Tha ish: Happy New Year!

Hope you have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Tha ish: Year in Review

Well, well, well, 2009 is quickly coming to a close.  To be quite honest, I’m kinda looking forward to 2010.  2009 wasn’t the best year—the recession reared its ugly head and most people that I know were affected by its reign of terror.

But I didn’t dislike this past year solely because the recession hit. When I look back at this past year I get a little angry with myself.  I’m ashamed that I didn’t “go for mine” as much as I would have liked.  I will admit—I was lazy and unmotivated. I didn’t jump out of my comfort zone and take risks.   In 2010, I plan on working towards the goals that I have set for myself.

Before I get too introspective, I would like to share with you some of the things that were the ish in the 2K9.

If you read my blog you might know that I looove music. A day cannot go by were I don’t pretend to be a DJ and blast my music at ungodly levels! 

 2009 did not have a lot of music to choose from, but I was able to form a list of my fave songs for the year.  Check my list but let me know what your fave songs were.

Blame it, Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain. Cool song, but the video……?

Lions, tigers and bears, Jazmine Sullivan.  Easily one of my all time favourite songs. I feel every lyric that she wrote.

Turin’ me on, Keri Hilson feat Lil Wayne, and Knock me down, Keri Hilson feat. Ne-yo and Kanye West (tie).  Love both of these songs. It was Miss Keri baby’s year!

Successful-, Drake feat. Trey Songz

Heartless, Kanye West. Yes, Kanye may be the biggest ass alive but the man gives us good music. Love the song and the video.

Break Up-, Mario feat Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett. This song makes breaking up sexy.

Miss Independent, Ne-yo.  No yearend list would be complete without Ne-yo. He is a talented singer and can do no wrong.

Green light, John Legend feat Andre 3000.   Nice fusion of house and hip hop. Loved the creativity of the song and the vision for the video completely enhanced the song. 

Hot N Cold, Katy Perry, and Waking up in Vegas, Katy Perry.  Hot N Cold technically came out in 2008, but got tons of airplay in 2009. The more and more I heard it, the more I loved it. Waking up in Vegas was a fun song, but the cool video concept and costumes get high marks.

I need a girl, Trey Songz.  I need someone to sing to this me! heheh

 * Honourable mention: Chillin’, Wale feat. Lady Gaga. This song should have gotten more airplay. Love the old skool sound and the genius collabo with Lady Gaga

Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga

Love her don't give a damn attitude, her drive and her sheer moxie.  She makes me like dance music, which ain’t an easy feat!

Biggest disappointment: Rihanna’s cd

I am completely shocked that I haven’t enjoyed any of Rihanna’s new music.  Russian Roulette, Hard- both tracks aren’t as hot as her past singles. I still have love for her and I hope that she releases better music in 2010.

Overrated Artist of the Year: Drake

Drake is too new of an artist to be hailed as the new king of hip hop.  I think his lyrics and beats are nice, but his voice gests a little irritating. Especially when he is the ONLY rapper being played on radio.  I did enjoy some tracks:  Every Girl, Forever and Successful (that’s in my top 10 for the year), but I can only handle him in small doses.

Here are a few (non-musical) moments that made 2009 so memorable

“Get out of here” moment of 2009: Tiger Woods

Finding out that Tiger Woods was a playa!  I would have never known that underneath that squeaky clean image lay a freak!   I do feel bad that his business is out in the streets (we have no reason to judge the man.  We ain’t perfect either. I know I’m not), but unfortunately when you’re a celeb, you’re fair game.

“Get out of here moment” part 2: Elin Woods (Tiger’s soon to be ex-wife)

Elin beating Tiger’s ass!  No, I don’t condone violence towards anyone in any shape or form, but it’s kind of poetic justice for him to get beat with his own golf clubs!

The King of Pop is gone

I can vividly remember when I found out that Michael Jackson had passed. I thought it was a cruel joke. When I googled it and realized that it was the truth, I felt that a little part of my childhood had died.

Island Love

I decided to take my mother on a cruise in November because she LOVES them, but I have to admit, that this cruise (I went on one last year) made me love the islands even more. I have been to the islands before (Big up to my fam in Trinidad—miss you like crazy), but exploring the islands this time around made me realize that I might have to take a trip to the Caribbean every year. 

Highlight of 2009: Obamamania

How lucky were we to witness the first black president being sworn in.  I still get chills when I think back to that chilly day (Jan 20^th, 2009) when I saw him raise his right hand and take the oath.  Ahh, that was truly inspiring.

That’s my year.  Hope that 2010 is even better.  Have a happy New year!

Tha ish: Have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas is in less than 24 hours and I'm starting to get into the season. I feel happy knowing that I will get to spend time with family and friends that I don't get to see everyday. As I always say, I prefer time with loved ones over gifts any day!

I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy Christmas and a blessed new year!

enjoy yourself!

p.s. take a listen to my all time fave Christmas carol

Tha ish: Yesteday- Toni Braxton feat. Trey Songz

I watched the Soul Train Awards a few weeks ago and completely lost my mind over Toni Braxton’s latest single, Yesterday. She performed it with Trey Songz (he seriously has the cutest smile known to man. Yes, my cougar claws are out!) and it has since become my fave song.





I’m not sure if it was their sexy performance that got me, but I love the song. I have downloaded it from itunes and have played it about a million times a day. I can’t get enough of this song!!


Check the live performance here and view the official video here

p.s. there was tons of hype over the kiss she shared with Trey because he's almost 20 years her junior.  The kiss was nice, but it was soooo not as freaky as they make it seem.

Tha ish: Barbados

I promise that I will stop reminiscing about my recent trip. Not sure when that will happen, but I’m sure it will ; )



As much as I fell head over heels in love with the visually stunning island of St. Lucia—the other highlight of my vacation took place in Barbados.


When my mom and I were deciding on what sites to see in Barbados, I pointed out to my mom that it was imperative that I see the slave huts. They are replicas of the living quarters for slaves that lived in Barbados.


I had to see it. Being a black woman, I owed it to myself to see it.

And there it was. It was on the last scheduled stop of our off-shore excursion. There were a few replica slave huts and rows of chattel houses. I felt like tears were ready to start streaming down my face.

Slave Hut

Chattel Home

The tour guide led us into one of the chattel houses and really let us explore it. I practically rushed the crowd. I really wanted to see with my own eyes how my ancestors were forced to live. I took a million pics. I needed to take a piece of my history back home with me.

After snapping the pictures, we hopped on our bus and we were on our way to the cruise ship. Not sure if seeing the slave quarters affected anyone else as it did me. I’m just grateful that I got to see it.

Tha ish: Chad

I’m starting to really understand how people go away on vacation and have a torrid, whirlwind fling. No, I didn’t have a fling on my last vacation (or any vacay for that matter), but I kinda wished I did!

Yes, I’m still thinking of Chad (he’s the only brotha I know with the name Chad!). Why did he have to be soo damn cute? Seriously, I was entranced by his dark chocolatey skin! So beautiful.


Why did he have to be so funny and so easy to talk to? Why does he live in St. Lucia and not in Toronto? Why didn’t I exchange e-mail addresses with him when I had the chance? Why am I such a punk?

Tha ish: My Caribbean cruise 2009

I love vacationing.  I know you’re probably thinking...... um, like who doesn’t?! 

I got the travelling bug after my life changing trip to France in June 2008.  I’ve always wanted to visit France and dreamed of going, but never thought it would happen.  When I mentally set out to make it happen, I was beside myself.  I decided on my birthday to book a tour and see northern France.  When I landed, I couldn’t imagine myself happier. I had a smile plastered on my face for 9 straight days (psst...I’m told my face still lights up when I speak of France).  I had such an extraordinary time that I knew travelling and seeing the world would definitely be a huge part of my life. 

The next place on my list to visit was Italy.  I wanted to visit Italy in July, but I had to put my plans on the back burner due to changing jobs in April.  I couldn’t up and leave after only working at my new job for 3 months.  Also, all my co-workers had the summer off, so I basically had no choice but to stay put in Toronto.

Instead, I decided to take my mom on a cruise for her birthday.  If I couldn’t take a vacation in the summer, I was definitely taking one later on in the year!  So I told my mom to get ready for another cruise!  My sister and I went with my mom last year, but I wanted to have a vacay with my mom-just me and my mom.  Cue the sappy music!

Cruises are a lot of fun because you get to see a bunch of different places in a short space of time.  You’re basically getting a taste of what the islands have to offer. 

I looove Europe but I looove the Caribbean as well.  They are so different, but both places make me equally happy.  I like the warmth, friendliness and the liveliness of the islands.  Honestly, who could possibly have a bad day when the skies are blue and the sun is perpetually shining?

Our voyage took us to St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia.  Every day got better and better. At first I thought Antigua was the gem of the West Indies, and then I fell in love with Barbados...then St. Lucia. BTW, St. Lucia is tha ish fo’real!  I am truly in love with that place (Not sure if it’s the island or the super sexy (and funny) tour guide, Chad!  Chad I miss your jokes!)

As frivolous as this may sound, I am actually thinking of taking another trip.  I do want to visit more of Europe, but I am feelin’ the islands right now. I can definitely go for another dose of island sun.