girlfriend leading boyfriend around the world...dope

As a woman who, sadly, has had to leave a number of past boyfriends behind in my own personal pursuit to see the world, this photo project that Murad Osmann has put together touches my heart.

Starting in Barcelona, in October 2011, Osmann and his girlfriend have been to dozens of countries and taking their noted 'follow me' photo in each place. This is an amazing declaration of love, travel, and adventure. Three of my favorite things. In a less artistically literal form, I look forward to this moment with someone in my life. 

#Nomadness

Read more on Osmann HERE. 

Evie on TKintheAM...

If you missed the TKintheAM interview with me and lovely ladies Abigail Ekue, and Janna Zinzi of Swirl PR, hosted by the always amazing, Tasty Keish, here is the link to the 'Get Out My Uterus' show... It was an absolute blast!!!! Ladies going in on what it's been like being an entrepreneur, late 20s +, unmarried, and without child. Definitely a listen is needed. CLICK HERE FOR THE RADIO SHOW IN FULL

girl on fire...

"A girl on fire is loud, and obnoxious, and destructive, and free!"

Her recount of how this song happened, is how I feel when genius hits me for Nomadness........

"She's just a girl and she's on fire. Hotter than a fantasy. Lonely like a highway. She's living in a world and it's on fire. Feeling the catastrophe, but she knows she can fly away. Oh!! She's got both feet on the ground, and she's burning it down! Whoa!! Got her head in the clouds, and she's NOT BACKING DOWN!"

love hearing her talk about her lone trip through Egypt, Italy, and Greece.....she gets it! Nomadness



2 awesome ways to wake up... VIBE Vixen of the Day and Piaf Cover

I wake up and by habit I always check my phone before I leave the bed. I want to see what I can sort out via phone before my feet even touch the ground. It's more comfortable that way. For some reason, I check Twitter first, and see this Tweet connected to me by @VIBEVixen...ok. Further reading and it becomes clear, that even with my sweats on, crusty eyes, and bedhead that VIBE Vixen were cool enough to grant me the title of Vixen of the Day.

I can't front..it's pretty fly! Pretty cool! And I'm filled with gratitude. 3rd day of the year, and 2nd write-up. I am NOT mad at all! 2012 is starting off just as intended! Keep it moving!

Shouts out to Tribe member and HEAVY world traveler (we're talking 40+ countries) Oneika for bringing this amazing video, Edith Piaf cover, in my life. Check out more of their music at madmoizelle.com

Great morning...

I'm turning into my ex...

I've realized, specifically over the course of this insane last 7 days that I've had, that I'm turning into my ex boyfriend. I'm turning into the person he was when we broke up, to be exact....

Now, this isn't a bad thing but it's a hell of a realization to have, and it shows me that life is spinning in a climax of organized chaos at the moment.

I have tons of respect for my ex, and there is a part of me that will always appreciate what we shared together. He still has split parentship of my cat for goodness sake.....

Anyway....

When we decided to split, it was a point at which he (probably even moreso than I) was gunning for his dreams like a fu*king Mac truck down the Auto Bahn. There was no stopping him. Frankly, that was one of the things I found sexiest about him. He was working two jobs, going to auditions, booking auditions, hitting the gym daily, and taking acting classes.

He turned into a machine.

I have never, in my life, ever witnessed anyone lock in and load off the way this man could. It was inhumane at points in time. Then at the end of it all, he had me. An entrepreneur and dream driver myself (no doubt) but as a woman I was born with that multitasking gene where we can do everything effectively for the most part, while only throwing our emotional stability into jeopardy.

So that was me, and that was him. And that's where it had to end.

Now, some nine months after the split. I am in a point in my life of machinery. I have become that damn machine. I juggle between any three given jobs, depending on the week, the Tribe, the series, building the business, and trying to keep some type of workout regime myself.

I more clearly understand where he was at this time. It's a mix of juggling and balancing simultaneously.

In looking at where I am, I asked myself the other day: How was he ever in a relationship and still doing all this stuff?

Granted, I am extremely supportive of my man's pursuits, so there wasn't any bitching. I initiated the end before we got there.

But damn....still. I don't know how he did it for however long he did because I realized over the course of this last week: I have no time to be in a serious relationship.

Besides being terrified of anything that would take time, energy, and focus away from this here movement....I simply don't have any of those things to spare at the moment. nada.

So I guess, this blog is a, "Ahh, I get it now..." type of blog. But it also let's me know I'm locked in. I have the most going on than ever. And I'm the farthest along I've ever been. That's not a coincidence. 

I'm heading home knowing that I'm making the right decision...building is coming first right now, and being single (mingling is fine) is in my best interest at the moment.

to be continued....

Black Girls Rock 2011

Watching Black Girls Rock....again inspiried. Again, further convinced that my name will be amoungst that of these powerful women who are movements in their own right. Continuing to reach and achieve. Taking a piece of this movement with me along the way.

Would like to give a personal and group shout out to one of our many Black Girls Who Rock, Nomad•ness Travel Tribe member Tomika Anderson who was this year's Head Writer for Black Girls Rock 2011! Amazing job, on behalf of me and the group, phenomenal job! Thank you for your work!

cvarin in South Africa...

The last two weekends have hit me with some emotional spurts...all due to my people and the moves we are making...not trying to make, but are making. Last weekend was Josh and Chanel's wedding.

This weekend, up until this morning, it's been Steph's impending leave to South Africa. As of this morning, my dear friend boarded on that plane to Johannesburg. Through an amazing going away party, in a loft space I'd sell my first child for, Steph, the Tribe (in FULL effect), friends, and friends who are damn near family all gathered together to send this phenomenal off in style.

Steph and I traveled India together in early 2010, after only meeting in real life twice. The third time I ever saw her face, it became a lifeline of sanity and reliability, and friendship during one of the most intense trips of my life. There was a spoken and unspoken bond between us ever since. Both of us, recently, home for months on end (which is a long time for us both) really gave way to our friendship growing. It was a conversation with Stephanie that turned the idea of building a social network for the Tribe on another platform, into an already inclusive Group on Facebook. That idea, mixed with the vision I already had in place, was hands down one of the best moves for the Tribe, the series, and the business as a whole. I thank her for that insight. Something that I run to often for both creative and personal matters.

I love her. She truly has become one of my closest friends, to date. I appreciate her spirit, her drive, and her unrelenting passion. She is a true gem.

I, the Tribe, mutual friends all want to with Stephanie an easy, joyful transition to her new home in South Africa.

Run the world, as you will, and I promise the Tribe will be there for the Meet Up. trust...

Thank you for being you.

  

bark or bite...

Last night some of the ladies from the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe and I got to talking about men, as there was a plethora of them at Steph's going away party last night in DUMBO, and the theory of bark over bite.

With men being seen, and assumed to be the more aggressive of the sexes, do they always assume that role?

What do you find as the more prevalent answer to the question: What's harder, your bark or your bite?

VOTE for Nomad•ness Travel Tribe Member: Arielle Loren

Nomad•ness Travel Tribe member Arielle Loren is nominated for an award with the Women's Media Center. A world traveler, currently living in Brazil, amazing writer, and simply amazing woman in media, please follow the link below, scroll until you see Arielle's name, and cast your vote!

CLICK HERE!

truth. tattoo.

shouts out to Nomad•ness Travel Tribe Member, Kimberley and her 'truth' tattoo in Japanese. She copped it in Osaka. Tonight the Tribe got into convos and posting photos of tattoos we got either while abroad or inspired by our travels. This one took the gold for me. *drops the mic and walks off stage*

Sasha Kelly's blog...she's still thinkin' about Nomad•ness

Photos By: Stephen Small-Warner of ESSTXR inc.

Sasha interviewing me for the piece at Columbus Circle, NYC

The amazing Sasha Kelly sat me down for an interview in the beginning of the summer, to talk about Nomad•ness and what it's like to travel, as a twenty-something woman on my own.

My take on fears, and the disease that plagues most people, analysis paralysis. Check the interview out HERE!

Nomad•ness Gal: Sheryll Donerson

The subject of this Nomad•ness gal, is Sheryll Donerson.

I stumbled upon Sheryll's Twitter page but it was her Tumblr that really caught my interest enough to reach out to her personally.

Her Tumblr description reads:

I'm 24. Los Angeles. I love to travel. Obsessed with fashion, food porn and interior design. And wine. Lots and lots of wine.
I'm also the blogger at http://thewanderlustproject.com.
I'm kicking my quarterlife crisis in the ass.

How can you not love that? There's a spunk to her that all of my favorite women in the world possess.

We share the same lust for Paris, as she's already booked her one way ticket out to London, and will be moving to France shortly thereafter.
She's a woman who was honest with herself enough to realize her dream job was far from what she thought. She's also a woman courageous enough to do something about it.

"When I graduated, I moved immediately to LA with my boyfriend. I immediately started working. I landed my dream job: Assistant at a talent agency....when I realized that the office life just wasn't cut out for me. The career path I was on had me working 9 hour days in a windowless room. I was depressed, gaining weight and completely unhealthy. In a moment of despair I googled "travel inspiration" I found countless blogs that revived my life. I knew wanted to travel. I wanted to feel alive again."

I find that this happens with many women. We're at that time in our life and we think we know exactly what we want, we got after it, we obtain it, then we feel guilty for feeling like we want more. For me, it was wanting to be a Producer. That was my mecca. I found myself working around Producers and asking myself ..."That's it?" Use it as motivation for change, and that's just what Sheryll has done.

Sheryll's first peek at travel began in London, as she continued to explore other parts of Western Europe.

"While in London, I traveled to Italy, France, Turkey, and Greece. I was astounded by the lack of women of color I saw traveling. In Greece, I actually had people come up to me and take pictures with me..because they had never seen someone with my skin complexion before. It was completely mind blowing to me. It let me know that I not only need to travel for myself, but share my experiences with other women."

Enough said...

You can follow her on her journey at The Wanderlust Project.

Nomad•ness Gal: Xianix Barrera (and all her fire!)

 

Photo By: Eva Sandorova

There's another Nomad•ness Gal to add to the list of phenomenal ladies already present. Today's shout out goes to a Xianix Barrera.

I first met Xianix in an art class at Iona College. Both 2006 graduates, and full of art lust, we ended up in a number of the same studio classes before getting our diploma. Her talent on a canvas was immediately apparent to the students, and faculty, but her passion for art took another turn. A turn that couldn't be explored in our own Iona classrooms. Xianix was in love with Flamenco dancing.

Years after school we would randomly run into one another. But I really think our relationship changed during one phone conversation. I'd returned from Japan, and she called for advice on moving abroad. Nerves were kicking in, approaching what would be the first of many trips she'd be taking to Sevilla, Spain to perfect her craft. MUST check out the video posted below of her in action.

This love of Flamenco fuels her traveling, an awe dropping personal weight loss initiative, and the entrepreneurial spirit that led her to open up her own New York City Flamenco Group, Sabor Flamenco.

"I had no idea that the one decision to take a Flamenco class on January 8th, 2005 would change my life forever. I found my calling, my passion, and my dream. I was told that I must get myself to Spain to truly understand what Flamenco is all about. Through extremely hard work (holding down three jobs, working seven days a week, for three months after graduation) and sacrificing my summer, I got myself to Spain for a month in 2006. I’ve since gone to Spain every two years for 3-4 months at a time. Immersing myself in the tradition and lifestyle of Flamenco. That which cannot be taught in the US, that which can only be experienced at the root of its creation," she says.

Xianix has visited London, Paris, parts of Morocco, Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Jaen, and Sevilla Spain.

"My travels started in 2005 when I went to London for spring break. I remember being amazed by the round-trip ticket price of only $300. It was great for me because while everyone was heading south to Cancun, I was heading east for a bargain. I loved it so much I went back the following year. That first experience with traveling outside my bubble of Washington Heights (NY) opened me up to the world that is out there. The world that I thought I’d never get to experience myself."

Berlin prostitutes are f&*king hot...yea I said it.

I guess I should begin this entry with the disclaimer that I'm not an advocate of prostitution. I am an advocate of one's own personal choices as to what is done with their body. Prostitution is not so much my thing. But in traveling to so many different places where it is both legal, and not, it's impossible for me not to recognize its popularilty, economic invigoration into countries whose economies barely exist, and how much more accepted it is in other parts of the world. 

Good, now that that's out of the way...

I was stunned! Being that I have traveled to some countries where, for better or worse, prostitution is a part of their culture, usually it's kind of stereotypically rugged.

One of my favorite parts of Berlin, is the area where Tacheles is located. I'm currently editing some footage to bring to you guys this weekend to show you the phenom that is this artist colony. Walking to a beer 'library', with Thomas, as we passed this parking lot.

"Yea, so at night the prostitutes line up here. Some of them have bedrooms nearby but most times they just go into, or behind, a car and handle their business," he said.

This was an open air parking lot. Like one you would find attached to your nearby neighborhood restaurant.

"What!"

"Yea, well prostitution is legal here. Many of them are from Poland."

Again, you learn something new everyday.

The next night I linked up at the beer 'library', walking past this very spot, at about 10pm (still light outside in Berlin) and I saw the most decked out, physically enhanced, and frankly good looking prostitutes I'd ever seen in my life!!!! Seriously, they were comparable to your more attractive go-go dancers in clubs. I definitely saw their likes in Miami. Fish net stockings, timid hooker heels (if such a heel exists), fresh makeup, straightened hair, and a strut that would put most of us to shame. They were f&*king hot!

Again, what you do with your body is up to you...as long as everyone is consenting, and safe, I have no problem with it. But.....damn!

Inspirational Women Blog Series by Pianca Pink.

There's been so much love to the movement of both Nomad•ness and DRT•BG. Tonight, after signing on Facebook ('Like" our page to the right side of the site, please), I was tagged in a post by PR guru Pianca Pink. As stated in the article link, we've only knwn each other for about two years, but in that short time you get a feel for people and how they go about their business. Pianca is always busy, but also open to help women she sees helping themselves. All that is to say, I'm humbled by the article she wrote, profiling me in her new Inspirational Women Blog Series. Written so beautifully, I send nothing but gratitude out to this woman. Feeling is mutual. Check the write up below.

Inspirational Women We Love (Blog Series): Ms. Evita Robinson, The Visionaire Behind Evierobbie Media & NomadnessTV.com

The Passport Project...giving girls 11-16 yrs their 1st passport!

I LOVE THIS INITIATIVE! Major big ups to Tracey, creator of One Brown Girl blog. She is spearheading the Passport project, giving young women their very first passport! The love I have for this project is inexplicable. Seriously. Amazing concept and project. They have my life long co-sign. The project, and rightfully so, has qualified for a Stay Classy award. What I need from you all, Facebok heads in particulat, is to go to the site link, read up, and simply 'Like' the project page. View the 'Likes' as votes! They need everyone's support! Visit their site HERE!

The Passport Party Project is an initiative that (from late 2011 to early 2013) will gift 100 girls with their very first passports by throwing 10 nationwide travel-themed daytime events where girls receive complimentary passport photos, lunch, travel game prizes, and a check for the passport application fee. Aimed at giving girls between the ages of 11 and 16 a world view by encouraging global travel, an online community of travel and lifestyle bloggers are blogging about the initiative to keep these parties going!

Did you know that only 30% of Americans have a passport? (some bullS#$t...excuse my French)

Frustrated by this pitiful statistic, travel blogger and travel camp owner, Tracey Friley, created The Passport Party Project to gift young girls with their first passports, even though they might not have any immediate plans for international travel. From Friley’s perspective, the best way to give girls a world view is to start off by getting them the number one tool for global travel – a passport.

Tracey, you have my support 100%!

Nomad•ness Video Interview with VenusGenus.com

I'm really loving the interview that Dash Harris (most recent Nomad•ness Gal) did on me for her site VenusGenus.com. It was a great lunch that you get a 4 minute snippet of, even though it lasted hours.

Ladies, especially those looking for empowerment, this is the site for you TRUST! Thanks so much Dash!

Nomad•ness Gal: Dash Harris

With the push of the DRT.BGs and promotions for Berlin, Nomadnesstv.com word is spreading everywhere. So much so, it caught the attention of another female world traveler, Dash Harris, creator of the phenomenal women's website venusgenus.com.

We linked yesterday, filmed a dope bit for the promotion of Nomad•ness TV, to be featured on her site, and talked for over two hours.

One of those people who you just meet but you feel as though you've known them for years already. We spoke about similar travels in Europe, being noted by foreigners as the only Black woman they've seen travel alone, ever. We're a rare breed....for now. Nomadness is working on that.

Dash has Panamanian, and subsequently, African roots. Dash put her 2 week notice in to her most recent job and is ditching the work force to pursue her passion. My kinda woman!

She just started a 45 day Kickstarter to help get her documentary, Negro, funded at $5250! The documentary takes an innovative look at the African Diaspora and its influences on Latin cultures. Dash found something that is personal, in some areas of the world controversial, but definitely poignant and is on her way to telling the story in her own way. I dig it!

If you can pledge, please do to her project of Kickstarter.

Link to her Kickstarter is HERE!

you got that Oprah in you...

That was the best compliment I'd gotten in awhile. In the midst of a moment of full steam ahead, it's the fruition of thoughts and energy, meeting action.

Oprah, someone I look up to not because of her money but because of the role and metaphor she embodies to show that no matter what you came from, you can blow your dreams out the water, as I intend to. Those close to me, or many who have merely indulged in deep conversation, learn early on that I'm a huge practioner and advocate of the Law Of Attraction. I have been since 2006, and what has transpired in my life over the last five years, I couldn't have imagined when I began it. As my mother says, "Your engines are revving, but you haven't even taken off yet."

I am becoming the women I have been dreaming of, and I thank Oprah for being someone I can turn to for random inspiration. I look forward to the day when I'm getting these words in a face to face sit down with her. It'll happen.

Nomad•ness Flicks: Lauryn Doll

It's Ms. Lauryndoll rocking the Nomad•ness T-shirt and the Orange canvas DRT•BG!

It's spreading...