For a little over a year, I’ve been working on illustrations and collages for online website Ok Whatever, which just officially launched last week. Watching a project -not mine for a change- be molded and prepared to the extent this website has is a true form of patience and professionalism. I give Jessie, the owner of the website, a lot of credit for all the hard work and dedication she put into to make sure the content is there, fitting into the weird subject matter the website is all about.
Looking back on myself and the way that I grew up, I wish I could have the chance to hop on a time machine and tell myself some things to make my teens years a little easier and bearable. Especially since there’s been some instances recently in which I’ve conversed with some teens trying to give advice for how to have an easier time during those crazy hormone roller coaster years. I will always consider 13, and the years around that age to be my awkward years, but it doesn’t have to be awkward. And that why I wish I could tell my younger self to chill. I feel like I wouldn’t be so filled up with anxiety these days if 13 wasn’t so crappy.
New year, new goals, new resolutions, new fresh feeling to start doing things. Know that feeling?
I’m really convinced this is the year to be a bad ass boss bitch. 2017: year of the BABB. Here are some ways you can consider becoming a BABB. It doesn’t hurt to expand your self esteem and self worth and everything all about your self.
Learn a new language!
I feel like a lot of people say they’ll learn a new language as a resolution and with so many resources today, there is no excuse. Take local classes, as they’re offered in community colleges, local centers, or online programs such as Rosetta Stone. I recently discovered Fluent City which offers in person classes in New York, Philly, Boston, & D.C. If all else fails, apps such as Easy Ten exists.
Learn a new craft!
Be it knitting, sewing, screenprinting, learning a new craft has its benefits. I’m lucky to have so many outlets here in New York. There are endless amounts of screenprinting spaces, textile studios, sewing circles, and so much more. The cool thing is if you find a studio you like, most spaces offer memberships to use their facilities if you don’t have the space at home. I think it’s a fantastic concept to support local while doing cool things. If you need cheaper options, there are apps such as Craftsy with affordable classes you can download. Or you can even watch YouTube videos for tutorials.
I know I’m two days late with posting my gratitude and thankfulness on Thanksgiving Day, but one thing I’ve become especially thankful for was to know when to take a step back and feel okay with missing a day or two of blog posting. Because let’s face it, stress sucks, and when you’re tired, who has the will power to do something such as put together a blog post? It’s taken me a long time to be okay with that. Responsibilities make me feel guilty, but some things are no longer worth the stress. I’m living life, and I’m thankful to be able to do so.
The things I’m especially thankful and appreciative for is having my loving family, to have had the chance to spend time with my aunt before she passed, my supportive friends, easy going roommate, stressful but rewarding job, and cute apartment.
Some other recent trivial things I’ve been thankful for include:
When you hit puberty, all hell breaks loose. Your hormones act up and it’s projected onto your skin. It happens to all of us at some point. Our pH levels rebel causing oily and dry skin, and as soon as we break out, we run to the dermatologist.
They’re quick to prescribe all these topical creams and our skin just becomes a desert wasteland. Does any of this sound familiar?
This is the challenge of growing up: finding ways to balance healthy habits while trying not to compromise your bodily chemistry…because if you do mess with that chemistry, your body has no problem showing you the consequences.
I got frustrated with the trips to the dermatologist and the stupid creams that didn’t work. I got to the point where I Googled other options and I constantly came across natural remedies that worked. Well, in the beginning there was a learning curve, but these days I constantly get complimented on my skin and I’d like to think all those years of trying natural items instead of unnatural chemicals did some good.
(15-year old me in the midst of my crappy days in high school just trying to get by with new glasses and plum hair.)
I’m gonna be honest, I had this post written for a good year now ready to go for when October hit. Being that October is National Bullying Prevention Month, I wanted to share my experiences with being bullied. I’ve been kinda avoiding posting about it because it brings back unpleasantness, but I do want to share my experience. Although, rereading my original “essay” I wrote up and eventually deleted, I was obviously in a super frustrated mood when writing it because it definitely came off super bitter and quite angsty. Something I can’t seem to escape even though I’m in my mid-20s and not 16 anymore.
With it still feeling like a new year, it’s nice to have that feeling of starting fresh. It’s a good excuse to finally start doing something you’ve been meaning to do for a long time. I don’t really have any big resolutions this year but I have tiny ones that I want to start and follow through with.
I’ve sorta been breaking them into categories, such as health, appearance, hobbies, social, etc. One example is that I want to make a vow to never use a razor again. I guess this resolution would fit under appearance?
As I still praise all the good things coconut oil has done for me over the years, I’ve decided to take a break.
My coconut oil downfall began near the beginning of my trip to Greece. Instead of packing my half empty jar, I decided to transfer the remaining oil to another container. I need to point out that it was solid before and after I left. With the heat rolling in about two weeks after I arrived, boy oh boy did all hell break loose. If you don’t know, coconut oil stays solid in temperatures under 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Greece started to reach the 80s and 90s which is when my oil melted. And when I say melted, it reached maximum liquid consistency, and the mess was unbearable. I thought I packed it in a decent container, but it became nothing but trouble for me. Seriously, oil was everywhere. I couldn’t stuff it in the fridge because I stayed with family – besides not wanting to explain what it is, their fridges are small with absolutely no room for even a small container like what I had.
I want to start off by saying I’m not a hairdresser or a professional of any sort. I’m just a hair-doer and after experience and learning on my own, I have gathered tips for myself that I want to share.
