WHEN A BIRD SINGS....

So if you know me…I’m mean like really know me... then you know that I am true to West Oakland .  So I’ve recently done something that I thought I’d never do: MOVE TO EAST OAKLAND.  Now, to all those who are not familiar with Oakland , they may think its not such a big deal.  But to someone who is bred here, we all know that there is a difference between East and West Oakland .  I feel so out of my element.  Not apart of the community.  Actually, I don’t even feel much of a community around me.  I’m sure there’s one, but maybe I haven’t figured out how to invade it.  Some things I have learned about East Oakland living: No respect for bikers.  Its rare you’ll find a bike land, and if you do… those mo fos don’t care Big a** dogs in everyone yard.  I suppose its an alarm system.  Poor doggies never even get walk! Can you imagine…I’m like the only person you see walking a dog around there...

So I ran my first 5k race this year!! Although my body is killing me 2 days later...it was well worth it! Luckily, I have a very competitive personality which helped to push me to finish...and I didn't place so bad also.  Here are my stats: #4 woman in my age group (24-29) #33 woman overall #113 person overall (out of like 1300)

When two becomes one....well when does that happen? If we take a moment to be really literal...never! But if we consider this metaphorically....cohabitation! How do you successfully bring two people together under one roof? How do you bring two upbringings together and make them both understanding of each other? How do we learn to bend? When do we know not to bend? How do you keep the spark lit? How do you build a family? This is something that has been on my mind a lot! I live in a generation where "blended families" are suitably becoming the norm.  And actually, I am approaching the age where many more people around have children.  I've been doing a lot of thinking about this lately.  How does one know that they are ready to have "children"? How does one comfortably take part in a "blended family" when only one partner brings children into the relationship? From experience, I know that this is not an easy task.  Its very hard to understand the lo...

So...June 2012, I finally have crossed the stage to get my Master's Degree in community development. Although I am still working on my thesis (and what a trying process it has been), I am still trying to soak up my accomplishment. Graduate School is unlike any other schooling.  For those who have not gone, it may be a bit hard to comprehend.  I have to say...it was one of the most difficult experiences that I have had in life (thus far).  The past two years was filled with a lot of tears, and no..not from joy! I spent a lot of class time feeling very lonely.  Like no one understand me, like why they just don't get it!! As a first generation college grad, it was also very difficult for me to express my frustration to my family.  For them, all they know is...Raven does school, she's good at it, so this is a "piece of cake." However, it wasn't! I have to say...it really challenged me.  Although I despise most of my time in graduate school, I know that I ha...

Angel Taylor voice is amazingly beautiful.  Luvs Her!!

My National Debut...he he he

Okay, so before I could even begin the amount of ridicolous reading that my professor has assigned for the week...I have to take a moment of the beautiful action that I participated in today. Today, was the first general strike day in Oakland since 1946, and who knows when the last time there was ever a general strike in the US. I was down there from 9:00am-2:00pm and witness thousands of people of all different backgrounds, white to black to chinese, old to young....march in solidarity for a cause. It was such a beautiful site, and I am proud....well should I say, even more proud to be a seedling from Oakland, Ca. Some people ask..what are they marching for? Well this is my take on the current circumstances that the capitalist systems has put us in. We live in a state of greed!! Were profits come before caring about human kind. We live in a state that has continue to reproduce a "false consciousness" of meritocracy in the US. We, the 99%, are forced feed a myth from gra...

So...Honestly, I haven't worked out in months!! But...I am on my bike everyday these days. Its getting my legs really strong and maintaining my weight. I've gotten a few "Raven, you are looking small these days." Staying in shape is hard. Its important to find something that you love because it won't be such a task to do it!!

I am so annoyed with these fake eyelashes (well the one's with the heavy glue I should say). All I am asking, is that you do an eyelash check. If your eyelashes look like the lady above, or when you close your eyes...they look like a solid black strip...uhh, they don't look good!! Please fix them!

So, I am going through a lot of transitions [I've been hearing a lot about the new moon. We had a new moon towards the end of September. This is a time of transition. A time to set back from your situation and to determine "intent." A period to make decisions and re-orient goals. SIDE NOTE: I've always shared this special connection with the moon. It so humbling and pleasant. Take a moment to look at it. Haven't you noticed that its always present, there is something special about that. It doesn't leave us..(as the sun comes and goes)] These transitions has been making my personality a little unpredicatable. I've been having bad attitudes, depressing moods, sad faces....etc etc etc. For most who know me, this isn't typical. Well some of it (yea, I know I have a smart A** attitude, sometimes a bit selfish, demanding, yadi this yadi that lol). But the sad faces and depressed mood...isn't really my speed. However, I have a hard time isolat...

I had luck'd up on a last minute ticket to go see Esperanza Spalding. Can I say how in love I am with her? Her artistry is amazing...truly a voice of an angel, but the mentality of a silent rock star. Her performance was UBER amazing. LUVS HER!!

One day I fell in love Ohh how beautiful it was His soul was godly and his touch like an angel One day I fell in love I didn’t know the outcome But my mind didn’t take the journey for granted Like love birds we were connected And we flew when our eyes closed Because the day I fell in love I swear it was outta this world

So when is a good time to get rid of all reminders of the EX's? Do you not keep old pictures, text, emails around...when involved with someone new? Is there a general rule to this...thoughts??

So I've just heard this recently from my dove. I've also heard this from my mother. I've also heard this from my close girlfriends. "RAVEN, YOU LIKE CRAZY" Umm...weird right??! It began when I was a teenager. I would always attract,uhh, not so normal people. They would come and talk to me..at the bus stop, grocery store, etc etc. I would ask my mom "why do crazy people always talk to me?" At the time...my definition of crazy were "social rejects." Anyways, as I have gotten older and involved in many different kinds of situations and relationships...I begin to wonder..do I really like crazy?? Okay, life is complicated...but do I enjoy this complication? Do I feed off it? On paper...I believe Raven is much simpler...however, when I begin to think about myself...i believe I have much more complexities than I can even bare to understand at this point.

So, I got back into the gym today!! YAY!! After over 6 months...I'm in it to win it?? LOL Anyways, I started with cardio and legs today (ohh, always stomach...but I alternate days between legs and arms/back) Yeah, trying to get things tight for the summer...i'm mean, its only right!! Rihanna Pandora station and Aquafina got me through tonight. I am also prizing myself with stickers on a calender. This way it holds me responsible and it also challenges me (because I'm so competitive) Shoutout to the homie Galit for giving me this idea, and getting me back motivated. So #shoutout to all the folks getting rid of the winter dead weight; and prepping to show some skin!! GO RAVEN!! LOL Excuse the sweaty picture...but it was right after working out ;-)

So, Osama is dead...and people sing the national anthem... I guess its something like when people go to the viewing of the person on death row... Umm...I guess I'm suppose to feel joyous?? Well, to be honest I don't. First, I am not in support of the death penalty. So why can the state have the power to kill to retaliate, but we can't. I'm just saying...not that I have plans too...but just think about it?? Now, I know this guy was dangerous...even more reason why I would have liked to see him locked up forever!! But his death doesn't stop Al Quaeda, and its not bringing the troops home. It also doesn't heal the hearts of the thousands of families affected by the 9/11 attack. So, do I raise my American Flag, eat a burger, and shout "I'm Proud to be American"...no Maybe I'll do that when we write a new Constitution...one that does not have the blood of my ancestors behind it; one that was written to include all people Maybe I'll do that ...

So I feel like we have been socialized to prepare for the worst. And i am not sure why. Well, I guess it can come in handy when you are talking about practical things such as school, career, finances. Maybe that is the case. It is good to have a Plan A, B, C. However can you prepare for the worst when it comes to love and happiness? In love and happiness, preparing for the worst...is prepping yourself for a heartbreak. I think if I spent my time occupying my mind with the "would ifs" and if all those "would ifs" are negative; I will drive myself crazy. I also believe that in the process of preparing for the worst; you make your mind believe or come up with things. You also start to do things unlike yourself. If you are trying to enjoy an experience with another individual, and all you can think about is the negative "would ifs", then you may push yourself away. I am working on living in the moment. Trying to withstand the things that are outside ...

REFER TO YOURSELF AS A "BAD B*TCH" WEAR A TUTU (come on!! I thought that'll be a given) HAVE SEX ON THE DANCE FLOOR SPORT A BUSTED WEAVE TOO MUCH PROFANITY ON SOCIAL NETWORKS (its just not a good look) STILL TALK ABOUT HATERS (where they do that at) TAKE A PICTURE OF YOURSELF, IN EVERY OUTFIT YOU OWN, AND POST IT ON FB RETWEET, WHAT SOMEONE ELSE RETWEET'S OF YOURS, JUST TO SHOW PPL ARE RETWEETIN YOUR SH*T TAKE PICTURES OF YOU WITH BOTTLES OR MARY JANE AND ITS PROBABLY MORE...BUT THESE ARE JUST A FEW THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING MY NERVES!!!

Just when it is expected that i'll blog something about "the new me" or "changes for 2011".... As 2011 begins, I do minimal reflecting on 2010 because it was a very rough year for me. The top positive was me going to graduate school...other than that; it was rough!! But the summer of 2009 is by far one of the best times in my life. I always talk about how i'm not sure what all I was doing (actually, I know exactly what I was doing...guys, alcohol, and dancing). I had decent paying jobs, but I was at my mom's house. For a moment, I beat myself up about that...and thats what kept me out of the house!! I was avoiding my reality. Either way...doing just that, I had an F'n good time. I went out a lot, partied, meet a few new people, just enjoyed being me. "These goes my baby"-Charlie Wilson...that was my anthem!! I was also a karaoke fiend!! LOL...i'm reminiscing because although all these things may seem...umm...minuscule or without su...