Finding my vision...gearing for action

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. 

Vision with action can change the world." 

Joel A. Barker

For many years, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life. 

How do you know what you want of you don't even have a vision. After all of these years I had to ask myself, what is my vision. So now that I have a vision of what I want. I have to discover what is in the way from me to see my vision to be a reality. I realize this journey is going to be rough, painful, beautiful, joyous, and enlightening. I am happy you guys are along for the ride. 

So this is my vision that I create at http://www.oprah.com/spirit/O-Dream-Board-Envision-Your-Best-LifeTM

Know your beauty

Thank you Dove, this was a genius idea!

Music Monday: Audrey O'Day - Wrecking Ball

Online Tunes Tuesday: Rupaul - Peanut Butter

2013 - A year of action

For a while I been discussing my plans to lose weight. Each time I would declare that today I will eat healthier, get some exercise, and get back to my high school weight. Each time I would procrastinate or talk myself out of being the best me that I know that I can be. 

Well I am happy to announce that today I have taken the first step to being a healthier and happier me. I went to the gym. Shout out to planet fitness in Eatontown, NJ btw. I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I didn't feel nervous or scared. I felt good and comfortable which is wonderful especially since I have PTSD and depression. I gained a sense of accomplishment after my workout. Tomorrow will be Day 2, I can't wait to workout even though I know that I will be sore in the morning.

Today, I was determined to achieve my goal of a healthier me and I am on my way. 

2013 is a year of action. 

So what is your plan for 2013? Will this be your year of action?

A little love from OWN - Exclusive: What Is Love? Kids Tell All to SoulPancake - SoulPancake - Oprah Winfrey Network

I really love this video from OWN network on Youtube.I think this is adorable and heart warming. Just perfect for the holidays season! Got to love Oprah

Holiday wishes do come true.

Well I am happy to announce that my husband is doing a lot better with his CTCL (Cutaneous T cell lymphoma). He still has to do Phototherapy several times a week but Ian was taken off several of his medications. Prayer is really working for us. Though Ian still has CTCL I am happy to announce that He condition is a lot better. 

If you would like to help many with CTCL and other types of Cutaneous Lymphoma please go to Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation at http://www.clfoundation.org/. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, positive thoughts and well wishes. Though my husband's battle with cancer is not over I am happy to say that he is doing better than his doctors' expected. 

 I hope to have have a fundraiser in the near future for the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I will be updating you all on my husband condition. 

Happy Holidays,

Malanb

 

Dance time: Christina Aguilera - Your Body

Love love love this song and the video is full of color. Sometime you need to just dance...Thanks Christina! 

My Husband's New Battle with Cancer- CTCL

 My Husband, Ian suffers from a rare cancer called Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma (Mycosis Fungoides).  My husband has Stage 3 of CTCL. Stage 3 of CTCL is when more than 80% of his skin is cover with patches, plaques, and tumors. My husband briefly talks about his recent diagnoses with CTCL a.k.a Mycosis Fungoides on his blog Body By Ian at http://www.bodybyian.com/2012/08/my-story-ctcl.html 

My husband is in high spirits and constantly working, eating healthy, exercising, but

in order for my husband to afford his 9 medications, travel cost to U Penn, and various doctors visits for numerous treatments, we will need your help. I have put a donation button on all my blogs (Heavy on Fashion, Just Malanb, MalanB Writing Portfolio, and Milan Malan Word on The Street) to help pay for my husband's treatments and travel cost. This is going to be a battle for my husband to beat Cancer but with your help, Ian can win the battle against cancer! 

If you would like to help Ian, please donate today and click the donation button on the right of your screen. I am currently working on a Indiegogo campaign so please keep your eyes out for that. (All donors will receive a personalized thank you note and updates of Ian's progress.) 

M.I.A on Just MalanB (Sorry!)

Hey guys I am so sorry for being MIA on Just Malanb. I recently moved to back to my hometown in a new house, Yay! My macbook is sick! Macbook + apple store repairs = ton of $$$! While I working on my tech issues, head over to my Music and Street fashion blog Milan Malan Word on the Street. I am having a great giveaway from Anything Goes UK apparel company! I am giving away a wonderful graphic tee! 

Check my latest giveaway athttp://milanmalan.blogspot.com/2012/07/milan-malan-word-on-street-fashion.html

Photo courtesy of Anything Goes UK apparel

Don't Worry, Just MalanB will be back before you know it with some great reviews, event coverage, interviews, and videos! Make sure you check out My Twitter account @malanb for the latest updates! 

Eat, Live, Love, Grow 

Malanb

Just Malanb at the Best 2012 Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine Party & Expo

Hello everyone! I am so excited to give you all a look at the Best 2012 Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine Party & Expo at the Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany, NJ.Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine showcase some of the best that Morris and Essex county has to offer. I had a ball enjoying all of the great clothes and fabulous food. So with out further ado, here is a look at  Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine Party & Expo. 

Fashion

If you would like to build your dream closet in your house, than California closet is for you. Check them out at http://www.californiaclosets.com/ 

The Fur Salon of Saks Fifth Avenue was also at the expo. You can check out more about The Fur  Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in Short Hills New Jersey. 

The Crowd

The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey has tons of events including Girls Night out at the Derby, Summer Beerfest, and Stride for the Cure 5K/Ladies Night event. Check out all that NJ Meadowlands has to offer at http://www.thebigm.com/

Food

You can not go wrong with Mara's red velvet cupcakes. So yummy! Check out Mara's at http://www.marascafe.com/

Texas Smoke Barbecue showcased their brisket and tasty BBQ sauce at the expo. 

Hot Rod's Real Pit BBQ was so good. I  do not eat baked beans but I will eat Hot Rod's  baked beans! They were delicious. 

I did not know that New Jersey is a home of some great breweries. I really enjoyed the East Coast Lager from Cricket Hill Brewery. Very good!   

You can not go wrong with a good cannoli! Viking Bakery reminds me of the classic neighborhood bakery from my childhood. Very Tasty!  

The Sheraton Parsippany made some delightful dishes including these scallops. Great food and a wonderful venue. 

Check out this great new energy drink called Bai. I had the Bai Peach, which is full of antioxidants and flavor. 

You can not go wrong with Malt Ball gelato from Ciao Bella

I would like to thank the Hip Event for the Invitation. 
I had a wonderful time 

Habitat for Humanity and Design Spree Join forces

Hello everyone!  Today I wanted to talk about Interior design! I mean who doesn't love some serious home decor! There was a fabulous event in NJ called  Design Spree The best this about about this event is that $1,500 went to Habitat for Humanity for Bergen County. I did not get a chance to attend personally but that does not mean you guys should miss out! So here is a rundown of Design Spree! 

Design Spree Kicked off Spring with Today’s Hottest Designers and Restaurants, Donating $1,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County

April 18, 2012 (Maywood, NJ) -- Design Spree (29 West Essex Street, Maywood, NJ), Bergen County's premium home furnishing store, kicked off spring this past weekend with its Annual Outdoor Event. During the event, Design Spree unveiled over $1 million dollars of outdoor patio furniture.

Throughout the event guests enjoyed BBQ themed samples of food from Muscle Maker Grill in Lodi, NJ, The Brownstone’s infamous sliders, special sauces from Pig of the Month, and a tasty treat from Sweet Indulgences that cleansed everyone’s palate.

Guests also had the chance to watch today’s trendiest interior designers in action! Each designer had one hour to decorate table top vignettes for an outdoor patio setting. The designers featured were Jeffrey Brooks of Jeffrey Brooks Interior Designs in Long Valley, NJ, Uma Stewart of Furbish Home in Millburn, NJ and Ernestine Linn of Euro Design in Closter, NJ.

Danielle Ambrosia of HGTV’s hit TV Show, Dina’s Party was the guest judge. She awarded Uma Stewart of Furbish Home in Millburn, NJ as the winner of the competition. Uma received a $1,000 Design Spree gift certificate for creating a tranquil and zen design.

5% of purchases made that day were donated to the Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, totaling $1,500. Design Spree is a proud sponsor of the organization, which builds affordable housing for hardworking Bergen County families.

Me+Mom+Oprah = wow

I had the fab opportunity to attend Oprah's Lifeclass with my mom. There was so many people who was nice, caring, and present in the moment of learning, loving, and coming to term with the truth. I am working on my vision, my truth, and my journey to be my full self.  Welcome to what I learn in Oprah's Lifeclass! 

Me at Radio City! 

My mom and I at Radio City in NYC. A nice OWn Staffer took this photo with my photo. 

Here is Oprah! She gave away her shoes to a audience member. 

What I learned

 Difficulty is just for the moment. I have the power to change. I don't like the way I look so tomorrow I am going to lose weight. No more talking. I am going to do it. Courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I been telling myself that I deserved all the bad things that happened to me but I did not deserve it. I am smart, beautiful, and worth all the great times that will and are happening to me.

The story I am telling myself I am dumb foolish and I am a failure. I am not. Everyday that passes, I have more confidence than the day before. I am going to divorce this story of pity, regret, and sadness. My new story has begun.

Action plan

I need a strategy - My Strategy is to focus on myself, my vision and believing in myself

I need the right story - My new story is that I am a writer/blogger working on my craft and my craft/gift will help me fulfill my dream and live a full life without financial struggle

I need a different state of mind - Pity, Fear, and Self doubt is no longer apart of my story

I have to change my state when I open my eyes and when I live my home. State gives you certainty. I need to choose whether my story is a triumph or a tragedy. I have to turn my fear into power because power is faith. I have a general inside me. Business is for gladiators. I am a gladiator. 

Hoboken Eats!

While in Hoboken working on a new project with some great fellow bloggers in New Jersey (Details hopefully will be developing soon). I grabbed a bit to eat at Hoboken Bar & Grill. I ordered a turkey burger with cheese. lettuce,tomatoes, avocado,  a side of fries, and a delish bowl of Clam Chowder.  It was really good. I almost forgot I ordered a Candy Cherry Martini. Usually I don't drink candy/sweet drinks (except for an amaretto sour) but this was pretty good cocktail.    

Until Next time,

JustMalanb

Day 1 - Living a healthier and happier life!

 So I have decided to start focusing on my  my mind, body, and career. 

For My Mind: For over 10 years I suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Anxiety, and Depression. I was going to therapy but I had stop due to financially and personal reasons. Well the good news is that I am back in therapy. With help from my new therapist, I am finding new ways to great through my emotional issues. 

For my Body: I been obese for a while now.  I am aware that my current weight is not good for my health especially with my asthma and allergies. So I am determined and motivated to Live a Healthier Lifestyle. This is not going to be easy for me but Today is the day. Watching how much I eat is key to being a healthier me. I am also starting to be more active in my life. I am starting off today with yoga. Right now I am using Yoga: Just My Size With Megan Garcia. I hope to join a yoga class in the near future.  Practicing yoga, walking, and engaging in new types of activities will help me reach my goal of being a healthier person. 

For my Career: I am a freelance writer and a full time blogger. I usually work from home but it is very hard for me to stay focus on my work when I worrying about what I need to do around the house or receiving calls, emails, and messages while I am working. So starting Monday, the public Library is my new best friend. 5 days week, I will have my nose in my laptop, books, and everything that will help me build my brand and my business.  So I am happy to announce that you will see more from my blogs Heavy on Fashion, Milan Malan Word on The Street, My YouTube channel and of course Just MalanB. I am finally focusing on developing my name, my brand, and my career! 

I am happy that you all will be joining me on this journey to living a healthier and happier life. 

Stop SOPA and PIPA asap!

This is one of the finest explanation of SOPA and PIPA right now...

The Aftermath

This is the aftermath of the two alarm fire at my parents house, which happened on New Years Day. Everything was destroyed including photos, clothing, furniture, and family heirlooms. My Dad, Mom, and sisters are now homeless.  This is going to be a rough year for me but most of all a extremely hard year for my family in Neptune. 

The Living room

The den

 We found my family cat, Bambi, in the house. She died in the fire. We buried her. 

That was the piano we had in the den. It was completed torched. 

My Dad lost his entire record collection. He been collection record for over 40 years 

The laundry room

That was a stereo

The Living Room

My old Bedroom

The Bathroom

The Hallway

The ceiling is gone

The kitchen 

The Kitchen pt 2

The Kitchen again

The Living room

The front of the house

This is a dumpster full of my family possessions. We still have a long way to go to cleaning out the house. 

The good news is that my father Church, Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park, NJ has started a fund for my family called the “Bullock Family Relief Fund” or “BFRF.  The Asbury Park press wrote about it here! 

If you would like to contribute to the fund, have checks made out to Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, in care of the “Bullock Family Relief Fund” or “BFRF.” The church’s address is 124 Atkins Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

I would like to thank all my readers, fans, friends, family, volunteers, and good Samaritans for your prayers, thoughts, and acts of kindness. I will keep you updated on my family.