These last few days have been even more challenging than "usual" for every black person in America. By now, we all know what happened to George Floyd. By now, we all know about Amy Cooper exercising her "white privilege" in Central Park. But, what we don't know is when this will stop happening in America. I've had ranging emotions. I find myself intermittently crying.

Racists don’t take vacations. This statement may be misleading, so I’d like to urge you to keep reading until forming an opinion or response. My family and I made a trip to Tenerife in the Canary Islands for the holidays, and it was quite the EXPERIENCE. What is the experience I’m referring to? Blatant racism.

Let's keep this brief. Do us all a favor and actually be sorry and mean it. I don't mean some lazy ass text with a bogus excuse or an additional lie. Have enough respect for us to acknowledge your wrongdoings and provide us with the most heartfelt apology imaginable.

It’s 7 a.m. and your alarm goes off. Before getting out of bed, you scroll through your latest social media feed and begin clicking on miscellaneous people’s stories. Next thing you know, it’s 7:15 and you realize you’ve just spent/ wasted 15 minutes of your morning consuming your following’s last 24 hours. Why do we get so caught up in story stalking?

You know. These are words that are coded but mean the same as “bitch” when men use them to characterize women who are violating the “be seen and not heard” gender paradigm. Because men in the workplace can’t get away with the use of “bitch,” such a blatantly sexist and misogynist loaded term, “bitch” is codified by……..

I am not your sweetheart.

I am not your baby girl.

And I am not your ma.

As today’s Time’s Up movement continues to mobilize women’s voices,  I am contributing my say that, yes, we women have had to endure everyday battles. 

Your 2017 is not your 2018.

2018 is a new year. Regardless of whether you had a great or “life trying” 2017, know that your 2017 is not your 2018. What I mean by this is you have the power to make 2018 whatever it is you want it to be. If it was great, what are you doing to ensure 2018 is even better? If it wasn’t, what can you put in place this year to ensure 2018 meets your expectations?

I am celebrating this month.

November 27th, 2017 marks my two year New York Anniversary.

This anniversary means so much to me because it was the point in my life where I decided to put my happiness first. Two years ago I quit my corporate job without having another one lined up, sold my car and all of my furniture, packed up my belongings, boarded a one way flight to New York and never looked back.

1. We hate pet names, especially if we’re not in a relationship. In the beginning stages, refrain from using baby, baby girl, honey, sweetie, sweetheart, or love when referring to us. We cringe inside every time you use these.

I was midway into the month and had received my 6th Facebook and/or Linkedin message of the week. I let out a sigh as I realized it was another 4+ year estranged person from my past wanting advice or needing something. I was annoyed. I pondered disabling my Facebook messages indefinitely.

When I first moved to New York from Seattle, I told myself I was going to say yes to everything that came my way. Yes to random people I've never hung out with. Yes to invites to happy hour with co-workers I wouldn't primarily hang out with. And yes to living with a roommate I barely knew who I later discovered was batshit crazy.