The Opinionated Introvert

might as well own it.

[jeslyndem]

Rename? After I learn how to use this thing?

Am I the only one who thinks for a split second when opening a dumpster that they might catch a glimpse of a dead body or worse that someone will come flying out?

I’ve watched too many scary movies I think.

This may be the start of a new series.

[bidoctor]

#literally me

[jeslyndem]

Same

[peetababy]

look, I’m not saying that not liking Taylor Swift revokes your right to call yourself a feminist. 

but I am saying that most of the reasons people are shitting on her comes from deeply internalized misogyny, no matter how much they deny this.

If you hate TS’s new song because you think she’s

a. crying for attention

b. being immature

c. being too petty / needs to “get over” kimye / katy perry / whatever 

then please, ask yourself why no one ever, ever, ever shits on male musicians for writing songs that not only shit on other artists, but even call them out by their name. Like, Drake vs. Meek Mill or Eminem vs. well, you name it. People go crazy over that shit. These male artists are seen as bad ass and savage for doing something that YOU’RE ALL SHITTING ON TAYLOR SWIFT FOR DOING. 

Not to mention, no one ever shit on Kanye for demeaning Taylor in his song, “Famous,” SEVEN years after the vma award show “incident.” He was still going on about it, and no one told him to “move past it.” Why? You know why. Because men can respond to their own experiences in whatever way they want to. And according to you guys, women can only respond to their own experiences in one acceptable way. AKA not being “petty,” and just shutting the fuck up. Because like, who wants to hear women talk anyways? lets leave that for the men, right? 

Please check your internalized misogyny at the door and allow Taylor Swift to respond to her own experiences in whatever way she wants, because you all allow men that exact same luxury without endlessly shitting on them. 

[jeslyndem]

👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌

[jeslyndem]

This girl right here, we may as well have been born sisters. It still boggles my mind how different we are while at the same time being so alike, it doesn't seem possible. We've had our ups and downs over these last 21+ years, but have remained best good friends no matter what. She is my ride or die, my person I can be my worst most annoying self with, who tells me like it is but also lets me vent without making me feel like shit, and I only hope I am the same for her. The older I've gotten and the further away I've moved, the more I've come to realize how rare friendships like ours are. So I feel super fortunate to still have the same childhood friends with me in adulthood. Today and every day I celebrate her and our special wavelength we've had from day one. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BGF! 👯💜 @kthomas519 #bestfriendgoals #aintshepurdy

[jeslyndem]

SOLIDARITY SISTERS. Feeling so fortunate to work for an amazing, supportive company where I don't feel the need to strike to know they value & empower me. I realize this is an extreme privilege though, so I am humbled and honored to wear red to show my support to those who aren't as lucky as me. I'm with you, all women everywhere, today & every day. ❤✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿💋 #internationalwomensday #riseup #speakout

[jeslyndem]

first time for everything...

a while back a friend of mine, after hearing the umpteenth story about my crazy chaotic life, told me i should write a book about it. some time later another friend told me my life story would make a good book. cool, right? no. try daunting. i definitely think i’ve been through some stuff, but hasn’t everyone? i’ve only ever journaled in my life, which no one has ever read nor would they want to. i’ve never even blogged! i guess i just always thought, who would read it if i did? who would care? my friends seem to think people would read and they would care, so i suppose i’ll have to let y’all tell me. in the spirit of crawling before i walk, here goes my first blog post (on a blog i’ve actually had for a while but have severely neglected for the same reasons). 

i wanna talk about my first ever international flight & vacation coming up! yes, i’m 32 (almost 33 - June 18th - don’t forget!) and i’ve never had a passport. i grew up the youngest of 8 kids in a (lower?) middle class family who road tripped like the grizwolds and could definitely not afford international travel for 10, even by car. 

as an adult, well, i really don’t have an excuse other than i just didn’t make travel a priority. i love music and movies and clothes and shoes and just shopping in general. i’m a spender, not a saver. i’m a serial plan maker then breaker. i am not all that goal oriented and i rarely follow through with things outside of my work. i struggled to stay independent for a long time, going roommate to roommate and living paycheck to paycheck. once i made enough to afford my own place i threw all my money into decorating it, making it a home. i still get compliments on how homey my place is and being the interior design lover i am, that makes me beam with pride. 

don’t get me wrong, i have traveled all over the US. some for work which some would say is lucky but i’d say hey i worked my ass off to get where i am so shut it. some on my own. most took place after i moved myself across the country and out of my comfortable bubble, which is a topic for another post. i finally did cross the border last year, but i’m not counting it because it was for work and we drove so i didn’t need a passport and i didn’t stay long. so when my brother and sister in law let the family know they were going back to Jamaica for their ten year anniversary and they were inviting all friends and family who wanted to join, i knew i had to finally follow through on getting my passport and making that trip. i missed out on their wedding due to my procrastination and i wasn’t going to let that happen again. granted, some small part of me still thought i’d let the year and a half go by without taking any action...again.

not the case. i finally got my passport last month and i booked my hotel a few weeks later. all that’s left is to book my flight and i’m out! i am SO beyond ecstatic to finally see tropical waters, y’all! to cliff dive and snorkel and get to know as much about jamaican culture as i can in six days. it’s going to be amazing and now i gotta get my fat ass to the gym to prepare! stay tuned for pics of that adventure come late April.

if you got this far, thanks for reading! i’m eager to keep this going and talk about all the things i love, some things i loathe, and all the randomness my brain has to offer in between.

[jeslyndem]

A proper Irish shepherds pie & the tastiest [soda?] bread I've ever had. Thank you, @fadoseattle 🍀 #seattleeats #foodie #localtourist (at Fadó Irish Pub Seattle)

[jeslyndem]

This library is a dream for readers, students, and researchers alike. It was so full of people yet so quiet, which shows the respect patrons have for each other and for the art of the written word. Admittedly, I don't read enough nor do I frequent libraries, but this architecture drew me in to where the interior design & innovation blew me away. A must see for not only visitors but locals too. ▫️ ▫️ ▫️ #latergram #touristingaroundmycity #seattlepubliclibrary #readingrainbow #architecture #interiordesign #bookstagram (at The Seattle Public Library)

[jeslyndem]

Beautiful day for a waterfall. #latergram #pnwonderland #thegreatoutdoors @meeshmiish (at Snoqualmie Falls)

[jeslyndem]

These boots got us pretty far today. Today was a good day ☀️ 📸: @meeshmiish (at Snoqualmie Falls)

[jeslyndem]

It's official! FINALLY. #firstpassport #betterlatethannever #jamaicabound #awholenewworld

[jeslyndem]

Polaroids are fun! So are friends 👯 #hazelsdirtythirty #frands #polaroid @hazelhayworth @im_elliez

[jeslyndem]

Oh, to be five again... #tbt #hairgamestrong #since89

[jeslyndem]

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Even though this is the cutest thing almost ever, I will be ecstatic if we could say goodbye to the whip & nae nae in 2016 ✌🏼️ @notmywholename

[jeslyndem]

Who needs sugarplums when you got pizza and donuts? #mondaywisdom

[jeslyndem]

Snug as a Dug in a big human bed

[jeslyndem]

Momma holds me down 👫🛡💯 #protector #rescued @missjdem