Category: Uncategorized

Happy Halloween…A Treat for You.

Published on by Tosha Michelle3 Comments

 

Happy Halloween! May your pumpkins be carved to perfection, your costumes clever, your night spooky and your treat bags overflowing.  In honor of All Hallows Eve, I decided to track down some of  the scariest videos I could find for your viewing terror.  My gift to you, watch at your own peril.  Every time I view these clips, I die a little, my faith in humanity suffers, and an angel loses its wings…You’re welcome!

 

 OK, I hope these little nuggets of horror, terrified you as much as they did me.  I’m off to hide under the bed. Things are eerily off today.. Paranoia runs amok. I’m convinced my cat is possessed by the devil, that the Kardashian are slowly taking over the world and our house is on top of some ancient burial ground where the spirits are royally ticked.

 

London Calling

Published on by Tosha Michelle6 Comments

The thing is, nothing really can phase or touch you when you are in love…and make no mistake, I am head over heels, crazy, twerking in the street Miley style, Tom Cruise chair jumping, Taylor Swift can’t touch this.. IN LOVE!!

And whom, may you ask is worthy of my undying love and affection?

Why, London of course.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting the land of hope and glory four times now, and I am beyond ready to go back. England is such a beautiful, mystical, country. I feel such an affinity for it, perhaps, because my ancestors hail from there, or maybe, it’s just the people and the lush, green landscapes that beckon me. Whatever it is.I’m hooked.

OK, so why do I love London so much?

Let’s see there’s the sheer volume of things to do, the museums, the markets, the fashion, the music and oh, yesssssss, rich history and beautiful architecture. London is a city of culture. You can fill your days with history, adventure, and art. It’s a city so diverse and so big; there’s never a shortage of things going on. The city is alive with a palpable energy that gets under your skin and lingers in your memories long after you have gone.

And then there’s the tea, the lovely accents, the use of the words, “love” and darling “the tube announcer, minding the gap, walking over the Thames at night, the glorious parks, Indian food, THE CHOCOLATE…

London is a city of artists, of rebels, of hedonists, of intellectuals, of eccentrics, of heroes and a city full of surprises, magic and endless possibilities. At least it is to me.

“Go where we may, rest where we will,
Eternal London haunts us still.”
― Thomas Moore

“You can’t stop the future You can’t rewind the past The only way to learn the secret …is to press play.”

Published on by Tosha Michelle2 Comments

 Change is an organic thing that that happens every minute, everyday, and everywhere. We as people are not meant to stay static.  We may grow up but we should never stop maturing and expanding our hearts and minds.   We shouldn’t be held captive by the past or how people perceive us. We create and radiate our own unique way of being.

In some ways we are always changing but yet staying the same.  When I look back at the me from yesteryear, I still see the same quirky, awkward, random, sentimental girl.  I also see a woman who has a wealth of experience, who has endured illness, heartache and loss, but also experienced wonderful life altering adventures. My journey has taken me out of my comfort zone and into a world of growth and enlightenment. It doesn’t hurt that I have been blessed with the love and unwavering support of family and friends. These people teach me so much every day.

I still process information the same way, but experience has altered the way I interpret that information.  Every day, reveals a new layer of character, the years are teaching me and molding me into a better version of myself.  I embrace getting older and look forward to one day being a, “wise old soul”. Emerson said “As we grow old the beauty steals inward” What a beautiful sentiment.

 A work in process is what I will always be.. I’m still evolving. I hope that never changes, even as I change..  However, I know what I stand for and who I am.  Uncertainty has no place in my inner world.  It’s a gift where decisions become easier, temptations become less, and confidence grows stronger.  

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“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”
― Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button screenplay

“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”

Published on by Tosha Michelle8 Comments

“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
― Pat Conroy, The Prince of Tide

Coming to terms with my homesickness is a work in progress. Life is a series of transitional phases; I know change is inevitable. I consider myself a restless spirit who likes to roam. I am well traveled,, but my “port of call” has always been  Carolina.

Going back home now is bittersweet.  I take part in the activities and festivities that I took for granted before family dinners,: fireworks in the local park, eating at my favorite restaurant, walks in uptown Charlotte, weekend trips to Charleston and the Smokies., enjoying local treats, hours of gut busting laughter with my  mom, making music with my dad., seeing friends, going to Comedy Zone, or hanging out at South Park Mall, listening to Bob and Sherri. I even miss our annoying pest of a neighbor.

Texas has been isolating in some ways. I feel out of my element, out of synch…out of  step.  Life is bittersweet but I refuse to dwell on the bitter, not when there’s so much sweet to be found. I have my wonderful family by my side and of course, Tucker-Rock Star Cat Extraordinaire. I have dear friends and family, who may be far away but are near in spirit.  Thank goodness, for Facebook and Skpe.  I have my nonprofit work that gives my life worth, a fun podcast,, that I host with my best gal pal, Jane..  Soon, I will have a Masters. I’m looking forward to traveling to San Francisco this year, New England, and of course, back home.  I’m trying to look at the move as a grand adventure. There’s much to see and do here.  Everything really is bigger in Texas, the people are friendly and the food is out of this world..  I also know that this isn’t my permanent home, that more changes are ahead. I welcome them with an open mind.

My wound will always be my geography, this yearning for home, that overtakes me at time, filling  me sadness and nostalgia. However, my healing balm is love and the assurance that the memories of the home of my yesteryear are here to stay.

magnolia-tree

The Looking Glass

Published on by Tosha Michelle8 Comments

I finally think I am at place in my life where I can finally be myself, but what a journey it has been to get to this destination. I still find myself at times falling back into old patterns of never quite feeling good enough, or like I just don’t measure up. However, for the most part, when I look in the mirror, I see a me that I can live with. This me is witty and loves to laugh. This me genuinely wants everyone to be happy and feel cared for. She wants to make her children proud and do her part to make a difference in the world. She wants to be the best person she can be. She wants to explore, soar and take in all life has to offer. She is still striving and still becoming . She can still be a spoiled, selfish, brat She is flawed and scarred,but there is humanity in her imperfections.  I know this woman, I like this woman, I feel comfortable with this woman, but I really have to wonder why she feels compelled to write in third person when talking about herself. : The eternal dork, but embracing all that makes me, Me!Image