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.

UPDATE || broken

If posting is slower than usual, it's because something went very wrong with my computer. Hopefully, it's fixable. Luckily, there are school computers and family laptops and phones with data plans that will keep me connected. And all in all, it's not so bad at my apartment without it so far. I just can't listen to the music I love so dearly, though I do have my iPod to keep me company.

So, I'm hopeful, and I'll be thinking about interesting things to blog about. And hopefully, also, sometime in the near future, I'll be able to acquire my dream computer.

UPDATE || wanna share? the music summer

I love music.

I love it because it's always a journey.

The journey I love the most is the growth I, the listener, can have with an artist. I don't know these people, but I remember "meeting" them through the music and what impact their music had on my life. Sometimes the music makes me think, other times it makes an new genre click for me, and even more times it just lets me widen my horizons.

I fall in love with lyrics, voices, textures. And I want to write about it. And I have written about it. I've charted my musical journeys with Kevin Michael, Robin Thicke, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, and Nat "King" Cole. Now I want to hear other stories.

I am looking for guest bloggers

to share their journeys with their favorite artists. When did you meet them and how have they influenced your lives? If you're interested give me a buzz!

UPDATE || changes? pt.2

. . .and i drink cups of tea has a new layout! I really like it. It's fresh and clean and fun!

I am now working on the organization of the content. I talk about everything here, but i feel like it needed a focus. From now on you'll see a category before each title. The categories are:

LIFE -- posts on how i may see life/ am learning to see life

LOVE -- views on love and relationships
MUSIC -- posts related to music
ART -- posts related to art
FASHION -- posts related to fashion/ plus size fashion
FOOD -- about food, of course
UPDATE --- posts that are just me checking in or let
IRL (in real life) -- posts related to things going on in my personal life

I'm also trying to figure a schedule of when to write in each category to keep me writing regularly here. I'm not sure yet.

I think that this organization system will work for me and mostly be great for all who read this blog. I'm really excited.

Feel free to leave some feedback! I'd appreciate it.

UPDATE || changes?

I've been thinking about the format and direction of . . . and i drink cups of tea lately. I know that I want to change the format of it a bit, maybe follow some sort of theme. I'm really not sure though because the content here is all over the place, and it's been a semi-personal blog for most of the time I've had it. I don't even think many people read it, you know? But I'd like to make it different or bigger somehow.

There'll be a few changes in the coming months and I also will be more regular with posting. Thanks to those who already read . . . and i drink cups of tea so far! Comments and suggestions are welcome! Please and thanks.

And just for good measure, The new Beyonce video "Why Don't You Love Me":

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

IRL || hi y'all!

Just wanted to say that I'm officially done with my second year of grad school. This past semester was tough. Winter semesters are not my favorite. On a good note, I'm free. And will have more time to blog here and there.

Also, if any one knows of a job I should apply for for the summer, please let me know? Ok? Thanks.

"Peace and much love to ya!"

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." — Marilyn Monroe

Yes. Yes. Yes.
Today's been pretty bad, disappointing, sad. I sometimes feel alone, and I'm thankful I have people who stick with me when those feelings come and when they go. They don't leave me when I'm down. They deserve the me I love to be.

IRL || happy founders' day!

So January is a heavy month for NPHC Founders' Days. I've been waiting patiently all week to celebrate my organization's day!

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Happy 90th Founders' Day!
Ee-I-Kee!

UPDATE || christmas.

Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good night.

I hope and pray that everyone is enjoying this holiday season.
I had one of the best Christmases ever.

UPDATE || back again.

I am finally done with finals. I've designed and constructed a cute 40's-inspired (but maybe not as much now) dress; I've adapted a novel and directed it (it was fabulous); I've written a literature review; and wrote a business plan (which was well-received).

I am proud of myself for accomplishing this and more as there are little niggly things that go along with all of those assignments.

I am also very tired. Very tired. And my house is a mess.

Besides that, I am glad to have a bit more time to blog. Although I've had lots of schoolwork to do, I spent a lot of time thinking about stuff. Because thinking is what I do. So sometime between now and . . . I don't know, you'll be able to read my ramblings about love, marriage, growing up, body issues and stuff like that. That's all been on my mind. And I like to say what's on my mind, or at least I am starting to begin to say what is on my mind. Ha. How do you like that?

Anywho, I am excited to be done with the semester. I've met some really great people. I've learned a lot about theatre and myself. I'm figuring out where and how I fit into the scheme of things. I even have a chance to feel giddy once in a while (or more than once in a while). Life is good. I think that's the gist of it. Life is just good. It may not be terribly adventurous or even the exact way I want it to be. But it's good.

Yeah.



now playing: the entire christmas musiq album.

UPDATE || on the topic of being thankful:

I am thankful that I was able to be a part of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. I was a singer and my life was greatly enriched by being a part of this organization. I knew once I graduated from the program, I wanted my career to be in the arts.

Take time to vote so that they can have more funding to continue to allow young people express themselves and get quality training in the performing arts! (You have to fan Chase Community Giving in order to vote.)

UPDATE || updating.

My life has been extra-hectic lately.
I moved into my new place (Whee!) and started my new job. They both have taken a lot of me with unpacking and learning all of my job-ly duties and such.

On top of that, I got tonsillitis or something again. Fortunately, I got to visit a doctor and now I have antibiotics. Yay! Coupled with Tylenol, tea, and not doing much other than work, I've been keeping the feeling-miserable down to a minimum. Well the physical feeling-miserable.

Emotionally, life's been topsy-turvy, but I'm getting through it.

I look forward to writing here more often. I miss it. I just need to decide how I want to focus it.
Until then, live and love and laugh. Life is short.

UPDATE || it's been a long time.

I feel like I've been missing for a while.
I have a few topics brewing in my head. Hopefully I'll be able to sit down soon and share these ideas with you.

Thanks for your patience,
a.renae.