This Moment of Clarity: Dear God, It's Me.

Dear God,

It's me. I woke up this morning coming to a conclusion : I'm not perfect, but You know and accept that. Sometimes the people around me may not understand the way I act in sometimes-which may cause confusion and angst toward me, and for that I apologize. It's through you that I know that I can only become the better person that You want me to be. I thank you for all that You've blessed me with: life, health & strength. For keeping me surrounded with wonderful and loving family and caring friends, although I may try to push them away at times. I've realized that You've placed them in my life to keep me grounded and steadfast on this journey that You have sent me on. I know You are still working on me, and as it says in Your word, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

There have surely been times when I've wanted to throw in the towel and just give up - but I know that there are too many people in my corner and more importantly You who have taught Your children to never give up. I thank you for my life, and for the opportunity to give thanks and praise to you. For sustaining me through the tough times and the inward battles with myself. Thank you for bringing me out of those dark and lonely places, for comforting and reassuring me that everything that is okay. Continue to open my heart so that I can better understand what it is you have for me to do. With love and adoration, in your name I pray,

Amen. <3

Dear God - Smokie Norful

Who's Gon Run this Town Tonight?

New joint from Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West - it's HOV, so it's nothing short of amazing. Can't wait for Blueprint 3 to drop 9.11.09... take a listen :)

-*csc.

A Passion That Runs Deeper than Deep...

I think that if you know me personally, you know that my strongest passion - the thing that makes me the happiest - is dancing. Not being classically or technically trained, I have found this deep and soothing comfort in the art of movement. When I see dance, whether it be hip-hop, lyrical, jazz, Broadway, contemporary - it just stirs something within me. With that, my favorite show on television is FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" and last night's performances?! Wowzers - LaurieAnn Gibson's piece was nothing short of legendary and powerful, but the one performance that brought me to tears *as well as the entire judge panel* was absolutely brilliant. Tyce Diorio choreographed his entire BODY with "This Woman's Work". It was absolutely amazing and moving piece. It just showed me that the most beautiful thing about dance is that it can tell the most compelling stories of our lifetime *besides music of course* but the intriguing ways that dancers can get their bodies to move in order to share life experiences touches down deep in my heart & soul. That's why I want better my craft and just convey to everyone that dance is just one way that i love to communicate with the world. It runs soo deep that its clearly indescribable. I believe deep in my heart that God has called each and everyone of His children to be great at a number of things, but it is up to us to yield to that call and share what he has blessed us with to the world around us.

I charge everyone to find their passion and share it with one, two or one hundred people, because as the saying goes, “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”


-*csc.

40/40 jo! Plus, Chris says he's sorry...

Hey! It's my 40th post! something about the number forty is just iconic to me...*lol*
but there's so much news today! i've decided to discuss what we've all been waiting for *drums please* the APOLOGY! nah, i really haven't been waiting for it, i'm not that much of a Chris Brown stan, but I thought just to clear his name and retain his image, it was necessary. So, with out further or due, here it is :



All though we all know he was reading that word, for word, i think the little bugger means it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

<3 csc.

What You Do - Chrisette Michele

Music Videos - Video Playlists - New Music



This the latest jam from one of my fave r&b songstresses *i've seen her live twice and she KILLED it!* It features another of one my fave R&B singer's Ne-Yo. I love the song, and the video is simple, and includes a cameo from that fine piece of thang Pooch Hall *aka Derwin Davis from The Game*. Check it out, and lemme know what you think :)

<3 csc.

Music for Love

So as I was studying for my economics exam last night, I decided to steer away from the norm of listening to Trey Songz & J. Holiday and listen to some classic jams by Stevie Wonder. Spanning though his albums on imeem brought me to one of my fave albums by him that i listened to constantly growing up : Songs in the Key of Life *I can press play on that album and let it rock, all 21 tracks* That then brought me to the thought : what are some of the albums that have shaped my music taste thus far? In my twenty years of being on Earth, I have heard hundreds and thousands of songs that I have loved, liked & just down right despised. But I've noticed that as I get older, I have a fonder appreciation for GOOD music. So out of the many albums that i've played in my day, here are my top nine that I can honestly listen to from beginning to end. The musical composition, storytelling and pure genius that comes with these masterpieces is impeccable. Granted there is a range of talent in these nine albums, but I think it describes my eclectic music flavor.




#1 - Songs in the Key of Life: Stevie Wonder

#2 - Thriller: Michael Jackson

#3 - The Diary of Alicia Keys: Alicia Keys

#4 - Confessions: Usher


#5 - Never Too Much: Luther Vandross

#6 - Graduation : Kanye West


#7 - Aaliyah: Aaliyah

#8 - The Black Album : Jay-Z

#9 - BLACKsummers'night : Maxwell

Honey Girl of the Day!

Yes, yes y'all - yours Truly was recognized by Honey Magazine as the Honey Girl of the Day. Needless to say, I was geeked up, and thought it was pretty fly. Check it out loves!

<3 csc.

http://www.honeymag.com/

I Used to Believe in Fairy Tales. . .

So with all this hoopla about "70% of black women being single", I thought it was about time for me to put my two cents in on this situation.

Now I've always been one who keeps their personal life private, but I must say that I've been single for a minute and it's been an eye-opening experience. I've learned a lot about myself and those around me and what I should and should not tolerate from my male counterparts when it comes to relationships. And as my friend @AndAllThatJas stated so eloquently *chi-city baybee, lol* we as young, intelligent and goal oriented women shouldn't solely focus on the make-believe stories that we were told growing up : you know, Cinderella & Prince Charming? Not all relationships are rainbows & butterflies - it takes compromise and really understanding your significant other in order to make it work. But first and foremost, it takes understanding who you are and being confident and comfortable with that inner-self. That is one thing that cannot be rushed, so to my ladies - let's take our time, be happy! Enjoy this time we have to be free & non-attached.[I'm not knocking being in a relationship, but it's kinda nice at some times] I'd rather know myself to the fullest before letting someone into my world and being confuzzled about which way is up...

We all have dreams of magically meeting our Knight in Shining Armor, having him sweep us off our feet and ride us off into the sunset to live happily ever after (so much that I daydreamed about it about a week ago- haha) but the truth is, the universe tends to work in ways that we cannot control. But in all seriousness, I honestly believe that everyone is meant to be with someone special. I may not know who that person is at this moment, but there out there some where.

I'm just gonna wait patiently, but no one can wait forever. I'm gonna continue to live my life to the fullest each & everyday and who knows, my Prince Charming might be right where I least expect him to be :-)

i'm no Dr. Phil, just a twenty-something college girl who might know a lil somethin-somethin'

<3 csc.

Robert Rodriguez

I am absolutely in LOVE with this dress - word to ChickDowntown.com for having such an amazing site & selection!

<3 csc.

"paint with passion + purpose" -david garibaldi

being that i am very attracted to dance as a form of expression, when i came across david garibaldi's work, i couldn't resist it. a performance artist, garibaldi specializes in creating his masterpieces in front of an audience of hundreds to music. his most recent creation that took my breath away was that in remembrance of the King Of Pop entitled "pop trilogy" (shown above). word to concreteloop.com for acknowledging such talent and sophistication. as stated on his website, most of his inspiration comes from graffiti, music, dance and hip hop. in april of this year, garibaldi performed on the 700 club a portrait of christ. this dude is definitely off the chain. his artwork is also featured on shirts sold at metropark. he has traveled all over the country, opening for the blue man group and snoop dogg just to name a few. check him out for yourself =]





<3 csc.

on the road of discovery :: just be yourself <3

So it's been a minute since i've really blogged about things that are going on in the wonderful world of "LilMizSunshyne" - but halt! no worries my friends - i'm back in action! watching the rain fall, but i had to take this week to reflect and get my mind right. after the first week of classes, my mind has already been opened with this experience of being away home for the summer. My experiences thus far in my college has seemed *to me* a bit ordinary - i feel like haven't done much that really makes me stand out. Don't get me wrong - i have enjoyed my experience thus far: partying and socializing, learning so much and meeting so many different people from all walks of life; but i feel like there is something *or a bundle of things* that i have yet to do that will be the turning point of my life.


I've grown up a lot in the last two years, and i know that i have a lot more to learn about myself- but at this moment in time, i can genuinely say that I am happy where i am. I will never be perfect, but I'm on this journey to the best perfectly imperfect person that i can be. I'm figuring out what i want to do with my career, my interests and the beliefs and values that i hold deeply in my heart. while there are a number of things that i have yet to experience, i came to a conclusion about that this morning. "sometimes you may feel that you're missing out, or out of place - but to me, that's just God telling you He's got more in store for you" and i honestly believe that. God places people and things in your life for certain reasons. When it comes to love, relationships, ect - i know that I will experience everything in due time. But right now - i'm living for the moment. my passions for art, fashion and music are becoming stronger and i'm just starting to open up and be who i really want to be. regardless of what people say i am or who people thing i am, i'm just gonna live my life as it is meant for me to live. I know one thing - God makes no mistakes : so i'm just gonna do what i gotta do to not get in His way of making me the person that i am supposed to be.


love. live. life,
<3csc

May He Rest in Peace... <3

Today was probably one of the most emotional days in entertainment history that the world has experienced and the crazy thing is, we all experienced it together, world wide. This was truly a tribute fit for a King - from the spoken words to the performances, it truly shows how much of an impact that Michael Jackson really had on the world as a whole. One of my favorite MJ songs is "Human Nature" and I must say that John Mayer played the heck out of his guitar. Usher's performance also brought me to tears. But as I have said many times before, Michael Jackson's music, legacy philanthropy, creativity & genius will live in the hearts of millions and millions of people around the world forever. As I read in a tweet today, and I must agree- MJ's music is in my DNA, and I will never ever shake that. The man's is timeless, and he will sorely be missed. May God hold and keep you deep in his arms Michael, for He has brought you home to rest and be free. We love & miss you.




<3 csc.

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Shoe Fetish: The Sneaker Edition

*gasp!* i love these sneakers - nike air max (the LIVESTRONG addition)

oh yeah :)

Best I Ever Had :: Drake

Needless to say, don't believe the hype ladies & gents - this video was not even all that. Not to mention the lame jokes to go along with it. Love Drake, but not the video.


<3 csc.

Anticipation :: Trey Songz

I'm finally listening to Trey Songz mixtape entitled "Anticipation" and I must say, that I am fairly impressed. The mixtape has 13 tracks on it, full of new songs that Trey has recorded, and I am feeling his sound and how much his voice has matured over the last few years that he has been in the game. I think that he officially earned his credibility in the R&B game by performing in the O'Jays tribute Sunday at the BET Awards *which he did a good job in also*. I hope that his August release "Ready" sounds just as good as this mixtape, because that will make or break his position in this fierce game of R&B crooners that our out right now *NeYo, Ginuwine, Pleasure P, ect* But I've been a fan of Trey for a while, but just recently, I just discovered how talented he really is by him covering songs like "Ego". "D.O.A.", and remixing Pleasure P's hit "Boyfriend #2" to "Girlfriend can come too".


Mr. Songz, whose real name is Tremaine Neverson, has been in the game since he was 17, but burst onto the R&B scene in 2005 with his hit single "Gotta Make It" featuring Chicago rapper Twista. I can remember when my sister would do awkward dances to the song when it first hit the radio waves, but now, Trey is showing us mature side and I think that he's making his place to stay.


<3csc.