Lessons I’ve Learned: 2015

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Man, it’s hard to believe that in 15 days, I’ll be ringing in a New Year. New Year’s Eve makes me mad now. Not because I don’t want to welcome a new year; I’m earnestly thankful for it. It’s one of the biggest nights of the year and the question always boils down to What to do?

Honestly, I always prefer staying in. I don’t need no V.I.P table, no dress, no after party, no big plans. I don’t need to be doing something. If I had my way, all my family would be in one place– preferably out of the country, celebrating life. If out of the country is not possible, then in someone’s home. I’m at the stage in life where home is enough. I mean, there’s unlimited alcohol and you don’t have to drive nowhere! What can be sweeter? The only downside to bringing in the New Year at home is thinking about spending it alone. That’s not fun. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but not preferable. My plans this year are still undetermined. I can say, however, they will involve staying inside somewhere.

Even as I type this, I don’t feel like the year is over yet. It hasn’t really hit me. Maybe once we are officially on school break, I’ll start to believe it. Recounting my experiences this year, the bad ones come to mind first. Yea, I’m sure they inspired growth. But they still sucked. Maybe once I’m way over this hump… and over the anger, the disbelief, the ouchies of 2015 I’ll be able to truly appreciate it. Right now, I’m still angry. That’s okay. Things take time.

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Montego Bay, 6.6.15

I’ve also had some blessings this year– I turned 30, moved out on my own officially, got into some consistent individual mental health therapy, and have been practicing with my CCC’s! I gots letters behind my name now! I am on my way to becoming a self-sufficient, responsible adult. Below are the top 4 lessons/posts of 2015. I published my first post on GT in June of 2011. This year, I published 30+ posts. Thanks to you, I can continue to have a safe space to create and write things that come to my brain. Toast to 2016!

In case you missed them, my personal favorite posts of 2015:

Know Yourself, Know Your Worth

She’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Open Letter to Future Clinical Fellows (SLP)

I’m 30 Today (VLOG)

It’s not surprising that my posts revolved mostly around work. I was doing a lot of that in the beginning of the year. I have a much better work/life balance now. So much better that I am opting to add more work to my life. These include passion projects, supplemental income and hobbies. I pray your holidays and New Year’s celebration is safe and enjoyable!

Share with me one lesson you learned in 2015!

Happy Holidays,

She

Lessons I’ve Learned: 2015

Dude, Where’s My Crown?

crown (noun) crown

1. any of various types of headgear worn by a monarch as symbol of sovereignty, often made of precious metal andornamented with valuable gems.
2. a similar ornamental headgear worn by a person designated king or queen in a pageant, contest, etc.
3. a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth — to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance.

Source: Dictionary.com

What an exciting week! Not only did yesterday mark the official kick-off of the World Cup 2014, but Orange Is The New Black is back for Season 2 and we are almost halfway through June! I see nothing but good things in store this summer. Let’s venture through my week, shall we?

10. It’s my last month in my first apartment in D.C. ‘Tis bittersweet. On one hand, I can’t afford this overpriced place, but on the other hand it’s going to be hard loosing my “space,” getting used to the “temporary” living conditions and living out of my luggage. But hey, at least I can save some money this summer to hopefully be able to make Toronto happen.

9. Funny story. Howard’s health insurance covers services which are provided by its professional schools and hospital. I go to the dental school…for the eye candy AND to further my oral health. The last service on my treatment plan is the replacement of my crown. Crowns are not necessarily made to be replaced, they tend to last for many years but my crown had seen lots of wear and tear since I suffer from bruxism (fancy word for I grind my teeth at night while sleeping)Also, my crown was made from porcelain fused to metal and I had worn it down so much that some of the metal was starting to show. In preparation for a new crown, the student doctor takes a mold of your mouth and send it to the lab so the technicians can make you a brand spanking new crown. In the meantime, you get a temporary cap. The cap is meant to allow you to protect your tooth but it is not made from any substantial material. It is meant to mimic a real crown so the material does harden like real crown.

I know you’re wondering when I’m going to get to the story. So, here it goes. I got a temporary cap on Monday. Yesterday I ate some pasta and chips for lunch. I was leaving the house for a rooftop party and brushed my teeth. Except, I looked in my mouth and my crown was missing. I proceeded to inspect my mouth. Had it decided to pay another tooth a visit? Did it get stuck on another tooth by accident? Did I swallow the temporary crown? Dude, where’s my crown? I have no idea what happened but I blame it on the chips. My student doctor assures me I won’t die from ingesting a temporary crown. If something happens to me, you heard the story here first.

8. Orange is the New Black, Season 2 is back in full effect. Some people binge-watched the whole season in one weekend. I like to thoroughly digest each episode so I won’t do that. I’m thinking about the best way to generate posts about some of the episodes I really enjoy. I must say there’s a lot more storytelling this Season around, all of the episodes seem really heavy and “full,” if that makes sense.

7.  It’s been humid as I don’t know what here in D.C., coupled with rain and thunderstorms on and off. One minute, the sun is blazing, the next minute the clouds come threatening.

6. World Cup fever begins! I must say, I really enjoy watching the NBA Playoffs (go Spurs!) and the World Cup. It’s like a world showcase and I look forward to finding some local bars here in D.C. and taking in all the highs and lows on the road to victory!

5. I got a personalized mouth guard to prevent the wear and tear on my teef at night. Since I still struggle to remove my contacts every night, we shall see how well I do with my new responsibility.

4. Yesterday, I got 2 parking tickets in one day. It made me re-evaluate how often I should be driving my car around the City. One ticket, I deserved. I had been parking in Howard’s parking lots without permits for months now. I got caught yesterday. The other was on the street and although it’s only $25, ain’t nobody got time for tickets!

3. Summer in D.C.= shenanigans, rooftop parties, bbq’s, good books, writing, picnics, good ____, brunches, happy hours. ALL in moderation.

2. Costa Rica plays their first game this Saturday, June 14th at 3pm (EST) (tomorrow!) against Uruguay. They are in a group with ALL past World Cup winners, ain’t that some….

group D

1. I’m turning 29 next month! Don’t have anything planned, not planning anything. My only prayer is that God never removes his hand over my life. I’ve been so blessed so far, life is good. I cannot complain.

Talk Back to Me,

-She

QUESTshuns for you

1. What country are you going for? (World Cup)

2. Have you ever had a dental mishap?

3. Do you watch OITNB? Why or why not?

4. What are you looking forward to this summer?

Dude, Where’s My Crown?

Shaine and Sauvaneah

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This is Shaine Demarco. She does not like bones in her chicken. She does not like to wear winter gloves or for people to sit next to her on a bus.

She likes to smell like a lemon tart when she comes out of the shower. She likes to read the O magazine and also likes friendly drunks.

This is Sauvaneah. She does not like foam soap. She does not like when people mispronounce her name, since she’s named after her birthplace; Savannah, Georgia.

She likes online dating. She likes to check out more library books than she can read. She likes to eat turkey bacon with her hands.

This past weekend, Shaine and Sauvaneah got to know each other while visiting the nation’s capitol.

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They saw statues, houses, and monuments.

They hugged cows and wore blue suede shoes.

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They witnessed a gay man twerk the room.

Queens Hookah

Most importantly, they nurtured a friendship that was years in the making.

Shaine and Sauvaneah

Where I’ve Been: 2012

2012 had more re-locations than actual leisure traveling due to the fact that I started the first semester of Big Dawg Graduate School. I am here for the next 2 years with the expected graduation of 2014.

I went from rural to a smaller city, one that seems to have fit me just fine. Here’s a little peek into the rural life.

https://vimeo.com/52804120

Where I’ve been in 2012:

March 2012 (Montreal, Quebec, 2nd visit)

Snowy Wonderland
View from the top of the hill of the City…

Entrance to University Bed&Breakfast
My ex’s name was on the Welcome list, creepy…
Bed & Breakfast is highly recommended: University B&B is the name
Stairwell in B&B
Stairs to the largest Basilica in Canada…
Known as St. Joseph’s Oratory
View from the top

People climb the stairs on their knees in prayer, in belief that ailments will be healed.

C.R.E.A.M.
The place that sold the cheapest Poutine around…

What is poutine? It’s only heaven on Earth. A fast food delicacy of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.

Montreal’s greatest treat: Poutine
Poutine Bliss…couldn’t get enough

June 2012 (New York City, summer) Read my Summer shenanigans post!

July 2012 (Evanston & Chicago, Illinois) Full post about my adventures, read here.

August-November 2012

(transition to Small City, USA)

I cut my processed hair off in August and am now 100% natural again!

From this…
To this!

No plans to travel for December 2012 since I want to invest some money in certain important matters, more on that later!

Any travel plans for the holidays for you? Do you like travel during the holidays?

Where I’ve Been: 2012