Shots From a Mini Car Show

So, here are a few photos I took from a while back of a small meet and greet car show. Some people from all over the city decided to show off their oldie goldies downtown and have lunch and a chat! What a treat!

Documentary Screening: Why Do We Have Black Dolls?

I recently ventured to the Cape Fear Museum here in Wilmington, NC. A customer came into the store an invited me to a screening of a short film called Why Do We Have Black Dolls. I honestly went in worried that I would fall asleep, but I left the viewing wide awake.

Studies show that dolls are useful in helping children develop motor skills as well as enrich their imagination and creativity. One visitor stated that dolls were once a prize you would find in a box of laundry detergent, just like finding a prize in a Cracker Jack box.

"Four Little Girls", a recreation of the four little girls who were killed in an act of terrorism in a church  bombing in 1963 in Birmingham

In the film, I learned that there are conventions for black doll lovers and creators alike. Women from all over the country come together to put these masterfully created dolls on display. They all have the same point of view: they love the dolls because they are a reflection of themselves. Over the past several decades, young black girls (in an ongoing case study) viewed black dolls as 'ugly'. However, youngsters with black barbies and other handcrafted black dolls loved their black dolls and their 'pretty hair and pretty skin'.

 

I had the opportunity to ask the films' creator, Samantha Knowles, a few questions after the film was done. Samantha is the proud owner of approximately 40 dolls. These dolls are almost as old as she is, these being her childhood 'friends'. Her favorite doll, Tanya, has natural, curly hair and a 'cute smile'. It was her go-to doll. She stated that she "was in love with that doll!"  When I asked what was the one message she wanted young girls and women to take away from the film, her response was exactly what I expected: ..."see the film and the variety of dolls and be inspired."

It's easy to slide into the 'norm' of things. You just walk into your local super warehouse or toy store and buy the first doll manufactured, and that's okay. That's your choice, there is no right or wrong choice. If in the future, I am to purchase a doll for the young girls in my family, I know I will buy a doll who looks like me and my people. That's my choice. Do you have any black dolls? What is your opinion on 'black dolls'?

Going to pay a visit to the Big Apple in the New Year!

  
This is Carrie Bradshaw's apartment and I cannot wait to go see this place! It's in New York (of course) and is open for tours! It's #224 on the Bucket List, by the way... I'm hoping to visit this place on my 3-day New York visit in the new year.  Wanna come with me?

My Favorite Sex and the City quotes...

*click the link to check out #223, "Watch the entire SATC series and why you should too."
https://my-bonny-bucketlist-2015.blogspot.com/2016/08/why-i-watched-entire-sex-and-city.html

So, if you don't know, I am a HUGE Sex and the City fan. I love the show and I love the movies. Some of my best friends live in far away states and I miss them all the time, but I can't always see them. This show is the next best thing for me. Moreover, I can relate to some of the things that the women on the show go through. There is always something to learn and some profound, eye-opening quip or piece of advice given, and that's what this post gives homage to!

Here are my favorite Sex and the City quotes:


"I like my money where I can see it- hanging in my closet." -Carrie 

"I will not be the first to speak. And if he never calls me again, I will think of him fondly... as an asshole." -Carrie

"You can't swing a Fendi purse without knocking over 5 losers." -Samantha

"Maybe we can be each other's soulmates. And then we can let men just be these great nice guys to have fun with." -Charlotte

"I'm looking for love. Real Love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." -Carrie

"I have never been able to be friends with an ex boyfriend. I met those couples who stay friends and I think how? How do they do that?" -Miranda

"It's hard to find people who will love you no matter what. I was lucky to find three of them." -Carrie

" We made a deal ages ago... men, babies, it doesn't matter. We're soulmates." -Samantha

So, what's your favorite one listed above? Is there a quote that you think I missed? Hit me up in the comments section! Have a great one, peeps!

There is sunlight in my soul today...

Yesterday was really hard. So hard, that I considered closing my blog, put my bucket list on hold, and return to corporate America. What brought that on? A couple of family members. I have always been a free-spirited traveller. I love moving around, seeing new places and meeting new people. It's humbling thinking back on all the people I've met and the countless emails and conversations from them, telling me how thankful they are for my encouragement, kindness, and giving. In spite of all of this, I've been called irresponsible and that I need to grow up, move somewhere (and stay there), and just get a job (by the way, everywhere I have ever lived, I've had work). 

I shake off naysayers and negativity pretty well, but yesterday, something broke. I think it was my heart. Fortunately, I have a best friend (who's more like a sister) who was able to give me some really good advice. I call it my crash course in "Battling Life: Family 101".

my bestie and her baby girl being silly (:

So, what's the message here? Never give up on your dreams. Discouragement and pain comes from everywhere, including family. But you have to shake it off because at the end of the day, you only get one life. 

So I blog on. And I will continue to do so, in the hopes that I will inspire you guys to get up and get living! 

Peace and love, lovelies!