10 Years in NYC Today

In the nick of time, keeping with my cadence of once-a-month blog posts, and on my 10 year anniversary of NYC, here I am. Writing this blog post. I moved here with two suitcases, arriving via Amtrak, all the way from Texas, via Belize, to pursue that lifelong, five-year self dream, of fashion design. No job - yet - only a place to live.

And guess what, I did it. I completed the fashion design degree, (did get that job and worked full-time while attending school part-time) at the top fashion school, in the States, number two in the world, on scholarships, and graduating with honors. Not sure the pedigree or the prestige of the school matters to me that much anymore, though kind of cool to reflect on maybe. Along with the facts of one of the most grueling, rigorous and beautiful periods of my life. I look back in awe and admiration.

Lately, I've been listening to the song, 'Real Girl' by Mutya Buena. Just found out Lenny Kravitz was one of the song writers. I'm sharing the full lyrics below because it speaks to me in present time and is the song to celebrate 10 years. And before I forget, here I am with my own fashion brand too.

Real Girl

If I had one chance to in my life again

I wouldn't make no changes, now or way back when, yeah

And if everything turns out the way I hope it goes

But I can't wait to find out what it is that God knows

But I don't wanna think about

What's gonna come around for me

I'll just take it day by day

'Cause it's the only way

To be the best that I can be

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

And nothing's ever perfect, there's no guarantee

And if I knew the answers, it would put my mind at ease, no-no

So, I'll just keep on going the way I've gone so far

And maybe I'll end up tryin' to catch a fallin' star, yeah

But I don't wanna think about

What's gonna come around for me

I'll just take it day by day

'Cause it's the only way

To be the best that I can be

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

Maybe this is who I am, don't need you to understand

'Cause everything is right where it should be

And it won't be long 'til you know about me

'Cause I don't give up even when I'm out on love

'Cause everythings just how it should be

And it won't be long 'til you know about me

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else (no)

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

I know exactly who I am