I am such a late bloomer when it comes to social ettiquette. It's well into the new year and FINALLY I have my thoughts of 2008 - in regards to me, my well-being and the events going on around me.

Personally - it was all about just trying to stay healthy, and focused  on the Road and getting connected and just staying afloat while still adjusting to being just responsible to myself and no-one else. Got a great sense of self empowerment and spirituality; overall, I got a consistent rhythm in nutrition, and it helped with my health as far as my endometriosis, and my mental well-being. I can say I really learned how to be honest and true to myself, and so therefore, I was honest and truthful to those around me - moreso than I have been in the past. In regards to my family - it was a bittersweet year, this is the most honest and direct communication I have had with my immediate family; this is the most comfortable and real I have felt with my extended family, and it has also taught me that some family members may never change, but I didn't get to see them as much as I would have liked. That's fine with me, and I don't have to be responsible for it - that is what starts family drama in the first place. I've been fortunate and blessed to have friends and loved ones who loved and challenged me and taught me so much about myself, what my boundaries are, listened to my goals, dreams and aspirations - and just gave me an ear to speak to when Life on and Off the Road got to much

Financially - it wasn't perfect by any means, but I finally got to the root of my personal money issues and how it affects my financial choices. With that being stated, I came up with some amazing goals and prospects for 2009,and I made decisions that will set me up abundantly and prosperously with my finances for 2009. We'll see how that goes

Creatively, and artistically - not too shabby for 2008. While being on a vigourous and challenging national tour that required us to rapidly learn and premiere challenging choreography, I wrote enough material to come up with an EP for release hopefully midyear in June 2009 and sang with Bobby McFerrin twice - once was a spontaneous guest appearance with him and Voicestra - the second time was my Professional Vocal Debut at Carnegie Hall with him and a bunch of other amazing talented vocalists.2008 felt like I sang, screamed, wrote, cried, dreamt and practically bled my heart out in and every drop bled was worth it.

Politically - I wasn't active as I wanted to be, especially with arts and activism - with the Obama campaign, and even with other issues - I didn't to squat. Call it apathy, call it subconscious fear of being an artist with a free thinking mind under the administration that supported avidly Guantanamo Bay, but I didn't do shit. Since watching the election results and then watching a black man getting sworn in as 44th president of the United States, as his black wife and like children and family looked on - I feel free and inspired to be creatively and politically active and artistic under a presidential adminisitration that today shut down Guantanamo Bay.

I like to think of 2009 being the year of My New President. In turn, i realized how shut down and apathetic I was feeling before, especially being on the Road - but this is more of an opportunity for me to volunteer, speak out and be active on things that I care about. There is a Black First lady in the White House, better yet - there is a Black Family in the White House; I'm nervous, excited and scared  - but it finally feels good to be an American.

For 2009 - I want to put my mouth where my money is, be creatively political, be creative, fun, passionate, sexy, playful, stylish, healthy, passionate, artistic and loving, and have my friends, family and loved ones around more.

This year I shan't forget to keep daring to Dream Big