"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" - Proverb

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Anyone that knows me, knows I LOVE Jesse Boykins. I found him accidentally one day just browsing random youtube videos, as you do. I've been hooked ever since.  I would describe him as having a cool relaxed Dwele vibe fused with sensual Brian Mcknight lyrics, fused with a slick sexy Joe voice. Sounds epic right?, yeh I know.

When my girl told me he was doing a free show in NYC. I had to be there.

I've seen him live once before in Cargo, London sometime last year. I was lets just say, extremely tipsy, so I remember that night vaguely. All I know is that I had a few too many Rosé's and I was in the audience screaming from the pit of my belly like a crazy groupie in a practically silent crowd. People were giving me the side eye the whole night lol. When you watch video's of that show you can actually hear me, mega embarrassing. I totally blame it on the alcohol, ain't got nothing to do with me lol. So, this was the perfect opportunity to see him again, sober.

The night was in aid of Suit Dreams, an initiative that's set up to provide suits to Black young men in Brooklyn that have completed high school but don't have a suit to wear to their graduation prom. As part of the program the young people are also mentored by top business men who encourage and guide them in pursuing their dreams. Its a beautiful concept.

I printed out my google map directions and hooked up with Ba'Ra and we made our way (with great difficulty) to the venue. The event was held at Katra Lounge. 

We got to the venue around 8 ish, to find Jesse Boykins standing outside, I saw him and my knees got wobbly and butterflies zoomed around in my belly. Ba'Ra told me acting a "straight up fool" lol - you gotta love hes bluntness lol. You've probably already gathered that I think Jesse Boykins is SEXY, my crush on him is simply ridiculous lol.

The club had a warm Moroccan vibe going on, it was filled with handsome men in sharp suit that made me wish I had dressed up, oh well. Inside was packed and the atmosphere was pleasant. For a while Ba'Ra and I just hung around, navigating our way through the herds of people. We discovered there was a downstairs that was even more ram then upstairs, it was bit too much so we went back up. And there he was, standing in the VIP area, Jesse Boykins. Ba'Ra told me to go ask him for a picture, after a bit of hesitation and him dragging me to Jesse, I went.

I went over and I shyly asked Jesse for a photo he said "Aint you that girl from London?" -  it was definately a 'floor just swallow me up moment' the embarrassment was too much lol. I suppose the positive side of it is that he remembered me (even if it I was in my drunken state). We took a photo.

I look a bit busted, but we make a cute couple

Ba'Ra chilling on the red cushions

He's show was amazing. Like always he was full of energy and had me questioning why he is such an underrated artist. Along side he live band he performed 'Prototype', 'Amorous', 'Itis', "Pantyhose' and quite a few other tracks. Part way through the show he came into the audience and sang to me, OH MY LIFE - I nearly died.

The girl he brought on stage - totally feeling her style

 

Overall, I had a great time, beautiful company (Ba'Ra), beautiful men, beautiful music and beautiful New York City. What more could I girl ask for?

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Yesterday, I met up with my lovely amazing friend Ba'Ra we spent a couple of hours wondering round Canal Street (counterfeit central). I purchased a bright yellow bag and some chunky thick wooden colourful bangles (I'll upload a photo later). This season I'm overdosing on colourful clothes and accessories, my friends motto 'Rainbow yourself happy' is on constant replay in my head - alongside all the other strange voices lol. Anyway, after all this walking bellies started rumbling and hunger set in. Ba'Ra being a vegan, and me being a pescatarian meant that walking into McDonalds and grabbing a big mac was a big hell no.

Ba'Ra recommended a Vegan spot called Wild Ginger. When he first explained that it was Vegan Chinese restaurant, I was like 'Huh, you gotta be kidding me'. I mean, what vegan chinese food is there, noodles and broccolli??. I decided to give it a try, 'what don't kill me can only make me stronger' and all of that. So we arrived.

 
I didn't have a clue what anything was on the menu, but Ba'Ra gave me a full breakdown. In the end I ordered 'General Tsao's Soy Protein'. The food arrived.

The yummy food

Are you thinking what I was thinking?? It looks like chicken!! Let me start by saying the food was DELICIOUS. It looked and tasted JUST like chicken. My brain couldn't actually process the fact it wasn't chicken. Ba'Ra explained to me over 10 times that is was actually soy protein made to taste like chicken. The imitation was so on point it was unbelievable.

Ba'RA and the soy protein (chicken)

Me and the empty plate

After this little experience, I am actually contemplating becoming a vegan. It opened me up to a whole new whole of tasty vegan food that I never even knew existed.

YOUR LEGACY LIVES. YOUR NAME LIVES. YOUR SPIRIT LIVES. YOU LIVE.

THANK YOU MALCOLM X

(Check out some of my favorite Malcolm X quotes) 

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."

"Despite my firm convictions, I have been always a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth."

"And just because you have colleges and universities doesn't mean you have education."

(Check out the video!!)

“Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the color of your skin, to such extent that you bleach to get like the white man? Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose, and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?”

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Last week Friday, I was blessed to be able to go and see Nneka @ SOB (Sound Of Brazils). I'm going to be honest, before I went I wasn't the biggest Nneka fan. I was totally feeling that 'Heartbeat' track (the video reminds me of my second home The Gambia) and I could hum along to some of the songs from her 'No Longer at ease' album. To say I was a fanatic, would have been taking a bit too far. HOWEVER, after seeing her live I AM HOOKED.

Her whole set was acoustic; it had the whole 'Lauryn Hiill Unplugged album' feel going on. It was full of genuine passion and emotion; she shed a few tears during some of the songs. It was obvious, she felt and meant single every word she sang. It came from the heart. The thing I really digged about the concert was her honesty and truth, she had the confidence to freely say what she taught without being apologetic. A quality that is rare. I was entranced by the intimate set for a long beautiful hour.

So, since last Friday until now I have had 'Valley' on repeat - check it out! Peep below one of the tracks she performed on the night.

The night was also a significant night for me. It was the first concert I've EVER been to ALONE. Goooo ME!! :)



I ROCKED THIS! I LOVE THEM EARRINGS (HARLEM BABBY)



I’ve just finished a heated but respectful 1 hour political twitter debate with a complete stranger. I’m now reflecting on how totally random and out the blue it was but on the flip side how healthy an exchange of conflicting ideas and opinion is once in a while. 

My main social circle I must admit consists of a group of people that uphold the same morals, values and ideologies as me (most of the time). Although this is very pleasant, unconsciously a ‘group think’ mentality sometimes does set in. In certain circumstances this collective mindset can be detrimental to the fertile foundation that is needed for new seeds of ideas to blossom. A good ole’ tongue waggle with a passionate person/people whose views clash with my own is something that I find myself at times yearning for. It’s got nothing to do with my ego or always wanting be right, it’s purely due to the fact that it always aids in some type of growth (although I may be highly irritated at the time). 

I’ve had countless debates in my life time, however this one particular stands out due to the platform on which we communicated and the fact and I didn’t know this person from Adam. Not even a profile picture to put an unknown face to the unknown name, nada. A complete and utter stranger.  Upon reflection this unexpected debate allowed me to get into the mind of the mysterious stranger and see issues/thoughts from a totally new perspective. It highlighted the flaws in some of my opinions subsequently creating a shift in my outlook, in this instance on the global political landscape. It provided a platform on which my knowledge was showcased and lack of knowledge was equally brought to the forefront. A few of my character traits which I don’t often scrutinise reared their heads, such as my unapologetically opinionated nature. However, my years of training of in not being afraid or ashamed to admit when I’m wrong have definitely paid off ultimately bringing about balance in myself. Most importantly it showed that respect and keeping an open mind at all times is essential to a great debate (and most things in life). The stubborn ‘You can’t tell me nothing’ mentality can obstruct life lessons and new information, preventing mind expansion – and what good is that?

To sum up my experience I created this quote:

“A great debate opens eyes and unlocks minds”

Love and light

Selina x

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Source

Butterflies flutter,
Softly,
Smoothly,
Like multicoloured raindrops,
In the….
cool breeze,
Gently caressing leaves
That sway to
Harmonies of jubilant elation
Sung by birds
For the morning skies
As the suns warm kisses
Stroke flower petals
Individually,
Blissfully
So…
Perfectly.

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The other day I watched 'Eat, Pray, Love'. If you haven't already seen this film I HIGHLY recommend you go watch it. I don't want to give too much away, but in short its the story of a lady that searching for something more in her life. She leaves her husband and job and sets off on a exciting journey filled with  joy, spirituality and love.

The film is full to the brim with beautiful quotes, but this one is the one that stuck with me:

"...I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Or so I've come to believe."

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