Spotted: at Awaken Cafe in Oakland, CA
Occupation: IT Consulting for Kaiser Permanente
Where are you from? Why did you move to the Bay?
Washington DC. I got tired of DC and the politics—everyone was talking about republicans and democrats and everyone had popped collars and I was like, “I want to move somewhere where I don’t have to wear heels to go out.”
So, you chose the other side of the country?
Yep, the other side of the country. I couldn’t go up to New York because it’s just too intense for me, so I figured this would be more chill, more my speed. I’m really happy here. [How long have you been here?] A year and a half now, so not that long, but I love it, love it! I like the vibe more than anything, but the weather is definitely the icing on the cake.
What about the vibe do you like the best?
People are just chill, they’re not just racing past you on the sidewalk. Like in DC, people actually accelerate when they see a cyclist and here they give them space. It’s the way it’s supposed to be.
How would you describe yourself and your style in a few words?
Low maintenance. I think that’s probably the best way to describe everything about me—low maintenance. I’m up and out of my house in the morning in like, five to 10 minutes.
Your hair is awesome, can you tell me what you do?
Wash and go! Though, I do flat iron the bangs.
What about your lipstick? It’s so red it drew me to you like a hummingbird!
I know, It’s so red! I got this—I kid you not—in a pharmacy in Mexico. I have one container of it and it’s on its last legs. I got it two summers ago. I don’t know what I’m going to do when its gone, it’s my favorite thing. I’m going to have to go back to Mexico to find it, I think. It’s like 50 cents.
What’s the story behind those beautiful earrings?
Okay, here’s what really happened. I went to Jamaica and I forgot to get something Jamaican! So, I actually got them on Venice Beach, but I lie to people and tell them I got them in Jamaica. I created a whole story about them—it makes for more interesting conversation than “I got them in California.” [Well, now the world will know—it’s going on the internet!] Oh No!!
Tell me about your travels!!
When I started traveling, I had a bucket list of things that I wanted to do. I started in the Caribbean and that was the tip of the iceberg. I hopped around that summer and I went to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Barbados. When I came back I was like, “I need to go everywhere else!” So, I hopped around Europe and then I ended up in Australia and then I moved here. My last trip was in August last year—I went to Croatia.
Any new traveling plans?
This September I think I’m going to Italy or the Scandinavian countries. I haven’t made up my mind yet.
Do you always travel by yourself?
Usually. I don’t want anyone to mess up my flow. If I want to go somewhere I want to go and stay—and not be stuck in some tourist line.
When was the last time that you cried?
Yesterday. I saw this video of these little kids. It wasn’t a sad cry, it was like a cute cry. I don’t know if it’s a biological clock thing, but it totally melted my heart.
The last time I sad cried was about a month ago. I went back East to visit my grandfather because he was in the hospital. He’s totally fine now, but seeing him there—I just lost it.
When was the last time you said “I love you” and meant it?
March. I have a little sister who is autistic. She lives in Florida now. I said “I love you” before I left her last time and I totally meant it. Ever since then—every time I've said it ... BS.
