It is May 2, 2007, and I am writing my first entry in my brand new blog, "Notes of a Native Daughter." This is the online diary of a 45 year old African American woman from Cairo, Illinois who survived Civil Rights, Celibacy, Living in Detroit, multiple family deaths and health crises within a 4 year span, early menopause, and major career angst to arrive at the most peaceful, self-aware place of her entire existence.
There's so much I need to tell you about who I am, and why I'm writing this blog. That'll come in time. But I wanted to explain why the very first picture I've posted is one of me near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy.
It was taken in October 2006, about a month after I seized my freedom from hair extensions, relaxers and other punishing treatments for my straight outta Africa grade hair, and went totally natural. I was also celebrating turning 45 years old with my best friend, Faith Triggs, by taking my first trip to Italy. And it was the first time, after 4 years of stress, anxiety, grief, insecurity and existential drift, that I was finally able to smile and feel like myself.
That may have been the moment that the Universe realigned itself and said, "It's time to throw Rachella a bone." It's been a steadily building progression, but on May 3, 2007, I can truly say that I feel stronger, wiser, and more free to be myself than I have ever felt in my entire life.
It's the perfect time to start this blog, because in about a month, I will be uprooting my life and moving to Uganda. More on that later. But for now, I'm just gonna take the time to admire a photo of myself that actually makes me happy. A photo of myself that actually makes me feel just a teeny bit beautiful. A memory of a journey of a lifetime, one of many in my past, and one that launched my exciting future. The future I've created for myself.
In July, 2008, I, Princess Rachella, Intrepid African American Girl International Journalism Consultant, pulled up stakes once again and headed to Nairobi, Kenya. Through my various adventures, I've concluded that if I get any MORE explosively fabulous in these prequel years to "THE BIG 5-0," I will have to register myself with the Pentagon as a thermonuclear incendiary device.
In July, 2008, I, Princess Rachella, Intrepid African American Girl International Journalism Consultant, pulled up stakes once again and headed to Nairobi, Kenya. Through my various adventures, I've concluded that if I get any MORE explosively fabulous in these prequel years to "THE BIG 5-0," I will have to register myself with the Pentagon as a thermonuclear incendiary device.