New York City
I am going to share a few tips, that might be relevant to moving to NYC or any city or maybe any transition in general.
New York CityWell I have arrived! Officially it has been a month since I made it a little after 2AM to Central Harlem. Alongside my very tired best friend and my very anxious kitties, we scrambled to the city and picked up my keys from my boo, who seriously saved my life - giving me insight to the borough to checking my potential apartments out in person for me to meeting the broker. Find you a boo, but I thank him so much for creating my move so comforting! Anywho, back to Harlem, we park next to a nightclub (already a bad idea), but take parking where you can get it! Tell me you wouldn’t crack up, if you saw two wild ladies who just drove 10 hours that day, rolling suitcases and scared cats passed the bumping music. While I won't lie we were quite the funny looking scene and that's the first on many million times of cat calling. I swear I started this city on catcalling and will roll out to a cat call. We passed the McDonalds, which more poppin' then the club. We reach the building in relief, the kitties now restless, we put the keys in the door and they did not work! At the that moment we are not only culture shocked at the new environment, but we are tripping and the cats are tripping. Ginger jams keys and the door for a minute like we were straight out the rez, two girls trying to sneak back in after we snuck out. Thank the Creator, it worked, we rolled up one flight of stairs to my new humble abode. We opened the door to the smallest box, I ever seen, we ever seen. Releasing the kitties to their new existence, the floor was cool, but the end of August heat lingered. We made it, I wanted to cry, but the exhaustion was more powering. We slept on the floor and in the heat, like nothing new, because journey made up for the destination.
I am going to share a few tips, that might be relevant to moving to NYC or any city or maybe any transition in general.
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What you see is the blonde hair, what you see is the color of my skin. What you don’t see is the weight I carry, the burdens of the historical trauma that bares my shoulders. As a Native woman, I was born heavy. Ethnically, Fat. My pride and self is so damn hefty I wear a triple X just in being Native. I would never question some else's identity or authenticity. My blond hair is a choice of self-expression, and the second that I have to explain myself is the second you took my voice away. I will forever remain transparent in my writing, and I will never censor the truth even if it is hard to reveal. However, my optimism tells me that time will heal everything, but the experience forces me to hold back the tears.
Discoveries of Multipurpose ResilienceI recently was asked to participate in a Stress and Resilience Entrepreneurship Study through the University of Manitoba. The first survey measured my attitude and work preferences, as well as gathered a bit of information about my business. Plus, reflection is the most important part of the learning process. I thought it would be interesting to share the answers and maybe even helpful!
Why not have one more than one purpose for anything. If I spent an hour on this survey, one hour of my valued time, one hour of labor then, I might as well use it to gain my value. I mean after I am down with the study I do receive analyzed results and feedback about my resilience at work including strategies to improve your resilience. I recently heard in one of my "Intro to Farming" sessions I host that the equipment, tools, plants, animals, and everything in your barn or business should have multiple purposes. Abbey Palmer of the MSU North Farm in Chatham, MI says, "Everything on the farm must have two uses in order to sort of justify itself." Hence why I will also, show off my amazing photos from Erin Elizabeth Photography and -Et Images! Erin and Emma also asked out of the blue to do an impromptu photo shoot, but low key I'm always ready! haha! I am always down for the cause, yes I will stand in the freezing cold and trek through a foot in a half of snow. I prepped my jewelry quick and packed 7 dresses, 9 pairs of shoes, 2 fur coats, and 16 lip sticks! After a 5 hour notice, my hair and makeup was on and I was out in the sticks of Skanee, MI. 2016 AT A GLANCE!
I am one of those people who thought to 2016 was complete crap! I have overcome a lot of adversity from 2016 and still trying to recover. I have preserved through heartbreak (more than once), loss in my family, violence, being dragged through the court system, and witnessing loved ones go the trials of drug addiction. Writing all that out just now and reading it back, is mind blowing. Tragedies started to seem normalized to me. My experiences of hardship almost were the norm, and I questioned how trauma appear to be repetitive, blow after blow. If you know me, then you know I am terribly optimistic, and 2016 brought me a little pessimism. Here goes my optimistic nature, already thinking that may be a good thing to have in life. But as I write about "the struggle" and as I sip my 3rd coffee, it is bringing me awareness at the strength I carry.
On top of it all, it hasn't been easy running a business and working full-time as a public health grant coordinator. I honestly wanted to quit. I mean I did! Mentally I did stop; psychically I didn't. I didn't have the luxury to let myself go completely. I was still going through the days, but it was hard to feel fully awake. I can say now finally I feel like my spark back like I have a drive, energy, and determination again. It has taken a lot of time. Healing takes awareness and accountability. I think it also takes a little selfish-ness, the right kind. The kind where you focus on your self and your wellbeing. Being selfish while being an adult with responsibility can be a little hard, especially when most social norms are against it. I even had to explain "selfish" in a positive manner because it sounds negative. The recuperation mentally and physically allowed me to come back stronger; it gave me a more meaningful relationship with my business and passion. Exciting News, Updates and Other ThingsIt has been a hot minute since I last shared all the waves of excitement going on in my studio/living room. Plus, what's been happening in my life! Gah! February was the last time I shared "Exciting News, Updates and Other Things" post! It's definitely about time to write another.
It is already mid-February, someone pinch me!
I can't believe how the time is flying by. Keeping busy is definitely the cause of the time passing by quickly and I am excited to share what I have been up to in my little studio/deep couch sitting/desk and lamp. First things first, I apologize for not writing sooner or consistently. I plan to catch up and always let you know whats poppin' on my little rez, in my little town, and in my little apartment. Wow! That is a lot of little places and I am starting to feel it, but I have big ideas, new thoughts, and more work. |
Tashina LeeHello, I am Miss Keweenaw (Ke·wee·naw) Bay 2008, University of Michigan Graduate in 2015, and current graduate student of NYU Tisch. I have come from a small Upper Peninsula Rez and have explored as far as Ghana, Italy, and England! My passion is creating wearables that embody my indigenous roots, contemporary vibes, and optimistic outlook on life. I write to give insight into my process, life, and my home as a modern Native with many visions. I want to share, inspire, and bring awareness to other others. Be sure to keep up to date by subscribing below! #TashinaLeeEmery #TLEJewelry
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