HAPPY NEW AND ALL THAT OTHER JAZZ

it's been a long while since I have written here.

On December 16, I took the long awaited trip back home to visit my family. It was the longest break that I have taken since my freshman year at Howard. I don't know why I had planned to be away from Delaware (my current home) for so long, but it proved to be more than beneficial, 100% necessary.

This Christmas break was one of the most amazing ones. However, before I get to that, I have to talk about my 2008. 2008 proved to be one of the most important learning experiences of my life (however, long or short one can consider 22 years of human existence). I am going to attribute the hallowed memory of 2008 to its general occurrence however there were a few things that stand out particularly.

TGI Fridays: All the DC homeys know that I spent 2 precious years as a privileged slave at TGI Fridays and the last 8 months I was there were the most important. I had established myself as bartender, had my own style and my own bar guests and had carved a very shallow hole of existence on the corner of 21st and Pennsylvania Avenue. The experience allowed me to meet A LOT of people, some of whom will continue to be important or at least influential members of my life in the future. However, I think I learned a great deal about myself and how I see myself as an individual, a human being, a black woman, a lover, a fighter, a daughter..... all that jazz.

Graduation: May 10, 2009, the kid became a degree holding citizen of the United States of America. I do not think the day its self really had an impact on me, but I think leaving Howard, leaving DC and just not being in undergrad anymore REALLY had (and continues to have) a profound impact on my life, habits, and ideology.

Egypt: I spent 3 glorious weeks in Egypt this summer and hands down without question, this experience from beginning to end was the most important of 2008. I wish I had written more about the experience while I was there, but those moments of spiritual enlightenment, intellectual stimulation, and imminent belonging and purpose will not be so clearly defined again in my life I am sure. Without question, I will continue to travel the globe and there is a good chance that I will do so with people I went to Egypt with but the first time will always be the most profound time.

Delaware: So, I quit DC. Literally, I dropped the city and relocated myself (for the sole purpose of attending graduate school) in Newark, Delaware. Humbling, enlightening, and challenging barely scratch the surface of the description of emotions felt the last few months. Each day, I am learning more and more about myself and that is beautiful. At the same time, I have no idea where I am going after this adventure and that is exciting and frightening simultaneously. I am glad I am here though. This space has given me tremendous opportunity and that I cannot deny.

Christmas Break: Hands down, the most exhilarating experience ever. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my family, especially my brothers. Hanging with the family was great. I spent the whole time in the house playing Playstation and other great "nonprofit family gaming" (Darius...I will never forget that statement).
As I write this, I am on the phone with one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He is just the definition of WHATS UP and I am so excited that we have decided to be together... like take the opportunity to grow together, I am so excited about it. Every day, every single day, I have been happy to just know him and be a part of what he's about and I just know that this going to prove beneficial to both of us in all kinds of ways..... I was so much more eloquent before I started talking about him, but thats what he does to me...

All of that brings me here, to this moment, reflecting on 22 years of life, on 2009, on a new chapter in my life and all I can say is that I am tremendously excited. I have done so much growing and have so much growing to do. I am embarking on a wonderful journey with an amazing individual who has already taught me so much and I am about to begin one of the most challenging positions of my professional and academic career.

and i am going to learn how to play the guitar....HAPPY NEW YEAR