I pray everyday that I can continue on this journey with you. You are the reason I can fly high. You give me life! We’ve made it through a 2010 of ups and downs (more downs than it felt like we could handle) but here we are in 2011 and still going strong. Let us not allow these things to make us forget all the wonderful times we had and the beautiful things we’ve seen.

Let us remember that even in the worst of times, even when it seems we have nothing left… we have each other. You have me… Sometimes it’s ok to burn up in ashes and let there be a rebirth… a renewal… rise up like a Phoenix and fly! Bigger, better, stronger… more beautiful… I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this past year and after riding this roller coaster I’m ready to build my own amusement park. Looking forward to seeing you inside!

Love always,
- Shontelle
Happy New Year Xx

R.I.P. Jewel. This is for you and all the others like you…

Today I visited Lakeside High in Augusta, Georgia “as a reward for students at the school, winning a contest discouraging teens from texting while driving.”

HD 98.3 Program Director Chuck Whitaker played I huge role in making this all happen by having the station host the competition. He said, “We feel compelled to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving, especially to our newest drivers,”

My sentiments truly echo Chuck’s especially because it is our generation, who are the “textaholics” We can’t seem to go 1 minute without checking our Blackberries and various smart phones. Even iPads have become a source of distraction.

But there is just no text, or email or even phone call worth losing a life over. NONE! If it IS that important, carefully check all your mirrors, find the nearest safe place to pull over and handle your business.

When I was a little girl, I almost lost my own father to distracted driving. And he wasn’t even texting! He simply glanced down at his phone to see who was calling. When he tried to swerve to avoid crashing into a roundabout, he overcompensated and over steered right into a ditch. He had to be rescued using the Jaws-Of-Life. My father ended up in the hospital for half a year, completely paralyzed. He spent his birthday, mine, my 2 sisters and mom’s, Christmas, New Years and a more bedridden, unable to walk or move. We thought he might never move or walk again. I cried for weeks. It was so hard to visit him and see his beaten, battered, scarred body, just laying there limp and unresponsive. Even after his release from the hospital, he spent years in physical therapy trying to recover and he still walks with a limp to this day.

Please don’t text and drive! Don’t do ANYTHING while driving! Just DRIVE. FOCUS ON THE ROAD. Not only because you want to be a safe driver, but also so that you can avoid accidents caused by other reckless drivers. So many have lost their lives or have now been seriously harmed because of another distracted driver. Also discourage anyone from texting or using any device, or consuming any intoxicating substances while you are a passenger. If they refuse, GET OUT! Save yourself! (…)

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL BLOG ON SHONTELLE’S TUMBLR

Life has really changed for me. Sometimes I’m in tears, I get so emotional because all those little faces and they’re freaking out because they love your song, and you’re standing right in front of them.

That’s not something that I grew up experiencing, so when one day your life is normal and the next, you’re going to the airport and little girls are like, “oh my gosh! Impossible is my ringtone!”…so that’s one of the ways life has changed.

Other than getting very exciting and being able to live your dreams, I do realize that all these little girls that are fans look up to me and to my music. so now I find myself being to conscious of everything I do and say because I’m thinking some 12-yr-old out there is looking at me and probably thinking they should take an example so I’m trying to keep myself in a light that even my little sisters could look up to me and be proud.

Maybe it was just being born the oldest sister (I have 2 younger sisters), I always naturally had that nurturing sensibility, always trying to look after people, and lead and guide, stuff like that. It’s almost like I had no choice because you don’t choose to be the oldest, but when you are you sort of always have to be responsible.

So now I find myself being to conscious of everything I do and say because I’m thinking some 12-yr-old out there is looking at me and probably thinking they should take an example so I’m trying to keep myself in a light that even my little sisters could look up to me and be proud.

This doesn’t only apply to me, there’s always someone out there who looks up to YOU! always try to be a good friend, and example.

Be safe everyone until next time… I love you all <3

- Shontelle Xoxo