CleoCulture

Last time that I checked,...I was on quarantine celebrating my BIRTHDAY!

That’s right! Today’s my born day! April 7th!

Since my original plan was to be on a cruise in Mexico, flirting with somebody son, and enjoying martinis, I decided to bring the sea life to me instead. Wearing flamingo slippers, walking around my cabin getting ready to feel the breeze, in sundresses and sandals, is definitely a daydream I still want to make a reality. However, for now I’ll halt such travels for healthier conditions.

Life, despite COVID-19, has still been great! In fact, I’m thankful for the time spent at home. I’m quite fond of “living in solitude” so, this is very peaceful for me. Yet, reflecting on who I’ve become, has brought me insightful awareness. In fact, I’ve compiled a count of the knowingness, of such things. Share? Don’t mind if I do.

1) STAY TRUE TO SELF, ALWAYS

No one will set the boundary for how I connect and extend myself to others, that’s why it’s vital that I set the limits for myself. I am not able to assist, complement, or be of any use to anyone, without taking the necessary precautions, to prioritize my own wellbeing. Although, I may want to believe that I can be there for everyone, all the time, anytime, I absolutely can not. Not without showing up for myself first.

2) PROTECT YOUR PEACE

My goal is to always keep my spirit uplifted at its highest frequency, through the energy I feed myself daily. I take my morning routine seriously when setting the tone for my day. It’s filled with prayer, positive affirmations and music to set me up for success. However, I understand how situations in life escalate, based off energy fed to them. Yet, where there is no fuel, there is no fire. Positive and negative energy included. So, picking wisely is crucial to protecting my peace.

3) ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MISTAKES

I am capable of great things. Accepting the part I play in experiences I’ve had, hasn’t always been one of them. Acknowledging this, is the tip of the iceberg. Unpacking this, has been a mountain in itself. Embracing experiences for the lessons they come to teach and how they change me is a perspective worth fathoming. It’s not what I did, or what was said, it’s about who I am and how I work to be a better me. However, preventative measures are ideal.

4) NAVIGATE YOUR LANE

Blogging has become the best decision I ever made to utilize my gift of writing. Writing has provided me a pathway to directly connect with others. By sharing events and adventures, the chance and opportunity to live a life, I manifested is flourishing. So, when I receive a response message, dm, any emoji love, and emails, I’m thrilled! Why? Because, people are embracing me, for me, and I am highly appreciative.

5) FREE YOURSELF

Shedding layers of adopted ideology has allowed me to release layers of myself. Through behavioral habits, I’ve learned these traits by practicing them over and over. Accessing and unlearning such patterns, have provided me room to grow in order to evolve. Figuring out how to handle life’s many happenings thus far, brought me to an eye-opening awareness of self. I’ve constantly revisited ideas of what a successful woman is, what being a life partner entails, how to balance personal and public life, and how to create a legacy. I’m aware of when I need to free myself of what I can not control. I now know enough to know the difference, by choosing to philosophy my own life. I am only to be my true, authentic self, and that is enough. I’m content with that. Complete with that. Free in that. 10 toes down. Strong and still standing.

Overall, I am PROUD of the woman I’ve become. I know who I am. I like the way in which I learn and for the rest of my life, I’m no longer focused on finding myself. I’m dedicated to creating the life and legacy I desire to live. Period.

Pizza, Spaghetti, and Fries? Oh My! Who would of ever thought that they’re would one day be a multitude of cravings for people to climb? To do so was a calorie burning accomplishment! Look closely and you’ll notice how I navigated this mountain of food! Make no doubt about it, Cheat Day Land was an unexpected workout! What a way to burn some calories off! (July 2019 - Irvine, California)

This was the last summer exhibit I attended in 2019! I accomplished what I set out to do, worked on overcoming self sabotage of limiting beliefs and my fear of the unknown with starting a blog. Also, in just two short months, 9 events later, not only did I get recognized for attending these events, I was reposted on one events social media platform. All I needed was to place myself in position. To see if I could do what I enjoy, FOREVER! So, without further ado, this blog is official like a referee with a whistle and it’s about to go down! Y’all just get ready! We starting from the bottom! (2/20/2020)

Foodie Space turned out to be a real treat and in more ways than one. I arrived to find that I had the exhibit all to myself for a bit! Perhaps people weren’t aware that the pop-up museum had been extended. Anywho, the atmosphere was full of cool foodie props, as up-beat music played in the background, and I posed for a couple photos. Captured some NOODS🍜, became a whole SNACK🍬, and did it PHO THE LOVE💝!!! Visiting the exhibit brought me great joy! Such a cool environment providing a tasty experience indeed! (July 2019 -Torrance, California)

FunBox

FunBox is for the kid in you! This place is a youth sanctuary! I honestly went for the nostalgia of cereal! Growing up, I always had to enjoy eating cereal with my favorite bowl and spoon! But nothing beats, swimming in a pool of fruit loops, in real life! I actually seized the opportunity to play with my cereal and not being born with a silver spoon, but being able to hold one for a photo, is the next best thing!The piggy bank spoke volumes to the many times I’d collected pennies, for my piggy bank, thinking that every cent counted towards a dollar. As for the heart emoji’s - the love in those eyes embody the way it felt inside to enjoy being forever young. (July 2019 - Arcadia, CA)

The July 4th BLOCK PARTY @grandpark_la was a real sight to see. Numerous food vendors, crowds of beautiful people, dope music and artists, with an ambiance that felt free. I was on a mission to get on the ferris wheel and I succeeded even with the line being long and location being jam packed. Glad I went! Who knew going solo would continue to be this much fun?!

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🗣:Message!

Enjoy your life! Do the things you find interesting, fun, and whatever brings you joy! Do it all! Embrace the experiences and know that life is what you make it! Everyday you have the opportunity to do something that uplifts your spirit. Prioritize yourself! Dedicate time and energy to your personal self care. You'll never live to regret it. I promise you. There's no greater feeling than doing the things you enjoy while living your life. True joy is fulfilled by those living their truths in their own lanes. I've been cruising for quite some time in mine. What about you? (July 2019 - Los Angeles, California)

Update: I was reposted by @grandpark_la!!!

🚨🎈IT! 🎈🚨

Children began to disappear in Derry, Maine. I didn't want to be next without facing my biggest fear. Pennywise is well known to come to collect bodies.You'll Float Too! Amongst 4,000 Georgie boats. 📚: IT by Stephen King (June 2019 - Los Angeles, California)

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Tacotopia

Tacotopia was a Taco Tuesday to die for! From the entrance to the exit, Tacotopia, was taco heaven! Upon my arrival, I was greeted with a cold beverage by Jarritos at the ring toss station. Traveling down the aisle, I found raining tacos, a taco see-saw, a huge guacamole bowl installation, taco salad, and a mechanical taco! Each and every aspect of a good day for tacos was covered. The pop-up exhibit even had Cholula checkers, sample bar, and giveaways for attendees. This visit turned out to be a tacotastic time! (June 2019 - Santa Monica, CA)

Upside Down House

Picture everything you own flipped up, on the ceiling! What a dynamic concept right?! Going inside, I never knew what was next to come, even though the essentials of a house were expected. The idea of positioning my body to look as though it is upside down through stretches and jumps, became a hilarious experience. Then I saw the finished photos and found myself in awe of the creativity. I loved posing in the bathroom the most. Sometimes life can in fact be - upside down. (June 2019 -Los Angeles)

Museum of Illusions

 As I walked inside, I was blown away by the creativity of artwork! A complete artistic expression of painted walls that come to life, when people engage with them. As a VIP attendee, a personal photographer was provided for my visit. He genuinely took time out, to converse, and see what kind of poses I was interested in doing for each shot. Every wall had a key to the perfect photo and although the building was full, having my own photographer made the experience ten times better. If emoji’s could talk, I’m sure they’d say I was happy being immersed in the illusions. (June 2019 - Los Angeles, CA)

And yet, I found myself pondering: was there an illusion I adopted, one I thought I had to be or do, to be considered successful? Was peace prevalent within this illusion? Did it exist?

There’s an excerpt on Solange’s album, A Seat At The Table, where Master P says, “ You know, but... sometimes you ask yourself “Where's the peace?” Everybody is always talking about peace,but, as long as you find peace in what you doing then you successful, and that's what people don't realize. See, you got do stuff till where you can go sleep at night.Cause the glory is in you.”

Hell yeah, I listened to the album as I drove to the museum! Yet, these words replayed, in my head, during my visit. They resonated with me! These words had me thinking about what I deem successful and what the world does. For the world it’s accolades for accomplishments. Trophies. Currency. But what if the real bag to being successful is peace?

Reflecting on the past has brought me to where I am currently in my life. So, in order to catch you up to speed, I’ll share how I came to the realization that starting a blog was imperative to me putting an end to self-sabotage and fear.

Looking back on 2019, if I had to pinpoint a time when my life took a turn, then my HEALING GIRL SUMMER was definitely it! Now, I’m aware that HOT GIRL SUMMER was a thing in the most lit season of the year! Yet, renewing the core of myself, by doing the things I love served to be major for me. I began by one simple mantra: Go, Do, Live!

World of Fruit

This place was colorful, spacious, fruity and refreshing! A pink and teal painted building that used the colors of the rainbow to create an inside ambiance, that looked and felt healthy. I enjoyed the watermelon swing, pineapple disco, as well as the dragon fruit swimming pool! This pop-up exhibit provided blueberry acai bowls to attendees, popsicles, a fruit tasting station, and merchandise store. The team, on site, were helpful to assist in taking photos and welcomed guests in every room. (June 2019 - Los Angeles, CA)

Visiting, helped me understand how being fruitful in life can open many doors. I think often about my dream life: adventure, blogging, food, hair, self-care, and traveling! Notice none of that says “work”! And I love it! Yet, I realize there are many things I will need to do for that life, to become my reality. I know how to do many things and am often wearing many hats doing them. However, the question is: am I utilizing those skills to the best of my ability? Knowing how to use what I know, in order to get to where I want to be, is imperative to progressing. So, I had to start somewhere. Why not start here, now, with what I have to offer the world?

In order, for me to grow from self sabotaging beliefs and fears of the unknown, I needed to take time to evaluate myself, what I liked, didn’t like, what gave me peace, filled my heart with joy, and identify my why reasons for creating a better me. I needed to see myself cultivating the lifestyle I wanted to have, positioning myself in places and doing the things I truly enjoy. So that, the growth mindset had opportunity to flourish. So that, I could provide myself with efforts to navigate the life I desire to live.