The end of my first week is over and I can say... well actually I can't say much because I have to get ready for tomorrow! Lol it moves pretty quickly, clearly different from not doing anything for the first couple of weeks here. In any case, tomorrow will be a full blown, long ass, dramatic (though I'm not even dramatic *eye roll*) report of this entire crazy, funny week in nothing less than my extremely sarcastic manner. Enjoy some flicks from today and the superb environment I'm living in, y'all my camera finally let go of its life, okay not literally, but it's as good as done. HOWEVER! I finessed such greatness today that I can only do justice by explaining tomorrow. See y'all there...here? Ha

xxoo missusmonroe

When I first landed in Houston I was actually really excited to see what Bey is so proud about. Not to say that I'm disappointed...but it's all just so very... Texas! *cue proud cowboy accent* Everybody is proud of the unending land, with hardly any sidewalks mind you, the slightly obnoxiously big everything, and the Texas fast food that's exclusive to Texas and renames to somehow fit Rancho, Ranger, or just Texas in it. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty cool out here but I think I need to actually find and explore to find the big factor. It's not like Paris where you get off the plane and here's Paris! 

This actually really makes me wonder where Drake's fascination lies and whether I need to reconsider his mental stability and credibility in judgement...

Lol in any case, I've been in search for concerts, or those intimate pub performances to no avail. I wasn't truly too concerned when I was in the city to be honest, fresh from school slavery, all I wanted to do was sleep for at least 10 hours a day. Today I actually began what I came here for in the first place, my internship. The day hurried right along surprisingly and I couldn't be more grateful. It's quite busy and now that I'm a bit away from Houston, I don't have much exploring to look forward to without burning a hole in my pocket...clearly someone thought this thoroughly through.

We'll see what's in store, honestly I brought too many cute clothes, too many clothes really, for them to go to waste! My carry-on was sacrificially about 15 pounds too heavy, because of said clothes and my stubbornness to pay money I deem unnecessary. Not in vain I tell you!

P.S. My camera is going through some things. Instead of trying to diagnose it I think it's high time to replace it, it has been three long years. I just wish it didn't always choose when I need it to be a stupid brat. Hopefully all the pictures don't come out this weird or as bad they've been rolling out but if they do, forgive a sista.

xxoo missusmonroe

So how many times have we heard the phrase "New Year, New Me!"? Whether you don't believe it or hold it dear to your heart, but at the rate everyone trashes it you wouldn't dare admit it let's be honest, it is always a topic for discussion as New Year's eve approaches. I'm not one to ever utter those words because, sure I'll never stop growing, but I don't believe because the year increased overnight suddenly my life has changed. There is, however, something extremely promising about 2016. I've reflected on my year and it honestly felt more low than high. There are so many things I aspire to do that sometimes seem to be put on the back burner or even worse, feel like I have to force myself to do. 

But for some reason 2016 is gleaming to be my year.

Not a year of change or renewal, but a year of opportunity and claiming my greatness. A year of really making shit happen. A year of fearlessness. A year of spiritual growth. My fucking year.

I've never ever been one to turn down adventure... which is great because I have a feeling 2016 will be a crazy ride. My first stop? Houston, Texas.

xxoo missusmonroe

American Apparel dress, Ankara tailor made pants, Ego Official shoes, thrifted bib necklace

Even those who know me moderately well may not be aware of my passion for some dance forms, but I am and have always been in love with ballet. I'm talking in deep, passionate, don't tell your mamma about that day-dream love (okay, well maybe not completely that). When I was younger, like many other girls, I wanted to be a ballerina but I was so sure of my potential, I bought a step-by-step book, can you imagine as if it were like making a egusi stew, and really thought I was going to teach myself the basics so when I went into a class I wouldn't be too shy of the target...but when the opportunity presented itself to go to ballet camp, I chose cheerleading camp like an imbecile. I suppose I didn't believe I needed ballet camp, ugh I was something else back then.

In any case, I've always wanted to see a ballet and for the past couple of years I've dreamt of getting all dolled up, putting on a faux fur, and heading off to see The Nutcracker. Now, I'm extremely independent and that's always been my thing; however, I knew I wanted to share this special little fantasy night with someone, preferably of the non mediocre bravado. So a few weeks ago a special guy did make this happen and I actually haven't stopped thanking him for it. At first, the show began slow and I was just praying I wouldn't end up disappointed but it quickly picked up pace, we had some entertainment by a woman who must've believed she was the ringleader within the art of clapping (with your hands..not ass cheeks), the girls brought out their pointe shoes (most excited about), we had a bit too much of that unoaked drank, ending was fantastic.. we were just really living. Seriously one of the best nights.

P.S. shoutout to the waitress who couldn't get enough of my hair, complimented me on my gap, and told me I was a goddess. She was really digging my whole essence and I appreciate her, thank you queen! I hope everyone had a merry Christmas.

xxoo missusmonroe

Here I go again, just randomly "showin' up" as I please, one with the wind is what y'all must really think of me, I know. And I know that I can't really just go on apologizing, yet again cause that's the shit I literally always end up doing. All, I know what y'all are thinking, it's been forever! I'm so sorry, excuse, excuse, excuse. Well, lo and behold, this time is not the same! (kinda)

I almost began by saying the usual, "this semester was the hardest ladidadi blah blah" all so redundant, why do I feel like I begin the story-telling like that all the time? I guess it doesn't reaaally matter too much because of the accuracy but I've got to vary a little bit, y'know? *sigh* In any case, all those previous hard semesters can be taken out of the contending pool cause the semester I just drug myself out of shames the past couple of years, for sure.

The major difference between this year and all the others is just how much effort I put into cancelling many things out of my life ~for the most part, temporarily. I made an effort not to go to any parties, not that I was choosing, I completely said no. Limited my social gatherings, involvement.. I was totally not out here! The worst feeling is not reaching your goals when you feel like you sacrificed so much and compromised yourself. Nearing the end of the semester I just concluded I really could've been out here, just not caring at all, and have been in many of the same situations. It was discouraging and quite disheartening. I kind of felt at a stand-still with God. Not because everything was going wrong, I'm not that type of spiritual person. Y'know the type, only pray when things are going left and get mad if you don't just magically receive great things. My only request was to see what God wanted me to see, to just know why things felt all out of sorts. I don't think I have a direct answer yet but.. I'm feeling closer than before.

This semester was great in many ways, don't get me wrong. I learned a great deal and even though I've always felt quite mature, I think I also grew up a bit as well. I went to festivals, a few art shows here and there, met and connected with a rare, special few, furthered my art forms and creative depths... oh I even celebrated my 20th. It wasn't all tears. I certainly realized this blog is not something I need to sacrifice, in fact writing really heals and comforts me. I've written my whole life but I didn't think it would be a big deal pushing myself away, I never even considered it me not writing but of course, that's exactly what it was. And it felt quite toxic. Bottled up and desperate. 

Well, I'm not doing that again ~lol~ this is a real outlet. In actuality there are many things I'm not doing again. Going into the new year, I've bought a fresh journal and I'm really going to reflect and set things up for myself to make the best out of this upcoming year. I passionately feel like it is my year... While I'm doing that, enjoy some of the best of this semester.

xxoo missusmonroe

I decided to start this off with India, since I'll be heading to Bangalore in T-3 hours! I'm focusing on south of India, because India is such a rich and cultural diverse place that 1 post wouldn't do it justice. Even southern india is so big, but I'll try!

Whenever, I'm setting off to my next adventure, I always look for 3 main things. Food, clothing/customs, and people! This is true whether I'm prepping for a trip to Boston or Bangkok.

"The Kerala houseboats, or Kettuvallam, are famous for their unique, traditional, thatched roof design.  Although the houseboats vary in shape and design, they all share the basket-like roof, giving them the nick-name, basket boats. The name Kettuvallam comes from the Malayalam language, where “kettu” means “to tie” and “vallam” means boat. Traditionally, the Kettuvallam were used to ship goods like rice and spices and could hold up to 30 tons. These days however, the houseboats almost exclusively ferry tourists from all over India and abroad, through the narrow waterways of the Kerala backwaters."

Kerala, India

Ulsoor Lake (Bangalore)

Busy street in Bangalore