Today is August 1, 2020! Rabbit Rabbit! I was supposed to write this on yesterday, the last day of July 2020. No excuse for not doing so. It wasn’t to be.
Three years ago, I began this journey of blogging. I have always loved to write, but never for the public, unless it was a scientific research article for my day job. I have also written poems and in a journal, since a youth. My mother always said that I should have embarked on the path of being a journalist. I was always curious about photojournalism. Just yesterday, my mother told me that I should write a book. Eh, I am sure a book is in my future, so when that happens, it will happen. This blogger life is my first time expressing my words publicly. I mean, unless social media posts count. LOL This journey has allowed me to share a little of mySelf, my thoughts, and emotions with you, my cyber peeps. I hope you have enjoyed my blog thus far. Thank you! Thank you to all who visits my website, reads my blogs, and just everyone who takes a moment to share space and time. Send me a note and let me know what you think. (Btw, comments do not post on the website directly, just in case you were wondering LOL) If you are interested in my thoughts on various topics, let me know. I always have an opinion and love a good mental flex. Therefore, I hope this new month brings you a wealth of experiences that allow you to look deep within yourself and your journey. Whatever August brings, feel it, write it, and embrace it. Our journey is exactly as it is supposed to be, divinely designed, so allow it to move and shape you. As you flow through it, remember that love is in each moment.
It took me a while to reflect on the past couple of months. Again, I was simply flowing and enjoying every bit of learning and experiencing that love is in each moment.
The best way to express this reflection is through pictures of my travel. I journeyed to South Africa with friends and family, which was quite an experience. It’s actually difficult to express in words. The saying goes ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, so why not share some photos to reflect on the past couple of months.
Along the roadside during our road trip from Capetown.Journey through the bush of South Africa, rays of the Sun peaking out of the clouds, in the distance, the most amazing sighting of an African Elephant.Seeing love everywhere you travel…. #loveisineachmoment
I have so many photos from this journey the past two months. Best way to see is to follow my Instagram page. Like I said, it was an amazing journey to South Africa. You never know where life will take you if you’re open and willing to flow in your Divine Purpose. It’s not always easy to just simply move through life with true intentions, knowing your purpose and simply Being. Once you get there, it’s quite a feeling. I still have a lot of WORK to do to remain in the Flow, but I’m ready, willing and able. That’s all you need to see that love is in each moment.
I wish I knew who the artist is of this piece that was hanging on the wall of the Apartheid Museum Cafe- Truth. I simply added some words via the Instagram app. I take no credit for the art, which is amazing in my opinion.
Happy Autumn!!! It’s been an amazing summer and start of another year as a blogger.
Sights during my Sunday walk, on the last day of September!!! It’s officially Fall Season but there are still butterflies and pretty flowers!
This reflection spans two months because life has been amazingly busy; flowing like a raging river. From work, to vacations, to family gatherings, to work travels, conferences, to sitting staring at the clouds, it’s been quite a time. In the length of two months, I’ve traveled to Germany, Italy, New York, Hawaii, North Carolina to conferences, and carnivals. It’s been quite a ride. Through all of my travel, there was one activity that I enjoyed the most, yes you guessed it, Eating!!!! Dining solo or with friends and family, I realized how much I used to love cooking. A hobby I just haven’t had the time to keep up. It’s always easier to head to the grocery and purchase from the salad bar or go dine at a restaurant. So, Yes, cookin!!! I’ve missed it! It hit me when I was in Hawaii and then again in North Carolina; I began to crave cooked food. Like that good old fashion, made from scratch, munching while stirring the pot on a Sunday afternoon food. I began watching cooking shows in the hotel. Lol I watched this cooking show that had children throwing down in the kitchen like Top Chefs! Loved it, but you know I can’t remember the name of the show and probably won’t see it again , since I don’t have TV at home. Lol Yea, I’m one of those no television people. Anyway, as soon as I got home from my travels, I began to cook. From crockpot dishes to oven roasted, full flamed dishes. Cookin like I had a full house of people to feed! You know when you cook like you have a family! Hahaha I’ll share a few pictures on this post and maybe I’ll post some recipes another time.
To go back to reflecting on my journey of deciding to finally create a blog and Be a Blogger. My intentions are to share my Love. One of the best ways to share love is through cooking. You can definitely pour all of your love into an amazing dish and share it with others. Here is to sharing my love with you, my readers, and remember that love is in each moment!
Peace. Anasa Laa 💜
Gnocchi with wild mushrooms and cheese… all ingredients purchased in Napoli!!!
Anasa Laa’s Jambalaya… comfort food to spark memories of New Orleans!
Simply breakfast… weekend mornings.
Crockpot cooked lentil soup in beef bone broth… perfect dish to make during the Fall Equinox!
Moroccan dish I made one evening that was so good I wanted to consume the entire pot!! Yummy!
Went to a fun filled crawfish boil and was joined by a beautiful snake that stole everyone’s attention!
Explored D.C. with some new friends and took in the moments that are placed in your path to remind you that love is in each moment along this journey! Street art is the best! 💜
Along this journey always make time for the simple moments like good conversation with strangers who aren’t so strangerly and a glass of wine or maybe two lol
Remember to celebrate you… I’m my biggest critic but also my loudest cheerleader!
I hope your June reflection was complete with joy and love!
Leave a comment below and don’t forget to keep a journal! Only you can tell your story, so it’s told exactly as you want it to be!
Happy New Year!!!! It’s amazing how quickly a year passes. When I reflect on the past year, there have been a lot of emotions experienced, a lot of transitions, and a lot of changes. From waves of laughter to winds of sadness but when you look at it all you realize that is all divine. An intricately scribed journey, words, moments, experiences all mysteriously falling into place just as it’s supposed to. All we have to do is see that #loveisineachmoment and simply Be! #happynewyearfullmoon#anasalaa#thatsall#carryon
First Full Moon of Jan 1, 2018 witnessed from the U.S. Virgin Islands
I couldn’t let the season end without having another blog post. Since this is covering both October and November, we’ll just discuss one of my favorite times of the year. I love the changes the autumn season brings. The colors of nature are simply warm with a slight cool. Some days are sunny and others you’re like ‘whoa take out the coat’. LOL It’s like doubles with slight pepper. HAHA
There have been so many experiences since the last time I wrote a blog post. As you know, there were a whirlwind of hurricanes that devastated the Caribbean. Nature is truly amazing with her wrath of destruction. There were so many emotions experienced during this time. My last post talked about managing stress and how you manage your stress. I’d still like to learn how many manage their stress. Me personally, I go to the spa. I truly love a spa. I love the culture of spas. They are very different all over the world with one main goal, to relax and release. So, I was scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico to work on the hurricane response from the perspective of public health. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my LOVE, my PASSION, is Public Health. I was elated, since I’ve been trying to see how I can utilize my skills, my energy, my emotions, my passion, and just all that was going through my mind to help my people of the Caribbean. I found ways to contribute to relief efforts, my daily work was focused on the response, and I even donated to organizations that were providing assistance. But, for some reason, this didn’t feel like enough for my spirit. It wasn’t enough to calm the angst in my soul that wanted to be on ground, in the field, right in the disaster zone. I wanted to see the wrath of Mother Nature with my own eyes. I wanted to go to the ocean. I honestly don’t know why, but it’s my calling to do humanitarian work. It has always been an unattainable goal that was right at arm’s reach. Anyway, to prepare for my adventure to Puerto Rico, I completely took advantage of the spas in my area and the promotions they had. Now, for someone like me, who is a member of a spa, travels the world to go to spas, and frequently spends an arm and a leg for a spa treatment, I needed a frugal break. I was about to OD on spas to prepare for my travels. LOL I’ll talk about the different spa experiences I’ve had in future posts. Yea, so I went to the spa every day for like a week. It was well worth it, to prepare my mind and body for the stress. People sleep on mental stress. It can sometimes be more damaging than physical stress. This is that silent daily stress that causes the many illnesses and dis-ease that we experience along this journey. Other things that I do to manage my stress are meditate, yoga, exercise, bicycle riding, read, journal writing, gardening, burn candles, incense, and I have essential oil diffusers. Yes, my house is like a little spa, when I need it. I carried my essential oils and diffuser with me to Puerto Rico to have a moment of aromatherapy, wherever I laid my head to sleep. It came in very handy when the locations didn’t have the best aroma. I tell you, a little lavender oil goes a long way. Everyone has the ability to take a little space and make it a sanctuary for relaxation and stress relief. I’m still working on my space. Do you have a space where you go to relax? Let me know about it in the comments section.
Tea time at the spa
Journal writing with a cocktail
Taking in the scenery while riding the rails … I love the train and its a huge stress reliever for me.
I made it to the ocean …somewhere on a beach in Puerto Rico.
I don’t know about you, but I’m totally psyched about the solar eclipse happening on Monday, August 21, 2017. This hasn’t occurred in like 99 years (across the United States). I believe we had one back in the day when I was a kid… the 90s. I don’t remember seeing it. Do you? Anyway, this is the first time it will be occurring coast to coast across the U.S. Yup! WOW. Exciting. Now, for some of my Southern friends, you’re going to be right in it and experience a total eclipse. That’s pretty awesome. I almost considered traveling down to experience. Lol Well, I’m going to be a nerd right here at home! I hear there are going to be a lot of eclipse parties nationwide, so find you one. I was actually thinking of having one, but it is a Monday and I don’t know many people in my new humble abode.
Now, I wouldn’t be doing my public health duty if I didn’t say, please please please do not stare directly at the sun. You will burn out your retina. Like really, you’ll burn your eyes out! THIS IS SERIOUS!!!! No, really it’s called Solar Retinopathy!! I’m a scientist. I know these things. AND Beware, a lot of the eclipse glasses being sold are not legit. There has been a recall for many. You may be able to find free glasses at your local library or science based outlets. A quick Google search of your area, will provide a list.
I also stumbled upon a really cool quiz from TIME!
For more information about this awesome mystery of life and the Universe check out Space.com and read all about the Total Solar Eclipse 2017!!! Yay!!! Of course, you must browse the NASA Total Eclipse site too!!!! It’s pretty awesome!
Happy Sun Gazing!!! Let me know how your Eclipse Day goes!!!
You are entering the World of my thoughts, my emotions, my randomish aka random-ish aka random- $h*t. LOL Sounds like some sci-fi thriller. Ahhh You’re entering the Twilight Zone. Okay, I’m going off course. Thoughts running away. Back on track. I’m a Lady, most of the time a Queen, who so happens to be on a solo journey. Since my younger lady years, I’ve expressed my emotions, my thoughts through words and pictures aka poetry and photography. My philosophy in life has been truly ‘work hard, play hard’ and I’ve done just that. Now in my 39th year as a physical being, I’m pondering my journey, contemplating what the Universe has in store. How will this story continue as I go from pretending to ‘adult’ to full force mid-age ‘adulting’? I will explore and share my spiritual and wellness philosophy, my theories of the mystery of existence, and simply put, my meditation along this journey. You’ll get a few of my ‘journalations’ (made up word…call me Webster) and my ‘digital pixpressions’ (another made up word, so don’t steal it!) I’ve kept a journal since my high school years and I highly recommend that you start to write down your thoughts too. Its your story. Who better to tell it? Right? The African saying is “Until Lions write their own history, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” So get to writing… your great great great grandchildren may find your story very interesting. 🙂 Stay tune for the journey through my thoughts and be sure to feel the love in each moment!!!
Happy Summer!
