It's about my health, and weight IS one part of that equation.

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I'm not one to roll my eyes and get upset when people ask me why I work out.  I actually use it as an opportunity to gladly remind folks that exercise is not just about "getting skinny", but also about a little thing called HEALTH.  At 5' 3", 132 pounds, and a 23.4 BMI, I definitely don't consider myself overweight.  As a matter of fact, I've vacillated between 130 and 135 pounds since college (which was a decade ago -- OMG!), and I still wear shirts and jeans I wore in college.  I am proud of that.  Still, I have some habits that are on the opposite side of the healthy spectrum, and I want to get those habits in check.

Tan-tana-naah! Enter The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and their new challenge entitled Rethink Your Shrink!! Shout out to @ReneeJRoss for hipping me to the "Shrinkin'" game via Twitter!

All the shrink-inducing details will be revealed on December 30th, and I am very excited about the benefits I intend to manifest through this challenge.  I'm working hard to keep my membership in the Hot Mama Society (hehe!), so here's what I'm going for:

-A Shrunken Waistline: 132 pounds still leaves plenty of room for my jiggly mommy-tummy, and you can keep all the "Love Thy Self" speeches, because It.Ain't.Cute. I'm anti-jiggle where MY body is concerned, and I want to be de-jiggled, I say, De-Jiggled!!

-Better Eating Habits: I'm a late night snacking QUEEN, you hear me, and I know that's gotta stop.  I don't mean snacks like half a pickle, or a small bowl of cereal, I mean turkey burgers, peanut butter cups, or bottles of kola champaign.  I know, I know... insane!

That's it! When I get those two things in check, I'll be good to go! I exercise pretty regularly, and I eat okay (sort of!), but I need to Re-think My Shrink, and the Sisterhood is my new coach, so let's get it!  Will you join the revolution and Re-think Your Shrink?

Cosmic Bliss Courtesy of Two Perfect Planets

Children grow up so fast, don't they?

This morning, I watched our 5 year old get herself ready.  She got dressed, washed her face, brushed her teeth, chose a matching headband to keep her locs out of her eyes, then she asked me about the best color shoes to wear with her outfit. I almost cried.

Though I'm well aware this morning's events don't exactly qualify as news-worthy, I was tremendously moved by her growing independence, and it sparked some real questions in my mind.  Questions that bring with them quite a spectrum of emotions and facial expressions; smiles, quivers, giggles, deep sighs, and of course, excitement.  We are so excited about watching our daughters make their way though this life journey, and bearing witness to their progress is a gift in and of itself! To us, the girls are such powerful little planets on their own, and Kris and I look forward to seeing how their planetary shine meshes with the rest of the Universe.  Marley and Sage are so different from each other, and it is so very interesting to watch them unfold like perfect little flowers! (Sappy, I know, but that's the dealy-o!).

In terms of specifics, here are a few of the items from the exhaustive list of things I'm anxious about experiencing with them:

- Puberty (Yikes!)
- Deciding on their passions
- High school activities (in class and extra-curricular)
- Leaving the "nest"
- The realization of themselves as vastly different from me and Kris (this is already happening, but I know there's more to come)
- Boyfriends
- "Creative" declarations of their independence! (Those should be fun! Mine included tattoos, colored hair, curfew ignoring, and all kinds of other goodies!) #DamnYouKarma!

What are some of the things you look forward to with regard to your little planets growth and independence?

UMOJA: Kwanzaa never sounded this good!

I hope your Christmas was wonderful!!  Our was filled with gratitude, gift-giving, and grubbin', and whooh, it felt good!

Now, as we've done for the past four years, we start Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture, by reminding our 5 and 3 year old daughters about the principles and their relevance in our lives. For Kris and I, it is important to raise human beings who are sensitive to various beliefs, practices and people, so that when they are ready, they can choose for themselves the lines of reasoning that best fit them.  Thankfully, we are people of faith, and believers in God, so He guides us, and we listen, and our children benefit greatly from our willingness to let Him lead.

Anyhoo, today we chatted about unity, togetherness, and the benefits of collaboration with the girls.  We took a walk to the library, hung out, and had a beautifully uneventful day.  I wanted to share this great video of the girls' first collaborative Kwanzaa project.  Since Sage is old enough to care now (LOL!), we're having them do something together for each principle, and this is the result of project principle number one, UMOJA.  Enjoy!

Introduciiiinngg....That Dude!

That Dude who makes me smile when I watch him with our girls.

That Dude who still makes me feel like a 16-year-old hot chic (as opposed to a 32-year-old hot chic ;)

That Dude on the list of Insanely Talented/Borderline Mad-scientist Brilliant in all-things-design.  No, really, check the technique!

The "Visual" to my "Voz"...GO CHECK HIM OUT.

Merry Christmas, Blogosphere!!

FROM US TO YOU!  I LOVE MY BLOGGY BUDDIES!!!!

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Entrepreneur - Fear = Excellence

Vlogging is starting to feel right. I'm really liking the idea of "talking to you", and capitalizing on opportunities to have "conversations" that blossom into ACTION.



It's my second attempt at "video production", so pardon any evidence as such. Subsequent videos will be shorter, I promise, but this had to come out of me and into a public forum, so I tried not to edit my thoughts as I know the words only come through me and serve to help someone else.

Resolutions, Inspiration, and Plain Old-fashioned Honesty

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Resolutions, goal-setting, and life enhancement are among the principles that take center-state on our minds and in our conversations this time of year.  Many of us, especially as mothers who can easily fall victim to the condition of forgetting about ourselves, tend to use this time to think of how next year can be better.  Seth Godin had THIS LIST on his blog, and I want you to take a moment to read them.  He prompts us not only to ask the questions, but also to ask "why" after each one.  Let me tell you, those questions really had me thinking, and some of my answers made me uncomfortable, while others made me feel pretty daggone great!  I think the questions were brilliant because they were designed in such a way that spoke volumes into our lives, no matter where we were in our journey.  Also, the questions were wide open in that they gave us room to create honest answers (if we dared), hopefully with the goal of being proud of our answers in the long run.

So, I'm breaking out the Way-Down-Deep List!

I was so inspired by that list of questions, I created my own, and I'm encouraging you to do the same.  Let's get honest with ourselves, shall we?  And I don't mean that surface honesty that says "I'm working on it." No, Ma'am, I mean that way-down-deep-daggone-it-I'ma-go-there deep.  The depth that pulls from a place that knows nothing but the REAL!  It may be painful, it may be difficult, but it could also turn out to be just what you needed to get where you want to be.

What are some of your questions? Here are some from my list:

Am I truly in this for the long haul?

How much am I willing to sacrifice to see my business grow?

Am I blocking my success with my fears?

Do I trust myself?

Do I need to change to succeed?

Am I as far along as I think I am?

Is anyone actually inspired by my work?

Will someone find this book to be good enough to publish?

Am I organized enough to yield the results I desire?

There's more, and for me, just the process of creating the questions is powerful.  I want you to experience this too, because you deserve answers -- don't you?

Alicia Keys Disses Jay-Z for "Better" MC! A Fall-out-laughing Friday special!!

Okay, I'm going to stretch this reach a bit here and say this video TOTALLY relates to Execumama-hood because Alicia's piano playing skills would make anybody's mama proud! There, it's relevant!

Though I'm sure many of you have already seen this, I could not resist posting it here for a quick giggle.  Lord knows, with this money-spending, gift-demanding, calorie-increasing, way-too-many-get-togethers-having season in full swing, I for one can use a good laugh!


Watch this until the end -- trust me!

**Big shout out to SoulBounce for hipping me to this gutbuster!!**

WWBD Wednesday: Who you callin' a snoop?

Sooooo, what's the deal with reading your child's diary?  My BFF posed that question to me the other day, and sure enough, as Universal Law would have it, the situation presented itself in our home.

Snoopy or sensible?  Intrusive or imperative?  Ridiculous or rational?

Marley, our oldest, keeps a journal.  I bought it for her when she started leaving notes on Kris' and my desk asserting her feelings.  The notes were typically written in response to not-so-happy experiences, such as losing a privilege because of her behavior.  I write too.  I've always written, and knowing how writing helps me to stay in touch with the who/what/how-the-hecks of my inner workings, I thought it appropriate to get Marley a journal and see if would help her too.  Um, she has four journals now, so I think Mama did good!

When I got her the first journal, I explained to her that it was a private book for her to write her private thoughts, and share them only IF she wanted to.  I told her that journal writing is like praying on paper, and that only she and God need know what's in her journal, and that sometimes, even when we think the words might hurt someone's feelings, our journals never think that, so it's okay to write whatever we feel.  And write she did/does.  She takes a journal with her even when we're going to the grocery store! I LOVE IT!!

Anyhoo, the other day, she and I weren't seeing eye-to-eye on a particular issue, and as always, we sat in front of each other to talk through as much as I deemed necessary or as much as she would sit for.   When we were done, she went upstairs—normal for her, as she usually wants to be alone after she's been reprimanded—and I thought she was going up to journal.  How about hours later, when I was tucking them in, I saw that she had scribbled some disappointing words on the "family portrait" she had drawn months earlier and hung in their room!! I was too through!!!

I've chosen not to share what she wrote, but it was definitely hurtful and surprising, plus I felt confused about how to handle it because it felt very confrontational to me that she chose to share that on a "highly-visible forum", as opposed to her private journal.  Then I though, Daaang, homie! If you wrote that on your prized artwork that you knew good and well I would see, what did you write in your journal?!  I can't even front like I wasn't .2 seconds from planning to grab her journal when she fell asleep.  She doesn't put it away because she knows Kris and I won't read it unless she invites us to read a particular entry, and Sage still refuses to read anything without pictures (lol!) at this point, so it's safe wherever it lays.  I thought about that, and I decided I didn't want to ruin that level of trust.  Further, I prayed about it, and what I received was that she had the right to her thoughts, whatever they were, and that it wouldn't help anyone to read it, because talking about what I read would probably create all kinds of paradigm-shifting in her beautiful li'l mind about parents saying one thing (that they're allowed to write whatever they want in their journals) and doing another (chastising them about their private writings). Yeah, um, so not ready to rock her world with that concept. She's five, for God's sake!!

I'm glad I didn't read her journal; it was absolutely the right thing to do.  But the situation definitely leaves me pondering whether the time will come where I feel the need to read her journal, and if so, would I handle it as I did the other day.

I asked Kris his thoughts, and here's his take:
"If I suspected that [either girl] were involved in something that was in opposition to how they were raised, then yes, I would [read it].  Overall though, I don't have a problem with searching "their stuff" because they don't actually own anything in the house.  A diary, however, is very personal, and they're entitled to a sense of privacy in what they write in their personal journals."

My BFF, a soon-to-be Execumama, said:
"I pray that [my children] and I will have an open relationship where they feel they can talk to me about anything.  If we have that bond then I probably wouldn't do it."

I called my cousin Natalie, a youth crisis psychotherapist, and I'm happy to share her professional perspective with you in hopes that, on the chance you encounter a similar situation, her words help:
"No matter their age, children's privacy should be respected, because they are individuals too.  However, that privacy should absolutely be violated, as a last resort, if you find that your child is acting outside of her normal behavior. For example, if she's withdrawn, or losing weight, or gaining weight, etc.  You always want to start by talking about it first [before resorting to diary reading or searching book bags, etc.], though.  And, you should not talk to them from an accusatory or combative perspective.  Instead, tell them what you've observed, and remind them that you are responsible for them and that you want to help.  On the other hand, if mistrust has been established, for example, if they're a teen who has used drugs or skipped classes, then instead of 'snooping', tell them up front that you'll be doing random sweeps of their rooms, bags, jackets, and even diaries, so that they know what to expect, just not when to expect it."

Well, WWBD? (What Would Bloggers Do?) - Ha!

The Conversation Needs To Be Had, Damn It!

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I was just telling Kris last night how much more important it is for me to exercise regularly during these winter months.  I tend to up the ante on the warm brownie, waffle fries, and porridge intake (especially at night), during these colder months.  This habit has obviously poor health implications by way of increased/excessive sugar and carb intake.  Add to that the lessened morning 5-mile walks and/or trips to my kick-butt Align & Define classes, and you've got actions that work in direct opposition to my goal of a healthy body, inside and out.

Am I alone?  What sort of indulgences get you through the winter months?

I've written about our health on my main site in the past, and I've been tentative about writing about my perspective on weight on my blog because I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, or come off "preachy" or "better-than-thou".  But, you know what? The conversation needs to be had, damn it!  It is not my intention to chastise anyone for what they weigh, but instead to share what I've observed, and encourage those of us who, like me, look for encouragement and motivation anywhere we can grab it, when it comes to this issue called Health.

I came across the above photo of the Precious star Gabourey Sidibe while reading through Our Health Movement, a wonderful blog that addresses the need to "ignite a movement to live better".  The article was written by Vanessa, co-founder of GirlTrek, and it stirred me up something serious! When I look  at that picture, what I feel, truth be told, is sadness.  I'll say it now, so that we can move forward -- this talented young star is OBESE. Not a little overweight, not thick n' sexy, not big-boned, not curvy, not phat, but OBESE, and it's far from okay.

I am so frustrated and saddened by the rampant obesity that plagues people in general, women in particular, and Black women, to be even more specific.  Research the statistics! They're everywhere, and they scare me!  The worst part is that these habits are passed on to our children, and I know we've all seen the overweight children chomping on burgers, drinking sodas, and inhaling ice cream, as if all is well, and they aren't on a fast track to diabetes, hypertension, increased risk of certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, and more! Source: cdc.gov

The Office of Minority Health, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gathered some mind-rattling data about OUR percentages of obesity among our children and adults.  View them here  

Then I read an interview with Gabourey where she said she didn't have the desire to lose weight, and that she would only lose weight if she wanted to.  She also stated that she was glad to find that she didn't have to lose a lot of weight to get roles, as she'd been told she would have to.  I think there's an undertone of positive self image that is important to recognize, and even applaud.  In this society where a size 2 is considered the ideal, and a size 8 is considered "Plus sized", it is important that our girls know they are beautiful because God made them that way, period! Yes, self-esteem and positive self image are integral parts of overall health, mental and physical, but we are not being truthful (or realistic) when we support the idea that being almost 300 pound is "beautiful"! Health is a part of beauty, specifically when the health issues are avoidable.  A young cancer patient with a bald head from chemo is the epitome of beautiful, because she is fighting for her life, and surviving.  But an obese young girl in cute clothes and a ton of talent, is DYING, that's what she'd doing!

What are we teaching our children?  What have we accepted as "normal" or "unavoidable"?

I have a family history of diabetes, and Kris' family has a history of hypertension.  Those were among the reasons we chose to raise our daughters with a much healthier lifestyle than the one we have.  I'm certainly not saying that I'm the perfect weight, or that I'm the blueprint for healthy eating.  I'm open about my habits, and that's in part because I know that it takes support to get where I want to be.  No, I'm not where I should be, but I am healthy, as much as is within my control, and so are my children.  I owe that to myself, and I certainly owe it to my children to not pass on the poor habits that I have when it comes to food.

Balance. Eat what we need, and exercise more.  Let's get back to the basics, and let's start this week.  I'm truly horrified by the reality that we're killing ourselves and our children, and the weapon of choice is FOOD!

I KNOW it's easier said than done. Do it anyway.
I KNOW it's difficult to keep up healthy habits when we are so busy with work/family. Do it anyway. 
I KNOW that before you know it, you're looking in the mirror wondering when all the weight piled on.  You put it there, so fix it!

Harsh, but true.  But this week, we can do better, we can be better, and we could carry that through to the rest of our lives.  We can be examples of how to be healthy.  My suggestions are simple, and I welcome yours.

The 3-30 Rule: At least 3 days per week, get at least 30 minutes of exercise.
Split it up! You can do 15 minutes of exercise twice per day for 3 days, and you still get the benefits!
Increase your intake of fruit, veggies, and water, so that you still feel full, but not from unhealthy foods.
Find a Fit Pal! Grab a friend and get some exercise.  Rely on each other for motivation and support.

YOU DESERVE TO BE YOUR BEST SELF!!! Let's start today!

My Entry for the Kia Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes!

Kia to Akilah: Hey, would you be interested in winning some super cool stuff by way of responding to a question via blog post?

Akilah to Kia: Hmm...what kind of stuff are we talking about? It has to be something I really want, because I've sworn off giveaways unless they truly rock.

IT TRULY ROCKED!  Don't believe me? Fine! See for yourself!

To enter the giveaway, I was asked: If I could take my family on a road trip anywhere, where would it be and why?

Key West, Florida - that's where.  A mere 12-hour drive would get us there, and I could go for a conch fritter or three right about now! My dad used to take my brother and me fishing there, and even though the fishing part bored me to tears, I loved the unhurried pace of the scenic town with its quaint sidewalk cafes, unmatched sunset views, and of course, the food, the food, the food!  Many aspects of Key West reminded me of home, and since we're not heading back this month as planned, Key West would do just fine for now.

My dad would rent a blue scooter each time we went, and I swear, I felt like he was the coolest scooter riding dad in the world when he got on that thing! He'd point out the island's botanical treasures and treat us to fruit smoothies in glasses almost bigger than our heads! Meh-mohh-riiieees!  Yep, Key West, Florida, that's definitely where we'd go!

Where would you go if you could manage an impromptu road trip with the fam?  Trust me, you want to comment here, because one lucky commenter on the winning post will receive a $100 Target Gift Card! Woot-woot!

(Sort of) Wordless Wednesday

Daddy. Father. WAHD.
Captured here fulfilling his multiple roles as father, provider, work-at-home-dad, and jungle gym, Kris serves as a model for a couple of depictions of the welcomed "challenges" of working from home with a little one not yet in school.

Notice the mess under his desk? That was her "secret clubhouse" for a few minutes prior to me taking this shot.

Nice and sleepy now, yet she refuses to take naps because they are for "zero year olds, only!" (Her words, not mine!)

The Kreative Blogger Award, I dub thee "Cool!"

My fellow Islanda Mama, Teresha—with whom I also happen to share a tendency to dub first borns with names that remind folks of a certain reggae music legend and global peace ambassador—gave me an award that I think is kinda cool! Teresha is fast becoming an LDH (Long-distance homie) of mine, and if you peruse her blog, you'll figure out why.  Her posts are diverse, humorous, and very all-things-mommy, which I LOVE! Usually, I graciously accept blog awards (because I think it's insanely flattering to be chosen for anything good in this big ole blogosphere), but end up not following the award instructions because they seem so time-consuming.  This time though, I'm in! Sort of!

The instructions for accepting this award are:
1.  Share 7 things my readers probably don't know about me
2.  Name 7 other blogs to receive this award (here's the sort of part, b/c I only chose four :)
3.  Leave a comment on each of the blogs I've nominated
4.  Name the person who has bestowed this great honor upon me

I tried to omit any TMI stuff, so let me know how I fared, please.  Obi-kaybe, so here are...

7 Things You Don't Already Know About Me

1. When I was about four, I tried to take a large pot of porridge off my grandma's stove and it spilled on the left side of my face and shoulders.  The marks totally disappeared from my face and the bit on my shoulder just looks like either a birth mark or a human rendition of continental drift.

   2. Senior year of high school, an awful teacher threatened to have my scholarship revoked because I "tried to turn her students against her". Um, we exchanged words outside of the classroom, and she ended up crying, and I went back into the classroom, scholarship intact.

   3. My dream job ('94 to '97) was to work for American Express.  It just sounded cool.  Go figure!

   4. I used to fight in my sleep.  I actually gave my mother a busted lip once when she tried to wake me from a nap.  I swear, I was sleeping :)

   5. Kris and I lived at a volunteer school in northern California for almost 7 weeks while training to go to Zambia for an HIV/AIDS awareness project.  We didn't go because, um...the headmistress and I exchanged words, and she ended up crying, and we left that night.  (I know, I know...pattern).

   6. There's a slight chance that I'm still afraid of the dark. I said slight.

   7. I can eat an entire box of brownies in one sitting.  Not in a once-in-a-while fluke kind of way, either.

The Four Bloggers To Whom This Honor Shall Herein Be Bestowed are...

Val over at My Best Decade, because that's my mama 'nem, that's why!

MaryJane at Maire Dodd, because I find her work to be nothing shy of riveting. She can take anything and make it into something you want to dress up in!

Shannon over at Espinoza's Love, because I love her posts, with their wide open, straight-no-chaser flavor!
Joyce the Writer over at Enjoyceing Life, because she's a writer writer, hands down!


*Important note: There were at least five other blogs I wanted to name, but they strike me as too private to respond, which is cool, because sometimes, the things you don't know about someone are unknown because they don't care to share them.  I get that. Trust.

Scented Sunshine & The Entrepreneur: This Month's My, She's Fly!

As you read these words, think about how they relate to you and your life.  Do you know when to walk away? Does NOT walking away affect your ability to live at a level that serves your fullest self?

Knowing when to walk away, when to dismiss the things that no longer serve you, can take practice - lots and lots of practice.  I find that if I keep the mindset that every day is an opportunity to train myself to be the person that feels right—not the one that looks right, or makes the most people happy, but the person that feels right to me—then oftentimes, I stop perceiving situations as being affected by "lapses in my judgment" or "mistakes", but more like free weights or pull up bars -- basically things that serve to build and tone the muscles that help me to be strong and feel right.

Please check out this month's My, She's Fly, Itiel McVay of Smell Goods 1998.  I found her words to  be spot on with many of the issues that rest on my mind from day to day.  Like me, she's raising two Warrior Princesses while she runs a business from home with her husband.  That particular lifestyle comes with an abundance of opportunities to self-train, and her wise and insightful perspectives are exactly what the Execumama credo is all about! I talk more about insisting on your fullest self on my main page this month.

Snippet...

The Execumama Credo is to Define, Design, and Live your fullest version of woman.  How do you do strive to do that each day? 

Each day I wake with thanksgiving in my heart and mind.  I am happy for another day to get IT right.  I purposely live in a mindset of peace and integrity.   Things do pop up to try and move me, but I am a fighter in nature.  I fight to keep myself out of my way, so that I can live my fullest potential.  My fullest potential at being a wife, mother, business woman, and woman.  After becoming a mother, I soon realized that I did not have to tolerate nonsense.  If things are not productive for my business and life, does not bring peace and balance to my family, and is negative, I walk away from it.  I always strive to be like the Virtuous Woman.  I live knowing that I am spirit first, and that what is seen physically is to just survive on this earth.  Therefore, I have matured into defining, designing, and living my life by my spirit.  I have also matured into not taking myself too seriously. I know now that it is never too late to be what I might have been.   READ THE REST HERE

Sage on a Sunday

Here's what happens when you send Sage-Niambi to her room...

Mind you, she wasn't sent there for "misbehaving".  I needed a few minutes to finish a project, and her dad was on a call, and since I was working upstairs (where her room is), Kris had her come upstairs where I could listen in on her while I worked.  She was wonderful! I didn't hear so much as a peep.  This would be why...

Notice how her bed and pillow are stripped linen-free? That's because she was dragged them off, and also pulled several toys from the play room, and boxes of shoes from the closet, and laid them out in her room.

Normally, their room is pretty vanilla, and that's intentional.  In our house, bedrooms are just that -- rooms that contain beds, and perhaps a chest of drawers, that's pretty much it.  Their bedrooms are for winding down, quiet time, and sleeping.  Apparently, the entire rest of our home (save for my office and the basement) serve as a pretty sweet playhouse, as evidenced by the books, toys, crayola products, and coloring book tear-outs strewn across our floors!  I stopped fighting that war a long time ago! Instead, I mandate that they clean up one area before they move on to another (and if you're considering commenting to tell me that's irrational -- um, take a number!).  I also leave 30 minutes for clean up time (yes, 30 full minutes because they play for 20 of those minutes - lol!) before heading upstairs for bath time.  I call that compromise, they call it annoying...whaaaaatever!

That's the Sage on a Sunday scoop; nice and messy.  She would approve.

Do you allot clean-up time before bedtime too, or do you have them clean up as they go? I'm open, people! Gimme some insight here!

Mommy Escapes: The Lit Edition

What better way to escape (other than hopping on a plane to Montego Bay) than through the pages of a good book.   I LOVE to read! I love books. I love authors. I love thinking about what authors think about as they're writing the books that I love to read. Yessssirrr, whenever I can, I shamelessly employ the talents of writers to gain reprieve from...well...from whatever I don't want to be foolin' with! My two latest reads were so scrumptious and beautiful and intricate and memorable, that I had to share! Check 'em out!

No reviews on my part (save for the whole "scrumptious and beautiful..." bit), just information (and two thumbs up :)

The Sisterhood of Blackberry Corner, Andrea Smith (Dial Press, 2006)

What Was Lost, Catherine O'Flynn (Holt Paperbacks, 2008)