Archive for the ‘Youth Talk’ Category

BE SMART ABOUT SEX.

Are you really ready for Sex? Do you have birth control? Do you know how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)?

When you know the facts about sex, pregnancy, STIs and HIV/AIDS, you can take charge or your sexuality. You will have the information you need to make the best decision about sex.

50 Things You Should Know Before You Have Sex

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Last week I stole as many moments as I could entranced in this book’s tale. Those who know me would know I don’t often do that unless the book has got me hooked in a very big way and I eagerly want to know how the story ends. 

            You know they say “you could be whoever you want to be or go wherever you want to go, through the pages of a book.” That’s why my heart desires to be a writer, a perfect occupation for a big dreamer such as myself. Sometimes those words don’t ring true for me, sometimes a book is just a book and fiction is just that, fiction.

            Not this time, this time it felt real. I identified with what each character was feeling and experiencing. I felt a part of the journey, like this story was playing out in front my face; just like the boy Bastian Bux from “The NeverEnding Story” following the boy warrior Atreyu’s expedition through Fantasia to find a cure for the childlike Empress’s illness. I love when a book that does that for me. It is completely satisfying.

            I think the imagery of emotions and situations these characters experienced are so clearly defined that they just burst with passion. I felt their heart beat, their anger, confusion, curiosity, disappointment, joy, worry, desires, hope, hopelessness and more. I wanted to scream when they screamed; I wanted to hug them when they felt sad, confused and alone; I wanted to wipe the tears off their face; eat lunch with them; be their friend; help them find their answers; walk with them the way God walks with us; and in some ways I feel as though I did do these things.

            This book carries a really powerful message about how a little love and compassion goes a long way. At what point did human beings become so self-involved that we make others feel so invisible and unworthy of our love and kindness. We teach our children to be this way, to only concern ourselves with the bubble we live in and our own circle of family and friends, that money, power and popularity are the most important things; but God did not create us to live this way.

            This book asks the age-old question “what do I want my life to be about?” I have been asking myself that for years. This story is captivating and impactful without being preachy. It captures the true essence of today’s American youth; and the hardship and pressure young people experience, especially when trying to defy the “norm.” Trying to find themselves, sometimes even going against what their parent’s desire for their lives and doing what feels right in their in heart.

            Initially my hope was to see the movie first with my youth group, and then we would follow up with the 7 week youth curriculum, however, the nearest theater screening to us was about 30 miles away. So the youth leader and I decided to wait until it comes out on DVD, however, we had already order the curriculum, which included the novel in the package.

            At first, I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to see the movie upon its release, but now I am so glad that I got to read the book first and I won’t get to see the movie too soon in the future. This book was an incredible journey for me, a journey I know the movie could not measure up to and the fact that I have to wait a while to see it on DVD means the book won’t be completely fresh in my mind, so I’ll still get to enjoy the movie in a whole new light. I am looking forward to seeing this film when the time comes.

             So if you have a teen at home who may be experiencing spiritual warfare this book would be like a cuddly teddy bear comforting and safe. There is a lot of characters to relate to in this book, they’ll realize they are not as alien as the thought they were, feeling what they are feeling, they will feel the warmth of God’s love embracing them as the journey through these pages. There is just one requirement to whoever reads this book; open your heart, let the words flow through warming you, calming you, inspiring you to love yourself for who you are, pursue God and love others as God loves all HIS children.   

I give this book an A+. Especially for teen and young adult readers.

Just dropping you a line; because I love you; those who take the time to read my post; I love writing post and hope to make this a very successful blog in the future; with the help of my wonderful husband who comes up with new ways all the time to make this site cooler and better.

So guess what I did last Saturday? Nope; that’s not it. Yes; I finally got to visit my first theme park in America. I went to Six Flags with my youth group and family; and this adventure has help me to reaffirm two things; I hate being out in hot blazing sun (yup, it was scorching hot and we had no sun block) and I am really, really afraid of heights. That said; I still had a good time though.

I didn’t go on many rides; being pregnant was a great excuse; but the truth is even if I wasn’t pregnant it would have probably gone down almost the same way; I went on a Carousel with my daughter, husband and sister; I sat in a chair (which was really cool); my husband stood next to my daughter and held her while she sat on a horse and my sister sat on a horse.

I also went on what is suppose to be a mild ride; but for me was very scary; it was called “New England Skyway;” my husband, daughter and I got into this cable car and very slowly glided high above a very small part of the park; I had my eyes closed 98 % of the time. The thing is; I could’ve gotten out it; because pregnant women aren’t really suppose to go on this very mild, non-threatening ride but after waiting so long in the scorching hot sun just to get to the top of the line; then to find out I can’t go on; I don’t think so; I rather face a fear than face that sun again. So I did and I survived. Next challenge!

That was the last of the rides for me; my sister got to go on three exciting (for her) rides; she went on rides called “Blizzard River;” “Pandemonium,” and “Tomahawk;” my husband, daughter and I found a nice cool water fountain in the “Looney Toon Movie Town” section of the park; which had rides catering to children my daughter’s age and height; she kept cool at the water fountain for about an hour and I kept cool sitting in a shaded area watching her have fun; it made me very happy that she was happy.

Then after she dried up and got dress; she went on a ride  located next to restaurant; called “Marvin the Martian’s Earthbound Journey.” While I gagged at the first taste of the “Jumbo” hot dog I ordered (I hated the theme park food I came into contact with); she alone got into what looked like a small spacecraft that took her about a few feet over the ground; and she got to fly around in a circle for a while; she wasn’t a chicken like her mother (thankfully); she loved it and went on for a second time before we headed out of the park; my sister very easily won two stuffed animals before leaving; she kept one as a souvenir of her adventure and gave one to my daughter. It was a hot and exhausting great day. I am thankful for the experience and hope to do it again next summer; less pregnant.

The next day; I went to church tanned; and participated in an insulation of Church officers ceremony; imagine that; I am a church officer. I am very proud.

This week has been a combination of preparing for my mom’s visit; shopping (for mostly necessities); meetings; doctor’s appointments and preparing for youth group (we have a meeting this evening). Didn’t get to or feel to watch very much t.v this week; comes with the grown-up territory.  These things passed the time nicely; leading up to when my mom and other little sister Tatyanna will begin their five week visit tomorrow night or should I say extremely early Sunday morning; just after midnight. I am looking forward to my time with them; August is going to be a fun but very exhausting month. I pray the Lord gives me the strength and stamina this month will require of me. Talk to you again soon. Have a great weekend.

Love Tisha.

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Since its debut on Abc Family; summer 2008; I have loved this show; I think it tries to kind of send a message and teach valuable lessons in the midst of its real life circumstances and teenage characters at least in Season One; I would confidently let my teenage daughter (if I had one) watch this show and then sit and have a heartfelt conversation with her; discussing many of life’s issues; most importantly; sex and the choices we make at that tender teen age.

My relationship with “The Secret Life,” hasn’t been perfect, I have been disappointed by some of the paths, the writers has chosen to take; like when the character Alice had sex with her boyfriend Henry, so easily, after a couple of episodes earlier sounding so assured that she wasn’t going to have sex with him anytime soon. I could be wrong, but I really thought based on the things she said and how self-assured she sounded that she was waiting until marriage or at least a more special occasion. It felt like a last minute switch to me; like Brenda Hampton; changed her mind about this character just the night before; I hated the new Alice. I still do.

If you don’t want to know what’s up; if you want to be surprised when Season Two premieres on Monday, 22^nd June; STOP READING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE SPOILERS; I don’t mind them at all; I like to know what to expect to give me time to mentally prepare. I get so emotionally wrapped into some of these t.v shows, that’s why I am sometimes heartbroken, when shows I really liked are canceled and that happens often.

Anyway, from bits and pieces I have gathered here or there; sneak peeks, etc.  The character Anne (Amy’s mom) is pregnant, by whom, I don’t know. This one pisses me off; the teenage christian Grace and last virgin standing (main characters) will join the ranks of her friends/acquaintances and give away her precious jewel to boyfriend Jack; that really sucks. Where is Brenda (Hampton) taking us and are there lessons to be learnt; teenagers and their parents/guardians to be reached or have we crossed over to join the likes of other teenybopper programming like Gossip Girl, 90210, etc. Where it is all about the sex and scandals; designed strictly for entertainment, guilty pleasures and the show’s survival in this tough, tough t.v world. I hope not, I really think she had something and the practically unreachable could finally be reached; teenagers.

Here is another scary spoiler for you; I think Grace’s father is going to die; what is it with John Schneider and these types of roles; playing the dying pappa again (Smallville) and he is never an abusive, mean, angry Dad, you just hate and wish for his demise, he is always one of the good ones, gone to soon; that is going to set an atmosphere of sadness and mourning for a while; bummer.

So why do I think he is going to die, here it is; I was looking through my DVR recording schedule at some of my upcoming recordings and reading the previews; the preview for “The Secret Life,” Episode Two, Season Two, entitled “What’s Done is Done;” reads; “Grace believes her actions are responsible for her father’s death.” Whoa.

So let’s watch and see where this unfolding t.v journey takes us; will we get to see John (Amy’s son) grow up; as well as the growth of these teenage characters into adulthood; will we see them go to college and establish careers; personality changes and graduations, even weddings; will it be another hit like 7^th Heaven; will this show last even half as long and if it does; will all or  many of these original characters journey with it; and one more question; who will pass in and out of this show; so far; we’ve had Lil’ JJ (Just Jordan), Bianca Lawson, Constance Marie (George Lopez); as well as; Gymnast, Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars, Season Eight Champion; Shawn Johnson.

Speaking of Gymnastics; also premiering June 22^nd on ABC Family is a new show about the world of Gymnastics; “Make it or Break it” hope it’s good, it gives a feel a lot like the movie “Stick It,” I liked that movie; I hope this new tv series will be a good one. See you Monday. Oh and have a great weekend. Luv Yah.

TishTishBaby.

So some time back in December I volunteered myself to assist in the rebuilding of the Youth Ministry at my Church. Why? Because it is something I’ve always dreamt about doing, it is something I prayed about often, there was a need and opportunity and I believed I’d be very good at it, with God’s help of course. Read the rest of this entry »

I got to tell you; back in the day; I can’t believe I am old enough to say that, sigh; anyway, back in the day; I really was anxious about getting older; finishing school; earning my own income; getting married; having children; being a successful whatever I become; now I just want to go back there; slap that girl in her face and say slow down; take it a step at a time; live your life. Be a TEEN.
Now I am no longer a teen; I am a woman but my mind is yet to catch up with my no longer skinny adolescent body. I still feel like a teen but I have responsibilities like a mother, wife and a woman. I have to grow up or at the very least find a middle ground. I have to embrace who I am now and work towards being the chick I want to be. Anyway, this post wasn’t really meant to talk about all that per say but I wanted to talk about the young people/celebs I really am a very big fan of out there; their music, their talents, their looks and the way they represent youth and that generation.

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I am so impressed with this show; I honestly think teens and their parents should watch it together or teens should have weekly t.v parties, get together, eat popcorn and watch this show. I have never watched a teen drama that has been a truer representation of all walks of teenage life and issues in the adolescent community. Even me, who still remains stuck in a teenager’s way of thinking sometimes, can relate to these characters and see the reflection of people I know in some of them. This is REAL and this is REAL LIFE.
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