Rest in Absolute Peace, Beautiful Angel Aliyah

As a friend of Aliyah’s, I want to just share a story that I hope will share her light with the rest of the community. I ran into her on the subway last summer and explained to her that I was just getting back from a trip to Europe. I told her that I had traveled alone because I was so set on going that it didn’t matter that my friends never purchased their flights.  She turned to look at me and with the utmost sincerity said, “Kimberlynn, you are such a WOMAN.”  I thought she was going to say something like, “You are crazy! What were you thinking?” but instead she expressed so much excitement about my life that it canceled out all of the negative reactions I had been receiving from some of my closest friends and family. I can’t express how much those interactions with her have impacted me and in gathering with many of her friends and loved ones during the last few days, I know that I am not alone.  Aliyah was not only a cultivator of communities, a ray of positivity in times of hopelessness, a beautiful and inspiring being, she was a WOMAN. She was a woman who had a contagious love for life and lived hers vivaciously and with a purpose. Her passing has been a severe loss for her community of friends and for those who knew her on our college campus. 

During these trying times, I have to say that I find comfort in thinking that we were blessed to have her here on earth with us for almost 23 years.  I really think she was an angel that came, inspired so many with her strength, infused love and all things good into the community and that it was just her time to go.  Although it is incredibly painful and tragic to know we won’t be seeing her beautiful face around anymore, we know that she has left a legacy behind. I’d like to celebrate her life and all that she’s taught us. I’d like to encourage people to and to seek help if they do feel like something is going on. It’s ok to not be ok and it’s even more important to remember that there is help. Her passing is a reminder that there should be more done to raise awareness about mental health issues, especially within the women of color community. Additionally, with depression being such a normalized occurrence (particularly on many college campuses) I would urge people to be proactive about their mental health and to not be afraid to explore the resources available.

My deepest condolences go out to her family and everyone else who is suffering from this great loss. Stay positive and remember that there are people, like myself, who were not the closest people in her life, but who were incredibly inspired by Aliyah and her courage.

it never gets old

this was taken right before we got hounded by dogs…maybe breaking into that junkyard was a bad idea.

i miss my key necklace.

i know it’s only material but I just don’t feel the same without it

That’s the spirit!

I’m overwhelmed by how festive I’m feeling…perhaps because I was in Paris last Halloween and didn’t get to celebrate. 2 years since my last Halloween party…oh, the pressure! This year WILL be good…I can feel it. Oh, how I’ve missed rioting in the city!

zombify:

via img.fineliving.com

the bloody brain shooter

Channel your inner mad scientist with this Bloody Brain Shooter. Mixing acidic lime juice and Irish cream causes the cream to curdle, creating brain-like strands in the shot.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 oz. strawberry vodka such as Stoli
1/8 oz. Rose’s lime juice
3/4 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
Splash of grenadine

Preparation:

Chill vodka for better smoothness. Add vodka and lime juice to a shaker, shake and strain into a shot glass. Using a straw, dip some Bailey’s Irish Cream into the shot. Once you submerge the straw into the Bailey’s put your finger on top of the straw to hold the Bailey’s in the straw. Dip the straw tip into the vodka and slowly release your top finger. The Bailey’s will curdle a little bit due to the lime juice and you should be able to make strands of Bailey’s.

Repeat the straw/Bailey’s process to build a “brain” in the shot glass. Add a splash of grenadine to the concoction to add the ‘blood’ to the mix. Down the hatch as a shot.