Hi guys and gals!
Have posted two new blogs on elle.com. Would love it if you could swing by and leave some comments.
http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/09/the-thrill-of-the-thriftstore-hunt-.html
http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/08/on-the-hunt-for-a-job-and-a-home.html
Again, I don’t care if you love me or hate me, I just want to get people talking about homelessness. I’m still wading through the “fan mail”, both good and bad. Please know that I will get back to you, even if it takes me a week. Things just revved into high gear, I totally didn’t expect any of it, and now I’m muddling through as best I can. I also have a couple of job interviews coming up, so between that and interning for E. Jean and blogging for ELLE, I’m swamped. Which is fantastic; I love being busy and keeping on my toes! Just please understand that I will be getting back to you. I swear!
Also, for those who have added me on Facebook… I do want to be your friend! Honestly! However, that is my private FB for my “in-person” friends from school, etc. So what I’m going to do is set up a separate FB account for all of my online friends, and then I’ll be contacting each of you and adding you to that FB account instead. Please don’t think that I’m dissing you, that’s totally not the case. I’m just trying to retain a bit of my privacy, and I don’t want to submit my friends on my personal FB account to an overdose of info on my current homeless circumstances, etc.
Thanks to all for your support and encouragement. I have received letters from all over the world saying that I have encouraged/inspired or touched a nerve. I have heard from currently homeless people, formerly homeless people, soon-to-be homeless people, and those who have never been homeless at all but just wanted to drop a line. You guys are the ones who have encouraged and inspired me. I am heartened that the direct mail and comments on this blog have been 99.9% positive. Yes, there have been some naysayers, but mainly on other news articles, and many of them have made assumptions, or have not familiarized themselves more with my circumstances, my philosophy, or current statistics on homelessness. And that’s OK; I knew to expect this going in, and I’m trying my best not to read negative comments on other sites who may have picked up the story. I’m a big girl and I can take a little mudslinging 
Thanks to my long-term followers as well, who have come on board tGGtH at varying points over the past 6 months. You know who you are. You guys are awesome! I wish I could figure out some way to bake a giant cake of awesomeness to thank you for your humor, love, support, and generosity. I’m still working on that, but in the meantime, I can at least say “thank you” a jillion times.
~Bri
Bravo Bri!
Your story and your personal passion for inspiring action to help our homeless and eradicate this condition is near and dear to my heart.
Congratulations on your success with Elle.
May your courageous spirit and determination birth lasting abundance.
A jillion hugZ,
Sonya Carmichael Jones
http://www.freelancewritermarketingcenter
http://twitter.com/B2BCopywriter
No need to say thank you a jillion times. Just don’t forget we’re here for and love you and Matt! =)
Cheering you on from here in Canada girl! YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!
xo
*claps hands* Am busy baking some virtual banana bread for you to share around… ;P
Oh and BTW, did you see the RRW article about your internship yet? http://is.gd/2OzgD
Yay for new blog entries! Am scurrying over to read them now
Huzzah for the photo, too! I love the hair!
I just wanted to drop a note and say congrats on the job with Elle. I read about you at
http://www.insidetech.com/news/articles/5777-homeless-blogger-scores-a-job-with-elle-magazine
I’m sure you will become a success!
Bri – I love how the universe works – although sometimes this appreciation occurs in hindsight, yes? Life is utterly amazing and you are deeply blessed with this opportunity to open minds and hearts. Who better?
@sacredactivist
Bri
I just wanted to congratulate you on your so-far success! I found your blog through yahoo news and because of my own current circumstances I was immediatly drawn to read everything. Seeing how far you have come has made me realize that I can do the same.
My husband of 12 years left me last year in July, because I had no where to go and due to other things, we both decided it was best if he kept out two young children and he moved to another state. They are 8 hours away and I haven’t seen them in 3 months. I’m devestated by all of this. I’m living with my parents and I’m unemployed but I’m currently attending college online. I was approved for a grant and a loan. Within a few weeks I will be getting a check from the school and I plan on moving to where my kids are. I won’t have a place to stay so I will be staying at a pay by the week motel, around 150 a week. I am so scared, I’ve never been on my own before. The resources you have provided here will help me with my own homelessness that is to come. I can’t and won’t stay with my soon to be ex husband. I love him so much but made mistakes that can’t be forgotten…..I am literally at the bottom clawing my way to get back up with a family that doesn’t want me and no real friends to speak of. The only thing keeping me going are my wonderful children that need me to be strong and get on my feet for them. Luckily regardless of my mistakes and his, me and my x-husband are still friends somewhat, though it is hard to even talk to him he is my only support for school and to get on my feet as far as emotional support goes. It isn’t much but I know I can make it. I’m doing great in college which surprises me. That is a bonus to anyone else that is homeless but has the benefit of a laptop and internet, go back to college, it is easy to get approved for a grant from FAFSA and a loan and the disbursment they send you within 90 days is enough to help get you on your feet if you are in a lower cost living area like myself. Plus the government is very helpful to college students as well. I am going for a degree in business, I want to start my own pet apparel business! When I get that off the ground, the first pet clothing I am going to make is a personalized shirt for Fez!!! I have a very tiny chihuahua that has been my rock since my husband left me and she is so awesome, her name is Tink. It would be funny to see the two of them side by side, Tink would be a meaty treat for Fez!! Lol !!
Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone out there.
S~ and Tink
Hey honey lovely to read all these comments and yes you are an inspiration and enjoy the internship …..
Loved both columns honey xxxxx
I’m so happy for you Bri, and I’m honored that I’ve been able to play a part:)
Hi
I recommend you join the Google AdSense
mud slinglers beware, Bri is a fantastic warrior and strong ane well, all that stuff. just found your blog recently and you are such and inspiration. please, ignore the negative and stroke the positive. kisses and much love
mud slinglers beware, Bri is a fantastic warrior and strong ane well, all that stuff. just found your blog recently and you are such and inspiration. please, ignore the negative and stroke the positive. kisses and much love…
you are an amazing creature, and you are a doll
meh. for being homeless and jobless you sure ain’t losing any weight, so you’re at least eating. I’m not impressed at all.
Dear Blackie,
Thank you for your comment on my blog.
As you have pointed out, having to live off of cheap food for 6 months has not done my figure any favors. However, I can always lose weight. Unfortunately, tactlessness and bad taste are forever.
Best Regards,
~Bri
Dear Bri,
You are an inspiration to everyone. Don’t listen to the naysayers or the trolls like Blackie, who probably waddled to his computer to write that after gorging himself on nachos and french fries.
There are too many idiots out there who have nothing positive to say, and clearly don’t have any empathy for others. Life can sometimes hand you a raw deal when you least expect it, and you are handling your situation with grace and tenacity. The best of luck to you– I look forward to following your writings in Elle, and surely other publications, in the future.
—Ashley
Why do you rarely if ever see immigrant homeless? I rarely if ever see Asian or Latino homeless. Why is that?
You have inspired me and given me hope! Thank you so much and keep up the good work.