Author Spotlight: Carolyn Vines “Black & (A)broad” AND!! BB&W FIRST Online Contest!!!

I love Rick Steves, he has some of the best special and travel shows on television. I love that he takes the road less traveled when traveling. I love the travel channel, it's probably one of the reasons I keep cable b/c most of it is just slop.

Seeing Rick Steves and Samantha Brown going to all these fabulous places is what keeps me working so hard so that I can get as many stamps in my passport as I can get befor it expires,renew it, then get it stamped up again! I wish Passport to Europe had full episodes on the Travel channel website. I had to put my cable on hiatus to cut expenses.

@Flaming Star, you are going to love Italy!!!! I've been Three times! Lovely country, wonderful history and the food! My mouth is getting juicy just thinking about the food *drool* LOL!

Shirl
www.shirlinthecity.blogspot.com

Shirl, I too was laid off (in 2009) and I was actually relieved when it happened because I absolutely hated the job. It was in the finance/accounting realm, and, through that experience, I realized that being Ms. Corporate America was not for me. Now, I'm actually going to pursue a career in teaching. I see you are going into the fashion industry; it feels good to do something you love, doesn't it? That sounds so exciting, and I want to wish you good luck on all of your future endeavors.

BTW, I'm following your blog :) It's amazing, and I especially love your sketches! I wish I had the talent to create sketches, because the best I can do is create stick figures lol.

I feel ya, Elaine. I know the lovely Shirl, Eve of Construction she's awesome. Have you seen the hot photos of her at the fashion shows with the male models? Smokin' LOL. I got fired in 2008 b/c of my diabetes but it was best thing ever. I was happy it happened and that's when I knew my life didn't lie in being a paralegal. There was more, I'm teaching adults now paralegal studies and I'm loving it, best thing ever. I'm about to start working in the non-profit world which I've wanted to do forever and do a little side thing that will hopefully turn into a full time gig, grant-writing which I also love. I just felt I've paid my dues, dealt with enough bosses that I was smarter than and went to enough school that I think it's my perogative to do what I want now. Much encouragement to all the ladies who are following their bliss.

"I just felt I’ve paid my dues, dealt with enough bosses that I was smarter than and went to enough school that I think it’s my perogative to do what I want now. "

Amen! I'm glad you are also pursuing something you love. And oh yes I saw the models . . .

Hey Elainie! Eugenie (Flaming Star!) *waving*!!!

Thank you ladies so much for the compliments.

I was grinning like a dang fool when I was being laid-off to the point the women said I was making her unconfortable! LMAO!!!! I was so happy to be out of that joint. When people less experienced, knowledgable and work less start geting raises and promotions over more experienced, knowledgable and more hard working people, I was more than happy to go. As much as I complained about my job, God said if you hate it so much I'm going to make it so you are out. Now that company is filing banckrupcy. *smh* Now I spend my time benefiting from what my former employer took for granted.

Glad you like my blog. Thank you for stopping by. I wanted to give people the insisde and backstage to the fashion industry and NYC. Oh the stories!In NYC the chances are good you will see a celebrity at some point walking the streets. I never leave home without my camera.

And the models...I was not able to get a picture of Noah Mills, he's the guy in Sex In The City 2 that Samantha has a fling with. I so wish I had, cuz he had me mezmorized. I could not stop staring at him, not even when he cought me staring, lol!

I agree with you Eugenie on following your bliss! I'm so much happier!

Shirl
www.shirlinthecity.blogspot.com

Hey there, Eve of Construction. I can't believe you remember my superhero name. LOL. I'm going to the blog to see what you been up to, I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to see your clothing draping my back :)

That's so cool!

I'm from South Africa born and bread :)

Though I'm not from cape town or Johannesburg, But I lived in Johannesburg for two years. But I'm originally from KwaZulu-Natal province just outside Durban.

If you need any tips just write :)

lol bread.

Thanks hun!

It's called surströmming. It's pretty much rotten fish.

I actually quite like it on a sandwich. But my Swedish husband don't like it at all, it's an acquired taste. He just leaves the room when I'm eating my sandwiches.

Can't say that I agree about Denmark though :)

Sure they got an unpleasant government, but so did you for eight years. Governments will come and go :).

Anyway they made Copenhagen much safer than Malmö, where I live just across the water. You can actually walk around in Copenhagen at night without getting mugged (!), for example I have a Cuban friend who I discussed this last week with and he's been mugged seven times since coming to Malmö 15 years ago. I'm just happy I don't live in that area of Malmö.

Although if you walk in the one area in Copenhagen they will think that you are a prostitute because you're black and there's lots of African prostitutes on that street, but then again if you eastern European and walk around in the street next to that one, they will think you a prostitute as well. Good night life and bars on those street though.

That's great! I love weddings. Am I invited? ;)

Congrats on your wedding!!

@Christelyn if I had a camera I'd do a live feed, I got family all over. LOL. But you will be able to see photos on my FB page.

@Oneika, thank you so much. All I can ever say is I'm happy about the wedding but I'm really excited about being married to this wonderful man. It's a different feeling than when I married the first time.

Hey, Eugenia, I just wanted to say congratulations on the wedding! I'm so excited for you :D, and that trip to Italy sounds amazing!

Thank you Elaine and I'm excited about the impending adventures, being married again and Italy. Both are taking a lot of planning LOL. But Italy I'm looking forward too. Italy has always been number one of my Dream trip list. I've been to Europe before just London and Paris but I'm so excited about Italy. Everytime I watch a travel show on it, I just get more and more excited. We're not gonna have a lot of time there 2 or 3 weeks but we're gonna make the most of them. I wish we could have gone there on our honeymoon but it wasn't in the cards next year but come on 2012.

Have you seen the Visions of Italy special on PBS? Every time I see it, I just melt lol. I'm sure you guys are going to have a blast!

Never seen it but I'll go on PBS maybe I can find the DVD and buy it. I've seen so many travel programs on Italy from Anthony Bourdain to Samantha Brown to Rick Steves (whose travel programs I just personally love), I just wish I had more time.

Oneika, looks like you're going to be on a little adventure. I'm eager to read all about it.

Thanks! I wish that 2011 would hurry up and get here! LOL

Let's make the deadline thi coming Saturday. That way, you're all guilty from stuffing yourself with turkey and green bean cassarole, having fought with your crazy unclel/aunt for THE LAST TIME! and then be good and ready to give us details because you'll be REALLY ready to pack after that.

I've never heard that Spain was racist... Which European countries are welcoming to people of other races, especially black women?

You may want to read "Kinky Gazpacho" by Lori Tharps. She talks about her experience living in Salamanca, Spain.

And Ieshah (who's posted here) talks a lot about her experiences in Spain on her blog.

Thanks Golden Silence. I will definitely read those.

Cutesyj87, I don't know which Europeans countries are considered to be "black friendly", but I will tell you where I was going with that statement. I was trying to say that I really focused on negativity, so I shouldn't have been shocked when that's what I focused on when I got there. Also, TBH, I used the racism card while there because it was a way to deal with being broke, being without permanent residence, and signing a crappy job contract. It was a scapegoat. In any event, after reflection of that trip, I realized that while I did experience racism there, I also met some of the nicest people ever. I think the same could be said for any country. It was my choice to let negativity cloud my view of a whole entire country, it wasn't fair.

I got some experience of Europe having traveled around with my husband and lived there for 10 years.

Mind you this is my experience.

Spain and Portugal is not that big on black people ATM, they get lots of refugees and drugs coming in from Africa. "stealing our jobs" you know.

France is a decent country with lots of black people. Shouldn't be any problems there, I did not notice anything when we're in Paris. They got immigration issues, but I don't think that will play that big a role how they will see you.

England is very open to other races. You see mixed couples everywhere and you don't feel like people are looking at you.

Netherlands is also quite nice, at least when we were there.

Germany, not so sure about that country, only been there with my husband and his friends to buy liquor.

Denmark, Sweden and Norway. You can pretty much put these countries together, same cultures, same people and they can understand each other speaking. Like Portuguese and Spanish. I'm having a bit of a hard time understanding Danish and Norwegian though, but then again Swedish is my third language. The main thing about Scandinavian countries is that you will have to try to fit in. It won't be any trouble with you being a black woman from US. Might get the occasional looks from men who wish they dared to approach you though. We got some immigration issues as well, but as I said, it will not be any trouble for a Black American woman. I can highly recommend Copenhagen if you only coming over for a week or so, it's a very nice place with a very cool city vibe. Plus almost everyone speaks English very well, I notice that the first year I was in Sweden. When I did not know what to say in Swedish they automatically switched to English.

Greece. Did not notice any big troubles here, but then again I was only there for a week. But I think they got that Immigrants are stealing our job mentality ATM as well. And as a black person you will be classified as an immigrant. Unless your walking around with your hubby.

And one tip though, if you are planning to come over to Europe. Make sure you got a degree in something useful or you are planning to study because it is quite bad over here in Europe with jobs ATM for the unskilled and people with degrees in "semi-useless" stuff.

Nkosazana:
I am currently working on a graduate degree in chemistry. Is that a useful degree at this time in Europe?

I really want to get out of the US forever and start a life somewhere in Europe, but I am now 40 and I think it may be too late. Someone told me that immigration laws favor those under 35 years old. I don't want marriage or a romantic relationship, anymore, I just want a new life outside of America.

Thanks. Nkosazana for your information it was very informative. I have never been to Europe, but I do love to travel. So, I asked that question mainly out of curiosity. I am currently a pre-med student and I am not opposed to studying and attending medical school abroad, after I graduate with my undergraduate degree. I am a pretty easy going person, and love to learn about other cultures. Ultimately, I think I would enjoy Europe!

I have a similar degree, One of the reason i came to Sweden was because i could get that degree for free here. I think it's a good degree to work with in Europe. But I'm no way an expert on the job market :)

I got a job right after i finished University. But I'm on pregnancy leave right now.

I think you should go for it. And i don't think 40 years is to old to do anything. Be open and you find yourself a man :)

This was a cool commentary. I definitely agree that England (and also Ireland and Scotland) is very open to interracial dating. Mixed couples are common. In my experience, it's not such a common sight in France (can only comment on Paris though), but it doesn't seem like interracial couples would be given any trouble. Switzerland seems quite insular as does Belgium.

I live in Germany, so I can say that it's alright for mixed marriages. Especially if you live in a larger city or in a University city. In the countryside, not so much. But it's slowly changing.
The crucial thing is to learn the language, then you get a much warmer reception. Coz it shows that you want to be able to communicate with people - especially his parents and grandparents - who if they're above 50 most likely won't have had English in school.
France is going through some rough times at the moment politically, but nothing to fear on the IR front.
Denmark gives me a bad vibe though, compared to Sweden and Norway. I can't shake it. Might have something to do with the right-wing politicians forming the governing coalition.
But that being said, go where your heart takes you.