From Compton to New York
For those of you who don’t know me I am originally from California. To be exact Compton, California! Yes that is the hood and Yes that is the same place Kendrick Lamar is from lol.
Growing up in Compton wasn’t easy but coming where I’m from and being raised by the strongest mother who wasn’t exactly easy on me has molded me into the woman I am now and is the reason why and how I am thriving in the Big apple. There’s an old saying that this city can either make or break you. But I feel thats anywhere you go.
The key is ready or not , you have to commit and just jump! No sense of constantly thinking about it especially if its something you really want. I knew from the moment in 2015 on my first visit is when I wanted to make New York my new home! It was something about this place that just made me feel so alive and so inspired that when I went back home to LA I was depressed because I knew thats not where I wanted to be.
Two years later in Aug 2017 I took that leap of faith packed up my place shipped myself boxes , gave my mom the biggest hug and kiss and got on the plane with two suitcases, and just like that my life changed for the better! I cant lie a few weeks before my flight date I was getting scared , like what am I thinking moving to a place where I had no family and very few friends. I was literally in my head thinking all the negative things that could happen and going through withdraws of not having my family around, not having a car anymore, not having job, literally moving with a big a** dream and a few bucks in my pocket to take care of me for two months!!!
And then….. I was getting on the bus , took a seat right in front of an older lady who had a tote bag saying Queens, New York ( Which was the part of New York I was moving to ) August ( The month I was moving) and surrounding those main components were words of affirmations saying things like MAKE IT HAPPEN, LOVE, SUPPORT , INSPIRE , LIVING, BALANCE , CONFIDENCE, HAPPINESS! There was no way I could ignore the universe telling me to just GO FOR IT! And so I did :)
A few days after I moved , still had no job but landed my first interview , I completed all three rounds of my interview within 2 days was hired on that 2nd day and started training the next day! Let alone I booked NYFW that same week!!! Confirming my place to live , My job and then booking NYFW all within that week of me moving there felt so surreal but I was extremely grateful all I could do was cry and thank God!
Now here I am 1 year and 5 months later, living my best life in Brooklyn , enjoying what I’m doing and traveling the world.
It doesn’t matter where you come from, where you’ve been its all about where you’re going and are you going to be happy there! Sometimes those doubts we have about making a major life change will keep us from growing. You never know until you try. And you have to believe in the power of prayer. Although I miss my family and friends dearly I needed to make that transition in life because LA was no longer serving me and allowing me to grow into the woman I knew I was ordained to be. When you know you don’t belong somewhere you have to move quickly otherwise you start to become complacent and that could dig you into a hole you have no business being in.
Had I not taken that leap of faith I would have never traveled to different countries which is something I’d never done before. Shucks I didn’t even have my passport until a few weeks after I moved. Now look at me taking 9 trips this year!! Living in a dope apartment in Brooklyn , creating memories with new and old friends.
Living in New York has instilled in me a hustle that I've never known before. It challenges me in ways I've never been challenged before which I now know what I'm capable of and thats a hell of a whooooleeeee lot !!!
To end this off I say… Moving out of your hometown is a life hack!
To create the life you wish to have, you need to be courageous. Don’t stop yourself from doing things that scare you, because that’s all the more reason to do it. Don’t be afraid to fail, sometimes we fall down but we always get up. Last but not least you MUST have faith in yourself!
Having a support system of family and friends rooting for you never hurts and if you don’t have that .. well guess what I support you ,YOU GOT THIS! Now Go chase yo dreams !
Travels : Bulgaria
Whilst in Bulgaria I came across the cutest Chinese garden full of peacocks , a pond full of exotic fish and so much more. Wasn’t much to do whilst I was in town but to wonder around and socialize with the locals whom were a little standoff-is but warmed up to me a few days into my visit and gave me some cool tips.
When I travel I try to capture as many photos as I can, but at the same time I love to just be in the moment and keep my phone in my pocket and take all the sights in.
When it came food….. hmmm being a vegetarian in a country that loves its poultry was tough. Legit my first night I ordered dominos pizza because their were many local options just non veggie friendly. When it finally came down to trying the food I was sadly disappointed, hardly any flavor. However on my last night I came across a Thai restaurant that was simply delicious! If you are an omnivore you will probably be in meaty heaven but for me I was a little disappointed but still happy that I was able to visit another country and understand more of their culture - thats what its really all about!
When it came to shopping - ehhhhhh the nike store was about all of the excitement. I left with a cute nike bag that I get compliments whenever I wear it, so thats cool lol.
Any who scroll down to see some of the images I captured in the beautiful Bulgaria …