(Finding Myself In You) Chapter 1: Changes

***FAN FICTION***

Related imageI walk into the main hallway of my apartment building. Observing everything around me from the marble tile on the floors to the immaculate chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the hall, with a circular table directly under it. As I walk in from the street there is a white couch on the left side of the lobby right across from the attendant desk. I walk over to the front desk and smile at the attendant sitting behind the desk. Her name is Ann, ever since I’ve moved into the apartment, a few months ago, she has been my only friend. Ann is 35 years old and she has a husband and two kids, one boy one girl; the girl is seven years old and the boy is nine years old. She shows me pictures of her family all the time and tells me beautiful stories about them too. It makes me feel more comfortable with my move from California to Massachusetts. Sometimes I think I made a bad decision, but Ann makes it all better.

About two years ago I received a book deal that still seems unbelievable. I’d been blogging for a while about romance. It started off as a hobby. Slowly I began getting subscribers and people responding to all the articles I was posting. Eventually my fan base spiked to over 4 million subscribers. Throughout the beginning days of my success no one knew who I was. I never revealed my name, I just refer to myself as the ‘Romance Queen’. It became a phenomenon that people would hashtag ‘Romance Queen’ on their social media post, hoping that I would give them advice. I would spend hours on only trying to respond to people through social media and through my personal website. One day a lady by the name of Linda Fox sent me an email saying that she had an extraordinary opportunity for me. I ignored her first email because I thought it was a scam, but she sent another message through social media. I did some research on her and she is well known in the industry as an author. Linda and I set up a day to meet, but I was nervous about revealing my identity to someone. I decided to send my best friend, Cindy to my meeting for me. Turns out it’s the headquarters for a company called ‘Elite Women’ which is focused on giving talented women a platform to brand themselves. They aren’t a huge company by they have many wealthy investors. Long story short they drew up a contract for me to publish a book by the ‘Romance Queen’. I didn’t know anything about writing or how I would go about writing a book, but I had the help of their editors. Once I finished my first book I titled it ‘Secrets to Keep Your Romance on Fire’. In the book I talk about things a lot of my subscribers have never read by me. I let it all out, it’s the raw truth. The only thing that really upset me was that I didn’t know much about the art of writing. I spoke to my team and voiced that I would like to go back to school, and they mentioned that I wouldn’t have been the first one to do so through the company. I immediately did some research on the top schools for literature and romance and I was pointed to the one and only Harvard University. I was determined to go back to school, but I was dreading, that I had to go to Massachusetts. I picked up everything I had and moved. I still speak to my friends here in there and my parents. ‘Elite Women’ are supportive of me expanding my knowledge in literature, they’ve even offered to help me financially. I know in all actuality they just want a few more books out of me. I sent in my application for Harvard University before I moved, hoping that I wouldn’t have to wait long before I got accepted. I’ve had Ann on lookout for my acceptance letter since I moved in.
“Good Morning”, Ann says as she smiles.
“Good Morning”, I say returning the smile.
“Here’s the mail that I have for you today”, she says slightly disappointed.
“The anticipation is killing me”, I say going through the mail.

“You will get in”, she says sincerely.
Ann reminds me of my mother because she always tries to encourage me, which is something I need right now.

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The next thing I know my next-door neighbor, Michael comes walking down the spiral steps and Ann does this eyebrow thing to indicate that he’s coming. I have been crushing on Michael since the moment I walked into this building. The first day I saw him he was returning from a morning run. I was struggling to get my bags in the building and he offered to take them upstairs for me. Ever since then I can’t stop thinking about him. I haven’t been able to have a full-length conversation with him because of the way he makes me feel. Anything I know about him is from Ann and I have a feeling she’s not telling me everything. No guy has ever made me feel the way Michael does. I’m usually very straightforward but whenever he’s around I normally just leave the scene. Before I see him, his pit-bull ‘Pretty’ starts licking my leg. I smile and pet her then I see him in a T-shirt, sweatpants and flip-flops; the norm.
“I apologize, she can’t help herself”, he says.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind”, I say before looking up at him. Every time we make eye contact there’s this weird tension between us. I just step back, grab my mail, and head up to my apartment. Once I get in my apartment I head straight to my office, which is the only room that is assembled and organized. Although the book is done I still have to keep up with regular blog post that have gotten more frequent and come up with more ideas for book two. I’ve been a bit overwhelmed. I haven’t had time to decorate my apartment, the same way the movers brought the things in, is the same way that they still are. This is when I wish I had my friends or family to help me.
I spent the next hour making post after post, responding to all the people with romance issues. Being the romance queen. Suddenly I hear a knock at the door, I quickly get up because I know exactly who it is. When I open the door, Turner stands in front of me. I step aside so that he can walk into the apartment and I hear rattling of keys to the apartment next to mine. Once I put my head out to look no one standing there but the door shuts. I walked back into my apartment and close the door behind myself. Then turn back to my house guest and smile. He slowly walked up to me and begins kissing me.

By: Domonique Hume

Comment Below…Thanks for reading!!! MuaH!!!

***FAN FICTION***

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Drake Bring Together The Degrassi Cast For “I’m Upset” Video

Rapper Drake dropped the music video for “I’m Upset” which displays the reunion of the Degrassi: The Next Generation cast. In the video they all meet up at their high school and party it up. Drake who played Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian TV Show from 2001 to 2009, reunites with 19 his cast members.

Here the list of cast in order of appearance in the video:

Shane Kippel, who played his onscreen best friend Gavin “Spinner” Mason

Lauren Collins played Paige Michalchuk, the queen bee at Degrassi. Before there was a Regina George, there was Paige Michalchuk.

Adamo Ruggiero and Stacey Farber played Marco Del Rossi and Ellie Nash, respectively, joining the cast in season two. Marco spends most of the series struggling to accept his sexuality and getting others around him to do the same, while Ellie deals with a home life in constant turmoil. The two strike up a friendship with Paige to form the best trio since Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Jake Epstein played musician Craig Manning; he is the boy every girl in school wants, who has to battle some serious inner demons.

Christina Schmidt and Andrea Lewis played Terri MacGregor and Hazel Aden, respectively. Terri is incredibly insecure about her self-image and eventually gets in an abusive relationship. She leaves after the third season, following an assault by her ex-boyfriend. Hazel is the best friend of Paige, who struggles with hiding her Muslim faith from her friends because of facing harassment after 9/11. She eventually decides to live in her truth, as well as dating one Jimmy Brooks later on in the series.

Melissa McIntyre played Ashley Kerwin, another past love of Jimmy Brooks and the “perfect girl” who attracts all the guys. She is hated by quite a few of the Degrassi girls, but Ashley is too busy dealing with her whole drama to bother with all that. We will never forget when Jimmy Brooks has the audacity to call her a slut. She also has a tumultuous relationship with Craig that inspires the classic hit “Mr. Nice Guy.”

Linlyn Lue and Stefan Brogren played Laura Kwan and Archibald “Snake/Archie” Rupert Simpson, respectively. They are both teachers at Degrassi, Kwan for English and Archie for Media Immersions. Kwan is known for being strict AF, whereas Archie is a lot looser. Archie goes on to become the principal and has to tighten the reins a little more. Brogren actually portrayed Archie in the original Degrassi in the ’80s, thus making Archie an official alumnus of Degrassi Junior High and High School.

Marc Donato and Dalmar Abuzeid portrayed Derek Haig and Daniel “Danny” Van Zandt, respectively. They are basically everyone’s annoying little brothers.

A.J. Saudin played Connor DeLaurier, Archie’s godson who struggles with social situations as a result of his having Asperger’s syndrome. He ends up joining the football team and becoming valedictorian of the class of 2014.

Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes played Jay and Silent Bob Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes. The two come in the final three episodes of season four as exaggerated versions of themselves who are filming a fictional film at Degrassi.two come in the final three episodes of season four as exaggerated versions of themselves who are filming a fictional film at Degrassi.

Miriam McDonald and Cassie Steele played the unforgettable Emma Nelson and Manny Santos, respectively. They are an unstoppable duo who battle sexism, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancies, and terrible decisions in boyfriends together. They are the definition of BFFL.

Nina Dobrev and Sarah Barrable-Tishauer coming in during season six, Dobrev portrayed Mia Jones, a teenage mother who just wants to model. She eventually leaves to pursue a career in Paris and somehow gets waylaid by some vampire brothers in Virginia, USA. Barrable-Tishauer played Liberty Van Zandt, who never lets anything get in her way, even teenage pregnancy and losing her partner. She is and will always be a genius baddie.

Ephraim Ellis, who played Rick Murray the infamous schoolmate who shoots Jimmy and paralyzes him during season four.

Jake Goldsbie portrayed Toby Isaacs, stepbrother of Ashley Kerwin. He is also best friends with J.T. Yorke.

Paula Brancati portrayed Jane Vaughn, a transfer from Degrassi’s rival school Lakehurst Secondary School and aunt to Mia’s daughter, Isabella.

Below is the full video…Enjoy!!! 😊😊😊

Maroon 5 Displays Women Empowerment In “Girls Like You” Video

Maroon 5 released a video for Girls Like You that displays a great deal of respect to women. He sings in a studio as women from all walks of life dance around him and sing along to his song.

In the song Adam Levine sings:

Spent 24 hours
I need more hours with you
You spent the weekend
Getting even, ooh ooh
We spent the late nights
Making things right, between us
But now it’s all good baby
Roll that Backwood baby
And play me close
‘Cause girls like you
Run around with guys like me
‘Til sundown, when I come through
I need a girl like you, yeah yeah
Girls like you
Love fun, yeah me too
What I want when I come through
I need a girl like you, yeah yeah

Here are a list of women that featured in the video:

Camila Cabello (recording artist/songwriter)

Phoebe Robinson (Comedian/Actress/Writer)

Aly Raisman (Gymnast/two-time Olympian)

Sarah Silverman (Comedian/Actress)

Gal Gadot (Actress)

Lily Singh (YouTube personality/Vlogger/Author/Actress)

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh (Author/Media Entrepreneur)

Trace Lysette (Actress/Producer/Activist)

Tiffany Haddish (Comedian/Actress),

Angy Rivera (Activist/Writer)

Franchesca Ramsey (Comedian/Activist/YouTube Personality)

Millie Bobbie Brown (Actress)

Ellen DeGeneres (Comedian/Television Host/Actress/Writer/Producer/Activist)

Cardi B (Recording artist/Producer)

Jennifer Lopez (Recording artist/Songwriter/Actress/Dancer/Television Host/Producer)

Chloe Kim (Snowboarder/Olympian)

Alex Morgan (Soccer player/Olympian/FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion)

Mary J. Blige (Recording artist/Songwriter/Record Producer/Actress)

Beanie Feldstein (Actress)

Jackie Fielder (Activist)

Danica Patrick (Race Car Driver)

Ilhan Omar (Politician/Activist)

Elizabeth Banks (Actress/Director/Producer)

Ashley Graham (Model) 

Rita Ora (Recording artist/ Actress)

Behati Prinsloo (Model)

New Academy Member Kerry Washington Explains Why She Didn’t Boycott “The So White” Oscars 2016

The beautiful Scandal star, Kerry Washington, express her views on the boycotting Oscars and the lack of diversity in the 2016 nominations.

“I respect and admire the people who aren’t here,” Washington, 39, said on the red carpet. “For me, my voice is best used at the table. As a new member of the Academy, I really want to be a part of the conversation so there is institutional change so we never have this again.”

Added the actress, “We need all those voices at the table. It’s about women, people of color, it’s about age.”

Many A-list stars have contributed to the conversation about the lack of diversity including George Clooney, O’Shea Jackson Jr., David Oyelowo, Ava DuVernay, Al Sharpton and Idris Elba.

Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith are all skipping the Oscars ceremony this year.

*I totally understand why people are boycotting but I believe there has to be someone attending, to represent those individuals who would like to be nominated. Kerry Washington is doing a good thing. OnPoint!*

In other news, Kerry Washington’s leg is making all the headlines. By tomorrow her leg will have its own social media page, like Angelina Jolie’s leg was once.

47th NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNERS

Below is a FULL list of all the winners from the 47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. Last year was a great year full of creativity and originality. Take a look below…

Entertainer of the Year:

9-reasons-why-michael-b-jordan-is-the-perfect-choice-to-wear-carl-weathers-gloves-in-cr-477745.jpg

Michael B. Jordan

FILM

Entertainer of the Year:

Michael B. Jordan

FILM

Outstanding Motion Picture:

Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:

Michael B. JordanCreed

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture:

Sanaa LathanThe Perfect Guy

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:

O’Shea Jackson, Jr.Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:

Phylicia RashadCreed

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture:

Beasts of No Nation

Outstanding Documentary (Film):

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film):

Ryan Coogler, Aaron CovingtonCreed

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film):

Ryan Coogler, Creed

TELEVISION

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:

Terrence Howard, Empire

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series:

Taraji P. Henson, Empire

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series:

Anthony AndersonBlack-Ish

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis RossBlack-Ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

Mike EppsSurvivor’s Remorse

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

Marsai MartinBlack-Ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

Joe MortonScandal

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

Regina KingAmerican Crime

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:

Queen Latifah – Bessie

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:

David Alan Grier, The Wiz Live!

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Black-Ish (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series:

Empire (FOX)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:

The Wiz Live! (NBC)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special):

Unsung (TV One)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Muhammad Ali: The Peoples Champ (BET)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Kenya M. BarrisBlack-Ish – “The Word”

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series:

Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli GoffBeing Mary Jane “Sparrow”

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television):

Lawrence Hill, Clement VirgoThe Book of Negroes

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:

Don CheadleHouse of Lies, “The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule”

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series:

John RidleyAmerican Crime

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television):

Dee ReesBessie

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film):

Loretta DevineDoc McStuffins

Outstanding Talk Series:

The Talk (CBS)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series:

Welcome to Sweetie Pies (OWN)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special):

Family Feud (Syndicated)

Children’s Program:
Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series):

Marcus Scribner, Black-Ish (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special):

Steve HarveyFamily Feud

MUSIC

Outstanding New Artist:

Jussie Smollett (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Male Artist:

Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records/iamOTHER) 

Outstanding Female Artist:

Jill Scott (Atlantic Records)

http://youtu.be/t-WWU696CYE

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration:

Empire Cast feat. Estelle & Jussie Smollett, “Conqueror” (Columbia Records) 

Outstanding Jazz Album:

Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4” – Miles Davis (Columbia/Legacy Recordings)

Outstanding Gospel Album – (Traditional or Contemporary):

Tina Campbell, “It’s Personal” (Gee Tree Creative) 

Outstanding Music Video:

Tyrese Gibson,”Shame” (Voltron Recordz)

Outstanding Song – Traditional:

Jill Scott, “Back Together” (Atlantic Records) 

Outstanding Album:

Jill Scott, “Woman” (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Song – Contemporary:

Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett & Yazz, “You’re So Beautiful” (Columbia Records) 

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction:

Stand Your Ground, by Victoria Christopher Murrary

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction:

Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Bengaby Pamela Newkirk

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author:

Chigozie Obioma, The Fishermen

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Auto-Biography:

Between The World and Meby Ta-Nehisi Coates

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional:

Soul Food Love: Healthy Recipes Inspired by One Hundred Years of Cooking in a Black Familyby Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry:

How to Be Drawn, by Terrance Hayes

Outstanding Literary Work – Children:

Gordon Parks How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author) and Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

X: A Novelby Ilyasah Shabazz with Kekla Magoon