Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days.

Sooo I completely forgot about the last day of the challenge...ooopsss lol

I don't feel like taking a picture so here's a pic I took on Saturday. I was so bored that I decided to play in my makeup. I'm not too sure of how it came out since I'm not into makeup like that so view with caution lmao

Hmmm good things? Let's see....

1. I passed a class that I was certain of failing. Which means I won't have to retake it next semester.
2. I really enjoyed Black Solidarity Day this year. It was my favorite one and it really made me think and reevaluate myself. I need to write down how I was feeling on Monday before I forget about it and go back to being uninspired.
3. I find something to complain about everyday. But I should be grateful. I'm alive and well. Maybe I'm not where I want to be but at least I have the chance to work towards getting there.

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.

Writing.
Listening to music.
Singing.
Talking about things that I care about.
Reading.
Learning.  

Day 28 – Your favorite movie.

I am soooo in love with Love & Basketball and have been for the past 11 years. Just mentioning the film makes me smile uncontrollably. I'm pretty sure I can recite the film from beginning to end from all the times that I've seen it. And I am not at all ashamed of my unhealthy obsession with this film. As a matter of fact, I already wrote about this at length. You can find the post here.

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Yes, I am grinning from ear to ear right now :D

How can you not love this movie? *heavy sigh*

Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

November 2010

August 2011

My hair grew, I gained weight. Yeah, that's it...

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you've been to.

The farthest place I've traveled to was Hollywood, Florida in 2008 for my cousin's wedding.

Chilling by the pool

After the reception

Day 25 – What's in your purse?

I don't really carry a purse...my school bag serves the purpose for everything. But anyway...

• a water bottle - ALWAYS! I'm too cheap to buy drinks most of the time plus it is very convenient to have water on you at all times. I get thirsty with the quickness so this is necessary. Plus I've been trying to drink more water lately and always having water within arms reach is very helpful.
• my notebook, folders, planner and pens
• my phone charger
• my Zen, headphones and its charger
• lipgloss
• lotion
• Excedrin - this is so necessary for me. I'm prone to getting headaches, allllll the time smh
• napkins....tons of napkins. You never know lol

Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.

This is a spread of the Fahari Magazine over the years. This picture was taken at the alumni dinner that we had in Spring 2009. I've been a part of Fahari-Libertad since I stepped foot on campus in Fall 2008 and Editor in Chief since Spring 2010. I love this magazine. We have a rich history on this campus and soon we will be turning 40 :)

Here's a brief description of what we're all about:

FA-HA-RI: (noun) Dignity, respect, a good reputation, derived from the language of KiSwahili

LI-BER-TAD: (noun) Spanish for "Freedom"

THE FAHARI-LIBERTAD is committed to printing the political, social, and economic views and concerns regarding people of color at SUNY New Paltz. It is published in the spirit of cultural unity as well as bringing about the spiritual unification of all people. The main goal of THE FAHARI-LIBERTAD is to enrich and educate all people with knowledge and enlightenment. We accept with open arms anyone who is truly committed to these goals to work with us.

MISSION STATEMENT:
To seek knowledge, truth and unity with pride.

Here's where you can reach us: Facebook, Twitter, Blogger & Issuu (online PDF). You can also shoot us an email at faharilibertad@gmail.com

Day 23 – 15 facts about you.

Whoa, 15 though? *sigh* here we go...

Random facts, no explanations.

1. I don't have a middle name.
2. I haven't had a relaxer in 3 years :D
3. I'm 5ft9 (which I love :)
4. I used to want to be an artist, then a veterinarian, then a psychologist, then a professor, then a social worker and now, I just don't know anymore...
5. I HATE shopping!!! With a burning passion!
6. I've secretly always wanted to be a dancer. Sometimes I wish I woulda got into it when I was little, now I feel its too late. Plus I'm a huge punk lmao
7. Without music, I just might die. Well, not literally, but you get the point lol
8. I love to write, mostly about me or things related to me lmao
9. I've been single for 4 years come January. Damn.
10. I have an older sister and sometimes I don't think she realizes just how much I look up to her. Maybe I'm too dependent on her at times, but I really couldn't imagine my life without her.
11. My father died of lung cancer when I was 14. Funny how this ends up on a list of facts about me. The truth is, a very big part of me is wrapped up in him and my loss.
12. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.
13. I don't have a favorite color. I do love purple a lot though lmao
14. I like to sing, privately lol
15. I detest the color yellow.

Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently. A letter to someone who broke your heart.

No one has hurt me recently. Sooo, yeahhh.....

Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.

I made this poster last year but never printed it out and put it up. Oh well.

Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.

I wanted to create a space where I could rant and talk about my life. I don't do many interesting things so this blog was created mainly for me. I decided to name it "Just Me" because that's exactly what it is - just me, Shatera, trying to make sense out of my life. It may sound corny but I'm a simple person so it works for me. 

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

Yeah that's me as a baby, with the same pensive face I make now.



Sometimes I wonder if I was ever happy...

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.

Closeness.

Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.

This picture is two years old. Both my sister and mother have since gone natural but we haven't taken any pictures together yet. So this one will have to do...

Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.

I don't think a day goes by that I don't profess my love for chocolate men. Chocolate skin is just so damn sexy to me and sometimes I catch myself staring at chocolate people. It is a known fact that chocolate makes me weak, especially dark chocolate *shudders*

I've mentioned the actor Lance Gross and all his chocolaty goodness before, so this is nothing new :)

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Mmmmm, yeahhh. Just how I like it. Oh the things I'd do to him...

*wipes drool off chin*

Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.

My phone charger. Unfortunately, my phone has the tendency to just randomly die, so I always have to be prepared.

Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.

I don't watch TV now that I'm at school.

But over the summer I was addicted to True Blood, as usual lol.

Sooo, let's take out some time to drool over Alcide Herveaux, a sexy ass werewolf.

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 Mmmm, yum :)

Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?

I don't have a favorite artist right now so I'll just go with my default: Raheem DeVaughn.

I love his music. I love what he stands for. I love his energy. I love his live performances. I love that he loves his fans. If you know me, you know this already, so I'll end it there.

Me & Raheem after his show at BBKings on 11/29/10

Here's one of my favorite songs by him, "Lovaholic" from Urban Ave 31's second independent album The Antidote - The Healing Pt2. I think it came out around 2003. Yeah, I took it back :)

Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.

I live in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, directly across the street from Bushwick and down the block from Williamsburg lmao

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This is the Manhattan bound J or M train with Woodhull Hospital in the background. This picture was taken right down the block from my house.

Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?

I don't wear makeup often and when I do it is very basic. Mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow and lip gloss. That's it. As a matter of fact, I don't even own a makeup bag lmaoo.

Here's a picture of the first time I got "made up."

Pretty simple.

Me and my sis :)