Saturday Things
Life Updates
Well it’s been quite a minute, hasn’t it? Here’s what’s been going on in my life since January:
I graduated from Norfolk State University with my degree in chemistry and moved to Durham, NC to be a research intern at Duke University. I also moved into my first apartment and got a job working as a hostess on the weekends which has allowed me to pay off my $7500 student loan!! I’m freaking debt-free baby!!! WHOO-HOO!
I’ve been here in Durham for several months and I’m starting to think that I’d love to live here. I’m not sure I want to keep pursuing research, but I know I’d like to build a life here, God willing. I’ve decided against applying for graduate school and I am just going to stay open to what God has planned for me. Maybe I’ll get a job in biotech, who knows?
Dating
I recently started dating again and man has that been an experience. I was ready to start putting myself out there again so I got on a couple of dating apps that actually weren’t that bad. You will definitely meet some creeps and some jerks on these apps but you’ll also meet really nice guys. I think through the entire process, I am just learning what I like and don’t like. For instance, I want to date…not hang out, I don’t like deep questions on the first few dates. We should be able to just spend time together and have a good time. BE YOURSELF. Also, I’ve learned that I don’t mind asking guys on a coffee or lunch date but if we both want the second date, I expect them to ask and then we can sort of alternate planning dates. What I won’t do is start something I can’t finish by consistently making the plans and asking the guy out.
Hopes & dreams
Things I have been dreaming about lately:
- Adopting a dog. There is an animal shelter here in Durham that has the cutest and sweetest dogs up for adoption and I can’t wait to bring one home with me. I think I’m just waiting for the right time, but trust me that time is coming soon. I just want to make sure we are both in a place to take on this job, that is me and my furry friend. I’m thinking I might get an adult or senior dog that is calm and lowkey. I don’t think I have the time or energy right now to train a puppy or super energetic dog.
- Going on my first solo trip. OH MY GOSH, how I have been dreaming of this for so long. I will definitely have to do a blog post about that one day. I’m thinking for my first solo trip, I would like to save up to go to California or Canada. My big solo trip plan is to go to France one day as well and practice my French. So exciting!
- Getting back into dancing. I’ve been feeling this tug on my heart to get back into dancing. I’ve been missing it a lot. Dance helped bring me out of my shell and allowed me to express myself. So I signed up for some dance classes in the area so I could just get moving again and hopefully get back to training. I want to try a bunch of different genres, including ballroom dancing. I’m hoping God will bring me a dance partner in a husband so I have to start practicing now. :) haha. I have big dreams for my dancing. I’ve been putting headphones in and dancing around my home ever since I was in middle school, but I believe that one day I will be a professional dancer dancing in tv, movies, live shows, and maybe even with a company. I love to dance and know that I can do it well. Hopefully, I will get to really show people what I can do.
- Make my space a home. So here is my vision. Given I live in a shoebox of a studio apartment, I don’t actually need that much. I’m thinking about getting a desk and a bedside table for my bedroom, a tv stand and couch for my living room as well as a kennel, and then some chairs and some hanging plants for my balcony.
- More tattoos. I currently have two tattoos, an airplane on my ankle and a cross on my rib. The next one I want is the phrase “just be” on the back of my arm above my elbow.
Things on my heart
I have so much on my mind sometimes that it’s hard to even talk about. It’s almost like where do I begin?
My mind is just everywhere, but I love sitting down with some lofi music on like this and just get my thoughts out on paper. I want to stop making decisions for a little while and just be. Now I get why people encourage young people to not settle down too quickly…because you are certainly still getting to know yourself. Your mind is moving at a thousand miles per second and you often can’t figure out what’s up and what’s down, but you keep going. You take a deep breath and carry on. Keep dreaming. Keep dreaming without fear.
Whether you are saying yes or no, say it boldly. Take a risk. Don’t get in your head and doubt yourself. You don’t have to have your next step figured out either. Just go for it.
Trust that God is with you every step of the way. Romans 8:28 in TPT says “so we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed propose”.
