she's your queen to be

we made eye contact for a few seconds

i turned my head blushing at the sight

of his beautiful brown eyes interlocked with mine

i quickly glanced back towards his way 

wondering if his chocolate skin showcased any rosy undertones

i found myself walking closer to get a better view

from ear to ear his smile lit up the universe

the stars were jealous that night

"Hi, my name is..."

"...Queen" he interrupted.

"soon to be my Queen, I only hope"...he finished.

I hear an echo in my soul

I can't say enough how awesome Instagram is.  So I randomly saw a beautiful picture of Echo Park Lake with downtown LA as the backdrop.  It was absolutely beautiful I had to see this place for myself.  So I ventured out on a picnic, enjoying the view and the sun, with a little nap sprinkled in.  I think I found my new favorite place. Until Instagram shows me something better...

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come 

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love 

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

- Chris Tomlin

I'm still fly

Two weeks into this new thing called life.  I'm still on high and very proud of myself for following my heart and I'm super thankful that God put this passion in my heart.  I'm an explorer so of course that won't change, and hasn't changed.  As many times as I have been to LA, I've already discovered two places that I had not yet heard of or visited before (thanks Instagram!).   One being El Matador State Beach in Malibu and the other the Venice Canals.   Beauty, beauty, beauty.  I am constantly reminded why I love this place so much, and how what I receive from this place, I can't get on the east coast...or at least in the DC area.  

El Matador State Beach is located in Malibu, just past one of my other favorites Zuma Beach, and is known for its sea caves and large rocks. Now if you're afraid of heights, not sure that this is the place for you, because it's a bit tricky to get down.  There's an incline and you start high up, go down the incline through some dirt and rocks then you hit the stairs.   Once you get to the stairs, it's all good.  Maybe there's another closer entrance, not sure.  Anyways, on this lovely 90 degree day, I saw 2 couple taking engagement pictures (or what I assumed) and another guy proposing!  It was right then and there that I decided I wanted to get married in California lol.  It just offers such an amazingly beautiful backdrop that makes you want to be in love.  Sigh..that's a post for another day lol.  The water was freezing. And not the type of freezing that gets warmer the longer you stay in it.  It was cold the entire time and I'm sure my legs just eventually got numb to the coldness.   Even though it was a very hot day, there weren't many people at this particular beach.  Understandably so since you pass several beaches to get to this one.  I walked down the shoreline, with the water on my right, and beautiful beachfront dream houses on my left.   I found a nice deserted spot with barely anyone else around, just how I like it.  

I put my headphones on and jammed to Chrisette Michele "Better" album, which is my current fav.  The song that stood out the most in that moment in time was "I'm Still Fly".   

"I'm tryna feel like a girl wants to feel

Like when she's in the love of her life, of her life yea

But if I'm all alone

When it's time to go home

I'll 2 step on my own tonight

Either way, I'm still fly"

No matter what happens in my life the next day, next week, month or year, I am happy and comfortable in my own skin, and proud of the woman I am and have worked to become.  No matter the outcome.  No matter who I have beside me at the end of the day.  I'm still fly.  Either way it goes :)

break free

the inability to change and how to break free
left me stuck i want to see me
let loose and not broken hearted
instead feelings of doubt clouded
my judgment of the battle to feel secure
the reality is I was never good for me
and me wanted more than I was willing to work for

the inability to change stunted my happiness
i didn't want to be frozen i wanted to see me
clamped into a tight fist raised up high
i needed to snatch back my power i had denied
the other me that couldnt see past the clouds
transculent me no more, here i am right in front
seeing me for me, accepting me for me
true smiles and heartfelt pleas
to my soul
get it together
work on it
pray on it
visualize your happiness
be your happiness
then change your inabilities
and break free.

“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.” - Libba Bray
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” - Rumi

Aloha!

:view from the top of Diamondhead:


One of the hardest things about taking a vacation or traveling is having to return to your reality. And when your reality is cold and snowy it makes you wonder why you came back at all. That's my current battle. Hawaii offered one of the prettiest sunsets, super nice people, incredible views, beautiful weather (minus a few windy and rainy moments). Meanwhile, DC is just...yea.

Some of the highlights I enjoyed: hiking up to the top of Diamondhead mountain was well worth seeing the million dollar view of the ocean and Waikiki beach area and for only a buck entrance fee, riding a catamaran to the middle of the ocean adding to the spectular views and insanely blue waters, seeing Aloha Stadium where the Pro Bowl is held (attending a Pro Bowl is on my bucket list), attending a Luau and just laying out and catching some sunrays on the beach.

I plan to do a real write up on my time in Hawaii, meanwhile, here are a few pics of a good time.

Prayers up

As I get ready to hop on a plane for my vacation, I want to preface this post by saying my thoughts and prayers are with those loved ones regarding the missing Malaysian Airlines plane.  I can't even imagine what the people on the plane went through and what the loved ones are feeling right now.  To have no answers, no closure, and a plane just seemingly disappears without a trace.   Feeling hopeless, helpless.

 

Pray for MH370.

catch up

I try not to go more than a week without a post, about anything, but I haven't felt inspired to write. I think the winter weather has me in a funk. Of course I was excited about #snowday, but I, like most, am now over it...and the cold. Meanwhile, this weekend's weather was glorious - hence my photosess (can you tell I love my shoes!), but unfortunately a tease because the cold and snow are back this week. Blahhh!

I got outta the house, thoroughly enjoyed the sun, and celebrated a friends birthday with a scavenger hunt at the National Museum of American History, painted pottery at Color Me Mine, and dinner at a wine bar/bistro. Even though my team came in last at the scavenger hunt, we did pretty good considering it was a little hard to get into the swing of things...next time though we will take the crown!

And in other news, I've been selected with the opportunity to build up my travel writing portfolio as a travel curator for Travel Noire, a fairly new, but vastly growing platform for the black travel community. I do have a (newly thought of) goal of creating a book of my travels to share and be an inspiration to someone, even if it's just myself. So this is nice stepping stone. Stay tuned for more on this! Now I'm just crossing my fingers for one more piece of good news and this year will be off to a great start. God is good!!

“Life is a gamble. There are no sureties. If you want something badly, you'd have to trust your heart and your instincts and then take a leap of faith.” - Alyssa Urbano