EURO PLAYOFF UPDATE

Hello all, I know that it has been some time since I have last blogged. Things over here in Russia has been eye opening to me and the things that I have had to experience required me to step away and just focus on myself and little harder. I have really missed reaching out to you all though, and have wanted to share many times prior to this. 

I want to start by saying that I hope everyone had a great Easter! For Christ died for all of our sins and rose again on the third day. I dont know about you, but I am extremely grateful for the that. For God sacrificing His only begotten son so that we can have ever lasting life is heart warming and marvelous to me. So with all that being said. I just want to say Father I thank you!

As for the the reason that i am over here, basketball.  It has been very interesting to say the least. We have been able to prove to ourselves as well as the European world that we are a very good team. We have made some great strides this year, and have embarked upon many first for the clubs 20th year anniversary.

We advanced to the Final 8 in  Euro league for the time in the clubs history and although we didnt play the way that we were capable of we learned a tremendous amount about ourselves. From there we had to move and prepare to play about a very talented Dynamo Kursk team. This team consisted of My former college teammate Seimone Augustus, who continues to improve and give people nightmares on the court. Rebakkah Bronson( of the Minnesota Lynx), Epiphany Prince (of the Chicago Sky), Candice Dupree (of the Phoenix Mercury) and so many more talented players.  Now it was a very hard fought battle but we were able to come away with the victory, and advance to the Championship round. 

I am so excited about all that has taken place, and our club is even more excited. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed each and everyone of my teammates and will miss them when it is time for us to part. Yes the season is winding down, but these young ladies became my sisters, my second family, and through it all we remained one and stayed on one accord. With this only success followed us. 

We still have more work to do, but I can honestly say that I am very proud of each and everyone of us, and I am very proud of our accomplishments thus far.

MY NEW FRIENDS AT SYDNEY'S BOOK CLUB

The following is part of an interview that I did with Sydney's Book Club as part of their celebration of Black History Month.  What I learned from Sydney's Book Club is a typical child from a low-income family enters kindergarten with a listening vocabulary of 3,000 words, while a typical child of a higher income family enters with a listening vocabulary of 20,000 words. Research shows that those who start behind often stay behind. Sydney's Book Club is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting early reading and literacy skills in children ages 3-5.

They have an amazing website for young children and I very much encourage you to please visit at: www.sydneysbookclub.org.  You can see my interview plus a great deal more!!!

Here is part of my interview:

What significance has reading played in your life from childhood to now?

 

Reading has played a significant role in my life from a young girl to now a young woman. I am an author, but I am also a professional athlete that travel the world. Being able to read has helped me get my degree, helps me to be able to read signs, helps me to be able to read my contracts that I have to sign. Reading helps me to be able to read and understand my play books, but more importantly, reading helps me to gain Knowledge.

 

What was the name of your favorite book growing up?

 

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess

 

Tell us about your current project. What was the inspiration?

 

Well there are two parts to my latest work Temeka's Choice, which is a book about myself as a young child having to make better choices. I think that this book can help relate to the kids of today in many ways. Now there are so many different options from kids to chose from, that the priorities of things began to get mixed up. Play Station, XBox, Wii, WiiU, Nintendo DS etc does not come before school work, chores, or studying. I wanted the children to see and try an understand that i had to go through the same things that they are going through and due to not always making the right choice there was a price that had to be paid for it. I have also made the book a little bit more kid friendlier but adding more pictures and less words for kids in like Pre-school and Kindergarden, Called Meek Follow the rules.I love giving back, so this is another way for me to help the kids of tomorrow, out today.

 

How do you think we can work together as parents and community leaders to make reading a priority in the lives of young children?

 

I think we all need to continue to embed the importance of education and more important Reading. Kids need to know and learn everyday that Reading is some that can help carry them a long one. It can Help towards them becoming any and everything that they want to be in Life.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to a child interested in following in your footsteps what would it be?

 

My advice to any child looking to follow in my footsteps would be to always believe in yourself, Never let anyone tell you that you can not do something, and always surround yourself with positive people. People that want the best for you as much as you do.

 

A LEGACY LEFT: THANK YOU DR. KING

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#64XxdkxyUEVLh6tk.99

On this day I am taking some private time to reflect on the life, and more importantly, the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As a basketball player at LSU, one of the staples of our program that was constantly preached to us was that of our legacy.  What did we want to leave behind to those who follow in our footsteps.  The word "legacy" is amazing and powerful and there are few that have walked the earth that have left a legacy as far reaching as Dr. King.  With the ultimate of sacrifices he has left a shadow that will cover humanity for a lifetime and has directly impacted me personally.

Here are some of my more favorite quotations from Dr. King:

"Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. "

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.""

"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."

"A right delayed is a right denied."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see."

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’"

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA

With the passing yesterday of Nelson Mandela, I took the time yesterday evening to reflect on him and his life.  I have studied his teachings and admired the life that he has lived.  What an amazing legacy to leave that he could battle against so many great odds without quitting...get knocked down time and again only to rise...then reach a great pinnacle of power only to treat all with great humility and compassion.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Mr. Mandela:

“A leader ... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

"Let the strivings of us all prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct, when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. Let the efforts of us all prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold. Let a new age dawn."

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”

"We recall our terrible past so that we can deal with it, to forgive where forgiveness is necessary, without forgetting; to ensure that never again will such inhumanity tear us apart; and to move ourselves to eradicate a legacy that lurks dangerously as a threat to our democracy."

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

“When there is danger, a good leader takes the front line; but when there is celebration, a good leader stays in the back of the room.”

“Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have.”

FOR MEEK, IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL -- LITERALLY!

Hello everyone! I'm coming to you a little different today so I hope you like it and appreciate it. As you all know with my Foundation (H.O.P.E.) I express the importance of education for our kids of today as they are definitely our tomorrow and our future. Well, guess what -- I am practicing what I have been preaching. And that is the strong belief that getting an education can take  you much further than anything, and very important to your growth as person. As of tomorrow,  I will be starting classes again as I have enrolled at LSU to get my Masters in Business. That's right -- I am in the MBA program back at the great Louisiana State University. It will be a big challenge for me, but it's definitely one that I look forward to as well as embracing. Learning is so important and I'm thankful for this opportunity to enhance myself as well as those whose path I may cross. The kids are our future, but that doesn't mean that we stop learning and stop bettering ourselves. It means that we keep growing and getting better right along with them to be able to help them, go along with them, and feel good enough that you let go and let them pave the way. This universe has a way of continual moving forward no matter your age.  We can not do it all alone. We have to continue to help others get better, but also work towards bettering ourselves. I am so excited about starting school; knowledge is power, and sharpening your mind is never a bad thing! Stay tune everyone and I'll let you know how my first week goes as well as give you some basketball updates as well.

Until next time...

Meek

AN ASSIST OF HOPE

Hey everyone! I want you all to help me spread the word about this event I will be pushing in my hometown community. This is simply a way for my family and myself to show that that we care -- not just for those in a little need, but the entire community as well.

Although I am in Russia, my family will step in for me as well as Rev. Hurst and his church. I am so thankful for this opportunity to spread a little HOPE. But more important to reinforce that we all need a little help at times as well as to instill some HOPE, love and enthusiasm back into our communities that may have been lost. I encourage everyone to come out:

Saturday,  Nov. 23rd for my  "An Assist of Hope" at the Oakland Baptist Church in Kenner, Louisiana from 11 am until 2 pm...the entire community is invited and it is free to the public.

This is near and dear to my heart and we HOPE that it goes as well as I anticipate. Come on everyone -- please help me spread a little HOPE during the Holidays!
Meek

OPENING WIN OVERSEAS

Well, well, well -- here we go again as another season for me tips off. I have been here with my new team Orenburg for about a week and we have already played our first game. We did come out on top which is a great way to start things off, but we are still missing a key piece to our puzzle. This season I will be playing with Glory Johnson (WNBA Tulsa Shock) and Dewanna Bonner (WNBA Phoenix Mercury). Both Glory and I did our best to hold it down until Dewanna arrives, but our team that we have this season is a very good and talented one. We have a very talented Spanish guard, a talented small forward from Greece, and some fierce Russian players and competitors. I am happy to be a part of this group. So far it has gotten to a great start, and I am looming forward to it, getting even better.

Stay tune everyone there will be more to come...
Meek