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How To Land a Successful Job Through Hard Work and God's Favor

It has been a very busy year thus far. While searching for a venue to have The 'I Am Not Afraid' production, I came across Pine Camp Cultural Art Center in Richmond, VA. I called and was advised to email my script and any testimonials and articles I had.

Once confirming everything was received, I was asked if I do summer programs. I advised that I was still in the process of building my cast in Richmond, yet I do conduct workshops. I commenced to emailing my workshop brochure. A couple of days later, I was asked to come in to the theatre for a tour and meeting.

When I arrived to the theatre, I was taken on a tour. It was a nice place, however, the stage didn't have a curtain and I was informed that all tickets had to be pre-sold. Those two items were inconveniences for me, so I knew I wouldn't be able to choose this venue. However, the next thing discussed took me by surprise.

After careful review of all the documentation I sent over, I was asked if I'd like to join their six week summer program entitled, 'The Mayor's Youth Academy Life Stage.' I was told I'd have to speak to the program director next, but they believed I was a great candidate for it. 

A few weeks later, I met with the program director. She explained more about the program and advised she thought I'd be a great fit for their Theatre/Creative Writing/Spoken Word Facilitator. I was floored! I couldn't believe that out of just calling to get a price on their theatre, all of this came from it. 

When you have God in your life... when you have a relationship with Him, His favor follows you. Now I truly understand what it means when it's said, "God is working behind the scenes."  When you work hard, He works harder. Now, get to work!

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

How To Land a Successful Job Through Hard Work and God's Favor

It has been a very busy year thus far. While searching for a venue to have The 'I Am Not Afraid' production, I came across Pine Camp Cultural Art Center in Richmond, VA. I called and was advised to email my script and any testimonials and articles I had.

Once confirming everything was received, I was asked if I do summer programs. I advised that I was still in the process of building my cast in Richmond, yet I do conduct workshops. I commenced to emailing my workshop brochure. A couple of days later, I was asked to come in to the theatre for a tour and meeting.

When I arrived to the theatre, I was taken on a tour. It was a nice place, however, the stage didn't have a curtain and I was informed that all tickets had to be pre-sold. Those two items were inconveniences for me, so I knew I wouldn't be able to choose this venue. However, the next thing discussed took me by surprise.

After careful review of all the documentation I sent over, I was asked if I'd like to join their six week summer program entitled, 'The Mayor's Youth Academy Life Stage.' I was told I'd have to speak to the program director next, but they believed I was a great candidate for it. 

A few weeks later, I met with the program director. She explained more about the program and advised she thought I'd be a great fit for their Theatre/Creative Writing/Spoken Word Facilitator. I was floored! I couldn't believe that out of just calling to get a price on their theatre, all of this came from it. 

When you have God in your life... when you have a relationship with Him, His favor follows you. Now I truly understand what it means when it's said, "God is working behind the scenes."  When you work hard, He works harder. Now, get to work!

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

How To Land a Successful Job Through Hard Work and God's Favor

It has been a very busy year thus far. While searching for a venue to have The 'I Am Not Afraid' production, I came across Pine Camp Cultural Art Center in Richmond, VA. I called and was advised to email my script and any testimonials and articles I had.

Once confirming everything was received, I was asked if I do summer programs. I advised that I was still in the process of building my cast in Richmond, yet I do conduct workshops. I commenced to emailing my workshop brochure. A couple of days later, I was asked to come in to the theatre for a tour and meeting.

When I arrived to the theatre, I was taken on a tour. It was a nice place, however, the stage didn't have a curtain and I was informed that all tickets had to be pre-sold. Those two items were inconveniences for me, so I knew I wouldn't be able to choose this venue. However, the next thing discussed took me by surprise.

After careful review of all the documentation I sent over, I was asked if I'd like to join their six week summer program entitled, 'The Mayor's Youth Academy Life Stage.' I was told I'd have to speak to the program director next, but they believed I was a great candidate for it. 

A few weeks later, I met with the program director. She explained more about the program and advised she thought I'd be a great fit for their Theatre/Creative Writing/Spoken Word Facilitator. I was floored! I couldn't believe that out of just calling to get a price on their theatre, all of this came from it. 

When you have God in your life... when you have a relationship with Him, His favor follows you. Now I truly understand what it means when it's said, "God is working behind the scenes."  When you work hard, He works harder. Now, get to work!

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

      My Journey With Loopiethotamus- Pursuing Your Dreams

God created Loopiethotamus for me back in July 2006 when my life was turned upside down. I was blinded by unspeakable fear and filled with so much anxiety and inner turmoil. At the time, I didn’t know God had given this gift to me because, for one, I didn’t have a relationship with God; and second, I didn’t understand who I was to God. I didn’t believe in any of it at all. I didn’t know how to believe in it. However, as my relationship with God developed more and more, I began to appreciate the greatness that was placed onto my lap.

In July 2006, the idea of Loopiethotamus was just a mere notion, a fleeting thought. He was created based off of my purebred blue Chihuahua Loopie that I had at the time. I purchased my Chihuahua in February 2006, in all honesty, because I needed something to cling to. With my mental capacity being challenged, and just feeling so desperate to move forward, I felt I needed something to take the pressure off. My Loopie at the time gave me a sense of normalcy. Now, I realize that nothing can heal the inward wounds of our lives, but Jesus. However, as Loopiethotamus began to come together, I believe, I was able to grow within myself. God allowed me to tap into the creativity He placed on the inside of me in the midst of utter confusion.

There have been some bumps in the road with Loopiethotamus and I. I wrote the first story in August 2006 and it took me two years to write the second story. I had the first story thrown all over the place- in my kitchen drawer, in my dresser drawer, in my night table drawer. My husband would push me to write more, but my heart wasn’t in it then. I couldn’t see the blessing before my eyes.

When I think about the roads I’ve had to take in this journey, there have been a lot of them. From developing the story, to developing the character, to developing his suit, to developing his family, to developing his motto, to understanding what he means to me, to understanding how he would be portrayed to the public. Everything came in stages. The stages have been great because now I get to look back and think, “Wow, look how far I’ve come!” And not just with Loopiethotamus, but also within myself. If things would’ve come easy, there would be no true gratitude and no true growth.

There have been so many people God has brought my way that see my vision and want to help it come into fruition. I thank God for these special people because I’ve learned over the past few years that we cannot make a dream come true on our own. It takes a lot of heartfelt collaboration. There are so many people I will have to thank when I accept an award for Loopiethotamus at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards one day. They’re going to begin playing that silly music for me to get off the stage!

Loopiethotamus has now become a reality and I am no longer afraid to dream. The first dream was writing more than one book; now there are a total of 26 books written!  The second dream was to see my character illustrated. God granted me that dream come true in September 2010 when He found my illustrator that brought Loopiethotamus to life on paper from my innermost vision.  The third dream was to have one book published; now there have been three books published since March 2011! I never imagined that I’d be having school author visits and putting on a stage production about Loopiethotamus centered on Anti-Bullying next September. These things were just icing on the cake; things I never dreamed could happen.

In the midst of everything that was happening in my life, the ups and the downs, the twists and the turns; God also allowed for His perfect timing. He allowed for my son to be born so I could dedicate him in my first book and every book thereafter. I couldn’t imagine any element of my dreams coming true without my son being an intricate part of it.

I thank God that I am actually able to see the pursuit of my dreams coming true. I believe they will all come true, but I also realize that God is orchestrating everything and I’m okay with that because when we allow Him to orchestrate, we are able to witness the most perfect symphony ever created! Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for your good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I will tell anyone that has a dream to keep at it. Never give up! It is so easy to sit on your dreams and not believe they will come true, but that is a lie. Dreams, awesome dreams, do take time, but when you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible! When you keep God first and include Him in all facets of your life, your dreams will soar to places you’ve never imagined. It all starts with just one thought, one concept, one idea and then…BOOM…BANG…ZOOM!! You never know how the wind may blow… God bless you and all of your dreams, big and small.

-To support local author, Ayana Sala Baugh of the children’s book series, “Loopiethotamus, the Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus,” you can purchase books and/or send her a comment on her website: Loopiebooks.com.  You can email her at Ayana@Loopiethotamus.com and/or LIKE Loopiethotamus on Facebook.com/Loopiethotamus. Loopiethotamus is also on Twitter: @Loopiebooks, Pinterest: Pinterest.com/AyanaSala.

She is also available for speaking engagements, school and public author visits and/or self-publishing advice.

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Meet Loopiethotamus, the Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus #chihuahua #childrensbookseries #childrensbooks #hippo #hippolife #dare #daretodream #daretobedifferent #daretobelieve #daretocare #daretobeoriginal #daretobebrave #daretobedifferentkids #daretobeme #daretobeyourself #book #bookseries #kids #kid #characters #character #childrensbooksarethebest #childrensbookstory #childrensbooksrule

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Meet The #hippo family from the #childrensbookseries Loopiethotamus, the Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus #chihuahua #hippopotamus #family #childrensbooks #charactercreation #characters #characterdrawing #kid #kids #characterdesign #hippolove

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Too funny! I guess that should've been given to me by my hubby! I'm a proud, confident, gorgeous black woman! LOL

I don’t think he read the entire message before he bought it.

via imgur

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A Loopiethotamus Christmas

Hello everyone. My name is Loopiethotamus and I am a hippopotamus! It's Christmas time and I am sooooo excited!!! I love spending time with my family. We give thanks to our Lord up above. We have a big family dinner with so many baked grass burgers and mud pies that we have enough to give away!! Then we open up presents!!! My dad always surprises my mom with the best gifts. My mom knows the best gift to give to my dad every year- a tie! He loves ties and has a collection so huge that if you piled them up they'd reach 7 feet tall!!!!

I just wanted to let you guys know that my holiday book, "A Loopiethotamus Christmas," is available at http://www.Loopiebooks.com and http://www.Amazon.com. It tells the story of how much I love Christmas! It's my favorite holiday and I'm quite sure most kids would say Christmas was their favorite time of year too! We don't get much snow where we are in Loopiethotamus Land, but when it does snow on Christmas, it's such a delight to see! We have sleigh rides and make snow angels. It's so much fun!!

Please be kind to one another. Share your toys and remember that Christmas is not just about receiving, but also about giving. Give a hug, share a smile, hold a hand and tell someone you love them. Love is the best gift and it's free!!

I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas!!! I'll be thinking of you always! And always remember to Dare to Be Hipp-O!!!

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

Where Blessings Flow...Where Your Actions Can Lead You

You really never know where your blessings may come from or where your actions can lead you. That familiar saying, "Never judge a book by its cover," is one of the truest statements that exist. Never think that God cannot bless you in any package He chooses; whether the blessing be packaged in a young child, a teenager, or even a homeless man. These are just some of the packages God has delivered blessings to me in. When I really think about it, they all came in the midst of my doing something else.

My biggest business-related testimony this year came from a book reading I did at the Midlothian YMCA this past August. When I got to the parking lot, I saw all of the kids in the pool playing. I wondered to myself, "Will they all be ready and available for the reading?" When I walked into the building, things seemed very ordinary. Everyone was going about their day. The receptionist at the front desk had no clue why I was there. A parade didn't march out to escort me to the room where I'd be conducting the reading. I could have just walked out and no one would have been the wiser. It was just a normal, "status quo" kind of day at the Midlothian YMCA. When I informed the receptionist of my reason for being there, she called the director and they told me I was parked on the wrong side of the building! Here I am standing there with all of my stuff and had to haul it all back to my car and drive to other side. But, hey, that's the plight sometimes we visiting authors have to deal with. It has happened to me before. 

When I entered the book reading room, I took a look around and liked what I saw. It was very inviting with vibrant colors and bright pictures on the walls. They even had a little rocking chair that I could sit in. About ten minutes later, in rushed all of the children and the two YMCA counselors~ one older woman and one teenage girl. I read the Loopiethotamus book series to the children, answered their questions and gave out some materials to them.  After the reading, I initially gave my brochures and a bracelet to the older female counselor. She explained to me that she is the "head" of the childcare facility there and would like to contact me in the future about conducting a book reading. She then inquired of my fee. As I getting ready to give brochures and a bracelet to the younger female counselor, my mind whispered, "She is so young and probably could care less about receiving your brochures." But, I went against that thought and gave her my brochures anyway. She politely smiled and took them from me.

As I was driving to my next destination, I was so excited about possibly receiving an email from the older female counselor inviting me back for a paid visit. That email never came. Yet, an email did come about a month later from someone....THE YOUNGER FEMALE COUNSELOR'S MOTHER!!! In the email, her mother explained that she is a troop leader with a Girl Scouts Troop in Powhatan, Virginia and her daughter told her about my visit at the Midlothian YMCA. She requested that I come out and conduct a speaking engagement with her girls and inquired about my fee. I was literally floored!!!! I couldn't believe it! I was so thankful to God that I didn't listen to the voice of the enemy trying to convince not to give that young lady my brochures because what God brings forth He will multiply!

I had a very awesome visit with Girl Scouts Troop 3029! We dialogued about what it truly means to have self-worth, believing in oneself, accomplishing your dreams as a woman and fostering proper social circles. Positive connections were made and I think about them every day!

And...Nope, there was no parade that marched out to escort me to the room where I held the workshop. But, they made me feel so welcomed and like I was one of the Girls!  To God be the Glory for all things!! There is purpose in everything!!! Live on purpose!! 

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

      My Journey With Loopiethotamus- Pursuing Your Dreams

God created Loopiethotamus for me back in July 2006 when my life was turned upside down. I was blinded by unspeakable fear and filled with so much anxiety and inner turmoil. At the time, I didn’t know God had given this gift to me because, for one, I didn’t have a relationship with God; and second, I didn’t understand who I was to God. I didn’t believe in any of it at all. I didn’t know how to believe in it. However, as my relationship with God developed more and more, I began to appreciate the greatness that was placed onto my lap.

In July 2006, the idea of Loopiethotamus was just a mere notion, a fleeting thought. He was created based off of my purebred blue Chihuahua Loopie that I had at the time. I purchased my Chihuahua in February 2006, in all honesty, because I needed something to cling to. With my mental capacity being challenged, and just feeling so desperate to move forward, I felt I needed something to take the pressure off. My Loopie at the time gave me a sense of normalcy. Now, I realize that nothing can heal the inward wounds of our lives, but Jesus. However, as Loopiethotamus began to come together, I believe, I was able to grow within myself. God allowed me to tap into the creativity He placed on the inside of me in the midst of utter confusion.

There have been some bumps in the road with Loopiethotamus and I. I wrote the first story in August 2006 and it took me two years to write the second story. I had the first story thrown all over the place- in my kitchen drawer, in my dresser drawer, in my night table drawer. My husband would push me to write more, but my heart wasn’t in it then. I couldn’t see the blessing before my eyes.

When I think about the roads I’ve had to take in this journey, there have been a lot of them. From developing the story, to developing the character, to developing his suit, to developing his family, to developing his motto, to understanding what he means to me, to understanding how he would be portrayed to the public. Everything came in stages. The stages have been great because now I get to look back and think, “Wow, look how far I’ve come!” And not just with Loopiethotamus, but also within myself. If things would’ve come easy, there would be no true gratitude and no true growth.

There have been so many people God has brought my way that see my vision and want to help it come into fruition. I thank God for these special people because I’ve learned over the past few years that we cannot make a dream come true on our own. It takes a lot of heartfelt collaboration. There are so many people I will have to thank when I accept an award for Loopiethotamus at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards one day. They’re going to begin playing that silly music for me to get off the stage!

Loopiethotamus has now become a reality and I am no longer afraid to dream. The first dream was writing more than one book; now there are a total of 26 books written!  The second dream was to see my character illustrated. God granted me that dream come true in September 2010 when He found my illustrator that brought Loopiethotamus to life on paper from my innermost vision.  The third dream was to have one book published; now there have been three books published since March 2011! I never imagined that I'd be having school author visits and putting on a stage production about Loopiethotamus centered on Anti-Bullying next September. These things were just icing on the cake; things I never dreamed could happen.

In the midst of everything that was happening in my life, the ups and the downs, the twists and the turns; God also allowed for His perfect timing. He allowed for my son to be born so I could dedicate him in my first book and every book thereafter. I couldn’t imagine any element of my dreams coming true without my son being an intricate part of it.

I thank God that I am actually able to see the pursuit of my dreams coming true. I believe they will all come true, but I also realize that God is orchestrating everything and I’m okay with that because when we allow Him to orchestrate, we are able to witness the most perfect symphony ever created! Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for your good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I will tell anyone that has a dream to keep at it. Never give up! It is so easy to sit on your dreams and not believe they will come true, but that is a lie. Dreams, awesome dreams, do take time, but when you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible! When you keep God first and include Him in all facets of your life, your dreams will soar to places you’ve never imagined. It all starts with just one thought, one concept, one idea and then…BOOM…BANG…ZOOM!! You never know how the wind may blow… God bless you and all of your dreams, big and small.

-To support local author, Ayana Sala Baugh of the children’s book series, “Loopiethotamus, the Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus,” you can purchase books and/or send her a comment on her website: Loopiebooks.com.  You can email her at Ayana@Loopiethotamus.com and/or LIKE Loopiethotamus on Facebook.com/Loopiethotamus. Loopiethotamus is also on Twitter: @Loopiebooks, Pinterest: Pinterest.com/AyanaSala.

She is also available for speaking engagements, school and public author visits and/or self-publishing advice.

[loopiebooks-blog-blog-blog]

All About Loopiethotamus

Loopiethotamus, the Chihuahua Who Thinks He is a Hippopotamus is really a Chihuahua who thinks he is a hippo! He was adopted as a puppy by a family of hippos. Everytime he sees himself in the mirror or thinks of himself, he only sees a hippo. He looks different from everyone else, so sometimes poor Loopiethotamus is bullied, but he overcomes it everytime. His family shows him unconditional love and believe that love can come in all shapes, sizes and cultures. He is a larger than life, attention grabbing character that is so adorable with his big smile. 

With Loopiethotmaus, we are contrasting big versus small, strong versus weak and tall versus short. Loopiethotamus and Author, Ayana Sala Baugh are all about childhood literacy, character and value building in children and anti-bullying; believing that every child should be given the opportunity to achieve any endeavor they set their hearts to no matter the circumstance!

You can find the Loopiethotamus book series on http://www.loopiebooks.com.

You can also LIKE Loopiethotamus on FB!http://www.facebook.com/Loopiethotamus

We’re on Twitter: @loopiebooks.com

We’re on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ayanasala

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

my Iphone