Bria's Version of Events
This is long and so was the year, but there are pictures!
This year started out just as any other year. Outside of starting a new job, my January was pretty uneventful. Life got a little more eventful in February. I spent a lot of time with JM going to basketball games and after parties, chilling at home, and shopping. There's always a little shopping involved when we link up.
I also had a 10yr friendship end that month. The friendship ended due to a lack of effort and communication. She felt left behind and I didn't realize there was an issue. I still considered her one of my best friends. When she finally shared why she wished to end the friendship, I accepted her decision and wished her well. I could have argued my points and told her where I thought she was wrong but, it wouldn't have made a difference. She had obviously been considering this for some time. My main point of contention was the idea that I was being selfish or using her because she was in a position to take me somewhere. That could not have been further from the truth and has never been her role in the friendship.
Upside: I moved into a new place!!
March came with a little fun and a stressful argument. I'll start with the fun. So if you didn't know, I graduated from Western High School one of the oldest all-girl public schools in the country, and I love my alma mater. Every year in March we celebrate Unity Day with an assembly honoring our alum and celebrating the school's rich history and traditions. I attend as often as I can to catch up with former schoolmates, teachers, and my mentor. This Western chose to honor our alumnae working in public service. After the assembly, I stopped by to visit my former freshman English teacher who has since become like a godmother to me. She was happy to see me and took the opportunity to ask me to speak to her honors students about the college experience, life after, and how to make the most of their time in high school. Dove Love.
The rest of the month was breezy and then the Easter weekend rolled around. Mom came to visit that weekend and little did we know we were in for a stressful couple of days. I love my mother to death and I wouldn't be me without her but, we work each other's nerves and that weekend was proof. Each day, there was a different little tiff that culminated into an intense argument about my attitude and my need to be right and in charge. I maintain I picked these traits up from her. She claims that she's not that bad and one day I'll see the error of my ways. I counter by stating that people don't respect my voice and constantly being ignored only makes me want to speak out further. We agreed to disagree. I drank a bottle of wine and went to bed.
April was the start of a LIT four months. In the last weekend of April, Britt and I attended Broccoli City Fest. We decided to make a little weekend out of it. We took an Uber to DC for brunch and mimosas before the concert and met up with two more friends. BC Fest was dope. I had never been before. I got to see Future, Jhene Aiko, The Internet, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Anderson.Paak all in the same day. I had so much fun the rain couldn't even ruin my day.
In May, I won two tickets from Uber to see Beyoncé in Raleigh. It was my first Beyoncé concert, I had great seats, and the show was on point. That month, I also had the opportunity to work as a stylist and production assistant for the Spectrum fashion show at Creative Alliance. It was an enriching experience. I'd worked fashion shows in the past but, I hadn't been this involved since high school. It was a busy day but the show was a success.
My birth month NEVER disappoints. For my birthday, I went to see J.Lo in Vegas at Planet Hollywood with my Gemini twin. I sang my heart out to all my J.Lo faves and bought some cute tour merch. She was selling studded hoops! Strolled the strip and rode in the dopest Lyft ever. Two weeks later, I spent the weekend in Charleston with family and friends.
The following week I traveled to Atlanta to visit family for the 4th of July holiday.
The rest of the summer was pretty relaxed. I went back home a couple of times. Went to a few summer weddings and birthday parties. Mom hosted a few events at the house.
Summer came to an end and it was back to interacting with the undergrads at work. They're alright in small doses. I served on planning committees for the I Know What You Did Last Summer Research Symposium and the statewide SNCURCS symposium for undergraduate research and creative works.
October is mom's birthday month, and this year she made a plan to celebrate the entire month. The weekend before her birthday mom hosted a happy hour at the house followed by a weekend at the National Harbor. There was bull riding involved and I wish I could share the video footage. We had a blast and I was happy she enjoyed herself.
The Thanksgiving Holiday was laid back. No stressful Black Friday crowds because we didn't shop this year and I was ok with that. But, I met Chante Moore!! Went to see her in concert at The Howard Theatre and she was phenomenal!
DUDE!!!!!!
We're just days away from Christmas and I can't wait to spend the holiday away with family.
2016 was a pretty good to me and I guess I'm ready to see what 2017 will be like.
+Bria