TAKE EM TO THE JUNGLE!

I need a vacay on the ASAP! I've never worked this much in my life. It's really starting to take a toll on me actually. The bags under my eyes are growing heavier by the moment. But as I look at the accumulation of ducketts in my savings account, I won't complain (too much). But I did dip into my funds to support a duo that may work harder than me.

Source: Thosegirlsarewild.com

The lovely Shannon Boodram and Andrea Lewis of Those Girls Are Wild make working hard, making moves and looking good, look easy and attainable for all us "wild gals" out here. The website Thosegirlsarewild and Youtube pageThosegirlsarewild/videos are two outlets for young women who are devoted to mentor-ship, embracing themselves, embracing others, changing the world around us, being game changers, following dreams, inspiring others and making moves (to name a few things).

When they designed the "TAKE EM TO THE JUNGLE" snapback, I knew I had to be apart! So I bought mine over at thosegirlsarewild.bigcartel.com. And since I've received it I haven't been able to take it off! I LOVE the Kente print and the slogan, which I've interpreted as a way of saying, "Show everyone who you are. Even if you're a little crazy. Be you. Completely and Un-apologetically."


Yup, so that's that. I have to say; I appreciate them reminding me that in the end all this hard work will definitely pay off.  

....as easy as 1,2,3!

Today is my first ENTIRE day off in a while. I owe blogger my time and energy and decided to start my blogging session off with a cute tag from the Marvelous Kimberly of BANG. Please feel free to do it as well. I need to look forward to reading something for my next day off =D

[A] Age: 23 years young
[B] Bed Size: Full...I rather have more space for artwork, dream catchers and candles.
[C] Chore that you hate: WASHING DISHES! I despise it. Ask ANYONE who knows (or has lived with )me.
[D] Dogs: I've never owned one. My list of pets are limited to goldfish, a hermit crab and hamsters.
[E] Essential start to your day: Meditation, India Arie's, "Good Morning", a shower and Tazo Green Tea.
[F] Favorite color: Yellow. In all of its various shades.
[G] Gold or silver: Gold. I have yellow undertones (warm toned) so gold jewelry makes me GLOW.
[H] Height: 5 feet. 11 inches. And I'm perfectly find dwelling on the edge.
[I] Instruments you play: Where to begin?...Clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba, oboe, guitar, cello, violin, snare drum, marimba, tympani, piano (barely) and I'm probably missing a few... 
[J] Job title: BAWSE! Alright...I have two jobs which I'm actually a Supervisor at one and a Liaison at the other.
[K] Kids: Married? No. Therefore, kids: none. (had to steal this Kim!)
[L] Live: currently in da ville, but hopefully not for much longer.
[M] Mother's Name: Ohhh Evelyn. 
[N] Nicknames: Shay, Shay-Shay, Shay-buttah, M-shade
[O] Overnight hospital stays: only once and I pray never again!
[P] Pet Peeves:Folk who choose to remain ignorant when the option to be anything but is possible. Walking into bathrooms that someone just showered in. People who smack their food. =(
[Q] Quote from movie: "It does not do well to dwell on dreams and to forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
[R] Right or Left handed: Righty For Life.
[S] Siblings: only one and trust me, she's quite enough!
[T] Time you wake up: ...that suggests that I sleep...
[U] Underwear: Is this asking if I wear them? Why yes...yes I do.
[V] Vegetable you hate: CELERY. =(
[W] What makes you run late: TUMBLR....always.
[X] X-rays you've had: I don't think I've had any other than for dental procedures.
[Y] Yummy food you make: I'm known around these parts for my jerk chicken wings and Italian bruschetta.
[Z] Zoo Animal: Leaping Lemurs!

Dear June,

        It's me. Shay. You may remember me from about 31 days ago. Although the difference in time has only been  about 4 weeks or 744 hours or 44,640 minutes or 2,678,400 seconds (depending on how you look at it), some major changes have been evident all around me. Last month I was scrapping at the droppings of childhood I had left. And now that it's June I feel more mature than I did a month ago. And I've finally accepted the adult that I am.  After some deep reflection I realized that the things that seemed so important the last few years/months/days are so small when compared to the grand scheme of things. And the things and people I took so very lightly are what truly matter. A month ago I was finally beginning to think that I found good footing in the idea of living for myself. 31 days later I don't think that I understand that concept...I KNOW I do. I've mastered differentiating "living for me" from "selfishness". And I've put that knowledge into direct application. I've become a bigger person and ultimately a better person for it. I've stopped allowing my need for control to be an excuse for depression. I understand that things don't always work out the way you want no matter how much "work" you think you put into it. Life happens exactly the way it's suppose to. Everything takes place for a reason. Life's a process and I'm finally learning to love that process.

May was a life-changing month. But June....June, you will be overwhelming in an astonishing way. I'll be taking every revelation, epiphany, situation, opportunity and realization I experienced the last 31 days and make you the month I'll be excited to tell July all about.

The Abyss: Too Deep

I consider myself to be more than skin deep.

I, like the next person, appreciate something that stimulates my core. Something that allows my mind to tap into the Frontal Lobe of my Cerebrum. So I can utilize the parts of my brain that allows me to use my abstract thinking, problem solving and creative thoughts to get to an appropriate conclusion. Most times I’m usually the first of my colleagues, peeps and peers to understand that there is a hidden message or meaning behind something. I'm usually the one saying "Wow! That's Deep." and  “Oh, I get it,” more frequent than none.  Especially when it deals directly in the arts.

But this time I’m as Clueless as Cher Horowitz and Dionne Davenport in the 90’s.

My musical and lifestyle muse, Erykah Badu, has puzzled me deeply and I need to understand.  I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stand not knowing why she and band members of “The Flaming Lips”, decided to take this direction with this video. As an anti-slut-shaming promoter and a glitter enthusiast, I was down with the nudity and the glitter vomit (for lack of a better description). But someone has a whole lot of splainin’ to do (*Ricky voice*) for the rest of the vid. Let me just say that I can’t see my girl -and fellow Alum- Roberta Flack, thinking that her original song would be portrayed like this.

I won’t say anything else.

Just watch.