Things She Loves

Simple things that make me happy.

• black & white photos
• hand-written letters
• handwriting
• buying things in bulk (not food necessarily)
• flawless curls
• stationery
• clever bathroom signs

• Feel-good music
• When a  (wo)man walks past me, but their (good!) scent remains
• Sleeping and/or napping
• unexpected kindness
• cereal and ice cream together
• kind words
• chicken wings (especially tips)
• funky nail polish
• Spring weather and all its newness
• Admiring women’s high heels shoes, not necessarily buying them
• Girl’s Night Out

• lists
• banana pancakes
• most warm cereals (not grits though)
• compliments
• candles
• fresh linens
• carefree fun

What are some simple things that make you happy?

 

7 Things I Don’t Pretend to Be Good At

7. Checking Voicemail. I presume when I return to work, I will have an excuse to check voicemail. But at this juncture in my life (a full time graduate student) all breaking news do not come in the form of entering pins and listening to automated voice prompts.

6. Shaving. I talk about not liking to shave a lot. I really don’t like to shave my legs. On the scale of 1-10 with 10 being the last “To Do” on my list shaving makes number 11, right after checking voicemail. To make things worse, when I do shave (at the adamant request of others) I usually leave a long trail of hair in the back of my legs. I suppose if I had arms that swiveled all the way around, this wouldn’t be so hard.

5. Makeup. Have you noticed the bags under my eyes in my vlogs? Dark spots? Blemishes? I don’t even put makeup on for vlogging. Why not? Because when it comes to brushes and pencils, I don’t know the difference. I’ve never learned how to blend, foundate or whatever other terms are used to put masks on. I keep things natural and the circus moments at a minimum.

4. Washing Dishes. Can I take care of the dishes for you? are not words you will ever hear me say. I tend to do double takes at my own dishes with crust and other unidentifiables still on them when I’m looking for a clean plate. Dishwashers were invented for people like me!

3. Flossing. You probably think I’m some nasty pig with hairy legs at this point, but hey, I am not ashamed at my non-flossing past. Past, I say, because I’m changing this bad habit after my last torturous visit to the hygenist. Flossing is life (at least 2 times a day).

2. Putting an outfit together. I truly believe this was part of the reason why my ex and I didn’t last. When I am fashionable, it’s usually some random happenstance and not because I planned it. For the most part, I am proud to say my outfits are not dictated by magazines, or what’s in season. I want to be remembered by my smile, a life-changing accessory….

AND THE NUMBER ONE THING I DON’T PRETEND TO BE GOOD AT….

1. Small Talk. Even saying it annoys me. And I’m not the only one to think so.

“It’s so incredibly warm today” “What do you do?” “Can you believe those Ravens?”

What are some things you don’t pretend to be good at?

You Tracing? (Picture Heavy)

I’ve named this second love child of mines GlobeTracer, so how’s ‘bout we talk about some travel today? Now, I know you may be wondering how I can consider myself a GlobeTracer when I don’t do much but talk about Costa Rica (topics like where my journey started, random things I miss about Costa Rica, and informative fun mini-lessons) and every now and again I talk about my little get-a-ways. Well folks, if you’ve been around long enough you would know:

1. I LOVE MY COUNTRY. And I will never get tired of talking about it. 🙂 Once you visit, you’ll be versed in why.

2. Short get-a-ways are for survival’s sake! Take them as frequently as life allows.

 I’m officially in the season of mini-get aways. Since grad school became the goal, budget priorities changed. I’m sure anyone shelling out $40,000 in tuition for a Master’s program can attest that your life drastically changes when you chose that route. So I’ve come to embrace GlobeTracing as a state of mind. A state of being away, of shutting the busyness out without spending a dime or money to get there. That basically means when I daydream I’m picturing myself getting ready for my next trip. It also means I’m reading lots of summer travel stories, and making my vision board (whenever I settle in and can locate my travel magazines) so I have NO doubt where I want to venture off to when that vacation time and money line up. Mentally GlobeTracing requires lots of imagination. And in reality, when you sacrifice and fight for a trip—you enjoy it that much more. So don’t be discouraged if you can’t go where you’d really like right now, remember grasshopper; Patience has its own rewards.

Speaking of fighting for trips, earlier this month I fought to make it to Chicago, Illinois. My friend was getting married at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. I begged my father for standby tickets, scrounged some little change together and got on a plane the day of the wedding, and came back the next day. Talk about short trips. Let’s venture, shall we.

RULE #1 of SHORT TRIPS.

Take more pictures than you normally would, to make it seem like you did more than you actually did.

Panoramic view

First Perk of the Trip… First Class upgrade. Breakfast of Champions!

If breakfast and seat 1C weren’t exciting enough..behold, a woman pilot! My first time seeing one.

I’ve LANDED SMILE! Now, time to navigate the trains.

Old NYC habits die hard…

Hmm..might be a long ride.

Finally, the hotel! Walking distance to the school’s Chapel!

YES! All the single ladies, with a married one in the bunch…

Communion- sharing of the holy sacrament.

RULE #2 of SHORT TRIPS.

Be flexible. Remember that you won’t be able to see EVERYTHING in one trip. Enjoy where you do go, don’t rush it.

Day 2 Millennium Park and Downtown Chicago. Couldn’t leave Chicago without trying the good ol’ pizza!!

Check out what these Towers at the park do…

Art students

Where the Locals go…

Don’t mind if I do…

For one please…

Pizza-stuffed with cheese? *gulp* BEFORE

AFTER

RULE #3 of SHORT TRIPS.

Avoid pulley-bags or heavy messenger-type bags. They cramp your style if you’ve already checked out of your hotel and have to sight-see with your luggage.

Tourists? Ain’t no tourists here!!

Skyscrapers close to a coastline of water one can actually enjoy- this makes no sense!!

Are you Tracing? Physically or Mentally? Where to?!

Take me with you,

She

Things that Are Rocking My World

Teach Me Norwegian?

• The generosity of strangers
• Apartment hunting from a distance
• Jill Scott’s lyrics where she reiterates ideas by changing the word order.
• Reiterated message of ‘Write a book!’ Topic/Title still unknown.
• Pitbull’s life motto seems to be the word “DALE!”
• Childhood Nostalgia. ie: this song
• Finding and watching old home videos or photos
• Facial piercings I see with no rhyme or reason. Recently I’ve seen an earring where dimples rest and piercings on cheekbones, among other places.
• In 4 weeks, my life as usual will change. Change my life as usual in 4 weeks.
• Should every writer attempt to write a book?
• The more social media I use the more socially-deprived I feel.
• Unexpected chemistry.
• My love affair with the high bun.

• My mother is the Hallmark Queen. A rare breed.

• Wearing other people’s shoes or raiding other people’s closets.

• End of time dancers in this video. I love men that look super masculine dancing!!! Check out the white boy in the second row tho!!

• How my smart phone has replaced my book reading time.
• Girl crush on Alexandra Joner from J. Coles ‘In the Morning’ video (see first picture)
• Miguel station on Pandora playing very sensual songs.
• Camera phone lets me capture every moment in a flash!!
• Savoring NYC sights and window displays.

Peek-a-boo Chrysler Building!!

• Curls!!

What’s rocking your summer right now?!!

SPEAK!

-She