Andres interview about mental health, self care, advice and much more

Please introduce yourself (however you want) state your hobbies/interest and an interesting fact about yourself. 

My name is Andrés. I’m originally from the Bronx, but I currently live in Wilmington, North Carolina where I work for a tech company. In my spare time, I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, sample new beers, and hang out with my girlfriend. Something interesting about me is that my student loan debt is about four times the national average, so right off the bat you know one of my biggest stressors. 

What is your experience with mental health and how has it impacted your life? Can you also describe your physiological and emotional responses?

For most of my life, I’d say I was pretty much mentally “stable” (whatever that means). Now, I have depression and anxiety, and they just kind of cycle into each other.  

My first anxiety attack came midway through senior year of college. I was so scared because I had never experienced anything like that before. I was alone in my room and my heart just started racing. It also felt like someone was driving their finger through my chest. I became like hyper-aware of my existence, and with that came a hyper-awareness of my mortality. Existential dread was the follow-up, and finally a deep sadness because I’m going to die one day and it literally won’t matter. 

When that all first started it felt like it was never going to end; like I was never going to be able to think or feel the same. Eventually, through therapy and plain ol’ breathing exercises, I started managing it a little bit. 

A few years later, my girlfriend of seven years broke up with me and I truly thought I was going to kill myself. It wasn’t 100% because I got dumped. It was all of the sudden changes that I was going to go through: going from a home shared with someone you loved to a tiny bedroom in a house being shared by four strangers and having roommates for the first time since freshman year of college; having to throw things away because they don’t fit in the new tiny space; regretting decisions made years prior, etc.  

Overall, its impact in my life has mostly been detrimental. I’ve lost friends, disconnected from family, and the biggest one is it has inhibited my ability to make new friends. All in, I could probably count all of the friends and family I’m close with on two hands.  

I know when I’m depressed (besides the dark thoughts and despair) because my face feels heavy, like I have a weighted mask on and it’s pulling my face down a half-inch. I know I’m anxious because my heart beats way too fast. In both cases, I’m very irritable and tend to lash out at all the wrong people. I also cycle between being very tired and restless. 

What stigmas have you face considering your ethnicity and mental health? 

The only real stigma is internal. It’s taboo to talk about mental health in most Hispanic households. I got lucky-ish, because I have an older cousin who’s a social worker and studied psychology so coming up I kind of remember her talking about her studies. So at least my family knew and kind of understood the value of mental health awareness. From my experience, a lot of POC families, particularly the elders, are ignorant of deeper mental states. If you’re very obviously depressed, they only recognize it as sad and try to provide comfort (if that’s even an option) like it’s just the normal sad we’re supposed to experience. Still, it wasn’t like my family was openly talking about their thoughts and feelings in that way. It wasn’t until my other cousin got diagnosed with schizophrenia that mental health awareness was essentially forced on to the family. 

I do always wonder what the therapists I’ve seen think about me. All of my therapists have been white people, mainly women (very intentional and I’ll talk on that in a bit). I wonder if the way they treat me is different than how they treat their white patients. I have no real way of knowing, but I have a feeling that they do. It’s not particularly a bad thing, I’m just curious. 

Then there’s internal stigma within myself. Like I mentioned before, I only see white therapists. Is that part of the problem? Maybe. But I honestly wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking with a therapist that looks like me. I think it’s because they’re most likely still going through the internal struggle I’m still going through in terms of trying to be more open about mental health but simultaneously holding back to not offend the cultural standard. I need the person I’m talking to not have that internal dilemma because I need them to help me fix mine.  

What is self care to you and do you practice it? if so, how? 

Self-care is looking out for number one and more importantly, reminding yourself that you are number one. I need to constantly remind myself that I need to get better for myself, not for others. I sometimes get too hung up on what other people may think of me or having to get better for others. 

The most important thing for me is to do stuff I like in an effort to elevate my mood, not to distract from my issues. I used to go through the motions of things I liked doing to help me pretend like I wasn’t thinking of killing myself. That isn’t healthy because subconsciously those thoughts are just compounding and will suddenly takeover. Now when I do something that brings me genuine joy and pleasure, I work hard to remind myself why I do those things and to make sure I find the pleasure in that moment, otherwise it’s just a distraction. 

How has your family/friends reacted to your issues with mental health? Consider your environment too

My mom has been as supportive as she knows how to be. I think telling her I get depressed scared her. My cousin with schizophrenia I mentioned before killed himself. He was depressed. 

I’ve lost friends because of my mental health. I’ve push some away unintentionally. I did have to cut one out of my life. She was trying to help me during the time that I was considering suicide. She didn’t like the memes I was sharing and she wanted to talk to me about it. (Side note relevant to this story: when I get really depressed, one of my coping mechanisms is sharing memes on social media. The more depressed, the darker the memes. They are literally the only thing that make me crack a real smile during those times.) However, the way she did it was just straight wrong. Fortunately, in that particular moment I was just regular depressed, not suicidal, because I probably would’ve killed myself that night. And I can’t blame her. She tried her best, but it shouldn’t be her responsibility and I didn’t want to put that on her. So I stopped talking to her and literally haven’t seen her since that night almost two years ago. My girlfriend now is very supportive. She almost committed suicide a few years ago, so she just gets it. We look out for each other now. 

Why is it important for people of color especially to acknowledge mental health issues and practice self care? 

Well a lot of our mental health problems are cultural and generational. We’re already starting this race through life a hundred miles before the start line. That burden plus the fact that we as a culture decided at some point that we can’t/won’t address it is the formula for failure. That effects how we treat each other. I firmly believe that most violence in the hood would cease to exist if the homies would just talk to a therapist and learned real coping techniques or if at the very least parents let kids express emotions. “Bad behavior” is just pent up anger and sorrow without any proper outlet. 

Does spirituality/religion effect your self care practices or has it hindered your progress? 

Nah, religion is part of the reason I fall into deeper depressions. I don’t really believe in anything religious/spiritual. When I get into these existential crises, I realize I don’t have the safety net of heaven or hell, and it scares the shit out of me. Weirdly, there are moments when that idea is comforting. 

Any advice for anyone going through suicide, depression, anxiety, etc. 

It can only get better if you’re alive. Depression, anxiety, and anything else is temporary, even if you go through multiple episodes. Everyone has a way to get through those episodes. It just takes time to find that way through. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing that gets you through it. One time I had a full-blown panic attack because I was worried about paying bills. I woke up at three in the morning just sweating and just wanted to run my head into a wall. I decided to just pay a random bill and that calmed me down for some reason. I don’t know why, but it did it. 

Any advice for friends/family on helping their loved on overcome/survive their experience? 

So going off that story I mentioned with my friend, here’s what she did and I’ll break it down by what she did right and what she did wrong. 

Right: Being willing and able to overcome whatever personal discomfort you have on the topic and actually talking to the depressed/suicidal person. 

Wrong: Choose your words precisely. Even if you don’t think you’re sounding confrontational or argumentative, you may still come across as such. In my situation, my friend was trying a tough love approach, which in literally any other situation would’ve worked on me. However, when someone is depressed, they usually hate themselves. This just came across as piling on. 

Right: She took me to a neutral space she thought I would feel comfortable in and she felt comfortable in as well. This is very important and can be very difficult, because that person may not want to leave their own space. 

Wrong: That place was the local bar and she added booze into the equation. Never try to get a suicidal or depressed person drunk or high to “take off the edge”. 

Right: She mentioned all of the friends I had and how much they care. 

Wrong: The way she laid it out made it seem (in the state I was in, at least) like they were talking shit about me behind my back and it fell on her to say something to me. 

But really, just come from a place of love and no judgement. Each person will be different, and if you’re someone who cares enough about someone to try to help them through this kind of thing, you probably know them well enough to know what will help them specifically. 

Top 5 artist/books/tv shows/songs (whatever top 5 you want or it can be a mix lol) 

Top 5 Artists (I’m assuming music haha): 

-Frank Sinatra 

-J. Cole 

-Brendan Urie from Panic! At The Disco 

-Sam Smith 

-Kendrick Lamar 

Top 5 Books: 

-Fahrenheit 451 

-1984 

-The whole Fire & Ice series 

-American Gods 

-The Smuggler 

Top 5 TV Shows: 

-Battlestar Galactica 

-Scrubs 

-Game of Thrones 

-Supernatural 

-Katekyo Hitman Reborn 

Lada: I’ve known Andres since high school. I always appreciate him being open and honest about his journey with mental health issues. I think it is very powerful to get the many different perspectives of people who deal with mental health issues. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! You are so appreciated.

Micheline Hess, Author of Malice in Ovenland on the importance of representation, self care and pursuing her passion

Hello Micheline, please introduce yourself and your profession.  

Hello there! My name is Micheline Hess, and I write and illustrate my own comics and children’s books. By day, I work as an Art Director at an ad agency in NYC. I work on projects that are both digital and print based. 

Who do you connect most with in your comic Malice in Ovenland?  

That’s a great question. I’d say I connect mostly with the protagonist, Lilly Brown. However, I think because I’m the creator of all the characters in that world, there’s a part of me that relates to many of the other characters as well.  

Most exciting moment while publishing? Hardest/saddest moment?  

There are so many its hard to choose just one! I think the most exciting though, was also one of the most private. That was when I got the first proofing copy of the Malice in Ovenland comic from the printer. There it was, in my hands. It was real, physical proof that I could actually do the thing that I had so many doubts about. I could write and illustrate, ink, color and letter that based entirely on my own characters and ideas! 

Why is representation important? More specifically, in the comic world? 

Representation is important because historically, black people have had too little positive representation in media. In movies, television shows, the news and comics, black people were often portrayed in a negative or very problematic light. For me, I want children of color (especially girls) to be able to aspire to be like characters who look like them and that they can relate to. Moreover, I think it’s also important to have people of color actually TELLING and creating these stories as there are many out there who are more than qualified to do so, and it lends an extra element of authenticity to the characters, and their experiences. 

What are some tips you have for people who have difficulty multi tasking? Consider the issue of having to work a typical 9-5 or multiple jobs but also wanting to pursue your passion and not feeling like you have enough time/motivation to do both?  

This can be really tough. I like having what comes with a steady job, and I found at one time, freelancing was in many respects, more demanding for me than working fulltime. Ultimately, just doing a little at a time can do wonders. Stuck on the train between stops? Have a little pad with you, so you can write out ideas or explore developing your characters or world. If you have a few minutes at work with downtime, go online and research what publishing platforms might work best for you. Maybe it’s print or maybe your story would be better told (and more cost effective to produce) as a web comic.  
 
For me, being able to acquire an iPad has been a Godsend! If I don’t feel like sitting upright at a computer after doing it all day, I can sit on my couch or even lie on my bed and relax comfortably while still being able to draw. If you can find a way to do even 15 or 30 minutes of creating a day, you’ll be really pleased at what you have amassed by the end of a month! 

I think it’s important to be kind to yourself, too. Sometimes you just need to relax and that’s also critical to being able to create something that doesn’t feel forced and that you enjoy doing.  

Anything about you (race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, religion, etc) that has been an asset to your  success?  

I find that despite my very sarcastic and side-eying exterior, I try to maintain as much of my child-like wonder about the world around me. When I walk down the street I try to spend as little of it with my face in my phone as I can since, even in the most familiar places you can always see something new and wonderful. Maybe it’s the detailed exterior of a building, the way tree branches reflect in a puddle of rain or a really cool look someone is sporting. I always try to keep an eye out for things like this, because inspiration can be all around you, if you’re open to it. These things can really help my creative process as well as inspire new ideas.  
 
I also credit my success to the ability to keep moving forward, even when I’m not entirely sure I’m going the right way. Being doubtful and unsure of myself, and the strength of my work, has always been my biggest weakness, but I never stop trying to fight that. In the end, I know that the things those voices of doubt are telling me are all lies, so every step forward is a win for me. Oh! Also, my parents. Mom always tried to nurture my gifts and my father put me on to comics when I was a kid. 

How do you self-care? 

Self-care is crucial to the creative process, especially as a black woman in this current climate that seems increasingly hostile to people of color on a daily basis. Sometimes it seems like the world is full of nothing but hate, so it’s important to surround yourself with people who love and support you as much as you can.  As an introvert, it’s especially important to balance that with enough alone time as well, so I always make time to take long walks, write in my journal, play videogames or ride my bike when possible. I enjoy having Mystery Science Theatre playing on T.V. when I’m cooking or drawing. Cooking helps me stay strong and healthy and can be both nourishing AND nurturing. For me, self-care also extends to the ways I try to work on healing past hurts and coming to terms with who I am, and who I wish to become. Therapy has been immensely helpful in aiding me with this process.  

Sleep is also hugely important! I’m definitely not the type of person who can handle things on less than 7 hours of sleep a night without feeling like a zombie. I also try to take naps whenever possible.  

List your top 5 anything here and why?  

Top 5 ios drawing apps  

Procreate – My all-time favorite drawing app. Powerful, low cost, easy to learn and fun! 

Clip Studio Paint – Portable version of the desktop software. Great for making comics on-the-go. 

Art Studio – The first app I used to make art for one of my comics. Higher learning curve, but worth it.  

Medibang Paint – Powerful, versatile and fun to use. Best part is, it’s FREE! 

Paper 53 – I used this software to make the art for my first children’s book, The Island Cats of Cunga Ree. It doesn’t support layers like the other apps do, but that’s also kind of the joy of using this app. Its very bare bones and I enjoy the additional challenge this poses. 

Anything that we need to be on the look out for? (Shameless plugs go here =) lol)   

Im currently working on the next issue of Malice in Ovenland, which will have all the original characters coming back as well as some new ones. Lilly will face new all challenges this time around, but hopefully she’ll be ok as long as she keeps her wits (and her friends) close by! 

I’m also working on a whole new comic for kids 7 and up that takes place in a whole different world, with new characters and lots of adventure. It’s called Dayo’s Diary and will be coming out this Fall!

Lada: Thank you so much Micheline for such a powerful interview!! I first met Micheline through Facebook. I love comic books and I was attracted to the fact that there was a black girl on a comic book story.  Micheline is very inspiring and I was so happy when she agreed to share her story on aladalove.com. 

Alada tips for traveling

Tips for traveling    

Traveling is a great way to explore the world and immerse yourself in a different experience than you are accustomed to. It allows you to see things you’ve never seen before, do things you’ve never done and get a break from your daily routine. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to hop on a plane to be on vacation. Going somewhere you’ve never been or revisiting a favorite place is a vacation. The point is to enjoy your time there and have fun with the company there. Below are my tips to traveling. 

RESPECT THE CULTURE OF THE PLACE YOUR VISITING. FIRST AND FOREMOST.  This isn't even part of the tips because this should already be the case.

1) Go solo or with some dope people! My friends are amazing! They all have different personalities and interests but when we get together, we have a lot of fun and share dope experiences.  Even if you have one friend who is willing, that’s all it takes to have a good time. Solo trips can teach you a lot about yourself and you can always start off small like visiting a neighboring town or city and then expand your travel time.  Solo trips can be intimidating but it can teach you something about yourself and the world around you. Some of my concerns for traveling solo is fear of being kidnapped, murdered, etc. May sound crazy but it’s not farfetched, especially for a woman. However, don’t let your fear dictate your moves. Take precautionary measures and enjoy yourself.  

Doep friends and Dope memories!

2) Don’t get caught slipping, like I did.  Do the catching. We always have those friends who want to play pranks on us while we’re sleeping or in the shower… EXACT VENGEANCE ON THEM UNTIL DEATH! 

I still gotta get her back!

3) Research local places or faraway places. New York State is very diverse. You can go to a beach and enjoy some water or you can do some hiking in the woods and enjoy some trees. There are many hidden treasures all over the US. 

Hiking in NY's Christman Sanctuary with some dope folks this past June.

https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/eny-christman-sanctuary.xml?redirect=https-301

4) Don’t feel guilty for taking time off. So many times, we feel guilty for requesting time off from work, or getting sick, or using sick days. We're constantly in go mode with money as our motivation. While I respect people who do that, for those of us who are often conflicted with our desire to travel but don’t want to abandon our responsibilities, I encourage you to treat yourself. Sometimes getting away is exactly what you need to do to get back to your true self. The daily stresses of our lifestyles can be debilitating. Don’t be afraid to treat your whole self which includes mind, body and soul. A vacation is a great way to do that.  

Philly for my 25th birthday!

5) When going hiking in the Rain forest, WEAR SNEAKERS or the appropriate gear! I wore flip flops while hiking in El Yunque national Rain forest in Puerto Rico and broke my old trusty sandals. I had those cheap ass sandals for years and they peaced me goodbye there. *cues It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday by Boys 2 Men. However, when hiking back up the trail, I did come back leading the pack so ha! Shout out to my tough ass soles and Soul =)

 *peep the broken flip flop in my hand though. 

6)Do things you’ve never done before like eat a foreign dish or take salsa lessons from a man named Luke who still doesn’t know you’d have his grandkids.  New experiences are a wonderful way to connect to folks and to connect to yourself. Pushing yourself outside your comfort zones can prove to make you feel good about your abilities. 

7) You don’t have to have to have mad money to take a vacation. Megabus, Greyhound, Bolt bus, and other local traveling buses are cheap ways to get from place to place. Greyhound has a rewards program that allows you to get discounts on your travels. Doing service trips within your schools, churches or other community organizations or organize your own. Some peoples place of work offer these opportunities too. The Student advantage card is a card that comes in handy for discounts as well. http://www.studentadvantage.com/discountcard/ Gofundme is a great website to raise money for your trips as well. You can also stay in hostels. Yes, we’ve all seen the movies but they’re nowhere near that bad. You can pick your accommodations and its very affordable. No, you don’t get the same privacy that you would at hotels (they do have private rooms for options though), it’s a safe, inexpensive and interesting alternative to hotels or Airbnb’s. Best believe, I don’t have funds like that or parents who give me money. I’ve earned under poverty line wages all my adult life due to being in school but the little money that I did make, I put towards experiences that I knew were priceless.  Remember, you don’t have to go far for a vacation, you just gotta go. 

Hiking the Colorado trail was everything!

8) Jump on the hotel beds. Shit, you paid for it. *excuse the ashy knees, I just woke up.  

9) Do you! If you really want to do something and have no one to go with or are scared of going, just got for it. Enjoy this time in your life where you don’t have much responsibilities and even if you do, occasionally, you deserve a break. You don’t have to live a glamorous lifestyle to experience dope things. Plan, execute and have fun! *Cues “My name is Hov”. Peace and love. 

Summer 2017 Travels

Ok, so I graduated in May 2017 and decided that I wouldn't work for the whole summer. That was a huge change for me because I have been working since I flew out the womb. I've been in school forever and knew that starting my career immediately after graduation wasn't going to do me or the job, any good. I was EXHAUSTED, yall.

I decided not to apply for any jobs immediately 1) because I honestly didn't care to start that exhausting process and 2) fear that they would call me immediately and then I'd have to decline because I was committed to my time alone. One thing that wasn't going to change though was my yearly summer vacation. I was determined to travel even if it meant I'd have 2 dollars in my savings left.

LMC Graduation 2017, Syracuse NY - May 21st

I absolutely had to come and watch these amazing people graduate from my alma mater. I watched them grow from fresh(wo)man to senior citizens and had to come back and witness the greatness that was crossing LMC's stage. Le Moyne College Class of 2017 was absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of you all.

Check out the interviews I did with the ladies a few months ago about their reflection of their time in college and what they planned on doing afterwards. 

http://www.aladalove.com/featured-1/2017/6/15/1sw3wuxoid5dasgy46y97ugl1l4ffc

http://www.aladalove.com/featured-1/2017/6/30/aladalove-collective-interview-4-years-and-beyond-2

Marie's Graduation Party - Rochester, NY -  May 28th - 29th

The Monday after graduation, I headed to Rochester to celebrate my girl, Marie's (MERT!!!!) graduation party. Most of my squad from college had just graduated grad school and we were set to get LIT. I've never been to Rochester before so that was nice to add that to the vacation list.

This day truly was a lituation. Shout out to the squad!

For the first couple of weeks I slept, ALOT. I don't even remember much. One day, I remember catching up with a friend and telling her I felt guilty about the fact that I wasn't doing anything but sleeping. She had to remind me to relax. Often times, people who are in "go mode" forget to do that. We are conditioned to believe that if we take time for ourselves, we're not working hard enough or we're not deserving of relaxation. The whole "Ill sleep when I'm dead" thing can be detrimental to one's health. I decided to take her advice and stop feeling guilty about sleeping.

Buena Vista Camping Trip  with E.L.K. - Denver Colorado- June 21st - 23rd

So back in May, specifically May 9th, a dope dude by the name of Justin Twist hit me up inviting me to go on this dopppeee trip!  That same day, I featured an interview by Justin for ELK which I loved. Justin and I went to college together and stayed in touch since then. 

Find his interview here:http://www.aladalove.com/featured-1/2017/5/9/justin-twists-interview-about-pursuing-his-passions

He saw my Facebook post about my desire to travel to the Grand Canyon. He hit me up and suggested somethings to do while at the Grand Canyon. After doing some research, it seemed a bit overwhelming for me to go alone. When I shared this with him, he invited me to go to Buena Vista, Colorado on a camping trip with his job, E.L.K. as a volunteer. E.L.K. stands for environmental learning for kids. According to the website, "ELK serves more than 5,000 underserved, urban youth (ages 5-25) each year through year-round intensive programs and in-school/after-school programs in Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe Counties.ELK reaches diverse communities in Denver, Aurora and Commerce City by working directly with local schools, teachers and community groups by providing a wide variety of outreach activities. ELK is located in the Denver-metro area, specifically in the Montbello neighborhood. This gives us a unique perspective on the needs of urban youth and their families." Learn more here: http://www.elkkids.org/.

As part of this trip, we would also be visiting Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and Chalk Cliff Fish Hatchery. I had never been camping before so I was nervous. Over the next few weeks, I had a couple convos with Justin where I am sure he could sense my nervousness so he sent me a "Lorenda treat yoself trip schedule" lol. I'm the type of person that has to know who, what, when, where, why, how and I need plans A - Z. I purchased my plane ticket a few weeks later but I was still so nervous that I decided that, if I wasn't feeling right the day of, I wouldn't go, despite how much money I spent.

BRUH.

views man.... quick stop before we were headed to the collegiate peaks.

I must say thank God for friends that push you through. I'm so glad I didn't succumb to fear and anxiety. My friends encouraged me to go and even offered to help me pay for stuff while there. Shout out to Andreya's dad who helped pay for my shelter the first night there.

I was so nervous getting on the plane that I cried the day of lol. (I really dislike planes). I have never been to that side of the US before so this was a new challenge for me.  The airport in Denver was huge and the city was beautiful. Navigating through all of that alone was intimidating at first but eventually, liberating. Justin was still at work when I landed so I helped myself to some tacos and checked into the hostel that I would be staying in. Eventually, Justin and I linked up and he treated me to some dope eats. We planned to meet up the next morning to pick up the kids and then start the journey into the mountains . We would be heading towards the Collegiate peaks which was about 3 hours away from Denver. One thing that Justin and I shared was our love for kids. When I met these amazing youngsters, I could truly see why he really enjoyed and took pride in his job.

The next morning we headed out to the office and started packing materials for the trip. While doing this, I helped set up breakfast and met some of the kids who would be attending, some parents and some of the Urban rangers. The Urban Rangers were once kids in the program themselves. According to the amazing Ronika, (one of the Urban Rangers I had the pleasure of meeting), "Urban rangers mentor little kids and take them outdoors to get experience. They teach kids about fish and how to fish. They also take kids on hikes and camping trips. They cook and clean for kids as on these trips. Urban Rangers also get amazing opportunities to go to things like youth conferences. They make amazing connections and get professional development."

The trip, was AMAZING. Pictures cant describe it, no words can really describe it, you really just had to be there. The kids were awesome!! They were so friendly, resourceful, talented, hilarious, welcoming and had great music selection. The first day there we drove for a couple of hours towards the Collegiate Peaks. According to the trusty Wikipedia, the collegiate peaks contain some of the highest mountains in the rockies. These mountains are called that because they are named by prominent universities. Our destination was Mount Princeton. Along the way we stopped at the fish hatchery where we fed rainbow trout fish. The fish hatchery raised the fish until they are a certain age and then releases them into waters throughout the state.

Me feeding le fish.

The people at the fish hatchery were very welcoming and informative. We then went to our camping site and set up for the days we were going to be there. My tent mates were so nice in welcoming me in their tent even though we just met. We had some delicious food the first night prepared by the Urban Rangers and then we set up a campfire and sang songs until it was time for bed. There were no showers, just bathrooms with no sinks so we  just stunk it out for the first night lol. We had a lot of wipes and hand sanitizer. We were sleeping literally in the woods next to a stream. It took me some getting used to falling asleep but I eventually got it. The next day we went to a hot springs which was EVERYTHING! The views were amazing. I had never been and omg, I was seriously blown away. Below is a video which does it no justice.

Below is a pic of me chilling in all of my splendor as I basked in the beuaitiful sun and admired the beautiful views thousands of feet in the air.

Crawling down the mountain because it was too high to walk lol. Shout to the folks who helped me down the mountain!

Justin and I hiking the Colorado Trail. Shout out to him and the kids who helped me conquer my fear of coming back down the mountain. Y'all are the reason Im not still stuck and living on the mountain today.

MARCH WITH SUNY ALBANY FOR NYC PRIDE 2017 - June 25th 2017

Shout out to SUNY for their support of Pride NYC! It was so dope to be part of the parade <3

Solo Trip - Virginia Beach July 24th - 27th

I had never  to Virginia Beach in my life. As part of my greyhound road rewards, I was rewarded free trip to go anywhere in the US so I picked Virginia. I hopped on the bus at 1am in NYC and landed in Virginia at 12:55pm the same day. I had a few hours to myself before clocking into  my Airbnb so I went to a taco spot and did some shopping before heading over. My Airbnb host was very nice and accommodating. I don't think I really saw her after the first day I got there. I was so scared to be in someones house but I challenged myself and it was so liberating. While there, I visited the beach everyday. The beach was about a mile and some distance away from the Airbnb so I mostly walked and took an Uber like once. The boardwalk was beautiful and the energy was infectious. I was never really a beach person but I really enjoyed being there and digging my toes in the sand. I swear I spotted a dolphin in the distance for a split second. I also visited the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Riding back on greyhound, I had a 4 hour lay over in Richmond, Virginia so I decided to rent a car. That was also a liberating experience for me because I still get a bit nervous when it comes to driving bur driving in a new state was a great experience.

Joey Bada$$ VIP meet and Greet - Boston, Massachusetts - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion -  August 9th

I saw that Joey Bada$$ was touring with L.O.G.I.C  in a concert series called L.O.G.I.C. presents: Everybody's tour. He just dropped an album called American Bada$$ which, if you haven't heard it yet, you're missing tf out! I was looking at his Instagram story wishing I was able to attend because it looked LITTTT! I also saw that he had VIP tickets for a meet and greet in most the cities they toured. I checked my bank account and I was like "na". I chalked it up to wishful thinking and forgot about it. 

Then, something changed. I had just came back from vacation and saw a post from a  Facebook friend about a job that I had applied to saying that they would have an open house. I stopped by the open house and was told some promising news. I had an interview and then I got a job offer shortly after! So that same day, I decided to treat myself and not only buy tickets to the concert but buy VIP tickets for the meet and greet! I set out on a greyhound bus the morning of the concert and toured the city a while before the concert started. I had only been to Boston one time before this and that was Summer 2016. I decided to have some tacos before the event. (If you haven't realized by now, Tacos are my favorite.) My heart was beating so hard while I waited in line to meet him but omg, when he skated in the room (literally), my soul almost left my body lol. It was a dope ass mf concert. Though I came for Joey, I did stay for L.O.G.I.C.

He was so nice and down to earth. 

Back to Syracuse!August 18th and  August 19th

Had to go and see my homies again and this time stop in to see my former supervisor who was also like a dad to me while in college, Mr. Black. His lovely family always welcomed us in their home and shared meals with us. The reunion was well worth it and it felt great to be amongst people who loved us.

BRYANT GOT MARRIED! - Wilmington, Delaware - August 25th - 26th

Bryant and I on her wedding day!

Bryant and I at her bachelorette party!

I have know Ashley Bryant since September 2006. She was my 9th grade teacher and since then, she has grasped my heart and become a lifelong friend. She has attended every graduation and really stuck with a G. Though we've had our ups and downs, we're still standing strong. I was so happy to hear about her engagement and very excited to be invited to the wedding. I had never been to Wilmington, Delaware and never spent as much as I spent on a hotel as I did for this one night. The wedding took place in Hotel Du Pont. To say the least, IT WAS LITTT! One of the best weddings I've ever been to.

Summer 2017 was one of the best summers I've ever had. Solo traveling is definitely something I plan on doing more throughout my adult life. If you have never traveled solo, I really encourage you to try it.  Next week, I will give you my 9 tips for traveling.

As always, thanks for checking aladalove and showing love. <3

#UNTITLED

Introduce yourself:

Heyyy heyyy I'm Kat! I'm 20 years old, I love writing music and poetry, playing basketball, smoking weed and sleeping. Interesting fact about me: I'm a complete introvert.

What is untitled? What or who inspired you to do entitled?

#Untitled is the foundation and platform for creatives to display/showcase their craft. What inspired it was my friends. The designers needing models for photoshoots, the photographers friends needing models, the rappers/singers wanting a place to perform and gain more exposure. Being the "bridge" and connecting creatives is the major goal and the true inspiration for the Arts & Entertainment factor of #Untitled. We're starting to expand within the colleges and working towards uniting the colleges through creativity for greater execution. Tired of hearing "there's nothing upstate for creatives/students" to do, we want to be that change and make things happen for creatives/students.

How has the experience been thus far? (consider planning events, networking, organization, scheduling, etc?)

Honestly, it's been a learning experience. From day 1 to now, I'll still be learning tomorrow and after that. Being that I graduation from Mission Accomplished transition services (shout out to CARMEN DUNCAN!!!), I seen things differently and was way more cautious of the moves I'd make and how I'd make them. I changed how I dressed n I had to get out of my introvert ways when it came to networking at mixers/networking events. We were very unorganized when It came to meetings, so I decided to start making agendas so we can stay on topic when we had meetings and had a flow of our discussion (something I learned doing the program). I learned to be proactive and to take initiative, something very very necessary when working with a group; otherwise everyone's just sorta waiting around versus someone taking the lead. In terms of event planning, usually there's a vision that is created, and from there we do everything in our power to bring it to life, examples are our soft and hard Launch.

Were you nervous or afraid to present Untitled? Any set backs? Specific triumphant moment?

I was. For one, there's 3 elements of #Untitled.. community, connecting college students, and arts & entertainment. Right now the arts & entertainment branch is the most popular and that's the department I created. I was nervous at first because when I started Mission Accomplished I had to narrow all of the elements into one, which was so complicated to put into words, let alone an elevator pitch. So I just focused on arts & entertainment to get the flow and foundation started, to then branch off into connecting creative college students to then being mentors in the community for younger students. The one setback which we recently just came back from was the team not being aware of the way I seen #Untitled and why I pushed so hard for things and why I strategized it that way. I have a hard time communicating my ideas so when the actions are presented, it looks like it's a "me" thing versus a Team thing.
 

What has this project meant for you as a whole?

It means everything to me. My father used to draw, host fashion shows, did photography and was an overall creative person. He's very sick now and his creativity inspired me to personally have a field in the arts. Before he had gotten sick I told him my dreams of starting a record label. I started dreaming bigger and created #Untitled with that same intention but instead of limiting it to a record label, we decided to to create an entire platform for ALL creatives. On top of musicians, let's get some painters on board, let's get photographers at our events, lets highlight these artists that sketch and draw. Creativity shouldn't be limited. We almost called it #Unlimited. Untitled just clicked for all three of us though (Akiva, Kilijah & myself). It means the world to me to see people actually support the vision and be apart of the vision. It means everything to me to receive the same energy n love I put into this so I'm not going ever stop. We've just begun!
 

Anything about you (gender, age, sexuality, religious/spiritual affiliation, etc.) that has been an asset to your success?

I'm openly bisexual. I legit like boys n girls, I can't get enough of both lol. I would say I'm Christian? I use the Bible to guide me, not in any ties to the religion but the words of wisdom n knowledge presented in that book. "Be still and know that I am God" is one of my favorites. When there's so much going on, school: tests, quizzes, assignments; relationship: arguments, being emotionally drained; work, etc sometimes you have to be still and call on God. This was me in 2015, entering 2016. I didn't know where to go, what to do next, my father was getting sick, my grades were dropping to a GPA of 1.4.. I one night talked to God and asked him to align me with the people I need to be around to help me get out of whatever it is that I'm in. Sure enough I met akiva and kilijah and #Untitled was born.

Reflect on the importance of following your vision and making it come to fruition?

It's sooooo important to stay true to yourself. No matter how long it takes, or how many times you fail, get back up. No one but YOU can stop YOU, so NEVER let anything get in YOUR way. That's what keeps me going.

What else are you passionate about?

Music. I want to turn the poetry I write into songs and really get into the craft of songwriting once I perfect poetry. But I've been so focused on #untitled as a whole, I haven't been able to focus on my personal passions outside of the general passion of arts & entertainment. Coming soon though! Just started writing again as of September 27th!
 

Advice for young creatives who are still finding themselves?

Follow your gut. It's so cliche but it's sooo true. Your gut is the way you stay true to yourself. Eliminate group think as a way to move bc you start moving like the group instead of moving like yourself. Unless it's helping you grow for the better.

Shameless plugs: share any social media, websites, info for upcoming events.

Our website UntitledOfficial.com! We have our events and such on there, we feature creatives on there bi weekly and monthly for the selected creative.

My Instagram: @_KatCreator

Untitled's : @Untitled.518

Next event is for the BLACK COMMUNITY! February we're having our Black Excellence Ball. Y'all don't wanna miss it! That's all I can say on it right now, can't say toooo much!

Lada: I had to get an an interview from Kat. She is one of the most driven, talented, encouraging people Ive been blessed to meet. #Untitled is not just a brand, it is an experience and Im looking forward to whatever else is on the menu! Thanks for sharing with us, Kat and thanks for checking this interview out. Much love <3

Chelle Pean's Passions pursued: Social Work, Yoga, Self love and healing

Please introduce yourself (name/nickname, age, occupation and fun fact):

My name is Rachelle Pean (Chelle), I'm (newly!) 28, and work as a trauma informed therapist/social worker/yoga teacher. A fun fact about me is that I'm an only child! That's a super regular fact for me but I've noticed when I tell other people that they look at me like I'm an alien, so I guess it's fun.

What moment started your interest in social work?

I don't know that it was a moment, but it definitely was an accumulation of life experiences. I know from a very young age I had an up close and personal view of mental health issues with several family members, and I always wondered why some would recover or stabilize when others couldn't. That peaked my curiosity into the mental health world, and I have always been the friend that people come to to talk to, so after several years of that I realized that this was the work I was supposed to do.

Why social work?

Initially? To be honest I didn't want to take the GRE's and wanted to be a psychologist! (lol). I am SO grateful I landed in social work, because the more I learned about it the more I found it fit my personality and viewpoint. You have so much flexibility in the kind of helping work you do when you are a social worker; whether it's individual work, group work, or even policy work. I also find this is one of the few professions that has a holistic viewpoint built into it's training: you learn about the intersectionality of the different "ism's" and how that impacts an individual's functioning, as well as their own individual experiences and how that shapes their world experience.

Advice you have for folks who want to pursue social work?

DO NOT buy into the rhetoric that "we aren't in it for the money". You can be profitable and be a social worker. You are allowed to help others and also live a life that is comfortable. Know that this profession will change you for the better, that it will be uncomfortable at times, but that it is very rewarding. I'd also say that to do this work you need to be doing the work on yourself as well, because your own stuff will most certainly come to the surface as you help others work through theirs!

What are some of your self care routines?

I have a morning gym and yoga routine I aim to do about 4x a week. I also like to have several sources of inspiration that I can easily turn to so I keep my own well full (podcasts and books). I hear about some of the darkest parts of the human experience, so it's also super important to me that I do light and fun things, whether that's having fun with friends, or following a TV series.

Who has motivated to pursue your goals?

Several people along the way! I'd say my father always pushed for ongoing education and having a stable career, so he was part of the reason I continued to pursue my Master's degree. While in graduate school, I had a teacher that I looked up to very much. He had such a professional, educated, yet kind and caring presence, and modeled for me the type of social worker I wanted to be.

Describe one of the "free"est moment you've experienced in your life?

I love this question! I'd have to say it's come recently. I have had several experiences recently where it registers that I define my value and no one else does. I think when I was younger I felt I needed to measure up to some external person's standards, but as I grow in my life and this profession I realize that I am the one that defines the value of my experience, and nobody else. I'm allowed to carve out what this experience is supposed to be for me. That is freedom to me!

What is your greatest struggle right now? Dopest accomplishment right now?

My greatest struggle right now is being intentional about where I put my energy; there are many opportunities out there, but I can't be involved in everything and I want to be purposeful about what I choose to align with. Energy goes where attention flows, so it's important to me that I'm thinking about what direction I'd like to go in, but it's definitely a learning process for me.

My dopest accomplishment right now is that I've found my niche. I have started being mentored by an expert in the eating disorder treatment field to treat people with eating disorders at my clinic, and I am learning SO much about working with this population. I also recently started teaching a trauma informed yoga class at the YWCA, a supportive housing facility for women and children, and am really excited about this opportunity to provide a healing space there.

What is healing to you? What has helped you along your journey of healing?

Healing to me is the act of clearing out an infected emotional wound; it hurts SO badly when you pay attention to it, and we just want to cover it up and pretend it's not there, but that often makes things worse. We have to clear it out so we can heal back to our whole selves. The scar is there, but it just means we survived something and doesn't have to define us.

Yoga has been such a huge part of my healing journey. Talking helps, but for me, having an experience where I'm in my body and feeling freedom and love within my body has really helped me heal through pain.

1 book and 1 movie that you can read and watch repeatedly.

The Alchemist! Ohmagaw so good. It means something different depending what stage of life I'm at when I read it, and I always walk away with a new lesson.

City of God; it's so beautiful and jarring. I could watch it again and again. And the Lion King, I don't think I even have to explain why.

Shameless plug:

Describe your business, social media plugs, and projects that you'd like to promote.

Chelle Marie Wellness: All things holistic healing for the mind, body, and soul. Using talk therapy and yoga, I work with people to remove blockages in their life to move towards self love and feeling whole.

ig: chellemariewellness

website: www.chellemariewellness.com (My blog is on there #vibratehigher: articles about vulnerability, mental health, and self care)

You can come flow with me for #NamaslaySunday every Sunday at Yoga Bliss on the Blvd. (140 Erie Blvd. in Schenectady) at 12pm. 1 hour of self care yoga with a hip hop soundtrack!

Lada: What can I say about Chelle? We met briefly and I was so impressed. She is such an amazing spirit and so passionate. about what she does. Her yoga classes are dope, def check those out! Thank you so much for doing this Chelle <3

Polaroid Passion Project

What is the Polaroid passion project?

Polaroid Passion Project is a journaling experience I started by myself a year ago. I usually took a picture during a moment I felt was worthy then wrote about it. It caused me to stop & reflect on events I held dear to my heart.

What inspired the idea for the project?

Depression! Now that I'm on the other side of it I can laugh about it. This project was 1st & fore most about self-care. I needed to slow down last year. I felt myself tail spinning what with finishing school, not having any kind of job lined up, hating my current job, wishing I could travel & pursue photography full-time, the list goes on. I needed to be able to physically look @ good memories & calm myself.

One of the dopest moments you've had while doing the project? Any difficulties?

Cuba! Man, that trip really changed my life. I can't express enough how the photos in Cuba meant more to me than a lot of the photos I took back in the States. The overall experience & what I was able to learn will stay with me the rest of my life.

What and who makes this project unique?

I once ruined a pack of film (8 exposures=$25) because I loaded it wrong. Each individual made this project unique for sure. We've got a tattoo artist, boxer, & some photographers. I wanted to get creatives from all walks so the show should be interesting. 

Why use Polaroids to capture the moment?

I got really into buying Polaroids 2 years ago for whatever reason. I've always loved old cameras so once I bought my 1st camera & started I was hooked. The vintage aspect is a huge draw & the fact that it's an instant photo. No Photoshop or fancy editing software & no crazy light set ups, just the flash on the cam & a lot of hopes & prayers that the shot comes out decent. A lot of times it doesn't & learning yo appreciate those photos still is important.

Shameless plugs below!

People can follow me on Facebook @BOTE Photography - https://www.facebook.com/bearoftheeast/

  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bearoftheeast/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/bearoftheeast

 Tumblr - https://bearoftheeast.tumblr.com

http://bearoftheeast.com/

Show starts @ 6pmFriday September 22nd @ Albany Center Galley wine is donation based, non-alcoholic beverages available as well.

Thanks so much for supporting through this interview & through buying a ticket. It means so much. 


Lada: I definitely encourage everyone in the area to check it out. Its sure to be epic!

Aladalove collective interview: 4 years and beyond (2)

Lada: this is part 2 of 2 collective interviews I did with some phenomenal women. I met them while in college and have been so blessed to know each of them. They have motivated me beyond measure and I am so proud of their most recent accomplishment: graduating with their bachelor's degree. Ive had the pleasure of watching them grow from their freshmen year and beyond and know that their experiences can help motivate others. Congrats ladies and thank you for agreeing to do the interview!

Kayla Burt

What does self care look like to you and why is it important?

Self care looks different for everyone because everyone is different. I don't think it would be fair for me to put the label of self care into one box. We are humans, so we grow and change almost everyday. It seems like whenever you really start to get to know yourself, you meet new people and/or have new experiences that shape who you are.

I know that I am an outgoing introvert. It may seem like a contradiction, but it is true. I love meeting new people and getting to know them, but I also really need time to relax and recharge. I spend a lot of time alone taking walks, listening to some of my favorite music, or playing golf. I also like to reflect at night before I go to bed. During this time, I think about all of the good things that happened to me that day, and all of the awesome people that I encountered. I make sure to focus on the good things before bed because I do not like to go to bed with a negative attitude. Every day is a new day, so what ever happened to me the day before, I do not like to carry it with me into the next day. Another part of self care is being realistic. I know that everything is not going to go my way 100% of the time. To be honest, the world does not revolve around me, and I know that my worst day could be someone else's best day. With this in mind, it is a lot easier to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you get knocked down.

I have also noticed that people usually only think of taking time for themselves when it comes to self love, but I have actually found great joy in helping others too. Sometimes it may seem easier to just sit at home and watch Netflix (don't get me wrong. There is a time and place for that as well), but you do not realize how beneficial it is to step outside of your comfort zone. It is in these moments when you realize how strong and intelligent you really are. I'm sure we have all had those moments in sports, in the classroom, in careers, etc. when we have worked long and hard and had great success. I think that is also part of self care.

The last part of self care is physical. I make sure to exercise regularly. Everyone may not have the means or the transportation to get into a gym and lift weights, but you can definitely take a walk to clear your mind. I can't tell you how much of a work out I have gotten from just dancing like crazy lady with all of my friends. Many people don't realize how important physical health is until it is often too late.

I guess my point with all of this is to do the small things that you love and something great will come from it. Love yourself, but DEFINITELY love others too. We all need each other!

Amari Pollard

Are you ready to graduate? Describe your apprehension or confidence to be able to do so.

I'm ready for graduation and I'm not at the same time. Graduation still seems like a faraway notion to me rather than a reality. I think if I knew what I was going to do after graduation my anxieties about leaving Le Moyne wouldn't be as intense or as constant. But, even if I had a job lined up I would still be nervous about graduating because I've been in school my whole life. Now, I have to truly grow up and take on those adult roles of working a 9 to 5 job, paying bills, etc. It's a lot to take on, especially when I'm not sure I'm mentally prepared for this next phase. College definitely wasn't the best four years of my life, but it did give me a lot of joy and bring some incredible people into my life. It makes me sad to think that we can't have those same relationships because that's what happens when you grow up and move away. Relationships change, but I will make sure to keep the bonds I have made at Le Moyne close to me

Jazmin Moses

"an open letter about letting go"...

I'm at a point in my life where I can't afford to drag extra things around. If it's meant to be, it will be. If not, this is the end. I've had to let go of a 5-year relationship with someone who I thought would never leave my side. I might even be preparing to be a single parent very soon because I refuse to let anyone or anything bring me down.

I know there are so many times when we’re scared of letting go because we get too comfortable, but getting too comfortable is never a good thing. Even as you get older, you shouldn’t let anything stop you from being the greatest you. It hurts, I know, and I really wish I could say that it doesn't, but it hurts like hell. Remember, people will always shame you for whatever decision you make. Ignore them. This is your life, not theirs. 

read the rest at

http://thedolphinlmc.com/opinion/2017/04/27/an-open-letter-about-letting-go/

Darilyn Averett

Is there anything about you (gender, ethnicity, creed, etc) that has helped to inspire you along your journey in college?

To inspire me along my journey in college, I think the most important thing that helped me was my attitudes towards myself. When first going to Le Moyne, I knew what I wanted to do and that's it, I didn't consider other options or even if what I was studying was the right fit for me. Then came my sophomore year. Sophomore year I decided to make a big change in my program of study, I became a double major in sociology and philosophy. This was a big change for me because I am the type of person who sets goals for themselves and goes with the plan, I try my best to not stray away from it. I knew that philosophy opened me to a new way of thinking that wasn't just theories, which is what I got from sociology, and that's what I liked. But, I was scared. I declared the second major late, and when I went to these philosophy classes I felt everyone spoke a different language and knew what the professor was talking about, then there was me, silent and waiting for class to be over. It took talking to my philosophy advisor for me to realize that I am just as smart with opinions of my own that shouldn't be kept to myself. I learned that I doubt myself way more than I should. I am capable of anything I set my mind to whether it be completing school with my double major or applying to both grad and law schools. I trust myself and my abilities more then I did when I had first entered into Le Moyne. Now, I am in the process of looking up and applying to both graduate schools and law schools. These are my first steps to becoming a family court lawyer and eventually a judge.I also learned that it is okay to be selfish at times. During my first and second year of college I made a lot of sacrifices for people that are not even in my life now or don't look to help me when I need it. I was constantly helping people or doing things for people and sometimes didn't get a thank you. Stretching your neck out for people who aren't going to help you when you need it just leaves you disappointed at the end of the day. Saying no to people, not answering the phone every time someone calls, and taking time to yourself isn't selfish at all. It's good to focus on yourself and take care of you first. Doubting yourself and putting others before yourself constantly doesn't lead you anywhere you want to be, so take time for yourself and know you can do anything.

Sarah Harmatuk

What are some difficulties you've faced in pursuit of becoming a teacher and how have you overcome it thus far?

The biggest difficulty I have faced in pursuit of becoming a teacher is trying to find out the type of teacher I wanted to be. By that I mean did I want to be an inspirational teacher or one who played by the book. This was hard because I knew the audience I wanted to reach, you African American children in the urban inner city. I have never had an African American teacher so I've never had that educator in a classroom setting to inspire me or show me that success what possible. That's what I want to be in a teacher and I didn't know how to do that until I student taught at Ed Smith elementary in Syracuse. My young female students really looked up to me and made me feel as though I was giving them more than just a textbook education. I felt as though I was teaching them how to hold themselves and how to grow as young respectable women. I didn't know I was capable of doing that and I'm proud of it. Other difficulties have been the job search because a lot of the districts I have applied to are suburban and I fear not being welcomed there. Also, trying to pass these teaching exams but so far I have passed two and am extremely proud of my efforts to study hard and succeed.

Lada: Thank you all so much!

Aladalove collective interview: 4 years and beyond (1)

Lada: this is part 1 of 2 collective interviews I did with some phenomenal women. I met them while in college and have been so blessed to know each of them. They have motivated me beyond measure and I am so proud of their most recent accomplishment: graduating with their bachelor's degree. Ive had the pleasure of watching them grow from their freshmen year and beyond and know that their experiences can help motivate others. Congrats ladies and thank you for agreeing to do the interview!  Look out for the rest of the interviews next week.

Samaria McClary

What did you have to overcome within yourself to get to where you are today?

For me to become the woman I am today, I had to overcome two major things: fear and change. Growing up I always had fears that I was unworthy or incapable of greatness, I say this because where I grew up wasn't perfect. My family may not have been the richest family in my neighborhood, but they always made sure that we had everything that we needed and not what we wanted. Nonetheless, with family support, maturity going away to Le Moyne College I learned how to crush these fears. Specifically, Le Moyne has taught me how to become comfortable with uncomfortable situations and how to put myself out there. I mean, in all honesty, the only true way for one to make it out of college and to be successful is by making a name for yourself; something I was both afraid and unaware of how to do. I guess my biggest fear derived from being afraid to blossom into a better version of myself and learning how to find my way in the world. I say this because where I come from so often people strive to be the same, do the same things and are more accustomed to following rather than leading. So for me to go away for college and almost receive a full-ride to Le Moyne was both rare and a blessing. Once I learned how to let go of these fears I learned how to embrace change. Embrace the fact that I am different, I do stand out and that it is okay to stand out from the crowd. Let's face it, change is not easy for anyone, good or bad, but I learned how to welcome all forms of change. I say this because change is necessary for growth and in order for me to be the person I am today, a lot of things needed to change no matter if I liked it or not. Change is one of the most constant things in life, so why not learn how to encourage it? 
 

                                                         Dani Vasquez

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors?

To the incoming freshmen: stay true to yourselves. As you enter college you will be faced with not only academic challenges but also a lot of different social pressures. Some will be good where others may be bad. In the end I think it's important to remember that no one can make you do anything you don't want to do. If you want to go out and party then go for it, it's normal. But if you want to stay in and hang out with friends or study in the library; that's normal too. In college everything seems pretty normal because you aren't the only one doing/feeling something. You can always find another person who is going through or feeling the same thing as you. At some point we all just want to fit in but being yourself will allow you to make life long friends that want to be around you because you're amazing the way you are, flaws and all. So remember to be open to change and growth, but also to stay true to yourself. Remember that those who are your real friends will always accept you for who you are. And also remember that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone. #YANA

Now to the seniors. It's been a pretty eventful 3+ years. You've all grown quiet a bit in college whether it was coming out of your shell, focusing more on your studies, or even just adjusting to living with a whole bunch of different/crazy people that are your age. When you first came to college you were scared of something, everyone was. Now that you have lived through it you are all entering a new type of unknown but it's going to be just as eventful as the last four years. Some of you know what your doing and others have no clue, but that's okay. It's just like when you came into college with declared and undeclared majors. The best advice I have to offer is to enjoy whatever it is you want to do with your future. If you don't have anything planned out just keep trying things until you are happy to wake up and go to work everyday. Don't make work another chore so that you can make money but make it something that puts a smile on your face. Money cannot buy you happiness, that comes from doing the things you love. And if you can wake up everyday doing something you love, then you'll work harder at whatever you do and get better at it without even feeling like you put in all that much effort. The four years came and went by fast but now you have your whole lives a head of you to be worrying about pretty much anything, so remember to laugh and enjoy whatever lies ahead for you, because you only live once. #YOLO

Taela Bonnet

What strength has helped you succeed during these 4 years in college?

Many things different things as help me succeed in past four years of college. 

My strength in prayer and God's improved and helped.  Durning my first year of college, I fell off in my religion, and I was less passionate about God and stressed everything and thing that were out of my control.

 As I started my sophomore year with confusion in my life, I was questioning whether I wanted to stay at Le Moyne or not. As my life and school got harder, I reconnected with God with prayer, and I was happier.  I had more faith, and things started to fall into place slow but surely. 

I started building stronger friends with my friends and figured out what I wanted for myself. I became more confident and asked for more help and guidance from my professors and faculty at Le Moyne. 

 HEOP/ AHANA and C-STEP were the two most important programs that helped in many different ways.

Without the help from many and my faith, I wouldn't have made throughout my four years. The struggle was real, but there is beauty in the struggle. And now I  have a  BA in Psychology and minor in Education.

-Taela  Bonnet

                                                              Muna Jeylani

What have you learned about yourself while at Le Moyne and what will you carry with you when you leave?

What have I learned about myself while at Le Moyne--that’s a lot to think about but, I think I’ve learned that not everything always goes as planned and that's okay. My four years at Le Moyne has put to the test of how resilient I can be or that I am. I came to college thinking four years it's going to be easy and I was engaged! I( scary now that I look back at it) I thought I was going to come into be an English major with a psychology minor and get my teaching certification and I changed my mind a couple times. I thought my life was planned out but little did I know that was not how life worked. I lost someone I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with, I've lost friends but I found my forever friends, I've gained angels. I've most importantly learned to love myself, find something I'm passionate about and go with it. I've cried I've mourned I've laughed I've pulled all nighters, I've procrastinated, I've protested I've held discussions. See my years at Le Moyne weren't just education focused but also about finding myself. What I'll always carry with me is to keep an opened mind everyone that everyone has story and is fighting a battle.

Kristiana Rica

What financial and emotional hardships did you go through senior year and how did you overcome it?

Honestly, I have been through a lot in my life but it seems that the beginning of the end was truly the hardest to get through. I knew that my mom's hotel would be bought and she was going to be unemployed since the fall of '16. I needed to pay 2 grand in order to cover the fall semester in order to register for the spring of my senior year. I almost went to extremes in order to meet my needs but I drank my problems away and both fortunately and unfortunately broke my leg. It saved me in the sense that it stopped me from basically selling my soul to get the money because I was so concerned with being able to help my family financially. But not being able to be self-sufficient put me in such a deep state of depression I have no idea how I was able to get through it. I luckily was already on anti-depressants for my PTSD and anxiety so that kept a lot of suicidal thoughts away, I am sure of it. However, I was so afraid to gain the 40lbs I lost, since I was in a wheelchair, that I only ate once every 36 hours. I was single because I had sought not so good men that had abandoned me as soon as I needed them. I also pushed away anyone that cared for me, including my family, so I thought I had no one. During this time, my family and friends showed me that they were here for me and my heart has changed ever since. I now am more willing to allow people to come into my life, I achieved and continue to achieve good grades, I am more willing to love people, but, only to those who show me they are deserving of my love. I continued to think more positively and really truly began healing and loving myself. It was the first time I was single since I was 17, so an entire year was dedicated to me instead of trying to fix broken men. Turns out, I even found a way to register and although fees are racking up, it was more important for me to finish these classes. I owe 60,000 to private loans, 40,000 to federal, and 9,000 to Le Moyne. I decided to take a gap year to help my mom get back on her feet and pay off my bachelor's (what I owe to Le Moyne) and a little of my debt. Actually, I had stumbled across "The Secret", a documentary that truly changed my life and I really have to tell you about since it is crucial to my healing process. It was about our thoughts sending out frequencies into the world. I always believed in vibes and auras, I am a very spiritual person. It was as if this documentary reinforced who I was as a person. It explained how we can tap into the power of our minds and attract good things to come to us. I started believing again and made a list of both physical and spiritual things that I believed I was going to receive and one of the things I had written down was I wanted 100k by the end of the year. I got a job offer through a nannying agency for 100k. Most of you will say that it was just a coincidence and that I am crazy for believing but with hard work and believing that I will receive it because I am worthy is what changed me. The way I wrote out my application, my essays, my one-way interview, all had changed because I believed. I was more caring, confident, loving, compassionate, and more importantly, genuine. I wasn't putting a mask on to fake my happiness. That and I had felt grateful for everything and everyone in my life which truly had me radiating light and love. For the first time in years, I feel like myself again. I also feel like I am finally the becoming person I was meant to be.  And I am blessed for all of it, the good and the bad. I am ready to begin a new chapter of my life and feel beyond excited.

                                                             Toni Santos

What are some difficulties you've faced your senior year of college and how'd you overcome them? (please, also reflect on your graduate school application process and you selected your school)

Some of the difficulties included me trying to lose weight, date more, begin watching a tv series and actually finish it. But those were minimal. A huge difficulty was accepting my fate. The reason i say this is because I had a plan of how I wanted my life to be by the time I graduated. Freshman year, I thought I would still be with my high school sweetheart. Probably walking across the stage with a ring on my finger. I thought that after May 2017, I would move back to the city into an apartment and start my career. But apparently, God had different plans for me.The funny thing is, I’m more happy about how my life turned out than how I originally wanted it to be. For so long I needed validation from others to believe that my life was good. I believed that with someone by my side, there was no way that I could fail. However, seeing as how the tables have turned in my favor, I can say that my future is bright and it is only because of my new found sense of independence.

Another huge difficulty for me was applying to graduate programs and accepting the idea that I would still have to be a student. When the time came to start thinking about life after undergrad, I decided that the only way I could make it in this world was to continue with my education. I applied to four colleges and throughout the process I was an emotional wreck. I sought out many faculty and staff for advice and after I cried so much from fear of failure. I did not want my family to be disappointed if I came back to NYC with a degree but no job and thousands of dollars in debt. Surprisingly, after fall semester I was accepted into all of the programs and was offered assistantships from two of the four programs. Shortly after, I chose Syracuse University as the place that I would get my M.S. from. I remember telling my mom that I was continuing my education and although her response was not extravagant, it was appropriate for a phone call. She simply said “Do what you have to do boo. Go for what’s going to allow you to live comfortably.”

As I write this at 1am and realize that my close friends are going to work tomorrow, I cannot help but to feel somewhat behind.  As they start to receive their incomes, I have to wait to start classes again. But with this feeling it allows me to acknowledge that our journeys are very different, we are all on the same road to success

Kenneth Newman's interview about pursuing his passion

What are some things you are passionate about?

Photography, music (I play bass), curating new art projects.

What prompted your passion for photography?

When I was young my dad had this really old camera that didn't work. I always loved looking into the viewfinder and pretending that I was taking a picture. My senior year of high school I took a B&W film class which solidified my love for photography.

You fearlessly and unapologetically advocate and display your love for black women. In a world that continuously oppresses black women and what we wear, how we look, tries to tell us how we are supposed to feel, where does that sense of love and advocacy come from?

It comes straight from the source, black women. Black women are the most wondrous human beings on the face of the planet. They're the most influential and coveted group of people while simultaneously the most degraded and loathed. They sift their way through the mire uplifting not only themselves but all oppressed peoples, especially black men. I believe it is my duty and the duty of all black men to respect and protect black women. Regardless of a black woman's gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, education status, etc. ALL BLACK WOMEN need to be protected.

Many people enjoy the arts but are afraid it wont be produce a lucrative career. What is your advice for creatives (those who create music, art, photography, theater, etc.) who are afraid to pursue their passion?

If you're afraid to do it it's probably exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Being a creative is you running your own business 24/7. You never leave the office but at the same time you are never in the office. By this I mean that as someone who wishes to pursue a creative career, you are required to hone your craft and put out work on a regular basis in order to secure a following and monetary compensation. The later part of the statement speaks to the fact that no one really cares whether or not you create or put out work. For example, I want to be the most sought after fashion photographer in the world. I can say that everyday forever but unless I take the necessary steps to become the most sought after fashion photographer I'll never achieve that goal. 

Any let downs and joys associated with pursuing your passions?

A big let down is the overall lack of support of the arts in the Albany area. We're growing but it's still a very small, cliquey community. One of the greatest joys was selling my 1st piece at Albany Center Gallery as well as securing the Marketing Coordinator position at The Barn. In 5 years I see myself traveling more for fashion photography (internationally hopefully).

Top 5 items you have to have on your person.

Top 5 things are: my Polaroid journal, sketchbook, wallet, cell phone, and water

Describe your struggle with mental health and how did you overcome it.

My struggle with mental health is ongoing but mainly persisted throughout my middle and high school years. I never went to any doctors to be diagnosed by a professional mainly because I kept my depression to myself. I come from a family of devout Christians so I was never sure how my parents would respond. Being young I didn't quite understand why I was feeling the way I was either. I had to do a lot of soul searching. I cried a lot, I wanted to die. I remember praying to God on a regular basis begging Him to kill me in some form or fashion because I knew if I killed myself I'd go straight to Hell (according to the Bible suicide is an unforgivable sin). I taught myself how to love myself in spite of the voices of others and myself. Later on I read about Seasonal Depression and began to take even more steps to deal with my depression. Fall/Winter is the hardest time of the year for me, especially living in the Northeast where there is far less sunlight during that time. Creating became one of my biggest outlets. It kept me out of my head and out of my bed which became almost like a graveyard. There were days and weeks where I only got out of bed to go to the bathroom and shower, really didn't eat too much if my mood was bad enough. To this day each day is a gift and a struggle. I'm in a far better place than I was and I promised myself that I'd never let it get that bad again.

Lada: I met Kenneth at a "He said she said event" (shout out to Swain lol) and immediately wanted to interview him for his passion for photography.  Since then, Ive been blessed to be part of his series and witness his talent. I also appreciate how open he is to discussingmental health and his undying love and appreciation for black women.

Justin Twist's interview about pursuing his passions!

Please describe yourself: (name, age, 2 things people wouldn't know about you from looking at you)

Hey! Justin Twist here. I’ve been on this earth for a quarter century, and currently reside in the mile high city of Denver, CO. There are a couple of things people wouldn’t know from just looking at me. One of those things is that I am enamored by rivers, especially the cold, clear, and clean ones. Another little known thing about me is that I am in love with Donald Glover. His music, writing, and acting is all incredible. Phew, what a talented human!

What are you most passionate about? 

One of my earliest memories was crawling around in a creek, flipping rocks and trying to catch the biggest crayfish possible. The sense of adventure and curiosity I experienced that day is still as strong today as it was when I was a child. This early memory has had such an impact on me that I’ve found that I’m most happy and fulfilled when I can share the outdoors with others. In college I found myself working at a summer camp that focuses on environmental education, and the rest is history!

Why did you choose ELK (Environmental Learning for Kids) as a way to pursue your passion? 

I knew that working outdoors and working with young people were both things that I enjoyed doing. Before my current position with ELK, I spent time working in New York, Virginia, and Alabama, all in the environmental education realm. I got the wonderful experience of working with a wide demographic of young people, from the country kid down the road who knew way more about hunting than I did, to the kid who spent their whole life in NYC and had never experienced looking up at a starlit sky. What I learned from these experiences is that I have the incredible privilege of being educated and experienced in the outdoors, and I want to use that privilege to serve young people that haven’t had the opportunities I’ve had. Through Environmental Learning for Kids, we are able to do just that; we develop inspired and responsible leaders through science education and outdoor experiences for underserved, urban youth (mission plug, had to!).

Who or what has motivated you to pursue your passion? 

What first motivated me to pursue my passion was the sense of purpose I found when I interacted with young people and taught them something new. I knew I loved being outside and learning about the natural world, and then I discovered that sharing what I’m most enthusiastic about was also something I enjoyed doing. My present day role is less of an environmental educator and more of a mentor. One thing I’ve come to realize is that passions can ebb and flow, and are rooted in a common value. I think the value most important to me is helping others. I found this through sharing the outdoor world with young people, and I continue to find myself living through this value in my current position at ELK. I never thought I’d feel such a sense of purpose helping high school students land their first job, get into college, or help them discover what their passions are.

What was one of life's toughest hardships and how did you overcome it?

Being diagnosed with cancer my senior year at Le Moyne College was quite a hardship. Right before Halloween I was experiencing some uncomfortable stomach pain and went to an Urgent Care. Long story short, they misdiagnosed me as having lymphoma in my small intestines, so I spend a week in the hospital recovering from an exploratory surgery where they didn’t find anything notable. I was not planning on being a hospital patient for Halloween that year… A few months later, my mother’s intuition told her that I should get a follow up CT scan to see how I was healing up. That follow up scan showed that I indeed had a tumor on my kidney, something they missed during the first scan. Fast forward to spring semester of senior year and I was again in the hospital for a week, after having part of my kidney removed. To spare y’all the anticipation – I’ve been cancer free for 4 years now! Physically, this experience sucked pretty badly, but the real hardship was the emotional toll it took on me (and probably more so my mom). Not a whole lot of young people I knew had gone through that, so I definitely felt alone in that regard. That, coupled with my longstanding undiagnosed depression made for not a super fun year as everyone around celebrated their last few months of freedom before adulthood. I’d say that I’ve yet to fully overcome this hardship, but having a super solid friend and family support net has been paramount to my recovery, both physically and mentally.

Describe one of your fondest memories related to your passion?

Dang, that’s a tough one! I’d have to say that one of my fondest memories was this past summer, where we took a group of high school students on a 7 day backpacking trip into the wilderness. This was by far the most remote place any of them had ever been, and was the longest they’d been in the woods for. It was amazing to watch this small group of young people work together as a team, encouraging and supporting each other although each person had their own challenges on the trip. I’m specifically fond of the memory of watching my group of students attempt a summit of a mountain over 12,000 ft tall. The sense of accomplishment in these young people was seriously inspiring! Watching how these teens carry themselves after the trip has also been a real joy for me. Their sense of self and confidence has sky rocketed, and that has positioned them to do bigger and better things for themselves!

How would the children/staff at your job describe you?

Well, I think I’m pretty goofy and easy going, which most of my kids would probably agree with. I’m bad at this question so I just asked one of them instead. One of my older students, Nancy, said “Justin can be described as someone who is ambitious, caring, and viewed as a mentor. Personally he is like an older brother or male figure that is strong and puts others before him. The students that he interacts with are always impacted one way or another.”

What’s is your:

Playlist on a lonely island:

Hmmm… I’d probably have to go with some music that is just instrumental. If I was on a lonely island, I’d want to sing my own songs after a while (crazy, right?). I’m getting my Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning right now so I listen to a lot of post rock instrumental when I do schoolwork. Explosions in the Sky and Tycho would have to be on my lonely island playlist.

Favorite peace of literature, art that you'd keep with you forever? 

I try to not be super attached to material things, but one piece of literature that has stuck with me as I’ve bopped from place to place is called The Earth Speaks. It’s a collection of poems and short stories from a bunch of influential writers like John Muir, Walt Whitman, Aldo Leopold, etc. good stuff.

Any advice for people who are afraid to pursue their passion? 

Take the leap! If there is one thing that I’ve learned from thinking I could’ve died, it’s that nothing is ever promised. I see a lot of people my age that are already unhappy with their situations because they followed something other than their passions. If your passion is what drives you, identify it and figure out how to make it sustainable for yourself. We’re used to being asked the question “What do you want to do for a career?” Instead, the questions I ask my students are “What change do you want to make in the world?” and “What problems do you want to address in your lifetime?” I think these questions give you more explicit answers to doing what you love for work.

How can we support Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)?

 Well, if you’re interested in learning more about ELK, shoot me a Facebook message or something and we can chat, or check us out at www.elkkids.org. Sometimes I post fundraiser things, so if you have some spare change and are feeling giving, we’d surely appreciate it! Our youth never have to pay for any of our programming (including transportation, food, activities, etc.) so any donation helps. Also, encourage young people to go outside of their comfort zones, whether that’s literally outside or by doing something new. Be that person you had/wish you had growing up!

Lada: I met Justin while in college. He was an RA and was stuck out to me was how nice, caring, encouraging and humble he was. I always appreciated our interactions with myself and a friend affectionately nicknaming him Buddhabecause we'd greet each other saying waddup really fast lol.  Thank you so much Justin for with all of us!!

Kayla Burt's interview about her hardships, strengths and lessons learned while in college

Name, age, interesting fact about you and plans after graduation.

Name: Kayla Burt

Age: 21

After graduation, I will be attending SUNY Upstate Medical University for my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I am currently a senior at Le Moyne College, and I am very involved on campus. I have been on the Women’s Golf team during my four years at Le Moyne, and one of my long term goals is to diversify the sport of golf and make it more accessible for kids who may do not have the resources to play the sport.

What are some hardships you've faced while in college?

One of the biggest hardships that I have faced are microaggressions. People come from all different backgrounds, and in many cases, they do not have a lot of friends who are minorities. They may ask questions or make comments that are not necessarily appropriate. Instead of getting upset, I try my best to educate them. It can be very annoying to ask people to stop putting their hands in my hair or other unwanted gestures, but I have found that one of the most beneficial ways for me to deal with it is by staying focused on my goals. I try not to let it distract me because I have so many things that I would like to accomplish.

Another hardship that I am currently dealing with is loss. Back in January, I lost six people in a matter of nine days, and it really did not make sense to me. That was all happening right around the time that I had to return to school for the spring semester, so it was very difficult for me to focus on club related tasks, sports, or school work, etc.

People experience losses all of the time. Some of those losses are more difficult to overcome, and they can come in all forms. We deal with the loss of friends and family members, the loss of confidence, the loss of strength, and many other forms. It is perfectly normal, and in fact, healthy to take time to come to terms with these losses, but the strongest people are the ones that can turn those trials and tribulations into triumph.

Where do you receive your strength from?

My strength comes from a plethora of sources. Ultimately, my strength comes from my religion. I have found a tremendous amount of strength in God, and it is comforting to know that I do not have to figure out the direction of my life on my own. I have absolute faith that I am exactly where I need to be at all times.

My other sources of strength comes from the several groups of people that I have the privilege of working with each day. I have awesome residents, teammates, club members. Now that I am a senior, I notice that those people often look to me as an example. There are times when I really want to give up or I want to doubt my own abilities, but I think about what I would want for them. I always want my residents and teammates to do the very best that they can do, and I believe that they have the ability to do some amazing things. It always bothers me when they doubt themselves, so I better practice what I preach. I cannot preach confidence and strength if I am not setting an example for them.

Who has motivated you to continue to push forward?
There are way too many people who motivate me every single day, but I guess the biggest motivators are my parents. They always held me to a higher standard than a lot of my peers.. They closely monitored my study habits, my health, and even the things that I watched and listened to. They always told me to give 110% when everyone else was giving 100%. To be honest, it was quite annoying to me when I was younger because I did not want to push myself as hard, but now I am incredibly grateful for them. They instilled in me the will to be the very best that I can be, and it is a mindset that I continue to carry with me daily.

There have also been mentors at Le Moyne who continue to motivate and inspire me. These people have degrees, families, full time jobs, and other side projects that they work on, so I am just amazed and thankful that they have time for students like myself. They have all of these other responsibilities, but they have an amazing ability to just LISTEN. We have so many distractions today with the various forms of social media and technology, and it has made it more difficult for us to truly listen to each other. It is so motivating to know that people truly care and that they want to see me succeed. I’m currently working on being a better listener because I would love to motivate others in the same ways that these people have motivated me.

What is something you wish someone would have told you while applying to graduate schools?

I am very happy that I started looking at grad schools during my Sophomore year. It gave me an opportunity to look at graduate programs and career options that I would not have known about. You do not want to limit your opportunities simply because you have not looked at the options. There are so many other stressful things that occur during your senior year, so you definitely want to get a head start and apply to jobs and graduate programs early.

I do wish that someone would have told me about scholarship options. I started looking at those a little too late, so that is something that I plan to do next year. I also wish that someone would have told me to utilize the career advising office much sooner. Most colleges have an office like this where they help with resumes, cover letters, mock interview, and other career planning tips. I definitely wish that I would have visited the office sooner and more frequently because it is an amazing resource.

What are some things that you will miss the most about these past 4 years?

The greatest part about my experience at Le Moyne has been the people. I would not be who I am today without all of the professors, coaches, faculty members, and friends that I have made here. I can’t believe that I had the honor of going to a school where the President wants to meet with student leaders to talk about the campus climate or where several faculty members reach out to students personally during difficult times just to make sure that they are okay. That is something that I definitely need because I have a hard time reaching out to others.

When I first visited Le Moyne, I noticed that everyone was friendly, and it seemed like they actually cared. It scared me at first because I could not tell if they were genuine or not, but after four years, I am so full of gratitude for the people that I have had the opportunity to meet and work with. Le Moyne is a very caring community. To be quite honest, I am a little nervous to get out into the real world because I know that it will not be as kind and caring as the Le Moyne community. It has definitely become my home away from home, and I have made very valuable bonds and friendships.

How does one balance multiple responsibilities and maintain physical and mental health?

Instead of thinking about responsibilities and health as two separate things, I believe that they go hand-in-hand.

My freshman year was not great, and I was not really involved in campus activities. Over time, I realized that I needed to put my mental health first, and I found that getting more involved was quite beneficial. While it became very tiring at times, I also found great joy in those activities. I chose to be involved in different clubs and organizations that I truly believed in. Through all of the meetings, events, networking opportunities, etc., I get to work with some truly amazing people who come from all different backgrounds. They teach me so much about myself and the world around me. We laugh together, study together, and push each other to be the best we can be in different aspects of our lives. Through all of the embarrassing snapchats, ridiculous memes, and the awesome experiences that we have together, I have found that laughter is the best way to maintain my mental health. Physical health is also very important. I understand that everyone is not going to go to the gym or take long walks as often as I do, so I invite different teammates or other friends to work out with me. It gives us a chance to spend time together while also focusing on our physical health.

What are some words of advice you have for incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors?

People often encourage freshmen to relax during their first year, but I actually think it’s better to get involved early. This is the best way to make connections and meet people. You can meet other students and faculty members. Also, I’m not going to pretend like everything's perfect during freshman year. The reality is WHEN you experience disappointments during your freshman year, do not give up. Realize that you will go through difficult times, but that just comes with the process of being in a new place and trying to figure out a new routine.

Even though I am a senior myself, I guess the best advice that I have for other seniors is to breathe, follow your own path, and then believe in yourself. There really is no way to fully prepare for everything that happens during senior year. We deal with decisions, filling out looooong applications, and then having no money in our bank accounts because applications actually cost A FORTUNE. It is a very fun year, but it can also be a very stressful year. Just breathe, and realize that you are not alone in the struggle. People are constantly telling you what you should and should not do. There’s also this misconception that you need to quickly go out into the world and immediately do extravagant things, but honestly, those things really only happen in the movies. It’s perfectly alright, it’s actually very normal to dream big, start small, grow, and eventually accomplish everything that you have wanted to do. Stay positive, and enjoy the beauty in the road that will eventually lead you where you need to go.

What is something you've had to overcome within yourself to move forward?

Most of the obstacles that I have faced have been internal. I came into college with the mindset that I had something to prove to the world whether it was in the classroom or on the golf course. I felt like I did not need anybody to help me with anything, and I was under the impression that I had to be cold and completely independent to be a “successful” college student.

To be honest, my freshman year was a complete disaster because of this terrible mindset. I carried past issues with me from high school, and it clouded my judgement of what success is supposed to look like. I knew that I needed a change after my freshman year, and I decided that I was going to reach out to others. I had to learn how to share parts of myself with others, and I quickly learned that you can help so many people by being vulnerable and honest with yourself instead of portraying an unrealistic image.

I also had to learn the importance of gratitude and finding God in all things. Life is full of so many disappointments, and things can go wrong at any time. I used to allow myself to get easily disappointed or angry when life did not go the way I expected it to go or when people did not believe in me the way that I wanted them to. I had to learn how to find gratitude in every situation whether it was good or bad. Anyone can be thankful during the good times, but it takes a lot of strength to be thankful during the most difficult times. I cannot really say that I believe that anything is a complete failure because good things can always come from an unfortunate situation. You have to remember that your absolute worst day can be someone’s very best day. For example, when I am on the golf course, and I am playing like a pile or trash, I have to remind myself that only 7% of female high school golfers make it to play in college. Sometimes I just have to be thankful that I have fully functioning limbs to even play the sport. The college experience has been filled with many highs and lows, but the experience has been an absolute blessing.

Lada: I met Kayla (affectionately known as Katie) her freshmen year. She has been one of the funniest, most humble, smartest people Ive ever known and one of the greatest friends I've ever had. She is driven, God fearing and an amazing role model for so many people. I am so happy that she agreed to share with all of us and and so excited to see her future unfold. Thanks for sharing Kate!

Mason Black's Interview on pursuing his passion

Describe yourself. (name or nickname, age, where you reside, fun fact about you that few people or no one knows).

My name's Mason Black. I'm 28 years old. I currently reside in Barranquilla, Colombia. Hmmmm... a fun fact that few people know about is that I've had plastic/reconstructive surgery on half my face from an accident I had in 7th grade. Yup, I ate through a straw for about 3 months, so I now hate chicken broth.

What are you most passionate about?

I'm passionate about doing whatever I want whenever I want to do it, which includes, but is not limited to traveling, eating, experiencing new cultures, learning new languages and watching Netflix until my eyes bleed.

What inspired you to leave all that you know to travel and work around the world ?

I didn't really like where my life was at that time and one night I had a dream that seemed to last forever where I lived my entire life out until death. I saw exactly what my family was going to be like and where I was going to end up if I stayed on my current path. Now I have no idea where I'm going to end up with or what's coming. And I prefer it that way.

How did people react to your decision to travel?

Well, at first they mostly doubted that I was even going to do it. I quickly proved them wrong, but mostly they didn't understand why anyone would want to do that, especially my family.

What are some of the financial difficulties you face? Emotional?

Hmmmm... financially, anything can happen. For example, I'm still owed about $2400 from a boss of mine in South Korea that I'll never be getting. Things of that sort can happen from time to time. Emotionally, I would say that you may be more prone to depression or feeling alone and isolated because you're so far away from family and friends you grew up with.

Scariest moment while traveling? One of your greatest moments?

Well, I actually just wrote about my scariest moment. I was kidnapped in Beijing, China (read below). And as far as great moments go, they're all great moments.  

http://masonvstheworld.com/blog/kidnapped-in-china

As an American, what stereotypes do you face that either help you, deter you along your travels?

Hahahaha. Too many... And I also have a blog post on this very topic. Everyone assumes all Americans (especially white Americans) are dumb, rich, rude and don't care about other peoples and their cultures.

You only have space for 5 items in your backpack, excluding necessities (hygiene, passport, etc.), what are they and why?

Laptop (for writing), phone (for pictures), Hammock (for obvious reasons), Shemagh (has more uses than I can name right now), and sunglasses (that big yellowish-orange thing in the sky is bright)

What has traveling taught you about people? About yourself?

Traveling has taught me that people are the same no matter where you go. "Wait, people are the same everywhere? That's kind of boring." Lets be clear, this is not to discredit the beauty that lies in different cultures. Let me explain. You have  good people and you have bad people in this world. You have people that help and people that harm. You have people that care and others that don't. Despite race, religion, nationality and all of the other categories under the sun that is used to divide and separate people up into their own little boxes, people are people. Now, get your ass out there into the world and find out first hand what I'm talking about. 

What advice do you have for people who are afraid to follow their passion(s)?

I'll leave you with this quote from Jim Carrey. "You can fail at what you don't want, so you might at as well take a chance on doing what you love."

Connect with Mason via:

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Facebook Blog page: https://www.facebook.com/masonvstheworld/

Link to all of the best teaching resources I've found for Asia: http://masonvstheworld.com/teaching-resources/

Lada: I followed Mason on social media and always appreciated his sense of humor and dope outlook on life. Traveling abroad is one of the things many people want to do but find difficulty pursuing. Mason's blog gives advice and he constantly updates with crazy anecdotes about his travels. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did and don't be afraid to reach out if you have a knack for traveling!

Pheomelanin

"It is the most misinterpreted shade of color

Associated with negativity and oppression

Suppressed from greatness

Condoned by the media

To paint an illustration of its melanin To be consequently disrespected

It's the color of skin That kids are taught to be neglected

Fallacies created by misconceived realities

Trying to erase the origins of human life

With chlorine and bleach

Is black really bad ?" "Or is it just what society teach "

- Kamayera Nassoko

Chelsea Alleyne's interview on pursuing her passion

When did you discover your talent for rapping?

I started writing as a kid, maybe around 4 or 5 years old. I was constantly writing poems, and short stories mostly. At the time the words were never written to beats, so I didn't really consider myself a rapper...I just knew I could rhyme, and I knew I loved to write. In my mind, I was more of a poet. It wasn't until my early teenage years when I started to develop a cadence and flow. I'd  been writing for so many years, that turning poems into raps came naturally to me. In my head I knew I was nice lol, I was just way too shy to let anyone else know it. It was a secret I hid from people for many years. 

What was one of the first songs you've fallen in love with?

I remember one of the first cd's I bought as a kid was the Jadakiss album "Kiss of Death". One of my all time favorite tracks on there was/is "Still Feel Me". There was just something about the words, and the instrumental that moved me. He was talking about some pretty deep stuff, so it definitely caught my attention and always stuck with me. 

Who are your top 5 artist and why?

It's hard to pick a top 5 knowing there are so many great artists out there who have moved the culture. My list tends to change a little depending on what mood I'm in. But, if I had to pick 5 right now they would be (in no particular order) Jadakiss, BIG, Pac, Nas and Jay.  As a 90's baby I may be a little biased, but I think everyone I mentioned has held the "legendary" title at one point or another. Lyrically each artist can go bar for bar with each other, and still put out good songs. There's a difference between being a rapper who can just spit bars, and one who can actually make songs you'd listen to years after they are made. When I hear music, I want to feel it in my soul, I want to relate, I want to hit that replay button over and over again. That's what each one of those artists was/is capable of doing. I think they all paint(ed) a picture, in different ways, but nonetheless they create(ed) a visual to make you feel like you were right there when things happened. That's what you call that classic timeless feel. Music that will live on forever, even after the artist is no longer around. 

As a woman, what hardships have you faced pursuing your passion?

As a woman pursuing music, it's easy to feel the need to prove that you are actually talented and a dope artist. Music is a competition in many ways. Everyone wants to be the best at what they do. The trick is to mentally get to a place where you realize the only person you have to prove anything to, is yourself. I named my upcoming mixtape "My Own Worst Enemy", as a testament to myself...and a reminder, that I'm my biggest critic; and  that the only one I'm really competing with is myself. I'm a lot harder on myself than anyone I've come across so far. 

What are some other passions you are interested in?

Aside from writing and music, I really enjoy just helping people. I think in life it's important to stop and listen. There's a lot to learn from people. It's a good feeling when you're able to extend a helping hand to someone who may be less fortunate, or just going through a hard time; you never know what someone is going through. I realize we're all imperfect beings, so in my everyday life I just try to devote my energy into being a good person and doing what I can for others when the opportunity arises. 

Where do you hope to take your musical talents?

My main goal is to have people all over the world hear my music, and be able to relate to my story. At the very least I'd like them to hear my music and feel good vibes. Some things I write about are deep and personal, but I also write "feel good" music. Music you'll get in the car and drive to. Music you can get hype to. I have a little something for everyone. I just want the world to hear it, and love it as much as I love making it. 

Who has motivated you to continue to pursue your passion?

My parents and family have always been motivational to me. Everything I do, is to eventually make a better life for them. More than anyone, my parents have always said whatever makes me happy is what I should devote my time, money, and energy into. This is a reminder to stay true to myself, and keep writing which ultimately is what I love. 

If you could chill with 2 rappers, who would they be? 

I would have loved to meet Tupac. His mind was so out of the box, that any conversation is bound to be interesting. He's the type of guy who'd curse you out, and still drop jewels on you at the same time. It's crazy how he was so ahead of his time, so I'm curious to know what his thoughts would be on today's society. I think I could have learned a lot from him, and at the same time he seems like he knows how to have a good time; we'd probably leave with some wild stories and memories. The other rapper I'd like to chill with would be J Cole. He has such a deep soul, and I've always felt like I could relate. He's the type of guy that isn't afraid to speak his mind and be different. That's just my kind of person

Check out Chelsea's music on https://soundcloud.com/chels_ciara13

Lada: I met Chelsea my freshmen year at LMC. I was and still am interested in her passion for music. As a woman, as she stated in the interview, it can be difficult to be taken seriously, but her relentless approach and dedication to her voice being heard is admirable. Thank you Chelsea.

Mayleen and Marleen Rivera interview about I AM STRONG INC.

1) How did the idea for Iamstronginc. form?

The idea for I Am Strong Inc. formed by discussing how women tend to put ourselves last in the combustion of working, taking care of our families, etc. We originally thought it would be a social gathering type of setting where professional women come together and create networking opportunities in the midst of growing professionally and personally.

Mayleen went to a women empowerment summit last year and connected with the acting Commissioner of Office of Children and Family Services where she was encouraged to be in a pilot mentorship program after discussing our vision. We took this opportunity to uplift the youth, ages 14-20 years old, by developing life-skill workshops through mentoring.  

2) Why is this population

- vulnerable? -  Important?

This population is vulnerable because they may come from a background with an array of issues stemming from mental health illnesses, lack of emotional support, and repeated traumatic experiences. The reality is that these youth are being subjected to the same environments they came from once they re-enter society which can be a difficult task at hand. They may not know how to search for a job, seek shelter services, or brand themselves for interviews; however, they are receptive and willing to learn. That said, we help them with building a life-plan in the hopes we reduce recidivism and encourage them to become a productive member of society.

This population is important to us because, while we thought we would be mentoring youth from Upstate NY, we realized we are transforming lives from all over the New York State ranging from Buffalo, Rochester, Brooklyn and The Bronx (our birthplace). There is a warm, fulfilling feeling knowing we are able to pay it forward to many people from our direct communities.

3) Describe a hardship with forming Iamstronginc.

One hardship with forming I Am Strong Inc. is funding. We are currently paying out of pocket for all expenses which include travel, food for community events and licensing. We are currently accepting donations and trainings for our Board Members on how to work with different personality traits and effective communication techniques.

4) Describe one of your proudest moments.

Our proudest moment was when we discussed with the youth our interest of becoming a non-profit as opposed to remaining a social mentor group. During our discussion, we stated the need for a name of our non-profit. As we opened the floor for discussion, one of the young ladies jumped out of her seat with excitement and yelled, "I AM STRONG!"

We then checked the name availability of the organization. It was available for our non-profit. The name was fitting. It represents strength, which is built upon life's pillars of pain, discovery, faith, trials and tribulations.

5) How can people support Iamstronginc?

Not only can people support our endeavors by donating to the cause (donations will be used for workshop materials, travel expenses, technology fees, website maintenance, and other financial obligations, etc.) but we would like to collaborate with other community organizations in upcoming projects. For more information about I Am Strong Inc., feel free to visit www.iamstronginc.org.

6) Many people assume that if commit a crime and go to jail, you deserve to be there. It is common to dismiss the person of their rights, depending on the brevity of their crime. Others understand that life's circumstances may have led to people making decisions that cost them their freedom. The idea of forgiveness is scarce. What is your stance on these ideologies? How does this effect the young women you work with?

We believe that forgiveness begins within yourself, owning up to your mistakes, accepting full responsibility, and creating an action plan on how to move forward in life. In order for us to move forward in society, we have to learn how to have an open mind to those who are reintegrating back into our communities by highlighting resources needed and providing support services. Our passion for uplifting the youth shapes our mentorship workshops and generates newfound hope for a brighter future.

7) What is self love to you and how do you practice it?

Our definition of self love means listening to your intuition and identifying our weaknesses. Mayleen practices self love by setting aside alone time to indulge in reading, journaling, painting and taking photos while traveling. Marleen practices self love by reading daily affirmations, spending time with family and by self-reflection.

8) Does the population you work with find it difficult to love themselves? If so, what are the barriers that prevent this?

We both believe there are moments in life where everyone, no matter what background one comes from, finds it difficult to love themselves, especially because of media propaganda. The population we work with do not find it difficult to love themselves because they learn how to use their talents to cope and build meaningful relationships with each other. Instead, they feel more empowered after working with us and they appreciate our help. Other ways they practice self-love are through journaling, creating S.M.A.R.T goals, creating vision boards, having an open and confidential discussion forums with us professional women.

9) What advice do you have for people who are afraid

- to follow their dreams?

Just go for it! Keep trying-only you can get in the way of you. -Marleen

I'd rather fail after trying to accomplish my dreams than not ever taking the chance at all. -Mayleen

- Start their own business?

Starting your own business will take hard work, dedication and time to see it progress. It also takes a team of passionate people who are willing to put the same amount of effort as you are to see your ideas come to fruition. If you are afraid to create your own business, seek mentorship from friends and respected colleagues to iron out your business plan and visions.

10) Is there anything about you (race, gender, creed, etc.) that motivates you to keep going?

Our Board Members motivate us to keep pushing past any challenges we may encounter. They are professional women, some are mothers, that balance community service, school and work altogether. Additionally, seeing lives transform after developing a rapport is what motivates us to do the work we do. Not only do the youth grow with us, but we also learn more about ourselves, other board members and guest speakers we invite.

11) What are some of the hardships that the incarcerated youths outside of their time in jail?

Some hardships are lack of employment, lack of positive reinforcements and lack of shelter.

12) What makes you strong?

I am able to be vulnerable and still maintain an optimistic outlook on life. - Marleen

My ability to persevere in any situation makes me strong. - Mayleen

P.S. Thank you Lorenda, for the opportunity to discuss I Am Strong Inc. on your blog. We appreciate you.

Warm Regards,

Marleen and Mayleen, Founders

I Am Strong Inc.

Lada: I met Mayleen and her sister Marleen at an event in Albany. Upon hearing their words and hearing about I am strong, I knew I had to interview them for the website. Thank you both so much for all the work you do and for this amazing interview!

Amari Pollard's interview on pursuing her passion

Please describe yourself. (Age, major, what you want to do with your degree).

I am a 21-year-old senior at Le Moyne College majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism. I hope to one day become an editor at a magazine like TeenVogue, Glamour, The Atlantic, or The New Yorker, while also pursuing a career as a young adult novelist. 

What is your passion(s) and when did you discover your passion?

I never used to like reading when I was younger. I would always skim through books during school and do my best to avoid participating in class discussions. But in the fourth grade my teacher cornered me and started asking all sorts of questions about the book we were reading. Of course, I had no answers for her. So she told me to choose a corner of the room for the rest of reading time and actually read the book. Later she told me I had two more days to finish it, and then we would try our discussion again. I can't remember what the book was called or who wrote it, but I just remember the feeling of getting lost in the story and falling in love with a world so vastly different from mine. I started reading everything after that and from that love of reading stemmed an interest in writing. I wanted my words to create worlds that people could immerse themselves in. 

Who are you inspired by? 

I am inspired by so many people––too many people: John Green, Maya Angelou, Elaine Welteroth, The Obamas.... But on a more personal, direct level I am most inspired by my family. My parents and my sister inspire me every day. They're so loving, encouraging, intelligent, and accomplished, and I just want to make them proud. When it comes to my writing I think I am most inspired by my grandmother, Velma Pollard. She's a well-known Jamaican author and every time I pick up one of her books, I am awestruck by her talent and the fact that her blood runs through me. We share a special bond––I think of her as my writing guru–– and if I could do half of what she has done in her career as a writer, I would be so happy. 

Is there anything about you (gender, ethnicity, age, etc.) that has inspired and or hindered in pursuit of your passion?

This might be odd or surprising, but I've never felt like being a black woman has interfered with me chasing my dreams of becoming a writer. It's probably because I surrounded myself with strong black female voices in Maya Angelou, Gloria Naylor, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, the list goes on. They let me know it was possible. I also think being a black woman just gives me a different perspective, I approach things differently, I see the world differently. If anything, it makes me a stronger writer. 

What types of subjects are you most excited to write about? 

I've always been a curious person who asks a lot of questions, so I think it's natural for me to be intrigued by a variety of topics. When I look at my writing it generally seems to center around issues of identity, race, culture, and love. And I would have to say those are the subjects I am most excited to write about because those are the ones I connect with the most. When I write about these things I don't have to reach because I struggle with them every day. 

How have you changed from your freshmen year to your senior year?

Wow, this question required a lot of self-reflection! These last three and a half years have brought me a lot more self-confidence and self-awareness, but the most noticeable change I have seen is how in love I am with my blackness. I grew up in a predominantly white town, went to a predominantly white school district, and outside of being with my family I never fully felt comfortable in my skin. My words, my clothes, my hair were all chosen and styled very carefully because I was constantly living between being labelled as the Oreo or too black. I felt suffocated, and while Le Moyne very much resembles my primary education environment, I have somehow learned to let myself just be me. Instead of letting my environment overcome me, I have overcome it. I wear my glasses, I wear my triangle hair, I speak my truth, and I am unconcerned with the false expectations people have of me because of how I look or what society has led them to believe about certain people.   

Many people may be afraid to say what you say and others may feel uncomfortable. (Certain pieces published in the newspaper about race, gender, etc.) Why do you feel like its important to say these things despite their reaction?

For me, there is no point to writing if it does not incite thought. I write with the intention of making people think and making them question. My articles for the college newspaper are centered around race, gender, and identity because they are so woven into the fabric of how we function and how we connect as people––whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not. As a writer, but more importantly as a person, I can't ignore these topics because they are so significant and I believe everyone should care about them. I also write about these things because I have a platform at Le Moyne that a lot of students don't have and it gives me the opportunity to shed light on issues that really impact students, particularly minority students who are not properly represented on campus. It took me a while to find my voice and I know how hard it can be to feel heard at Le Moyne, so if I can write an article that a student sees herself/himself represented in and feels like I have articulated their same thoughts/concerns then I have done something valuable.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

If I allow myself to really believe, in five years I will be living in New York City and working as a senior editor at a national magazine. I'll be constantly interviewing people and writing and reading...to me that is the dream. 

As a black woman, is representation important in your field of work? If so, why?

Representation is extremely important to me in the media industry, especially within magazines because I hold them so dearly to my heart. As a black writer my main concern is feeling like I have to restrict myself to black magazines like Essence, Ebony, or Jet because there's more representation there. While I love those magazines and think very highly of them, there should be just as many opportunities for women of color at other magazines. I think diversity and representation also helps magazines because people with different backgrounds bring different thoughts, new perspectives, and they can help broaden their audience. It's a win-win for everyone. 

If you could have dinner with 3 people, who would they be?

The three living people would have to be President Obama, First Lady Michelle, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. I love them all and I just know that dinner conversation would be incredible. Now, the three dead people would be Maya Angelou, Bob Marley, and my grandpa. I think this one is a more interesting mix. 

What are some things you've had to overcome within yourself to pursue your passions?

I had to overcome being scared and always playing it safe. Sometimes I get caught up in what is comfortable, but journalism is about extending yourself and taking risks. There's this famous quote by Neale Donald Walsh where he says, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone," and I think in many ways that can apply to writing. I think my writing becomes stronger and better when I explore outside of what is comfortable and familiar. 

Describe one of your greatest accomplishments. 

Landing a summer internship with Parents magazine through the American Society of Magazine Editors [ASME] was definitely one of my greatest accomplishments. I was given the opportunity to spend the summer of 2016 exploring New York City and working at a national magazine, something that was a goal of mine since high school. It really helped me to believe even more that becoming a writer/editor was a possibility. I was networking with people from publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Cosmo, and Redbook, and started some really great friendships with other interns. That summer was a one of the best experiences of my life. 

What advice do you have for people who are too afraid to follow their dreams?

When people would tell me my dreams of becoming a writer were unrealistic or far off I would always think to myself, "Where would the world be if no one believed in or pursued their dreams?" Maybe man would have never walked on the moon or maybe we wouldn't have a black president, I don't know. Just go after what you want and be willing to work hard for it. There's a possibility you might fail, but there's also a possibility you will succeed. I fully believe that the energy you put out into the world will come back to you, so if you put it out into the universe that you will become what you dream of for yourself (i.e. doctor, actor, teacher, politician, etc.) then it'll happen. Write it down, and you'll see. 

Thanks again for thinking of me Lorenda! Here are the links to my blog and my portfolio. I also attached some pictures that I think will work.  

Lada: I met Amari during my time at LMC.  I always admired her work and amazing ideas and enjoy looking forward to her work. I also appreciated her humor, drive and how versatile she was in many of the things that she did on campus. She is an inspiration and I am so glad she decided to do this interview. Thank you Amari! 

Tee Dot Ohh's interview on pursuing his passion

Why are you passionate about rapping? Hip- hop?

I love creating impressive punchlines & music that people can relate to.

When did you realize that this was your passion?  

I realized it was my "THING" in high school. Influenced by my good friends who rapped, that instilled a motivation and hunger for me to be “Nice” on the mic. And having that, plus the hustle of doing what you have to do to “Make it” got me to the point where I am now.

 
Describe one of your proudest moments. Describe a hardship and how it was overcome. (Both in relation to your passion).

One of my proudest moments is when I performed at Santos Party House. I performed a freestyle and I had my family and friends with me. It was electrifying because some were on stage and people in the crowd knew the words.

A hardship I had is seeing people who I know who claim to be my friends not support me. I overcame that by viewing it in a different way. I have to understand that nobody is obligated to support how I want them to. Some people listen to my music, some people share, some people only are around for the videos. I have to work with what I get and complaining isn't going to do anything but make me lose focus.

What advice do you have for people who are too afraid to follow their dreams?

A successful friend of mine said “Fully commit yourself to your goals and watch your obstacles evaporate!” You DO NOT KNOW how your book of life ends but you create every chapter.

 
What has support meant to you through your journey? 

Being in the field that I am support is HUGE! I realized who is really on my side and behind me. 

You've been working on your passion for years and have put so much energy in time in it. What’s give you the strength to continue pursuing it?

The Curiosity of how far I can go with music keeps me going. I see my potential and the supports see me and they believe i am something special.

Who do you hope to impact through your work?

Who have you worked with / collaborated with thus far that meant a lot to you?

I've collaborated consistently with the guys who made me start rapping! My Friends bring the best artist out of me when we work together and I hope we can Keep it flowing, even through life’s changes! #Synistry !

Reveal a line from your work that speaks to your philosophy about your passion.

" The Beat Hard But These Bars Are What They Lack Now ! "
I said this bar in 2013 on my " BRONX FINEST " freestyle & at the time lyricist were not the favorite in music anymore. The beat selection started to become more popular than what people were actually saying & rapping about.

Top 5 dead or alive, who's your top 5 and why?

1.Biggie Smalls

2.Lil Wayne

3.Jay-z

4.Kanye

5.Drake

This is based of influence in my life, not accolades or talent or best music.

·         I was introduced to music by my mother who was a Biggie fan and I was drawn to the way he rapped and his ability to create a story.

·         High School Wayne was Hot. He was killing the game. I remember having heated debates on if he was the best rapper alive. I admired Lil Wayne by what he used to say and his punchlines. I witnessed his success. I am a Kobe fan bc he is the best basketball player I have ever witnessed. Not taking away from MJ but I didn't watch him so it wasn't an influence on me how Kobe was.

·         I used to think people my age rocked with Jay z because of their parents. Until I actually listened and realized he was a beast! Plus his Business side is super impressive.

·         Kanye's Graduation was the first album that I purchased PERSONALLY. The Album made me appreciate music and creativity. From the videos he dropped to the music itself.

·         And Drake, (besides Biggie & Michael Jackson) the biggest musical influence on my life. Being the age I am and having seen Drake start out lyrically incline and shift to expressing his love life at the same time I was going through my issues was deep for me. It also impacted the versatility & creativity in my music.

 Just for the Record: it is 2016 and my Top fav artist for the past 3 years have been Fabolous & Drake.

Who do you hope to impact through your work?

I hope to impact my loved ones! They are the most important people in my life and I value our relationships.

Lada: I've know "tee dot ohh" since high school and we've been tight since. He swears when we first met, I decked him in the face but that's a lie lol. Anyways, I've seen this dude grow as a man and as an artist and I am happy to present this interview to all of you. He's definitely one of the hardest working artist, especially coming from the Bronx. Definitely check out his work, support and share as well as be on the lookout for what's next.

Caitlin McGuire's interview about pursuing your passion

What are some of your passions and how are they manifested in your daily life?

I feel passionate about making others realize their internal and divine worth. That takes form in my every day life through being kind whenever and wherever I can and working and volunteering with causes I believe in.  I also love to read, go to concerts, salsa dance, and travel. I find those activities to be extremely transformative and bring me to the present!

How did you discover your passion(s)?

I discovered a lot of my passions through my upbringing as an Army Brat (also known as an Army child- just the nickname we got for a reason I can't imagine!). We moved around the country quite a bit in my formative years. My father would bring back infinitely interesting tales from his military travels that inspired me and my creativity. Growing up as a military child, I also met many people with various life stories- all of them beautiful and unique. That taught me at a young age what a gift it is to learn and embrace diversity from all around us- we are both teacher and student to all we meet! 

Who or what has motivated you to pursue your passion?

I have been so grateful for the beautiful influences to my passions.  A few of the many influential people I have been divinely blessed to know have been my sister, who is a plant scientist actively pursuing ways to sustain our planet and all of its inhabitants, Professor Ocampo, who never let me off easy in Spanish class and encouraged me to pursue the language abroad, my college campus minister Beth Scanlon, who nurtured the seed of conscientiousness she saw inside of me to lead a life of service, and Padre Juan and Madre Miguel, the founders of the Working Boys Center, where I volunteered for two years.

Was there an event in your childhood or adolescence that changed your outlook on life?

When I was a teenager, I suffered from anorexia to the point where I was almost hospitalized. It was a very difficult period where I felt very isolated in my own battle with the mental illness. I remember calculating the calories in everything that I ate and drinking a gallon of water before getting weighed by my nutritionist twice a week so I would weigh a few pounds more than I actually did so they wouldn't hospitalize me for dropping below my lowest "allowable" weight.

I began to overcome my illness with the help of some extremely patient and kind support systems around me.  That time in my life reminds me every day that it is absolutely critical that we try to approach everyone we encounter with the best we can be to them.

You've gone on a service trip Ecuador during your time at LMC.  What did you do there and How has that experience impacted you?

I went on a 2 week Alternative Break Trip to El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador in Quito, Ecuador, my junior and senior year at LMC that turned into 2 years as a volunteer educator and 1 year (so far!) as a US Representative.

My time in Quito expanded my mind and heart in ways I didn't know were possible. The incredibly oppressed situations our families lived every day were real and so raw. Despite this, the hope, grace, and determination of the families we worked with is a true testament to the resilient human spirit and what everyone is capable of when given the opportunity. 

I wrote a reflection of my time in Quito you can read here (http://www.c4wf.org/get-involved/volunteer/testimonials/) called 'Prophets of a Future Not Our Own,' inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero's words.

In short, love is knowing all of the seeds you plant won't be sown by you. At times when I wondered and still wonder, 'Am I making a difference?' I remember this. We will not see all of the fruits of our labors.

What have you had to overcome within yourself to pursue your passions?

I had to overcome my fear of not being 'enough' to pursue my dreams. I think many of us encounter this fear or anxiety the surrounds the pursuit of we love- will I be smart enough? Am I determined enough? Will it work out if I leave x (less cool thing) for y (my dream)? The answer to all of that is a resounding YES. Yes. We are all enough. We are all divine. We are called upon by this world to do whatever makes our hearts come most alive.  This is a practice I work on every day through affirmations and meditation. 

As Marianne Williamson said, " It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us... when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same."

What are some inspirational works (literature, music, art, etc.) that you recommend people check out?

Literature- Lately I have been really into modern poetry.  I have fallen in love with Warsine Shire, Rupi Kaur, and Nayyirah Waheed's works. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander were incredibly enlightening reads to me about mass incarceration in the United States that highlight racism and discrimination in our country. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is the book the inspired my spiritual transformation and is the book I keep giving as a gift over and over.  My most recent read was The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Music- I listen to a lot of music in Spanish, and Bomba Estereo is my favorite band. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, the incredible beat has no language. ALSO- HAMILTON.

What advice do you have for people who are afraid to follow their dreams?

More than ever, we, the people of this planet, need you to pursue what makes you the most YOU. Quintessential, unapologetic, amazing you. Whatever makes you come alive is what the world needs, because when you come alive, you inspire, you make this world better and filled with love. 

Why is it important to align yourself with your passions?

I think the more we can each listen to our passions and callings, the more kind, determined, and powerful we are in what we do. I have recently decided to quit my job, which I liked, but didn't feel called to, in favor of leading a life filled with more service.  I'm still trying to fill in the blanks of exactly what that means, but I am looking forward to volunteering and aligning with non-profits that support social justice and equality.

There are so many amazing resources with the help of the word of mouth and the internet that can connect us to what makes us come alive. Ask friends and family if they have any ideas of organizations in need based on what you're interested in. Post on Facebook! Search for a local organization through United Way (http://www.unitedway.ca/how-we-help/find-your-uwc/).    Volunteer Match (http://www.volunteermatch.org/) and Idealist (http://www.idealist.org/) are also great resources.

Lada: I don't exactly remember how I met Caitlin but I am so glad I did. She is a true inspiration and very passionate about her work. Running into her on campus as an undergrad was always a refreshing experience as she pushed me to do what I needed to do with my studies. Thank you so much Caitlin for being open and honest about your passions!  

I snapped a flick while Caitlin was walking down the hill as student speaker for LMC graduation 2013 =)

Diane Ramjit's interview about pursuing her passion to work with children

What is your passion?

I'm extremely passionate about working with children. I specifically want to teach our youth. I wholeheartedly believe that anyone can do anything so long as they work hard and believe they can. I don't think our youth, specifically individuals of color or with disabilities, are believed in or empowered enough. I hope to one day become a part of the bigger picture so that I can change the way we view success and who success looks like.

How did you discover your passion?

This is a harder question for me. There was no epiphany or instantaneous moment where I thought "this is what I want to do!" It was more gradual. I went into my undergraduate career undeclared; I figured by testing the waters eventually I'll figure out my calling. In the back of my mind I had an inkling that I wanted to be a teacher but everyone in my family worked with children, and I thought I wanted t do more than that. But then, overtime, the first people that empowered me were my teachers--I wanted to be that. I want to be that. There was nothing that interested me more than education and sociological education. I guess when ethical questions about my own education arose, I began to think more about the world we live in and how it impacts and molds us. Education is a part of our world for about 18 years and that is a long time to make or break someone.

Who has supported you through your journey?

My family, friends, myself... honestly speaking, everyone who has grown close to me has supported me. I've created close relationships with coworkers, professors, and other professionals at Le Moyne and here at SUNY Cortland. It's really been a hard journey, but I think I'm doing really well and part of that is because I have such an amazing support system--I seldom feel alone.

Is it difficult being a person of color in education? what are some hardships you face? How is it beneficial?

Yes, it is. I think the culture shock is the biggest challenge. I sit in classrooms being the only person of color present, which I'm sure many can relate to. However, there's more to it than that. When I student teach, go to meetings, meet principals, or do anything in a school I never worked with a person of color. It could be the location because most of these interactions happened in upstate New York but honestly, it shouldn't matter where I am.

My bachelor's degree is dual adolescent and special education, my graduate program is teaching students with disabilities. I'm extremely passionate about speaking for those who lack the ability to speak for themselves. I believe people of color fall under this category. You can see from neighborhood to neighborhood how different the school systems are. If you look at the differences in schools from district to district you can literally tell what demographics the school has--no data collection necessary, just the ability to see. It's amazing to me. I think people of color are not given the opportunity to succeed before they are even asked to be successful.

Is there anything about you (ethnicity, creed, religion, etc.) that inspired or  may have hindered your passion?

I feel like my religion has definitely played a role in my passion. I am a Hindu living in a Christian nation. So, not only am I a person of color, I'm also a person that is not Christian or Catholic. This has only empowered me; I have learned to have strength as I face adversity. I want to teach children resilience; there will always be an immense amount of obstacles in front of them, but I feel like children of color don't see enough of the "good" that comes out of hard work--they continuously see the challenges.

What are some hardship that you've endured while pursuing your passion?

One hardship I've endured, which I think you can relate to, is having no transportation upstate. This may not sound like a challenge but it was an obstacle that was difficult to overcome. In my undergrad I felt so dependent on others and I absolutely hated it. I'm an independent person, so having to depend on others to achieve my dreams was a challenge for me. There were so many times I could not expand my horizons by working in schools further away because I didn't have a means of transportation. Thankfully, I had reliable people in my life that were willing to help me but it was difficult. I had to learn that it is okay to ask for help and to accept it. 

What have you learned about yourself and the world in pursuit of your passion?

I am resilient. It has been a long, tough road. I have had the challenge of not having transportation, continuously being dependent upon others, having too many requests and demands placed on me, and being pulled in too many directions. I think the demands to become a teacher are incredibly high and the rewards do not match. To be a teacher you really have to want and love what you do.

What is one of your proudest moments in relation to your passion?

I always talk about the fall semester of my senior year because honestly that was one of the most challenging times of my life. I had multiple personal life issues, I was applying to graduate school, I had to take the GREs and other Teacher Certification tests, I was working 16+ hours, I was involved in clubs, I had to complete 40 practicum hours, all while taking 19 credits---woosh, even saying that is a mouth full. But I'll tell you, that was the first 4.0 GPA I received in my undergraduate career. I worked incredibly hard and put my heart into it all. Teaching is what I want to do and despite all the challenges I faced, I excelled.

What advice would you give your younger self? People who want to make a career out of education?

I would tell my younger self to do it all! Lots of people look back and wish they had done more, and that's me. I wish that I was more proactive in working with children and following my dreams. This past summer I worked at an overnight camp and I absolutely loved every moment of it--even the difficult ones, and there were a lot of those. I wish I had done that sooner. I wish I looked at more opportunities available to me. I wish I studied abroad.

The advice I give myself now is that it's not too late. I went to summer camp at 23, I'm planning trips and looking into working abroad--I don't know if it will happen, but I am more proactive than previously. Do all that you can to gain experience, and really want it. Again, becoming a teacher is a difficult process but if you want to make a difference, work hard and seek support. There are people who will lift and support you--you are not less of a person if you ask for help.

I remember, while we both were in college, we were stressing a lot about all of the responsibilities we had and wondering how we would make it through. Looking back at those moments compared to where you are now, what has it taught you?

We were definitely justified in our frustration! Seriously speaking, look at us now. We are doing so well and I am so proud of the individuals we are becoming. Sometimes you need to vent to let out the frustration, but after you vent, keep it pushing--honestly. All you can do in life is keep moving forward and I have come a long way. As much complaining as I did at Le Moyne, I would not change that for the world. I feel so well educated and prepared as I'm in graduate school. This is my third semester at SUNY Cortland and I currently have a 4.13 GPA--and that is because of Le Moyne. I tell everyone that Le Moyne's program is rigorous but worth it.

"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it" (Marian Wright Edelman).

Lada: I met Diane at LMC and she has been one of the most strongest, supportive women I know. We used to be in the trenches while in undergrad but Diane always offered an encouraging word or would listen to me as I vented. I really appreciated that and KNOW that whomever is blessed to have her on their side is in amazing company. Thank you so much Diane.