I live in a typical Brownstone Apartment in Brooklyn. NYC is already crowded and pressed for space and it is reflected in our living space. At times,  I complain about what may appear like a small apartment, particularly in comparsion to the down south homes I’m more familiar with. But my perspective about what small is and what space is was radically changed when I came across this awesome use of space in Hong Kong.

Gary Chang owns a 344 square foot apartment in Hong Kong. Yes that is very small. But the catch is… it comes with 24 rooms. How? Well he makes good use of space and gets innovative with how to create it. Check out the VIDEO TOUR HERE  to see how he does it.

It will show you, just like it showed me, that space, the word “small”, and what you are given in life is truly what YOU make it.

So about  a year ago I was introduced to a writer in Brooklyn named Jean. Last year, Jean introduced himself to me via email and told me that he had heard that I had publishing experience and wanted to meet me for dinner for advice. I was down. We connected, talked, exchanged our writing journey, and soon would become writing partners at our neighborhood cafe and good friends. He is now in the process of shopping his memoir manuscript to some agents called “Finding Nia: The story of an exonerated Felon”

Yesterday he decided to visit my job and give a presentation on memoir writing to our students. The creative writing class he spoke to was also honest writers in their own right and they were blessed to hear him share his story of inspiration, writing tips, and provide encouragement to them about their own writing. Also, Back from a recent visit from Haiti (he is a Native) he was able to teach us of Haiti’s history, beauty, and value.  My students were able to connect with him and I’m glad that he showed them just how valuable and brilliant they are.

Moments like this make me grateful for the people in our lives that we can share with others. Today I’m happy to say that I know Jean and I’m glad for inspirational and creative friends who are selfless enough to inspire others to tell their story.

So Im trying to do some different, drastic, life changing yet beneficial things in my life this year. You see, I’m trying to switch it up. And after years of procrastinating, I proclaim that this is the year that I will begin the habit of cooking. Now, don’t judge me or think that I’m less of a woman. Half of Americans are cooking less and going out and although I enjoy the luxury of eating at restaurants (ok its an obsession), its not very healthy. Plus cooking saves you money, and I just believe that fixing a meal for myself is as essential as washing myself, so its time to get it going.

I was never interested before. I grew up quite spoiled. While my sister was learning how to cook, I was playing sports. But the desire started a few years ago, begging for lessons from friends. But the inspiration came late last year from a friend of mine who eats very healthy. This year I received the final boost from the information Ive been receiving from Chef Jamie Oliver and Writer and Professor Michael Pollan. This weekend I explored Jamie’s website and watched his TED Conference talk. I also had the chance to check out Pollans “In Defense of Food” Talks and finally “Food, Inc”. I then went to the grocery shopping. Yes I did. People it is on and popping over here.

I’m not saying that I’m striving to be a chef or anything. I just want to treat myself good and stop depending on others (restaurants) to do it for me. And although I doubt I will become great at it, its the journey and the trying that I am more intrigued by. When things turn out awesome, I will show them to you. When they don’t, oh well.

Check out CHEF JAMIE OLIVER TED SPEECH here. Its (A Must See)

Favorite Line: “Can you feel that”

Favorite Line: “Come on man, You’ve been riding me all day”

These last 4 years has been a space of growth, new adventure, and a true welcome into adulthood. Within this time period, I moved to NYC from Baltimore with no family and no job, my mother passed away at the mere age of 52, I’ve experience heartache, healing, and heartache. I’ve also been learning so much about life; that it is indeed what you make it and it is YOU that must make it what it is.

I’ve learned the truth that my twenties would be the most daring and even as I grow into my 30’s I miss that side of myself. I’ve tried love for the first time since this little heart was broken at the age of 15.  It is much different in adulthood. Much more complicated, much more scary.  But familial love I’m finding is much more real, important, and lasting than I would of ever thought it would be when I was younger.

Professionally, I am doing what I love which is writing and teaching. But there is something inside of me that still wants more. I want more experiences and more rewards. I’m grateful, but I also am easily bored and desire what I am worth. And I am convinced that there is nothing wrong with that at all. I believe that that longing will never die. I’m on the constant grind of balancing my intellectual and creative side and praying that the rewards for having and working both, will come to me.

I have learned so much about people and myself. “They” are complicated. I don’t understand “them”. At times I’m scared to trust “them”, scared to share myself with “them”, and if any one really pays attention they would find that this loud mouth on stage, on a pulpit, and on paper is really very mute in relationships and encounters. But my extroverted self finds joy, inspiration, and growth in “them”. And in the end, I realize I want and need “them” more than they know. For myself, I am “complicatively simple” or at least is on a campaign to get everyone to think that. I’m also obsessed with realizing my potential, obsessed with getting what I want, deeply humbly confident, obsessed with proving to the world that I am a good person. I am not sure that either is really healthy or is supposed to be.

In less than 30 days, another birthday will come around. I will get older. And as each day pass, I am writing the wisdom down, confronting and welcoming the lessons, journaling because I’m scared I will forget the moments. I’m also getting over things and moving on, accepting things and staying. I don’t know if I’m doing a good job at either, but the act of it is making me stronger each day and I can say I’m proud of myself. Proud of thinking, for working life out, for enjoying Joy, and trying to make sense out of it through reflecting.

Anywhoo, I’ll thought Ill share a few Ive seen in New York City and San Francisco. If you’ve seen any, I would love to get a link. Inspire me please!!

Queens, NYC

Barneys in San Fransisco, CA

NYC subway, Manhattan

NYC subway, Queens

Macys, Manhattan

(because the root of our problems is this four letter word (bills)
Manhattan, NYC

Alcratrez is in the distance

I know, I know.. the peace sign is…

Its not called the Bay for nothing

It took us 30 min to get all the way to the top of that hill but it was so much fun!

Thats me!