Disney's Dreamers Academy 2010

Hey Y'all:

Guess who's been invited as media to attend Disney's Dreamers Academy 2010?????

You got it!

MrsDeveter is off to another fabulous Disney Journey!

Disney's Dreamers Academy has been going strong for 3 years and just in case you haven't heard of it... The Disney Dreamers Academy is a partnership between Steve Harvey and Walt Disney World Resort. 100 High School students were nominated by parents, teachers, friends or guardians who wrote essays about their need for inspiration and direction in achieving their dreams. The program’s aim is to expose teens to creative and nontraditional career opportunities in everything from culinary arts to animation, set design and show production to the business of sports, while inspiring them to exceed the boundaries of their dreams and imaginations!

Last year I was blessed to attend and I'm so excited about this year.
Disney's theme for 2010 is all about celebrating the volunteer spirit of families. You know this is right up my alley right? Remember my post all about MLK Day and my Disney Give a Day, Get a Disney Day participation? No. well check it out here.

The 2010 Academy will not only be a motivating and inspiring experience for the attending Dreamers but they will be encouraged to share what they learn with communities and help others realize their dreams.

Isn't this just WONDERFUL? For more information on Disney's Dreamers Academy click here. To check out my blog from last years Academy check out Disney's Family Channel on BlackPlanet.com.

I so can not wait to share all my wonderful pictures and this exciting journey with you!

Until next time...
MUAH!

5-4-3-2-1 Summer Camp Blast off!

Hey Y'all:

I know it's a bit early in your mind to start thinking about summer time especially since it's still cold outside (if you are in the north east it might even be snowing like it is for me right now) but.... I received a booklet in the mail yesterday about summer camp and it got me to thinking. Registration forms are typically due by March/April. I guess I need to get the ball rolling because Erick is going SOMEWHERE this summer!

My mom was a stay at home but we still either went to sleep away camp for a couple weeks or went to visit a relative out of state. Most of my family members who live out of state have to work as well so we don't have that option and I'm not to keen on any type of sleep away camp for Erick just yet. Since I'm embarking upon this journey of finding summer camps for my little one I figured I'd share a top 5 list of things to think about when searching for a summer camp.

5. Location - Should the camp be near home or work? How long is the commute to said center. Would you rather deal with a pick up and drop off bus service or do you want to do the honors yourself? Lots to consider

4. Hours - Now if you are like me and work from 9-6 you need a camp the opens early and closes late. If the camp doesn't offer either of those options you have to consider alternate options like someone else taking your little one to camp and picking them up. Lot to think about so make sure you know what the hours are. Some places have later hours but you have to pay more... make sure you aren't shocked by any of this in the unfortunate instance that you are stuck and can't pick your child up on time.

3. Activities - There are so many summer camps out there. Make sure the camp you choose has everything that your child would be interested in . I would recommend a camp the offers a range of activities like day trips, sports, education etc... if you choose a camp that only has one particular focus your poor little one might get bored.

2. Affiliation - Most large churches and synagogues have summer camps, then you have the YMCA and camps that are run through schools and private organizations. Make sure you are comfortable with the camp affiliation.

1. Price - Camp can be rather costly! Especially if you have more then one child attending. You have to consider what your true budget is and what it includes. Is the camp price all inclusive? Does the total price cover meals and all activities or will you have to come out of pocket for those? Make sure you read the fine print. Don't want to get any surprises during the summer. If Erick comes home with a permission slip to go to Six Flags it better be included in that over all payment I made when he registered!

Here are a few sites I've fond for the Greater NY area to assist with finding summer camps.
NYC.gov
Camp Page
Free & Cheap Camps

What are your suggestions? I need all your help.

Until next time...
MUAH!

"A Box of White Chocolate" Book Review (well sorta)

Hey Y'all:

So I'm a romance novel junkie. I mean I have so much going on in my real world that every now and again I have to take a break and read some mind numbing goodness. So hand me a Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers, Francis Ray or Sandra Brown and I'm one happy subway commuting mama! Recently I picked up an Urban Soul romance novel "A Box of White Chocolate" from my local library and dug right in.

This novel is about a young attorney Bailey Gentry living in "Chocolate City" in her words she's "a 37 year old, six-figure-earning family attorney, proud owner of a beautiful three bedroom, four bath single family home, cute and manless. " Bailey has an unwavering loyalty to black men and has a serious case of "got-to-be-itis." which is explanined to Bailey by a very funny bicicyle messenger Rex; "got-to-be-itis" is "an epidemic that afflicts single black women in alarming numbers. A disease that keeps them in their single-black-woman status. You know a woman has it when her girlfriends are trying to hook her lonely ass up with a good brotha and all she can say is, he's got-to-be over six feet. He's got-to-be chocolate brown, bald, with at least a mustache. He's got-to-be a college graduate of a major university. He's got-to-be white-collar. He's got-to-be earning six-figure income or close to it. He's got-to-be a homeowner." You get it right?

Well Ms Gentry had the opportunity to meet her "Mr. Right"at an Urban League fun-raising party, he just happened to be white. Tony and Bailey dated for about four months and even went on a weekend vacation together, with out having 'relations'. Finally they come to the night when "it" would happen and she freaks out on "white chocolate". In the misdt of the do she tells him she can't go through with the 'swirl' (you know like icecream mixing the vanilla with chocolate) she then yells out "I want a black man, I need a black man". She hurt Tony to the core and pushed him into the arms of one of her clients (unknowingly of course.) This was a really good read and has wonderfully colorful characters that made it a quick read. Now I said this was a review of sorts because I have a topic that I'd like to discuss.

Interracial relationships

It's a major topic. Books, movies and plays have been written about it and still the discussion goes on. As a black woman I must admit that I LOVE a black man. I love the color of our skin together, I love that he understands who I am in the 'struggle' and I love looking at someone that looks like me. But if I were a single girl in the city I think I would consider a non Black as a mate. Is that wrong? Black men do it all the time... why is it such an issue with Black women????

I have been with my husband for 18 years, 13 of which we've been married. We started dating when I was 16 years old. Yes 16! I've never had the opportunity to consider dating outside of the color lines. Now that I'm a 35 year old woman I sometimes wonder if I would have. I am not opposed to interracial dating. I don't think it's about skin color only but all the other things that are needed to build a releationship, like trust, honesty, compatibility, attraction etc. Growing up my mom made it clear that she wasn't interested in a white man by saying... "there is nothing a white man can do for me", I wonder now though (since my mother is still very much single) if she would change that. If the man you meet, meets all your 'critira' for Mr. Right except his skin color why would you walk away from him?

Does race really matter? When considering dating outside of your race what really counts?

What y'all think?

Until next time...
MUAH!

The Derrick Ashong Experience

Hey Y'all:

I mentioned him in my MLK Day post but I gotta tell you some more about Derrick Ashong! I'm so proud of him. He is a young man that my husband performs and records music with. The name of the group is Soulfege but the great news is that ... Derrick now has his very own show on Oprah's Sirius XM station!!!!!!!

The show airs tomorrow 1/23 live from Park City, Utah with a the band and celebrity guests! You can listen to the show online here if you don't have Sirius XM.

Check out his interview from this morning at Good Things Utah (at the end you'll get a cameo of my husband among the ladies in the 'audience')

Here is a little bit from the press release about Derrick and the show:

About Derrick

Derrick N. Ashong, or DNA as he is sometimes known, is a Ghana, West Africa, native and has dedicated his life to building bridges between the fields of business, media, technology, youth culture, pop culture and politics. Derrick has lectured on five continents on the use of media as a tool for human development, including recent talks at the London School of Economics, King's College (Cambridge), the Reconciliation Forum in Washington, D.C., the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and before UK Parliament on the subject of "The Obama Generation." He is a member of the internationally recognized Next Generation Leadership Forum and a participant in the Arts & Entertainment task force of the U.S.-Islamic World Forum. Derrick is a Harvard graduate and resides in Los Angeles, where he is the leader of the band, Soulfège.

About Derrick's Show

Taking social media to the next level, the The Derrick Ashong Experience is socially meaningful media designed to entertain, inform and elevate the national dialogue. Experience a multiplatform, globally plugged-in community with interests spanning the arts, society, business and politics and with the passion to seek the truth and to empower seekers to make a true difference.

Until next time...

MUAH!

Missy's Magical Moment

Hey Y'all:

So you've seen pictures of Leah right? She's beautiful (yes I'm biased) but she is right? She's the cutest little girl I could have ever imagined making! She's Missy and she's mine. Well.... Missy doesn't like to get her hair done and I LOVE doing hair. When she sees me with the light blue comb and the Blue Magic or Just For Me hair mosturizer, girlfriend takes OFF! Yes, she runs from me. I have to beg her to let me do her hair she just doesn't like to get it done.

All that said.. I was asked by the wonderful Blogrollers if I would be interested in doing a product review. A product review for what you might ask? Well... for the new hair care and body line from Carol's Daughter! Let me correct myself this is the hair care and body line from Carol's Daughter in honor of and conjunction with Disney for our first African American Disney Princess, Princess Tiana! Got your attention now? Good!

Just in case you need some background

In the early 1990’s, Brooklyn native Lisa Price (a.k.a. Carol’s daughter) began experimenting with fragrance, essential oils and natural moisturizers to make gifts for her family and friends. Soon after she packaged her home-spun creations, word spread like wildfire and the demand for her unparalleled hair and body care products led to a highly successful mail-order and web-based business. Within a few years, Carol's Daughter counted celebrities like Jada Pinkett Smith, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Brad Pitt and Chaka Khan as loyal fans, or as she refers to them, "friends of the family."

If you've seen the movie Princess and The Frog you totally get the connection between Princess Tiana and Carol's Daughter.

We received:
"Sharing Means Caring" Bubble Bath  - As soon as Leah and  Myles heard the water in the bathtub turn on they came running. So naturally both of them ended up taking a bath... what started out in my mind to be a Missy Magical Moment ended up being a Twin Magical Moment. We loved the bubble bath it certainly had plenty of bubbles which kept the kiddies entertained. "Sharing Means Caring" Bubble bath also smells wonderful and got the two pretty clean.

"The Beauty Within"Shampoo - Now here cames the struggle... I had to actually apply this to her hair y'all! Do you see all of that hair? Ok so it was a process to say the very least but we got it done and of course I had wash Myles' hair as well. "The Beauty Within" smells just as nice as the bubble bath. It had a lovely lather and got my girls hair good and clean after having a braided do for a week or so.

"Inner Shine" Conditioner - That is some good conditioner y'all. It was thick and a little difficult to get out of the bottle but it smelled wonderful and left Leah's hair with a beautiful shine and pretty loose curls.

I recommend this line of products to all the Mommy's of beautiful mocha little girls just like mine.

Until next time...

MUAH!

Adoption Wednesday - The Babies In Haiti

Hey Y'all:

I know I am always talking about domestic adoption but with the earthquake in Haiti I began to think about all the children who are going to be without families. Just looking at the pictures of the littlest victims makes me so sad.

So I did what I do best and that's search the web for information on these little ones. Here's the skinny. As is typical adoption is DIFFICULT to say the least but the adoption of children who a affected by a natural disaster is even more difficult. You see there is no way to prove that the children are actually orphaned. Especially if they are small and cannot communicate. It could be that a child was living at home in Haiti with their grandparents or another family member while there parents went to another country (typically the US) for a better life and were going to send for their child when there finances allowed. In this case the child cannot be put up for adoption but if there is no proof that the child is without family - well you know the rest.

Now specifically for Haiti and the babies that were affected on January 12th it's even worse.... according to InterCountry Adoption Office of Children's Issues U.S. Department of State

Haitian law does not allow for a Haitian child to travel to the United States to be adopted. Therefore, prospective adoptive parents must obtain a full and final adoption under Haitian law before the child can immigrate to the United States. Prospective adoptive parents can expect a lengthy process to adopt a child in Haiti. 

Furthermore specific to the Earthquake...

During times of crisis, it can also be exceptionally difficult to fulfill the legal requirements for adoption of both the U.S. and the child's country of origin.  This is especially true when civil authority breaks down or temporarily ceases to function.   It can also be difficult to gather documents necessary to fulfill the legal requirements of U.S. immigration law.  There are many ways in which U.S. citizens can help the children in areas of natural disaster or conflict.  For example, individuals who wish to assist can make a financial contribution to a reputable relief or humanitarian organization working in that country.  

At this time it is important that we donate to the humanitarian organizations that work in the country and most importantly PRAY for the babies.

Here are three reputable organizations.

Save the Children

Habitat for Humanity

UNICEF

Until next time...

MUAH!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2010

Hey Y'all:

In honor of the life and legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Erick and I participated in a volunteer project through "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day." We had a fun filled day at Martin Luther King, Jr. H.S. in NYC, we volunteered with Children for Children! Erick and I created placemats, decorated eco friendly shopping bags and desinged book marks. We made a Valentines Day card for a vision impaired person and wrote cards to children who will attend summer camp this year. It was really a great experience for Erick with a rather large turn out! Check out some of our pictures!

Our celebration as a family actually started on Sunday evening, we had the pleasure of attending an event in Newark NJ with Mayor Cory Booker, Derrick Ashong and Vicki Winans! It was excited to be in a room full of dignitaries and 'stars' as my mom would say we were 'rubbing elbows' with the big wigs.

The celebration was a true example of what Dr. King represented; the church ran the gamit of ethincities Dr. King would have been very proud. Mayor Booker was a gracious host, funny and cute as could be! Derrick Ashong - who is a personal friend of the family and the new host of the "Derrick Ashong Experience" on Oprah's Sirus XM station - was the keynote speaker. He inspired us with a speech about hope and a beautiful song from his homeland of Ghana. Vicki Winans was her usual funny self! She came in straight from the taping of the Stella awards where she won album of the year. Mrs. Winans was great as usually, it was fun to witness a Gospel concert in a Catholic church! During the beginning of the program a young lady sang "Ava Maria" after her song Myles and Leah proceeded to clap, alone! So seeing the the audience up on their feet clapping and singing along with Vicki Winans was awesome.



We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Dr. King as a family. How did you celebrate?

Until next time...
MUAH!