U Don't Have To Call

True playa fo' real, ask my [baby] fo' real.... How's Usher for you? You were 7 when that song came out, youngin'. You don't know nothing about that.

Anyway, let me stop pretending to be cool. I just have awesome taste in music. I'm going to hit you up with another oldie but goodie on my next post but I wanted to be true to the rule of opening a music player and titling my post whatever song plays first.

In the same way that your summer will be over in less than a week, my internship will be done in less than a week as well! Five more days of work, counting today (Friday), a couple of days to pack, and then it is back to Georgia for me. I cannot believe how fast this summer has flown by.

Naturally, I'm disappointed but I really cannot wait to come home and hug and kiss you and mommy, dive into my own bed, sleep til 3, and paint my nails every color of the rainbow.

The SULU DC Showcase Cast! All Asian/Mostly Gay/All Awesome

This past weekend was a lot of fun for me. I don't think I did anything on Friday. I can't remember. I might as well be a paper napkin. I have no memory retention. Thank goodness for cameras. I wouldn't remember anything if it weren't for pictures. On Friday I went to an art showcase held by SULU DC and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. It was really cool. It was defintiely eye opening from a racial perspective. How often are you in a room where you're the minority and the majority isn't white. Still, I didn't feel uncomfortable or anything. Most of the struggles that Asian Americans deal with are familiar to my struggles as a person of color. It was nice to bond over that. Plus, I wasn't the only African-American there but I was definitely in the minority.

On Saturday I went to a French film! You know me and my foreign films. It was The Intouchables and it was really sweet. See the trailer above. I don't think I'd give it all the amazing accolades it has received. I've seen better films but it was really good. Certainly worth the adventure it took to get to Maryland to see it. Apparently the stop we needed to get off was closed for track work so we had to get off the train, get on a bus, and get dropped off at the station. At least the bus was free but it added about half an hour to our commute. Loryn, my coworker, and I wolfed down a quick dinner and missed the first two minutes of the movie but we made it. Sorry I don't have any pictures but we were in quite a hurry.

A portrait of John Brown from the portrait gallery. John Brown was an abolitionist. If that didn't make him awesome enough, this portrait certainly seals the deal.

The courtyard/fountain area of the Hirshorn. Modern enough for ya?

The fam :)

Sunday was a little more relaxed. Ivy, Rahsaan, the babies, and I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshorn Museum of Modern Art. I had a lot of fun. I got to hang with all of them plus Corey and his friend Eric yesterday. We had dinner at a delicious restaurant called Carmine's.

My view for the night. The people on the floor don't know what they're missing.

Monday was Monday but Tuesday I went to an open mic with my friend Anand at this restaurant/bookstore/open mic cafe called Busboys & Poets. It was awesome. I've never really cared for slam poetry or spoken word or whatever you want to call it but I loved that place. There's some real artistic talent here in the District. It really turned me on to poetry. I might give writing a try again when I get home and have a little extra time. The coolest part, next to the talent, was the venue. Anand and I were both running behind and apparently you need to get there pretty early because it's wildly popular and tickets sell out quick. Well, we got tickets the night before so we were fine in that respect but when I arrived, 20 minutes before the show started, there was no seating! I asked the usher what to do and she told me to sit on the stage, so I did. At first I was one of the only people up there but then Anand came and soon the stage filled up. I personally thought it was the best seat in the house. I was off to the side so I had a perfect view of the talent but could also gauge the audience's reactions which was super cool. It also resulted in some pretty fabulous photo opportunities.

so..... That's my life as of late. I'm leaving no stone unturned before I leave. BUT I have a feeling I'll be back soon...maybe with my lovely sister to visit the college of her dreams!

Love you, tootsiepop!

Imani

Ambitious Girl

ILL:


It's so hard to believe that my Summer is ending in 7 days. Do you know how short of a time that is? Ughhh. It's about to get serious. Senior year. Holy smokes. Ummmm there's not much to update you on. Went to Hilton Head for a couple of days (Sun.-Tues.) it was a great time, like always. Elizabeth, Kristen, and one of my other friends, Lydia, came to HH on Tuesday and we had a whole beach day and we went to eat at this place called One Hot Mama's and there was this great lunchtime special where you get one meat and three sides. I got pulled pork with Mac&cheese, green bean almondine, and French fries. It was delicious. Then after the beach we went to Hilton Head Ice Cream and I got brownie cheesecake and double chocolate. It was great too. Then we rode back to Statesboro. I just love being at the beach. It's so relaxing when you're not getting sand in your eye or getting sunburnt. Which has happened to me three different times this Summer. My forehead was peeling - blehhh. Then my arm was peeling and now my shoulder blade is. Mommy's solution? Put some Vaseline on it. That's her remedy for just about everything. Anyway, back to the fact that in less than one week I will be starting my last first day of High School. It doesn't seem real. I'm excited, I have a pretty easy semester, but after Christmas break, it's go time. I can't help thinking that in 2 months I will have my top 3 college choices and I'll know where I'm going for sure a few months after that! Time fliesssss.

 This is the good ol' home-cooked Sunday meal you're missing out on <3 I really enjoyed eating it. Even though I HATE when my food touches >:(

 Beachhhhhhh. So beautiful. Sorry it's not centered or anything. I took it while walking. I'm so thankful for all of our Summer memories at the beach. I really couldn't imagine living somewhere without a beach to escape to nearby!! Another benefit of living in the south in a state that sits on the coast. "Let the waves hit your feet and the sand be your seat"

Drivin!! My thigh looks huge, but I'm convinced it really isn't that big. Can you believe I am behind the wheel of a car? I didn't even see this one coming. I surprised everyone...even myself! Yay for milestones :D


I'm missing your presence. Mommy's no fun to fuss with cause she always wins...


'Tis all....until next time!
-NML

P.S. - Try using some songs I've actually heard of as the titles of your blog posts!

Almost Wordless Wednesdays .... Boogie on Reggae Woman

I am officially the queen of summer barbeques. I may not be going to the beach but I've been to a million and one cookouts in less than a month.

"Boogie on Reggae Woman" which is coincidentally playing right now on my Spotify was played at the last one I attended. Great song. You should download it.

Note our adorable cousin and my delicious homemade strawberry, peach, and kiwi popsicle. Feel envy.

LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEE,

imani

21 Questions

Oh.my.word. I just LOVE that 50 Cent song. One of the bestttttt. Here goes nothin....


Top of the mornin' to ya (because this post is coming to you at approx. 1:30 in da morning)! 


Nia here blogging back to ya with veryyyy little exciting news. I just finished looking through your recent uploads from your Summer in D.C album on Facebook with Mommy. We both misses you lots!! Let me start out by saying that if it everrrrr takes you that long to blog back. Ever again, I will shut this blog down! That was torture, not to mention very upsetting to those that follow the blog! SMH. Moving right along, tootsiepop is a cute nickname - I can live with it. No posting pictures of delectable-looking cupcakes. It's unfair to me! I want you to know how proud everyone was of you when they found out you met John Lewis.    Shaking hands is one thing, but sitting down and talking to him is another!! You're awesome, but don't let my compliments go to your head (: I'm glad you've made friends who all look pretty sane-ish from the pictures you've provided. I'm also glad that you have that amazing camera to document your Summer with! You taking pictures of all of these random people is so funny to me. Everybody looks so carefree. July 4th in DC had to have been a good time. You seem to be doing it all! Eating crab/pizza w. anchovies and partying it up with a good friend of Mommy & Aunt Mil's; talk about growing up and being adult-like. Looks like you owe me a dollar because I can in fact name what is in that yogurt: Yogurt Tart with mochi, dark and milk chocolate. BAM. That tightrope thing that the guys were doing is neat and you look funny in that pink hairnet thing.


I'm starting a new paragraph because we're done talking about you now! It's alllll about me.
Nothin's really been goin on, we went to visit Uncle Sonny - it was a good visit. 

I bought a bag of Hershey's Drops while we were in Myrtle Beach and made the mistake of leaving it in the car for less than 30 minutes. Well, in this wonderful South Georgia heat that chocolate was a goner by the time I got to it! I was sad until I thought about the fact that I could just freeze it and still eat it. Then I had the bright idea of taking advantage of the fact that it was melted.

Good use of pretzals and chocolate if I may say so myself!

Choir Anniversary was tonight....I made that bow tie!! I dug through Mom's fabric bin, got some fuse-able fleece interfacing and used her sewing machine to make it...didn't even have to buy anything! Can you believe it?! And it came out sooooooo good. For my first time actually making something to wear, it looks like a pro did it. I just followed the DIY instructions that I found on somebody's blog and bammmm. I feel like I looked pretty cute. I actually put some effort in for a change. thanks for lettin me borrow your Toms. Everybody loooooved them. Back to my bow tie though. Check it outtt; it has a neck band and everything! I feel so crafty. AND I had to buy those black pants especially for the occasion and of course they needed hemming...here's the kicker: guess who hemmed them by herself?! MEEEE. With Mommy's guidance and refusal to do it for me, I completed both of these little projects. Felt good! Pink phone, pink nails - with sparkles (I love it when Walgreens has nail polish on sale!), pink bow tie. I was cute. Tooting my own horn? Yes I am! Ummm that's it. OH! I was just watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix and I got all emotional because I keep forgetting that I am coming up on my very last high school football season and you know how near and dear to my heart it is. I love growing up and doing things on my own, but I'm going to miss the privilege of having someone do it for me! You're not gonna be here to see me off on my last first day of school. August 1st is right around the corner. I'm anxious, but it kinda makes me nauseous to think about sometimes! :o) Get back at me sooooon.
-Tootsiepop


P.s. - I went to the club with Taylor. NEVER AGAIN. My nerves can't take all of the excitement that my night consisted of when I was with her! At least I was in good hands though. That is a story for when you get home though. Below is our clubbin attire. By the time the night was over my high bun had turned to a low bun and my feet were screaming at me. Did I already say never again? Hahahahahhaha.

I'm done forreal this time. Love you, SugarBooger! To the moon and back...a trillion times.

I Enjoy Being A Girl

... from the movie musical "Flower Drum Song." Never seen it but love the tune!

Dear Tootsiepop,

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated. Life has just been so jam packed. By the way, Tootsiepop is your new unofficial nickname. The woman I used to share an office with, I will explain later, called someone that yesterday and I immediately thought of you. So there we go. Hey, tootsiepop. How it do?

Part of me feels obligated to do a full day by day recap of everything that has happened since I wrote last but I simply don't have the energy or memory capacity. Instead, I'll pick some favorite photos of the last two weeks-- I can't believe I haven't written in two weeks, that's a darned shame-- and tell you a story related to them!

I went to Georgetown Cupcakes!

That is a picture of me with my cookies n' cream and my lavender earl grey cupcakes. They were pretty good. They definitely could have been bigger for the price-- 2.75. I mentioned the cupcake truck didn't I? Those cupcakes are better. I did enjoy the unique lavender earl grey flavor though. God, look at my tooth. Remind mommy that I need braces. Thanks.

I met Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis

I don't think much of an explanation is necessary for this. I met one of my heroes. Point blank period. One of the most glorious moments of my life. We talked for 45 minutes about education, life, my future plans-- it was fabulous in every way.

I sat in a giant lawn chair.

I'm sure you're thinking, "Imani, why is this significant?" Well, Tootsiepop, it is significant because if was a very John Hughe-eque thing to hang out on a summer night, talk, and be young. I loved it and these times are fleeting. I may as well cherish them.

Beat the heat and celebrated the Fourth in, arguably, the most American city in America

 July 4th in DC was great! Technically I didn't spend all of July 4th here. I was in Maryland for half the day but it worked out. In the morning I went to a parade, was drenched in sweat, smelled bad, stuck my feet in a probably very dirty fountain, and ate mediocre museum pizza. That afternoon and evening I showered, got dressed, and went to a fabulous sweat free bbq in the most ginormous house ever. There were salmon burgers and cake balls. nom.

Dancers at jazz in the garden. I feel like you ought to paint this....

 Jazz in the Garden is a DC standard. Locals and tourists alike flock to the gardens of the National Gallery of Art and sip sangria, toast friends, dance, relax, and chat to the sounds of DC's best jazz groups. It was lovely-- too hot but lovely. I hope to return this Friday. Did I mention they do this every Friday? This city knows how to have a good time.

Saw Erin!

 Erin, my friend from HS, was in town and we hooked up. She kept me very busy this weekend and I was glad. I got to see some sights in DC that I probably would have skipped if not for her interest-- jazz in the garden, Eastern Market, monuments at night.  It was good to see her too. It was nice to have a little taste of Statesboro here in DC.

Ate an entire crab... most of it was gone by the time this photo was taken. All that's left are fries and little bit 'o crab left in the bun.

 Do you know what a softshell crab is? Google it? I ate that. I am a beast and now fear no food. I ate crab lungs, guts, eyes....everything and they served it to me on a bun. Yep. I ain't shamed.

Ate anchovies

 I decided to follow my trend of eating crazy things and got a pizza with anchovies when I met my friend Amy Beth from Oxford for dinner one night. Also, not bad!

Ate Maryland Blue Crab

 How many ways can you eat a crab? More ways than I had ever done it, that's for sure. You know how we do in Georgia: get the crab leg, open it up, pull out the meat, dip in butter, eat. Things are bit different up here. The crabs are quite small, as you can see above. The best meat is in the body (center) part. They also don't use butter here. They use some weird but delicious sauce that no one seems to know the name of. I also had the sauce on my sandwich that one time I ate an entire crab, softshell and all. Yeah, I'm proud.

Ate the fro yo that started it all

 At least I think Pinkberry started it all, I really don't know. Nor do I care. I just wanted to post another photo about my new passion for adventurous eating. I'll give you one dollar if you can name the ingredients in my yogurt, Tootsiepop.

Was very much alone and felt alright.

So, living in a city is great. There is always something to do, public transportation makes moving around very easy, and the people watching opportunities cannot be beat (see below). College, depeneding on where you, go is very much the same. Naturally, in city and in college you don't get a lot of space or privacy. I took the opportunity this Monday to just walk around, take pictures (like the beauty above) and think. It was nice. Sometimes you just need to be you and no one else.

People-watching and tightrope walking

I saw some people doing this last summer in Princeton but these guys were way more impressive. The new trend is to tie belts between trees and tightrope walk. I'm sure there's a cool name for it but I have no idea what it might be It's called slacklining... thanks, Google. This kept me entertained for a good 30 minutes this afternoon.

Did service

I had a service project at this awesome food bank/food delivery/food preparation service. The organization fixes meals and provides fresh, delivered food to HIV-positive citizens and DC area citizens with cancer and other terminal diseases. It rocks. They have chefs that make these awesome frozen meas, way better than Stauffer's. We packed and labeled them for delivery. It was a lot of fun!

This still end up being super long but at least there are photos!

Love ya, tootsiepop :)

imani!

I Want it That Way!

Greetings, Inami (your name backwards)
You cheated on your song selection so I cheated on mine! Boyce Avenue, that amazing cover band covered the Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way & it's amazing. Ahhh songs from childhood <3

1. Myrtle Beach was a great little 3 day get-away.
2. It's now July.
3. I could've SWORN I posted; turns out it was sitting in my drafts :p So I altered a few things.
4. My phone and I are getting along well besides the fact that I accidently deleted all of my pictures on it :'(
5. Thank you for calling me out on my not paragraph usage.
6. I really miss you a lot too.
7. Mommy & I + one hotel room + her extreme snoring probs/hot flashes = NOT a good mix.
8. That is a totally precious picture and I'm super duper jealous of you...you always find a gay bestfriend! You're sucha creep...JUST like meeeeee. I'm so proud!

Me and mom send our love!! She's been bragging to everyone that will listen about you, your internship, and you meeting John Lewis. Everybody's SO proud. Don't be surprised if when you get back there's a paparazzi waiting on ya.

One-armed-church-hug and a peck on the cheek,
Nia