Times are a Changin'

Because I’m going through a transition time in my life, I’ve decided to discontinue this blog.  I hope to start blogging again soon but possibly on a different platform that will allow me to express who I am more easily! Keep you posted. Thanks for everything guys!

Because I am Eighteen

It's quite a beautiful thing to be eighteen. Eighteen is a number of progress, intuition, and self discovery.  I now have the freedom to buy cigarettes, win the lottery, purchase sex toys and rent my own porter-potty if my heart so desires. I couldn't do these things just a week ago when I was seventeen but because of the magical number eighteen, the world suddenly sees me as grown. Friends "introduce" me to twenty-something year old guys, my parents don't seem so surprised when I stay out late, and people now ask how I plan to support  myself (?!?!)...but I  feel like a little girl playing a grown-up role! I may strut around with a cute purse yet still,  my instinct is to run to mommy to fill my purse will bills. 

Because I am eighteen I feel the need to explore, and rebel, maybe get a tattoo, but more than ever,  I feel this innate drive to take ownership of my life and take responsibility of the direction it is going. This week that direction led me to the local Walmart to get my cartilage pierced , and the local pet smart to get a job (baby steps ok!) but who knows where I will be lead a week or a month from now.  I fucking* own the words independence, freedom, experimentation and growth  because I am eighteen!!!

*I can say fucking now b/c I'm eighteen

Sam Smith Live at The Liacouras Center!

Sam Smith Opening Act at The Liacouras Center in Philly

Believe it or not, I have never been to a live concert, that is, until yesterday when I saw Sam Smith live at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. 

When you experience Sam Smith you are experiencing what it feels like to transcend into a higher state of consciousness. Not only was the perfection of his voice magnified but as an audience member I had the opportunity to experience the beautiful person behind the music!  Sam Smith is the type of person I would like to have as a friend, I would have him sing me to sleep every night.

Sam Smith Program and Poster

The moments when he talked to the audience, were my favorite. He told us the stories from his own life that  inspired many of his songs.  For example "Good Thing" was based on his experience of letting go of someone he was deeply in love with that didn't love him back, "Money On My Mind" was written to express his anger with someone in the music industry and "Make it to Me" is a love letter to his soul mate that he has yet to meet. 

In the middle of the concert he jokingly assured the audience that although many of his songs sounded depressing, that he wasn't some dark, sad, always frowning guy. He said his next album will definitely have a brighter tone because he doubts anyone would want to buy The Lonely Hour...Part 2 (haha!). I'm looking forward to it because this means he will be able to smile more, which is very exciting because as I discovered at his concert, he has the most adorable smile! 

Throughout the concert he had me, my friends and the whole  stadium up on their feet. In one moment we were two stepping, in another we were making the place light up like a galaxy and a few times I just kind of sat in total aw and tried to absorb the perfection of the moment. Thank you Sam Smith!

'Tis the Season!

Raise the roof because Christmas is only one day away...say that again...CHRISTMAS IS ONE DAY AWAY!  

Am I the only one the feels like the holidays have arrived too quickly, like super express mail fast? The other day I was literally like "ummm...when did we get a Christmas tree and how long has it been there in the living room?..right after thanksgiving?!...Wasn't thanksgiving just last week?"

Ugh! Now all of a sudden I have to start thinking about how 2014 is almost a thing of the past! I must say, I really do hate the fact that as you get older the years go by faster. 

In January, I wrote a New Years post about how the year was 365 blank pages for you to fill. Now it's getting close to flipping back through those pages to see how the whole story of 2014 has unfolded. But I'll save the reflections for another blog post because as of now, I am celebrating the season. 

I am celebrating that I'm done all my SAT's. I'm celebrating that my role as Diana Ross in my local theaters Christmas show was a success. I'm celebrating that I have my college application pretty much done. I'm celebrating that I actually finished Christmas shopping before Christmas. I'm celebrating the love of family and friends because 'TIS THE SEASON! 

Tinsel Filled & Shatterproof.

Sometimes the light is so bright it's all you can see.

FEED US Santa, we've been good.

Happy Holidays Everyone XOXO ~ Summer
Photos ft. Marie &  Izzy 

A New Kind of Family

I haven't posted recently because I've been consumed by life in Nigeria. Specifically, life in Enugu, Nigeria (where I've been for the past few days). Not only do my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins currently live and school in the area but it is one of the smaller Nigerian cities, the type of place where everyone in the community is a part of one grand family.

Here in Nigeria, it is a tradition to address your elders as aunt or uncle (whether you are related or not), this tradition proves just how much this idea of a family-like-community is upheld.

That being said, I really feel that this trip has added something to me…it has given me a community that really cares for me, a sense of belonging, and a continual feeling of love. I'm being corny…I know! But I'm common from the heart ;)

My past few weeks in Enugu have been amazing! I wish I had writing down every single thing that happened so that I could prove it was not all a dream. 

I am happy here in Nigeria. I am having fun, letting go, and falling in love. Love? Yes, love... with all the fantastic people I've met, all the people who have opened up their hearts, who have given hugs so strong, and kisses to deep. 

Being in this country has been a blast, I will miss it like crazy! 
P.S If I come back saying things like "how far?" and "I'm officially vexed" or "Abi",  know that it is Nigeria speaking. 

The Loss of a Phenomenal Woman

On May 28th 2014 the world lost a beautiful and phenomenal woman. 

With the strength of her words and the depth of her voice Maya Angelou changed the world. 

I feel as if I have lost a mother; her work spoke to me like no other author had. I read her book "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" in 8th grade. I recited "I Know Why The Bird Caged Sings" (the poem)  and placed the text on the last page of my middle school scrap book. In my freshman year of high school I recited "Still I Rise" for a local celebration of black history. I still know all the words today...

"You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise." 

~ my favorite line from "Still I Rise" 

When I became a self proclaimed activist for the feminist movement, who was there at the door with her words... 

"I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me."

~ From poem "Phenomenal Woman"

Today I am listening to an old interview Maya Angelou had with Terry Gross. Her resonant voice reverberates through me. At the moment I feel sad, but I also feel sense of contentment as I feel energy and love from her even though she is gone.

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

Maya Angelou: A remarkable individual, a phenomenal woman, a spirited writer. She is a light in my heart and a voice in my mind. She will always be remembered.

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day Loves! This weekend has brought beautiful blue skys, perfect weather, the birds, the bees, and flowering trees! Don't you love it!  
 

I've been enjoying the weekend outdoors at Trap Pond: an amazing park for fishing, camping, biking, and  canoeing. I was literally in a little canoe for hours. The area was so beautiful it was unreal! I kept battling between whether I should  help my sister row or whether  I should take pictures. In the end rowing won because my sister snapped at me for making her do all the work  haha!! But lucky for me, before our little fight went down (yes my little sis full-on tried to fight me in the middle of the pond) I had already snapped a substantial amount of gorgeous photos. So, here they are!  

One more thing! As you are enjoying your family time, food and the warm weather fun, do me and your country a favor and take a moment to remember those who died serving in the armed forces, cause that's what Memorial Day is truly about! 

P.S. This time next week I'll be in Nigeria!!!

xoxo - Summer

Good Morning!

Spring break is treating me very well! I've been in Florida relaxing, adventuring, laughing, swimming, playing, and enjoying the very, very, warm weather - I belive all the snow days are behind me now! So yeah, life's been good.

I hope you all are taking time to just relax and flow as well, if not, START NOW! Life's meant to be fun <3 

Video of my Florida adventure COMING SOON!

 

Follow me on instagram @savainfinite 

March Snows

We are now three days away  from  spring, but I don’t think winter is getting the message. Personally, I’ve  just decided to go with  it and  enjoying the day off form school - yet again. Here’s the little photo-shoot me and my sis had on this wintery, and snowy march day. 

 

If you like these, follow me on Instagram @savainfinite
and OH YEAH...Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My Camera Has Arrived!!!

 

It has arrived.  The Canon Rebel  T3i that I had been saving up for, for a very, very long time, is finally in my hands! My pockets are empty - down right depleted, but my creative mind is full and I cant wait to introduce you to the creative genius up in there.

“Photography is the story I fail to put into words.” - Destin Sparks

Simply said,  this camera is going to give me the magic ability to create and express with you in ways beyond words! I currently have hundreds of blog post ideas , and now with my camera the list  includes photography, fashion shoots, videos, and morrrrrre….yep I can’t wait!

Hello 2014 | Day 1 of 365

Happy New Year y'all! 2013 went so quick, but I guess I must face the fact that it's over. 

It was a pretty good year. Turned 16. Learned how to Ski. Got a Car. Spent time in NYC. Started this blog. Met amazing new friends. Found a way to make a difference. It's been good. 

But I have a feeling this year unlike 2013 is a year of intention, and opportunity. A chance to dream up a new future and put out what I want to come in.  Things are going to change, I'm going to change. Just a feeling ya' know.

Truth is we are always changing, the question is how. I think 2014 is going to answer that question in more ways than I have time to explain. 

Here's to the past, future, and day 1 of 356. Have a good one. - Summer 

A Lesson in Flying High

What do you do when someone takes their own life? How do you react when someone who once roamed the same hallways and went through the same day  is no longer there? I didn't know Alexis, but how is it that I was living my life as someone else's life was getting so bad that they went and ended it?

I want to say sorry, I wish so much that I could have been there, I wish I could have held your hand, I wish I could have cried with you through your pain, instead of through your passing.
 
It was all too surreal. Around me people were feeling pain and loss, but I didn't know how to face it. I couldn't feel. I didn't know what to feel. For a couple days I pretended it hadn't happened. But at some point I completely came undone.
 
I learned that the right response isn't to pretend it didn't happen; it is to prevent something like this from happening again. 

A very brave girl I know taught me this. She stood in front of a room full of people and told us Alexis’s story and with strength and courage she told us her own story too. In those five minutes that she spoke she changed me, she made me realize that the kid with the smile isn't  always the happiest. I cried because I wished  I would have known before. Alexis was gone, but the girl who had a similar story was standing before me and changing my life,  and in seeing how far she'd come, I realized that it's never too late.  From now on I'll be there, I'll listen, and I'll hold even the person that appears to be smiling, because you just never know what someone is going through.

If everyone took the time to look beyond themselves and make the life of someone else a little better we could save so many lives.

    Appreciate the people who are in our lives,
    Be there for them not only at their highest points, but also at their lowest times,
    Tell someone who can get them help,
    and Love them even on the days you think they don't deserve it,
    because that day could make all the difference.

These are the lessons I've learned from Alexis.

Loss can sometimes teach us more than life. I've changed and grown through this along with so many others. I would really like to hear what you have to say, share what you’ve learned and  how you’ve changed  by commenting on this post. It's up to each of us as individuals to prevent things like this from happening again.

Thanks and with love, Summer 

October Life

This October I have been on the go non-stop! So, yeah… sorry I haven’t posted in a while! These past few weeks have had me running faster and longer than Forest Gump (!!!), and I’m finally starting to slow down.

This month has been off the charts. I’ve had demands thrown at me from all aspects of my life; school, work, family, and friends. On top of all that, this month was PSAT testing and Homecoming. And I still had to find  time to check my Instagram and watch the latest on Vine (an essential part of the day)!  You must understand I was running on only 5hrs of sleep a night, caffeine was fueling my veins. But I’m sure I was not the only one. This is the average life of a high-schooler, we are the ones that made “the struggle”, “real”. So Moms’ and Dads’ cut us a brake and stop complaining because at least you are bringing back the money after your long day...AM I RIGH!?!?

I’m just glad to say I have  made it through this month alive.  As this October comes to an end, I am kicking it back , eating lots Halloween candy, and just having fun. And here’ s how…

7 Things to do this Halloween Season!

1. Cuddle up in front of a bonfire with the best. (Don't  forget marshmallows)

 @12katelyn1

2. Go to a party and dance like no one is watching

@dizzyizzy1

3. Support your schools football team go full out! (paint your face, make shirts, sit in the crazy part of the stands) 

@kimbaaaa__

4. Make a Halloween costume and trick-or-treat (your never to old)

@helenahjoerringgaard

5. Host a Scary movie marathon!!!

6. Go out and listen to a local band

@xozoeraexo

7. Scream your way through a haunted house (don’t be stupid and drop your phone in there…like I did)

@maddiegriffin101010

…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! XOXO