Hiatus

Hello everyone!

I will be on a hiatus for a few weeks! I'm moving to Texas so I'm tying up all my loose ends here and working AND packing....so many things to do with so little time! I'll see you in a few!

Reuniting with a London sister yet again!

Over the weekend I went to Philadelphia for my friend’s wedding. My friend, whom I hadn’t seen in seven years and only met once…..in London.

In 2005, I was selected as one of 28 young girls to travel to London as part of the Teen Ink London Summer Writing Program. The annual program (which now takes place in New York) brought girls together from all over the world together for the sole purpose of honing our writing skills.

L to R: Me, Christine, Tiffany, Christina and Jess in 2005 in front of
St. Paul's Cathedral in London

The group, with ages ranging from 14 to 18, got along pretty well…well as well as hormonal girls can. There were different groups within the 28 girls simply because you hang out with who you feel you can connect to.

We all kept in touch mainly through letters or emails and complained about how much we missed London. Soon Myspace and Facebook popped on the scene and we were all able to see how each other’s lives were going through pictures, statuses and videos.

Fast forward five years after the trip to when I reconnected with one of my friends on the trip, Tiffany. She lived only an hour and a half away and we were able to meet up twice to hang out with one another. It was lovely. We picked up right where we left off.

Tiffany and I in 2010

Now fast forward to the year 2012 where Christine gets married! I remember our phone conversations after we came back from London when she’d tell me about working at a restaurant and dating him. Now I finally got to meet him and see her again.

The beautiful bride and I!

Was it worth a weekend trip to Philadelphia just to go to a wedding that I wasn’t even a part of? Yes! We’re London sisters. We experienced the London bombings together and for many of us it was our trip outside of the country. We have this unique bond that is unbreakable even if we go months without talking. Congratulations to Christine and Rafael!

Naomi's Misadventures in Skydiving

Gather around boys and girls to hear the tale of when Naomi jumped out of a plane for her 23^rd birthday!

Kendra and I at SkyDive City!

Everything started out well. Kendra, M and I all went to SkyDive City and I filled out my paperwork and waited for the training session to begin. I wasn’t nervous one bit. Nope. Not me.

M. and I before the festivities!

 I, along with four other people, listened to our instructor T.K.  talk about the proper position to take once we are out of the plane. We were to keep our head up, keep our mouth closed, spread our arms out in front of our face and then keep our legs together through our trainers’ legs and have a grand old time posing and what not.

Why I See My Quarter Life Crisis (minus two years) as a Positive Thing

I'm only 22 (going on 23 next month yay me!) but I'm pretty sure that I'm going through a quarterlife crisis (QLC). Call me crazy, but I view my QLC as a blessing.

Psychologist Oliver Robinson from the University of Greenwich in London describes a QLC as a 25-year-old’s realization that he or she isn’t at the point in their life that they desire.

“They've chosen a career path and may be in a serious relationship,” said Robinson. “The problems start, if they end up in a job they don't like or in a relationship that doesn't fit them. This leads to a feeling of being one thing outwardly but feeling inwardly that you are someone else, which causes a discrepancy between your behavior and your inner sense self.”

Some wonder why they are stuck at a job they loathe while all their other friends have wonderful jobs. Some feel like they are forever trapped by their job or their relationship and there is nothing he or she can do to change it. You’re only 25 and you’re already feeling stuck in a rut. Yikes.

According to a study conducted by Robinson, he and his colleagues found that a quarter life crisis usually occurs in five stages:

My travel inspired apartment!

After months and months of organizing, buying furniture and decorating, my apartment is FINALLY complete! To think, when I first signed my lease and moved in, all I had was an air mattress, my books and birds to keep me company. Well look at me now!

Adventures in tea houses, museums and beaches!

This time last week, my mom was in town and running me ragged! We traveled to places I had never been including a nice quiet beach (comparable to Clearwater Beach which I describe as the Wal Mart of beaches) in Largo, the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville and a cute French store in Ybor City. However, my favorite place to go to with dear old mom is a cute tea house.

La France in Ybor City...very quirky!

 Our tradition now is to go to the Tea Rose Cottage in Ybor City anytime she visits. It's a quaint little house and gift shop that has a delectable variety of teas and delicious tea sandwiches and "crumpets." The tearoom's atmosphere is so cozy and inviting...and exclusive! It's only open Wednesday through Saturday and their hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ONLY with reservation. Yes. Reservations are required for this joint.

The real "Red Tails" Story

Last weekend I went to the Fantasy of Flight attraction to interview the Tuskegee Airmen and here's my story! (from The Florida Courier)

Three Tuskegee Airmen tell of their successes, challenges in military during World War II

BY NAOMI PRIOLEAU
SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER



A former navigator, bombardier and pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, Daniel Keel said he was no different from others who wanted to protect their country. Keel, who lives in Leesburg, was one of the three Tuskegee Airmen who spoke to a crowd of children, students, veterans and parents on Feb. 11 in Polk City about their lives and time in the military.

From left to right are Tuskegee Airmen Daniel Keel, George Hardy and Leo Gray. The program was moderated by Deric Feacher, right. (NAOMI PRIOLEAU/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER)

Retired Lt. Colonels George Hardy of Sarasota and Leo Gray of Fort Lauderdale along with Keel spent three days at Fantasy of Flight, an aviation-themed exhibit in Central Florida – sharing their stories, answering questions and meeting fans. Gray, 91, Keel, 89, and 88-year-old Hardy overcame extreme odds with courage, dignity and honor.
The Tuskegee Airmen, who have received praise for their service during World War II, consisted of four fighter squadrons, the 99th, the 100th, the 301st and the 302nd. The first all-Black group to serve as military aviators, they surpassed expectations for them to fail and in the end brought home record numbers in the air and on the ground.

Integration brought new struggles
They destroyed more than 100 German aircraft in the air and 150 on the ground as well as 950 railcars, trucks and other vehicles. With more than 850 medals, they’ve made a place in history and have a permanent multimedia exhibit at the Fantasy of Flight that includes facts and a vintage aircraft collection for the public to enjoy.
Hardy, Gray and Keel traveled extensively throughout their career abroad and domestic to receive proper training before heading into combat. Hardy was sent to Guam just before integration took place in the United States. When he returned home, he was welcomed to a new set of difficulties: integration.
"I was in the service when integration took place in July 1949," said Hardy. "After I came back to the States, there was a period of racial integration and those were tough times."

Still had to ride in back of bus
Keel told stories of discrimination at the hands of a White lieutenant colonel whom he described as "having it out for him." Upon his arrival to a Texas Army base for additional bombardier training, Keel said the lieutenant colonel let them know what they were allowed and weren’t allowed to do.
"One, we could not eat in the officers’ mess, two we could not go in the officers’ club, three, if we go to the base theater we couldn’t sit in the officers’ section and four, if we go to town, we had to ride in the back of the bus," said Keel. "I knew I was in trouble as soon as he said that."
Keel said the lieutenant colonel tried to have him court-martialed but didn’t succeed. He then tried to hold him back from graduating. Of 27 students, Keel and two others were the only ones who graduated. However, Keel looks at experiences like those in a positive light. He said if it hadn’t been for racial segregation, he wouldn’t have the triple ranking he has today – it pushed him to achieve more.

#WEverb11: Surprise and Persevere

15. Surprise
What event of 2011 affected you in an unexpected way?

Nothing. Looking back, nothing surprised me or affected me. I had a set plan for my life in 2011 and that was graduate, go to Spain, move back to Tampa and find a job. I've done all of that so there's really no surprise! I'm such a planner that nothing can really surprise me which is kind of sad....hmmm....

16. Persevere

Describe something that disappointed you in 2011 and how you persevered.

I'm currently in a situation where I'm trying to persevere and it's difficult but I'm sticking with it until I can find receive some guidance from my mentor on what to do. We'll see where 2012 leads with this situation but that's all I'll say about it for now.

#WEverb11: Thrive

12. Thrive
What was your healthiest habit of 2011? What would you like to change or do differently in 2012?

 Even though I recently started this within the last two months, making my own food has been the healthiest habit of 2011. It's easy to come home and be lazy and stick a frozen dinner in the microwave, but I've made it a point to STOP buying frozen dinners and buying foods that I HAVE to make. You know what parents say, "there's food in there...you just have to make it." So now that I have been making food (which has been healthy) I need to incorporate working out or some type of activity into the mix for 2012!

#WEverb11:Try

11. Try   What 12 new things do you want to do/accomplish in 2012? Read one book a month. It may seem like a small number to you, but I'm lucky if I finish a book every three months. This is SO sad considering I used to read ALL the time. I mean you know how much I love books. Now it's more a matter of finding the time to read them!   Following from that, join a book club! In the fourth grade I was part of "Chat n' Chew" and I loved every moment of it. The group consisted of five other students and the teacher's aide and we'd take our lunches back to the classroom and sit and talk about the book we read. How great is it to not be looked at as crazy for taking such a deep liking to Sarah the quiet supporting character?

Reflecting on 2011

Every writer or blogger goes through some type of writing slump (some more than others) and thankfully people have created these magnificent boosts to propel us back into writing. I recently discovered #weverb11 via Twitter and decided to give it a try! It's more of a reflection of the year, and I have some catching up to do, but I think it'd be nice to give a LITTLE insight into my life besides travel!

Here's the description of #weverb11 from their website.

#WEverb11 is a set of 31 prompts meant to encourage reflection on the past year (2011) and look forward to the coming year (2012).

You are encouraged to address the prompts in any way that you want (blog about them, take photos, tweet, etc.) and come back here to share your answers and links to those responses. This experience is up to you to design: you can answer one prompt, a few that you select, or all of them!

Of course I want to try all of them! So here are the first few prompts

1. Select one word. Encapsulate the year 2011 in one word. Explain why. Imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2012 for you? Triumph. I've accomplished many things this year that I'm proud of. Graduation. Spain. Journalism awards. First job. 2011 was the year of triumph. 2012 will be the year of growth, in every aspect of my life.   2. Listen What song did you listen to in 2011 to completely change your mood?  Think about ways you can you add more music to your life in 2012. "We Found Love" by Rihanna. Even though it came out recently, it's picked me up more than any other song has this entire year. 3. Learn What lesson did you learn in 2011 from “The School of Life” rather than a classroom? People are in your life for a season for a particular reason whether it's bad or good. It may hurt or it may be the best thing you've ever discovered, but it definitely changes your life and helps to you to understand who you are.

Autumn in Georgia

Autumn is my favorite season, November is my favorite month and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. So it's great that I have been able to spend this time in Georgia with my mother! Alas, I shall depart early tomorrow morning (I'm not trying to think of the traffic) but I'll be back next month for Christmas!

 

Thanksgiving dinner!

 

 

View from the patio

 

Until we meet again....

A Common Occurrence

I'm from Kansas.

I'm Black.

Apparently, these two things don't go together.

At least once a week while filling up on gas, some genius makes a comment about my license plate. They usually go something like this:


"Oh well, you're a long way from home"
"Did you lose your red shoes on the way here?"
"Is Toto in the backseat?"

Ha. So very funny...as if I haven't heard it a million times before.

courtesy of kshs.org

However, my favorite reaction (whether they find out I'm from Kansas by my tags or not) is "THERE'S BLACK PEOPLE IN KANSAS!?"

Yes.

In fact Kansas City has a somewhat decent sized African-American population....you just have to know where to go! I can say that when California rapper, Mac Dre was shot and killed in Kansas City I don't think it was by a farmer.

Black people are everywhere, including and not limited to: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and of course, Kansas.

Honestly, not everything about Kansas is farms and cows and plains. I mean it's not the next New York or Florida, but it's...somewhat decent. Trust me, I know.

Just as people in other countries stared at me because of my skin tone, it amazes me that people IN MY OWN COUNTRY stare at me like I have three heads for being a Black girl that calls Kansas her home. Sheesh.

Maybe I do have two extra heads that I don't know about....

Report From Anywhere!

After attending an international reporting seminar over the summer with the National Association of Black Journalists, I learned the importance of taking crucial items with you on any trip. As a journalist, you never know when or where a story will happen so it's always great to be prepared.

One of my mentors Demorris Lee of the St. Petersburg Times said that he keeps a laptop, a camera and a voice recorder in the trunk of his car at all times. Smart move.

For international reporting, it's best to keep the same things on you as well. One of the speakers at the seminar said when she travels (whether it's for work or leisure) she takes her laptop, voice recorder, camera, video camera and notepad in her carry on. Again, smart move.

courtesy of briansteffen.net

It may sound like a lot to carry around, but luckily, my Dad gave me his laptop/briefcase carrier. I can fit everything in it (including my AP Stylebook and a leisure book) and slug it on my shoulder and I'm ready to take over the world!

Once you have your story and photographs and speak with your editor all you have to do is find a place with WIFI and send it off!

That seminar really opened my eyes. Now, instead of lugging around my book bag with a change of clothes and my purse with my money in it, I can put all of it safely into my laptop carrier (it's actually quite spacious) and only worry about my suitcase.

The fact that I learned to bring the essentials when traveling AND eliminate all the extra thematics that I usually carry with me when I travel, only makes me love reporting that much more. I have such an urge to board a plane and go to China and report on whatever, simply because I'm well prepared now!

For now I'll start slow and test it out when I go to Buenos Aires!

I'm an Old-Fashioned Kinda Girl

I'm in Gainesville for the weekend and while I have been domesticating myself with doing housework and cooking, I realized I'm really an old-fashioned type of girl.

I'm all for feminism and women who believe that not having children or being married is a sign of success, but I'm not a fan of putting down other women who choose to be stay-at-home mothers. That's a full-time job within itself!

Anyway, that's not the topic of this blog post. I may be old-fashioned when it comes to some issues, but when it comes to technology and bathrooms I stay stuck in the 1700's.

Yes, my main goal in life is to own an antique typewriter. I've engrained it into my mind that the only way I can validate myself as a writer is to own a typewriter. I mean, that's the essence of journalism and writing right?

courtesy of everytype.com

As far as bathrooms go, I was raised in historical houses all my life. When I lived in Kansas, we had a claw bathtub! Oh how I wish we could've taken it with us when my Dad retired.

I saw this bathtub last year when I was in Tarpon Springs for an arts festival. I would have jumped in but it had some disgusting water in it. The graffiti on it was beautiful to me though!

Gorgeous isn't it?

Phew!

What a weekend it has been!

I just moved all of my stuff out of storage and out of my dear friend's apartment into my cozy one bedroom apartment and let me tell you, pooped is not even the word to describe how I feel right now.

Basically I'm starting from scratch again right now. No cable, no Internet, no furniture, just mounds upon mounds of clothing, books, DVD's, photo albums and other stuff.

It always amazes me how much stuff one girl can accumulate in four years in a furnished apartment. To say that I need furniture is the least of my worries. For now I'm trying to sort out what I'm going to do with all of my STUFF!

I'll be on here as much as I can since I have to go to the leasing office to use their Wi-Fi, but since the office is closed I'm sitting poolside using it until it gets dark. It may sound nice, to sit poolside and soak up the rays, but trust me, it's quite the opposite.

I'll upload pictures of my crazy apartment later, but on the upside of things, I did get my bookshelf and all of my books up and ready! I mean, that's the most important thing right?

October

For as long as I can remember, October has always been my favorite month.

I guess it's mainly because I feel that it's the official start of autumn. I am quite aware that autumn officially started in September, but doesn't it feel more fitting to begin in October?

In elementary school every time the teacher flipped to the month of October its decorations were filled with pumpkins, rust colored leaves and naked trees. Back in Kansas, the wind got nippier and the turtlenecks and boots were brought out from storage and a slew of kids messed up their parents perfectly raked leaf piles.

Oh how I miss October in Kansas!

Kansas in October. Lovely isn't it?

Living in Florida, you really don't get the full affect of autumn except for the weather changing from deathly humidly hot to a cooler humidly hot.

However, while I may be missing the true season of autumn that so many other people get to enjoy, my favorite month is giving me plenty of perks while I sweat to death down here.

1. New Nicholas Sparks book! The Best of Me came out yesterday and I can't wait to go get my copy! 
2. New Goapele album Break of Dawn hits stores at the end of the month.
3. I move into my new apartment on Friday. 
4. Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING. Coffee, pie, beer, cake. Heaven.

Roll all four of those things together and what do you get?

An extremely fat, well-read, satisfied and more importantly happy Naomi in her cozy decorate apartment. Doesn't sound to bad if you ask me!

Featured Post!

I can't believe I forgot to share this with you! Last week, I was featured on Black Women Living Well as a part of their Black Women in the Global Village, which is an exclusive feature to the website. It focuses on everyday black women around the world and their views on different topics like travel, health, relationships, careers etc.

Of course I was asked about travel! Here's a sneak peek of what my post was about below:

Naomi on her 21st birthday in Dingle, Ireland

Writer Naomi Prioleau, a Journalism major and graduate of The University of South Florida, shares her thoughts on the importance of black women living well through travel in this edition of Black Women in the Global Village.



How did you get interested in traveling?


Travel chose me. I believe that our passion chooses us no matter what age we are. There was never a particular moment in my life where I decided that I wanted to travel. It just happened; I saw a chance to travel abroad for my first love, writing. I fell in love with the culture shock, the uncomfortable plane rides, the different foods and everything else in between.


To read the rest, click here.

A letter to my 18-year-old self

18 and ready for anything

I recently turned 22 and instead of celebrating, I used my birthday as a time to reflect on how far I've come and what I've accomplished, which is something I rarely do. At 22, I'm a college graduate, well-traveled, have a job in my field and have wonderful people in my life. When I was 18, I don't know where my head was half the time. I'm a completely different person now than I was at 18 and if I could travel back in time, I'd give myself this letter.

Dear 18-year-old me,

You still starry-eyed after moving from Kansas to Florida. You really think you've hit it big in this small college town in Florida and that's okay, but just try not to be too naive to things.

You're still heavily hooked on a particular guy back home, but as time goes on, you'll see him as more of a safe haven after the mistakes you've made with the guys down here.

Another Year Older, Another Year Wiser?

Yesterday was the annual observance of the birth of the magnificent one.

Me!

I have many goals for my 22nd year of living, but I have to wonder, at what point do you become wiser? Is it from the mistakes you made when you were younger? Is it a revelation within yourself to change how you act and your surroundings?

I still have a long way to go (I feel) until I can truly reflect on my life and say how "wise" of a person I am, but looking back on my life thus far, I believe that the things I've gone through (good or bad) have helped shape me into someone that I like.

I certainly don't credit my life experiences to make me some sort of  "life guru" nor do I think I will when I get older, but I can say this, if you can step outside of yourself and see yourself and think, "hey I could be friends with this person" then that's all that matters. It doesn't matter how old you are or the type of life you live, it's about accepting yourself and truly liking yourself.

So I may not be the wisest person on earth, maybe no one at my age is, but I do like myself.

Me on my 22nd birthday! 08/11/2011