A Special Valentine's Day Message Just For You :)

Happy Valentine's Day readers! I thought that I'd use this space to grant each and every one of you some well wishes and the chance to spread some love. I've been truly blessed with the ability to love and to be loved back so rather than share in the cynicism that many will display, I decided to take a different route. I don't want to spend much time delving into the all too familiar "singles vs. taken" battle because it's time consuming and everyone has their reasons for adorning and/or disliking today. But, I will say that no matter what your relationship status is, I truly hope that you find some time today to smile. For as "commercial" and "phony" as this day may be for some, to others, it's everything. So, this is my request: If you can help it, please don't rain on someone else's parade because you haven't properly healed from your wounds. Don't be tempted to entertain cynicism because it'll be the popular theme for many bitter people today. Conan O'Brien put it best during his final NY show when he said, "I don't like cynical people. This is life and not everything works out. Sometimes, you don't get everything you want".  If you can't resist the urge to stay silent and must vent, try to keep it away from me because I want to enjoy my day. I want to enjoy what the universe has given me: a past to grow from & a bright future to look forward to :)

Happy Valentine's Day once again my darlings!

XOXO,
Whitney

Whitney Didn't Know Her Own Strength

Hello readers. I know this post is long overdue but I'm glad that I've decided to write it. On Saturday, Whitney Houston passed away. I wanted to start out with this video because I truly feel that whenever you're on the verge of crumbling and ready to throw it all away, there has to be something inside of you that smacks you, shakes you, and doesn't allow to break. As Ms. Houston said "your life wasn't built to break". In her recent comeback, she proved that she didn't break but sadly, this woman who graced the world with her powerful vocals has journeyed home and has journeyed to peace.

There is no denying that the world is sad. We see the evidence in the 24 hour news coverage and the multitude of tributes in her honor. I feel especially sad because in my 23 years of existence, I was always reminded that I was named after her because of my father's love for her. Ms. Houston was the celebrity love of his life & when he found out he was having a girl, he grappled between two names but he eventually named me Whitney and gave me the middle name of his mother. I've never had any qualms with this decision because to be named after such a regal icon was incredible. Throughout her troubled years, I was still proud to bear the name "Whitney".  There was no shame in that game. I pray for her family who must find the light in such a dark time. Death isn't easy to handle so while we can't literally lend a hand and/or a  hug, our support will be more than welcomed. As I continue with the tradition of tributes, I leave you with some more  of my favorite Whitney songs that always left me speechless and hitting the relay button. I wish I could post them all but in the spirit of being concise, I'll leave you with a few from my library:









XOXO,
Whitney

We Came Back & Shot A 3!

Readers! I write to you with much excitement when I say that tonight's "Rivalry Week" match-up between the Duke Blue Devils and the UNC Tar Heels was one for the ages. Fans from both schools were laced with so many emotions and they gathered in the Dean Dome to watch this historic event. After the many shenanigans that took place with the Blue Devils, with nearly 2 minutes on the clock, a HUGE blunder from Tyler Zeller, and a miraculous play from Austin Rivers, WE WON THE GAME 85-84. Where to even begin?

In the first half, Duke dominated and kept Harrison Barnes and his shooting down to nothing. It seemed as if we would run away with the game but all of a sudden, right before the half closed, UNC found their stride and the Zeller/Barnes dynamic force came into action. With 38 seconds left on the clock before halftime, Duke somehow forgot where they were and who they were and allowed UNC to come back and take the lead. That's right readers, they allowed UNC to take the lead while they danced their way into the locker room. I knew right then and there that it wouldn't bode well for my team or my sanity at that point. Let's go to the 2nd half.

After turning back and forth between Law and Order: SVU and the game, the lead kept increasing and increasing as my hope kept falling and falling. At one point, UNC was up by 12 points with nearly 10 minutes to go in the game. I kept praying, cursing, praying some more, and doing some more cursing, and finally decided to cut the antics out and watch. I guess it worked because Duke began to cut their lead down to 7 and once the lead was cut down by 4, UNC leading 82-78, I started to get crazy. When the lead was cut down to 2, 82-80, I knew the flood gates were opening. Things were getting real. Things got so real that when Kelly attempted to shoot a 3-pointer, Zeller helped him out and helped Duke gain 2 points. The score was 82-84. Zeller went to the free throw line and missed his 2nd shot, there was about 10 seconds left and I kept screaming to my boyfriend, "ALL WE NEED IS 3! ALL WE NEED IS 3!". My screaming prayers were answered and the freshman extraordinaire aka Doc Rivers' son aka Austin Rivers shot a 3! DUKE WON 85-84! I REPEAT, DUKE WON 85-84! Coach K's record as the GOAT is still intact!

Much respect and props goes out to UNC who really had us backed in a corner for the majority of the game. Their hustle is real but the better team won ;). Ahh, all is right in my world :)

XOXO,
Whitney

We're Back! Back In The NY Groove!

This is dedicated to the NY Giants who are Super Bowl 46 champions. I'm not going to get into logistics and give you a play- by-play because after witnessing a gut-wrenching and nail biter like that, my emotions are shot. Also, I'll let the die hard Giants fan write to their hearts' content. The New England Patriots played a helluva game but the hotter and better team won, 21-17 to be exact. Congrats NY and I'll see you all at the ticker tape parade. Let's occupy City Hall & Wall Street for the right reasons ;)

XOXO,
Whitney