Julia - OohJulie

Hello 30s!

January 25, 2019Julia

Last week was my 30th birthday and prior to my birthday I was filled with a mix of emotions. The day before my birthday ended with me sending out a mass text to my closes friends that read :

PSA please refrain from all #dirty30, #30 or anything else that’s not #twentyFine if I post anything on social medial tomorrow. I’m not ready to accept the fact I’ll be 30 (sad face emoji) so please don’t mention it to the world. Thank you (smiley face emoji).

Talk about struggling with accepting the fact. Anyway, a week later and I’m doing much better 🙂 30 isn’t so bad after all lol. No, but for real I am ready for the blessings my 30s will bring as well as the challenges. I went though a lot in my 20s, from losing my grandfather, watching my mother become homeless after losing her house, struggling financially, to having a health scare. But with all the challenges I faced in my 20s, I had many blessings, such as graduating from undergrad. I remember it like yesterday, checking my final grade to the one summer class I was taking, Spanish. I didn’t think I was going to pass. When I saw that passing grade, I stared crying. I remember I called my mom to tell her and was crying on the phone lol. In my 20s I graduated from graduate school, developed a spiritual relationship with Christ, witnessed the birth of my niece, moved to a new state, bought my first “non-bucket” car, and traveled out of the country. My 20s were truly a period of growth and I feel I am equipped to take on the challenges my 30s will bring, but above all I am ready to embrace all the blessings! But before closing this chapter, here are a few things I would tell my 20 something self as I reflect.

Can Men And Women Just Be Friends

November 1, 2018Julia

Harry: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally: So, you’re saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry: No, you pretty much want to nail ’em too.
Sally: What if they don’t want to have sex with you?
Harry: Doesn’t matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally: Well, I guess we’re not going to be friends then.
Harry: Guess not.

If you don’t know where the above dialect comes from I suggest you get your life. No seriously, stop reading and get your life lol. Okay, I’ll give you a pass this time, but you get the side eye. The dialect is from the movie When Harry Met Sally one of my favorites❤ and an absolute romantic comedy classic.

Anyway, Harry had an interesting. If we remove religion from the discussion, to keep it neutral for argument purposes, and take on a science perspective he makes some interesting points.

Lost Summer Nights

October 7, 2018February 14, 2024Julia

He said he loves the way I taste
I arch my back and whisper “ I know”
His lips kiss my hidden lips
Ripples travel down my spine
One vertebra at a time
A familiar love of summer nights
Buried between my thighs
Brown butter glazed in coconut oil with a hint of lavender
Is that what he’s tasting?
How long can I endure this pleasure
Pure euphoria, I sense my body\’s loss of control
Butterflies dance gracefully to the sound of my soul
I ask them to please never abandon me❤️

Soulmates – To Settle or Not To Settle

September 1, 2018January 24, 2024Julia1 Comment

I have never been a person to believe in soulmates. To be frank, I find the idea of “the one” to be very limiting. You mean to tell me there is only ONE person that’s THE person? The concept eliminates the luxury of options, instead leaving you with one option –ONE soulmate. Talk about stressful! Plus, a sista has always been a bit cynical regarding soulmates because I have experienced men thinking I was “the one” and none of those relationships worked out.

It’s as if believing you should have this euphoric undeniable bond with a person could be self-destructive when the relationship encounters problems.

However, I recently had a conversation with a friend who I shall call Matt. Matt had a pretty different view on what a soulmate was. His outlook was this:

Your soulmate is the person you choose to fight for, regardless of the tough times the relationship encounters, opposed to giving up. In contrast, non soulmates give up on the relationship. Even if at some point non soulmates did fight for their relationship, the end result would be them calling it quits. Hence, indicating they weren’t soulmates.

Travel: New Orleans

August 1, 2018January 24, 2024Julia

Last month I had the pleasure of traveling to New Orleans for the Essence Festival for an annual girls’ trip. This was my second time traveling to NOLA and I was once again remined why I absolutely love the city. From the vibrant music that touches your soul to the colorful architecture NOLA is a city that radiates an irresistible energy and I find this captivating given the adversity the city has endured.

My weekend began with me pulling up to a magenta duplex coated in Christmas lights showcasing “Welcome to New Orleans”. After a seven-hour drive, I was beyond excited to have finally reached my destination. I quickly grabbed my luggage and made my way up to the front door anticipating the weekend adventures soon to come. Immediately, as I walked through the front door, I was graced with the usual greeting ritual from my friends including celebratory shouts and friends dancing as I entered the unit. Laughter filled the air as team certified baddies was back in action. With no time to spare I quickly claimed my corner side of the bed and my number in line for the shower. Let the festivities begin!

To Be Young Again

July 1, 2018JuliaLeave a comment

Today while going through an old computer I stumbled across some writings from high school and decided to share. The nostalgia that came along with looking back at old poems. I can remember the emotions I felt during this time which inspired these pieces. I clearly was going through something, ooh to be a young again.💕

My addiction
I\’m addicted to his swag
His style
His smile
I\’m loving the way he laughs
He keeps me on a natural high
Trust, the truth I will never hide
I love the way he thinks
His way of thought is new to me
Sexy in all ways
Beautiful is what I\’m called
That\’s how I begin my days
He treats me like a queen
Never disrespecting me
He\’s my addiction
Always causing me to give in
Positive energy is what I need
And yes that\’s what this new one gives to me
Sometimes friends….other times lovers….but no matter what the title is he remains my addiction.

Love
Once in love with my first
Remembering the day our eyes connected
One year and one month on the 25th
But a new love has entered that must be objected
So much in common since grade eight
Comfort it brings throughout my day
Laughter this love causes, so we relate
A crossroad I am faced with not knowing which way
My old love still loves the way I once did
If knowing my new feelings crushed it would be
One love, fare well I must bid
Old, new not sure which one is the one for me

My PA Journey – Why I Chose PA?

May 8, 2018JuliaLeave a comment

Hello beautiful people!! So yesterday I asked one of the doctors I once worked with if he would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for PA school. Anyone who knows me well knows I absolutely hate having to ask for a LOR. For some reason I always feel like I\’m a burden, but that\’s clearly my own hang-up I’m going to have to learn to get over. All week I had been gearing up to ask. Should I text or email, what should I say, how long should it be…. lol needless questions that caused me much anxiety. Anyway I finally sent the text and was ecstatic when he replied and said yes. Though, he did have a question for me

— Why did you go from Physician to PA to teaching to Public health, and back to PA?

I wasn’t expecting this question, but it got me thinking. The short response is I chose PA because I want to play an active role in reducing health disparities with marginalized groups, working primarily in primary care and substance abuse. However, this was not always my purpose and in fact my life has been a journey leading me to where God intends for me to be.

Too Woke

May 1, 2018Julia

I recently was getting to know this guy, you know the beginning phase of dating/courting where you’re still trying to figure out if you even really like the person. Anyway, he seemed like a cool down to earth dude. We would intermittently text, talk on the phone, went on a few dates. Well after about date number five I realized I wasn’t feeling him. I didn’t know exactly why I was no longer interested, but something just wasn’t clicking. “He’s too serious” “He’s too loud” “He’s too indecisive”. A Sista just could not put her finger on what it was, and it was bothering me because he was a good catch. Then randomly, amidst cleaning my kitchen, it dawned on me. Aha! He’s too woke.

Now don’t get it twisted. I consider myself woke and love a man that is conscious of social injustice happening within communities especially communities of color. I’m all for discussing the unyielding justice systems oppression of black men and women. However, I have learned too much wokeness is EXHAUSTING and to be frank, depressing. My point is, I’m not trying to be woke ALL the time. I like to consider myself an 80:20 type of gal. Meaning I’m about 80% woke and 20 % unwoke and when a sista is unwoke she is snoozzzzing.

Like, hit that alarm five times type of unwoke
crust in my eyes type of unwoke
panties and no bra type of unwoke
REM sleep type of unwoke

When I’m unwoke I’m trying to listen to some trap music, watch my ratchet shows and throw that ass in a circle on the dance floor one time.
You catch my drift lol.

Being unwoke is a way for me to escape reality because lord knows once I leave my apartment and “step into the world” I will constantly be reminded of my blackness. Hearing about deaths of innocent black men, women and children, dealing with daily racial microaggressions, reading about the corrupt criminal justice system, etc. after awhile these things take a toll on your spirit. I like to distance myself from all the chaos in the world and recharge and when I\’m recharging sometimes I\’m UNWOKE. So yeah I had to let him go.

Stay blessed. Remember, you are loved ❤️

More on Trumps Executive Order

March 3, 2017January 23, 2024JuliaLeave a comment

So much has been happening in current news regarding the travel ban. I think it’s important to question who should be considered a refugee and we as a country should question political policies that make it difficult for those seeking refugee asylum, such as Trumps recent executive order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days. Refugees are often placed in the category of migrants, however, many of these individuals are fleeing their countries due to substantial oppression. Refugees unlike migrants are trying to escape unjust political treatment and escapee conditions where they are explicitly excluded from their nation. Yes, refugees choose to flee their home countries, but many choose out of fear for their lives and Trumps executive order goes against international law. Policies such as the 1951 Geneva Convention and the continuing application of the 1961 Protocol [1] address the status of refuges and were adopted by the US. Meaning the US would comply, meaning Trumps executive order is in violation of this agreement.

The Meme That Led To More

February 4, 2017January 23, 2024JuliaLeave a comment

Since taking office President Trump has delayed no time in exercising his political power and has been signing executive orders left and right. One executive order that has caused a lot of controversy is Trumps travel ban which people are calling a Muslim ban. CNN reported the travel ban,

“Bars all persons from certain ‘terror-prone’ countries from entering the United States for 90 days and suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days until it is reinstated ‘only for nationals of countries for whom’ members of Trump’s Cabinet deem can be properly vetted.”

The “terror-prone” countries the ban is referring to include seven majority Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The rational given by the Trump administration is that the ban will keep America safer from terrorism. Many Americans throughout the country protested in response to the ban. Citizens where NOT playing regarding this issue which one company, Uber, found out the hard way. Uber found itself in a twitter trending topic frenzy resulting in a boycott against the company. Lets just say things got real, REAL QUICK, for the CEO of Uber, Travis Kalanick.

More Than Women’s Rights -Women’s March On Washington

January 26, 2017October 20, 2024Julia5 Comments

This past weekend I attended the Women’s March on Washington in Washington DC and what I initially thought was a march about women’s rights I quickly discovered was about much more.

What will go down in history as the largest inauguration protest, the Women’s March on Washington had an estimated 2.6 million protesters worldwide who collectively voiced their concerns regarding women’s rights and the rights of other marginalized communities that many fear may be in danger under the new Trump Administration. The march took place January 21, 2017 at 1PM. Prior to the march was a rally that included various speakers and performers. In Washington DC alone it was estimated that nearly 500,000 protesters marched across the National Mall wearing pink knitted beanies with pussy cat ears chanting rhymes, such as “hey hey ho ho Donald Trump has got to go” or “we need a leader not a creepy tweeter” and carrying anti-Trump signs. If there was one thing everyone had in common it was their disapproval of President Trump who had been president for less than 24 hours. Talk about a way to begin the first day on the job.