Hair Happiness

Whew! With school being so stressful and being so busy, I have had such little time to honestly devote to taming my quickly growing, natural curly fro this semester.  Laziness always sets in its full form and I started to get fed up with my breakage and just doing the same hair styles time and time again.  I was tired and wanted some change.  Come Thanksgiving, It was most definitely time for a change. I needed a nice, I mean 'nice' trim.

Symptoms

Symptoms

1. Having trouble sleeping sleeping at night
2. Staying up really late (usually don't fall asleep until between 2:30-3am)
3. My body is very tense, especially in my shoulders/upper back
4. Occasional mood swings
5. Not eating at regular intervals
6. Exhibiting reclusive behaviors; highly introverted
7. Very picky about my choice of company

 There are things I want to do [and experience] with others, but I often feel void at times or alone or without people who I'd consider close to me in this new environment.  At times, I am overly anxious to the point that I just don't end up doing what I originally set out to do or what I said I would do.  My actions are somewhat that of someone with a settling mentality.  I honestly don't know why all of a sudden this persona decides to come to life.  I recognize that quiet time is very important, but having too much of it may be a slight problem for me.  The phases come and go where I'd like to be around people or not (please refer to symptom #7). 

What's Been Cooking Lately?

Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala with White Rice

With the right ingredients, and the right spices, you too can enjoy your own take of a traditional Indian cuisine. Any time I eat at an India restaurant, my favorite dish to try is the chicken tikka masala - it's something you can never go wrong with. My take on this dish involves using tomato pasta sauce with cheese (this creates that creamy and cheesy taste mixed with the tomato paste), curry powder, masala, onion powder, garlic salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (a little spice is always nice), diced chicken breast. I believe that's mostly what I used to create that signature flavor. Different recipes call for additional spices, but I was content with the flavor I was able to accomplish.

More Pics...

Changes In Due Season

I have decided to revamp my site to reflect some of the changes in my life, my perspective, and my overall growth.  I'm going with the 'less is more' theme.  There are too many things in my life that serve as a distraction to what I am really here for.  Now is the time that I changes my environment and my habits so that I do not lose focus on the end goal.

There is a purpose for everything that happens in life.  Now that I am a graduate student still transitioning into full adulthood, all of the things that I used to focus on in the past no longer concern me as much as they do now.  My priorities have changed and now that I have seen a little bit more of the world, I have started to hone in on the things in my life, besides the academic grind in the field of engineering and graduate school, the drive me to keep pressing forward.  These things include my faith in God, my family and friends, photography of people and nature, and self-expression through fashion, art, and dance.  My potential to do great things and make a difference, a large positive impact on someone, is what continues to add fuel to the fire.

This point that I am at in my journey is by no means an easy one.  The struggle of graduate school is real yal!  I ask myself everyday what did I get myself into.    I had some idea coming into graduate life of what to expect, but think I missed out on a quite a few crucial expectations in your first year and beyond, but it's okay.  In my perplexity, I turn to God for answers, share my thoughts with family, and empathize with friends.  I may not know or understand my calling, but I know that discovery is a never-ending process, and in time I will know the answers.

Until then, stay tuned for more photography and updates, pray for my well-being (mentally, physically, and emotionally), and spread peace, love, and happiness.

- Maleshia J.

Be Bold, Be Fly, Be You!

It's not about what you wear, rather it's about how you wear it.  As my sister always tells me confidence can go a long way.  Last week, I was felt like being expressive with my outfits and willing to take a fashion chance.  Things worked out in my favor.  I absolutely enjoyed working it (walking around on campus).  My attitude throughout the day was definitely a positive one.  I'm glad I put to use some items that probably would have just stayed in my closet for months.