I feel incredibly alone. I also feel completely disconnected from God. I don't know what to do or who to talk to. Feel as though I'm just trying to fake until I make it right now. Need some help.

Isn't it funny...

The second you have happily and comfortably come to the decision to remain single, the world thinks otherwise? Guess it's a test of one's resolve or will power.

Musical Discovery

Mi gente!

After the first trip to LA I got a little travel crazy and was not in town much or if I was I was out all weekend so I apologize for the lack of updates!

I started a new blog, have been back to LA a four times, met new friends, went on new food adventures, and even went (actual) salsa dancing in Scottsdale.

But I am not here to speak of adventures in the desert today. I've recently come across some amazing neo-soul artists that I fell in love with and am compelled to share. Note that these artists are not necessarily new, just new to me. And so without further a do, I present...

1. Emily King

Soft and rich vocals. Love her style and the vibe throughout her EP. Also be sure to check out her new single Ordinary Heart

2. Timothy Bloom

Probably most popular for this song and powerful/beautiful music video. Also love Blood Rain, very bluesy.

3. KING

With a hint of electronic and original Motown influences this group will make you smile.

4. Jesse Boykins III

I have probably blogged about him before but I just LOVE me some JB3 so I had to include him in the list. In fact if it weren't for him, this list would probably have taken much longer to come across. I'll throw in a second one of my favorite songs for you, free of charge!


5. Asa

Asa has a great range of style. She can move from very deep and thoughtful to pop soul. Really enjoying her album.

6. Mara Hruby

My brother gathers that she may be a protégé of JB3. Whatever the case is, she rocks. Has a ways to go but I think she'll really be a phenomenal artist in the near future.

7. Gary Clark Jr.

Not really soul. More blues and classic rock. Love him though, and wanted to round out the list.

Let me know what you liked, hated, fell in love with. Much love from the desert.

-Educated & Still Employed

Countdown

Weekend Updates// Friday Inspiration// Knowledge

Mi gente,

It's been a long time. Life has been pretty busy, which is always better than the opposite. Rapid weekend updates! My parents drove out to Phoenix the weekend before last and spoiled me a bit (yay for Costco meat and a kitchen table!). Unfortunately we did not go to any new restaurants (for me) but they did enjoy all of the spots we visited. And we were able to make it out to Sedona and a split-squad Angels spring training game. I think/ hope they enjoyed their time.

This past weekend I went to a Fedde Le Grande show at Axis. Don't even know who this DJ is but apparently he's hot stuff. Just enjoyed my time dancing with my friends, however my ears are still ringing from Friday... I don't get how they do that every weekend. Saturday I visited the zoo and spent the day with my hipster friend/ co-worker. It was a lot of fun sharing some intellectual conversation and actually enjoying/ being impressed with something in Arizona! We both still miss California a lot, and her husband was in CA for the weekend so I don't think that helped too much. Regardless we had an awesome time. The Phoenix Zoo is very cool, and yes I'm a nerd for liking it but if you ever find yourself in this section of the desert I suggest you go check it out. Then we went back and had some amazing roasted garlic chicken that I am stealing the recipe for and will be sure to post on the new food blog. Saturday night I went 'salsa dancing' with a new friend, it was actually a mix of new latin club songs with a good amount of salsa, bachata, merengue, dembo, and a few punta songs; not a Steven's, more Conga Room. I have never seen so many Latinos (and so many different kinds of Latinos) in the same place at once since moving here so it was nice to have a change of scene, and my friend is a real chill girl so I'm glad to have a new connection that also loves to dance! Sunday I was an extremely responsible adult and went to church, cleaned my apartment, tanned, read, and did my taxes while watching old movies. 

Now I'm getting ready to head to LA on Thursday night!!!!! I am so giddy, it's kind of ridiculous. Can't wait to see my friends and my tíos/ primos. Easter is also my absolute favorite holiday so every time I think about getting on the plane I get really happy. 

Moving on though. Here's your inspiration for the week (note that none of these are my own photos/ quotes). If you have time you should really watch the TED talk posted. It is extremely powerful, and Bryan Stevenson articulates some very interesting points about identity and justice. Enjoy.

This one is dedicated to the beautiful Krista, who went to be with God this past Friday. She was a truly amazing firecracker whose time felt much too short, but who did everything with great love. RIP. 

TED Talk: We need to talk about Injustice

Very excited to see some of you soon! Feeling blessed and reflective. Remember to cherish every new day and all of the people that make your life what it is. And tell them how much you care, as much as you can. Much love and baraka from the desert.

-Former College Student

Music Review

Esperanza Spalding's new album dropped last night! And of course I had to purchase immediately. Can I just say that this chick is amazing, and I'm actually really happy she's not mainstream and remained true to herself in this last album. When a jazz artist announces that their next album will be named Radio Music Society, you become a bit concerned as a fan. Favorite artists of yours have gone down that road before and lost you because their true essence was lost in the attempted style change. Not so with Espy, she's got her incredible talent and managed to maintain the original recipe goodness while adding a completely new twist, resulting in the perfect jazz/ blues/ rock/ pop treat.

I particularly fell in love with Cinnamon Tree, Crowned & Kissed (click the picture below for the song stream), and Smile Like That. Of course Black Gold, which was previously released as a single, is also one of my favorites and Let Her has a wonderful beat/ melody and Radio Song is infectious. Land of the Free and Vague Suspicions are extremely political pieces done in a tasteful manner, which was refreshing. When I saw Ms. Spalding perform in LA she played her rendition of MJ's I Can't Help It and had it stuck in my head for an entire week, so I was really happy to see that on the album as well. If I missed a track that's because I can't sort them all out in my head as the album is currently on repeat.

I really can't say enough about this CD, except... O yeah! There's an entire movie included when you purchase the album on iTunes, which is an interesting stringing together of all of the music videos for each song on the album. Though not very cohesive, and a bit artsy-farsty for the average music video viewer, it is very conceptually and visually winsome.

To sum up all of my thoughts about this album:
- There is a song for every emotion you might have about your day/week/year/season in life
- Esperanza injects a new genre into her own style, and does it well
- Instrumentally, every track is very rich and moving
- Excellent use of collaborating talent
- I can't wait to see her in concert sometime in the near future (April 28th anyone??)
- Wonder what she'll do next!

LA Times Review
Chicago Tribune Review
Rolling Stone Review
Go make up your own review and listen to the album

Catch up

Sorry for the lack of posts/ updates/ food news. Work has been really busy! But I love my job :) so that's a blessing.

Guess I'll do a quick mix of a Friday inspiration post with a bit of a weekend update? Why not.

This weekend was hijacked by St. Patty's day madness, which I completely forgot about until I asked what people were doing on Saturday and everyone said they were already out and about. After a nice sola  morning training session, did some cleaning/ dancing, showered up and headed out to the infamous Mill St. I thought I was going to dread the crazy, belligerent, fun-fest, but ended up having a good time just hanging out with the guys and dancing pretty much the entire night. We had some hilarious characters stopping by to spice up the night every now and then, too, which you gotta love. Sunday was kind of rainy/ windy/ cold so the guys swung by to pick me up and we all went to pig out on brunch at Harlow's Cafe (which may be the Tempe version of The Pantry mixed with Grinder if I can't find more delicious pancakes). I was too hungry to take pictures, but I had blueberry pancakes with some eggs and sausage links. Hit the spot. Everyone loved their food and the bill was kind to our wallets as well. Then relaxed and watched movies/ stand up routines all day and got some work done at night.

My parents are coming this weekend to visit so I am trying to plan out a restaurant/ places-to-go list, I will let y'all know how our adventures go. I'm pretty happy to be going hiking and watching baseball with them, should be a good time.

All last week I was rockin out at work to some oldies and came across some good inspirational pictures/ links. Thought I'd share a little bit of all the material I processed (I'll spare you the extensive list of places I have looked up traveling to, though).

Inspiration Wall!



Interesting Restaurants in LA (I'll be there in April!! Counting down the days...)

Live a lil

Have a beautiful night and a great week, be sure to try/do/see/taste something new. Blessings

-Former College Student