Weekend At The Holiday Parade

Even a little wind and rain couldn’t stop a perfectly planned staycation and the annual Holiday Parade at the Beach in my city last weekend. It was amazing. The streets were packed with eager residents and visitors to view the holiday fun and cheer as the parade carried on at the local oceanfront. It was beautiful and couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The smiling faces, festive floats, and talented bands and dancers were a wonderful treat to take in. After the parade, I happily retired to my hotel room, filled with delicious treats, and an amazing and peaceful view of the beach from my balcony window. It was one of the most chill staycations I’ve done thus far and a great way to kick off the holidays. Have fun this holiday season and make the most of the final month of this year. You deserve it. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

Early Christmas Present: A Side of Serendipity

I don’t believe in forcing things or dating apps or being thirsty for the attention of guys, but I believe in God and I believe in serendipity. This week I met a charming guy when I was picking up my car from the car dealership. He was picking up his car too. I’d just had my yearly inspection done and couldn’t wait to have my ride back. As I waited for a mechanic to bring my car out front, the charming guy sat down next to me, started talking about the work he got done on his car, mentioned the holidays, and the weather, and said, “You’re really pretty. When I saw you, I was hoping you weren’t leaving.” He was nice and real chill. We chatted for a while and when he asked for my number, I told him, “I don’t give out my number, but I’ll take yours.” After dodging some creepers and indulging some not-so-great guys in the past, it’s been in my best interest as a bachelorette not to provide my number too freely. He was cool about it, though, and gave me his number. I was slightly impressed, and also reminded that you don’t have to force things or hop on a dating app or be thirsty. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, much like I have been anytime I’ve met a chill guy. I wasn’t nervous. And nothing felt forced. And things weren’t awkward. Things were casual and cool. Although our encounter was brief, it was nice. I’ve doubted God and His plans for my dating life and love life, but I’m seeing the benefits of letting things happen naturally. The gift of serendipity is lovely, and I hope you all embrace whatever serendipity may mean for you in this season as well. Especially all you wonderful, eligible, and amazing bachelorettes. Happy Holidays!

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

Ditching Dating And Decentering Men

Today’s current dating climate is bizarre. It’s grown so bizarre, that men barely, if ever in some cases, will approach a woman in person and ask her out on a date. Instead, the new normal has become DM sliding, creeping on social media accounts, and liking photos to build romantic connections, which honestly doesn’t sound too romantic or appealing to me at all. As a child of the 90s and a teenager of the early 2000s, I miss and prefer the time when men interacted with women without hiding behind technology. There was something special about handwritten cards and notes, thoughtful dates, serendipity, and intentionality. After having some unpleasant encounters, embarrassing moments, and failed set ups (from well meaning people who believe I need to be partnered), I’ve decided, that now, at 36, to choose me. I’m ditching dating and decentering men. I’m no longer interested in meeting anyone, dating, or creating space to prioritize a relationship. I’ve never been a male-centered woman any...

Making Waves