THE AGE OF 25 PART 2

I liked what I titled LaVonne's post so much I had to steal it again.. which has been a hit!

The mid twenties... a tale of a young single professional woman

It all started in high school... a feeling that the expectations were a little higher
An intuition that many of these girls would probably never leave this neighborhood and I needed to see the world
So I pushed on.. payed attention in class when it wasn’t cool, kept my mind and my body out the gutter and kept it in the books
High school graduation seemed like the pentacle.. when in reality it was just the beginning.
College was tough. And wow was I in for some serious challenges.
No longer did my barely paying attention and cramming earn an A. My Decatur version of hard work barely earned me Cs.
All the while trying to keep my little high school boyfriend and pledge a sorority which is another story in itself I tried to push through to my dream.
I eventually had to decide.. between my future or living in fear.
So then I made the decision..... summer school.... and Nope I wasn’t going home to kick it and double date.
I needed to grind it out and keep pushing on.
Yeah that meant being single was not too far behind that decision. no surprise.  
No worries. Summer school paid off and I was back on academic track.

I was always in trouble with my sorority sisters because a chic had to study :-)
While my friends were living it up and always having a good time.. I was ALWAYS studying
Me and the health care crew... better known as the Davis crew. We were always burning the midnight oil. focused on the dream
Good news though.. burning the oil paid off. We all got into our respective schools and the dream became real.
An assurance comes with knowing you will be happy in your profession and financially stable in life but i must say..
The sacrifices did not end there.. Homecomings were missed, dating life was non existent

And then somewhere in there the reality hit us.. Well now that we know we will reach the dream. now what.  The fight to get in is over.
Will we enjoy the journey along the way?  or continue to say.. we can’t make it or I have to study.
Not that the battle professionally is still not underway. Because believe me it is..
But now becomes the battle to complete the picture.
The fight for love
The fight for happiness.
The fight for travel
The fight to not loose touch with family and friends.
All this and more is at the core of my heart at the age of 25.
I would hate to call it a mid life crisis.. More like a midlife change in perspective..
A change in what is at the forefront of my mind.
A willingness to live in the moment, enjoy the journey and look fondly towards the destination.
An assurance that all things will come with time although at times it feels as though we are forced to choose.

God has so much in store for me. And I must constantly remind myself of these things. Though I may be ready for love, and ready for travel, and ready to no longer be constantly studying for an exam, and ready to explore my creative side, or read leisurely as often as I would like...
I must still keep my eye on the prize. And be patient for when it is time for me to enjoy all these things.

This is my reflection at the age of 25.

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance. Let perserverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complere, not lacking anything.

James ch1: 2-4

Stay FLY ANd 25! this is just the beginning :-)

Compassion......

Today I finished my first overnight shift on my OB rotation.. I barely made it through. 5:30pm to 7:30am

I literally almost fell out while in a patients room.. I wasn't sure who was struggling the most. Me or the patient.

In the midst of my delirium I was able to ask myself where does the young doctor in their career begin to lose their compassion? For some reason as we physicians get further along... it feels as though we lose our humaness, compassion, and forget why we chose this profession.

Today we had two ladies who came to the hospital.. both very far along in their pregnancies. Neither of the two ladies had any prenatal care prior to this visit and were both in their 3rd trimester. As dissapointing as this was I felt the need to still treat both of these woman with dignity and respect. Sadly this is not always the case.

I felt an environment and tone of disgust around me. A sense of.. "how could you do that to your baby?".. "If they don't care.. I don't care?"   And with so many expressing there disdain in the situations of these two ladies.. i felt that I could not say anything to change the tone or outlook. straddling the fence between playing the fake game of being a 3rd year and being the individual that i am..  i was stuck.

Should we care for these women?  Is it our job to care for individuals no matter what the circumstance? 

Where does the change in our thinking occur? Is it from the impressions left on us by peers or the long work hours.. or the fact that residents treat the poor and get paid so little.

I honestly was embarrased at how quickly we smiled in these people's face and quickly turned  around and spoke badly about them. No wonder folks do not want to trust us...


I guess today reminded me of why I am in this field.. I want to be a voice of genuine compassion and I hope to never lose that. Whatever job or profession you are in.. I hope you can find that compassion and do not lose it.. If you feel it slipping away. Grab it.


Romans 12: 6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

"Black in the City" ... aka NYC TAKEOVER Part #1

Times Square!

Hey Friends!

This is post is way overdue! I FINALLY turned 25! :-)

I went to NYC with my girls! It was soooo much fun. I am very thankful to have great friends that are willing to sacrifice time and money to hang out with me.

We had a fabulous time... strolled the city. Went to two great restaurants!! Sazon and Havana! Great food if you are ever in NYC.


I was a little anxious about the trip and very tired from school prior to leaving. BUT..YOU know my girls held it down! ANd helped me pick my spirits up and have a good time.

THANKS AMANDA, ASHERAH, SHALONDA and CANDICE! You girls are the best!! I enjoyed the laughs, convo, adventures and quality time ;-)

Team Natural ;-) BFFs since High School

Amanda lookin like a model

Times Square!

Sazon! Call us Ms. Martini and Ms. Sangria!

Dr. Williams looking like a model as well :-)

More stories to come from this trip  featuring

"She be killing em"   Amanda
"I date tall boys" Candice
"dont take no ish" Asherah
"I am nyc" Shalonda

AND

"FINALLY 25" Briana ;-)

STAY TUNED!

The Age of 25

Hey Friends! For your sunday afternoon pleasure I would like you to meet my friend LaVonne. We have been friends for awhile. We have watched each other grow and reach our dreams. Enjoy her story. by the way.. she's 25 :-)   And what made our friendship last past college when others faded because believe me.. we have fussed too :-0.. LaVonne is real. No fakeness on top to cover insecurities. She is genuine and cares about her friends. In 2 weeks she will officially get that MD.



LaVonne completed her first half marathon! go girl!



April 5, 2011….I’d made my appointment about a week prior and asked my classmate and close friend if she would go with me for support and to take pics J. I came to the decision that no longer would I sacrifice my health or time in order to have the perfect “look”. I was FINALLY comfortable enough to start over with complete disregard to anyone else’s opinion….I was FINALLY learning to appreciate me for ME. After I got to the salon, I waited anxiously to get it over and done with. The stylist washed and conditioned my hair, sat me under the dryer, and about 30 minutes later picked out my mini-fro and started the clippers. She let me see myself in the mirror throughout the cut, and as more and more of my hair hit the floor, I knew there was absolutely no turning back. After about 20 minutes, she finished evening it out and sent me on my way….I’d never felt more beautiful than at that moment. My big chop was complete!! With the exception of my Dad and StepDad, most have been very supportive and complimentary. Which I appreciate.

Growing up I always felt that if my hair wasn’t pretty, then I wasn’t. It also didn’t help that my family and the majority of those around me believed that only long and flowing (and straight) hair was beautiful, and if your hair wasn’t all of the above, it was “nappy” and unattractive. I’ll never forget so often wishing my hair looked like the white girls in class, I mean after all, that’s all I saw on television, in videos, books and magazines. I even remember being picked on in elementary school because my hair was thick and extremely long, but looked nothing like those around me. I got a relaxer when I was 7 or 8 and even though it burned my scalp, I thought it was the best thing ever. My Mom felt that my hair was “easier to deal with” and I thought I was prettier since my hair was bone straight and longer. …little did I know that over the years, my hair would break off more than I could ever imagine and I would NEVER experience the length or thickness that I once had prior to “Just For Me”.

A couple years ago I began to realize how much my “good” and “bad” hair days truly affected my self-esteem, my confidence, and my overall sense of self. Regardless of the damage being done to my hair, my scalp, or my health, my hair had to look perfect or I felt a certain kind of way. After what some may call the “natural hair movement” began a couple years ago, I took notice of the beauty that was natural African-American hair…and consequently, African-American women. Seeing other gorgeous black women sport what was naturally given them was truly inspiring, and while I always complimented them, I followed with “but I could never rock that”. Besides, my forehead and nose are too big, I have acne, etc. etc. etc.…so it definitely wouldn’t look right…I needed my hair to hide behind. Really?? Lordy…smh. I came to the realization that neither make-up nor hair would change my physical appearance and I needed to accept my beauty as is and kick my insecurities out the front door.

Over the past year and ½, I have truly grown to know who I am and whose I am. First and foremost, I’m a child of God and I live to serve and honor Him. In Solomon 4:7, He says “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you” and although He was referring to the church instead of a young woman specifically, I am part of that church and believe the verse wholeheartedly. Noone else’s opinion matters, as long as He thinks I’m beautiful…then I am. I am no longer self-conscious about my physical appearance and I don’t need to hide behind my hair, weight loss antics, or anything else society deems as a necessity in order to feel beautiful and acceptable. I am finally comfortable with who I am…and I thank God for the growth He has allowed me to experience as of late. I have come such a long way and look forward to sharing my thoughts on this hair journey with you all.

STAY FLY AND 25

Dr. LaVonne

This is throwback Lavonne

Just a reminder.. I chopped mine all off too!

I used to love my little wrap and flow! LOL. :-) I was serious.



Deitrick Haddon - Well Done

Happy Sunday Everyone

I love this song. It really speaks to my heart. And at the end of my life I just want to hear.. you can come on in.. :-)

well done :-)


Stay Fly and Almost 25

Time with My Mom :-) and My Dad :-) and my little BIG brother :-)

Shopping. Of course. Thats what we do ;-)

YO YO YO

The year of the 25 is on the move :-)

This weekend I surprised my mom for Mother's Day. Flight price was a grip at the last minute. It was worth it. I miss my family.  And everyone knows my love language is quality time. :-) if u dont know.. now u know. :-0  Annndddd baby bro is going to Europe next week for the entire summer ... Soooo basically I needed to come home.

Today was great. I love good ol fashioned family time. Atlanta is truly all I know and love.   Everybody knows me and my mom fuss.. quite a bit. I love her though. And enjoy the time we share.

I wrote this for my mom Friday.

A Mother's Love

Sometimes I think with all my selfish moments..
Why has it not dissapeared by now?
Sometimes its so thick all i can do is bask in it
Its beauty is better than a pink azalea on a beautiful a spring day
its fresh like the smell of honeysuckles in the wind
just when u get lost in its beauty.. its reminds u of its force
only expecting the best
pushing you to reach your dreams
cheering you on as you reach for finish lines only she can see
if only you always had the wisdom to appreciate this love
its induring nature and its unselfish sacrifice
now i stop to smell the fragrance of this love
i stop to see the splendor, to finally see a mothers love
It truly is special and does not last forever..
I am so happy to have felt this love
Whether its as peaceful as the sunset or as loud as a springtime storm
a mothers love is priceless

with love briana


PICS FROM THE WEEKEND

baby bro scooped me from the airport :-)

At the Movies to see Jump the Broom! Real cute flic.

This was my mom in college. She is the fly chic on the right.