10 Secrets { Day 10 of 10}

10 Secrets

I love to write poems...

I am a country girl at heart...

I can't swim... {I actually flunked swimming}

I hated my middle name until about a year ago...

I can't watch Titanic all the way through....

I wanted to go on the Oprah Show before it ended....

I snore....

I couldn't hold a note even if you put it in my hand...

I am a facebook addict

Victoria is a man!!!!

HA!  This was fun!   LOL!

And just like *that* it's over!  I think that I was making this waay to hard! 

9 Loves { Day 9 of 10}

Nine Loves

1. God
2. The People of God
3. Family and Friends
4. Thai Food
5. Seeing Dreams Come True
6. Helping Others
7. Creativity
8. Mr. Falsetto
9. Life

8 Fears {Day 8 of 10}

I think that this is one of the most challenging post that I have written throughout this 10 day challenge...  Let's see what I can conjure up :)

Eight Fears:

1. God
2. Snakes
3. Not Being a Good Mom { I don't have children yet}
4. Failure
5. Rejection
6. The Voice and Music on Unsolved Mysteries
7. Missing Out on Opportunity of a Lifetime
8. Forgetting Choreography While Dancing

Were almost there!

7 Wants {Day 7 of 10}

Whew!  Day 7 of the 10 day challenge!  I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.   I am going to make these really quick and easy....

1. To Live a Life that is Pleasing to God
2. To Fulfill My God Given Destiny and Purpose
3. The Favor of God on My Life Daily
4. Family Salvation
5. Debt Freedom
6. A Beautiful Home
7. A Royal Wedding

There you have it!  LOL! 

6 Places {Day 6 of 10}

One of the things that I love about my job is the {travel}!  I have been blessed to travel to at least 36 states and 2 U.S. territories.  I have yet to {travel} outside of the continental U.S., but when the opportunity comes I will have my list ready.... 

• London, England- World-class fashion and theatre, unrivalled music and clubbing, and a stunning, eclectic array of bars and restaurants are all wrapped up in a city built on historical grandeur. London is chic, royal, cutting-edge, ever-changing and always fascinating. {Source}

• Paris-  Who wouldn't want to getaway to this city of love???  This is actually one of the locations that I would love to honeymoon... While in Italy I would also journey to Florence or Venice. Explore the cities fine art galleries, palaces and waterways. We, we.... I how I would love to experience musical serenades while floating in a famous Gondola with the man of my dreams.

• Africa- Not sure what part and I am not even certain as to what I would like to see... This is just somewhere I would like to go... I just as though I owe it to myself to make at least one trip to the motherland.

• Disney World-  The happiest place on the Earth... The place where dreams come true...  This really should have been #1 for me!  I have always wanted to go to Disney World and the kid in me is cryiing out because I still have not had the opportunity to go! 

• Home-  I currently live in an apartment and I would love to have a place that I called affectionally call "home."  A place where I can paint the walls and retreat to quiet hideout to create or read.  A place that I can pull into the garage and sit in my car and take a power nap.  A place where I can raise my family and cook for my husband... A place that I can call my own.

• Heaven- I live my life the way that I live it today because when it is all said and done... When I have lived a full life and completed the destiny and purpose that God has for me on the earth... This is where I want to be.... After all, that's what life is all about... living a life that is pleasing to God so that in end we will be able to live in eternity with Him!



So there you have it!  Six Days... Six places...

This 10 day challenge has really found a way to s-t-r-e-t-ch itself out!  I am going to wrap this up... Soon! Very soon!

Until next time!

M'Shonta

5 Foods {Day 5 of 10}

Five foods... Just five.... LOL!

Well, I travel a lot...so when it comes to foods... I am very diverse!  So I put a little spin on this and shared my favorite five restaurants.  First up, Surin of Thailand in Huntsville, AL!  My #1 ALL TIME FAVORITE!!!!

Thai
Favorite Restaurant: Surin of Thailand located in Huntsville, Alabama
Favorite Dish(es):  Chicken Curry and Sweet and Sour Chicken
Website: http://www.surinofthailand.com/huntsville

Japanese
Favorite Restaurant: Umi's located in Florence, Alabama
Favorite Dish(es):  Steak Hibachi
Website: http://www.umijapanesesteakhouse.com/menu.html

Chinese
Favorite Restaurant: Golden Star located in Huntsville, AL
Favorite Dish(es): Beef Lo Mien
Website: none :(

Italian
Favorite Restaurant:Ricatoni's in Florene, AL
Favorite Dish(es): Chicken Parmesan
Website: http://www.ricatonivalentino.com/

Soul Food
Favorite Restaurant: Nikki West in Birmingham, AL
Favorite Dish(es):  Everything on the Menu
Website: http://www.nikiswest.com/index.html

And now I am officially hungry! 

Until next time,

M'Shonta



4 Books {Day 4 of 10}

Ummm... Okay!  I have been venturing in the wilderness for the past few days; so now it's time to play catch up...

Where were we??? Yes, books...

Four books. When I began to ponder on my favorite four books... I immediately thought of the four that I know have shaped my life forever.

For my spiritual life; nothing has impacted my it like this Daily Reading Bible by Max Lucado.  Several years ago I set a personal goal to read the bible in a year.  I had made several attempts with my church family; but I was never successful... That is until one of my coworkers blessed me with this daily reading bible!!!! Not only have I accomplished my goal of reading the entire bible in a year.... I have read the bible in its entirety three times and each time/each day I read it;  I get new revelation! Reading the bible has become an integral part of my daily regime;  it is a wealth of knowledge and my source of strength.

For my professional life---Brand Me. Make Your Mark: Turn Passion into Profit by Melissa Dawn Johnson just did it for me.  After reading this book I finally got it! Oprah is the queen of branding yourself and this girlie is the princess!  I mean...I could not believe that take-a-aways that I gained from the short read.  Here is an Amazon Editorial that really sums this book up:  "In this compelling book she shares the 7-Step Brand Me Blue Print T designed to offer a personalized action plan to turn your passion into profit. Her practical insight and personal passion enable anyone to apply these power points of branding in any situation. Make Your Mark: Turn Passion into Profit is more than a book, it is a movement that is sweeping the world. You are the product the world has been waiting for. Now is the time to market your success."

For my personal life I chose a book from one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou.  I would love to sit in here class and hear her lecture just one day... that lady is full of so much wisdom.  I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as a very young child and unfortunately I could identify with EVERYTHING that she shared.  It was a coming of age story that served as a motivational tool for me.  After everything that I had endured after reading this book...I felt as though a had a reason to sing.  God had given me a life, a purpose and a destiny and one day I would be free to fulfill it.  I never allowed {the cage} take away my song... I only allowed its bars to carry my melody. 

And finally, for my emotional life I choose a collection of books by Javan.  I was introduced to these books by an old college friend.  I remember feeling the textured cardstock and thumbing through the pages like a pupil seeking an answer for an open book test.  I did not put those books down until I had completed the entire collection.  I loved them so much that since then I have purchased two copies of this collection.  This reviewer from Amazon said it best; Javan's books are not literary poetry. They are short reflections on our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world we live in. They are not only beautiful and easy to understand, but as indicated by several hundred people who have signed the guestbook on Javan's website they are especially helpful when things are going bad. I tell you...whenever I am going through a tough time this collection paired with a hot bath and a glass of cold Welch's white grape juice does just the trick :)!

{This is only one of the four books.  The others are entitled, "Meet Me Halfway," "A Heart Full of Love" and Footprints in Mind."}

So....there you have it....

4 God

4 Motivation

4 Reflection

4 Love

4 Books

Until next time,

M'Shonta

3 Films {Day 3 of 10}

Yes! Yes! Yes!  Finally, an easy one!  When I think of 3 films... here is what comes to mind immediatley!

The Color Purple... A classic and a must have!  I can watch this movie a million times and never get tired of it!  Can't wait until the day that I can say... "I's married now!"

What's Love Got to Do With It?  That's right, what does it have to do with it??? This movie was so personal for me... It really gave me the strength to fight to get a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.  No more tunnel vision for me;  I only see by faith and by faith I will fulfill my destiny!

And finally, Poetic Justice... I guess the poetic nature of this movie captivates me every time!!!

Until next time,

M'Shonta

2 Songs {Day 2 of 10}

There are sooo many songs that I could pick.....soooooo many!  I love all types of music---contemporary Christian, Gospel, Old School, New School...music to listen to On the Way to School! Pop, Country, R&B, Techno, Rock and Roll...you name and I could name at least my top three songs and artist from that genre of music. 

So.... with that being said.... I decided that I share a song that I will play on my wedding day!  The title of it is "Never Thought" by Bebe and Cece Winans.  It really describes how I feel about my relationship with God and Mr. Falsetto! 

The second song would have to be He's Able by Preashea Hilliard!  Such an inspiring an uplifting song!  The entire cd is awesome!  If you don't have it...get it! 

So there ya go!  2 days...2 songs... 2 down...