honághááhnii happenings

Diné Nation Attempting to blog instagram: @navajofellow

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Well hello 2015! The year of 2014 definitely flew by like no other! When I was young I never understood why people would say, "How time flies!" And now I know. 2014 was definitely a year that stood out from all others:

1. I graduated with my undergraduate degree.

2. I obtained a man bun.

3. I got a job (an internship rather, but hey its a paid internship, so a job)

4. I took the grueling 5 hour MCAT.

5. I wore my hair in a tseyeeł a couple times. (Traditional Diné hair bun)

6. I prepared Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

7. I explored NYC for a week by myself.

8. I drank an Old Fashioned.

9. I took hot yoga classes.

10. I ran in 2 of my bucket list runs--the Narbona Pass 10K (a treacherous hill climb) and the Canyon de Chelly approx. 10K (a run through the extremely sandy and calf-killing canyon).

11. Went to the mother of all Navajo fairs, the Shiprock Fair in northern New Mexico.

These are just a few of the many items that stood out in 2014. Some big, some small. And now it is onto 2015. As with any new year, I want to do more, explore more, learn more, create more & experience more. And what better way to keep myself accountable for going out and obtaining these then by keeping a blog/journal and writing about and trying to photograph the happenings.

And so here by starts my, I'm sure, ever-changing list of things to do this year.

1. Go to Coachella.

2. Get a haircut (Which is going to take a lot of courage because this is the longest my hair has ever been. I don't think I'll ever be ready to cut it, but I know it needs to happen).

3. Visit the building Casey Neistat works in.

4. Road trip up the west coast with my mom and brother.

5. Run a marathon.

6. Create a piece of jewelry with the guidance of my grandpa.

7. Attempt to take violin lessons.

8. Cook a new dish at least twice a month (I really want to cook Indian and Korean food).

9. Buy a passport.

10. Do a triathlon.

11. Visit the MoMA, the Met & New York Public Library.

12. Work towards a handstand (I worked on that this past summer but stopped practicing)

13. Find a place to volunteer.

..and so on and so on...

I'll be sure to post new additions as I think of them!

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Some of my other favorite 2014 photos.

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It's 2015! And this is my favorite 2014 Instagram post.

The photo was taken in the small Navajo community of Naschitti which is located about 45 minutes north of Gallup, NM. My cousins and I were helping my aunt plant for the fall 2014 harvest.

P.S. She is always wearing a dress.

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Happy birthday to the man on the right. The man I am grateful and blessed to call my brother because he has and will continue to have such a positive impact on my life and has always been one of my biggest supporters and words cannot explain how thankful I am for that. Although I may not say it very often but he is tremendously inspiring to me. Lastly, there is never a dull moment with this dude with all his humor and adventure. I'm glad he is able to share that with me and all those around him. I know this kid will do great things. Thanks for being an awesome brother. Happy birthday and love ya brah! Have a goot day!

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Celery, spinach, green apple, ginger, cucumber, lemon juice, and chia seeds. I also added turmeric and cayenne pepper not only for a little spicy kick but because of the benefits of anti-inflammation/anti-oxidation and detoxification/metabolism boost, respectfully. Lastly, added the slices of lemon as to not waste the rest of the lemon. 👊

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I always admire bare concrete in architecture due to it's simplicity. Combined with the natural light, it creates such a peaceful environment. And Tadao Ando is the master at creating these spaces, which is why he is one of my favorite architects. Predock designed this building though.

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Today I was finally able to do the White House Challenge in Canyon de Chelly (after wanting to do it for so many years)! And to make it even better, I was able to enjoy it with my aunt @reneebegay. It's always a great experience and inspiration to be joined by other indigenous people seeking and obtaining a healthy lifestyle and overall wellness. Narbona Pass next weekend (another run that has been on my list)! (at Canyon De Chelly, White House Ruins Overlook)

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Went to Buffalo Exchange the other day to hustle some beeso (‘money’ in Navajo) for some clothes I no longer wore. Ended up finding these awesome broken-in 501 Levi’s for $10! Gotta thank the person who wore these until they were softened with ripped pockets, wallet outlines, and holes. Levi’s have always been and I’m sure will always be my favorite denim.

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Well you guys, I graduated. 

I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a science degree in psychology. The fact that I'm graduated and I have a degree is finally becoming a realization. After being in school for 6 years the graduation ceremony was absolutely surreal! For the longest time I looked back at my academic career and felt like a failure because it took me so long. Ever since I was young I always strived to be the best and invested every ounce of my being in anything and everything I was involved in. Not only to be the best, but also to achieve the goal in an adequate amount of time. So when I realized it was going to take me longer than intended I felt like I failed. After this last year of reflection and writing numerous personal statements for various scholarships, summer programs, and now my medical school application I would not change any of my 6 years. Yes, it took me awhile to acquire a degree, but within these past 6 years I have faced adversities, failures, and life changing experiences that have made me the strong and successful person I am at this moment in my life. Although those times of challenges seemed unbearable I'm thankful because they taught me so much about myself and taught me lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life! 

Now that I'm done with that chapter this summer I will be studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), which I will be taking in August in hopes of matriculating into medical school in 2015! 

Woo! Class of 2014! 

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Convince the world by your character that Indians are not as they have been shown.

Chief John Ross, Cherokee 

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Pressed dark roast and organic fried egg with turkey atop a slice of gluten free brown rice bread 👊

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So my hair has grown and the temperature is increasing here in New Mexico. With that, I'm beginning to overheat during the day. I don't know how I grew my hair in Phoenix last summer! I'm on the verge of chopping it all off and reverting back to my short haircut. My goal in growing my hair was not only to be able to say later in life that I had long hair but more importantly so that I could donate it. I think many of the times in my life I have taken things for granted so I think this is a way for my to realize how much The Lord has blessed me with my health. So I wanted to grow it out and donate it so that it could be used to give someone else the hope and confidence they need in such a time of crisis. On another note I give mad props to girls (and guys) who have extremely long hair! Shower times have definitely increased. My mother loves my long hair but I told her that won't last for long. So I told her I'd keep it long for my graduation ceremonies and shortly thereafter I'll cut it. Lastly, I've been trying to brainstorm a way to photograph the process.....🙇

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Tbt: To last week when my sister @msindigenous and I could not pass up the opportunity to take a picture underneath the balloons. This Navajo woman is truly an inspiration to me. She puts so much passion into her work and is constantly making sacrifices, all for the betterment of her people and their land. I admire her and love her so much. She's the perfect example of an older sister. I hope to be at least half as loving, generous, courageous and passionate as her one day. Btw, some good looking jaans right? #brotherandsister #thegreatestpersonyouwillevermeet

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Tonight I ran at night, which I've never actually done before. And I had my playlist set to Explosions in Sky. It was probably one of the most powerful experiences I've had I awhile. The clashing of the instrumental music, the city lit up by lights, the cool air...all contributed to a great, long run. As I ran, I knew in that moment The Lord was delighted in me. And it was then, that I was filled with thankfulness that He has given me this ability, an ability that I take for granted a lot of the time. It may be the endorphins talking, but it's times like this that I'm thankful to be blessed by such a loving Savior. (at Downtown Albuquerque)

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Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.

Ambrose Redmoon

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Today as I was leaving the climbing area I wanted to take a picture on the railroad. And after I posted it on Instagram it is very symbolic of this coming year. I will be graduating with my Bachelor's degree in May from UNM. In the fall I have some rough plans but they still need to be ironed out. This represents perfectly the uncertainty around the corner that I face this coming year. Though I’m a bit fearful I know that everything will fall into place and I’m looking forward to that next chapter in my life.

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I finally got the opportunity to go climbing today. The weather in NM was perfectly crisp.