top: H&M; Jeans rock & Republic (c/o Kohl’s); shoes: Zara; bag: Alexander Wang; lipstick: Force of Love by MAC Cosmetics’ Chen Men collection
I’m 98% sure there’s no graceful way to take photos when its windy.
Beside that, I’m super excited the weather has warmed up a bit again this week. I’ve been in such a major funk and I’m hoping the weather and increasing daylight will turn this frown upside down. It’s a funny thing when you get older. School prepares you to know lots of random facts you may never use but not the real deal. Real life is rough. When was the last time I had to deal with parabolas at work, yet I had the WORST time in my mathematics class!! I’ve been out of college for two years now and I’m faced with too difficult decisions. What if I don’t get into law school, then what? Do I even want to go when the New York Times keeps publishing articles like this and this, oh, and this? Not only that, I’ve reached a point of annoyance with several aspects in life that I’m yearning for a change but too fearful to just go for it.
That’s what they need to teach in school: how to grow some damn balls and make the right decision.
I’m currently in Haiti visiting my family so it’s going to be quiet ’round these parts. sometimes it’s good to get away, unplug and just breathe. that’s what I fully intend to do while I’m gone (in case you haven’t noticed, my mind’s already on vacation as seen by the total lack of proper grammar). I guess I could have been a good blogger and scheduled posts in my absence but let’s face it, shit happens.
I still love you. Don’t ever leave me.
My goals for this trip include: 1. sleeping 2. eating 3. perfecting my French 4. crossing the border into the Dominican Republic (wouldn’t that be badass?)
Physically, I’ll be back in the States on the 23rd. Mentally, I probably won’t be back until Sept. 1.
Don’t tell my boss.
Isn’t the photo above breathtaking?!!?!! I took it last summer, when my uncle convinced me to go hiking (which meant climbing a fort/mountain thing). this isn’t what one normally thinks of when I say “Haiti” but goes to show there’s more to this tiny little island than what you see on TV.
This time last year, I was at my internship when I received a BBM from a good friend “Haiti had an earthquake. Call your fam.” Thinking nothing of it I called my mom, told her what I heard and went about working on my projects. By the time I hopped off the L train and in my house, the seriousness of the situation smacked me right in the face as my mom sat in her room with a look of extreme sadness. Clutching the phone in her hand - she must have called at least 20 times with no response - my mom, the fearless leader of the pack, cried.
She cried for her mom who was going blind and her dad who was wheelchair bound. She cried for her baby brother who can lift her spirits with million jokes and for her little nephew who rivals Einstein in intelligence. Most importantly, she cried because the place she called home was in ruins. And there was nothing she can do to help. No matter how many years she spends in the US, she considers Haiti her home and where she wants to be.
The earthquake of January 12, 2010, killed about 230,000 people and left thousands more badly injured. The country’s infrastructure was already fragile and crumbled instantly. The date is uttered in Haiti as September 11th in America. When I visited last summer, everyone remembered the day as if it were yesterday. I listened to my littlest cousin, Bradley, explain how scared school kids were at the thought of never seeing their parents.
Taken on my trip to Haiti
A full year later, little progress has been made. Cholera haunts the natives and political tension is rising, causing chaos and riots throughout the streets. While aid is far in the distance, it hasn’t stopped people from celebrating. Life goes on. My cousins showed the marketplace where girls bought bits of costume jewelry and beauty products. I was taken to the park at night where countless young people sat around eating and dancing to kompa (the country’s music).
There were smiles but beneath them lie constant fear. The Haitian people have questions but getting answers is a task in its own right. When will aid come? How will cholera be controlled? When will life turn back to normal? I have no idea and I can’t help but be sad today. I want the best for my family - and the country in general - but like everyone else, I’ll just have to wait it out and pray.
I temporarily lost my laptop charger so I couldn’t log on Christmas.
I woke up this morning to a wonderful sheet of snow that had Canarsie slightly white. Now that sheet has turned into several inches and we in NYC are in the midst of a blizzard. Yay! Call me crazy but I love when it snows I just hate the aftermath — muddy streets, blankets of ice)
Feeling particularly lazy today, I find it super hard coming up with new ideas for this weekly column.
Make your way to Bath & Body Works Their sale just started and it is B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Travel sized lotions are going for $1. yeah…
Speaking of shopping… Victoria’s Secret PINK bras are buy one, get one 50% off. Forever 21 has the most amazing deals for basic long sleeve tees ($4.50)
Run through the snow like you’re a kid If you’re fortunate enough to have some snow in your area, enjoy it while it’s still clean. I’m five seconds away from making a 5’10″ snow angel
If you want to act like an adult stay inside with some hot chocolate and read a novel you haven’t read since school days (Pride and Prejudice anyone??)
Say thank you
If, for some strange reason, you don’t like drinking hot chocolate head on over to Carol’s Daughter for a haute chocolate pedicure ($36). Feet are soaked and scrubbed with cocoa, brown sugar, peppermint and honey. Cocoa lessens the appearance of wrinkles, protects your skin with antioxidants and gives you a serotonin boost. Carol’s Daughter, 24 W 125th St between Fifth Ave and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) 212-828-6717.
I just want to wish all of you a Happy Halloween!!
I LOVE Halloween because I love playing dress up and I can finally put to us the piles and piles of makeup I have stashed in my house to get creative. I went out last night (boo to Halloween actually falling on a Sunday this year!) I have a job and need to be conscious tomorrow. I was supposed to be a pirate but the packaging said “Admiral” and my mom thought my hat was part of a Mariachi costume.
WHATEVER! I just loved my hat
Be safe. Have fun. Don’t drink and drive. And beware of any grown man dressed in an Elmo costume. -Captain Eileen
