Best of ATL continues tomorrow.

Sigh.

Since the last 'Summer Series: Best of Atlanta' post, my flimsy and non-reasonable excuse is that I was busy working towards the big move to Houston, Texas ( my current location - more on this in a separate post).

Nonetheless, I have an iPhone album full of photos & a cerebrum full of memories that will allow me to document what I knew to be my last few days of living in ATL &  will do so over the course of these last few days in July.

I'll be covering my adventures at:

 Braves Game, Decatur Beach Party, White Water Rafting (not in GA, but sha i will include it lol), Civil & Human Rights Museum, Brunch on N. Highland Ave., First time on the Atlanta Streetcar!, Dance 411, Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art


5 posts till the end of this series (+ the end of July...)

<3

Funmi Oke


Funmi'ism: Learn to find joy in every moment, stage, level in your life, because the next day takes those exact moments away.

Favorite Films.

Hello Friends,
Not yet a fully returned blogger, but I will go ahead and note my favorite movies in general:

Atlantic Station & co. [Best of Atlanta Summer Series I]

source: movoto.com

Eat. Sleep. Work. Play.

Located on the site of the Atlantic Steel Mill (there's a statue commemorating this), Atlantic Station was conceived in the mid-1990's, and then brought to fruition in 2005. Eleven years later, it remains a top "one-stop-shop" (remember the above mantra) neighbourhood for residents and visitors alike.

With it being home to middle-end retail shops such as H&M, Victoria's Secret, etc. and discount retail shops like Target and IKEA, it's not necessarily what one would call a posh or fancy pancy district. Yet, it still maintains a strong rich and clean culture, while still providing services of different kinds, including shopping (grocery and retail). Another prominent service it provides is entertainment. Atlantic Station not only has a movie theatre and a bowling alley, it also has a plethora of eateries and restaurants to choose from for a nice night out.

With that said, I attended an event of theirs which is part of their summer programming - Movies in Central Park.  A free movie night held every Thursday (8:00p), with the lineup of films as listed below:

source: atlanticstation.com

I attended the Finding Nemo (2003) showcase on June 9 (it was only right, as a cartoon lover), and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, beer in hand and red velvet cake in close proximity. The concept altogether of having a movie night is also nice, as it gives people (including, if movie appropriate, kids) a source of entertainment, while at the same time building revenue for the businesses that call Atlantic Station home. 

So we've discussed retail, groceries, and food, and we've discussed entertainment. The final awesome thing about this neighborhood, is the actual neighborhood aspect of this place itself. People can live here as well, and although they are pegged with "Atlantic Station rent", the fact still remains that the services they would need (food, restaurants, gym, entertainment, shopping) are all in walking distance. That is a nice convenience. 

The Atlantic Station is simply the best because of its cultivation of community. 

Hidden gem: 

Today's hidden gem is the Millennium Gate Museum, located adjacent to the Atlantic Station. When I first saw this monument and museum in 2014, I really did not think anything of it. But since having come back from Europe, I have a newfound appreciation for it. This museum, conceived and brought forth between 2005 and 2008, is home to various exhibits with 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st century Georgia art on display. There is also an interactive exhibit component that tells Georgia's story. I was not chanced to go inside, as the museum was closed by the time I arrived (admission details below), but it is definitely on my list of places to actually tour. I can say for sure though, that just a walk around the monument is enough of a breathtaking task, especially if you are as interested in European style architecture as I am. According to the website, the main point of this place altogether is to "highlight Georgia's historical and aesthetic relevance to the United States and to the world". 

 Another gem that is located behind the monument/museum is a park called 'The Commons", which also contains a lake and bridge. 

It is altogether a beautiful area which reminded me of a garden in Paris, France + the canal in  Birmingham, England. 

Nostalgia x Parisian Princess.  

Admission

General $12

Senior, Student, Military: $10

Hours

Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday closed

Midtown (as this district comprising Atlantic Station, the Gate, et al. is called) is just a magical place in its entirety, as it is a haven for many 9-5'ers (I gather from many of my friends' Snapchat stories that Midtown is the place to be for work, haha). There might be more exploration done on these ends, there might not. But for now, revel in the awesome gems that this area of Atlanta is fortunate enough to call a few of its very own. 

Yeen Know? 

Midtown is the second largest business district in the city of Atlanta, with Downtown Atlanta being the first.  (source: wikipedia.com)

For more information, visit: 

www.atlanticstation.com

www.thegatemuseum.org

Next up: We're going into the metropolitan area of Atlanta, starting with Decatur, Georgia! 

Bola x 

Atlanta Beltline [Best of Atlanta Summer Series I]

The Atlanta Beltline. 

I feel like I have been banging this place out (really talking about it) to anyone that cares since the time I found out about it. I first peeped it at the beginning of April, when my brother, his girlfriend, my childhood friend Maria, and myself went for ice-cream at Jake's Ice-cream on Irwin St. in Atlanta. I was really fascinated by the path right next to the ice-cream shop that led to God knows where - I would eventually find out where it led, but at that point, fascination just overwhelmed me! OK, right... it's just a path. This path though, was really intriguing for the mere fact that all active lifestyle lovers alike were out on that Sunday afternoon, traversing the path. All colors, all kinds of groups, all ages, in really cool activewear and accessories (bikes, skateboards, shoes). It was a nice and harmonious sight for those that feign after aesthetics, like myself. <---- also, being that I had just returned from being out of the country, it was even the more fascinating to me to see something "new" about the Atlanta I had left behind.
(I would later find out that it's not so new...it's been in existence since 2005, but I guess I am just the one that is more adult & residential enough to know about it now, haha)


So what is this Atlanta Beltline that you speak of, funms?

 According to a National Public Radio special, it was a project conceived by a Georgia Tech Masters student (Ryan Gravel, you deserve an honourable mention) via his 1999 thesis.

 I think those were the key bits I took from that special. So naturally, I did a bit more of an in-depth investigation:

It's a 22-mile multi-use trail that connects parks, communities, and green-space. It is meant as an alternative to other modes of transportation, and was once a railway corridor around the core of Atlanta, GA. It is also home to artwork that literally enhances ones Beltline experience, no matter your intended purpose of use.

The plans for this Beltline are greater than what it is now, even though I am personally of the opinion that it's already beyond stellar: there are plans for expansion, plans to design a streetcar alongside it, and plans for the redevelopment of a lot of acres of land. It is safe to say that communities are being transformed by this single undertaking.


It's also underpinned by a lot of big non-profits, stakeholders, and movers and shakers of Atlanta -- I mean, $18 million in funding in 2013? It is in good hands, no need to check with Allstate. haha.

Now, on to my experience!

I have been chanced to grace the Beltline on four different occasions. The first time being with my friend Shade (the 'Best of Atlanta' photo from the first post of this series can be found along the Beltline).


The second time with a friend when we got Jake's Ice-cream and walked and talked along the path, ice-cream in hand. The Ponce City Market is conveniently located along the Beltline as well, so we made a stop and got some food there (separate blog post on the Markets of Atlanta, soon come).  The person I was with really enjoyed his Beltline experience (icecream, walk, food at PCM, et al.), since he couldn't stop talking about it thereafter, haha.


The third time, (yesterday the second of June) with me, my bike, and my iPhone 5. It was a dope experience. I looked like a hipster Atlanta chick, and my bike was cute and vintage. So I was aesthetically fulfilled. I literally biked along the whole path, and then some, seeing how I biked through Piedmont Park as well (Yes, one of the ends of the Beltline  is the beginning of Piedmont Park)


Oh and a fourth time today, June 8: I had to drop something off near the Freedom Park area, so I made a stop by the Jimmy Carter Library - only to realize that the Beltline is a neighbor to this area. Inman Park to be more specific. I parked my car on the street near Freedom Park, and as I was walking to the "Welcome to Inman Park" sign, I saw a path that looked quite similar to that of  the Beltline's...come to find out, that it was!



My experience? Nothing but a good, peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing time on these four different occasions. As one can see, the Beltline is multi-faceted and caters to a plethora of needs, be it food, athletics, date night, family day/night, and what ever else might bring you a bit closer to happiness, relaxation, peace of mind.



I look forward to visiting the Beltline again, whether it is for hanging with friends, exercising on it, or simply running in to it (literally haha)!

The Beltline is simply the best because of its connectivity, academic progenation, and art.


For more information, visit www.beltline.org

Beltline entrance via Piedmont Park area 

Jake's Icecream is Beltline entrance point via Irwin St. 

Old Fourth Ward Park.

 
                                   
                  

The blogger pose had to happen. Just had to.

     

                                             

Food on the Beltline. 

Hidden gem: King of Pops. Even though I am not a popsicle person, I cannot help but admire this company for its ubiquitous nature via its Pop Stands around Atlanta, this shop along the Beltline, and its contribution towards keeping Atlanta active. They sponsor FREE Yoga from 7:30 -8:30 on Tuesdays at the Old Fourth Ward Park! Stop by King of Pops - Address here

next up on the blog: Atlantic Station. 

Bola x 

Yeen Know?: Atlanta was founded entirely to meet the needs of railroads, being the first American city to be located at a place that was not significant of water navigation circa 1837.
(source: u-s-history.com)

Happiness.

Get excited! Best of Atlanta blog series continues tomorrow! New post up at 6 pm! 

& it's about the Atlanta Beltline! 

For now, let's do a bit of talking, about happiness. I was not in best spirits from the time which I woke up till about 3:30 - 4pm today (when I actually finished cleaning my room). I mean I was in a  deep funk, for reasons unbeknownst to me. It is a part of what ladies go through I guess, when it is that time of the month. In addition to that, I had strong feelings of not being good enough or not living up to my full potential when it comes to my endeavours and the things which I lay my hands on. To be quite honest and transparent, I think we all feel that way at times. As human beings that have a brain, we are always prone to comparing ourselves to our neighbors, friends, and nowadays, that next picture that pops up on your Instagram/snapchat/facebook feed. Sigh, the feeds. The feeds can feed you with really unwanted feelings  if you do not put those feelings in check. Now that the funk is over though **sings* the storm is over noowww*, I think it is quite appropriate to make a list of the things that make me happy. I encourage you to do the same, as it is a possible remedy, a medicine, a pill for when the feels comes from the feeds or whatever source.


Here are a few of the things that  make me happy:

Cupcakes

via GIPHY

Christianity 

via GIPHY

Afrobeats

via GIPHY

Laughter

via GIPHY

Beauty & Wellness

via GIPHY




Like I said, these are just a few! If you're interested in knowing more, feel free to check out my post from the final quarter of 2015, here.


I encourage you all to actually make a note of the things that make you happy as well, fervently rushing towards those things when the funk hits the fan, literally.


Also, i'm not necessarily a pusher of "do what makes you happy"  because that really gives room for doing almost anything, like physically attacking someone that crossed you over, just because it would make you "happy".....



......But all things considered, really guard your happiness. You have control over it. No one else. Nothing else.


Bola x

Summer Series I: The Best of Atlanta

*sings* "ATL Georgia, what can we do fo' ya?" 

Generic aesthetically pleasing shot courtesy of TripAdvisor

Atlanta, GA 

aka. Hotlanta. home of the Braves. The Varsity. Georgia peaches. Airport city. Black metropolis. Real Housewives. Good ol' Southern hospitality. Dirty bird. Grady Baby. millennial progressivism. Gentrification. Martin Luther King. (Baptist) church haven. Ethnic group pockets. Trap music. Music Music Music. Hispter hopping. CNN. 1996 Olympic nostalgia. Family Friendly question mark. Educated & Professional Primal. Chick-fil-A. Auburn Avenue. Falcons. Hawks. Traffic. Jimmy Carter 

& The list goes on.....

But do you really know Atlanta? 

Journey with me as I explore the "Best of Atlanta" and its outliers. 

It's going to be fun. 

Here's what I have on my list so far: 

Atlanta Beltline &  Ponce City Market & Krogg St. Market 

High Museum of Art 

Atlantic Station 

The Parks of Atlanta --- Piedmont, Freedom, etc. 

Top Golf

Decatur Edition: Candler Rd. (my ends)  & Decatur Beach Party 

Stone Mountain Edition: Stone Mountain Park 

Athens Edition: AthFest

Civil & Human Rights Museum 

Coca-Cola World 

Georgia Aquarium 
Underground Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park 

N. Highland Avenue 

Fox Theatre 

Little 5 points & Edgewood Plaza - personal fav. 

The Universities - Georgia State, Emory, Georgia Tech

Auburn Avenue 

As one can see, these are the blatantly obvious attractions of Atlanta, with some anomalies/special events here and there. 

My goal, though, is to find some hidden gems within or around these locations/at these special events. Of course, food places would be the most easy hidden gems to discuss in the posts, but  I look forward to sharing art as well.


The first post regarding the Atlanta Beltline is my most favorite. With it being the pioneer post, I will be pouring my heart and soul & putting my best creativity into it. All the other posts can fall by the wayside (I'm only joking.) 

                   Seriously though, the Atlanta Beltline is my favorite attraction so far. 

Stay tuned to see why....

Bola x

P.S - Suggestions, comments, "I want to join in!"'s are welcome. Just hit my line or comment below.

Yeen Know?*

Atlanta is actually the state of Georgia's 5th capital. Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, and Milledgeville once held the titles. 

*Yeen Know - Black argot for "You Didn't Know?". I will be using this phrase for my "did you know"'s, just to stay true to the 'atlanta' I know :) 

Summer 2016 Installment: the Best of Atlanta

*Coming June 1, 2016*


I am counting down the days until I leave Atlanta, GA!




To commemorate this departure, I was inspired to spend my final 30 days (or so) exploring what will always be 'my hometown', and then some. I say 'and then some' to encapsulate the extended exploration that will go on here and there, to include metro Atlanta and beyond that undefinable shape that one knows to be metro Atlanta.

I am grateful for the source(s) of my inspiration for this mini-project:

1) The picture I took in front of a "Best of Atlanta" graffiti art along the Atlanta Beltline
                      (a separate blogpost feature soon come of course)


2.) My girl Shade's firm admonition to "stay busy".



I am really excited about this project, as it allows for an avenue for me to resurrect my blogging proclivities and expend my creative energies, naturally. I look forward to exploring my city with you all. It's just me, my mental capacities, and my iPhone 5 lens on these excursions.
(A few guests may pop up here and there!).


Here's the lineup thus far (in no particular order): High Museum of Art. Wednesday Yoga Nights at Atlantic Station. AthFest. Decatur Beach Party. Decatur Music Festival. North Highland Avenue. Centennial Olympic Park. Candler Rd. (my ends). Stone Mountain Park. Ponce City Market. Little 5 Points - Edgewood. Fox Theatre (maybe). Civil and Human Rights Museum. 2016 Coca Cola Summer Film Festival: Breakfast at Tiffany's (55th Anniversary). Ike's Cafe & Grill. der Biergarten, Krogg St. Market.....and the list goes on....


Whatever the case is, it's going to be a fun month of June.

Get excited, make recommendations, and journey with me...in the words of the most prominent sage I  know:

Iz you with me or what - Drake.


Oh & the template for the blogs/content generation are its inchoate stages, so stay buckled up with me!

-Funmi B.

Tricky Transitions.

So I've been sick from about 6 hours in to my landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. Travel bug, I guess. This illness has only made transition back into America a bit worse. All the same, I am still happy to be home and am remaining positive that greater and better is on my horizon. My present circumstances may not tell that story, but I have to consciously overlook such to keep going.
I am blessed to have what I have and to not have what I don't have, and I know God's path for me is never the wrong path.

I hope to see all of my loved ones sooner or later, but for now.... I am in full recovery mode.




Besos.

For my People.

Happy Bola'ntines day!

#selflove #kanyetaughtme 

(this is the last time I'll be using hashtag on this blog)

I hope everyone that celebrates this day is enjoying it to the fullest, as neglecting to do so because of a one-sided/narrow-minded approach  towards  this day 1) hinders your happiness 2) causes you to lose sight of the people that love you. Love you & yours fam. Love you & yours. 

Now that all that mushy stuff is out of the way, (as if Funmi, queen of mushy, won't be peddling more emotional sentiment as this  blog goes along), let's get to the main gist. 

For my People. 

This year, or to put it better, to mark the new year, one of the many mantras that I adopted is "It's bigger than me." This means, everything I do - from the big engagements to the small projects and tasks - make some kind of big impact, bigger than I would have simplemindedly thought at that given point in time. To be honest, this quote underpins every single action of mine, & it comes at a point after which I alloted a year of self-love (my year away), with aim to by his grace selflessly thereafter "give myself" to the world. On that note, I very much approach all of my projects, tasks, and even self-improvement engagements with this attitude of it not necessarily being for me, but for the benefit of others. For example, I have made it a point to be working out consistently as I am studying, as I do have personal projects that, when they come into full effect, I hope will be of full benefit to the world (read: my small communities).

This phrase also describes my personal goal at the moment of (re)building relationships with others. Seeing my personality and my love language, its a bit disconcerting to see the current state of my friendship box & how I'm failing at this personal goal. & a bit confusing at the same time. It is as if I spent the past year trying to work on myself so much so that I would be confident enough to cultivate the most healthy relationships - I am firm believer in having a sound sense of self that guards against one-sided/half ass/ shallow relationships. I lacked that in my high school and college years, and I did not want to wilfully enter into the next stage/step without gaining this...so thankfully, this Masters program was my saving grace, my Nutribullet, my sharp shooting shooter -- that allowed for a full restoration of confidence & so much more.....but my goodness. to see how much I am still not engaging, is weird. Maybe I forgot to consider the fact that people were going also grow up and be just as "busy" as me. Swear, half the time, maybe we are all sitting down (in our free times) and staring at our social networks waiting for each other to actually contact each other. Waiting for each other to make the first move. The negatives  of the widespread nature of contemporary social media, I guess. This would actually be an interesting research to conduct, but the way my feelings toward academia and research are set up at the moment, I'm the last person to even want to spearhead such a study.

Anyway, just know that everything I am doing here and beyond, is for my people.


You all know who you are. I hope I do too.





Funmi 

Besos.

I've missed you so much!

Ah, I actually cannot believe I have been away for 39 days!
By golly.


Well, Now that I think about it, it was a purposeful exit.

Cos "Bit** I'm back. By Popular Demand"


To catch you up:

-I have a slight potty mouth now.
-I stopped believing in God for about a week or two. I've since returned to my foundational roots, Jesus.
- I went to PARIS!
- I am in love with the color pink.
- My british accent skills are second to none.
- My emotions are literally on roller coaster mode; jumping from excited, to depressed, to paranoid about my future.
- August 8 2020 (Saturday) heart eyes.  - insider.
- On Monday, I wanted to be Beyonce (performer/dancer), Tuesday a fashion designer/stylist, Wednesday morning a blogger/vlogger/writer & evening an academic/lawyer.  Just to show you how straight I am on knowing what I want to be in life.
- I turned 24 & it was one of the more happy birthday's that I've had in a while. Besos.  *Beyonce voice*

-Jhene Aiko has been on repeat *Sail Out mixtape* Whoo.

What else?

-I've been playing around with the phrase "anubi" - could be a blog title? a label  title? Hmmm.
-Kanye's confidence is contagious.
-Samantha Power is my current role model. That may change within the next day or month or year...hmm.
-Chicago's been on my mind lately. My heart is tugging to live there like crazy, so I have been strategically applying for jobs there....& if all else fails....you already know *wink*
 -I've been working out! & improving (well, trying to) my skin health!
-I no longer put culture on the pedestal that I used to put it on. Nigeria/Nigerian music specifically. So I am very much mentally prepared to return to America & become its b*tch temporarily. Take all of me, 'Murica. This destruction has been a long time coming. Finally!!

What to look forward to: Creative expression through dance, fashion, and visual media. Academic advancement. Consistent updating of the blog (of course) & a new more tailored to the public blog on the way!


Funmi.

Peace.

Today was the second day of the new year, and it was amazing. I feel blessed. For so many reasons, in so many ways, and by so many people. This multi-faceted feeling parallels the title of today's blog in the sense that  not only is it referring to a special young girl in my life, but it also reflects my current state of emotions. I am grateful to finally be at peace, after what seemed to be one of the most turbulent periods of my life in so many different ways. But hey, gold has to be put through fire to become what it is, right?


It started off beautiful...by the way- today's blog is literally another one of those recaps of my day posts, with no specific topic of discussion, but I will incorporate some though provokers as the post goes on, so be on the look out.


So it started off with doing 150 squats with ease ( Grace only did 50) while listening to 'Bed Peace'. How did I end up doing a workout routine to such an "emotional" song, as it were? Well,  Peace, my young darling cousin, before I was about to commence workouts, said "I'm staying in bed all day". Then I said "Oh, you're at bed peace (pun intended), like the song....have you heard the song before?" & the rest was Jhene Aiko downhill.....literally, because even after I finished the squats, we had a mini - jam session to Jhene Aiko's other songs (Spotless Mind, was a particular favourite). So it seemed as if the day would continue on this "peace-y, Soulful" high, and so it did.......



....as watching Pocahontas later in the evening reinforced the mindset that I have had all my life, which I actually thought I recently adopted. Just like Pocahontas, I too have aspirations, a mindset, a  lifestyle that goes further and deeper than the traditional or the common. The easy is not our forte. Her easy was to get married to the guy she was betrothed to. Yet, she was more at peace, was herself when she explored. When she found new worlds, expanded her territories, fed her mind, exercised her god-given femininity and just all-around person. It may just so be the case, that Pocahontas character has subliminally underpinned my mindset, outlook on life, because literally everything about her actions in the film reflects my own personal life outlook. I actually even forgot how much of a big part of my childhood the film  was, and also how much value I placed on the female character herself. She has been my role model, all this time & I did not even realise it.

In sum,  I am blessed to have peace & pocahontas. 

Happy 2nd of January. 

Spotless Mind x Jhene Aiko 

The year of the Baby Girl.

Happy New Year! | 2016.

Thank you Lord, for the fact that I am able to be counted among the living. As I always say, I love the new year, as it gives me an excuse to make changes. Yet, something that was profoundly and distinctively different about this crossover experience, was that there was literally nothing that I felt I needed to dramatically change about myself. Usually, I approach/enter into every crossover with the mindset of "new year, new me", but this year, I can finally say that one of the most important things that I normally pray and hope to improve in every single start of the year ( confidence) - I have a fairly good grasp of it... good enough to the point of not obsessing over it at the point of this crossover. In fact, I vividly remember that around 7:30 pm GMT, as my uncle was driving me over to London, I was so excited to crossover into the new year. These are all feelings that I normally do not have, but I am grateful to Him for having felt the way I felt. God is good - & I cannot help but attribute my feelings to the  all too important year out that I took. I thank God for discipline, for his mercy, and for his direction.


I look forward to the developments of this year, and as the first day of this year ends, I will allow you all, readers, a sneak peek into my thoughts concerning this year. Here's my approach, as it aligns with God's execution:


If you are familiar with the all too common quote - "Work Hard, Play Hard", then you understand what it means as well. I spent the past year working hard. Working hard to counter all of the negative things that had been a part of my life for so long - unnecessary and disgusting low self-esteem, low self-worth - all that which affected my academics, relationships, and so much more. All glory be to God, that mountain in my life has been demolished, destroyed, overcome, defeated, subdued. So now it is time to "play". This is where my "the year of the baby girl" mindset comes from. I deserve to "baby girl" it to the fullest this year. Wear makeup a little more. Doll up a bit more. Flirt a bit more. Smile and charm it up a bit more. Dance a bit more. Relax a lot more - not in every aspect of my life of course, but rather where it matters most.


2016.
Prioritize.
Pray.
Peace.
Positivity.
Happiness.
Appreciation.
Praise.
Plan.
Pray.
Play.

...Everything that I (mistakenly) told myself that I couldn't have.

Be kind to yourself.


Psalm 119:57-64




BolaxOke.