Monday Motivation: Be Good (Lion’s Song) by Gregory Porter

Be Good is her name, I trim my lion’s paw and I cut my mane. And I would

If I could, but that woman treats me the same.

If I watch this over and over, eventually I will form all the pieces of the puzzle.

For now, I’m just mesmerized by the surface beauty.

What do you make of it?

Goodbye 2012: Last Lesson

I wanted to do a nice recap of My Fave’s of 2012 and I guess I can still do that on the first day of 2013. Since I’ve finally made it to the Sunshine State (Florida) after a long 5 days in Bawston visting my father (& his girlfriend), I’ve taken this day to do a lot of lazing around since my mother brings in the New Year in church and one can’t inconspicuously sleep there. Anyways, I’ve decided to go with her since last year around this time I spent New Year’s in somebody’s club and I felt uncomfortable, mad and over that whole scene.

5 days was the longest time I’ve ever spent with my father after 27 years of life.

I learned a lot about this man through observations, verbal exchanges and watching him in daily routine.

I came to Florida with a new-found respect of the work-in-progress relationship I have with my mother.

Last night after picking me up from the airport she comes in the room and has the ceiling fan going and then turns on a stand alone fan. I don’t like to be cold while I’m laying down so I go “Really though? it’s cold in here.” She says: “I’m going through the changes!”

I couldn’t help but crack up. She is a very unique lady, and she gets me. She doesn’t take my sometimes brash way of expressing myself as disrespectful. She laughs at my dry sarcasm. She sits in silence with me and knows that I’m observant and think a lot before I speak. And if I don’t speak…that means I don’t have anything to say.

I feel grateful to say that I have a parent who knows me. And accepts me. It’s not a perfect relationship, but it’s a relationship.

On another note, I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Please be safe out there and here’s to a prosperous 2013!

Boom Boxez a Make Her Danz!

Any last lessons you learned during these holidays?

-She

2012: Year in Pictures

This marks my 133rd post, 2011’s ReCap in Photos post was number 38 so if I can calculate correctly this year I’ve written roughly 95 posts! Not too shabby…

10. I started off the year filing applications for graduate school, and then experienced Rejection. Followed by the redeeming power of Acceptance. {Jan-May 2012}

9. I finished my pre-req’s in Speech Language Pathology! {May 2012}

8. I learned of my acceptance into my dream school, including my selection to receive a grant fellowship. Preparation began for subsequent move. {May- July 2012}

7.  I woke up and was suddenly over this guy. I turned 27 years old and worked 2 jobs for the first time (full time and part time). {July 2012}

6. I cut my hair, again. {August 2012}

5. I indulged in life in a new city and met fellow bloggers and people from Twitter. {May-September 2012}

4. I started a new relationship. {November 2012}

3. I survived my first semester of graduate school and celebrated the end of the semester by attending a Wig Walk. {Dec. 2012}

2. I will be splitting the holidays with both parents in two different states. My first time ever traveling this much at the end of the year, but I’m thankful! {Dec. 2012}

1. I learned the importance of believing in yourself! Even when you don’t feel worthy, or smart, or beautiful…don’t be so hard on yourself. You were made for this moment right now, so seize it!

Happy end of the year to you! Hope it’s treating you well!

Best,

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