A cup of Chivalry has died; a manly man's cup of reminder.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not referring to every guy out there but its just an observation that has been on my mind these couple of days. Maybe this could be a reminder for guys to polish up and maybe you can learn one or two things for the guys in this generation today who still have that hopeless river of good manner, respect and chivalry for them to freshen up!

1. Stand Yo ass Up. nuff' said.

This is traditional etiquette and it's defiantly not hard to follow that standing when a lady enters/departs from a room. This is also applicable to an elderly person.

Let's set an example, gentlemen, don't just sit your ass' on the sofa when she's leaving, get up, at least say bye to her face. Walk her to the door, properly.

common, let's face it, a grunting goodbye across the room while your ass is on the sofa watching TV doesn't show your attention nor your respect.

2. Doors.

hopefully guys know the rule of holding a door for a lady. but let's just establish this more clearly when opening the door step out of the way so that they can pass while doing so, it's common to follow up with a nod and an, "after you".

Revolving doors? don't worry, I got yo back!  Go first and say, "allow me" before you do so she doesn't think you're just pushing in front. push the door round for the lady who follows in behind you.Don't go too fast and smack each others backs (it hurts in heels).

guarantee you these two are sure to get you a smile from a discerning lady.

3. Go first.

This is a no brainer for most and you guys might think of it as if it was nagging but she walks in first because you are holding the door for her. This applies in movies,concerts, dinners, etc.

On exit from the row,  you will be leading, so stand at the end to stop anyone from cutting off your partner as they exit the rows in front, and allow her to exit in front of you then walk beside her.

4. Tables.Enable.

• Try to serve for the lady you came with, but never ever for a lady who came with another gentlemen.
• I know this may be a bad habit but keep your food in your mouth and not make disturbing noises as you eat.
• ask to be excused. In the accompany before guests or family.
• Keep your volume down. I hear you, you're sitting across from me. Boisterously is not hot.
• Don't force them into having something in which they have already declined once.

5. Get yo alarms set.

Considering I am quite bad at time managing I use this tip with great guilt but It shows respect, good planning and personal timekeeping and reliability.

If you are running late, then call the lady. If she doesn’t answer her phone, call the restaurant to make sure she is aware of what is going on and not left to become unnecessarily anxious.

If you are having to rush to meet her  after you have phoned,  make sure you take a minute or two to ‘catch your breath’, compose yourself and straighten yourself out before you go the final stretch and meet her.

6. Talkity. Talk. Talk

Remember there is two of you for the relationship to work. We love it when a man has his own thing goin on but If you catch yourself talking for too long apologize and turn the conversation.

Be enthusiastic and positive, no matter what they are saying, even if it is boring or not! This will put them at ease and more relaxed so a conversation will start to flow.

Try to avoid topics that evoke emotion like religion, politics and money. These may get you caught up in debate that is more suited to the comfort of your own home rather than on your date.

Laugh!

7. Getting Comfortable

It is your place, as the man, to make sure that your date is comfortable at all times. Do not  keep asking her if she is comfortable, but to notice if she is looking cold or shifting in an uncomfortable seat and take appropriate action to remedy the situation.

If you spot a puddle, you may be comfortable of just going right through it but don't drag her.now throwing your coat over it like in old times is a little extreme, but just make sure you both avoid it somehow.

Offer your coat if she is cold when you are out and about. Women tend to dress lightly since they hate to have too much stuff to carry around, so you should be prepared to sacrifice your coat or jacket to keep them warm (or getting them out of the cold is another solution!)

8. Yo eyes shine bright

It establishes that your undivided attention is on them.

Make sure that you genuinely are paying attention to them so that they feel they are the only person in the whole place. If you look around the room or look at other people then the person talking will assume that you are bored and looking to get away.

A good rule with eye contact is to look at the spot just in-between people’s eyes. Don’t stare for extended periods of time, take a quick break by briefly looking at something else and then come back, otherwise the talker could become uncomfortable and you will get one of these!

9. You. Yourself. and oh wait, there's her.

Unless you are pro at lying (which isn't a good trait) people can usually tell when you are exaggerating, if not immediately. They will some how find out and it will screw up your game.

It has also been said that women are 10 times more sensitive to body language than men, so if you are lying or exaggerating, there is a good chance they will know it!

If you try and be someone  you are not, you’ll only trap yourself into lying in the future to keep up the pretence, or  having to be called out which will make you look worse than if you just tried to be yourself.

10. At last

Just some quick tips:

• make sure she gets home fine. 
• make an effort to dress fresh, fly, and smell good
• don't be rude to others on a date. You look like a jerk.
• compliments are a plus but mean it
• try to pay for the first tab. **for gals: unless you want to be a gold digger. offer to pay.**
• Don't waste your time and date when you are genuinely single. none of this " well I am kind of seeing someone" bullsh!t.

<3 enjoy.

A cup of this type of love

I love Shihan and have been a long time since i've been a big fan!
We need more men like this in this world <3
This is a twist on Shihan's poem that has more of a female influence to it but, be sure to check out his version on youtube! (I put a link at the bottom of this post)

but most of all enjoy! :)

I want a love like
Me thinking of you
Thinking of me thinking of you type love
Or me telling my friends more than I’ve ever admitted to myself
About how I feel about you type love
Or hating how jealous you are
But loving how much you want me all to yourself type love
Or see how your first name just sound so good next to my last name
And shit I wanted to see how far I could get without calling you
And I barely made it out of my garage
See, I want a love that makes me wait until he falls asleep
And wonder if he’s dreaming about us being in love type love
Or who loves the other more
Or what he’s doing this exact moment
Or slow dancing in the middle of our apartment to the music of our hearts
Closing my eyes and imagining how a love so good
Could hurt so much when he’s not there
And shit I love not knowing where this love is headed type love
And check this, I want to place those little post-it notes
All around the room so he never forgets how much I love him type love
And not have enough ink in my pen to write all there is to love about him type love
And hope I make him feel as good as he makes me feel
And I want to deal with my friends making fun of me
The way I made fun of them when they went through the same kind of love type love
Only difference is, this is one of those real love type loves
And just like in high school
I want to spend hours on the phone not saying shit
And then fall asleep and then wake up with him right next to me
And smell him all up in my covers type love
I want to try counting the ways I love him
And lose count in the middle just so I have to start all over again
And I want to celebrate one of those one month anniversaries
Even though they ain’t really anniversaries
But doing it just ‘cause it makes him happy type love
And, check this, I want to fall in love with the melody the phone plays
When none of us dialed into it type love
And talk to you until I lose my breathe
he leaves me breathless
But with the expanding of my lungs I inhale all of him back into me
I want a love that makes me need to change my cell phone calling plan
To something allows me to talk to him longer
‘cause in all honesty, I want to avoid one of them high cell phone bill type loves
And I want a love that makes me regret how small my hands are
I mean the lines on my palms don’t give me enough time
To love you as long as I’d like to type love
And I want a love that makes me st-st-st-st-stutter
Just thinking about how strong this love is type love
And I want a love that makes me want to cut off all my hair
Well, maybe not all of the hair
Maybe like I cut the split ends and trim my bangs
But it would still be a symbol of how strong my love for him
And check this, I kind of feel comfortable now
So I even be fantasizing about walking out on a green light
Just dying to get hit by a car
Just so I could lose my memory
Get transported to some third world country just to get treated
Then somehow meet up again with you so I can fall in love with you
In a different language and see if it still feels the same type love
I want a love that’s as unexplainable as he is
But I’m married, so he’s gonna be the one I share this love with.

Check out his performance on Def Poetry Jam

A Cup of Enlightened Prospect

I’ve learned … That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned … That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned … That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day.

I’ve learned … That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned … That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned … That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned … That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned … That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned … That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned … That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned … That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned … That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I’ve learned … That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned … That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned … That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned … That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned … That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned … That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned … That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned … That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned … That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned … That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned … That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned … That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I’ve learned … That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned … That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.

I’ve learned … That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

a cup of the cold past.

why is it that everytime I go back for another post is when I'm at my all time low?
I've been in this new country for 2 months and will be back home in about a month time.
I don't know how I feel about leaving and returning back to reality. I've learned so much about myself and my family while here. I guess I'm in a bittersweet agreement at the moment.

I am so unbeilevably loved. Yet right now, I want to go home. I know I'm gonna regret this post when I go home and read this back but I miss home.

a cup of cold bitter espresso

I just feel unloved. Im not holding on so well.

Maybe it's the lack of sleep i've been getting the past few nights.
I'm glad i'm getting a break and leaving for a while.
As of now, I feel like the world is against me.

sorry did i forget to take off the wrapper from the tea bag?

I've been all over the place the past month.

I need to step back and just see things in a bigger perspective.

breathe.

don't give up now.

a cup of YOU

You. Yes, you. I am writing this for you.

I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you. No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it’s not. I am writing this for you.

I want you to know, life…it’s hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.

You should be happy. You are gorgeous.

I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun’s warm rays on your face. Or that cold wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?

You are alive.

Everything will be okay:)