NEW SHOW CHLOE'S GETTING A WEBSHOW on SHOVIO.com

MY NEW SHOW COMING THIS SUMMER PEOPLE YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO READ MY WORK ON MY BLOG. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASK ME QUESTIONS, ASK FOR ADVICE, CONVERSATE, AND TALK TO ME NOW ON MY NEW SHOW

"LIFE & LOVE WITH LADYCJR" THIS SUMMER ON http://www.shovio.com coming soon to you get ready to have a good time and ask me about any topic with my special co-host or co-hosts who I hope to find soon. I am very serious about this and have already been signed off by the owner of Shovio for this show. So look for it very soon this summer. I may even have my friends and family pitch in too. So look for it. I think this is the perfect time all you young people and older folks looking for summer romance you made need some wise ladies and gentlemens opinions. So look for your girl Chloe aka "Honey Brown Sugar" aka "LADYCJR" this summer on http://www.shovio.com/

LIFE & LOVE WITH LADYCJR!!!!!! THIS SUMMER

I remember...

I remember walking holding hands with you as you took my hand inside the school to make sure I was safely taken inside to my new school.
I remember you gave me a hug and kiss on my cheek when a problem arose and you said everything would be okay. I remember playing in your shoes when I was a little girl and your lipstick too all because I wanted to be just like you. I remember you came to my talent show and watched me dance and applauded just for me. I remember you bought me a tiara for my prom to make sure I felt like a prom queen for the night. I remember you took me to concerts to make sure I had a good a time. I remember laying in your room and discussing so many topics from boys, to men, to going out, to life in general. I remember baking and cooking food with you for holiday occasions and preparing it with you. I remember always having a good time with you. I remember you coming to my schools all of them to check in on me and make sure I was okay and safe. I remember all of this because I love you.
(Dedicated to my mother)

I remember you video taping every birthday occasion, I remember you making everyone laugh whoever we would meet, I remember you telling me as I child that Chloe you must write legibly on the paper so that everything was lined up and people could read my handwriting. I remember you crying when I received my award for the Washington Opera House as a child. I remember you taking me to Arboretum with my stepsister when we were little. I remember sitting in the car playing "What if?" with you. I remember you coming up to my school and everyone staring up at you because you were so tall and overtowering the children. I remember every laugh and smile. I remember you taking me to the doctor and protecting me to make sure I wouldn't cry. I remember all the things you told me and still do because I love you. I am glad I have had you around me and I know you're just a phone call and a road trip away.
(Dedicated to my father)

Journey through college (Part 2)

I was looking at pictures of my life as an infant and up until now when I am getting ready and prepared for a very momentous occasion my graduation from college. It has been such a journey that I can't even keep up with it sometimes myself. A lot to digest and take into account from preschool to college. It's so funny that I have grown up wanting to become the very thing I have watched on television most of my life an entertainment reporter, or a music reporter. This journey has had so many challenges I can't even describe to you what it has been like at times to pull your own self out of bed to make sure you get there to your classes. I now have completed all my assignments. Now my plan is to get the career I have always wanted. I loved college I had a great time. I was fortunate to stay home. Now, mind you I got accepted to Hampton University but due to the recession I was unable to attend. Now looking back at every single step I took in Hunter College I will tell you this. I am going to be completely frank and honest with you about this. They made me work at this. They challenged me at everything lol and everything in deed. From coming to Hunter with transferring 59 credits from Bergen Community College. Two of my credits were not accepted but it's okay. Next was taking the CUNY Proficiency Exam. It was a challenge in itself. I never worked so hard for an exam like this. Probably not since high school for the SATs or PSATs. It's been a challenge in itself. I remember preparing for it when I was younger back then. However, nothing like that the last exam I took would be a challenge in itself. I am glad that I had tutors to prepare me throughout my semesters and got me ready for the battle. There were times I felt like my heart was not in it completely all the way. I felt as if some other obstacle or challenge would prevent me from getting what I wanted. The only obstacle with this exam was that in order to pass it you must put your whole heart, yourself, and your time to make it through. As I think about sacrificing summers, sacrificing vacation time, sacrificing traveling from New Jersey to New York on the train to be there. That was a sacrifice within itself. I can tell you for a long time I felt like the underdog. I felt the person who was never going to make it and even be able to get this far. I had some nay sayers in my path or "haters" who tried to break my spirit and the dreams I have in my heart. I remember once on a key chain I purchased it said Chloe: "One who wishes for the best peace is the meaning of my life's request". I believe that is true I need peace and stability but I have learned that in order to find that peace and middle ground you need to battle the storms first before the silence comes. I battled my mini storms and I feel that each one prepared me for the challenges I will have to face as an adult. I think that when it comes to this college graduation to me I am really emotional about it cause people don't know what I went through at times. Especially when sometimes I thought of giving up and almost leaving my school for another college. I am very much serious about that. I had a support system to make me stable and to keep me grounded on what I was going through in college.My final classes I believe were the ones the challenged me mentally to show what I was capable of actually. So many people who know me, who love me, who care for me, and who have been supporters know it was not easy for me at all. It was a huge challenge but I know that I can say I accomplished the biggest goal of them all for 2010 my college graduation from Hunter College in New York,NY. I will be graduating this summer from Hunter and I can tell you this Thank you to the professors, the faculty, and the staff who gave me all that was needed to be the individual I have become.
Chloe Jewel Riccardo

"Sex and the City" the movies

I have been in love with "Sex and the City" since it first aired on television back in 1998. I was twelve years old and I didn't realize that I was going to be a fan of this show for years to come. It would become a part of my identity and a part of me as a person completely. It also would be apart of the career I would want to get into as well....journalism like "Carrie Bradshaw" played by the beautiful and talented, Sarah Jessica Parker. I love to write and have been writing stories since I was a child. However it developed for me and blossomed from writing stories...writing poem...then writing songs..then wanting to write news articles when I fell in love with the career of the character, Carrie Bradshaw. I love all four characters you can tell they really do love each other as friends and sisters. I watch the show all the time. I cannot wait to see Sex & the City 2 in theaters. I have the first one on dvd and I watch the show when reruns air. I love how they can be frank with one another, give each other support, advice, and be one another's soulmate at the same time. I look to them as my inspiration for wanting healthy, wonderful, understanding, and meaningful friendships with my girl friends. I would love for them to have all the characters reunite again but its good to see the show evolve into books, movies, merchandise,etc. I even have a sex and the city shirt too which me and my girlfriends will be buying more too.I love this show and I even attempted to have a sex and the city themed party too last year. So we'll see maybe when funds are poppin' and I have my real journalistic/reporter/ writer career. For now I have felt some situations the characters have experienced no not marriage but some of the funny issues that come across their show. Some of my friends even remind of the ladies as well a lot of their personalities. Someone told me who are you like "Carrie" of course because yes I have encountered so many situations when it comes to the Love word and relationships so far in my twenties. So yes I am like Carrie and one of my besties is so much like Charlotte actually. Samantha I know a lot of people like her and i would have to say i know a lot of Mirandas too. LOL. So I want to say congratulations to Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattral, Kristin Davis, and Sarah Jessica Parker or SJP. I love all your work and have seen your other projects too. Looking forward to seeing you ladies again on the big screen real soon.

In honor of Mother's Day dedicated to the special women in our lives

Mother's Day 2010 is coming up next week and of course this is going to feature how wonderful mothers are important to their children and relatives. Mothers are of course the nurturers, the providers, and there roles have become influential in their children's live as both mother and father. Mothers are so important they are the nucleus to holding down everything within a cell pretty much. You know how the mitochondria of a nucleus is the powerhouse of a cell. Let's put it this way your mother is similar to the mitochondria's job she is the "powerhouse" and the person who is the one who will form you into the person you will be as a child, teen, and an adult as well. I feel that a mother is so important in a child's life. I have met a lot of mothers over the users and without a doubt in my mind. All the mothers I have met they are and have made their children into the people they are now. It's necessary because they need that in their lives. I know so many times I have heard people tell me your mother is always going to be in your corner, Chloe. I know she has every step of the way. So I know how essential it is to have a mother who can protect, guide, and help you as well. I know now as a young woman that there were times I had to realize growing up that no matter what she told me there was a purpose to what was going to be helpful for me one day. Even if it meant I would have to do things I did not want to do or doing something outside of my comfort zone. I had to because it was going to make me a better human being all together. That's one thing I can say all mothers try to do for their children is give them a chance to succeed and take a chance to grow so they can become the person or the individual they are supposed to be. I was just talking to my mother last night telling her I remember when you told me I would need braces for the bottom of my teeth. I told her before we got to the dentist "Are you trying to turn me into Miss America?" and I look back on it. It was funny but then I see it now that she really was taking me to the orthodontist to perfect my teeth. Or whenever I needed anything my contacts, my glasses, going to the doctor, or whatever she has given me everything a mother could give a child. She has really raised me since day one in the hospital every step of the way. I don't want to get too emotional about it but I really do love her and cherish my mama. Lolz, every step of the way good and bad times because she has been here no matter what keeping and protecting me. I think god knew what he was doing when he chose her for me. When he chose the both of my parents actually...Okay, she's going to need a strong person around her because she needs a person who will help her mentally,physically, spiritually, and that can give her a happy life. Okay, we need a person who can give her everything she needs to become who she wants to be one day. Okay, i got the woman and the man for this...Gina will be her mother and Jewel will be her father okay. They will make her into the person she will be...she will learn how to be compassionate, she will learn how to be sensitive, not to have a big ego, she will be grounded, and she will be well-rounded, okay that's them...those are her parents bingo we got it. So I can say now, I am sooo blessed to have such a special mama a lot of people love her and even those who try to hate (yeah I said it) Lol, that they love her too. So to all the beautiful mothers I have met over the years. My grandmother, Shirley, my grandmother, Carlene, my great-grandmother,Margie, my aunts, my cousins, co-workers, my friends mamas lolz u know who u are. There are a couple celebrity mamas I gotta give some shout outs too Kimora Lee Simmons such a hard working mom I love her cause not only does she represent my mamas hometown but she's an only child like me too I love that she can do it all =) also, Beyonce & Solange's mama, Tina Knowles, Alicia Keys's mama. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

COLLEGE LIFE: FALL 2004- SPRING 2010

I am graduating from college this June 2010 and I just have to do a story about college life because believe me it has changed me so much that I can say wow how did I do that?

I came to college in the fall of 2004 I was seventeen years old with one mission in mind I am going to study Journalism or Music Business. I was lost I was confused and I couldn't believe the ride and rollercoaster I was getting ready to embark on as a young woman. I walked in there with one of my best friends, Marisa lol she's gonna get me for putting her name in my blog. But I will tell you this when her and I went out there I had no clue what was getting ready to happen to the two of us and what we would experience on our journey through college. We were completely clueless on what we were getting ready to deal with as well. When I left my high school, Cathedral High School in New York, NY with my high school diploma I was this shy young lady who had a few friends and did not know what to expect at all. I had experiences but not enough to consider myself a journalist. I came into college as a C student my GPA was so low I was lucky to even make it to college. My writing skills were poor, my math skills were not that strong they were barely strong enough to get me into the math classes I needed. I was lost during college all i can think of is where am I going and where am I going to college this fall? My guidance counselor told me the only way I would ever be able to make into college after being rejected by four of my dream colleges: Howard, Hampton, Rutgers, and Hunter. I was not considered because my GPA was incredibly low and I would not be able to go there. Plan B came in mind with the help of my mother and a large book on Junior colleges and I applied to a two-year junior college and would get the GPA up before attending a four year college. Now mind you this was post-9/11 this was right after of course the economy had just changed. I had to decide how were we going to afford college because mind you I wasn't the kind of student who had scholarships lined up for me back then. There were no scholarships coming my way at that time. So we needed a way to get things rolling that way I could enter college and afford it as well. I applied first to BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) and I was accepted but there was something about BMCC that told me no not yet Chloe not this school. Let's go somewhere else instead not BMCC. It was the last minute I needed a college to attend we were in the last weeks of the summer and I was not enrolled just yet.

Plus BMCC wanted me to take remedial courses (Yes, i said it remedial courses) but there's an upside to this though believe me. They wanted me to take 6 hour courses and I wouldn't even have credit going towards my degree. It was no fun at all it was actually disappointing because I realized there was no way I wanted to be behind. We fought my mother and I we fought together and we came up with a plan where else can I attend college?

We came up with a master plan...attend college in New Jersey and find a tw0-year college. We found two junior colleges, Hudson Community College or attend Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ I found out by my buddy,Marisa. She told me she was applying there and they accepted her as well. As soon as I got there I knew this school is so right for me. My brain, my eyes, my instincts, and everything felt right. This is the school for me to go to. The campus was gorgeous, there were live geese walking by the golf course. When I saw the college and walked inside I felt that it was right for me to be there. I found they had two majors I was interested in Music Business & Journalism. I remember telling my mother...which one do we go with...She said Journalism. There it was...Journalism. Let's go with it and on we went. I began taking remedial courses at Bergen but at the same time I was able to take classes that would be beneficial for my associates degree as well. College was different I had to learn to be independent and had to learn how to be responsible for myself. So Bergen was the school with multiculturals around me completely. There had been a big debate of choosing an all African American college or a multicultural college. I chose the second. There was so much of a thought process in it you needed to know which environment was right for you. Bergen had a helpful program when I took my writing remedial courses as soon as I got there. I would be able to take college courses and improve my writing and math skills at Bergen while earning credit. That year fall of 2004 I met the professor who would change my whole writing experience and who would change and mold me into the writer I wanted to be when I left Bergen three years later. I met Professor Berkowitz. Marisa and I took a class with him to increase our writing skills. I did exactly that. In that class I learned how to do interviews. I almost forgot that as a child I did do an interview but I didnt realize it would have a profound affect on me as a young adult. So my professor was more than helpful he encouraged me all the way. I took Introduction to Journalism with him and he encouraged us to get involved with our college newspaper. I certainly did he and I also had a love of music as well. So it took me a while to get involved with writing. I felt my skills were not up to par with the other students. Well in all honesty it was right for me. I joined the college newspaper, The Torch in Fall of 2006. It took me 2 years to get there. I believe because I needed more experience first before actually getting there. I joined and met some of the most amazing people who were kind, funny, understanding, creative,crazy, and they would define the way my life would be from there on in that office and how it would be outside as well. I began doing interviews. My first interview was with a woman titled "How to succeed in college" something like that. She gave me 15-30 mins and it helped. I met so many people who were willing to help me out as well as critique my work. That year I also had to go through the ultimate test of my life which was passing remedial math as well. I was lazy when i first got there. I did not want to make an effort at all. I was so tired and I didn't want to put in the time. I realized that in order to succeed you have to make an effort. You have to go beyond yourself if you truly want to make the best out of college. So that year I finally passed my math classes and a philosophy course as well. That year I made sure it was going to be my year. I was on the Torch for a year and I left when it was time for me to graduate in the Summer of 2007. In the Fall of 2006 I applied to two colleges Hampton University and Hunter College in the spring of 2007. I was accepted to both colleges. With the help of math tutors, english remedial classes, my professors, and all that prepared me for my major as well. I graduated with my associates degree in Journalism in the summer. Now for me Hampton was my dream college but at the time I had to realize it would be expensive. We ended up going with Hunter College in New York, NY it was back to New York City I went. I was on a journey with Hunter from the beginning. Imagine going from one college to another where you have established your life. You have friends, a place of where you feel comfortable, you feel free to express your mind, free to be creative, I was doing well and I knew this was going to hard to leave that college and manage to go on by myself again and restart a new life. Being at Hunter College the roller coaster began things had changed vastly in my academic and personal life. Things became very different and then it was time to learn how the real world works. Because I was an out of state resident from New Jersey. I had to learn how to manage everything from scratch along with my mother. My mom and I became and would become very friendly with different parts of my new college. The financial aid office was going to be our new friends. We would become friends with the OASIS office, and yes I would become friends with the Reading & Writing Learning Center in Hunter College. I had to take an exam that took me 5 times to pass! I am not ashamed at all to say this because believe me I went through work. I went through so many highs and lows in college. It has caused me to realize that when you want something so bad in life. God will put you through the ultimate tests in life. I failed this exam and I had to take CPE writing courses I did not realize what goes into writing. Mind you I am an aspiring journalist and I had to learn how to really write not just for this exit exam, but for my classes, and it would prepare me for my future as a journalist. I had three or four different tutors. I had even made the staff frustrated as well. They did not give up on me though. They believed in me and they knew this girl is going to get it. She's getting better and more successful with this exam. I also had to put myself out there in college even more before I went to Bergen. I had to learn how to put myself out there to the extent I was really out there outside talking to strangers and interviewing them. Interviewing students I don't even know. It took me to a place that I really didn't realize I had already reached. I was going to become a journalists opening my heart to individuals I don't know from all walks of life and they would get to know me. I would share there stories, they could hear my stories, and they would become the preparation I was going to need in life to become a successful writer, reporter, producer, blogger, or wherever else I want to explore. Spring 2008 I declared my major as Media Studies, Fall 2008 I would meet the professor who would change my life and the way I was going to have to deal with people and even myself. I had to put a thick shield of armor on , I had to develop an alter-ego, and I had to realize that persistence was to become my middle name. I can tell you this 2008, was a rough year for me in college. I went through the ultimate tests in my life. I could not unfortunately take classes during that time. Do to financial reasons but as my mom told me "Spring you go in there with guns blazing!" Believe me I did Spring 2009 I went in there with the ultimate preparation. I knew what to expect and I went in there with confidence and I knew that I was going to pass my exams and I was going to make it. Let me tell you by the fall 2009 I had decent grades, I met new people, and I passed my CPE (CUNY Proficiency Exam) . I developed a way of letting people see the real me. Who I am what I go through and that I have an attitude of I will never give up no matter what you tell me or what tests you will give me. A friend of mine told me a story about two butterflies and how one did not want to stay inside a cocoon because it did not want to grow from a Caterpillar to a beautiful Butterfly. Now, I can tell you this...I am the caterpillar who has gone through many cocoons to become a beautiful butterfly. Physically, Mentally, Socially, Intellectually, Personally, Financially,Professionally, and Spiritually. This year I will graduate and yes I went through the ultimate tests. I succeeded though and so many people have helped me these past 5 1/2 years. Thank you to my beautiful mother, Gina Golden, my beautiful grandmothers, my great-grandmother, my father, my stepfather, my girlfriends (my besties), all of my family, the gentlemen I met along the way (they gave me confidence and support), the Film & Media department, my professors, and ME =)!. God bless all of you. For I know the meaning of success. I may not be Magna Cum Laude but I will tell you this I know the price of an education. I will be the first on my father's side of the family to graduate with a bachelor's degree and on my mother's side I will be an addition to the club of graduate students in my family. They inspired and aspire me. Thank you College life was right for me and yes mom you were 100% right I needed skills and I needed to be in college. She and I will celebrate this day together because she really has been behind me the whole way no matter what challenge came head on for me.

Do people find their happily ever after....?

I was changing the theme on my google page and came across the Disney fictional characters, Beauty & the Beast one of my favorite movies growing up as a little girl. I also loved Aladdin & Jasmine (she was the rich princess with the "sultan" as her father) and he the poor struggling street rat as they called him. Now, as a young adult in my early twenties it makes me wonder now do people find their happily ever after? Do you actually find the person you are meant to be with in the end? Okay let's take the classic story, Beauty & the Beast I love the message behind that story after you read the real version of it not the Disney movie that came out almost 20 years ago. In the real story when the beast passed away Belle comes to his side and manages to revive him and bring the beast back to life through her tears. It makes me think do people find the true love that they have been looking for. I am not saying Mr. or Mrs. Perfect but do people find that person who they believe completes them in the end. Take a look at the disney characters, movie characters, and other fictional characters in film or media. Then look around you at people you know and try to find the people who you know. Do people find their happily ever after. You know when there are fight sequences, battles, or dramatic scenes going on in a movie. It is almost similar to life when you are going through your struggle to get to where you are. Now let's say you're in a movie with your "love interest" aren't you going to fight for the person you want to be with in the end. Similar to Spider Man fighting for Mary Jane Watson...or Superman fighting for Lois Lane...you get my drift? Do people in real life find their happily ever after? Can you truly say you found one person in your life who completed you or made you feel like this is it? I am content....I am happy, I can go on and be free for the rest of my life and know in my heart this is the person I am going to be with no matter what obstacles. No matter what storms come through, no matter what challenges come in our way, no matter what anyone in our family or friends have to say. I will have my happily ever after with this person. It is funny but when you watch movies , music videos, or even in books don't you notice a pattern that the couple who strived and fought wind up being together in the end. I've noticed it a lot. Even in some of my favorite music videos the lead person always manages to get the girl or the guy who was right for them. So my beloved blog readers....tell me Do people find their happily ever after?

If they do actually let me put it this way do they manage to look out for each others best interest at heart. Can they both contribute together at the end of the day. Do they manage to make their love work no matter what comes ahead of them. That's my point actually. I know these are fictional characters but my point is in the end they found love between them no matter what was going on in their life. That's my point they got to their happily ever after as they say. Take a look at the past of romantic comedy films the two love interests always find each other in the end. So blog readers like i said think of your own loved ones, your neighbors, the person down the street from you, people you've gone to school with also, your co-workers, your friends, and family. Did anyone manage to find their happily ever after? It kind of makes you think doesn't it?