Gimme Dat [Vitamin] D

THANK GAWWWWD SPRING HAS SPRUNG

One of the perks (or so I thought) of moving to NYC from Florida was experiencing the actual changing of the seasons. Singing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" just doesn't make sense in Florida (unless you're referring to the white sandy beaches...damn, I made it make sense). It only snowed a handful of times, but this past winter was rough on your girl. The mere sight of snow had me cussing and crying. The much too early sunsets at 4 in the afternoon had my mood on 100% lethargic. And the dis-re-spect-ful windchill had my body feeling geriatric and stiff waaaaaaaay before my time. My craving for balmy sunshine-filled days has never been so strong, and it seemed like there was no end of winter in sight. But I made it through! Chile, let me tell you how I got over and through dem winter blues.

Bright colors

"The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the time." - SpongeBob SquarePants 3:9

It's easy to get lost in the stifling sea of grey and black coats in a cramped subway. Adding a pop of color with a sweater or a scarf, was a visual reminder that brighter days will soon come. 

 Spicy food

I can't feel my face when I eat you, but I love it.

Here's my theory: if my mouth is on fire from the heat of pad kee mao (with extra chili peppers, please), then I won't think about how the rest of my body is shivering because the radiator in my apartment decided to not do its job.

West African dance class

Restoration Dance Theatre Company

Leaping, stomping, and twerking for the ancestors... there's just something uplifting about being surrounded by other bodies and moving in unison to the music. African dance does the body and spirit good, y'all. There is no time to drag your feet and mope around because the syncopation of the drums demand all of your life force. Dancing has always been my way of connecting to my body and breath. When I need a boost in the happiness department, African dance will always be my drug of choice.

Sparkling water

Never thirsty. Always quenched.

No, I'm not being high maintenance when I say - the sensation of sparkling water invigorates my body + satisfies my insides in a way that still water doesn't. Sometimes it's the small things in life that add exponentially to our pleasure. You know that girl in Trader Joe's carrying the obnoxiously large suitcase? Das me trying to tote all the lime sparkling water I can muster. Say hey next time!

Hibernation season is officially over. I'm so ready to welcome longer days and to come out of my hobbit cave. I can't wait to ho out go out, and discover new corners of the city. I'll never take warm weather for granted again. Until summer. Obviously.