KJB's Twenty-Seventeen Round Up...

Ya know how at the end of 2016, we were hoping 2017 would be better... I'm not sure what happened there, but the dumpster fire that is life continued. But in retrospect... a lot of great things also happened during the dumpster fire of 2017!

I mean politics were shit, but I continued my resolve to get involved! There's the RESIST Bot that sent constant text reminders, there were the organizations sending emails and of course, I was calling Senators Portman and Brown constantly! Imagine my surprise when I moved to Davis, and all my representatives are Democrats, what a relief!

Much like 2016's Round Up, here's the highlights brought to you by my planner:

January:

Went on my first VST trip to Indiana University for Deferred Recruitment

Did my first (and would be my only) Museum Shop inventory

Disney Channel canceled Girl Meets World and I've never been so upset

The Omega collegian & alumnae chapters hosted their first Jewel Ball

Finally managed to review Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

Started my 3 month free trial of Apple Music

Went to the Pizzuti with the docents & DACO staff

February:

WCW continued on KJB Meets World

Circular Abstractions: Bull's Eye Quilts opened at DACO

Went on my second VST trip to Towson University for Deferred Recruitment

Celebrated my 25th birthday with a lunch in Columbus

Went to Dayton to celebrate my friend's birthday

Went to Indianapolis for Regional Recruitment Training

March:

Went to Chicago for Alpha Gamma Delta's first Circle in the City and to see my high school BFF

My friend from college had her wedding shower

Started graduate school at Indiana Wesleyan University!

April:

I was scammed out of $500

I got a dog!

Went to Florida again with my BFF

Circular Abstractions: Bull's Eye Quilts closed at DACO

Thomas Winston

May:

Jenny Han's Always and Forever, Lara Jean came out!

Three Voices: Conversations on Life and Conflict opened at DACO

June:

My grandma sold her house
My friend's brother's burial service
My friend's wedding
Tour of Homes

July:

Went to Indianapolis for TLC
Mom, Thomas & I went to Atlanta-- THAT GEORGIA AQUARIUM THOUGH! (You saw it Pitch Perfect 3, btw)
Descendants 2 premiered on Disney Channel

August:

Went up to Akron for my BFF's Mom's surprise party

My aunt came to visit

Columbus Monthly's Punch N Brunch

Three Voices closed at DACO

I was laid off from DACO

September:

Mom & I went to Bloomington for the Beta Delta House Dedication

Went to Baldwin Wallace on a VST visit & Maria's Field of Hope

My friend from high school's bachelorette

I was hired for my FD position with Theta

Saw Trixie Mattel in Columbus at The Funny Bone

October:

Went to Akron for Homecoming, Bae's soccer game, & Szalay's Farm 

My friend from high school got married!

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend premiered

My big & I went to see Gavin Degraw in Athens, OH

The next day I began my three day journey to Davis, Ca 

Home Sweet Home

November:

Met up with a friend from elementary school I haven't seen in 15 years

Voted in Lancaster's Mayoral race

Had Thanksgiving with family friends I haven't seen in over 15 years

Thomas & I went to San Jose to see my friends from Ohio that live here

Changed my mailing address

December:

I tried for a second time to get a new ID to make up for the horrible new ID I got in February... and to register my car-- imagine my surprise that my Ohio ID wasn't enough information 

Christmas Cardapalooza 2017!

Thomas & I went home for Christmas

Had my 8th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

KJB Meets World turned 6!

Bae turned four!
Still killing it at grad school :)

Thanks for another great year! 2017 was tough af, my posts came less frequently as the months went on...  but here's to a more creative 2018.

Happy New Year!

xo,

KJB

WCW: Luu's Mi Cicatriz

It is my distinct pleasure to share with you an an additional update from our WCW Alum, Luisanna!

I have never been surrounded by so many women of color photographers in my life!! Needless to say , tonight was amazing and so inspiring !!! Thank you @mfonfoto for this beautiful event showcasing the work of Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, this was beautiful! 💗🌸🇩🇴 photo cred : @lolitalens 📸✨

Luu hustle has been killing in NYC! Recently she started an Instagram for her newest and most current photo project, Mi Cicatriz. Currently the Instagram is BTS content. Luu is planning on publishing the book in the next year.

“LUU” - her scream pierced my eardrum, sending my whole body into a panic. That shriek was the last I heard before the darkness set in. Before losing consciousness, I remember whipping my head to see the other car barreling towards us. I gripped my steering wheel like it could somehow save me. It was too late. Soon, I was floating into an abyss of nothingness wondering if I was still alive. (excerpt from my scar story) - -
Each one of us has a unique story to tell, and we have all amassed scars along our diverse journeys. Whether physical or emotional, these scars have impacted our lives and as a result have forged us into who we are. I want to capture the beauty buried deep within those wounds, and reveal though my artistic medium of photography how healing self exploration can be. - -
I am excited to announce that I have been working on a personal project called “Mi Cicatriz” , My Scar , where I have been working with individuals to talk about their very personal scar stories. We meet, we vent, we collaborate ideas, we shoot and we create beautiful images that coincide with the story. - -
Do you want to be part of the project? I am still seeking individuals for “Mi Cicatriz”. You would need to be comfortable with having your story and images published. If you are worried about showing your face , have no fear, it doesn’t have to show in the portrait. For more information or if you know you are ready to join my journey please contact me : micicatriz.myscar@gmail.com . Also- check out my website : www.luisannatejada.com / Let’s work! 

Mi Cicatriz / Questionnaire
You can use these questions to help you in developing your ‘Cicatriz’ story - -

1. What is your name?
   
2. How did you get your scar? (describe your scar.. There are no right or wrong answers. This can
   be as serious or as silly as long as it is true.)
   
3. Is your scar physical or emotional?
   
4. How has this scar impacted your life?
   
5. What obstacles did you face in dealing with your scar?
   
6. Did you find healing?
   
7. Did you learn anything from your scar about yourself? 
   

Can't wait to see what Luu and you come up with!

xo,

KJB

Follow Luu's journey here:

@peaceof_art

@luisanna.tejada

@micicatriz

luisannatejada.com

KJB the Northern Californian

Sorry for being MIA. I've just been trying to get my bearings. 

Life has been different since moving to Davis. Aside from working, I spend most of my time with my pup, Thomas. We're either watching Criminal Minds or Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. I've also spent quite a bit of money, cause retail therapy. We also go to the dog park three times a week. 

I also enjoy going to the movies. The prices of said movies have been alarming but they certainly don't stop me!

While I have been dreaming of moving back to California since moving to Ohio in 2002, Northern California is rather surprising.

For the past few years, I have been trying to figure out what I could do that would get me back to California. With my Fashion Merchandising degree I certainly wasn't going to start making the type of money I would need to live in NYC or LA. It would take time, but naturally, that was time I didn't necessarily have. The longer I was in Ohio, the longer I thought I was drowning. But how does one move when they have nothing in savings and works in retail. So I began to think about what I could do.

It took a few years, and becoming aware of the House Director position within sororities when I was meeting my chapters through my VST position. I realized that this was my way of making it the 3,000 miles back to California. I also started to save money.

When I was laid off in September, I was terribly upset but this golden opportunity with Kappa Alpha Theta arose. I had planned on starting to look in the coming months, April to be more exact so imagine my surprise when their was an opening right here in Davis.

I broke all my rules, I had wanted to save up $5,000 in my savings account, naturally I had about $700. Luckily, I was able to bring Thomas and suddenly this long shot became a reality.

While taking the three days to drive from Ohio to California, it was interesting and exhausting and I realized this was the first time I was moving anywhere without knowing anyone. In high school, my top two colleges already had at one friend there, then in Akron two people from my senior class came and then I joined my sorority sophomore year and the rest is history. It was the morning of the third day, the day I would arrive in Davis, that I became to wonder if I had been too impulsive.

That night when I made it to Davis, brought all my stuff out of my car and went to Target for sheets. While in the checkout line, I was barely keeping it together when the cashier asked how I was doing and I told her how I had just moved here from Ohio. She mentioned how brave I was, that she doesn't even drive to the neighboring town by herself... I left Target and cried in the parking lot.

I haven't cried since. Well about the move, Lady Bird and Wonder both got me.

We have almost survived our first quarter in Davis and by the time we go back to Ohio for Christmas, I'll have all my paperwork done to start to be considered a California resident.

Residency is my next step in total domination. So I can go to law school for the in state tuition, not that that will help me too much.

It's been an adventure these last few weeks but it's been fun.

Stay tuned!

xo,

KJB