Thank God for Sista's! After reading my big sis Tatiana Richards Hanebutte "30 before 30" list on her blog "tatiana in flux" I was inspired to create my own! You can check her amazing blog + list out here: http://www.bloglovin.com/m/3293615/501193011/fb I'm currently 29 years old (started this list when I was 27) & I live a blessed life! I have everything that I could ask for + more, but I feel at times that I'm not really living to my full potential! I get bogged down in work & the day-to-day humbug. Before I know it days, months, years have passed & I haven't done/accomplished half the things (most simple) that I desired to. I recently took a two week vacation and drafted my list & timeline. I'm beyond determined to get'er done before I'm 30! Check it out:
1.) Go Sky Diving: #1 on my list & Principal Andrew Sullivan is gonna help me do it! Ain't that right Andrew boo? HA! Ahhhhhhhhh yes & I will be documenting the dive via flip cam! Check out Crystal Cotton's dive (video below). SO AWESOME! Can't wait. ♥
2.) See Alivin Ailey Ballet Live: For a long time I thought I wanted to learn ballet (hyped up off that scene in She's Gotta Have It) & then I figured out that I really just want to see beautiful, Black folk do ballet! Gotta make it happen. http://www.alvinailey.org/ ♥
3.) Take an African Dance Class: Let me tell y'all how I typed in "African Dance New Orleans" into Google tryna get the 504 scoop on classes & I see the gorgeous Gaddis sisters (photo below) getting down at Moriah's wedding! Katie & Lexi y'all help a sista out w/the moves. In the meantime check out these stunning wedding photo's here: http://www.amandasummerlin.com/blog/2011/10/moriah-and-kevin-new-orleans-wedding-photographer/♥
4.) Write Hand Written Letters: I am aware that I'm not the most 'thoughtful' family member or friend, but I'm dedicated to getting better. I want to take the time to write a few key folks that are near and dear to my heart about the impact they've had on my life. Starting w/ my gorgeous grandmother. ♥
5.) Dressing Up For a NOLA Festivity: New Orleans is the city of events/festivals and a good amount of them cause for costumes. I've lived in the city 7 years & I've yet to participated (not even in Mardi Gras garb); it's mos def time for me to step out & try something fun!♥
6.) Visit Sedona, Arizona
(again) + hike mountains: Top 10 most peaceful, magical places I've ever been. I met an awesomely beautiful woman here (Valencia). We bought fly earrings & danced the night away to house music! Anywhoo, this time I actually want to hike/climb the mountains. I want to be that cat that yells at the top of that joint "Hellloooo is it me ya lookin' fooooo?!" Here's a photo of Valencia (who straight up travels the world) she's so freakin' bomb. Inspiration for real. ♥
7.) Visit the Caribbean: Cuba was at the top of my list until my sister-friends informed me that uhhh it's light weight illegal. Um. I ain't bout that life! Down for everywhere else Caribbean they'll let this little brown girl & fro frolic. I feel connected. I want to go. I will go. The end. ♥
8.) Obtain *Masters in
Teaching: Yea, it's going down. Already working on this one! ♥
9.) Check Out PhD.
Programs: I'm thinking either Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, or Urban Ed. "Thinking of a master plan..." Until then...this:
10.) See Prince In Concert (again): Dear Prince, please, please don’t pass away before I’m 30. I saw you once (when I was a teenager) & I've been mesmerized since. Now that I'm older I'm ready for all you have to share. Please wear lace, those little diamond heels, & sing "Insatiable". No other entertainer compares.
All my love, S.Elem ♥
11.) Work-Out 30-1hr Everyday:"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." - 1 Corinthians 19-20
12.) + Commit to Gym That Fits My Needs: Look y'all I need a gym. It's gotta have a sauna, an indoor track, a variety of "group classes", & preferably a Jacuzzi. So far NOAC, Elmwood Fitness & JCC are leading. They cost guape tho! *sigh* Anywhoo enjoy one of my fav songs off my work-out list. Vroom-Vroom START IT UP! ♥
13.) Inclusive
vacay w/ a lover: I'm just tryna peacefully chill w/ my boo-thang somewhere extra dope w/ lots of wine, jazz, & love. Super simple. ♥
14.) Mentor Young Black Girls: Craziness I had this on my 30 before 30 list & then my BFF, Farrah Holifield had a premonition (recently) of us doing this. God works in crazy mysterious ways. ♥
15.) Have a legit, written
bookstore layout: This has been my life plan forever! It's about time that I kick it into geer. Thanks Courtney Mc A.K.A. Kermie, A.K.A. Courtney Bourtney for bringing it up (earlier this month) & pushing me to get it going. This is why I'll love you forever. Malcolm's Reading Room in B'ham re-inspired me about a year ago (photo below). ♥
16.) Do a full year of “eating clean” 50-70%: Eating all whole food is hard & expensive! However, I did it for a month & felt/saw crazy benefits. I had the most energy! I'm trying to feel that way everyday, forever, & ever. ♥
17.) Have a Spa Day: Pampering from head to toe! Yup, yup I'm about that life. Cue "Ladies Night" & please throw in the chocolate brotha's from the video! Yes Lawwwd. *sigh* RIP Left Eye (totally random, but it was on my heart). ♥
18.) Aerial City Tour: So, I have a naturally adventurous/spontaneous spirit! This is right up my alley. While I prefer somewhere glitzy like NYC, ya girl will take a Living Social Deal + Groupon Coupon right 'chea in NOLA. ♥
19.) Professional Boudoir Photographs: Shout-out to my home girl J.J. for sharing her experience & prompting my thoughts here. I suppose it's quite liberating, plus (as a growing woman) I'm lovin' the skin I'm in. Ya dig? I'm thinking a "Soul Sista" type of flow. ♥
20.) Pray Everyday: I adore El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) for a gazillion reasons, but mainly because he was so deeply devoted to prayer. I am looking to pray and mediate for 10-20 min. everyday. I love this photo + "Malcolm's prayer". ♥ I pray that God will bless you in everything that you do. I pray that you will grow intellectually, so that you can understand the problems of the world & where you fit into, in that world picture. & I pray that all of the fear that has ever been in your heart will be taken out.
21.) Vacationing Alone: I plan on going somewhere simply divine, reading the bible a great deal, writing/journaling, being around lots of water, & of course Instagraming pics of myself doing stuff I love (like below) & gorgeous scenery. Again, I keep it simple. ♥
22.) Rent a limo (w/ a Jacuzzi) & get ratchet w/ my homies: Uhhhhhh this video, this song, replace Cam & 'nem (A.K.A. Dipset) w/ my crew/fam (in NOLA, DC, & Bama). That's the life I'm living for one night only real soon! "What means the world to you?!" ♥
23.) Perform Spoken Word Once, Again: It's been a long, long time since I've written a piece & spit. Almost 7 years to be exact. How do we move away from the things that were once such an intricate part of our lives? Anywhoo, truth be told, after you don't do something for awhile you're a bit nervous. My goal is to hit the stage again before it's all said & done. Until then I have awesome movies like Slam (Saul Williams) to keep me hyped & reminiscent of the good ol' days! ♥
24.) Plantation Tour: A Reverend in New Orleans that I'm extremely close to shared w/ me that as an Afro-American I must have this experience. He described it as, "Incredibly humbling just to look up at all the large oak trees & know our ancestors paid the ultimate price for you & I. Makes you want to be a better descendant of greatness." I feel that. ♥
25.) Read New Book A Month: I'm dedicated to reading more! My ex bought me a Kindle & recently I got a case which means I've got that "Kindle Swag"! Ha! Might as well use that joint although I'm mostly against books on e-readers. Just bought Bell Hooks, Teaching To Transgress: Education As A Practice to Freedom via Amazon. AWESOME! ♥
26.) Skinny-Dip!: Just 'cuz! ♥
27.) Bed & Breakfast: I once dated someone who was literally a permanent resident at a Bed & Breakfast. Those were good times. W/ that being said I've actually never been & would mos def like to enjoy the experience. I feel confident that I've found the perfect spot! Ya'll know I love to support Black owned joints. heck this out:http://akwaaba.com/♥
28.) Publish a poetry book: One of my fav books, "Honey, I love" serves as a true blue-print for what I'd like to do. I've published poetry here & there, but I've never put together an entire book of my own. I need a bomb artist for the visuals! ♥
29.) Chill at a Lakehouse: All I want is a lake, a house, good people, and fun! I tried to convince my friends to do one of the boss houseboats in Atchafalya, Louisiana but they weren't here for me. Talkin' bout alligators and such. HA! ♥
30.) Experience a full sunrise & a sunset (via rooftop): 'Nuff said. ♥ - Peace & Light, S. Elem
