t h a n k f u l

Of all the American holidays that we don't celebrate in the UK, Thanksgiving has to be my favourite. Not only is it full of delicious food that my waistline regrets (but the rest of me is alright with), but it's one day in the year DESIGNED for feeling and expressing gratitude.

On this, my last official Thanksgiving in the USA, I am so grateful for the two and a half years that I have spent in this country. Lessons have been learned that I wouldn't trade for anything, and most of the things that I have learned have been about myself. As much as I will miss this life that I have built here in the States, I am excited for all that the future holds whether in London or wherever I end up.

So today I am thankful for everything. Literally everything.

Happy times.

Stressful times.

Crying times.

Fun times.

The times of absolute boredom.

The times with people who have changed my life forever.

Apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Good shoes.

Apple juice.

My family.

The unknown.

The future.

Pull a Sickie

Sometimes you "pull a sickie". In my world this doesn't actually involve missing school or work, it means not spending 12 extra hours in the library after school and work. But it's rebellious nonetheless. 

It is.

Anyway, today is one of those days, and I decided to snuggle up with some Hot Chocolate and my favorite cold-time movie... "While You Were Sleeping". 

Sandra Bullock couldn't be anymore charming if she tried, and it really is a story that you will absolutely fall in love every single time. Every time.

If you haven't yet, you should watch it. 

Watch it right now.

d e n i a l

we're not talking about it.

Strong, Independent Black Woman... who will need a man and children at some point so...

I'm sure that you have seen this image circulating the interweb at some point in your life.

And I am all about strength and independence. Seriously.

However I think that society has distorted our views of strength in some ways, especially when it comes to women. I grew up with a single mother who taught me the importance of being self-reliant and hard-working. I have chosen a career path for myself that is arduous, taxing and definitely something that will require a strong backbone. I don't think that there is a problem with this, but I also do not think that this makes me stronger than someone who has not chosen this life.

Being a woman in science can sometimes be difficult, and I have seen female peers become ruthless and cutthroat in an attempt to make it big in this world. I don't believe there is anything necessarily wrong with that, but my problem comes when these women and some men, think themselves better than the women who choose to take on the incredibly difficult job of raising children and being home-makers.

I have seen many people mock and tease women who choose to focus on their family because they see it as an easy way out, but I don't see how that makes any sense at all! There is infinite strength and independence found in being a woman who lives to make a difference in the next generation, and I cannot wait to have those opportunities for myself. It is so worthwhile and so so important, and should not be overshadowed by the way that the world thinks society should be.

Women's rights have come a long way, and for that I am eternally grateful. Are they exactly where they need to be? Absolutely not. But sometimes women can persecute other women who they feel are "sticking to the stereotype".

I don't know about you, but being an incredible cook, being able to keep a clean home and being a good mother, is a stereotype that I wouldn't mind having.

I think the main point of this spiel is that I think that we should all treat each other with the respect that we would expect for ourselves. At times, having a family may not happen for a woman, and that woman should NEVER be scrutinized or ridiculed for that. She should enjoy the freedom to make a difference in this world in other ways without feeling like less of a woman, which is something that I have seen amongst some friends and family. 

The way that we treat each other works both ways.

So.

I am strong.

I am independent.

I am black.

and I am a woman.

But I will need a man. And some babies. And I really don't see anything wrong with that.

California Loooveee

Tupac was right.

I LOVED getting out of town for a little while and hitting up San Diego! 

Our Neuroscience professor took us to the annual convention for neuroscience where all the biggest and brightest get together and talk about new developments in the field. It was so inspiring and a real treat to be surrounded by so much genius.

As much as I embrace my nerd-dom, it had never been so manifest as it was over this weekend, BUT I was a nerd in a really cool place so I think it all cancels out right?

So.... sorry I'm not sorry for all of the pictures that I'm going to bore you with, but really. You should pay this place a visit asapo (A.S.A.P. in Spanish)

 

p.s. I'm sorry that all of the pictures are awful quality! But you get the idea 

Leanda Akuoko: Neuroscientist

You guys!

It's official. 

I checked. 

I can call myself a neuroscientist. 

Cool right? 

Right?

More stuff to come from my Cali adventures!

LILIA

It's been a while, but here's a few things that should should be noted:

LOVE IT

• IT'S NOVEMBER. Therefore Christmas. Obviously. Ahhh and Pinterest has gotten me all festive-y.
• I nearly have an undergraduate degree! It is coming up rather close, but it's also REALLY exciting! Gradumacation here I come.
• I know I say I have a lot of best friends- and I do, but one of my ultimate bests gets home from his mission for my Church in 5 weeks. FIVE WEEKS. What?
• I'm going to San Diego in a week! It's for the annual Neuroscience convention, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be spending a week of November in temperatures of about 75 degrees.

LOVE IT ANYWAYS

• Really there's only one main thing here: my laptop died. Like straight up got mauled by a cougar. It was awful, and the worst thing is that I have literally lost anything and everything I had from January 2013 until now. How wretched. BUT. Luckily, I have this little blog! So somethings have been salvaged.

It's tradition to end it with a Love It so....

Look at this ruddy sloth! 

I love sloths. Not really relevant to my life, but I love them nonetheless.