6 month hiatus.

Photo shoot sneak peek! Courtesy Sakeenah Saleem.

Oh hi there! If there is anybody out there and still following. Oh how I treat this blog like a red headed step child. But I'm here alive and kicking. I've been missing this outlet. Soooooo many things have happened since the last entry. It would take multiple entries to catch up on everything. The funny thing is I have fully written posts in the drafts ready to be posted but I never posted them. SMH.

But I will hit the big updates in short form. I am in the job market looking for a new opportunity, in marketing and/or social media and/or graphic design. Link to portfolio and resume, can be found HERE. I would like to transition into a new role by October. I bought an iPhone. I just recently bought a new laptop so I'm thinking posts wont be as sporadic. Being without a laptop for over a year has been so rough. #majorfirstworldproblem. Speaking of blogging, I am launching my new blog by August 31, more details on that closer to the launch date. I have a new beau! Roster went from 1 to 2 to 3 and back to one in a matter of months. I took a break this summer from all most of the church responsibilities. I had my photoshoot and the pics came out GREAT! I created my vision board and finally wrote my mission statement. I have a new mentor! I love her and all the knowledge she is giving me. My life has been very full and this year is flying by. More posts to come about in further details about everything. But I'm learning to live in the moment and enjoy and take it one day at a time!

♥ A.Erika ♥

Tweet.Give.Meet.

That's what I did 3 days ago for the Atlanta Twestival. Twestival is the largest single day social media philanthropy effort put by various international cities to help local charies. Social media meets community service. Gotta love it!

I decided to join the planning committee seeing as though I love social media. I thought would be a great opportunity to meet with people who share my love of social media, want to give back to the community, and get advice about breaking into the social media industry.

It was a success! I made some great contacts, learned about an important cause I am interested in volunteering for [Nicholas House], and gained some sound advice. I am so glad to have participated in a such great event and I hope next year, its bigger and better.

Oh yea by the way, I have interview for a social media position I applied to about 3 weeks ago. Ironic how I help out with a social media event and the very next day, I get a request for an interview. God has his own way of putting you just the place he wants you. Claiming that I kill this interview because this agency has done AWESOME work and I would LOVE to be apart of the awesome-ness.


♥ A.Erika ♥

following my heart [part II]

So I decided to follow my heart. About 2 weeks ago, I went to new york city for an interview with a small media agency. The night before my interview, I had dinner with a friend just to catch up. We hadnt spoken in a couple years. We go wayyyy back like elementary school way back. young black woman doing her thing in the concrete jungle. When I was last in NYC, she extended an invitation for dinner but I didnt get a chance to meet up with her. So I promised next time, I was in the city we had to catch up. So we arranged our meeting. While waiting for her to arrive, I thought about how I could really see myself living in NYC. I've never really considered living there, partly due what I see with some of my family. Yet after talking to her I was assured that I could make it there. "girl if i can make it, then you can too." We even talked about living expenses, which was one of my biggest worries. Living in NYC is NO JOKE. She said its all about budgeting and sacrifices. After that, I was sold. It was really good catching up with her, seeing each other's progress in life from little fourth graders in Smoke Rise Elementary to young women trying to start their careers. Life comes full circle.

The interview went REALLY well. I felt like I really connected with the team and I felt like this is where I need to be. I was in there for about 2.5 hours and immediately after I walked out and said I need a drink but it was all worth it. I am so glad I insisted on going because its something I did. A risk I took. No matter the outcome, I did it for me and wont have any regrets about shoudda, woudda, coudda. That makes me happy inside. So now I must wait and continue to apply other places. But its hard applying to other places when your heart is elsewhere. I've done all I can do. Said my prayers and now I'm just waiting on the manifestation of it. This is the hardest part but I can see God working. He's putting all the pieces together. 

♥ A.Erika ♥ 

fresh off my trip.

Holas. I haven't shared what's been going lately, partly because I have been holding back on some entries because I wasn't sure how to get my point across. But I have just decided, its my blog and I can what I want to say. So imma just sayyyyyy it...sayyyyy it *humming ne-yo*

I just got back from a 10 day trip to see the BF. What started off as a surprise weekend trip turned into a planned 10 day trip with my boobie. Still lowkey upset he ruined the surprise. The day was finally here and I got so nervous. After all, it had been 4 months since our last meeting. And even though we talk every day, its different seeing each other in person. Of course that nervousness wore off as soon as I saw him. :-) I had a good time being on campus with no obligations. It was so funny seeing ppl because they had no idea I was coming so the reaction was like I can't believe ur here or my favorite was what are u doing here. As if I wasn't allowed back. Oh the kicker was ppl didn't know me and the bf were dating so that response was priceless as well.

Now I told myself, I was gonna hold my tears until after he dropped me off. Ehhh not so much. I shed about 3...yes just 3 tears leaving troy. Then we pulled up to my uncles house. He gave me this look and the tears started again...flowing like a river. After I finally got myself together, we said our last 'see-you-laters' and he was off. The feeling of uncertainty of when I'll see him next is what hurts me everytime. This cross country relationship is tough but its soo worth it.

I've postponed my three sixty five project because I wasn't as committed as I should have been. So I'm starting fresh on the 23rd. Maybe the BF will help me with ideas since he's a budding photographer.

I have decided to stay at my internship until I find a full time. Rather than just chill and wait, I might as well keep up my skills and continue to network. They even offered to help me with my web portfolio so I want to take advantage of that resource while its available. I might have an opportunity with Americorps. A new friend I met at the career fair I went to back in october has been really supportive and shared this opportunity with me. So I'm praying that this comes through because it will help jump start my philanthropic socialite lifestyle.

And that life thus far. I have more to write but i need sleep.

♥ A.Erika ♥ 

[job fair] report

so this post is long overdue as so much has transpired since the last entry. the career fair[s] went well. i made some contacts with some recruiters so that was really good. i reconnected with my mentor last week. shes preggers with twins [both girls]. Me and the babays are kindred spirits! Lol. it was really good to update her on my life and get some inspiration from her. thats one thing i missed about her: she always kept me on track. she even did my hair and now im rocking a bob.
I started my internship last week and i am thoroughly enjoying it. i feel so official with my own workstation, equipped with a phone, desk accessories, and a computer. The first day I was already working on projects and by the end of the week, I was sending designs to clients. I started this big project yesterday that encompasses multiple designs. Today I finished the first phase of the project and the response was overwhelming. I was so humbled by all the positivity I received from my boss all the way to my fellow intern. I gotta keep up the good work! I spoke with my boss about my intentions and she was so happy about my eagerness to learn. Like i continue to say just give me a chance to prove it to you because i know i can.


♥ A.Erika ♥

three sixty five.

next week i start my internship and i cant wait to start. my own workstation with a phone and work email. first a workspace...next a office space. wishful thinking!
So im using this week to secure an income [hopefully...God willing]. Theres about 8 job fairs I researched and Im going to all of them. Low key nervous but high key excited to network and hopefully gain an income, something that wont interfere with the internship tho. Unless I get a job that will encompass my marketing interest. So pray for me!

Two days ago, i started my three sixty five project. i got the idea from one of my new favorite blogs, apricot tea. She decided to take a pic each day for a whole year. i was like oh im definitely jacking this idea since i love photography. thanks Ev´Yan. haha. i havent decided if imma do a monthly update or keep it as a surprise until 08/20/2011. but im really excited for this project.

[job fair] report at the end of the week. oh officially 2 months with the BF tomorrow ♥

♥ A.Erika ♥