changes.

"im planning something REALLY REALLY big, very IMPORTANT, and when you hear about it, you will be VERY VERY PROUD!!" *in my best gru [from despicable me] voice*

until then....

♥ A.Erika ♥

private party.

"im having a private party, learning how to love me, celebrating the woman I've become..." Private Party, India Arie.

Its been a long time coming, but this past week has been one of the best weeks I've had in a long time. Nothing really special happened, unless you count seeing my tallest friend ever in over a year, meeting a couple guys in my newly single status, partying at one of the nicest clubs in atlanta. I digress. Lol.

But apart from all that, i celebrated myself...looked introspectively and saw my progress. Getting past...the pain of a breakup...the disappointment of not getting a job after graduation...moving back in with my parents...changed friendships...etc. Not to mention, that i'm my hardest critic and sometimes i'm TOO hard on myself. Yet, last week i looked at what&who i've become, as a result. I couldnt help but be happy and have a private party like india arie. And then on sunday, pastor confirmed everything i was feeling last week with this quote: "This day could not exist without those days. You wouldn't be where you're at without what you went through."

we should all take a day to celebrate ourselves. sometimes we need to pat ourselves on the back. so as i continue to have my private parties in the future, i encourage you all to have them too. take some time to celebrate where you have come from, where you are, and where you are going.

 ♥ A.Erika ♥

guest post: almost doesnt count

my little sister is one of the best writer i know. the way she able to articulate her words on paper is quite impressive. i've always told her she should do greeting cards but she brushes me off and laughs. and now that she's older, im tryna persuade to do some freelance writing. i'm telling yall the girl has talent. anyways, born on the same day, exactly four years, we often share sentiments on school, guys, love, etc. she recently wrote this tumblr post about being heartbroken.So beautifully written in a way i could not attempt to write.  While i read it, i felt her pain. So I figured i would share. [disclaimer: its a tad bit lengthy but a good read nonetheless...]

almost doesn’t count

you ever meet someone and feel an instant connection? it’s like there’s a force literally driving you closer to them. you end up in their arms after only your first time meeting and your heart is at ease. you’re not nervous, nor afraid…everything is just familiar. it’s almost like you have known them for forever. in only a few hours of conversation you feel as if you know each other inside and out…nothing could break this bond you all have.
hours turn to days, days to weeks, weeks to months and before you know it they’re the first person that crosses your mind in the morning and the last voice you hear before you close your eyes. the sun rises on their every word and sets with every touch. you reveal secrets that have never been shared, stories that have never been told…expose pieces of your soul that have never seen the light of day. you can’t call it love because that word alone doesn’t do what you all share justice. it’s more. when they say they would never hurt you, you believe them. because you trust them, like never before.

can you pinpoint that person in your life? i can. i know him…well, i knew him. because he is no longer the same person in my eyes. peering over the edge of the cliff, i was about two steps away from falling for him. i was almost there. the trust i had in him is broken and it’s something that will never be fixed. repaired? maybe. stitched? possibly. restored? not likely. healed? never. there’s no way we can be what we once were or what we had potential to be. boxed in by a friendship that could have blossomed into something beautiful…

needless to say the connection we have could outlast infinity. what we know about each other will not vanish with one mishap and there will forever be a place for him where it matters most. the words are still ringing in my head. a request for me to stay. but in staying i would be accepting the fact that hurting me is something my heart can withstand. this is not the case. i could have taken it from anyone but him…not him. i believed in him, all the way…more than i have ever trusted in any one person. and he let me down. although unexpectedly and unintentionally…he still let it happen. he let me get hurt. one more spot that won’t come out…perfectly stained on my heart.

mhm. dat girl good. lol. if you are on tumblr, check out her stuff ----> lyricallyspeakin.tumblr.com

♥ A.Erika ♥

follow up to letting go.

*re-reads letting go post and proceeds to write...*

That post was prematurely written. Like hypothetically written for ideal situation. As if letting go is easy. Especially if emotions are heavy and questions are unanswered.

Questions like is it normal when on a "break" to go weeks without speaking? For some reason that just doesn't seem normal. Maybe it is.

Or who contacts who first while on a break? I believe whoever initiates the break should make contact first. Maybe thats wrong too.

Or was love really felt? Or did you just say it because it was just the "right" thing to say?

Maybe these questions will be answered, most likely they won't. Either way I'm learning to get over it. I guess this can be considered a peace treaty, just waiting for your signature. No more shots. Learning from the mistakes and adjusting my life accordingly.

♥ A.Erika ♥

twenty three years young.

My birthday was this past weekend and it was lowkey just like I wanted. Plus it was my first birthday home in 4 years during mother's day weekend so I already knew my bday celebration was gonna be with family. Fun ashlee fact: I was ALMOST a mother's day baby. My mom continues to remind me that I missed getting a cabbage patch doll by a couple hours. Apparently all children born on mother's day receive a cabbage patch doll. *shrugs*

first friday with chi. :)

Pre bday celebration began with shopping for outfits for the weekend. Then tackled the hair removal with threading and waxing. Has anyone had their armpits waxed? Good gawd!  My mom had to hold my hand. Lol. Good thing it lasts long cuz I couldn't see putting myself through the pain every 2 weeks which is about as often as I shave. I went out to first fridays and  biz markie was there, looking like a cow whilst he was chewing his gum. No shots. Loved the venue. People kill me in atlanta, its like they act like they too cute/cool to dance. Smh. Saturday [My actual birthday] mama lindo and I went to the spa and enjoyed a nice pedicure. My feet feel as soft as a baby's bottom. Then I went to my old choregrapher's production. Like always, I'm inspired to dance again. Its been 3 years since taking a GOOD class. I miss the stage. I miss being able to express myself thru intricate movements. I miss being able to be sore from dancing all day at the studio. I just miss it all. So I been looking for some classes for the summer. I wanna get those feelings back.

I felt so loved with all the calls, txts/bbms, tweets, and fb posts. Even the fb post from HIM. After 8 months of being in a relationship, then 4 wks of not speaking, a fb post TRULY shows you love someone. Anywho, I really appreciate those who did reach out. Yall are great!!! :)

hello 23!

Mothers day proved to be one of the best in a while, as told by mama lindo. I'd like to think because I graced her with my presence this year. Lol. Nah it was a great family day with many laughs. Even my big bro came out with us. Sad the weekend is over and its back to the grind of job searching. Oh Lord when is it gonna be my turn....yet I'm thankful for where I am. Not tryna seem ungrateful but I'm oh so ready.

Until next time my loves,


♥ A.Erika ♥

letting go.

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” — Herman Hesse

This quote pretty sums up how i've been feeling recently. being able to let go and move on from the past requires a new strength. a strength i had to pray about. i've realized we continue to hold on to things, people, etc because its comfortable to be there. However, comfortable doesnt always equal progress. nobody REALLY wants to go out of their comfort zone but it is sometimes required to move along and get to what lies ahead. it may take pain, sweat, and tears. yet one day at a time it will become easier and easier. 

we all have to realize that there is a season for everything. holding to that thing or person past its season sometimes bring more harm than good. accepting that the season is over helps with the moving on process.

while moving on, learning to assess that situation so you make better choices for the next time. because we cant expect to do the same things and expect a different result because thats insanity. 


each day gets better and better. shoutout to my peeps who have checked in. i'm letting go.  :)


♥ A.Erika ♥

my brand.

Business Cards :)

i've been working on my personal brand as a way to enter this social media arena i am so passionate about. brainstorming blog topics, working on my site, getting my domain name, etc. i'm proud to say two steps closer to solidifying my online presence. firstly, i've designed my business cards. checking out some quotes and hopefully should have them printed next week. but i gotta get my domain name before i hand them out, which is next on the personal branding to-do list.

secondly, ive launched my web portfolio after much procrastination of my part. check it out--> www.cargocollective.com/ashleelindo I've been looking at it all day today. Just tad a bit proud.
 
i've been going back and forth on whether to move to tumblr. i've decided that i'm going to move design and social media posts to wordpress so i can be more familiar with the platform in preparation for my future social media job. then keep this as my stream of consciousness/ diary. so when i create that wordpress blog, make sure you all follow that as well...please and thank you. :)

so all i have to-do is: purchase my domain name, print business cards, start and name wordpress blog, figure out a way to link all of these sites to a common area. Not too much.

so as you can see, i've been busy. and its going to get busier. with various birthdays, mine included, in the near future. i'm about to add party planner to my list of titles as well.

♥ A.Erika ♥

p.s.project three sixty five is starting again for the third time. [i just found my camera after 3 mths of searching but thats a story for another day]