c o m m e n t a r y , xo.

i commented on :

angel morris ; Do Now 2/26/14
lauren james ; Dreams and Nightmares || OVO.2k14 || Feb. 26, 2014

( rally for the cure , xo |

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Rally for the Cure

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Pam Waters - Rally Ambassador

Luann and I started our friendship journey in college, both of us attending the University of Minnesota in the early 1970's. Writing this, I can't believe that we have been friends for over 40 years. We were roommates after college, got married a year apart, and had our sons 6 months apart. We both had a love for the outside, and especially looked forward to spending time in the summer golfing and walking. That seemed to be our therapy time; talking about all the issues or concerns that affected our lives.

We shared so much as best friends, but would never have guessed that we would share having cancer.

We participated in the Race for the Cure, starting 16 years ago. Luann was committed to participating every year in memory of her mother. We were always walking for someone else. Then the walk and the work that Susan G. Komen did became very personal to me. In the fall of 2002, at the age of 49, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Lobular breast cancer. It stopped me in my tracks! It couldn't be happening to me!!! There was no connection in my family history, I was in the midst of a demanding career and I had always had my annual mammograms.

Life changed drastically, now my commitment was making and attending doctor appointments and getting through treatment. Through it all there was one constant in my life!! That constant was my friendship with Luann. She made sure that parts of my life felt normal. We still went on our walks and chatted at our favorite coffee spot.

She always let me know that whatever I needed, she would be there for me, as my friend.

Shortly after I finished all my treatments, and got my life back, I asked Luann to participate in the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk with me. It was obvious by the look on her face, she wasn't quite sure she wanted to do it. But, just as she had done for me all through the years, she said, "Yes" as a dear friend would. She told me much later that she really didn't want to do it, but felt the strength and commitment I had towards the event. She told me she just could not say "no". We both, to this day, have said that doing the 3-Day Walk was so inspirational and brought us even closer together.

Now 8 years later, the two of us are walking the breast cancer road again. This time it is Luann! I had just celebrated my 10-year cancer free date. It was through a very tearful dinner out, that she gave me the news. It didn't seem possible! She had been diagnosed with Stage 3, Invasive Lobular breast cancer. She was my strength, now it is my turn to be there for her. Her 5 nieces are participating in the 3 Day and walking in her honor, just as Luann and I walked in my honor, and in memory of her mother. We still continue to volunteer by being involved with Rally for the Cure through our local golf club, even as she starts her chemotherapy treatments. And if she asks me to do the 3 Day with her in a couple of years, I too will say yes, even though I might have reservations as Luann did. But I will do it for her!!!!

The Rally for the Cure this year, means so much more to both Luann and myself. It is about a wonderful life long friendship that is fighting to survive once again...and survive it will.

Dedicated To Luann, the best friend a person could have. I love you so! And will be there for you as you were for me!

( http://www.rftcpromotions.com/rallystories.asp#pw | 

f o u n d a t i o n ; l u n g e v i t y , xo .

LUNGevity Fundation || xo . 

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( promo video for the 5k walk to stop lung cancer ) 

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Breathe Deep Stache & Lash 5K

Saturday, November 15, 2014  Shelby Bottoms Park 1900 Davidson Street Nashville, TN 37206 Event Details   Breathe Deep Stache & Lash 5K is a timed run and untimed walk to raise money for critical lung cancer research. The Stache and Lash 5K will have a mustache and eyelash theme! We highly encourage all participants to put their unique and over-the-top mustaches and eyelashes on display: real or fake, man or woman, be creative! Strollers, wheelchairs, and pets are allowed on the course. False mustaches and lashes will be for sale at the event — 100% goes back to LUNGevity! Awards will be given to: Best overall costume Individual fundraiser Top 3 Male Top 3 Female Biggest team will receive $5 off of registration for next year's event and highest fundraising team will receive $10 off. Meet Our Coordinators and Their Inspiration We became involved with Breathe Deep Nashville because we have a personal connection to lung cancer. Monica's dad fought against it for 1½ years before losing his battle 3 years ago. To say the least, it was a terrible experience for all involved, but we made the most of the time we were given with him. Doctors gave him much less time, but by what we consider to be divine intervention, he overcame many life-threatening hurdles along the way. He was a fantastic man, who fought a valiant fight. His battle with this terrible disease lit a spark in us to make a difference so his fight was not in vain. We want to help provide support to lung cancer patients, raise awareness about lung cancer, and fund early detection. So many other cancer foundations have a huge following, and thus a large amount of research and other resource funds. Lung cancer doesn't. With LUNGevity, we are trying to change that and some day find a cure. — Monica & Scott Addington I lost my mother to lung cancer in July of 2010 after a long 5-year battle. Her amazing spirit and dedication to raising lung cancer awareness during her battle have inspired me to carry that mission forward in her honor. I participated in the Breathe Deep 5K in 2012 and am honored to be on the organizing committee again this year and hopefully for many years to come! My children were never able to meet their Nanny Leigh, but her spirit lives in them and I will always be grateful for her presence in all of our lives. — Ryan Gardenhire Rebecca McClure is one of our volunteer coordinators and also the captain of the Keene Team, but the star of the team is her mom. Rebecca has a passion for a cause close to her heart: lung cancer research. Her mom is battling lung cancer, and Rebecca's goal is to raise awareness and research funding for the disease. Honor a lost loved one or celebrate a survivor Honor markers, each with a customized tribute message, will be placed along the event course to guide walkers and runners.  ( http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR?fr_id=4520&pg=entry |  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

d o n o w , x o . ( 2 / 25 / 14 |

" In matters of style, swim with the current; In matters of principle, stand like a rock . " 

- Thomas Jefferson 

With the changes that go on with life, you should try and adapt and go with the flow, yet do it your own way. You see changes in everyday life because nothing stays the same. Life comes with rules, and you should stay firm and continue to follow them. You should continue to stay strong in what you believe in. Your ideas should forever flourish within your self and not change because of what's in style. 

c o m m e n t a r y , x o .

I commented on : 

Lauren James - Differences || xo. || Feb. 20, 2014

Kyla Simone Do-Now 2/20/14

d o n o w | 2 / 19 / 14 , xo )

The difference between a SUCCESSFUL PERSON and others is not lack of STRENGTH, not lack of KNOWLEDGE, but rather lack of WILL.
- Vince Lombardi

If you do not have the determination and will to do something you want to succeed in, you will end up failing. You do not have to have a tremendous amount of strength to be successful, nor do you need to have vast knowledge. You just need to be determined to succeed and you will. The difference between a successful pesron and a failure is that the failure does not have the will to move forward and strive to success. A victorious persona is acheive with the will and mindset of success. 

c o m m e n t a r y , xo .

Lauren James ; 

D E F E A T || xo. || OVO - 2/14/14 )

Janika Alexander ; 

Do Now - 2/13/14

d o n o w - 2 | 13 | 2k14 x o .

"We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated."

 - Maya Angelou 

Throughout life, you may face a load of problems. You should not let those problems define you nor get you down. In bad situations, you need to learn from them and not let your defeats defeat you. You should not dwell on your defeats; rather learn from them and move on. You will have a lot of downs in life, yet they only happen for you to get back up.

Commentary / 2 / 11 / 14 .

I commented on : 


Mariyah Mannie & Phyllis Kelly . 



"The surest way not to fail is to determine to  

succeed."


         -Richard Sheridan

xo . 

determination is key , xo | 2 / 7 / 14 |

"The surest way NOT to fail is to determine to succeed." 
- Richard Sheridan

You should not worry about whether or not you feel that your are going to fail at doing something. You should focus on what you need to do to be successful. You cannot withstand success with the mindset of failing. If you dwell on the fact that you will fail, it will come true. Determination is the road to success. 

Commentary , xo . 2 | 5 | 2k14

I commented on : 


Lauren James - 2 | 4 | 2k14 

Jamal Hughes - 2 | 4 | 2k14 

Kendrick Lamar : Rapper of the Year || xo 1 / 24 / 14 .

Summary: This article was about mainstream artist Kendrick Lamar. The interview went down on a private jet while Lamar discussing the passing of his close family friend.  This article also discusses Kendrick's west coast influnces and how he has made a big come up in the year 2013. People are naming him "Artist of the Year / Rapper of the Year." It discusses Kendrick's album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" and his verse on Big Sean's single "Control." This verse is where Kendrick addresses fellow artists in the music industry. It introduces a sense of "beef" between him and artist Drake. He was named artist of the year and is makling a big come up representing his hometown of Compton. 






http://www.gq.com/moty/2013/kendrick-lamar-men-of-the-year-rapper


I believe that people made a big deal about the "Control" verse. Kendrick being named artist of the year is a big step for him and I really think he deserves it with the hard work and dedication he puts it. His emotions reflect throughout his music and speaks to people.


Question : What do you think about Kendrick's Verse in "Control"? 

a parent's gift , xo ||

"What makes a good father isn't what you for your son, but what you leave within your son." 
- Micheal Irving

A good parent does not shower their children with only money or gifts, but with things of sentimental value. Things such as love or wisdom given to the the child are worth more than anything. It is not wrong to leave material things for a child, but it would have no long - lasting effect to that individual.   Things of materialistic value are not essential to family ties or everlasting memories. A good parent gives their child better things to help them remember them.