(At Your Best) You Are Love - The Isley Brothers

Ee-Mon-Ee
So first of all Let It Go...that's a fantastic song!! I loooooooooove Frozen - cutest.Disney.movie.of.(last).year. It's about to work its way up under Lion King on my list of All Time Fav Movies. Also listed are The Princess and the Frog, Up, Tangled, Brave, Cinderella (the one with Whitney and Brandy), Hercules, Oliver and Company, Lilo and Stitch (Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten.), Pocohantas, the 4 Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and OMG what about Mighty Joe Young?! Do you remember that movie A Sainty Switch?! Or how about Life-Size?!  Not to mention all of the great shows we used to watch along with them. Anyway listing all of those reminded me of our childhood and all the zillions of great movies we grew up watching. Being an only child would've been absolutely no fun so I supppose what I'm getting at is a BIG 'thank ya kindly' for giving me someone to follow around, scream at, bite, love on (when I felt like it), and grow up with. I guess you're a pretty fun person and always have been but don't let that go to your head. Thanks for your wonderful advice, O' Wise One! Despite what people think, I really do listen to what's being said and apply it to life....eventually! I may be stubborn and independent and tad bossy, but I know when somebody's tellin me something good/worth remembering. Even when I know stuff myself, it's always great to be reminded by someone else. I know that sounds weird, but it's true! I know that I'm intelligent enough to make it through the semester, but it never hurts to hear that little bit of encouragement from other people. 
I'm about to go CRAZY with anticipation. May 9th can't come fast enough. It's about that time to gather my things and go home for the summer! But on the flip side, I'm sad to leave all this fantastic freedom and 30-minute long "get-out-when-I-feel-like-it-cause-VSU-pays-the-water-bill" HOT showers. Two things I know I'm gonna have to let go of for the summer cause The Vickster ain't havin' that! And unfortunately, I think I'm gonna have to act like an adult and find a job...I hate even thinking about that because like whyyyy do I have to grow up and stuff? Everything is bittersweet and has been since high school graduation. Sometimes it's just no fun. I guess I should consider it a blessing though. On a totally unrelated note, my weather app on my phone says it's 88 degrees outside and the 'real feel' is 96 degrees, but they might wanna check again because I'm pretty sure it's 90 and feels like 100. It's HOT and I'm excited because I can pull out my cute dresses and shorts and whatnot. For a minute the weather was a little iffy. Also, IT'S BEACH TIME!!! The water's gonna start really warming up and the sand is going to be scorching. Which reminds me, it's almost time for Beach Week round 1. I don't even know if I'm going to Myrtle this year but I really wanna! Then there's sweet, sweet Hilton Head in July. Those are amazing times with the family when you look back at it, but at the time I have to constantly ask Jesus to take the wheel. I'm trying to take these two online summer classes through VSU - English 1102 and Race, Class, and Gender. They shouldn't be too hard, but we'll see. 
I think I'm gonna get an inflatable pool to sit in in the backyard. Only big enough for me so nobody else tries to come sit with me. And I'm gonna find a bunch of old Glamour and Cosmo magazines to read cover-to-cover. Doesn't that just sound MAGNIFICENT? *sigh* guess I'll get back to making my notecards for now. 

Talk 2 U On Da Flip Side,
En-Eye-Aye

Let It Go!

Threats are sometimes the best way to make things happen—that’s how YOU, Nia, got my attention and coerced me into writing this blog post. Sometimes, writing is not the easiest thing for me. You’ll see, young whippersnapper, after writing four years’ worth of papers in college compounded with the writing that I have to do for work—sometimes, you get tired of typing and having to think.

Nonetheless, the threat of getting walloped by you combined with my eagerness to write something heartfelt has brought me back to the good old blog!

I miss you dearly and I cannot believe that you are rounding out your very first year of college. I also cannot believe that we started this blog when you were just a senior in high school! How funny and how things do change.

Now I’m a full-time adult with a real job and real adult problems and you’re the student. Enjoy your time in college. People say that high school is the best time of your life but I think back on my college years on a daily basis and reflect on how lucky I was to meet the people that I met and do the things that I did! In honor of the fact that I am now old and brimming with wisdom, I’d like to curate a list for you of tips for college. I hope these pointers help and I hope that you can return to them when things, inevitably, get touch. Be encouraged, lady bug! You got this!

1.      Procrastination does not pay. I know that we are the spawn of the world’s biggest procrastinator (dear old mom) and we have become experts at putting things off but it really never pays off. You just get super stressed out and could wind up getting sick. During my senior year, my thesis adviser told me that I should take things “bird by bird.” That’s a great perspective—little by little. Then, before you know it, the entire task will be done! I still struggle with this but I am learning.

2.      Health is wealth! I developed some amazing diet habits when I was in college. The variety of foods in the dining hall introduced me to so many things I had never tried—quinoa, honey, boiled eggs. I eventually became obsessed with trying different things but I also became corned about where my food came from and how it impacted the way I felt. Now, the good, balanced eating habits that I picked up in college have carried over into my adult life. In addition to that, you have free access to a gym for the next four years so use it, damn it! I wish I had been more adamant about going in college. I always felt like I need to have a friend with me so I never went but, as I fight for one of the two treadmills in my apartment complex gym, I realize that you just need to stay in your own lane and do you. If somebody’s mean mugging  you, just ignore them. It’s only because you’re being a beast on the machine—or because you’re really sweaty but if you’re not sweating you’re not working out right.

3.      Befriend the profs. Professors are some of the most intimidating people in the world and some of them will not want to be your friend. I had my fair share of mean professors as a student but you know what, I did not give any of the f***s  because, whether they were mean or not I knew that they were being paid to help me. That doesn’t mean you should ignore their office hours until the week before finals and then go begging for help. It just means that you shouldn’t let their rough, scholarly, naturally introverted exteriors turn you off. They might not become your “friends” per se but you will have better luck of talking your way from a B+ to an A- if they see that you’re determined and that you care about your grade. Go in there and argue like a lawyer! Have you sees Clueless? Remember Cher’s negotiating skills—do that!

4.      Don’t go home too much. I know this might be hard and tempting since you have so many friends from le Boro who go home on the regular but you should really take the time to be by yourself. I’m not saying that you should be a hermit but don’t get too dependent on going home. College is about independence! Spend your weekend watching movies with friends, studying on the green, and taking in a service at the school chapel—not piled up under Mommy.

5.      GET INVOLVED. Now this is something that I know you haven’t done yet because you haven’t mentioned any clubs to me. I understand the concern,  you don’t want to distract yourself from your academic pursuits. However, my extracurricular activities were one of my favorite parts of college and my experiences opened so many doors. There is literally a club for any and every kind of interest. I bounced from Salsa Club to the Black Student Alliance  to Volunteer Emory and I even went to a Capoeira Club meeting (look it up). My time with these groups was sometimes short-lived and other times more of a commitment but each and every experience was meaningful. I met diverse and amazing people and even got some friends out of the deal. P.S. On the occasion that you’re taking a class that has a club associated with it (ex. Spanish class and Spanish club) sometimes professors with allow you to get EXTRA CREDIT for participating in the clubs. Need I say more?

I guess that’s it. I might add more stuff later. The crux of my list is that I think you should take advantage of your college experience and enjoy yourself because the real world, while nice because it doesn’t involve studying, is nothing like college. I miss it every day and I am so glad that you are just beginning your journey. There will be ups and downs but smile with every milestone—they are only preparing you for great things.

love,

i

also, have you seen Frozen? It's so cute! Totally a sister film!

Aint It Fun

ALMOST 365 days later....
So...we were doing that thing with shuffling iTunes and posting the song that came on as the title of the blog, in case you forgot. Ain't It Fun - Paramore - VERY upbeat and peppy; you should listen to it. Since it's almost been an entire year since either one of us has posted, I figured I'd dust off 'i.n. the lewp' and update our zillions of fans. Lol. Today was a good day to do it given our most recent squabble just happened yesterday. When I tell yall (the invisible audience) that Imani and I argue over the dumbest things...I mean it. 
It's ridiculous.
[song change: Speechless - Ciara]
Since MY last blog post that you never replied to:
1) I graduated high school, with honors!! I started school at Valdosta State University - which wasn't in the plans AT ALL. My heartbreaking journey to college has taught me many things, but most importantly to trust in God's plans. Such a hard lesson to learn, but so meaningful. I've met some amazing people here. I befriended two girls that I was sorta friends with in high school, learned to love and share a small room with a girl who's literally my polar opposite, and somewhat adapted to crazy South Georgia-Almost Florida weather. After clearing up the nasty breakout my skin experienced upon arrival, I realized I actually kind of like it here. College is what you make it, regardless of where you are. My major is Communication Disorders to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. Here I am a few weeks short of finishing my freshman year here...wut?
2) Turned 19 years old on Thanksgiving Day
3) I got a tattoo that I love and adore and a Tragus peircing, too - "they go off to school and go crazy, get rebellious" - every adult ever
4) Started dating someone - for the second time, my "ex" from Junior year of high school to be specific. I'd been crushing on him for Freshman and Sophomore year then he finally asked me out the night of homecoming my Jr. year/his Sr. year, we broke up, he graduated. We lost touch/messaged via Facebook on and off then I checked up on him back in August and saw him over Christmas break. We started talking again and January 20th he asked me out, I said yes, blah blah blah. Didn't see a relationship coming for me either, but hey! God's plans prevail, right?
[song change: Survivor - Destiny's Child]

I think those are the top few things...I started a Positive Happenings Jar on January 1st. Each day I write down something good that happened to me and stick it in my cutely decorated mason jar. Today is DAY #100!! I didn't think I'd keep up with it like this, but I did it. It makes me look for the good in every day even if all I write down is 'Mondays suck, but I'm alive.' Thank you, Pinterest for such a wonderful idea
[song change: Move That Dope - Future]

Did I mention you're required to listen to each of these songs? Even if you've already heard them. You better reply to this blog post because we didn't make this thing for nothing!!

-NiaLew

Ribbon In The Sky - Stevie Wonder

The One That Puts The I in I.N.,

I have no earthly idea why I'm still awake. I guess just thinking about life and time and how tricky the two are. It's bittersweet knowing that in 7 days, I'll watch you graduate college and it's equally bittersweet for me to be 19 days shy of graduating high school. I know a lot of the people I look forward to seeing everyday now, I might not see again for YEARS. Statesboro High School has been good to me. I'm blessed to have followed in your footsteps, but at the same time blaze my own trail there. It really is hard going everywhere you go and doing everything you do because you set the bar high. I'm proud of us though. We have come a long way together. We've grown, our relationship has grown, and I definitely couldn't ask for a better sister to do these things with. You annoy the poop out of me with your over-the-top singing and your goofy attitude, but who else could put up with me the way you do and I GUESS that I've learned to put up with you. Point is, I want you to know that I'm thankful that I have someone like you to show me the way. I cherish everything that we have. I just read back to our first blog post and so much has happened and changed since then that we never could've imagined. My dream came true (Getting into Howard U) and you getting a job with the Equal Justice Initiative/apartment in Montgomery/boyfriend who seems to adore you. Just take a minute and think about it all. Maybe I'm just being my usual emotional self, but...yeah. There isn't much else to say. Will you help me look for dorm stuff? I don't even know where to begin....I don't even want to - a dorm means having to leave the comfort of MY bed. Good thing I get to take my pillows cause that would be enough to make me wanna stay home. 
Kbye.

The One That Puts The N in I.N. 

Miss You Mucho

Hey there Imaniiiii!
I have to admit, I'm glad to have a blogpost from you; even if it's not written or anything. That video was too cute. All of my fall shows are about to start coming on - did you catch the new episode of Glee? LOVE. I've still gotta keep my eye on the prize though. Colleges aren't gonna wait until after the fall premieres for me to apply and research so I guess Hulu will be my best friend after all of the application/SAT shenanigans is over. It's a mixture of emotions really; I'm stressed, excited, happy, sad, ready, not ready.....it really depends on the day. Growing up isn't easy, but no one said it would be. At least I have a good example to look up to like you. It may have been 4 years ago, but there's no way I've forgotten how determined and focused you were. Miss & love you!!! Sending you smooches :*
-Niaaaaa

I miss you sissy!

We've got this kind of connection! It's great to have a sister :)

Sweet Thing

Dear Nia,

The title song is "Sweet Thing" by Rufus ft. Chaka Khan. I love this song, another one that I'd heard before but never really took notice of until I was in DC. It has a great groove. I'm sure you won't appreciate it but I like it.

Anyway, I'm back, boo-bear! I'm actually looking at you text in the living room as I type this. Well, I know I told you that I didn't go do Howard's campus but that's a lie. On my last day there, I made the decision to see the campus that my sister might be spending four years of her life on and I loved it!

Where you might be spending some time in the near future???

The Chapel

The yard

They had lots of cool, modern sculptures throughout the campus

For mommy. Every black, Greek organization had a tree.

More of these sculptures... I'm sure there's a story behind this. This was in front of the student union.

Like many parts of DC, you're on the water!

The Founder's Library. Probably the most famous building on campus.

I really enjoyed my little self-guided tour. The campus was quite dead, no students for mile but the people I did run into-- office workers, faculty, maintenance folks-- were really friendly. The campus is huge as far as I can tell. I think I probably only saw a quarter of it but I just wanted to take a sneak peek and scope out the area for you. I think you'd love it and I highly encourage you to apply!

Overall, I have to say that it was one of my favorite parts of DC to visit. It was definitely a good way to round out the end of the trip. What a wonderful city. I hope you get to spend some long-term time there in the future like I did. We have awesome, fun family members there. The food is great. There's public transportation. The people are super nice. Overall, it's a great place to be.

Also, I might have told a little white lie about not getting you anything in DC. Look in your closet.

Love ya!
Imani