iPhone update on some recent(ish) festivities

The Klumpps are the only people that understand the Christmas season 

(tree went up mid-November)

 At work I clicked this 1234 times to get the number 1234. (I'm a nerd blah blah blah)

The time FINALLY came for me to bust this out. I bought it in August, KNOWING that I would have the chance to wear it. 

Can we just talk about how much I love these girls? 

McKell Belle is home!!! 18 months is way too long, but I'm so glad that I saw her before I left!

I got my final letter from another one of my besties. 

It's a puzzle. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

Except I do... because I did it.

To and Fro

I can't believe it's taken me this long to mention this, but Krysta started an online magazine called To and Fro Magazine!!

It's a lifestyle magazine that is applicable to everyone and anyone! It talks about real life situations that we've all experienced, and how we have personally handled them. It is also full of fun creative ideas, fashion tips and studying skills etc. 

Krysta is such a natural entrepreneur and she's full of amazing ideas!! I cannot wait to see this thing really take off! She asked me and some other friends of ours to contribute as writers for the magazine, and I cannot tell you how much fun I've had! 

Basically you should check it out.

toandfromagazine.com

Madiba

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned in my life so far, is to appreciate true greatness. Not only greatness in the field that I am going into, but greatness in all things. 

I believe that there are people placed on this earth- no matter their race, creed, occupation or beliefs- that are here to change it. To literally change the lives of billions.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was absolutely one of these people. He fought a furious war against racism and prejudice. He fought this war throughout his entire life, and did it without the promotion of combat and bloodshed. 

What an incredible example of what we ALL have the power to do. 

A part of me believes that he was foreordained to do the work that he did, however, there is not a single one of us that does not have the EXACT same power that he did.

To me, he is one of many people that truly understood his divine potential and the human race in general.

Some of the wisest words and statements ever made came from him and even know I cannot comprehend the many ways in which he inspired me.

I know that good, caring, everyday heroes come and go from this earth all the time, but his life has touched mine in many ways. 

Rest In Peace.

"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

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.