iLive.

ChiTown Raised but Harlem is where I spend my days..Proud child of God versatile in my ways

[dejailivesymone]

10 years later I still love this sport😍 #brookstaughtme #collegemademegreat #coachingchangedmylife

[dejailivesymone]

It's destiny that we should link up like this😘

[dejailivesymone]

Last nights meal into this mornings breakfast salmon spinach and egg white scramble! And since I'm always hungry after church got a wrap waiting! #chefPaulaDeja

[dejailivesymone]

Know any GREAT women doing even creating things in their lives..communities or businesses!? Well here is your opportunity to shout her out..tell us about the amazing people you have encountered! @ipledge2 wants you to take #thechallenge #ipledge2

[dejailivesymone]

If u dare come a little closer 😌💭

[dejailivesymone]

#ipledge2 DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING..as young women we often find ourselves following trends instead of doing what we love.. @reginator @daconeyhomie share the love of dance and were my motivation behind this piece! Find others who share your passion and motivation! follow @ipledge2 and tell us what u pledge2 do!!! Link in the bio check out the whole video☺️✌️

[dejailivesymone]

Ladies where have you been..where are you going..how will you get there!? Follow @ipledge2 #ipledge2

[dejailivesymone]

I'm saying 🙌 too many times people tend to hold on to what WAS instead of addressing the PRESENT..once the glitz and glam have gone you see who you are really dealing with #believethem #trusturinstincts #loveyouself #foodforthought

[dejailivesymone]

Stop worrying about how the world perceives you and work on what you see when you look in the mirror..holistically are you #healthy #happy #loving #giving #beautiful #makingadifference if you answered no to any of these "Get yo life!" #whatdoyousee

[dejailivesymone]

😌☝️

[dejailivesymone]

AM workout with the roommate  I have a great support system #progress #getfit

(Above) My IG post (Below) What I'm really thinking!

Get Fit or Die Trying (for my 50cent fans)

Moving to New York was something like a culture shock for me. Needless to say within the first week I had more than one quarter life crisis. Where are the mailboxes? What do you I can't park here? What is a bodega!? I have to pay how much for laundry? The list goes on, I found myself quaking in a corner of my apartment (not really, but you get the picture). 

In Chicago im drove everywhere, seriously everywhere! The four blocks to Walgreens or McDonalds were spent in my vehicle bumping approximately 2 minutes of the great BEYONCE! The gym was 10 minutes from my house, thus I went twice a month and food was ever so plentiful (I passed the gym to get to my favorite food joints). 

Now here I am this little plump girl in this big city, where driving is unheard of and people actually take the SUBWAY! So after numerous muted attempts at living my Chicago lifestyle in New York City I decided to acclimate. 

Now this was no easy transition..I had to walk EVERYWHERE..such a daunting task. But then something started to happen, my energy levels began to skyrocket and I found myself wanting to cook meals rather than run to the nearest Wendys. After a couple of months I joined the local gym and got a personal trainer. I can honestly say I am the most fit I have ever been as well as the lightest. 

This is an ongoing process, but I can honestly say Im glad I finally put down the fries for a protein shake!

And for those of you who don't know urbandictonary.com defines bodega: A hispanic/spanish/latin mini-mart. Commonly used term on the east coast, especially in the New York City region, where you will find many of these. The word came from the actual spanish word for "grocery store" - la bodega.

[dejailivesymone]

#iPledge2 soft launch COMING SOON! This brand is making strides to a better future for young women across the country. Look for our spotlight and launch in the New Year. Hope you enjoy this teaser by yours truly!

[dejailivesymone]

A rose is still a ruh-hose baby gul you’re still a flowahhhh! Little things that count ☺️😍 #nightonthetown #cantreallyseeoutthoseglasses

(Above) my IG post (Below) what I'm really thinking!

Chivalry is not dead!

In the quest to define ones youth. Many aspire to be less than savory characters. Money seems to drive my generation! With that comes a lack of regard for individuals. Respect, Chivalry and Common Courtesy are at a constant battle with Urgency, Lust and Crude References.

Take pride in yourself and the image you produce to the world! "Success does not come without humility and respect!" -Rev Deja

[dejailivesymone]

This could be forever☺️ #friday  #curls #naturalhair

(above) my IG post...(Below) what I'm really thinking 

Natural.

Talk about being put into a box. Thats definitely what I though when I started this journey over a year ago. There is such a conundrum when it comes to "going natural." People assume you live a certain life style, constantly ask questions about your hair "can I touch it" or "is that a wig!?" So in order to counteract this sheer attack at my integrity, I did what any twenty-some woman would do..I GOT A WEAVE!

Yes, I have been rocking a weave since the reign of Clinton. No one was going to see what I had under those wigs, braids, or super crazy dye jobs. No one was going to see ME. My boyfriend would sleep over. Now most girls take off the make-up, wrap their hair and put on some form of pajamas..NOT ME! Those rituals did not belong to me..he would never see ME.

A month ago I found myself in a bind it was time to drop another 300+ on my beauty regime. So I took to IG to look at who I wanted to resemble for the next couple months. But what I found was most disturbing, in the quest to look different everyone looked the same! So at that moment I made the conscious decision to take off the false nails and hair and give ME a try. Great decision right...WRONG!

Instead of me finding ME I took to youtube to figure out what natural hair sista I would look like! And oh did I find it, mynaturalsistas amongst others was my new obsession! So that 300+ that was spent on my previous hair routine was now spent on products to slather onto my now damaged locks. 

Still feeling unsure of my new venture I found myself overwhelmed. My quarter annual mid-life crisis began. My hair is nappy! Im STILL not using my degree! Where did these bills come from? and the most revealing of all...Who's going to love me?

So my bills are still here, Im working the same job (meh) and thankfully my hair is still nappy! I couldn't change those things but what I could change was my image of ME. So instead of taking to the internet I took to ME time. I defined myself to myself, I built a routine for ME, I talked to God, I revamped my health, I took on projects, I opened my heart and most importantly I opened my mind...and I found ME

Just in time because mynaturalsistas put up a awesome video highlighting loving your OWN hair because we are not all the same, couldn't be better timing! 

I am a work in progress but I am proud to say that I have finally gotten in tune with ME. 

[dejailivesymone]

Who knew there are other things to do besides club on a Friday night😮 But seriously challenge yourself to live outside the box..when everyone’s going left go right..the uplift in this room was everything☺️ #amazingtalent #brooklyn #openmic #sobernights #productivemornings #dontknockit #tillyoutryit

[dejailivesymone]

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.

Orison Swett Marden

[dejailivesymone]

iLive

This morning I woke up with a story to tell and a song in my heart. I realize that I have always tried to capture the sheer joy in my heart in photos but iLive in a more colorful space!

iLive in a space that has nourished every morsel of my being. I find myself "ear hustling" when I'm on the subway, hearing tales of far away lands (like Brooklyn). I find myself observing the natural mating habits of the wild boar also know as the adolescents I see intertwined in central park. iLive in a space so infinite, so undefined yet so limited by a lack of oration. 

A comment stuck out to me last night "Deja I didn't know you were in to that." My trailing thought being HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW!

"How could you not know I love to cook, but would never admit it. How could you not know that this black girl from the south side of Chicago finds beauty nature. That I walk down the street bumpin Jill Scott in my headphones with dance moves so candecent I could tell my story in motion.  How could you not know I speak with the vivaciousness of a thousand strong black women, I smile because I've looked adversity in the eyes, because I see the pain in others and mourned, because when I see a problem I want to be the solution. And how could you not know I written creative pieces for as long as I can remember, but have yet to share them with the world..."

Last night and everyday for that matter iLive a life that is so pure in nature, yet shaken by standards. I give because I know what it like to have nothing, I love because I know what it feels to be discarded, I pray because God knows all of me. 

So here is my journey to show you the life i've lived and life as it is to me. iLive