In the spotlight.

Derrick Ashong
This African born, Phd Harvard graduate was introduced to me via OprahRadioXM. I know... not surprising but don't judge too quickly. This man is a natural advocate for what he believes in, representing a diverse population of Democrats, Republicans, men, women, and children. Even my boyfriend is a huge fan. Three words I would use to describe him are competent, dynamic, and honest. Reasons to love him:
1) His political passion. I wouldn't say I agree with everything he says but he has a brilliant approach to making politics a discussion that is welcoming and non-offensive, while focusing on very sensitive issues. 
2) His band- Soulfège. As described by Huffington Post the band is "a critically-acclaimed, refreshingly original and exciting group of musicians who produce an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Reggae, Funk, World Beat and West African Highlife music to create an integral musical mélange of style and substance." And I agree completely. 
  -->To listen to some of Soulfege's songs, click here.
3) A leader in social change--(And no, he's not a flaming liberal... surprisingly). Although he's a speaker and leader politically, I specifically want to promote his advocacy for young people. You can find him speaking at schools nationwide, empowering and inspiring young people to take action. 
  -->He is founder of "Take Back the Mic," a youth-centered cultural movement that leverages the power of artistry & technology to empower young people. Currently, Take Back the Mic has launched the "Fight On" campaign, which is a music video competition that gives young people the opportunity to share their voice about things that matter. 


Seriously... what a guy. Big fan. Sorry ladies, he's taken. To learn more, go to his blog at DerrickAshong.com

Random Thoughts from Mallory

Have you ever made a random comment and somebody responds with "gosh, I'd like to spend just one second in your head."

I never know how to respond but I decided to dedicate this post to my recent random thoughts.

1.  Getting gas:

• Ignore common life rules: Turning my car off while getting gas.
• I completely ignore the rule to turn my car off while getting gas. I realize it's a rule because it's possible for me to blow up in thin air from something that has to do with the words electric, shock, fire and gas. But I am a risk taker. AND I've never heard of it happening to someone. I figure the chances of it happening are rather low.

• Ignore gas prices: The truth is I'm going to pay for it anyway (credit card? perhaps.) so what's the point?
• The other day I was going about my typical and oblivious gas station experience until I stopped picking my split ends and looked up to see a Dad teaching his young teen daughter how to get gas. I drifted into a memory from 11 years ago when my Dad brought me to that same gas station to teach me how to get gas. 
• My dad said to me, "Mal, take a look at the gas price. It will change drastically in your life time." The bratty teen that I was, I naturally rolled my eyes and acted like he was super lame. However, I never forgot the price.

1999: $0.98

2011: $3.06

Now, that is lame!

And that is why I don't look at gas prices.

     

2.  The new hair trend of 2011: Do not match your roots to your ends.

This trend is confusing. I feel confident the only people who can pull this look off is a high-list celebrity. This is confusing because it looks natural but all of these people are getting their hair professionally done to look like this. So, in fact, it is one of the most unnatural, natural looks. Not to mention, if any regular person gets her hair done like this people would definitely think they must of lost their job or their student loan hasn't come in yet because they can't even afford to get their highlights re-touched. 

However, a part of me kind of wants it.

I can't explain it.

3.  I love TV in January

• American Idol: My secret obsession... only not so secret.
•  New judges. Steven Tyler, J Lo, and good ol Randy Jackson. Truthfully, I will miss Simon so very much. I can't help but love him. However, despite J Lo's too sweet to hurt people's feelings attitude right now, I think she's got some street in her that will come out pretty shortly. 
• I can't help but 100% judge the contestants that end up crying. Seriously? Get a grip. 
• I am a very good critic of American Idol potentials. I'm super fun to watch it with. In fact, I have an American Idol spreadsheet in which I like to forecast who will move on. I will post about that.
• The Bachelor: Rock Hard Body

• Who has that much time to work out? Any guy who has a rock hard body like this spends way too much time in the gym looking at himself and not enough time with the lady of his life. Think about it...
• He's also emotionally stiff--I can't put my finger on it exactly but I think he's either A) nervous in front of the camera's or B) Insecure as almighty! He trips on almost every word he spits out.
• Not for me. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. not my type. No thanks!

A shout out to my girl, Steph, who is celebrating her 25th birthday this weekend! I must disclose this picture was from my Senior year of college Spring Break in Panama City, FL. so... don't judge. 

(Sorry Steph it was the only picture I could find!)

That's all for today. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Let's get this party started!

I feel the need to justify why I haven't blogged forever but I can't think of a valid reason. Other than I was drowning in schoolwork  in conjunction with my job, in which I mistakenly worked full-time this past semester. I am simply going to go about life pretending I haven't been neglecting nearly every aspect of it and focus on the future. But like most things, you can't focus on the future until you take a quick glance back at the past...

Regrets vs. Mistakes
I am not one of those people who believes there are no regrets. In fact, I think the complete contrary. I totally believe in regrets. I'll go as far as to say I think it's healthy to have regrets. Sure we can learn from our regrets, which some may mistake the word regret with mistake but the truth is we regret things because we probably knew better.  For example:

Mistake

Drinking too much on NYE when I had a plane flight at 7am. The reason for this is because I did not know I couldn't still drink like a college student. College friends bring out the college drinking in me. I think that's a fair justification

Regret

Scheduling a flight on New Years Day at 7am.

My college friends :)

T-7 hours until our flight takes off... this photo shoot certainly proves why our 7am flight arrived much too quickly.

Due to my massive mistake of working and being a student full-time last semester, I decided to treat myself to an exciting getaway with my hottie to Arizona. We stayed with his parents in Sun City, AZ (which is an extremely awesome 55+ community). We played pool, tennis, went swimming, played golf, climbed a mountain... yes, a mountain.

PROOF:

Camelback Mountain: over 2,700ft. 

Admittedly, Brad and I probably look like we're in better shape than we actually are. As we hiked/crawled up this mountain we hardly spoke a word. Not because I had nothing to say, spare me I always have something to say, but because we were so out of breath we probably wouldn't be able to say "help" if necessary. And of course, the freak that I am, I tried to act like I was super athletic to impress him with my "natural hiking skills" so wouldn't admit I needed a break. I refused to be worse at climbing a mountain than Brad. (some people say competing with your loved one is a bad idea but I can't help it) I'm not sure if he noticed I was about to die or not but who cares. We made it. (Plus, we beat the couple that I was secretly racing)

 I couldn't help myself when I saw my purse sitting so perfectly... yes, I took a purse. Shut up

Sunset after a freezing afternoon of golf. Yes, it was freezing. Shut up.

  ESPN Bud Light Fiesta Bowl 

I was told Phoenix was hosting the national college championship but when Brad took me to this Bud Light Fiesta... thing... There was a band, exciting tents with yard games and I was so distracted but after about an hour I finally looked around and noticed all these "O" and "AU" signs. Everywhere. I thought "where the hell am I?" 

Me: "Brad, what does the 'O' mean?" 

Brad:  "do you even know where you are?" 

Me (with a puzzled expression) "umm..." 

Brad laughed at me and explained to my pathetic ass that all this stuff was for the college championship... Oregon and Auburn University. I felt stupid. But I thought Phoenix might be the kind of place that always had "fiesta's"!! Shut up.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION:
I will stop eating potato chips because they stick to my hips.
My house is a temptation, which I noticed on vacation.
So I made exception to this pathetic obsession.
This only applies to the regular ruffled kind, which has created a challenge for other chips to find.
As time goes on I have replaced my old habit with pringle's, gold fish, & tostitos... dagnabit!!

This is a rap!!