a boring recap of my life in recent times.

The past few weeks have been extremely hectic, but good at the same time. I have yet to take down my Christmas tree. Do not judge.

one:

I left one of my jobs and got a new one, so for two weeks I worked three jobs. Plus school. Plus sorority. Plus rehearsal.

two.

Speaking of rehearsal, I am doing Vagina Monologues in February! It's exciting, though there are some things a bit unnerving that I couldn't put my finger on until reading another woman-of-color's blog post about being in the Monologues. So many thoughts on race and empowe

rment and feminism running through my mind right now.

three.

I got a sew-in. A weave. Extensions. Whatever you want to call it, I got it. It's extra long and I feel really DIVA in it. The thing is, this is my first one, and I wassuper nervous about it. I'm not that kind of girl. I kept my hair the same most from middle school until I graduated college (with the exception of braids here and there.) The past year has brought some changes. I cut it last October or November, got kinky twists and stopped relaxing in July and now I have a weave. Super long. I love it. I think I might blog about my thoughts on hair another time. It's full of politics, and morals and feelings and stereotypes for Black women, at least.

four.

I've been eating crazy. And not that I want to diet (another post), but I do feel a lot better when I'm feeding myself things that aren't processed too much, full of salt or something like that. With that, I finally bought a few groceries. Because eating out these past weeks has been expensive and kind of icky feeling, even when I wasn't (which was most times) choosing fast food.

five.

I took an out-of-towner on a Detroit adventure. Finally. Love.

six.

Speaking of adventures, I got a new camera, but I fail at taking pictures while I'm out. I want to post more pics on this blog, so I need to get to it.

UPDATE || the past is also a present.

I took the time to read posts from one of my old blogs (does anybody remember Xanga?) and it's amazing to see how much of changed. It's also interesting to see how much has not changed. When I looked at the blog, I really enjoyed the style in which it was written: candid, a bit poetic, and straight from the heart. I guess I didn't think about what I was writing the way I do now. I feel like this blogging is a bit more deliberate or calculated as opposed to the blog posts of my younger self.

One thing I'm thinking about doing is sharing some of those older posts here at . . . and i drink cups of tea. I think that will lend me a bit of inspiration and allow you to see a bit of me a little bit more.

Finally, I think I'm going to start back with my list-making. It's a good way to cover a bunch of topics or feelings or just update what's happening in my life in a short period. If you're reading this, let me know what you think.

Oh, and the above picture is of me in kinky twist. LOVE them.

LIFE || list time.

one.
I have to get all my wisdom teeth pulled. Ow.

two.
I love how quiet the snow is. And how pretty it glistens. I hate that I have to drive in it/ trek though it for class and work. Ugh.

three.
I really want to go out. Or somewhere. And party. I am bored sitting in this house lots of times. Give me ideas please! I'm in need of fun!

four.
I love people. I love so many people. This makes me happy. And I'm glad to talk to/get closer to people more and more. You always learn something new about the person sitting next to you.

five.
Still no B-day plans.

six.
Super excited about V-Day and cupcakes.

seven.
I wish we would get snow days at universities. Doesn't usually happen.

eight.
Fun.

nine.
Love.

ten.
I think I'm at the end of my list. Thanks for reading.

IRL ||morning randoms for you.

1. Clearly, I think I'm missing my housemates. But I will be in Detroit for the rest of the week. . .

2. Spent the morning with Faith Evans and the fabulous Chaka Khan. Lovely.

3. Feeling weird because every time I listen to "You Gets No Love. . . " this line always stands out: "Just because I let you get some, that don't make you the one. We ain't even in love. . ." And I like it. Just bad.

4. I am kind of obsessed with the new BEP's "Boom Boom Pow." I listen to it whenever it comes on. I kind of think it's a silly song too, with Fergie's screeching in the middle.

5. I want, like, a bizillion dresses! I think I might start switching over to a mostly dress/skirt wardrobe. I think that would be fun. I've been slipping into jeans and t-shirts lately. Like, real t-shirts-- not the fitted ones with the flattering necklines, but like standard 2X t-shirts. Get it together Miss .renae.

one.
One thing I enjoy about being finished with classes and finals is that I can do whatever I want with my time, including waiting impatiently and excitedly and nothing else, if it so suits me. Well, I choose to do so today and will until close to six tonight. Love.

two.
Last night was photos and blogging. I support this blog: www.urbanskydiving.blogspot.com and the fun, pretty, conscious, serious girl who is writing it. Unlike mine, I'm sure this one will have a focus and a point.

three.
Over break I plan on going to Mercury Coffee Bar. Probably more than once. I am looking for people to accompany me. Thanks. I also hope I can fit in a Friday Night Live at the DIA.

four.
Happy-making thing(s) include: witnessing fly hair, photo shoot on a Tuesday night, presenting my last final project, safe travel in the snow.

five.
Yeah. I really like Common's new CD. A Lot.


Listening to Common "Make My Day"
"Yeah i think i like her because she really makes my day. . . "

i'm making a list. . .

. . . and checking it twice. Or thrice or lots of times. I have been pondering what my goals will be for the New Year.
I am happy to say that I have fulfilled a good portion of the goals for 2008:
I took a dance class; I went to Grad School and got closer to what I want to do with my life; I tried something new; I took a risk; I got closer to my sisters; I went on a date; I prayed more prayers of thanks than those of want; I got knitting needles and learned a stitch; I flirted; I stood up for myself; I put myself down less; I enjoyed the beauty of my body, what it looks like, what it can do, and how alive it can feel; I gave up dieting and embraced living.

Now here are the biggest things I want to do in 2009:

Health and Movement Goals:

• Take a yoga class. ( I've already looked into it and found a class that is open to lots of body types and does a lot with modifying positions for those types. I am waiting on a brochure in the mail for registration)
• Continue with bellydance. (Duh. )

Personal Growth Goals:

• Read at least one book for pleasure during the semester
• Sewing lessons with goal to build my own corset.
• Knitting lessons (or self-teaching) with goal to knit scarves.
• Take more photos of the occurrences in my life. Blog about important ones.
  

Relationship Goals

• Continue to appreciate the love that I have, in all of its manifestations. Bask in the love shown and offered to me by family, friends, loves, etc.
  
• Build stronger relationships with the above people.
• Stay open to knew experiences in and of love.
  
• Reach out to old friends or lost ones.
  

I will keep my progress posted here. I am excited for 2009. If it is anything like 2008, I am sure it will be nothing short of an adventure and a hell of a personal journey. . .


Listening to Robin Thicke "2 the Sky"
"Will I be rich? Have everything I want? I stop myself and look to the sky. I gotta give myself up to the sky. The only truth is in the sky"

happy-making thing of the day

Or Things:

1. Early lunch with someone I love.
2. Painting in the scene shop. There was something calming taking my mind off of life to paint a few set pieces.
3. Coming home to a lively house. And cookies.
4. Dinner on the way. Yay!

I am one happy girl. I get to live with a houseful of people I absolutely love. I have a family that I am going to see tomorrow, even if I have to wake up excruciatingly early to do so. I have friends who I get to see over break and I get to experience new things almost daily. I get to experience love from so many places. I had a calm day. I want to hold on to where I am right now, because it is warm and I love it.

Oh, if I know you, could you comment and let me know you're reading this. Because, well, I'm nosy.


Listening to "Save Tonight" Eagle-Eye Cherry
"Save tonight and fight the break of dawn. . . "

finals finally finished

Well, not quite, but the bulk is done.

So I decided to make this blog public and try not to censor myself too much, which is a bit frightening. But, if people are interested in my uneventful life, then they should be able to read away.

Anyway, besides the little-sleep-getting because of finals (I made a fierce headdress for my costume class) I had a very interesting week. This is why:

One.
I stubbed my toe and couldn't dance at bellydance class and therefore, I will not be in the recital. My toe is feeling better now, though

Two.
I spent a lot of time with my younger sister and we had some bonding time and a few, deep heart-to-hearts.

Three.
I watched a lot of Wife Swap while working on projects.

Four.
I only cried once.

Five.
I had fun with my(new) chapter at our Christmas party. It is amazing how I met a soror a few years ago and now we are in the same graduate chapter. I think we are going to be friends. I also scored a yummy candle and Macy's gift card! Yay me!



Listening to Kate Nash's "Shit Song"
"baby don't give me shit, 'cause I know that you're full of it. . . "