It's my birthday!!

Another revolution around the sun and it's all good! Being another year older can be scary but the more I think about it, the more comfortable I'm getting in my own skin. When I was in my 20's I had all of these "plans". I planned on having all of these "things" I thought would make my life perfect. I thought I would have a house, car, perfect job, married, babies, semi-retired; the list goes on and on. I just had this picture in my head of what I was "supposed" to be. I don't want a car, I do not want children quite yet, I'm not married, I do have a great job and I live in a great place. I'm not semi retired but I get to enjoy my life. I think I (like most of us) can get caught up in all the big things I want to do and sometimes they don't quite come to fruition in the grandeur that I was thinking, but I'm doing pretty good. In that respect, I wanted to share my year in review. Sometimes, making a list of everything that's happened in the year can clue you in to how much progress you've really made. I may not be Summering in Italy and Wintering in Barbados but I'm doing aight! This is my list, I would love to read your list if you want to share it. How has your Solar Revolution gone?

This is how I kicked off my birthday in 2016: Fun in the Sun with my closest friends. I think our birthdays are the one day that all drama, heartache, vexations and the like should be suspended. Your birthday should be YOUR day. To bask in it how you wish!

This should be the mood for about 2 weeks after your birthday. I was celebrated for a while, between coworkers, family, friends and the like I was faded for a while.

If you get the opportunity to see Beyonce live, do it. Although, I'm a fan so I'm obviously biased, she gives a SHOW! You a thoroughly entertained and this last Formation tour was a call to arms. I never wanted to be a part of a girl gang so bad! I saw the strength in female numbers on her stage and it is POWERFUL.

Then I had a brush with soul crushing FAME. Like, my life got so hard after my cable television debut on HBO'S hit series "High Maintenance" Like so hard you guys, I couldn't go outside for days because of the mobs....in my head. It was still a VERY cool experience within the year.

I visited the African American Museum of History and Culture this past year and it was such an eye opening, sobering, hopeful,determining experience. I'd go again in the same year and it won't be my last trip there. It was truly a mind altering experience.

Halloween was a hit, I got fitted for my first pair of fangs:

I felt fabulous in the most glamorous outfit I've worn to date; I was FANCY AF!

I launched the Square With Curves Podcast!! I was terrified but I did it anyway.

and then...THERE WAS OZ!

Then there was blizzards and love parties, exorcisms of Fuckboys; the welcoming of new boys. Girls trips to the tropics, giggles in the dark.

***I danced more and I laughed harder; Gigs galore -- wore less pants:

I made new friends and went on adventures: Barbados, Vegas, D.R., D.C.

I ate all the good foods and made sure to have dessert. I kept saying no to things I didn't want to do and let myself enjoy all the things I wanted to.

***There are so many more photos but I just want to go enjoy my birthday so I'll show there some other time :)

Slaying in a pineapple while slaying a pineapple

I faced some fears and got to know some new ones. I grew a butt, squat life is everything but fitting pants is hard! I started transitioning from chemically processed hair to embrace my natural curls; there's been an emotional rollercoaster with that, it's a saga that shall continue for the next 16 months...at least! I love me a good pineapple hairstyle. It just works!

I starred in a music video -- more on that in January and generally just thrived through this year. Looking back, I did A LOT in this past year. I'm stoked to do a lot more this year. I've got the energy and the nerve.