President Obama Archives – Jamieson Diaries

January 20th, 2017: Good News!

January 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

If you’re feeling like most of us are feeling, today, we could all use some good news. I believe this entire week was a slow torturous countdown to this day. The band-aid was finally ripped off and here we are trying to see how long it’ll take this wound to heal…if it heals at all.

I’ll be completely honest though, I was upset for about half an hour this morning, and I’ve since moved on. I’ve decided these next four years (hopefully sooner) I need to start putting more of my money where my mouth is. We can’t expect any President to “save us” from ourselves, but we sure as hell can work our behinds off to make the changes we want to see in this country.

I was too busy, out and about, running errands with my daughter and the dog this morning to take any time to watch the Inauguration. I’m actually happy I decided to do this, because I honestly believe it protected me from feeling so much negativity, today. Not the type of feeling of wanting change because of racism, sexism, etc, but the negativity of watching something that doesn’t make me happy, for no good reason. I hope you all did something to make yourself happy as well. If you didn’t…here go some great things that happened today to brighten your January 20th, 2017!

House Of Cards (season 5) promo:

Not only did House of Cards finally drop a date for season 5, the entire promotion is perfect marketing for this day. It’s an eerie version of the Pledge of Allegiance with a dark, upside down, American flag, outside of the U.S. Capitol. Check out the promo here.

Obama.org (Presidential Center) announcement:

President and First Lady (I’m not ready to say “former” yet) Obama shared a video on their Obama Foundation page talking about their next moves post Presidency. They are asking for people to send them ideas and suggestions for the new Presidential Center in Chicago, IL. If you want to get involved and make a difference…here’s a good start!

Women’s March countdown:

The Women’s March on D.C. will be held tomorrow afternoon. Oh man, what a big deal and show of solidarity this will be. Not only will this march take place tomorrow, but over 250 sister marches all over the world will be taking place in solidarity with everyone in D.C. I’m so excited to march here in Montana tomorrow afternoon with two of my close friends. If you would like more details on the march and how you can get involved, click here.

Black-ish Spinoff:

It has been said there will be a spin-off show around Yara Shahidi’s character, Zoey, while she is in college. The inspiration for the show is my favorite show of all time A Different World. DO YOU KNOW HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS? I really hope it all works out and ends up being everything I imagine it can be!

National Cheese Day:

I found this out on Twitter earlier this morning. It may seem trivial to some of you, but to me, it’s awesome, because y’all….I love cheese. Like, ridiculously love cheese. If I could add cheese to everything I eat I would. So…happy National Cheese Day y’all!

What good news what you like to share with all of us, today? It doesn’t have to be anything major just something that makes you happy. I will say this, even if none of these activities and events happened today; I woke up healthy, my loved ones are healthy, and life is good.

Happy Friday folks! Have a fun and safe weekend!

(Wishing my little one and I were in D.C. tomorrow so here’s a photo of us when we were there this past October)

Brie <3

[01.20.17]

We NEEDED Black-ish.

February 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

I’m sure, by now, you’ve all heard all about the buzz surrounding last night’s episode of the show, “Black-ish“, concerning police brutality towards Blacks/minorities. I’ve watched the episode three times already, and I cry each time I get to Dre’s speech explaining the sense of fear we felt on President Obama’s inauguration day, when he got out of the car and walked next to it. So much about last night’s episode was not only needed because of current events, but because we NEEDED this television show in general. How perfect is being about to see extremely hard but moving issues being talked about on television, and giving us the light-hearted, yet perfectly timed, laughs in between?

I haven’t felt so deeply moved about current issues, through a television show since the late 80’s early 90’s sitcom, “A Different World“. As most of you know by now, “A Different World” is my favorite television show of all time. It is my favorite show because of how much it taught people of all colors how beautiful Black people are, it taught me about my own Blackness, and more importantly it taught us about real issues in the Black community. It was also one of the best Black love stories we’ve ever seen between a successful young Black couple (Dwayne and Whitley). Last night’s episode of the show, “Black-ish“, reminded me of the episode of “A Different World” surrounding the LA riots after the Rodney King verdict. The show was cancelled the same season this episode aired because of this particular episode…of course -_-. It was such a powerful episode and gave insight to those who weren’t aware of the real injustices that happen everyday in the Black community.

Fast forward to 2016 and we’re still fighting these exact same injustices. However, in an age of obsession with empty and overly stupid reality television, we have a show like “Black-ish” to remind us of the power of television. With all of the ~~Love & Hip Hop~~ trash shows constantly showcasing Black people to the world as ignorant, uncivilized, savage animals, who don’t know how to present themselves with class; when I say we NEEDED “Black-ish“, I mean it. I’ve been a loyal fan to the show since it first aired last season, and I haven’t been disappointed. As a Black woman who grew up in the surrounding Chicago suburbs, they are touching on conversations and topics I could have only imagined being talked about, on a large platform, while I was growing up. Being the only Black family on the block or one of very few in the entire neighborhood is something I understand all too well. To see the writers bring it to life with a perfectly picked cast, and perfectly timed comedy, is all I could ask for in a television show.

If last night was your first time tuning in to the show “Black-ish” I hope you have now become a new loyal fan to the show. If you haven’t gotten a chance to watch the episode, please do yourself, and those around you a favor, and watch the episode. You will not be disappointed. Thank you, Kenya Barris, for creating “Blackish”, and sharing your comedic brilliance and heightened consciousness with the world. I can’t wait for next week’s episode to keep filling us all with the hope you shared in last night’s episode.

Black-ish comes on every Wednesday night at 9:30|8:30 c.

Brie <3

[02.25.16]

All Posts, Dear Diary

16 Goals For 2016

January 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

Now that we’re in the year 2016 I wanted to make a list consisting of 16 goals to accomplish this year. I chose sixteen goals because who’s really going to write out two thousand and sixteen goals? Exactly. But in all seriousness I like to brainstorm things I would like to accomplish or improve, write them down, and hold myself accountable to these goals. I refuse to call them resolutions because goals that are taken seriously and strategically planned out tend to drive me more than the cliche new year resolutions ever will.

These are the sixteen goals I wish to accomplish in 2016:

1) Bi-Monthly Food Box

Now that I am getting into couponing I want to be able to bless others as well. I would like to put together a food box at the very least every other month to donate to a local family in need. It’s not major, but it’s a step in the right direction towards helping others beyond volunteer work in 2016.

2) Potty Train Jordyn

I’m pretty sure this is pretty understandable to those who have and don’t have children. However, we would like to talk about another child in 2017 (yes a whole year from now) but the conversation won’t even begin until Jordyn is fully potty trained.

3) Pay Off (A) Major Debt

As your average millennial buried in wonderful college loans, I would like to eliminate some, if not all, debt unrelated to my college loans. I’m aiming for financial freedom as soon as possible.

4) Visit 3 States BESIDES Illinois

My husband and I both are from the surrounding Chicago suburbs. Which means we always to IL for vacations to see family. However, in 2016 I want to explore and travel more than around/to IL.

5) Squat 150+ lbs

Because we all know strong is the new skinny. 2015 has shown us being fit and in shape is more important than being skinny. I plan to work on conditioning and strength this year.

6) More Base Activities

Now that pretty much all of my close friends have moved to new bases and states I need to find more friends. Haha j/k (sort of) I want to be more involved in base activities in general because I believe as a military community it’s important to be an important part of the community.

7) Visit 1 New Montana City

I’ve lived in Montana for almost 4 years and there are many large/popular cities I have never been to yet. Since we live here we need to take advantage of the places around us this year.

8) Visit The White House

We are planning another trip to Washington D.C. to see friends this year since we did not make it there last year. I want to reschedule a White House tour because this is the last year President Obama will be in office.

9) Spend <$100 On Grocery Trip

I’m officially one of those crazy coupon people trying to learn the ways of the couponing professionals. A major goal of mine is to spend less than $100 on a usual two week grocery shopping trip. I believe in me!

10) Take A Cooking Class

I’ve always wanted to take a cooking class. It has always looked like so much fun and would be a perfect date night idea. The husband and I have to make this happen this year.

11) Grow Blog Subscribers By 100+

I currently have 75 subscribers to my blog and would like to grow this list by at least 100 more this year. This is a huge challenge, but it’s one I am up for!

12) Do More Volunteer Work

As most of you know I am a (now level 1 certified) basketball coach for Special Olympics Montana. However, I would like to spend more of my down time helping others vs. doing things selfishly for myself. Selfless vs. selfish is the motto.

13) Eat Cleaner

This goes right back to fit being the new skinny. I want to eat cleaner for my health and my appearance. 70% of losing weight and getting in shape is what we put in our bodies so I need to do better this year.

14) Monetize Blog

I haven’t gotten a lot more serious about blogging. Writing is something I love to do and I would love to merge my passion with my purpose and create a job from it. Who doesn’t want to make money doing what they love?

15) Take A Dance Class

I’m not just talking about any dance class, I want to take a professional ballroom dance class. Learn to salsa, foxtrot, merengue, swing dance…anything!

16) Go To A Concert

Unfortunately living in Montana means we don’t have many diverse, main stream artists come here to perform. This year I would love to go to a popular artist’s concert even if it means traveling to a bordering state to do so. Especially if the artist is worth the hype.

You have officially read my goals (and reasoning) for 2016. I will try my hardest to accomplish all of them this year. What are your personal goals this year? Share in the comments below!

Brie <3

[01.03.16]