beyonce – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

50 States of Pray – Texas

Published on December 23, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle21 Comments

Our friend from Hawaii, Mark Koopmans created a bloghop that is perfect for this time of year. All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future. Click on the badge for more information and to check out some of the other states represented.

I have had an inspiring year since being back in the states. Even though I lived in an challenging, but exciting foreign country for five years, it pales in comparison to all that I have experiences in the last year being back home. I’ve reconnected with my family and friends and made some new one. I have seen president’s sworn in and legendary leaders put to rest. I watched some of my favorite famous people having the most creative (Beyonce’s unannounced album release), record breaking (Peyton Manning) and genuine and sincere(Jay Z in concert) year of their lives. I’ve discovered the kind of books I want to write and what I hope to accomplish with my writing. I’ve read 50 books (The Great Gatsby was my favorite) and saw 43 movies (I can’t decide between Star Trek Into Darkness or Iron Man 3). Most important, I’ve started to live my life the way I want to live it. In one sentence, “I’m feeling blessed.” I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me in 2014.

I’ll be taking the rest of the year off, but wanted to wish everyone a blessed holiday and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

My Weekly Update – We Have a Lot to Cover

Published on February 3, 2013February 3, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

It’s Super Bowl Sunday. One of my favorite days of the year.

I grew up with two older brothers. I attending a huge college football school (FSU) and my mother worked for an NFL player during his 16 year career. Needless to say, I am well versed in the game of football. The timeline of my life has always been categorized by In season and Off season.

Not a football fan? Here are 5 tips for you to still enjoy the game:

So you sound smart, the game is between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49’ers. We don’t like the 49’ers.
Except for their tattoo covered quarterback Collin Kaepernick. He is cute as long as he keeps his mouth shut. A little to, I am a quarterback in the NFL and this is how I am supposed to answer questions, for me. But, look at those tattoos. And, if you want to sound even smarter, after a good play, say out loud, “Wow, and to think this is only his 11th start in the NFL.”
Beyonce at half-time. Beyonce is always over the top. It is going to be a spectacle whether you are a fan of hers or not.
The Super Bowl will be played in the Superdome in New Orleans. If you can’t be happy for how this city has bounced back, well, then you must be dead inside.
The commercials. Wasted commercialism at its best. But, you might as well watch so you know what everyone is talking about at work the next day.

Enjoy the game and Go Ravens. What are your Super Bowl predictions?

So hot! And, I as a heterosexual women, I have no problem saying that. — So hot! And, as a heterosexual women, I have no problem saying that.

The Next Star Wars to be Directed by J.J. Abrams – my thought by Steve Umstead – I am pretty happy about this decision.

Four Techniques to Show Rather than Tell by Marcy Kennedy – I learned a new one. Remove the ‘to’ phrases.

30 Lessons That I have Learnt From Writing by Michael J Holley – You can’t go wrong with a great list. I need to work on #6.

How to Be a Writer Who Thinks Like a Publisher at Wise Ink – This is great resource for writers.

the dojo

imaninjaremogirlbutton

That’s right. I’ve joined a Dojo. The talented Ali Cross has reworked the dojo to continue her mission to create support and camaraderie among writers. The dojo is split into three dojos for writers, revisers and queriers (is that a word). You can join one or all three. I am in the NiNoReMo where revising ninjas train.

Goals for February: Revise 150 pages this month. That is 37.5 pages per week.

Join me in the dojo and let’s have a productive February.

Genre Favorites Blogfest

Published on September 17, 2012September 17, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle52 Comments

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh comes up with the greatest Blogfests. I am excited to participate in yet another one. Genre Favorites Blogfest.

List your favorite genre:

Movie

Music

Books

And a guilty pleasure genre from any of the three categories!

Click the badge to the right to visit other Blogfest participants.

A quick disclaimer to this blog post. I have been staring at this blank screen for hours trying to narrow down my favorite genres in each section. It is so hard for someone who seems to like any and everything. I like my diverse taste in entertainment. I just want to make sure you realize and understand how difficult this was for me. Feel my pain. OK, we are ready to continue.

Movies: My favorite genre in movies is Science Fiction

Examples – Star Wars, Matrix, The Terminator,

Music: My favorite genre in music is Hip Hop and R&B and any groups that touch on that genre in any way, shape or form.

Example – Jay Z, Beyonce, TI, Linkin Park

Books: My favorite genre in books is Suspense/Mystery. I include a lot of different types of books into the category. You might not agree, but I don’t care. haha.

Examples – Stephen King, James Patterson, John Grisham, Dan Brown

Guilty Pleasure: My favorite guilty pleasure in music is boy bands. Old and new.

Examples – NSync, New Edition, 112, One Direction (newest obsessions)

I swear I am not a 12 year old girl, but I love this song, especially with the 50’s Grease soundtrack sample.

These are my favorite genres. What are yours?

My Weekly Update – Awards Round Up

Published on July 15, 2012July 21, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle9 Comments

I have been tagged by my blog buddy A.M. Schultz. I am stealing his little skull star guy in order for you to remember the man and the myth. Besides, I think it is too cool. Click on the skull to visit his new site Head Spit. The guys got talent.

Eleven Things about Me:

1. I am moving to Shanghai next month.

2. I broke my iPhone yesterday by dropping it on a concrete floor.

3. I play golf.

4. I am unusually loyal to TaylorMade Adidas products.

5. I am obsessed with reality cooking show competitions; Top Chef, Master Chef, Chopped.

6. I can’t cook.

7. I am currently reading Foreign Identity by my new blog friend Becca J. Campbell. Just a few pages in, but Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory meets the movie Saw keeps popping into my head. It is really good.

8. I wonder why Apple doesn’t make printers. It is preventing me from having an all Apple workstation.

9. I currently have three types of currency in my wallet. Can you guess which ones? Hint: I don’t have any American dollars.

10. The title of my next novel is tentatively Ink: A Permanent Love Story. Corny?

Now on to 11 questions by AM Schultz. I have to admit, I am a little scared. Here we go:

#1: Better Song: Happy Happy, Joy Joy or Peanut Butter Jelly Time?

Happy Happy, Joy Joy. I have no clue what Peanut Butter Jelly Time is, but I will look it up.

#2: What song must you dance/sing to, even at the risk of looking like a ginormous dorkface?

In the fantasy version of myself, I sing and dance like Beyonce. Dance for You is my favorite song from her last album and whenever I hear it, I have to sign and dance. It’s pretty hot. Let me know what you think.

#3: If you could take any historical figure to lunch, who would it be?

I have a fascination with female leaders, so I would probably pick Cleopatra. The historical accounts of her versus how she is portrayed in movies and T.V. shows is so different. I would love to ask what what’s the real deal.

4: Where would you go?

I would take her to Craft in New York. Tom Colicchio’s food is fit for a queen.

#5: What do you think they would order?

She would probably order the entire menu and take a small bite of each thing. She is a queen after all, she is allowed.

#6: What book do you wish you had written?

There aren’t any books I wish I could have written. I think that would be pretty arrogant of me to think I could write a book I love better than the writer.

#7: If you could be one character from literature, who would you be?

I took this quiz What Character from literature are you and it said I was Atticus Finch, which is just awesome. I love To Kill a Mockingbird

#8: Paper or plastic?

Paper

#9: Does the end justify the means?

It does, until it doesn’t.

#10: Least favorite celebrity?

Kim Kardasian – I just don’t get it.

#11: What is the maximum number of times someone should take a bath/shower per day (excluding those with medical conditions, etc)

At least once a day, unless you are really busy and don’t subject other to your funk, then you can get a way with once every two days.

Also, a shout out and thank you to Ella Medler for the One Lovely Blog Award she bestowed upon me last week and Megan Paasch; Rhymes with Smash! for the Inspiring Blog Award. Last but not least, big thanks to Emma MC at Write Away for the Sunshine Award. Please check out their blogs.

Badges are on my Blog Work Tab. As far as the responsibilities, please forgive me, but I don’t think there is anything that you don’t know about me. I need to go do more stuff so I have more to talk about. But, I am very grateful for the love nonetheless.

New Followers – I am honored and blessed.

Tyler Wiechman – Fun blog and Marvel Comic tattoos

Year of Austere

Khamnei Thang

Economiced by Dan Pedersen

Beauty, I Say!

Journey of Jordanna East

Poemage by Justin & Jin

Nevena Read

Jennifer James

Next Weeks Schedule

Monday – Hookers Blogfest

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Wednesday – Hangers Blogfest

Friday – Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update

Listen, Watch, Read . . .Repeat – Mike_Reverb

Published on March 23, 2012March 23, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

I saw this great post by at Mike_Reverb.

These are the books, song and movie that over and over again make me feel how I felt the first time I experienced them.

Non Fiction Book – Marriage of the Sun and the Moon – non fiction – I read it in college at a time when college was almost over and I couldn’t get any stimulation from my surroundings any longer. I just couldn’t wait to get out and see what life had in store for me. Every time I need that jolt again, I revisit this book.

Fiction Book – The Regulators by Stephen King – The first book that sucked me completely into the world and life’s of the people in the book. The book still scares me. One of the only books that I re-read once every couple of years.

Song – Dangerously in Love Part 2 – It is how I hope to feel about someone someday. Love never gets old.

Film – Goodfellas – I own the DVD, and have it on the hard driver of both of my computers. Even when it comes on TV, with commercials, all the dubbed over cuss words and violent scenes deleted I still sit and watch it. I am also 100% into every emotion of the movie even though I know what is coming next.

What does it for you?