New Year, New You?...Possibly!

Courtesy of Google Images

So it's been so long since I've blogged! It's safe to say that life definitely caught up with me. But I'M BACK and better than ever! I'm excited to start this new year, are you?

So much has happened in the last couple of months! Work, Homecoming, Thanksgiving, Cruise to the Bahamas, Christmas, and New Years. I can definitely say that 2014 ended on a great note. 

Now it's 2015  and we see a lot of 'New Year, New Me' posts, but what does that even mean? To me, the start of a new year does not mean going through extreme measures to change yourself or the people around you. It's more of a time to refocus, release, and re-energize. If there is something you didn't accomplish last year, work even harder to accomplish it this year. Take some chances, face new experiences and just thank the Lord you even made it to 2015!

With that being said, I look forward to sharing more of my experiences with you all.

Happy 2015! Be Great!

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!