Felt Like Writing

I just felt like writing, I realized when I began this post I had nothing to really talk about, not much to really say. Umm Life is full of curveballs, as of recent I have tried to step up and swing. Not every swing is a homerun, or even a hit for that matter. I have noticed something about myself at one moment I could feel one way and in the next I can completely change my emotional state. I have got to figure that out, changing emotional states like that has gotten me into some shenanigans. I try to always follow my heart as corny as that may sound, I try to always do what I consider to be right. Some people have been a casualty of my curiosity. I have begun to turn life into a game, feeling less and less afraid of the consequences that could result from doing the unexpected. My mom once said to me when you enter a room do you take up space or do you fill the room. I have this new found desire to affect those I come into contact with, like Ghandi, or King be an advocate for peace and love. Not materialism and greed. I am a Gemini and rumor has it that we have dual personalities. I am not Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but I have lived on both sides of the fence. Not sure if you will follow but like I said I just felt like writing

FAKE HAIR!!!

I am over it…its not attractive and I do not like rubbing my hands through your hair only to feel the track, its like a knot of "hair." If you only have two inches of hair, hey that is cool sport it, through some designs in it, go get a shape up, do something. But I do not know when it became ok for girls to put in weaves, be proud of your bush its yours. Thats like if a guy was walking around with an athletic cup in his pants, only to reveal that it is toddler size. I just don't get it, I find it to be a turn off drastically. I do not know what aspect of society made you feel like your hair is not good enough but its pointless to but yarn and horse hair in your hair. I am not shooting personal shots it is only a general statement, I feel like girls put weaves in because they are not happy with their hair. How? How have you come to a point where you do not find everything about yourself beautiful? If you want long hair, grow it out, take care of it. If I wanted dreads I would not grow a bush and then throw some extensions in it because really, I don't have dreads I have a bush with yarn attached to it. And sadly babe you don't have long hair, you have your hair with someone or something else's hair sown in. Love your bush and your short hair it is ok that your air is not down your back its still beautiful.

Dick Gregory

The other day VCU was blessed with a real treat, we had a living civil rights activist speak at our school. He was great charismatic, captivating, and politically aware. He used his satirical skills to make light out of important political situations, more specifically situations that affect African Americans. He mentioned a few things that blew my mind, like for instance how the bass coming from a song is similar to a heartbeat. Did you know that a fetus, if feeling sick, can listen to its mother's heart beat and regain some health. Neither did I.
Another thing that Dick Gregory said that was crucial was the "unlucky" number 13, it is almost national recognized as an unlucky number. But nowhere else in the world is it unlucky thats because in the United States 13 is the amendment number that freed the slaves "emancipation." Keep that in mind the next time you go to a hotel without a 13th floor.
Finally I am sure people have heard rumors about George Washington not being the first president, well according to Dick Gregory and a few sites I looked up myself, it is true George Washington was NOT the first president he was actually the 8th and he was proceeded by 7 BLACK men. The first president was actually John Hanson of the Moor society. The society's flag was a cherry tree and one of George Washington's biggest stories is how he "cut down the Cherry Tree"

"The pen is mightier than the sword"

The Lack of Appreciation

One day in Italy I walked out of my class to use the bathroom. While in the bathroom I realized how many things I take for granted everyday I mean I went to the sink and trusted that it would turn on. I realized, before that moment I had never taken the time to ask myself what would I do if the water did not work, or if I had to go outside and use the bushes as opposed to the toilet. I realized how many things in everyday life we as people do not take the time to appreciate so much is taken for granted everyday. Here we are heading into the fall, how many people have noticed the leaves changing?

An Unexpected Day in Italy

On a random satruday in Italy we decided to go and check out a vineyard but we had no idea that our director had a special plan for us. We traveled to the top of Mt. Subasio which is one of the tallest mountains in the region and from their we were able to see the entire landscape of Umbria. There was a storm moving in over the mountain so we were able to see different patches of rain clouds castings shadows across other mountains and we even received and occasional shade ourselves. Travel down from the mountain about 1400 meters we headed to the Caprai Vineyard were we were given a tour of the vineyard, taught how to last and appreciate wine, and given the history of the vineyard which was a treat in itself. Finally we headed to a small mountain town known as MonteFalco which is said to have about 200 inhabitants. We were lucky enough to travel there during their Jazz concert it was a true treat if I do say so myself. These pictures are a small taste of what we experienced on the unexpected but unforgettable day.

Palio Di Siena

The Second Day of Italy we took a trip to Siena to see their annual horse race. To your everyday American you hear horse race and you think just that, no not at all. In Siena each section is separated into 23 (cantrada) each cantrada has their own flag and filled with vibrant colors and a symbol representing that is used to represent their specific historic connection. I bought a La Lupa (lady wolf) flag its black and white to represent the colors of Siena and it has a female wolf in the center nursing two children Romulus and Remus. One founded Rome and the other's children founded Siena. But that is a different story, the horse race is unlike anything I was prepared for, inside of each cantrada they have a church where they bless the horse before the race. I hear it normally goes pretty well but in this case it did not work out that well, after they bless the horse a precession begins from the Duomo Di Siena all the way to the square it actually takes about 3-5 hours for the whole parade to actually finish, it is beautiful. Flag wavers, parade horse, floats, it was unbelievable. The greatest thing about the horse race is the belief and tradition, not only are the horse viewed as family members but whatever cantrada wins is said to have good fortune for the rest of the year until the next Palio. I was really without words.


The photos are a picture of the cantrada flag, a chandelier made in the shape of a cantrada symbol (the wave) the square where they raced when it was empty and when it filled up and a photo of one of the carriages.

As I Travel From...

Whooaaaa I made it to italy it it absolutely gorgeous I am without words, so truly blessed to be here. But it did take forever to actually get here, 8 hour plane ride, 45 minute cab ride, 1 hour bus ride, 2 hour train ride, switch trains and then a final 45 minute train ride. But it was all worth it though, The beautiful historic ruins of rome, to the rolling hills of Perugia Italy did not disappoint. Enjoy these photos as I attempt to capture, with my camera, the wonders my eyes have seen.