strongBy Briana Bookerv/strong I came to the realization that I am no longer 17 years old. My body is not as fast as it use to be. My body is not as slim as it use to be. But here I stand as the best woman I have ever been thus far. I guess it is true, looks are not everything. Although I am aging, I still want to keep up my health and appearance. I will never be someone that settles for letting myself go. I love myself. With that said, I would like to push myself to be better than my previous self by dedicating a few hours weekly to weight lifting. I am working on my core, which I notice is not as fit as it use to be. The love of my life ( or I would like to think he is the love of my life) thinks my new found curves are beautiful but I want the 17 year old me to travel with the wonderful woman I am becoming now. Who knows, I might just surpass the 17 year old me. I am up for the challenge. Stay tuned.
He Is Not Your Best Girlfriend. He Is Your Man.
By Briana Booker
In recent months, my thoughts on men have changed for the better. I have always been taught to be suspicious of every man. I have been told from men and women alike, that men “ain’t shit.” Although some men “ain’t shit” others, even with imperfections, are worth lowering the steel walls we, as women, build to protect ourselves.
Those steel walls can prevent us from finding a good man. I would know. I use to keep any intimate partner at a distance to keep “control” of the situation and protect my emotions.
Caring about someone can make you vulnerable if you have no idea where you stand with the person. You learn where you stand by communicating with your intimate partner.
Men and women communicate very differently from each other. The man in my life has taught me that we are different but also the same. Both are looking for the right one. We are also working on personal growth and our careers. Previously, that threaten me in relationships but to see this man grow as an individual is honestly beautiful to me. I want to look out for him. He goes out his way to protect me, even from myself.
An example of this was when I was mad at him not doing something when I wanted him to do it. He instantly asked me why I was mad. I honestly did not have a good reason to be mad besides not getting my way about something petty.
That is when I remembered a few weeks ago we promised each other we would not go to sleep angry at each other as an action to build the strength of our relationship. I was the one who requested this action be done in our relationship and here I was trying to make an argument over something petty.
This is when I realized my actions matter to someone beyond myself. It was a scary thought but at the same time I felt my soul smile. I kissed him good night and he opened the door. I thought once I got to my car he would have just forgotten about me and went back to what he was doing in his home. Instead I saw him watching me from the window at the front door. I texted him “Why are you looking out the window?” He replies back while still looking through the window: “Ha. Just Checking to see if you were ok since you didn’t move.” I told him I could take care of myself. Again, I was falling into old habits from bad relationships with my “I don’t need you” persona I mastered in unhealthy relationships.
But then I realize, he is not my past but my present. So I just smiled and he checked up on me when I got home as well. It felt good to not only be wanted but that I am cared for by someone who chose me.
I realized the best thing to do is live in the now. Do not linger in the past. And do not think too far in the future. If we are meant to be, then we will be. We just can not jump to conclusions and keep communicating, even if we fear the unknown.
I was bruised but I was never broken. He shows me it is still okay to bring out the best in me.
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Briana Fierce: Why I Became A Writer.
I have chosen Broadcast Journalism as a career because I have a passion for uncovering injustice, promoting positive Global/social change and chasing down crucial stories that the community needs to be informed about to empower itself. This is why I decided to major in International Studies. I wanted to be informed about a variety of cross-cultural communications so I could relate to people of all walks of life. There is something remarkable about Journalism, just like music, a media story can connect people all over the world and change the world- in one headline, one vision, or one statement. This is possible more than ever with the online media platform. It is extraordinary.
There is something beautiful about human truth that broadcast journalism can reveal and capture. It honestly captures the essence of life, the human experience. The sorrow is captured. The joy is captured. The determination is captured. The drive is captured. This is life. I thrive on that type of atmosphere. Journalism is an investment to society that spreads information and helps leaders of today and builds leaders of tomorrow. Journalism is an insightful look into the world we live within. Journalism opens up a medium for discussion of tough topics such as wars on complexion by spreading the word on documentaries such as Dark Girls, the struggle to revive a community broken by self-hatred and mutilation. I want to be part of this revival of humanity, this movement to a new world order of prosperity through the spread of democracy and quality of life. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism.
Briana Fierce : Are Love & Basketball Inter-Linked?
By Briana Booker
I have never been one very talented at sports or pursued sports passionately in my life. I decided to become a writer. But I have been told it has potential to build great character and team work.
Two years ago, I lost faith that good men exist – Men that are respectful. Men that are honest. Men that are affectionate. Men that do not cheat on women that love them. I lost faith healthy relationships existed. But something made me pause – maybe I was following the wrong method of discovering a good man and what he is all about in life.
People often believe I am beautiful and smart. I have no problem finding a good man. Often the males I have dated have been bright young men with very attractive bodies. But as my demands for a man to commit to building a strong and healthy relationship became more important than sex and public appearance, I started to feel more alone than when I was single.
I knew relationships were not supposed to work like that. I knew inconsistency and convenience was not supposed to be part of a healthy and loving relationship. I realized I was attracting the wrong characters. It takes more to being a man than selfishness and chasing ass all day.
Recently, a male friend told me , if you want to learn a man’s character,watch him play basketball,street basketball to be exact.
No, he does not have to be the most talented basketball player. It can be his first day on the court. You will see things revealed about his character, that could tell you how he will treat you in a romantic and committed relationship.
I never thought about it. I do not know if it is true or not. But I plan on discovering, if the theory can add value to my romantic life. Can the game of basketball help me find the one? I mean, it helped Mrs. Obama find the one( more into that story later).
So I got out my phone. I typed: ‘Can I watch you play basketball?’ To a man I will not name at the moment. I have not sent the text yet…but the day that I do will come soon enough.
Are you ready for some Love & Basketball?
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Adele’s “Someone Like You” .:::. Covered by Andy Suzuki & The Method on a Rainy Rooftop.
As usual, Andy Suzuki & The Method touch our souls with beautiful instrumentals and vocal skills. Listen to their cover of Adele’s Someone Like You below! We hope you enjoy it just as much as we do!
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