I swear every year when Sept comes around I feel like I need to make sure my plans in life are set because it’s back to school season & everyone else is preparing to get their life back in order & in a routine. It’s like the reflecting month of the year just like Jan is.

I’ve been reflecting a lot this month & deciding what I want in life & one thing I know for sure is that I want to go back to school one more time, to add on to the schooling I have & push me into my career. I just need to figure out how & when I wanna do that now.

Until I figure out what ima do with school I’ve decided to live my life to the fullest while trying to save money at the same time. I’m reaching that quarter life crisis in my life & this is the best time as any to get my finances & budgets in order. I’m queen of "spend all the money but don’t think too far ahead", which was whatever but I need to start thinking further ahead & start laying down saving plans so I can be set no matter what. The end of this month we had a tornado in Ottawa & that was the biggest wake up calm in humbling myself. It made me realize what’s most important to me and made me reflect on how I would function if I lost everything. Thank god I was blessed & my area was barely touched; we lost power for 19 hours & areas close by had been blown out. Some people weren’t fortunate & lost their homes completely, had MAJOR damages to their houses and cars. These times make you evaluate how prepared you are for anything because you never know when shit can hit the fan. So time to get my shit in order or as the saying goes, my ducks in a row.

This month has been all over the place from coming back from my trip & just getting back into everything; I literally was nonstop all month. Sept consisted of:

I have been so shit with reading this month. I sill haven’t finished reading The Nest & haven’t started anything else because I’ve literally been so busy that if I’m not working or am out somewhere,  I’m trying to get some sleep in. Another thing I’ve neglected was working out but it’s a new month & I’ve actually signed up to a new spot so I’m excited to get back into it. The gym is kinda far so my bus rides there will be my time to get back into my books.

I’ve been listening to a shit ton of new music for this month & been continuing to make my way down my chill vibin' playlist. Also let’s talk about how I got Spotify back again so I can explore more music & get good recommendations when I make playlists. Some things I’m in love with that y’all need to get on is:



The best part of starting another season & next quarter of the year is that it makes you reflect on the year so far. In my reflection I see that I have grown & learned quite a few things about myself  & what I need more of & need to get rid of.

Here are some snaps of the month:

I seen Linkin Park once before I all ended in the most unfortunate passing of Chester but it was the most amazing show of my life where they played for a whole 2 hours. I ended up going solo & am so grateful I got to seem them at least once. It's funny becuase I ended up going solo to Mike Shinoda as well.

Sitting outside in the floor in 11 C weather waiting for doors to get into this show. It’s cold, my concert buds bailed last minute, my toes are starting to lose feeling, my bodysuit is uncomfortable & I don’t have a belt so my pants be riding down. Ready af for this show thou & can’t wait to be inside getting warm & then singing my heart out. The beginning of theses shows are always such a drag & annoying but then in no time the show is over & you wish you never were inpatient.

I saw on social media not too long ago how Don Bronco met Mike Shinoda & I was like that’s cool cause it’s kinda different music worlds colliding. Then I saw Don Broco post on Instagram they were opening for him & I was beyond ecstatic. I discovered Don Broco earlier this year, fell in love with them & now seen them 3 times. If you haven’t listening you must, I’m beyond obsessed & my songs that I lose my shit to are:



So the lights go off after they set up for Mike Shinoda, we see the lights & start screaming but don’t see him yet, stop my insta story delete it & start a snap cause it can go longer. We are still screaming but don’t see him. Wait we see people oh that’s the band that means he will be here soon & oh shit it’s Mike himself  & he comes on running in & jumps right into Petrified without hesitation. We are going wild is he actually up on stage in front of us damn. Let’s calm down & enjoy the show & sing along.

I loved how he made a set list composed of all the things he has done & made it into one; Linkin Park, Fort Minor & Mike Shinoda songs, it was amazing. I loved when he made some into mashups too. From what I remember her played:

I’m sure there’s a few more I’m missing but that’s a lot of it. Ima make a post on my Instagram with a bunch of videos that you guys can go & watch. I tried to live in the moment but I also wanted a whole bunch of videos because this is one concert I know I’d watch many times especially since I think I lost a bunch of the ones from the LP show I went to. I hope he keeps making music & having concerts because I’d love to see him again & I dunno in a way I feel like he is keeping LP alive.

I took a bunch of pictures too so enjoy them & check out his new album already if you haven’t. Also Mike had me hyped & wanting to go to a hip hop concert they way he was bouncing around the stage & rapping I’m like what am I waiting for I need to find a show where I can get a good view & go to one of those shows.

Soooo I've been on this journey of exploring gyms in Ottawa & looking for what different types of workouts the city has to offer. So far I have been to Wheelhouse Cycle, Elevate Yoga, Spin Co, BodiesbyPhil, The Dailey Method and Iron North Studio (if you click on them it will take you to the post I wrote all about them).

Since I've started this journey, I have been finding so many other places I want to check out & try workouts I've never done before. When I used to go to Goodlife, I thought that it was good but it wasn't the type of gym for me. I love the local gyms where it's intimate, they know your name & recognize you when you come in. It's mostly group classes but the trainers walk around & make sure you're doing things properly and if your form is right; it's a whole ass community too which is amazing.

So far the places I've been to have been great & I loved my time spent there. I would definitely be back to check them out & I know that they would recognize me.

Other gyms I would like to check out in the next few months are:

As I sit here in my I love NY sweater & my NY Yankees baseball cap, I'd like to say that I hope to move to New York one day for at least 6 months. I'm going to put that out into the universe & inshuallah (god willing) it will happen somehow, someway, someday.

I have gone twice before, but this was my best trip there & I did it by myself because my friend had to unfortunately cancel last minute since she wasn't feeling well. I haven't been in 3 years & was so glad I made my way down because it was totally what I needed. When I planned my trip, I decided to visit Connecticut first to see my friend & then Greyhound to NYC where I'd hang for a couple of days before flying home. So the main vibe of my whole trip was to keep it chill & make sure I ate good food, went shopping, explored & strolled around & I got to do all that.

I got in around 2pm & went straight for my Airbnb in Chinatown to drop off my stuff so I could start exploring the city. I was lucky I made it on my bus because I almost missed my Greyhound taking way too long to gather my stuff & saying goodbye to my friend. Fortunately, I had the best Lyft driver who suggested we go to the second pickup in Connecticut because I had missed the bus -- 5 stars.


My Airbnb was in the best area; I felt safe AF by myself & didn't even mind walking alone at night. I was in such a great area that I just walked around exploring instead of taking the subway everywhere; I spent most of my time in Lower Manhattan & loved it because I felt like I got more of a local experience. I discovered so much while walking around that I just deviated from my plans & did whatever, which was honestly great.


Day 1:

I headed straight for  Washington Square Park when I got in to hang out & people-watch with a cold snack, I hung out there until I got hungry & then went on a mission for food. Pro tip for Canadians in America, take your cash out in advance or use an American card or visa because the exchange rates & extra charges are too much; so places were also cashless & there were some places that took debit but some of them didn't. I ended up finding a sushi restaurant that had an all you can eat dinner which was pretty good & I literally could only put in one order because I could barely eat since I took too long to eat; it was good & I left stuffed as can be. Once I was done, I left for my Airbnb full & tired. On my way home I saw such a pretty light up book sign that I had to go in & I ended up buying a random book & can't wait to read it. If my walk back wasn't already good, I stumbled upon a little bubble tea shop like 2 min from home & they had DAIRY FREE MILK TEA (insert emoji of wanting to cry face). I was thirsty as can be so best believe I got a large taro milk tea & damn was it good, Coco I love you (insert heart eyes emoji); I came back again the next day on my way home #totallyworthit.







Day 2:

I decided that I wanted to have some bomb brunch (I told y'all the goal was good food this trip) & go shopping so I woke up, got ready & walked over to Two Hands in Nolita where I had some Australian inspired breakfast by Australians; I got avocado toast with iced turmeric chai tea latte with almond milk & it was so good. There was quite a lineup when I arrived but I was one person & didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes until I got a seat.




Once brunch was over it was time to go shopping. I knew I wanted to check out Brandy and & Other Stories but was willing to check out other American stores we don't have at home, so I just wandered towards Brandy & popped into other stores along the way. I ended up walking from Nolita all the way up to 5th Ave but it didn't feel long because I was just strolling & taking in my views along the way; stumbled upon the Flatiron building without even trying. 




I got two tops from  Brandy Melville that I'm absolutely obsessed with especially the green tank, jeans & a top from & Other Stories. I also got an NY Yankees hat & a necklace from Urban Outfitters. I literally hate shopping but when you're in a city like NYC & there are so many great things, how can you not find stuff you want & the sales that I got were like 50 or 60% off so I was totally winning.

For lunch, I had Pietro Nolita which was sooo good & pink as fuck just like their napkins say & all you see around you. I got the Fusilli Al Limeade (lemon, seasonal vegetables, topped with ricotta salata and toasted almonds), it was sooooo good & I got the Watermelon limeade which was perfect. Definitely a place to check out & the photo opp outside the restaurant is great for some pop of pink on your insta feed. 


After lunch, I headed back to my Airbnb to drop off my shopping bags, change into some jeans & went back out to Times Square & instantly regretted it because it was packed AF. I've been enough times before but I just needed a nighttime activity. I literally wandered around & then went to get food. I went to City Kitchen where I had a steak taco from Gabriela's Tacqueria that I devoured there; it was a small one & I got a rice bowl with chicken, green lemonade & Phoenician fries from ilili Box which were amazing. The rice bowl was alright but the fries & drink were so goood. I took that home where I laid in bed watching Netflix until I was done eating & was ready to knock out.


Day 3:

While I was figuring my shit out and getting ready to go home, I packed up all my stuff & wanted to get one more good meal before I had to eat random gas station food on my long journey home, so I hit up my FAV spot. This is the place that held it down for me when I was stuck in Iceland for 20+ hours in the airport, Joe & The Juice. Literally the best simple paninis I've ever had; I got turkey, pesto, tomato & subbed the mozzarella for avocado: SO GOOD. I got the Hell of a Nerve juice & the wildflower in there was just (insert emoji rolling eyes back ugh). They unfortunately didn't have the bomb pink blueberry muffins like he ones I had in Iceland, but their sandwiches were just as good and I can't wait to come back for more.





The last day was a whole shit show because nothing went as planned but even though I was annoyed, I was happy it all went down on the last day after I had a good trip. If you've read my other blog posts you should know every trip I go on, some shit goes down so I'm not even phased anymore & just go with the flow. It wasn't too bad cause I got to see this view for a few hours with some vibin music. So basically my flight got cancelled & I HAD to get back home so I asked for a refund & opted for a 13-hour long Greyhound. It was rough but I made it back home just in time to make it to work. 

Passing through Keeseville, NY

New York was great & now I know how to roll there for a good time when I'm back next which should be November for a concert & I'm bringing a friend whose never been there so I hope to show her the city right.