Random Thoughts

Hey Peeps!

Well as you guessed... I am still in Chicago. It feels like I have been here forever but I have two weeks left. Whats on my mind this week... Just a few random topics.


Lets talk hair real quick.. 
Last week me and my natural hair were having issues. I looked like I had a brillo pad on my head. I could not figure out what was going on. MY HAIR WAS DRY. That was it! Simply needed some moisture. I had to grease that stuff up real good!! It always amazes me how much moisture my hair needs. If you have natural hair... Don't doubt yourself when your hair is not looking its best. Its probably in need of some love.
A few of my favorite lines.. Jane Carter and Miss Jessies baby buttercreme

my up do..

Side note.. Does anyone know of any new hair styles I can try. I am approaching another awkward stage. My fro is getting a little robust.. and sometimes I feel like my hair is a bit much for the hospital. I could be unnecessarily self conscious. Here is my go to hair style when the fro gets to be too much... But I really do need more ideas. If you know some good styles.. EMAIL ME! briana1523@gmail.com



WORK OUT GROOVE.

Guess whose slacking.. Me. I know. Not my style. Things will get better when I get back to my own crib and routine. Until then... I have enjoyed running the Lake Shore trail in Chicago along Lake Michigan. Its really pretty and peaceful. Fall is upon us.. but keep up with the work out hustle! It always feels good to roll up to fall football games and parties feeling your best ;-)





WORK LIFE BALANCE

At 25.. I find this one of my greatest struggles. How to balance being intense in my career and passionate about life. Have you mastered this yet? If so... please let me know. I always start a new rotation on point.. studying hard, reading everything, working out, and by the end.. burnt out.. barely functioning. Where do we strike the balance? There are so many aspects of being on point. Looking presentable and put together... not wearing your fatigue on your sleeve or bringing unexpected moods onto co workers..  Trying not to have a Serena "I am not the one moment" is really a daily goal. Some nurses push me REAL close.. not going to lie.   Oh and don't even add underlying currents of work life... Like that cutie on your team that distracts you when you are trying to present.. or that hater that gets under your skin... or your homie who always makes u laugh at the wrong time..   And can someone answer this question for me... Do men really try and talk to attractive women in the work place.. ?? What is the trend these days.. I feel like i am new to the work world. The hospital has its own weird rules anyways.  Just thoughts to ponder. Give me your comments.   Pray for me.. this medical ICU is wearing me out :-)



MUSIC OF THE WEEK.

My Chicago run playlist  Google a few. :-)

- Electric Feel MGMT  ( little bro put me on this)
- Beautiful People Chris Brown. chris breezy makes me want to stop my run and dance. no lie.
- Cudi Zone: Kid cudi. man on the moon. Love this kid.
- Thank You: The Blueprint 3 Jay Z. Jigga. No words needed.
- Christian Dior Denim Flow. Kanye ... "Kanye shrug"
- Common: Love is! I cant come to chi town and not listen to common. Chicago's finest :-)
- end of time. King B! and baby B too ;-)
- Party.. Beyonce.. Cause what.. I'm dripping swaggooooo
- Champion Graduation Kanye West
- Lift Off: Watch the Throne :-)  I am taking it to the stars



ALRIGHT FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KEEP IT FLY FREE AND 25

Live your dreams. Love Life. And Thank GOD for all his mighty blessings :-)

Chicago Update

Hi Peeps,

Still enjoying the chi. Since my living quarters are sub optimal.. leaving much to be desired. I have decided to use my need for wi fi to discover different neighborhoods of Chicago. I am currently staying in Hyde Park which is very diverse and eclectic. Although a wonderful neighborhood.. it is only a couple of blocks and I definitely need to see more.

Today I hopped on a few trains and came to the neighborhood of Lakeview/Lincoln Park. Although this neighborhood is not as busy and dramatic as downtown.. it definitely has character. The street of Armitage is full of boutiques and great shopping. Once you hop off the train you can walk all the way down the street to the water where of course the view of Lake Michigan is beautiful. The homes are beautiful of course. I wish I could have explored more.. but my 20 lb computer often makes me stay close to the train station. darn ibm..

If you are a regular reader.. U know the deal. I left my camera. :-( Iphone quality photos.

Lake Michigan Near Promontory Point in Southside Chicago. 

My view from starbucks in Lakeview in N. chicago. 

Cute consignment shop boutique. Designer stuff! If i wasn't broke..

STAY FLY FREE AND FOREVER 25. 

Shades of love

You look exotic.

You should date a white guy and oh my goodness you all would have the prettiest children. 

Do you prefer black men or will you date anybody?

These are a few of many comments that have prompted this quick discussion on race and love. What is your preferred shade of love? If you have a preferred shade.. are you doing yourself and others an injustice? 

As you all know I am spending a little time alone in Chicago away from the southern streets of North Carolina. In many ways this trip has been refreshing.. Walking and exploring on my own. I have also been refreshed surprisingly by how many interracial couples that I see walking the streets. Before I drift lets start with my first response to what I say when people ask me do I date white men. Which is a problem in itself because there are so many different groups of people.. anywho. 

Response #1: They must not find me attractive. No one other then a brotha has ever asked me for my number. 

This unfortunately is usually my first response. Although this statement is true. I have never been asked on a date or felt pursued by anyone outside of my socially constructed race.. I must wonder how much of this is a result of my own actions. When I go into starbucks to study I immediately assume there are no prospects once I do not see anyone that looks like my dreamy version of my future dr. huxtable husband. hmmm. It could be when the "other" guy at the coffee shop started conversation he was being a little more then friendly and I did not even realize it! It could be that while jogging if I gave every handsome young man the eye contact stare I provide for the less appeasing men at the club.. I might have a few more occupied Friday Nights. ;-)

This thought was also confirmed by an interesting article in the September issue of essence. A good read! This myth that "other" men aren't attracted to black women.. the author finds hard to believe and argues that we should too. And this thought should apply to all women not just black women. SO NO I'm not too exotic. whatever that means.. 

Response #2: I'm trying to be like the Obamas. You feel me. Looking for my Barack! 

Well I'm sure even Barack dated "other" women. And I am quite sure that as highly educated as Michelle Obama is she could have EASILY ended up with someone of a different shade. I know others might hate to hear this. Seriously.. no one wants to be like the Huxtables more then me.. But I'm just sayin. These days it appears that education and common interests might make for a marriage that lasts more than the color of your skin. 

Response #3: I think I'm a little loud and opinionated for a white guy. 

I do feel self conscious of my southern ways and often wonder if it would be too much for another guy that's not black. Again. Let me stop myself immediately. Vibrant people with opinions exist in all shades and colors. My "loud" negro tendencies might be surprisingly just what that man of another race is looking for. Learning the electric slide and the wobble might be the highlight of his life. Oh and my drive/ambition. Might just give him life as folks say on twitter. lol. 

LONG STORY SHORT.... What really defines love. Is it based on skin color. Now I did not address men that have preferences and do not date a certain woman. Another topic for another day. Just bringing up the idea.. the basic notion.. That next time someone other then a black man, or white man or asian man or a man other then the group you identify yourself with... open up or hold his glance for a second longer. You never know what might happen. You might be the first interracial couple in the white house! And  we'll forget we ever wanted to be the Obama's. :-) 

STAY FLY CUTE CONFIDENT... AND FOREVER 25

;-)

Already loving Chicago :-)

Well I made it to Chicago safe and sound. It was not a bad trip at all. Everything was smooth.

I am staying on the campus of the University of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Yep Barack Obama's old stomping ground. I can definitely see this as his old neighborhood. Oddly diverse and trendy.. Very pretty homes and cute shops tucked away amonsgst the homes.

I love being in the city environment. Walking everywhere... I walked to the grocery store yesterday, yoga this morning. Grabbed an amazing sandwich at lunch from this place http://www.zhmarketcafe.com/ if you are ever in the neighborhood. It is very refreshing to not need a car for a little bit.. I know do not ask me what these people do when it gets cold. I love walking through a city alone.. I did it in Paris and again here in Hyde Park. I just randomly walk into any book store I please.. I found a cute French bakery and watched a few cute kids play for a minute.

All I know is Chicago in September is absolutely delightful.

Unfortunately it just hit me that I am rotating in the medical intensive care unit and these will be very very sick people. Must be on my A game. For me that means staying up on my rest. My peeps know... Me and NO sleep do not mix.  Many examples in life of this.. Fall 05, this past weekend.. CIAA the day after.. need I list more..

I also have no camera. I cannot find my durn kodak.. I think this might be a sign. I might just order a canon camera and hope for the best. thats what I should do.. RIGHT?? go broke for life experiences!?

I'm in need of a lighter computer too. these extra heavy IBM computers.. NOT FOR THE CITY LIFE.
An ipad may 2012.. seriously. Graduation! somebody tell my fam.. ;-)

Must read now... SO I CAN WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD :-)


STAY FLY AND 25! :-)

A NEW SEASON IS ON ITS WAY!!!

Something New!

It’s that time of year…. The mornings are starting to cool off and the breeze is refreshing

The seasons will change and with it comes new adventures and challenges.

The summer has come and gone.. whether you accomplished everything you wanted too or not.

Don’t look back. You lived it. Each moment. Each Second. You LIVED IT. And if you didn’t…

Make that the goal for fall.

And please don’t fret over that summer love lost.. or the love that never came. :-0

Persevere. Grab a new handbag, a cute pair of shades.. and be the DIVA that you are.

Excellent in all aspects of life. Career. Family. Love. Fitness. Mind. Body and Soul.

LIVE EACH MOMENT. It’s the year of the 25. 

LIVE YOUR LIFE

STAY FLY AND 25

I'm going to the CHI and other random stuff

Hi Friends!

The year of the 25 is alive and well. More interesting posts are soon to come. I am excited to announce.. I AM GOING TO THE CHI! I am really excited. I'll be in Chicago for 3.5 weeks rotating in the medical intensive care unit. :-0  Hopefully I will be able to explore the city in the few moments I get out of the hospital. This is all about my search to figure out where I am spending the next 3 years.

What are my requirements for my next destination?
1) big city
2) east coast
3) rich in culture
4) diverse... (interpret as you would like)

under comments let me know where you think I will end up after graduation! I'm excited..


next topic...
WHY PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE ON FACEBOOK.

This weekend my brother was kind enough to hang out with the fam since I came to visit. Background.. he has an apt downtown and was in Germany all summer. After good family fun at the church picnic, line dancing and church on Sunday.. he went back on his way to his apt for class on Monday.
Speaking for myself.. I was too tired from partying thurs and fri that I could barely pay attention during the sermon. Brennen apparently learned something and posts on facebook.. "Today's sermon got me feeling like Elijah running into the wilderness with crazy ol Jezebel chasing me. I can't give up; we can't give up. Time to get up and eat."
My father.. new to facebook. Reads this message to my mother.. Who decides that my brother is depressed and crying out for help.  As people on twitter say.. #icant

We go from happy that my brother even comes to church with the family.... to he is depressed and crying out for help. Brother gets out of class Monday with 3 voicemails from my parents and text from me saying.. YO empty next syndrome is in full affect. tried to save u but i failed.

LESSON: Parents should not be on facebook.


LAST RANDOM TOPIC...

Did anyone else love all that dancing Chris Brown did on the VMAs? I know he is a lost soul and his behavior is unacceptable.. but goodness can he dance. I am about to play that thing on repeat so i can get some moves.. dancer in me ;-)

Live your life live your life........  Yes beautiful people is my new favorite song.

Beyonce opens up her VMA performance by saying, "Tonight I want you to stand up on your feet, I want you to feel the love that's growing inside of me."

Beyonce opens up her VMA performance by saying, "Tonight I want you to stand up on your feet, I want you to feel the love that's growing inside of me.": Beyonce opens up her VMA performance by saying, "Tonight I want you to stand up on your feet, I want you to feel the love that's growing inside of me."



I couldn't help but post this... BEYONCE is PREGGO! I'm excited like I know Bey and Jay myself. They are so cute.. The Barack and Michelle of pop culture :0 I bet the Obama's are going to send them a baby gift. Anywho.... Quickly of course after seeing all the pride and love beaming from Beyonce's glow.. I started wondering.. Where is my HOV? lol. of course. The mid twenties... sigh.. lol. All i Know is Jay Z better school these brothers on how to snag a queen! Cause thats what I am.. and I'm sure you are too!