If You Really Knew Me...

Last night, MTV premiered a new, thought provoking, show entitled If You Really Knew Me. Set in different high schools across the United States, the over-arching theme of the show is to unite schools under one common banner: love. To some, this idea can come off as cheesy and a bad media ploy for the program behind the show but this program actually holds weight. If the workers or the day known as "Challenge Day" looks familiar, it is because we had first seen them on Oprah around 2005-2006 when they first debuted this program. I was hooked for that one hour then and I am definitely hooked now after watching the first episode.

Let's delve deeper into the issues being presented. As students sit in a circle, they start off by saying "If you really knew me..." then they talk about familial issues, suicide, sexual orientation, peer pressure, etc. It's not easy to discuss these issues with anyone or even with yourself for that matter so when you have to do it in front of a camera, here is where you see true bravery. I want to give these students and students in future episodes my respect because how many of us are dying to address some of these issues but can't find a safe space to do some? How many of us want to look in the mirror and be able to say to ourselves "if you really  knew me..."?

I'm proud to say that I am someone who survived the awkward teenage years , the peer pressure, the doubt, and has done something positive with it. However, there are some of us who haven't come to grips with these issues and if you're reading and are still harboring these emotions, then know that I support you.

If you really knew me, you'd know that I'm a sucker for positivity and optimism.

XOXO,
Whitney

This Is What Happens When You Mess With Crazy

Every Monday as you all may have figured out is my Real Housewives of New Jersey night. Last week was combination of nail biting and adrenaline as Danielle and Teresa fought over words. This week is pretty light yet disturbing as Jacqueline, Danielle, Teresa, and the rest of the girls are dealing with the consequences of Ashley's actions. I think I'll start with Danielle.

Danielle decided to press charges against Ashley for her hair pulling attack at the fashion show. While I'm an advocate for justice, I have to question Danielle's maturity in engaging in a feud with a 19 year old.Let's keep in mind that Danielle is nearly 50. Shouldn't this be taken up with the mother rather than with the child? Granted Ashley is an "adult" she is half this woman's age and it's inappropriate for a mother of 2 to verbally attack a child on facebook and then continue the charade on camera. Danielle, get it together because it's starting to become pathetic.

Now on to Ashley. As previously stated in other postings, Ashley you're in that phase where you're invincible to world and nothing can harm you. I'm 2 years older than you and I feel that way at times but I also know not to provoke someone mentally unstable.  You know better than to try and battle with a crazy person. Listen, I know Danielle hasn't been declared unstable by a doctor but her behavior is disturbing and not normal for someone who is almost 50.

In bringing the topic back on Ashley, I believe I support minor jail time for her because it's the only way she'll learn some discipline and learn that there's a time and place for everything.

XOXO,
Whitney

Your House Is In Foreclosure! No It's Not...Bitch!

Well well well after going through a Real Housewives of New Jersey withdrawal last Monday, tonight was the episode that we were all waiting for. Tonight was the showdown between Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub. Two weeks ago, we left off with the infamous "Don't call me honey/Is bitch better?"quote and to continue the drama, Danielle sparked a powder keg in Teresa when she responded to Teresa's "I live in a 5 million dollar mansion" quote by saying "Your house is in foreclosure". Honey child....Teresa snapped and proceeded to chase Danielle down the hallway. Danielle broke her heel and hid behind a bush. If you think it ended there...you weren't watching.

As Kim G tried to escort Danielle back to the car, Ashley, Jacqueline's daughter, grabbed Danielle's hair and ripped out some of her extensions. Stick around I have something to say about Ashley's behavior in a bit. As the commotion died down, Danielle called the cops and Ashley wasn't brought up on charges. All may have seemed well for Ashley but her behavior wasn't received well by her parents and she was chastised for her poor judgment. Ultimately, it looks as if Ashley will be arrested.

Where to begin? I'll start with altercation between Teresa and Danielle. Teresa if you know you're dealing with someone unstable, the slightest thing can set them off. They're unbalanced therefore you have to be delicate or else there are consequences...irrational consequences. No one wins against someone whose behaviors mirrors that of a psycho.

Ashley Ashley Ashley...how old are you again? You're 18? Yes you're 18 which means you stay out of grown folk's business. Unless you saw your mother being hit, you keep your mouth shut and your hands to yourself. Now, Danielle is going to press charges on you and what are you going to do about that? You have no means of fending for yourself and for you to talk back to your parents is UNACCEPTABLE. In my house, there were repercussions for back talk...not nice ones. The only way for her to learn how to stay in her place is for her to get arrested. I support that.

Congratulations to Albie Manzo for fighting his semi-discriminatory case against his former Law School. You rock!

XOXO,
Whitney

Don't Call Me Honey. I Don't Want To Call You Honey, Bitch. Is Bitch Better?

Tonight's episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey was EXPLOSIVE! Kim "D" had a fashion show for her boutique "Poshe" and being the smart business woman she is, she invited Jacqueline and Teresa who obviously have money and patronage towards her boutique would prove big sales. Well Danielle, being as paranoid as ever this season, feels jaded and ambivalent towards this because Kim D is supposed to be her friend and any association with the other ladies is not warranted. Well honey, what really sparked this powder keg was the announcement that Ashley, Jacqueline's daughter, would model Kim D's clothing. A long story short, Teresa had one too many drinks and she forgot to filter her words. As the night was ending, Teresa decided to confront Danielle in what was apparently a move to piss her off further and oh boy the quote of the night was said, "You got me to that point honey. Don't call me honey. I don't want to call you honey, bitch. Is bitch better?" On July 12 @ 10 pm, the fight will ensue and I can't wait to see it.

Here's what I have to say. Danielle at first I thought you were just bored but now it's evident that you are paranoid. You seriously need anti-depressants, Zoloft, or just friends because it's getting to the point of empathy. I feel sorry for you. No one is thinking about you and it's downright comedy how you walk around with bodyguards and then want us to believe you're big and bad. Sweety, you have an entourage that's why you pop off.

As for the rest of the ladies, watch out for the people who suddenly want to talk to you because you have a microphone underneath your clothes. People have agendas in life whether it be positive or negative so always be on your guard when someone is suddenly in your corner because a red light is on a camera. Yes, I'm talking about Kim "D" and Kim "G". You both think you're slick but you're not fully playing the game with all the cards on deck. We can see when you're bluffing.

XOXO,
Whitney