Baylor Double-teams March Madness!

This March, both Baylor Men's & Women's teams have dominated the South Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Of course not much attention are on the women's teams/tournament, with the exception of the fact that Britany Griner (a freshman out of Houston) has dominated the entire basketball game and created quite a name for herself in women's basketball with her hardcore dunks and amazing arm span, unstoppable aggressiveness and intimidating presence in the key.

She has contributed to Baylor's success on the women's side as Baylor has pulled their rank card (#4) and blown past top seeds of the South region to now represent the south in the FINAL FOUR!

On the Men's side of the tournament, there has been more surprises as seeded #3 in the south, we have knocked off some #1 seeds as well s made our way into the Elite Eight. At one point, both men and women teams were in the Sweet 16 AND the Elite 8. Baylor men got knocked off by #2 seeded Duke in a neck & neck game that boiled down to referrees calling a game sending us packing back to Waco.

But for both teams, it was our first time making that far in 60 years! What a statement. This path that has been paved has bridged gaps in alumni and given us a reason to bind together in fellowship and reunion as well as reignite that Green & Gold spirit that had long dwindled.

We cheer our Lady Bears on as they took revenge for our men and defeated Duke...and now go on to meet UConn (one of the most renown women's basketball programs) this coming weekend.

Ordinarily the two team's i'd like to see face-off would be UConn & Tenn (but Baylor knocked of Tennesee...yeayah!). So if Baylor doesn't make it, my next fav would be UConn vs Oklahoma. THAT will be a game to watch in the Championship! But....I BELIEVE BAYLOR CAN GO ALL THE WAY! Sic'em Bears!!!

This world...

Why is it that a world (organized system against God's agenda) looks down their noses, and shakes their head in disapproval of the immoral acts of their own?

These actors and athletes (the gods of our world)...are they expected to live at a higher morale than those who pay to be entertained by them, and by those who get paid to report on their lives? I'd think that a world repulsed by purity, that promotes promiscuity and thrives on the "crucify Jesus" mantra would epitomize and idolize their 'Barabbas's. That they would be all too comfortable putting the Tiger Woods' back in golf and the dog fighters back on the football field.

I'm shocked to see that they expect morale to come from immoral people. But they refuse to allow a sinless God in their schools and homes. Instead they want a God-less world to be pure in and of itself.

How do we inundate the eyes, ears, mind, heart and soul with infidelity of desperate housewives, quick fixes of pornography and the like through movies and videos etc, without expecting an output that resembles that which we ingrafted? This world system has a good understanding of the investment protocol, and eagerly await the financial results. Should our internal lives not model that external policy?

And yet we continue to push a loving, Holy, relentless God away. One who eagerly awaits the moment to redeem us. One who wants to repair and better yet 'fireproof' our marriages. One who desires to burn away our falicies and faults so that we indeed serve as a representative to a perishing world.

But I guess if that was the case, God's kingdom would reign supreme and satan wouldn't be the deceiver that he is. A world still looking to be blessed by God while He is still waiting to be blessed by us.

Love & Affection

It's occured to me that possibly the 'love' I claimed to have was only affection.

My life began with epitome of the demonstration of love explained to me in a way that tugged my heart strings, whispering through its hollow walls the need I have for Love. I accepted, and placed the eternal ring on my finger, ready to show others the Love I had received.

As life took its toll on my heart, I learned about it's character, its where-abouts, its truths and endless possibilities. I saw its affects when given selflessly to others, and the joy it brought to lives who were changed by it. Its gift-like nature made me marvel as I continuet to wrap it up and give it out over and over again.

But then this one time I handed the gift away, was different. I saw how Love drew the heart towards the One I loved, and I saw Love capture the mind of this gift-receiver. But then this person began to give this love back and I was aloof, at first not understanding the nature of this action. I began to spend time with them, communicate with them, share myself, become transparent. And when I opened up, they came in. I began to develop emotional intimacy and a deep & passionate affection for them.

I wanted to be around them every second of my day, and to care for them in special ways. My mind was consummed with their life and well being. But then I became jealous of their time, needy for their attention, eager for their touch, longing to hear their heart and before I knew it, I was no longer in control and found myself seeking for this gift I once longed to only give.

But was it a gift anymore? Had affection disguised itself? Had it camaflouged in order to survive in my heart?

Because I remember Love...it was not attached, nor jealous when others jousted for its attention. It was pure, trusting and unable to recall any wrongdoing. The feelings, emotions, gestures I possessed did NOT fall in line with these measures. I want Love back, because I don't like who i've become. Affection has broken in and stolen all that was precious to me.

Lord, teach me to Love again...I'm through with affection and its twisted ways.

March Madness indeed!

I adore basketball season! It starts with the All-Star weekend around mid-February.

But when I introduced March Madness (TAKS style) with my kiddos, I created a bracket and had them choose their own "teams" of peers whom they wanted to compete with. I gave 2 weeks worth of review to prepare them for the Math TAKS coming up in April. As time whaned before Spring Break, I saw unlikely "teams" of students come from behind and gain more points than my "A students". It tickled me b/c I immediately began to reminisce on how "upsetting" March Madness can be for those #1 -3 seeded teams.

These no-name teams AKA the "underdogs" will likely come from behind and upset the top seeds...totally messing up people's brackets and upsetting teams & fans all over the nation!

But as for basketball, this year, already Kansas (seeded 1), Kentucky (seeded 2) and Villanova (another 2seed team) have been knocked out the bracket by a much lower seeded team. Baylor Bears seeded 3 has made it to the Sweet 16! Its' a bit nerve wrecking and exciting at the same time. I'm crossing my fingers b/c our next opponent is St. Mary's and don't they sound JUST like an underdog? Well, we'll just see if them Baylor Bears can pull it off!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.........SIC'EM BEARS!!

Museums & Tattoos!

What a combination, right?! Who you tellin'?

Candace and I had a very "artsy" day planned. We were going to visit the "free" museums (namely the Fine Arts & Health/Medical museums).

We left around 11am, (after I did a lil' shopping at Old Navy) and headed downtown. We went to the Fine Arts Museum first, where immediately we were fronted by a sign that read "Yes, you may walk on the art!"..and soo...we vogued all over the floor art that was amazing!

Soon after, we found a lil room that allowed us to sit down and design flags of our own. We had a great lil crafty time. Candace dogged me out for not being creative enough...but watev!

Then we ate at the Cafe Express there, and quickly found our way into a gallery that included some sketched art. They allowed us to grab a clipboard, pencil, colored pencils and portable seats while we were escorted to take a shot at mimicing the art of our choice.

Then we checked out the rest of the art and headed to the Health & Medical museum. Here, we browsed the different booths that highlighted facts about our bodies, brain teasers, and began our trek back to the parking garage.

Headed home, we passed a tattoo parlor that advertised free ladies tatt's and piercings. Reeled in by the 'trapping billboard' we U-turned and found ourselves $20-35 later sitting in chairs behind fiber glassed windows getting body art. Candace got her trec (middle ear lobe) pierced, and me: left cartilage (for the 3rd time) and a isthmus (christian fish symbol used by disciples in martydom days) tattooed on my left foot. Candace caught a whif of some gay couple's stank breath and we were on our way!

Lol...what an adventurous Spring break we have had!

Freeport...Bahamas? NO! Texas

That's right...let me tell you how this day came about. I was watching my kids at recess last week when my co-worker who LOVES to fish encouraged me to go with my hopes of enjoying nature by visiting Freeport. Being that I vacationed to Freeport, Bahamas last year, I thought he was CRAZY! It was quickly brought to my attention that not only was there a Freeport, TX but also the beach there was MUCH better than Galveston. Being that Galveston & Corpus Christi were the only beaches I was aware of up to that moment, I decided...why not! I immediately texted my ex-roomie, Candace to see if she'd be down. So today, I layed in bed watching Golden Girls (as is my morning routine) until my road dawg arrived. Having shaved, and dawned my new gear, we packed the car with somer sausag, cheese, crackers, fruit, snicker doodle cookies (which i LOVE) and wine coolers...we set out on our brief 90 minute journey to Surfside beach in Freeport, Tx. It was amazing (well in TX beach language lol). We literally drove off the freeway and onto the beach. *I'm oober excited about my annual beach decal that allows me to park on the beach for FREE up until December 2010. So you KNOW we going back right? Lol. Anywho, we parked right up next to the water and unpacked our towels, cooler and chairs and blasted the ipod from the car as we pigged out! 3 hours and 15 pictures later, we were mildly tanned and bug-ged out! Darn near caught pnemonia with the breezes that kept blasting through everytime the sun hid behind the clouds. Nevertheless our journey was SO worth it & we can't wait to return with more friends for MORE FUN!

The language of love

I've heard of love referred to & compared to:

a trap; a sea; an emotion beyond control; being blind; that which can break & rob you

...and so much more!

To love-

Yours is exclusive in many intimate ways, yet has its inclusive moments which makes you freeing.

Yours is deep, calm waters that often feel cold and dark yet your warm waves crash upon the heart dropping off debris of frequent smiles and taking away grains of insecurity.

Yours carry an emotion beyond compare yet under soul control. Your tears can fall on their own or be invoked by the language of love. Your happiness can fluctuate but your joy always remains. Your actions are provoked even when the passion is no where to be found.

Your eyes never shut, blink nor turn blind for you see clearly into my heart.

You break...the codes and molds i've set, the walls i've built and robbed me only of that which I thought I should hide.

Love, you have wooed me, relentlessly, captivated me, taken over and become a part of me.

I'm smitten by you, love...you speak my language!

Lovely Lynn

Spring Break 2010

My spring break popped off on the right foot:

Friday evening was spent getting my tires changed, shopping for a new bathing suit and seeing the movie "Our Family Wedding" with my homegirl, Jarvis.

Saturday was an infamous sleep-in day, followed by a short trip to Wal-Mart (wherein I was inundated with the allergic reaction of tree pollen causing me to rush home). However, I was able to HGTV my apartment a bit. *geekin'

Later that night, some friends pop'ed in on the random tip and we enjoyed the pleasures of REDBOX and the $10 Pizza hut special.

Sunday, after worship...the most amazing nap was accompanied by yet another night of REDBOX this time coupled with Brewsters icecream. Btw..."Taken" is my new fav movie!

Monday, a bum day (no regrets).

I went to the mall and found a fab jean skirt for only $15! But didn't purchase it.

Instead I took in lunch at Chic-Fil-A with my homie Jarvis and shortly thereafter we spent an afternoon feeding ducks. Or so the adventure was SUPPOSED to be:

As we arrived, at this make-shift retention pond (supposed to be a lake), we began watching ducks. Soon enough we happen upon a beaver looking friend. We began to coo and take pictures of this "cutie". Then moments later, it reared its hideous long rodent-like tail and no sooner, a fellow "duck-feeder" informed us that this member of the rodent family is called a "nutria".

So later, we moved to a more grassy knoll-like area, pinched a blanket and chair and began to enjoy nature. Jarvis blogged, I read juicy novel i'm starting. About 20 minutes into our relaxation phase came some loud geese (both male & female) flocking into the lake. As we smiled at the beautiful warm white female geese, low and behold we caught some not-so-cute male geese hawking the females. One in particular climbed atop the female geese and forced himself on her. Well, this lady goose was obviously NOT having that as she squirmed and successfully flung the male off her back. Ahhh, the wild and their ways!

We ended our time watching others try to feed teh ducks and geese and end up result-less (as we did). I'm not sure what's going on but in case you didn't know...ducks dont particularly care for bread anymore. I hear hot cheetos are the new "bread". Lol

My night was topped off by studying for my GED.

Lovely lynn

I AM my hair

Not to take away from India Arie's song "I am not my hair", but my hair symbolizes much of who I am within. It by no means defines who I am, but I have found it to be a compliment to my personality.

As you'll see in the pictures, I've rocked the long look, short look, kinky twists (weave) and my most current state...the natural look.

Through each decision, i've been faced with that glaring question "what will I look like if...?". And with each selection, I've had my good hair days where sistahs spit "giiiiiirrl who did your hair?" and bruthas take that backwards glance. And I've had those days where I'm glad I have a plethora of hats to flaunt behind.

My long look identifies with the side of me that is creative and extends its strength to others. My short look exemplifies that ability to be concise and be an effective leader. My weave-able braid moments bring out that in me which connects to others in profitable relationships. And my natural (ahhhh my natural) personifies my curly personality, strong sense of inner beauty and healthy locks of love.

Yes, I AM my hair and no matter how I decide to "rock my do'u"or "split my wig", I WILL do me and you'll just get to know the many facets that ARE me.

Lovely Lynn