last night with Cref

Last night at church was cool. I drove into and through the city, via the George Washington bridge. I probably won't do that again. It's cool to drive on the outskits of Manhattan, but once you are into the thick parts, it gets bad. Anywho, I saw Shantina at church! She used to go to World Changers in Atlanta, and was over a youth and women's ministry called F.A.V.O.R. She's so pretty, and she's in NYC with an acting career. She sounds like she's having a great time. And last night, I said bye to my new homie Kenti.

Today...I went to this church for early morning service, then came to Panera to watch Bishop. Service at Word of Faith was really good again, and made me miss being there. That Eddie boy sang another solo! He's getting better and better. I think I may hit up the beach today, since I only got a few more days here.

God's work

This man at work told me this awesome story yesterday about when he was in the hospital paralyzed from the chest down because of a back injury. He said this Pastor came in the room and prayed for him. Later that day, he was able to move his body, and now he's functioning as if it never happened. Then I found out that the Pastor that prayed for him was the same one whose church I went to the other night. How neat! I was excited about that. If they have an early service, I may go back there tomorrow, and then go and watch Bishop, who I miss dearly.

Tonight I'm going to World Changers New York. It's my last night with Pastor Dollar until...well, maybe until next month at Great Lakes, or maybe in September when he's in St. Louis with Joyce Meyer.
I tried to get in touch with Mikiyon and Cash so I could see them before I left, but I haven't been able to yet. I may try later.

Detroit v. Newark crime rates

this Prosecutor today totally proved me wrong. I told him that Newark was way worse than the D. He got on the computer and did some research. Detroit's homicide rate--way way way worse. I was shocked. newark may have a worse gang problem though.
Anyway, last night I went to this Bible Study at The Love of Jesus Family CHurch. I'm telling you, it had to be THE MOST AWESOME Wednesday Bible Study experience I've had in years. I mean, the word, the atmosphere, the prayer, the praise and worship, the Holy Ghost was moving in that mug. We didn't get out until like after 10:00. The pastor was super duper cool. I had so much fun, and didn't even know anyone up in that piece. I just drive by it all the time, and finally decided to check it out. It also had to be the most racially diverse church I've ever seen. It was good business.

I'ma stay saved

Craziness...At the park today, I actually ran into that attorney that was hatin on me the other day. She continued in her hatership...Ughh

Oh yeah, so her and other women at the office lately have just been talking to me like they crazy. Because they are older, I have really been trying to hold my tongue and show respect, but last week it was starting to get to me. Instead of letting stuff out, I was internalizing. And now, I've just been letting things slip out of my mouth before thinking about it (something that goes completely against my legal and biblical training). I haven't been cussing or anything, just expressing myself a lot more often. The interns have been kind of teasing me about it. I did fairly well today keeping my mouth in check though. Yesterday, however, this one intern tried to set me up, because he knew I had been a little on edge. He knew that this one attorney was about to talk crazy to me, and didn't give me a warning. He just sat there smiling waiting for my reaction. I was like Get the Behind Me!
Only one more week until my departure. It's kind of sad. I'll miss everyone, but I am looking forward to the rest of my summer travels. I owe Minister Kevin the biggest thank you in the world for encouraging me to come out here for the summer.
Speaking of Minister Kevin, dude better be back in the fall....

tHe ApPeAl Of A tHrIfT SToRe jUnKIE

interesting week thus far...
Yesterday I made an official court appearance against this private attorney in front of an appellate judge. It was great! I won the appeal, and the judge told me that my brief was very thorough an excellently written! I was geeked, but I tried to play it cool. Some of the other interns came and supported me, and I was glad they were there. Holy Ghost was helping me think on my feet. i got a little smart with the other attorney, cuz she thought she was the junk. But anywho, the judge, my attorney, and the other interns, and the law clerk said I did a great job. However, the losing attorney came up to me afterwards and said to me with a nasty attitude that my performance wasn't that good. My attorney I'm working under said she was just hating cuz she don't like to lose.
So after work, me an Dicelis went to some thrift stores. We found some really cute stuff for cheap, and this man gave me a dress for free that I liked. FAVOR!!!

Anyway, so I feel like us interns are really bonding. All of the guys are really cool. A couple of them are pretty hot! : ) And me and most of the girls have hung out after work, either shopping or at the detention center. I'm going to miss them all when I leave, but we had a great summer together.

HYPE

Pastor Dollar-awesome. I love him so much i want to call him Uncle Creflo. Yesterday I went to breakfast with this guy from the office and two of his friends from out of town. We had a nice time. We went to this diner, and then his two friends ended up blessing us with breakfast. It was great. Then we walked around downtown Jersey City. Jersey City looks a lot like NYC, but just much more laid back.
Bishop Butler talked about judges this morning. The angelic choir ministered, and were absolutely fantastic. I think it's the best I've ever seen them. That one Eddie boy sang a solo. he was really good. I miss WOF, but I'll be going to the next entheos meeting, and maybe even the church picnic.
Today, I gotta prepare for my argument and get some exercise and plan my life out. Pretty heavy schedule for only 24 hours

argument

So, my big debut is coming up.....an argument against a real attorney. BRING IT ON!!! I'm sure I'll be fine. I only went in for a few hours today to handle some business. Otherwise, I think I might stop by the mall today in between Gathering services. I would also like to take a short walk in the park pretty soon. It's about 95 degrees though, so I think I'll wait for a few hours on that one.

It's hard to believe that I'll be leaving here in less than 2 weeks. Time flies when you're having fun. It may be good though, cuz me and Ann gotta find an apartment. I hope she's been lookin while I'm gone. (hint hint) : )

Oh yeah, Jimmy Evans was awesome this morning. He was talking about marriage stuff, and it was good. I learned a whole lot. I took notes on Microsoft Word.

sin

I stole this quote from a friend's journal. I thought it was really good:

I think sin is a lot like fast food. I usually can go for long periods of time without having any fast food or pop and I'm usually not even tempted. But once in a while, I get a craving for it and it just sounds sooo good. So I splurge and eat it. It tastes good and I get the short-lived sugar rush, but then I crash and I feel bloated and crappy and wonder why the heck I wanted to eat the disgusting crap in the first place. I get so confused sometimes about what I want and who I am, and things like emotions, hormones, vanity, and self-esteem and what not just make things more blurry.

luv da kidzz...i think

today was cool at the detention center. But....the Warden wasn't there, so it was completely up to me and this other chic to run and control the class. hmm... SO, we discussed conflict management. SOme of the boys were very cooperative. Some were acting out. You could tell they just wanted a little attention. In the end, it worked out okay. But our time was cut very short since we spent a lot of time waiting for the warden. Bless God
Otherwise, today's been great. I worked from home today. I've been preparing for my oral argument, and watching the gathering via online pay per view. THus far, it's been really really awesome. I plan on watching it tomorrow too, so I'll probably only go to the office for half a day.

Oh yeah, I got in touch with Cash and Mikiyon too. So hopefully I will be seeing them brothas soon here. I haven't seen Cash in a long time, and I haven't seen Mikiyon since graduation, so I'm looking forward to our gathering.

F.A.V.O.R.!!!

Yo, I got mad favor everyone I go. It's like surrounding me, like a cloud of the latter rain yo! No, but for real. I was real hype when I got to the office and an attorney asked me if I wanted to go to the Broadway musical, The Producers (Mel Gibson, I think) because he had bought me a ticket. HYPE!!! Yo, so I went home, got cute, came back and went to the show. It was cool. The acting, singing, and dancing--best in the world. These people were extremely talented. The actual plot was cool, but it had a little too much raunchiness. Otherwise, it was a cool play.

Then me and this chic Sharry from the office went over what we are going to do with the kids tomorrow. The plan is to discuss conflict management with them. I'm excited about that.

Newark--so these 2 girls were fighting outside a local highschool. One of the girls called her brother, a blood, to come and shoot the other girl. The cops showed up at the scene to break up the fight. Big brother comes to the scene with his gun, to also "break up" the fight. He ends up shooting the cops, killing one, injuring the other, and fled the scene. Witnesses are scared to testify, because the bloods have people on lock. So, dude made bail and is now back on the street, b/c nobody wants to testify against him. Sad stuff.

Anywho, I miss Michigan, but I was talking to my friend Jon the other night, and he said something interesting to me about St. Louis. He said, "Tanisha, don't come back to St. Louis unless you are coming to actually make a difference and help change things." It's funny he said that, cuz that's exactly what I plan on doing. They don't call my world changer for nuthin....

ME ON TV

I remembered today how one time this dude came up to me at school and asked me for my autograph. He was just a silly guy, but he was playing with me because he had seen my on the local news the night before. I had completely forgot that when I sat at a table for my apartment complex during the housing fair, local news stations were there in the union. It was fun!

ANywho, today was cool. I thought some about my relocation out of Michigan. When I first got to Mich, i had no intentions of staying. Now part of me wants to stay and part wants to go. What's a girl to do?

The head of the arson unit came today and talked about prosecuting arson cases. It was pretty interesting. Yesterday, I looked up the word "hummus" because I eat a lot of it and I really like it. It's probably one of my favorite foods. So, I found out that hummus is made of peas. It's cool when you eat something all the time, and then find out it may be good for you.

i watched a jury selection at work today. It was funny because two of the people they were questioning were attorneys. There's no way they would make it. And a lot of people said they would trust the word of a cop moreso than someone else. They won't make it either. If you ever don't want jury duty, call me and I'll tell you exactly what to say. : ) just kiddin. Do your service to the community

I, TB, HAVE THE FUNNIEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD

Here's an excerpt from a recent email from one of my tight homies:

"
I also made myself cry once for Diana in NY. We were spending time and her ex-boyfriend needed a ride homefrom somewhere. She left me at her house with hersister(I was best friends with her sister, thats how Imet her) and she went and took him. She took foreverto get back and when she did, she watched like 10minutes of the movie and wanted to go to bed. She keptkissing on me telling me she loved me and I was justblowing her off like "whatever" AND HER sister wasgetting an attitude at her for talking through themovie, so she went to bed. I went in there after her Iwas going off on her for wasting all her time takinghim home, now she was too tired for me. She burstedinto tears and started going off back on me saying howbad she was rushing home to get back to me and tell meshe loved me and this and that. Then I was lying therelooking soooo dumb and she bawled her fist up andalmost punched me in the face. She was like "I hateyou" I felt so little and dumb man, it was nothing Icould do to turn it around. So I just started crying(LOL) it was so funny now that I look back on it, butI was crying tell her that I just can't seem to doright, I was liek "WHY" why can't I, It was hilarious.But she started hugging me and telling me to stop andshe fell for me again. I manipulated her, I know itwas wrong but to this day I wish her the best andhopes that she will be happy.
"

wow. i love my homies....

today was....interesting. no words to describe the things that happened. Praise God anyway

MID-TOWN SATURDAY NIGHT

This weekend's been ril cool! Church was good yesterday. Pastor Dollar said he tells Pastor Taffi to drop it like it's hot. ANyway, he preached on some issues that confirmed some things for me, as far as what I'll be doing in life and stuff like that. I met this dude Watkins from Detroit who used to go to Kentucky State when I was there, and he said he used to go to WOrd of Faith too. I miss K-State a little bit. That place was thunder!

Anyway, I was thinking yesterday, I want to move to Atlanta. But due to circumstances and situations, ATL may be too far from the family. Why can't I just have my own private jet?

Lewis Powell--the coolest prosecutor on this side of the Mississippi. For real, yall should meet him.

remember tgif

WHen I think about Fridays, I think about how me and my brother would chill on the couch and watch the TGIF shows when we were younger. When we got older, Friday became Chinese night, and my mom would order some CHinese Food after work, then we would watch TGIF. Then in highschool, some Friday nights I would have basketball games, or other school related activities. Otherwise, I would catch a BUlls game--I love Jordan. In the latter years of high school, I went to a few school dances that were on Friday nights. THey were mad fun.

In college, Friday night I was either chillin somewhere with one of my roommates, partying, or at someone's house kickin it. I've always been one for hype social gatherings. I wasn't like a party animal in my first couple years of college, but I could certainly appreciate getting cute for a fun night out with my homies.

My first year in law school, Friday nights were often spent at the law library. How horrible, but I would feel stressed until I got my Civ Pro done, and had to at least start Contracts, since I was often one of Barnhizer's favorite targets.
But if I ruled the world--and I kind of do--I would pick at least four fridays out of the year to gather all my homies from across the country, and chill, talk, share talents, poetry, songs, raps, and share about the goodness of God in our lives. It would be like a big slumber party, and the next morning we would get up, and I would cook everyone a veggie-based breakfast, and we would eat it by the fireplace. ahhhh, sounds good. : )

Anyway, this Friday, I went to the prison, had to stay saved on this chic from the office, turned in my directed study paper (pray my strength), walked in the park, washed my hair, and now...i'm at panera, thinking about how i'd rather spend my friday. Well, praise God for imagination.

more deadlines

I don't like the way deadlines make me feel. I think that when I get a real job, I'm just gonna tell them, "Look, you'll get it when you get it! Now, go away!" Maybe not. But anywho, I gotta paper due tomorrow, I need to wash my hair and wash clothes tonight cuz I'm outta draws and my hair's hot flakes, and I'm going to prison tomorrow to visit. Plus, this weekend I gotta get started on a memo and prepare an oral argument for next Friday in front of the Honorable Judge Donald Volkert or something like that.

I was at the park today and saw one of the detectives who I see at work exercising. I told him I needed to start running with him, however, I'm not a runner, and enjoy my daily walks much better.

hard to believe that only 10 days ago it was 4th of July. Time is really flying in the piece. Only a few more weeks and I'm headed to the STL, can't u tell!!!

man o man

interesting, very interesting stuff going on. In the legal world, most attorneys think jurors are idiots. Especially in criminal law, since the public is now getting into these crime shows, and expecting a Perry Mason court session. I realized today that sometimes people ignorant about the law really make bad decisions when it comes to the law. I wonder if juries should be made up purely of lawyers. I'm a person who doesn't think jurors are stupid, but I realize that people who aren't attorneys don't really know when attorneys are tricking them. It's interesting. Anywho, so I've been kind of busy lately. I finished my last brief, and I've started a memo. In the meantime I have a paper to finish for school.
I don't know if we're going to see the kids tomorrow, but I do know Friday we're headed to juvenile detention.
I may not be hitting up the ATL anymore, since I have a trial date on July 22nd. However, I may make up for it later on.
ANywho, I'm chillin at this restaurant that is havingg an open mic in about half an hour, and i'm thinking about signing up. I don't know if they ready here in Jersey!!!

hot hot hot

I was referring to the weather. it's been real hot the past couple of days. Much better than it being rainy though. I'm eating this low carb bagel and it's kind of nasty.
Anywho, so today I donated the books to the juvy. I gave the warden a note, letting him know that I really admired and appreciated him for his impartation into the lives of these kids. The kids love him. I do too. Honestly, the warden is kind of hot. he looks like a big cute, football playin teddy bear. But what makes him more attractive is his commitment to these kids.

Today I finished my brief--almost. Still more corrections. In the meantime, this other attorney had some work for me. It sounds pretty interesting.

That's all the really happened today. God is really doing some big things in my life! I got a lot going on lately. I got a 30 pgr due this friday to my prof at the law school. Friday I'm supposed to be going to the state prison. I kind of wanted to roll to the beach friday, since it's only 30 minutes away, but I may have to wait a little bit. I'm trying to go before it's time to wash my hair, which was last week. : )

the Sunday post

support the move

SO I was at the mall today and I met this brother who wrote some books. SInce I went book shopping yesterday for the juvenile detention center, I still had a book mindset going on. So I ended up buying one of dude's books, plus a nice bible for like 4 bucks, and also this book i real a long time ago that i had been looking for for like 4 bucks. I might dedicate that one too, but I may read throught it again first.

I recently started reading that book from the Spartan lady, He's fine, but is he saved. I'm actually a little surprised about how good I think the book is. It really is good, and reminds of a lot of the men I know.

Oh yeah, the other day I found the best veggie wrap in the world. It's at this little mom and pop shop called "it's a wrap." It's veggies with hummus and stuff. They might even got Cosi beat. I'm not sure yet.
I've been looking for a godly swimsuit lately. What is a godly swimsuit, by the way? Well, what I'm looking for basically is like some shorts and a halter top. I think that covers enough to be considered "godly." I'm really looking forward to going to the beach out here.

Oh yeah, so yesterday i was at barnes and nobles in the christian inspiration section, and this man from work comes up. It's an old white (maybe irish) man, and we do like one of those negro handshakes where you shake the hand and give a half hug. Well, during the half hug, he kissed me on the cheek. he told me I was in a good section. : ) So I was wondering, was he being flirtatious, or is he just a nice man?

Anywho, I'm starting to miss Michigan, but I think that when I leave here i'll really miss New Jersey also. It's cool out here, and super cool peeps. I can't wait til church tomorrow. I may have a few visitors tag along with me.

what a day

Man, it's been wild. The murder trial I watched today was off the hook. My supervising attorney still didn't give me my brief back. Today's highlight--Juvenile again.

Some extremely long-winded people were there today to talk to the kids, and I wasn't appreciative, because you could tell they weren't receiving. However, they did do my homework assignment, and so they got to eat the cookies Jamie made them. They were very happy about that.
Points of dissappointment; (1) Jamie came up in there with a shirt revealing her belly. Not all of it, just a little. THe director confronted her about it. She definitely should have known better. (2) These old people with bibles and Christian t-shirts showed up today to 'minister" to the kids. For one, they looked old enough to be someone's grandparent. Lord knows how they thought they would "reach" someone. The Christian t-shirt some of them had on really ticked me off. For some reason, I'm just not a big fan of Christian t-shirts.

SOmething real cute: This boy Lamar closed us out in prayer. It was all in ebonics, but he was keeping it real with God. He asked God to "bless deez cookies, and bless ol' girl dat made 'em." Some people started chuckling, and he prays, "yo, but Lord I'm for real though."

SELF E-STEAM

A friend of mine said something very interesting last night. He said that guys have it hard since when they like a chic, it's kind of their job to initiate things, and they have to risk rejection. This is something women don't have to do, unless they choose to. So, should we make it easier on the guys? i say no. Tweety said that if a man likes you, and he knows your worth, he should have to work to get you. I agree. So what should you do if you get rejected? Work the word, build up your self-esteem, someone will want you just as much as you want them, and you'll ride off into the sunset happily ever after.
ANyway, back to the NJ. It's still trill in the fill out here. I turned in a very rough draft of my brief today, and my paper for my directed study is due next friday. After that, no more writing assignments for TB for a while, except some personal things I'm working on.
I feel like me and Panera Bread have become best friends.
I'm starting to miss some of k-state homies. We haven't had a reunion in a while--Keith, Kevin, Marcus, Chris, Enio, Dee, louie, Rob, Holly, Niambi, Roman. I miss them bloods.

DEADLINES AND MEN

Okay, so I got some heavy duty paperwork due this week. No social activities for me for a few days. SPeaking of social activies, Me and Kenti had a lot of fun in Manhattan yesterday. We went to this Indian place, and then ate in a playground. Then, we went and caught a breeze on the water in the upper west end. Afterwards, we walked a little bit in Harlem. Then, we went and saw the fireworks on the west end. Lastly, we walked through Times Square back to Penn and parted. It was a lot of fun. That Indian food was great.
Oh yeah, Kenti and other people think I am from another country before they meet me. She is from the Caribbean, and she thought I was too. This guy from Ethiopia said he thought I was one of his people, and this other guy thought I was from Brazil. I lot of people ask me if I'm West Indian, and when I tell them I'm from St. Louis they act real surprised.

SO on to this men thing. I'm not sure what's been up, but a lot of guys have been approaching me lately. I guess my glory cloud is getting thicker. So today I got on the elevator and a guy on the elevator looks at me and LOUDLY states, "You are so fine!" I was embarrassed, but I quietly thanked him for the compliment and put my head down. Honestly, around the office I see a lot of men staring at me, and making comments under their breath. It can be very flattering, but it's making me lose faith in a man's ability to get to know the REAL ME. Men should try to get attracted to a chic's personality, not just what they see on the outside! Really, that's all I have to say. : )

ANOTHER FUN SATURDAY

It's getting to be too much. Living around here presents way too much opportunity for fun everyday. In the midwest, there are fun things to do. But for the most part you have to kind of create your own fun. Out here, there's so much to do that you dn't have to be creative. Just walk out of the house into something fun.
Church was great last night. Pastor DOllar was talking about (1) being committed to God and (2) methods of reaching the world. It was awesome, very inspiring
After church, Kenti and I walked from 7th Ave and 50th to around the Times Square area. It was my first time in Times Square. It was better than tv. I saw the ESPN restaurant Matt was talking about. If you're going to be in NYC, you don't really want restaurant dining unless ur on a hot date because at places like Friday's, the menu prices at least double what they are in MI. The best food is found on the sidewalks at the vendors. THey even have health food, like all natural fruit juice and smoothie stands. We walked by a bunch of places where they had plays and stuff. The lion king is showing. I'm told it's really tough to come by tickets, but if you wait around the day of the play you may be able to get a cheap price.

Oh yeah, my roommate came on Friday night. She seems cool, she's from Wisconsin. She's here in NJ working for the PGA tour. It sounds like she will have a lot of fun. They set up for the tour and stuff, possibly meet the golfers.

KISSING BEFORE THE RING

I was watching Fred Price talk about oral and anal sex. He basically was saying it's wrong in and out of the marriage bed. I know Pastors who disagree, whereas I have heard Pastors who strongly agree with this viewpoint.

People have asked me before what I thought about kissing before marriage. I guess it just depends on the kind of kiss for me. I don't think there's anything wrong with a kiss on the forehead or the cheek. Actually, I don't think there's anything wrong with a tongue kiss before marriage. However, I don't think I want to. It will be yet another thing that me and the individual can save for after the ring, which could make it more special. Otherwise, I don't think someone is in sin just for kissing. It's just not my preference--not tongue kissing anyway. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

FRIDAY, day to chill with time to kill

....hmmm. I have a tendency to meet the world's most interesting people. At least I feel like that's who I'm meeting. So anyway, I met a man at Panera Bread today who told me that I have expressive eyes, and that any guy I've ever dated who never told me that was not paying very close attention to me. He said I looked like I had a lot to offer from the inside of me. I think he felt the anointing. His last name was Solomon, one of the names for one of my boys.

I didn't do much today. I went down the street and got an all naturale fruit smoothie, and then went to this consignment shop. I bought a skirt, and then man gave me a bunch of stuff for free, like a pair of brand new shoes that I saw and liked in CHinatown.

I was thinking about the kids at juvenile a lot today. Some of those kids have seen some seriously rough times. This one boy was telling us how he was the oldest of seven boys, and he was tired of seeing his mom struggling, which is why he started selling drugs. This other boy said he did it to support his daughter. Two boys told us why they and their brothers jumped their fathers. THis other boy said his daddy was an OG, and him and his brother better not try to jump him. I just want to pour all I can into them while I'm here. Hopefully, I'll get to do one of my abstinence and peer pressure lessons with them. A lot of them joined a gang and started selling drugs because everyone around them was doing it.