Graduation...

Graduation feels like it took place so long ago. When it was just last Friday. I thought I would have this overwhelming feeling like "I'm done!" or "I have a degree now." or "Time to be an adult now." But I haven't. It still hasn't hit me and I'm not quite sure when it will. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy my break with my parents and my up coming trip to Miami. Hopefully I'll remember to take pictures. I never do.

Graduation was fun. It was amazing to see everyone I haven't seen in a while, all my wonderful friends who came out to support me, and the other graduates. I'm just so proud of everyone, even though I was the youngest of all my friends graduating. Walking across the "stage" (we walked across the floor, I guess so no one would trip and it would go faster) was a good feeling. Especially when John Steinmetz, one of Texas Tech University's Board of Reagents, and Dr, Juan Munos, the President of the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Community Engagement called be back. We held up the entire line while they were telling me how proud they were, and that as soon as I get back to Lubbock, I need to set up a meeting with them. I got a job offer walking across the stage. How many people can say that? While I have no idea what it is and what it will lead to, I am excited to see what it is.

Graduation was just an overall amazing experience. I have accomplished a lot in the past 3 and a half years. I cannot wait to see what else I am capable of. I am always surprised when people recognize me for things. I have received 5 awards in the past year, and it's still crazy to me. I was not expecting any of them. Hopefully, they'll help me get into graduate school. That's my next journey, hopefully. Unless I just get some super amazing job in DC.

Okay, now to the blurry pictures because I couldn't stand still for one minute because I was so excited (=

Khabi and Kobby. We made it together. Gosh I love him, my favorite Kappa.

Blurry for life, but congrats Jourdan for graduating the very next day. My favorite AKA.

But these are my favorite Neos of all time. (=

Mentor Tech for life.

Sanjana and Shamaya. We were literally 10 people away from each other, with me in the middle. So proud of these women.

 Shout out to my headache for life for being my right hand on that day and for making that super long drive back with me, even though you had me falling asleep behind the wheel because you were super boring. I don't ever say it, but I appreciate you.

My Biggest Inspiration...

As everyone knows, my biggest inspiration is Janelle Monae. If I could, I would hijack her entire wardrobe. I recently tried to figure out my new obsession with black and white. That seems to be the only colors that I buy lately. Then I realized, I am definitely embodying everything that Janelle stands for. From the simple yet sophisticated wardrobe, to the use of her image to promote positivity.

The reason I love her so much is because for the first time, I saw a beautiful, strong, black woman in the lime light, who dressed and carried herself modestly. Her music wasn't talking about anything provocative, nor did she demean herself in her videos. She took a completely different approach to her image, and I admire her for that.

Before I even really started wearing ties myself (although in high school I tried it out every now again), I had an obsession with them. I loved seeing a man dressed up in a suit and tie. I already knew the contents of my future husbands closet. Then I thought, why wait until then? So from there, my style evolved. Not sure if I'll continue wearing them so often (I got asked if i was a lesbian a little while back), but they will forever be in my wardrobe in some way.

Thank you Janelle, for representing women who's rather be valued for their mind and for their body.

I do not own any of the pictures used above. 

Keeping It 100...

Being active is always something I try to do, regardless of how tired or busy I am. This semester, I made the choice to join the 100 Collegiate Women of America, at Texas Tech University. Seeing all the amazing hard work and how committed and dedicated these women were, I really want to become apart of that. Despite my very extensive resume, I became a prospective member. After a lot of hard work, time, effort, and more patience than I thought I had, I was finally inducted last night at the 100 Collegiate Pinning Ceremony.

It was exciting to see 18 phanominal women and 32 amazing men that I worked hard, along side of this semester, being inducted with me. After working those long football games, making up slogans and gimmicks while volunteering at the fair, movie night, ultimate sleep overs, game night, mentoring our babies, the fashion show, Poetic Justice, and everything else we did this semester, I can honestly say I am going to miss my C100 family.

Not only was I inducted into the organization, I was honored with the award "World Wide Woman". I was truly surprised. I didn't even think I would receive one. I was very happy seeing the true leaders receive their awards. When my name was called, the description they gave was, "When you see her, you know she's about her business." That described me perfectly. It was a very enjoyable night.

We were matching, so I had to get a picture. 

cardigan via bloom
shirt via ralph lauren
pants via forever 21
shoes via aldo
belt via forever 21
tie via jcpenny
scarf via ???

Hijabi's Do It Best...

This video here just gave me life. I haven't really been motivated into getting super dressed up lately. It's been more about attempting to wear something clean. That is why you have not seen my beautiful face in so long. But I'm at the home stretch. 5 pm on Saturday, I'll officially be done with all my undergrad duties, with the exception of 2 grad school applications. Alhamdulillah, I cannot wait.

Watching this video really made me giddy inside. There are so many different styles and ideas that I have wanted to try, but I simply haven't. I think I have graduated from the bow tie phase of my life. They might make an appearance here or there, but they aren't going to be a staple in my wardrobe any more.

I love watching hijabi's do things that people don't expect of them. Just watch and see what I'm talking about. And thank you for creating this video. It really did just give me life this sad Monday morning before finals.

Being Thankful...

With thanksgiving right around the corner, I figured it would be good to throw a few things out there about what I am thankful for. For the first time in my 21 years of life, I will not be spending thanksgiving with my family. It really makes me sad, but I'll be okay. I have my makeshift family at school who are taking really good care of me. That inspired me to create this. Hopefully this stirs up some holiday spirit in a few of you.

1. I am thankful for being alive and healthy. 
2. I am thankful for Allah (God) keeping me that way. 
3. For my family, because they are my biggest cheerleaders even when they don't want to be.
4. For my amazing friends who I drive insane with my constant crying, freaking out about life, boy issues, family issues, school issues, future issues, and what ever else I could possible freak out about. I know you get tired of me, but I appreciate and am thankful for you anyways.
5. Being in school and almost to graduation. InshaAllah (God willing), I can walk across that stage December 13th, with my grandmother screaming "That's my baby!" 
6. That I have been afforded the opportunities that I have, and that I will, InshaAllah have. 
7. For my mentor, who has loved me unconditionally for the past 3 years, who answers when ever I need her, who pays for my meals when she knows I'm too prideful to say I can't afford to go to lunch or dinner cause these grad school application fees are killing me, who writes these amazing letter of recommendations for me making me really question if I am truly as great as she sees me. I am grateful for Maria because when I am have a horrible day, I just walk into her office and everything else just melts away. 
8. I am grateful for Mentor Tech, who put Maria in my life. I am thankful for all that you do, every single you. You have no idea what a difference you make.
9. I am thankful for my mommy and sister. They were my first and still are two of my very best friends. 
10. I am thankful for Khairat, who is my sister and best friend by choice. I could not imagine life without you. 
11. I am thankful for everyone who told me I couldn't do something. You fuel my drive every single day.
12. I am thankful for the warm bed, roof over my head, almost full belly (I'm still a broke college student), and the assurance that Allah does not put you though anything you cannot handle. With that knowledge, I sleep peaceful at night.
13. I am thankful that my parents raised me to be a good Muslims. Although I fall short, I am a work in progress. InshaAllah, I'll get there one day. 
14. I am grateful for those of you who still come to this blog, even though I have been horrible this entire 2013 year. I tried sha. 
15. And lastly, I am just grateful. For every beautiful thing and every not so beautiful thing that has happened in my life. They shape who I am today. 

A lot of times people forget that we can't just be grateful one time of the year, or even one time of the day. We have to be grateful all day, everyday, because we never know when it'll be taken away from us. 

Well, that is my soap box for now. Enjoy you break while you can. Eat some lovely turkey and kiss you mom on the cheek for me.

Senior Pictures...

It truly pays off being active in the community around you. I took my senior pictures at the Spirit Ranch, which is such an amazingly beautiful place. I love the atmosphere, the staff, and all that they do for people who come there. If you've never had the honor of going, you should try sometime. Even if it's just for a tour.

I had the pleasure of attending for my first time with Mentor Tech, and have been there several times since. Walking through the grounds while taking my pictures truly brought back all the memories that I had there. From bonding with my protege's from Dunbar Middle School and my fellow PAC Leaders, jumping off the pole with Thomas and Keshia, or sharing stories over a cup of coffee. The Spirit Ranch is a vital part of my experience in college. Man how I'm going to miss that place.

Sorry I've been a little MIA. With school, work, lab, grad school applications, job applications, packing, Platform planning, my graduation party, and preparing for all my family that's coming into town for my graduation, it's been crazy. Hopefully I'll figure out something soon. I hate that my blog is suffering.

In exactly 20 days, at this exact time, I will be walking across the stage. I'm scared to death, but I know that I am blessed to have come this far. InshaAllah, if God is willing, I will continue to go even further. Now to the wonderful pictures that my good friend Abdullah Alwosaibi took for me. Isn't he simply talented?