WET BROWN BREAD...

When I received a message via facebook stating that one of my schoolmates from college had just released a book, I was super impressed. I remember meeting this young lady for the first time. She was a year or two younger than myself and after getting into an altercation on campus, she was advised by the dean to join my big sister mentoring program. That same young lady stands before me today an author...

Sha-Shana Reid describes herself... I am Sha-Shana, a twenty-six year old graduate of Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University. As a nurturing Jamaican’s last born of two girls, I realized at an early age, that I enjoyed the togetherness of family and the idea of individuals representing separate links to one chain. Early age also introduced to me a very creative bone that supported me through both elementary and high schools. Throughout these years, I wrote hundreds of poems and found myself developing a true relationship with the art in expression through the use of words. Today, I am an author who is able to do just that.



Her newly released novel WET BROWN BREAD is based on a girl who finds out that her life is the product of a brutal rape. With time, Sad discovers more and more about herself and the people around her, the connections between them and their place in her past. She is emotionally detached from herself and allows her father to invade the most delicate parts of her. With life in an orphanage as her only foundation, Sad finds it difficult to stray away from unhealthy ways of living and all that provides her with constancy. So, she makes decisions that best fit her survival needs.

Wet Brown Bread can be purchased online at www2.xlibris.com... Please go out and support Sha Shana

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

PUSH

Director Lee Daniels has done it again, some people may not know the name but you know his work, Shadow Boxer, Monsters Ball yup that's all Lee Daniels. He is back at it again with a film based on the novel PUSH... The film features comedian/actress Monique and singer/actress Mariah Carey. The clip below has drawn me to the project and I cant wait to see it in its entirety...


Leah Janell: In My Shoes

A kid at heart

On Friday my mother asked me to accompany her while she took several of the girls on her cheerleading team ICE SKATING. Let me quickly add that I am not one for athletic activities, sure I love to watch a good game but when your asking for involvement I'm out of there. At any rate I decided to join the girls. Needless to say it was wonderful watching these girls enjoy themselves. Yes watch, I did not even attempt to get on the ice. Some of the girls were really good at Ice Skating and others well you be the judge.

Event Planning 101

On Saturday I went to my girlfriend's baby shower and I found a few MUST DO's...

Must Do #1 Gifts bags, thank God we are stepping away from those home made, baby shower souvenirs. Gift bags add an element of surprise and class. Inside these gift bags I found a mug that dated the day of the shower, very cute. To make your mug a bit more unique add something in the mug, like candy...


Must Do #2 People are really impressed with the new phenomenon of cupcakes, check out this cup cake tree found at the shower, all of the cupcakes followed the color theme and looked just like small flowers. Extremely elegant I Loved It...




Leah Janell: In My Shoe"s

XLIII

OMG, OMG, OMG, It feels so good to be from PITTSBURGH, I mean I'm from Brooklyn but I know anyone who lives, grew up or was born in Pittsburgh is still rejoicing over last nights victory. Now me personally the Super Bowl was just another lesson for me, see I have spent 2008 learning all about the game of football. So thats why I chose to watch the big game all by myself. I needed to keep my eyes and ears glued to the screen to make sure I understood exactly what was going on. So lets start with the chill's we received from just seeing Jennifer Hudson finally back on the scene. Though we all know Jennifer was Lip sang, she did an amazing job at it. Then I fixed a plate of baked macaroni, collard greens and bbq spare ribs and I kicked my feet up on the living room table as I watched the game. I was amazed at how the game started, but what might amaze you is how I selected the team I was rooting for, with a black president why not have a black coach take home the victory. I shouted at the television as I watched a young man with the last name Harrison make amazing plays. But it was Santonio Holmes who amazed me most with his final touch down. Overall I can say that the game was amazing and I am so educated on the sport that I am ready to begin the 09 season now...

Leah Janell

Highly Anticipated...

I must admit that I am totally psyched to see the new film based on NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER, He's just not that into You. The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by author Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. He's just not that into You has been named a women's daily wake-up call. Well this "Tell it like it is" Book is slated to release a star studded film on Feb. 6Th, 2009. The Film features heavy hitters like Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connolly, Bradely Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johnasson and Justin Long.

Not to mention that one of my great friends and fellow thespians SABRINA REVELLE who was born and raised in Philadelphia but currently resides in Los Angeles is also featured in the film.

Most of you may recognize Sabrina from BET's Hit Show Hell Date (which I myself did a small stint on) shameless plug lol...

I hope you all go out and support the film...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Not the answer...

This story has hit home for many people today, for those of you who are unaware here is the story. Ervin Antonio Lupoe who had been recently let go from a Kaiser Permanente hospital in West Los Angeles, killed his wife, Ana, their five children: 8-year-old Brittney, 5-year-old twin girls Jaszmin and Jassely and 2-year-old twin boys Benjamin and Christian. He then took his own life after faxing a letter to KABC Channel 7 and calling the LAPD saying, “I just returned home, and my whole family has been shot.”
A suicide note found at the scene “indicated a business dispute” between Lupoe and Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. In the faxed note to KABC, Lupoe said he was despondent over an employment situation. Both he and his wife were former employees of the medical center. According to reports, there were grounds for termination that did not come as a result of layoffs. Lupoe and his wife then made a suicide pact:

This is one of the saddest stories that I have ever come across, just to know that these parents thought that suicidal-murder was the best way to resolve their fears of not being able to care for their children is scary. Today when our economy is facing its toughest times, when people are being let go from their jobs daily this is an example of the level people are willing stoop to. I truly believe that this incident, (though it was not a lay off caused to the suffrage of the economy) should set off a light bulb. The government needs to set up means of survival for people effected by the recession. I know a man that is 61 years old who was let go from his job of 30 years in the early part of 2008. This individual who had once brought home 75 to 90 thousand dollars a year, who owns 3 homes, only made 26,000 this year. We as a people have not been prepared for a turn like this and we need HELP. There is no way any tax paying citizen should feel like they have nowhere to turn. What do you think the government could do to assist problems of this nature?

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

She's just like me...

Jamie Foxx has released his latest LP intuition, and it is HOT his first single off of the album featured T.I. and is tilted Just Like Me... Like most R&B music today Jamie leaves us with alot to ponder about on this track. I mean can "MEN REALLY HANDLE A WOMAN WHO DOES ALL THAT HE DOES AND MORE"...Now lets be real "JUST LIKE ME" Isn't saying
she's always at work
Bringing home the bread
putting the kids to bed
shes just like me...
LOL no way, this young lady is just like the average dude, shes in the club popping her own bottles, she knows every male in the room... Somewhere in the song Jamie states "AND I CANT BE MAD". Well I guess he cant be since he's out doing the same thing. But my question to you all is, CAN MEN HANDLE IT? and Furthermore Just because he's doing it does it make it right that we do the same. Ladies lets remember we are always the one who gets the bad name...

Just a few Lyrics...
You, been seeing him, and I know
And I was with her, and you knew about it
But I was too bli-I-ind to see it baby
And you was out here doing
The same thing as me
I wanna ask, has he been by the crib?
Has he been in our, car?
And did you let him, drive?
Cause she's been by the house
She's been in the car
I've even let her push the
Porsche around a couple times
Ohh, we were so the same
I don't know why I can't see it baby
And it ain't a point to feeling blue
You're just like me and I'm just like you

[Chorus: Jamie Foxx]
You're just like me
Shorty all up in the club
Popping bottles of that Bud
Giving all them dudes hugs
And you just like me
She don't know how to act
On the floor back in the back
Man I can't be mad dapslyrics
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me-e-ee-e-e
She just like me...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

The Family that Preys

This past Saturday my parents and I sat down to watch a Block Buster film, TYLER PERRY'S The Family that Preys. I have this connection with Tyler Perry when it comes to his work. Tyler reminds me of myself he is a man after his own heart. Its like whatever he touches turns to gold. The family that Preys has an all star cast and each actor brings something amazing to the screen. I was more than happy not to find Madea in this film, I'm going to be completely honest here that's where Mr. Perry Loses me, I mean come on I am sick and tired of him cooning around shucking and jiving in this wig and dress. Madea is funny, I will give him that but shes easy to grow tired of. On another note I was so impressed with Sanaa Lathans performance Sanaa has introduced us to her alter ego "The B!tch" and I loved it. She was able to match Robin Givens sassy persona. The Family that Preys is a must see film, if you haven't seen it already rent it at your local block buster.




Leah Janell: In My Shoes