Just write...dammit!

Hello world!

I'm back and I'm better than ever...sike! (how corny) LOL, seriously...In my decision to try my hand at writing as a profession, I figured I should well...write. You have to actually do something to decide if you like or dislike it right? This site once served as the window into my experience abroad (Washington D.C. & Virginia really..but it felt reely reely far), but it will now serve as the place where I write and publish whatever the heck is on my mind at the time. I figure I could use the practice while I wait on customers to roll in. Currently I have a post out on craigslist offering free editing services to any poor unsuspecting soul. I have decided to focus on grant-writing, editing, and transcribing for the time being. Reply to this blog and I will surely get back with you. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what I will call my business. Please reply with any suggestions as well.


XOXO,

AYT

Quarter Life Crisis & the Pursuit of Happiness

Hello world. Sorry to disappoint those who were actually keeping up with me via this blog. I have been busy with school, family, work/business, and personal relationships. In the midst of all that, I have neglected friendships, relationships, God and myself. I got everything I prayed for in ’05,’06 and ’07, but I still feel a void. This just lets me know that I wasn’t whishing, hoping, and praying for the right things.

The year is almost over and I’m ashamed to say that I’m still not 100% at peace with most of the events that occurred this year. I live in constant fear and it’s beginning to wear on me emotionally. I’ve been told that I’m not a very optimistic person and I must say it stung a little. What happened to the Akuba I used to know? The one who wrote poetry, caught June bugs, followed the underground hip hop scene in Athens, Ga., Miss Nonchalant, the aspiring fashion designer foreign diplomat and event planner?

I let the day-to-day wear me down, but I’m determined not to stay down. It’s not in my nature. Sure, I’ve had peaks: the birth of my God daughter, the rush of moving to an unknown place and holding my own, special moments shared with people I love, feeling a sense of accomplishment, reconnecting with old friends, starting a business…and many more…now I’m in search of wisdom and truth.

I am about to embark on yet another endeavor in 2009 that will put a lot of things behind me and prepare me for what’s ahead and I’m nervously looking forward to it. More to come on these changes soon!



Diligently seeking HIM…

AYT

My bad...

My goodness it has been a while. I've moved back to Atlanta. Im 25 now. I've laughed, cried, and prayed. I start grad school (again) August 27th...online this time. Im not really comfortable with where a majority of the aspects of my life are right now, but im banking on the words of my cousin that 'things just seemed to fall into place at 25.' I have a growing relationship with God. I have felt wronged, been double crossed twice, and had my kindness mistaken for something other than kindness twice. I have moved four times in the last twelve months. I have disappointed people and been disappointed by people. I have fallen in love and im walking in love, learning in love, crying in love, laughing in love...its crazy, but it fules the soul people. Try it. Im waaay more emotional than I used to be as recent as college. No more nonchalant me. I have parasailed, snorkled, and bought my first piece of art all in the same week. I'm on my grown woman.

I've learned to appreciate the fullness and rawness of living a full life, full of love, hurt, pain, joy and everything else. I welcome it all because I yearn to experience life in its rawest form...I cant really explain it. Im trying to find a hustle ya'll, so if a hustle knocks on your door, do me a favor and give it my cell phone number.

I've met some of the most amazing people and feel blessed to have crossed paths with each of them. I've read some really good books and ate some really good food. I have gained a few pounds and slowed down tremendously on my work outs.

But you know what? This is me right now and i'm learning to be ok with that so long as i'm constantly in motion headed upwards towards the next goal in life.


XOXO,

AYT...aka PYT...lol

U-P-D-A-T-E-S

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since I last blogged. So much has happened. I just came back from a two week trip to Ghana. It was a very emotional and bittersweet trip. I was able to see my Grandmother (and namesake, and lovely lady in the picture), I visited Cape Coast (google it), I partied in Accra (the capital), and even got into a confrontation with the son of a family friend. Overall, Im glad I went, but im also glad to be back state-side.

In other news...I FINALLY GOT MY TRANSFER AND I WILL BE GOING BACK TO ATLANTA AT THE END OF THE MONTH!!! God is good, prayer changes things, and EVERYONE needs a 'Prayer Possee.' Thats the circle of ride-or-die friends, family and loved ones that you have that love you and pray for your well-being and happiness. I have been waiting for this for so long that its surreal, but i'll start packing anyway ;)

Im excited and nervous all at the same time. I want to go home, but realistically, time didnt stop while I was gone and I know Im not coming back to the same place. Familiar, yet changed. Its home though, so I will take it. F.I.L.A. = Forever I Love Atlanta...so true =) And forever I love my support group...even the ones who are only around in spirit to share my joy.

Im a ball of emotions!

XOXOXOXO,

AYT

I Hope You Dance...

Akuba,

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,May you never take one single breath for granted,GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,Never settle for the path of least resistanceLivin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance..

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)

Lee Ann Womack

Rascal Flatts

"I hope you never look back but you never forget the ones who loved you and the place you left, I hope you always forgive and you never regret and you help someone every chance you get, I hope you find God's grace in every mistake, and you always give more than you take."

My 30 in 30

Some years ago, I was inspired by a friend of mine to make a list of goals to attain by a certain age. I put my own spin to it and voila! "My 30 in 30" was born. Guess we have 9 more years to see whether I accomplish everything on my list ;)


1. Establish a relationship with God
2. Fall in L.O.V.E.
3. Visit 6 out f 7 continents
4. Jet ski in the carribbean
5. Speak 3 languages
6. Own a home (check)
7. Be debt free
8. Have my first child
9. Be in a happy, committed, monogamus marriage
10. Be financially independent
11. Have a 'mean shoe game'
12. Whiten my teeth
13. Obtain my Ph.D or Masters
14. Eat a real philly cheese steak sandwich
15. Stand in a waterfall
16. Snorkle in the Barrier Reef
17. Meet Oprah Winfrey
18. Swim with a dolphin
19. Skinny dip
20. Visit the Oprah Winfrey show
21. Go n a safari
22. Visit Disney Land
23. Own at least two businesses
24. Parasail
25. Plant a tree
26. Net worth $1 million
27. Take care of my parents financially
28. Be happy
29. Read the entire bible
30. Discover my purpose in life


XOXO,

AYT