Happy Haitian Flag Day!! Land I love. Culture I love. People I love. I’m very proud and fortunate to be your daughter. 🇭🇹
Also, FUCK resilience.
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“…people glorify resilience a little too much, forgetting that the fragile ones simply die as the world walks on over their bones.” - Akwaeke Emezi, Dear Senthuran
📍 Fifth Water Hot Springs, Utah
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So, we thought this was going to be a cute lil hang by the water moment but it turns out you have to hike 2.3 miles to get to the hot springs … and we didn’t know that until we arrived. 💀
Hiking in sandals was miserable AF but the hot springs were warm and serene…. and the views along to the trail give BREATHTAKING glance at the Fifth Water Creek and its surrounding forest. There are multiple soaking pools to enjoy once you arrive at the hot springs (and a waterfall too!) so you can really spread out and relax.
Just remember to bring actual hiking boots. And change of clothes so you aren’t hiking back in wet swimwear. 😅
📍Arches National Park, Utah
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A few hours southeast of Salt Lake City is Arches National Park, a geologic preserve in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau that features arches, natural bridges, windows, spires, balanced rocks, and eroded monoliths. I believe it sits in a salt bed, which contributed to the development of all the various rock formations over the centuries. It’s one of the “Mighty Five”, which is the name given to the 5 national parks in Utah because of their reputation for a wide array of unique landmarks between them.
She’s a real, real pretty girl. If you’re ever in the area, you have to go see her! ✨
📍Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
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The Bonneville Salt Flats is the largest of many salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It’s a 12-mile stretch and is known for land speed racing - and I did get behind the wheel and push the Expo to 100mph to try it out. Peep my skills in Slide 10! 😁
The Salt Flats are a couple hours outside of SLC but well worth the road trip (and just a few minutes away from the border so you can slide to Nevada right quick when you’re there!). Bring sunscreen and sunglasses because the sun reflecting off the salt ain’t no hoe. ☝🏾
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We were supposed to spend the week in Yellowstone but a heavy rainstorm closed down the park a couple weeks before our trip and @gotakethecity QUICKLY pivoted us to Salt Lake City and …. boy, did we have a blast! Utah has a fan in me forever! ✨
📍’Transmission’ by Daniel Popper
About 20 minutes north of Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll find this beautiful installation by multidisciplinary artist @danielpopper . This is my third time seeing his work and it’s more amazing then these small flicks can capture.
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“Transmission lies in the Mojave Desert and symbolizes the connection between earth and sky. Situated at a private residence (@mojavemoonranch ), the sets of hands are both entrance and exit. The sculpture explores themes of the cosmos – the crescent moons on her forehead and palms, the fractal glass mosaics that reflect the sky in multicoloured rays – but Transmission remains deeply rooted in the land, her body unseen. Her meditative pose and themes of introspection invite viewers to pause and consider their connection to the earth and universe.“ - Daniel Popper Studios
📍 Joshua Tree National Park
Saw a coyote and found out the “Joshua Tree” is actually a plant in the Mojave Desert, ran into some snow when I got to the top of Little San Bernardino Mountains, basked in the amazing views of the the San Andres Fault and Coachella Valley while snowflakes danced around me, tipped toe through cactus gardens, and watched the sunset as I drove between the Hexie Mountains and Pinto Mountains.
The @nationalparkservice never fails me with all the wonders they preserve across the country. Can’t wait to go back to @joshuatreenps to enjoy some stargazing. 🔭
“Be at peace knowing what is for you will recognize you at the appointed time.” - @dr.thema ✨
1. One of my fav pics from the summer! 🫂
2. Perfect pour at @joeyrestaurants 🍺
3. Baby’s first USC WBB game! ⛹🏾♀️
4. Juju is niiiiiice 🏀
5. Workouts with @therealcalisteppa
6. Obsessed with @lindenlosangeles ’ macaroni pie 😋
7. Kickball! 🏅
8. Scenes from the cloffice! 🪞
9. Admitting defeat 🃏
10. Later, gators! 🐊
leave and start over. you have blessings waiting. ✨
1. Been wearing a lot of hats lately ☺️
2. Gentle reminders 🎨
3. A prayer for you 🙏🏾
4. Standing ovation for GMWA Women of Worship 🎶
5. I love a photo booth! 📸
6. A lil bit of DC in LA 💃🏾
7. Dia de la Muertos 💀
8. Heat Check 🔥
9. PeriodT, Piggy! 🥊
10. Sing, Kaytra!!! 🎤
Out and About! ✨
1. celebration @defjam ’s 40th anniversary at @complexla 🎶
2. Yap Gang! We here! 🫶🏾
3. Thursdays at @shanklinhall 🎤
4. I know african braid shops hate to see me coming at 7:30am 😃
5. 📍24th & St Paul
6. A young legend! 📸
7. J & K! 😄
8. Game day at @cosmlosangelesca 🏈
9. Teenage me was ECSTATIC! 😱
10. We all we got! 🫶🏾
