What is Your Privilege?

Who would have thought that it would be so easy to learn so much about yourself and other people around you in only a week? I was definitely able to have this experience as I started my first week working with a non-profit organization.

Many of you may know that I have been wanting to go camping for quite some time now, and it's funny that I finally actually was able to do so with the organization. We had the opportunity to engage in a three-day trip to Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, FL, just 20 minutes outside of Orlando ( If you ever get the chance, check it out; it is absolutely beautiful --other than the giant bugs LOL). Over the course of three days I had the opportunity to bond with my co-workers, participate in several team-building activities, and enjoy the beauty of nature. 

Courtesy of Tommey Liang

The session that was the most eye-opening was our discussion of privilege in our society. Privilege can be referred to as the opportunities and things that are given to you based on characteristics that you yourself had no control over (this could include skin color, texture of hair etc). The privilege that is often talked about in our society is that of "White Privilege". 
However, privilege can go beyond race or ethnicity. It can also be based on socioeconomic status, the environment in which a person grew up in, and/or a plethora of other circumstances.

As an African-American and as a woman, it would seem as though, according to society, I would not have as many privileges in comparison to other races or gender. However, in the session we were asked to think of anything in our own lives that could be considered as privilege but we may not think of in on a daily basis, and I realized that as myself, I am very privileged! I am privileged as a woman that I am not automatically expected to carry or move heavy objects (even though I'm superwoman lol). I always hate it for guys who are toothpicks who are expected to be able to lift heavy objects and struggle! LOL. I am also privileged that I grew up in a family that valued education and stressed the importance of it. Not everyone can say the same.

So today, I challenge you to think about the privileges you have in your own life (and share them with me!) Privileges are always made to be something negative but they can also be positive. Use your privilege to gain advancement and along the way, help someone else also rise up to the top!

A community is only at it's strongest when we realize everyone's weakness and lift each other up in strength!

Until next time,

Lisa

Courtesy of Tommey Liang

Something Like a Vacation...For Now

So...y'all probably were thinking, "Lisa done moved to Florida and forgot about us..." But y'all know I could never forget the homies! LOL. I have just been on that "no internet or cable" struggle! I tell y'all; I will never take internet and wifi for granted. Y'all should have seen me trying to find open wifi wherever I went lol!

BUT NOW IM BACK! And ready to tell y'all about my Jacksonville, Florida adventures. So I've been here for a little over a week now and I can't tell you where anything is. I've literally been to four different Walmarts in just a couple days. This city is just so big, but I'm loving it so far!

Even though I've only been here for a short period of time, I feel like I've done so much! I have: 

1. SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITH MY ROOMMATES. I'm so happy my roommates are cool and people I would actually hang out with. We literally go everywhere together because none of us no where anything is. Plus when you have no furniture, internet, cable, or food, it is the perfect time to get to know each other lol

2. JACKSONVILLE BEACH. When I heard that the beach was only 15 minutes away, you know I had show off my beach body (LOL! What beach body?). It was a really nice beach; it wasn't too crowded and it was such a beautiful and relaxing place. I will definitely be at the beach as much as I can.

3. A COOKOUT. One of my roommates' boyfriend invited us to a cookout with his church group. It was at one of the church members' house. They have such a beautiful home and were very welcoming. They also had a lake in their backyard where visitors could do some fishing and just enjoy the view. 

My favorite part was meeting a girl who was so obsessed with North Carolina State University. When she found out I was from North Carolina, she about had a fit! She wants to transfer there in 2015. I wanted to tell her that State was nothing compared to UNC ( you know, because they are NOT our rivals LOL) but I decided to let her live. She was such a sweet and talkative girl. 

4. FLEA MARKET SHOPPING. I used to go to the flew market with my parents as a child, but we don't have too many of those in Eastern NC. The flea market was a site to see! People were selling anything and everything you could think of. My roommates and I even left with a dining room table and chairs for only $25!!! (Ain't God good??) I definitely know I will be back for some more of those 'steals'.

One random thing I've seen since I've been here is that everyone seems to have DREADS! Even little children, as young as five or six, I've seen with dreads lol. So when y'all see me with dreads in the near future, don't be surprised. Haha

So that is just some of the things I've done so far. I can't wait to get to know the city of Jacksonville a lot more. Hopefully I can squeeze in some more fun before I have to start work in a week! Because once I start, I'm officially a working adult!

For those that pray, continue to pray for me while I am out here! Until next blog post, 

Lisa! 

Do It For The 'Gram!

Photo Credit: Do The Right Thing

These days it seems as though a woman's worth is determined by the amount of 'likes' her pictures receive on Instagram or Facebook. The same can be said for men as well. I have friends who are so absorbed in gratification from others that if their picture doesn't reach a certain amount of likes they delete the picture off of their page. 

As I started writing this blog post, I saw one of my twitter friends retweet a tweet that said, "I hope social media slows down before I have kids, I really don't want my daughter thinking a 'wcw' is the sweetest gesture she deserves." (WCW = woman crush Wednesday...for those who may not know). It's sad that in this day and age, one of the main ways in which people seek to build self-esteem is through the glorification of their looks. We spend more time choosing filters for our photos than we do educating ourselves about what is going on in the world today. 

At the end of the day, social media is just that: SOCIAL MEDIA. We like keeping up with the lives of our friends and family, celebrities, whomever. You're nosey; I'm even nosier LOL! There's definitely nothing wrong with that. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc to show the true confidence in yourself. You can definitely show the respect that you have for yourself (and possibly others) without DOING the most or SHOWING the most. Remember: the element of surprise is a beautiful thing!

If you want to "do it for the gram", by all means, DO IT FOR THE GRAM. Be BADD! Be POPPIN! If you look in the mirror one day and you're just like, "Dang! I look good," by all means share that with the world. I'M HERE FOR ALL OF IT! But don't let the opinions of others define who you are.

"I hold myself to a higher standard because I realize I AM a higher standard." One of my Sorors said this statement, and it has stuck with me since the day she said it. Once you think of yourself as such, you can't help but BE YOURSELF! (Plus it takes too much time and effort trying to keep up with what and how others think of you)

NOW THAT'LL EFF 'EM UP! ;)

Out with the Old, In with the New

I never really saw myself writing a blog...like ever! I figured my life was very uneventful so why would anyone read what I wrote? LOL. However I recently decided that since I am about to take on a new journey in life, writing a blog would be an entertaining hobby and a way for my friends and family to keep up with what's going on in my life. 

Courtesy of Bryant Tyson Photography

As many of you may already know, my name is Lisa and I am a recent graduate of THE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. GO TAR HEELS! I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a minor in General Anthropology. I can honestly say that college was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of my life thus far, and I'm sad that I can no longer call Chapel Hill home. 




So my readers might say, "Lisa, you have a degree. What's next in line for you?" Well...it's time for me to "take my talents to South Beach" (or at least as close as I can get). In just a couple days, I will be moving to Jacksonville, Florida for a new job opportunity. I couldn't be more excited,yet nervous at the same time, and here's why: 
Why I am nervous: 1. I know ABSOLUTELY NO ONE (I mean not a single person) in Jacksonville. I've never even been to the city before! Who will I hang out with? Who will I run to when something is wrong? My friends and family will be 7 hours away from me. It's kind of like going to college for the first time all over again; I have to find people who understand me while leaving the comfort of the people I know who already love and adore me. Making friends can be hard out here in these streets lol! 2. BILLS, BILLS, BILLS! This is the first time I will actually be forced to pay bills that are way more than just my tab at a fast food restaurant. No more financial aid, REFUND checks, or someone making sure that my expenses are paid for, on time. I guess this is the life of an adult, huh?

And here is why I am excited: I know ABSOLUTELY NO ONE! A big move like this allows me to experience new things, meet new people, and live in a city I never thought I would ever live in. It allows me to start fresh, spread my wings and take what I've learned in college and apply it to the "REAL world". Never let your nervousness or fear keep you from pursuing what is unknown. My thought process is, "If I try it and don't like it, I always have somewhere to call home." I don't know if my parents would like that so much but hey, it's worth a try lol I'm excited for you all to join me on my journey as I "Take Over Florida"! Bye North Carolina. Hello Sunshine State!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia