect. I have male friend that hates to see me open a door. Like I told him, no man ever do it for me so I just learn to do it for myself. This ties to my post from yesterday, its all about self worth. I guess you can I lost a lot of it over the years, and I am finally gaining it back.

All and All today was a good day. Just remember if you having a bad day, change your thoughts and your day will change. In other words, think of good things and good things will come to you. REACH FOR THE SKY THEN ONCE YOU REACH IT...MOVE ON TO THE STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!