bloghop – 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!!!!!

Game On Bloghop! – Sports Crush

Published on October 28, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

No big surprise, I am a sports fan and I have talked about my sports crush here, and here. A small mention here and here, and even here. So, Mr. Aikman has been covered on sydneyaaliyah.com.

But, I guess I could pick another crush in order to support my friend Kyra Lennon on the release of the 2nd edition of Game One and the new covers for the series. As someone who appreciates the romance surrounding the world of sports, I was excited for this Bloghop. First, Bloghop Rules!

The Game On Series is centered around a soccer team in the U.S, and those of you who have already read the books will know the hottie of the series is Radleigh McCoy. Between October 28th and October 31st, I want to hear from you about your sporting crushes!

Does David Beckham do it for you? What about swimming sensations Michael Phelps or Rebecca Adlington? When did you first notice your sporting crush, and what do you like best about them? Have you ever been lucky enough to see them in action? Please keep posts to a maximum of 500 words.

Another one of my sport crushes:

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

I love his North Carolina accent and his laid back personality. I love that he loves Jay Z and Elvis Presley, equally. Check him out in Jay Z’s, Show Me What you Got Video.

I never meet Dale, Jr., but my mother did. She went to a banquet where he was honoring her boss along with some other important people. I was supposed to go, but couldn’t get out of a work trip. He signed an autograph for me, though. It said, “Hey Syd., Can’t believe you’re not here. Next time. Dale, Jr.” – SWOON!!!!

Now it’s your turn, tell me about your sports crush?

Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest!

Published on August 12, 2013August 11, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle24 Comments

When you think there couldn’t possibly be another original blogfest idea out there, here comes the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest! A blog hop in honor of Mr. anti-blog hop himself, Gary at Klahanie.

Hosted by Mark “Madman” Koopmans, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, “Life is Good” Tina, Rockin’ Robyn Engel and Morgan “The Morg” Shamy.

Without further ado, here are the three blogfest I hope never grace the blogesphere.

How I’d Murder You Blogfest – no need to put the confession out into the universe, just in case.

The Best & Worst Handbag Blogfest – there is a best and worst handbag list, I’m not making this up. Google it!

I Drink to Much Coffee Blogfest – This blogfest would have way to many participants and it would be the same story over and over and over, again.

Check out the other participants by clicking on the host’s names and enjoy.

Got Green Blogfest 2.0 – I’m Irish, I Swear.

Published on March 14, 2013March 14, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments

I would like to think Mark Koopmans for making me relive this most painful memory. I will be brave for the sake of the blogfest.

When I was a little African American girl, I found this photo of a women sitting on her porch with the Irish flag framed and hung on the wall behind her. On the back of the photos was written the words Emma Pearl Pierce 1945. The women in the photo looked old and it was a grainy black and and white photos, but there was no mistaking it. Here was proof. I had an Irish great grand mother. How cool is that?

I took the photo to school for show and tell and told everyone about my great grand mother Emma. I had created this elaborate story (big surprise) about how she was born in Ireland and because of the potato famine* her family fled Ireland and settled in Virginia and then 60 some odd years later, I was born. I was so proud. *I might have had the dates a little confused considering the Potato Famine occurred in 1845.

Now, there were some disbelievers (again, big surprise), especially Kathleen Flanagan, my best friend. She had red hair and freckles and she was not ready to welcome me into her proud Irish clan.

I remember she called me a fibber (bad word, we were 7) and pulled my hair, which was certainly not red.

But, I, as a proud Irish women stood up for myself and my nationality and declared over and over again, I AM BLACK IRISH!

It turns out I am not Black Irish. The photos was of my great grandmother, but because of the quality of the photos, it made her look lighter. And the flag in the back, wasn’t an Irish flag. It was a french flag my great grandfather brought back from France.

Needless to say, I was crushed. I was just a regular little black girl from Texas. I was so disappointed.

How about your? You have any good Irish stories?

They would look the same in a black and white photo.

The Level Up! Blogfest

Published on February 17, 2013February 19, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle18 Comments

I know I’m a day early, but I have a busy week ahead. I couldn’t miss out on this Blogfest hosted by Mithril Wisdom and Geek Banter.

No one would mistake me for a gamer. You may find me occasionally playing a game of Spider Solitaire while standing in line. I have been know to giggle with glee at destroying pig shaped storm troopers on the Star Wars version of Angry Birds (blame that on on my 12 year old nephew).

But, the last time I was obsessed with a game was back in elementary school. We had an Atari 2600 game system and I spent ours becoming a Kaboom! master. Now, I have seen this game recreated as an app, but nothing compares to playing this game on an the Atari with these special controls.

All you had to do was prevent the bombs dropped by the bandit from hitting the ground. The more you caught, the quicker the bandit dropped them.

At a certain level, the bombs would drop so fast, you went insane (literally, not virtually) trying to catch them all. For some reason, I was really good at this game. Check out my favorite game, Kaboom!

What is your favorite game?