Things to Do

While I'm in school I only get to read what my professors tell me to read. It's a hard life, but now I'm out of school and can get some reading done. Here's my summer reading list:

1. Coffee Will Make You Black- April Sinclair (I think I read this when I was younger, but because I don't remember anything about it(except the cover) I probably didn't understand it.)
2. The Color of Water- James McBride
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- Betty Smith
4. Black Girl in Paris- Shay Youngblood
5. Say You're One of Them- Uwen Akpan
6. Black Like Me- John Howard Griffin
7. Letters to A Young Poet- Rainer Maria Rilke (A birthday gift.)

Most of these books I've started but haven't been able to finish.

Also on my to-do list is:

• Draw something.....everyday!
• Photography something....everyday!

I sometimes find it easier to draw the things that are floating around in my head. The images I "see" because of something I've read. So hopefully I'll have my sketchbook full by mid July. *fingers crossed*

Poverty looks like this...

A man approached me in the street one day and asked me for some change..I told him I had nothing to give. It was the truth. He took one second to look at me from head to toe and the silently walk away.

I know what he saw when he looked at me, but I wish I could have told him that my dress was on sale and my pearl and sterling silver necklace was a fake. I wish I could have told him that my mother sits through services at churches to "shop" in there pantries. I wish I could have told him that every year that I fill out financial aid forms just to have to fill out some more forms to "verify" all the shit I just said. All because my school doesn't understand how my family lives off such little money. "There's no way", they say. It's amazing how much prayer can fill an empty stomach, I always think to my self.

I wish I could have told him that he wasn't alone. I wish I could have told him that poverty sometimes looks like this. Sometimes it looks like me...

But he was probably a drunk so I didn't bother. Besides this is America, you don't share that kind of shit with strangers.

Inspiration

This was read to me after the end of a great work out at Yoga to The People.

This really hit home. I've been searching for alot of answers that I can't see to figure out.

When I can't figure something out it's like I come to a complete stop.

I obsess over the question(s) and the answer(s). Which ofcoure stops me from actually living and experiencing life it self...

from "Letters to a Young Poet"
by Rainer Maria Rilke


I want to beg of you much as I can to be patient
toward all that's unsolved in your heart,
and learn to love the questions themselves,
like locked rooms, or like books that are
written in a very foreign tongue.

Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you,
because you would not be able to live them,
and the point is to live everything.

Live the question now,
perhaps you will then, gradually, without noticing it,
live along some distant day into the answer.

Watch and enjoy!

A New Beginning

My intro to drawing professor said I should check out the drawing club at my school. He thought it would be good practice since I've decided that I want to go to art school for drawing (and a couple of other things). So I went this past Saturday. I was the third person there, but by the end of the session the class was full. It was a fun but very intimidating experience, and my first time trying to draw a person.

First I didn't think the model was going to just drop her dress like she did. I didn't think this could happened in a community college. Seriously. I think women are hot though, and was glad she wasn't a he. As the class filled up it became obvious that I didn't really have a clue what I was doing. This became clear to me. I doubt anyone else noticed or cared. I wanted to get up and run not even half way through the session but I stuck it out and made it through the end.

I'm going back this weekend. As intimidated as I was I still had a great time! When I looked at my drawings at home (and with my professor) I realize I didn't do a terrible job for my 1st time.

Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share one of my drawings on here...until then. =)

love rain down on me, on me, down on me....

(*edited) p.s. I promise to post something more of substance then just a video soon! Though there's alot of substance in something by Mos Def and Jill Scott. As I was just made aware of. Thanks Chad! =)