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This was my first trip to LA and first vlog. It wasn’t planned, so I just used the time to catch up with old friends. Shout out to American Airlines for making me use my flight credit before the year ended instead of 365 days after being issued smh. I stayed at the Intercontinental Downtown LA and LOVED it. We went to Perch LA, Via Alloro Beverly Hills, The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Shutters Santa Monica, The Santa Monica Pier, Blue Plate Tacos Santa Monica and S& J Hookah Hollywood. Enjoy

  There is nothing that excites me more than visiting new places. In efforts to maximize my time while traveling and avoid waiting in lines (yes, I hate lines), I applied for Global Entry. Global Entry is a program established by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to expedite the customs process for frequent travelers. For a small fee of $100, you can bypass the line and common annoyances of the customs process when reentering the U.S. The great part about it is that with Global Entry, you are eligible for TSA Pre-check for domestic flights as well. I don’t believe it’s guaranteed but being that you’re issued a Known Traveler Number, your chances of being selected are way higher.

Before applying, you may want to prepare yourself to ensure that you have all of the necessary documents and information. They ask A LOT of questions so please do yourself a favor and have any and everything handy. They ask about work history as well as all of your past residences in the last 5 years.

Maybe I was lucky but it literally took me 13 days from submitting the application to receiving my Global Entry card in the mail. I completed the online application on April 5, 2016. From there, I received my conditional approval the following day. On April 11, 2016, I was asked to pick an appointment location and date for the “in person” portion of the process. Newark (EWR) was booked up until May 11, 2016 so I tried the next best place, Kennedy (JFK). Surprisingly, JFK had an appointment available for the following evening.

When I got to JFK, it was very easy to locate the Global Entry office. There was an officer at the podium who asked my name and directed me to the waiting area. A video about the program played as I waited. Although I got there early, it isn’t really beneficial because people aren’t likely to miss their appointment. Expect to be seen on time or just a few minutes early.

When my name was called, I went to an office area where an officer reviewed my documents and asked me why i’m interested in the program. Honestly, I just hate waiting and since I’m pretty seasoned as far as traveling, I felt it to be a good investment. It’s also another form of government ID. I’m not sure if me being in my omplete work uniform made it that much easier but within 5 minutes, she was taking my picture and circled my Known Traveler Number (KTN). Upon approval, you’re able to start using the number immediately. Being approved for Global Entry and receiving a KTN does NOT mean you’ll get TSA Pre check with your flight plans. It’s likely but not a guarantee.

When I left the interview, I felt great. Although it is a luxury, I was proud to be approved and excited to use it for my upcoming trip abroad. According to the paper that your are given, it states that your card would arrive by mail in 7-10 business days. My countdown started as soon as I walked out of the airport.

Within a few days, my golden (not really) envelope had arrived. My picture is definitely less than flattering but i’ll just have to get over it. Instructions regarding activating the card were enclosed as was a protective sleeve. They recommend that you keep your card in the RFid case they provide or your own. Without being long-winded, RFid cases protect your cards and passports from electronic pickpockets.

As soon as it was activated, I added my newly appointed KTN to my itinerary. In the passenger information section, there’s a drop down (or something similar) that allows you to add your KTN. Once, it’s added, there’s nothing more for you to do. You do not need to carry your Global Entry card when traveling by air unless you want another form of ID. Personally, I brought mine with me so that I didn’t have to walk around with my passport.

The day of my trip arrived and I couldn’t wait to see what the process would be like. As I expected, I was granted TSA precheck. When I arrived at Newark Airport, I proceeded to the checkpoint and was met by a super long line. There was a separate line on the upper level for United Premier members as well as those with TSA Precheck. Thankfully, this one was a lot shorter. It was maybe 5 minutes that had passed between the time I got to the line and to the time that I walked through the detector.

During this process, I only had to place my carry on luggage on the belt and keep it moving. I wasn’t told to take off my jacket or boots (of course i’d be at the airport in Timbs) nor was I patted down or subjected to any other security induced violations. After retrieving my belongings, I was off to the bar nearest to my gate.

Coming home was a bit different. I did not have the luxury of precheck and the line was indeed long. Not to mention that I had overslept and they made me check my luggage but I guess we can’t always win. I hustled through the matrix and made my way to my gate.

Shortly before landing, I was given the standard CBP Declaration form that most people would fill out. Because I was going back into the U.S., it was not needed for those with Global Entry. I deplaned and followed the signs to the checkpoint. I believe most airports have designated lines but large international airports are almost guaranteed to have them. I proceeded to the line labeled “Crew, Diplomats, Global Entry”. I was literally the only person walking that way. You never really notice how much people stare until you’re skipping the whole line without a care in the world. At the end of the maze, there was about 8 designated kiosks set up along side a CBP podium and booth. The agent told me to use any machine and I began the process.

Phones aren’t allowed at CBP checkpoints and I’m really careful when it comes to security so I obeyed and you’ll have to visualize what happens next. The kiosk instructs you to insert your passport face down and it scans your information. After confirming that this is correct, you proceed to the next step which is the fingerprint scanning, located to the right hand side. You’re asked if you have any items to declare and the other standard questions on the Declaration form and then told to look in the camera. Snap! I must have been thinking too hard because my picture was a mess. Or maybe I was just making a habit out of these disastrous ass pictures. My receipt printed and I walked out. If I had to estimate the time it took to complete all of the steps, it was about 1 minute.

Luckily for me, my bag dropped down as soon as I walked out and I was on my way to another exit. I skipped yet another line with just a few people and the agent took my receipt and told me to have a nice day. All in all, I was very pleased with the Global entry process and would recommend it to anyone who travels both domestically and internationally. It may very well be the difference between missing a flight or wasting 45 minutes or more in the TSA line. I look at it as an investment as well as a luxury. $100 well spent.

There has NEVER been a time in life when I thought about going to Vermont. Like, not for nothing. I really saw no purpose other than to say I did it. That and syrup.

When I moved back to the North East Corridor, my thoughts on certain places began to change. I had to take a job to St. Albans, VT (about 15 miles south of Canada) and it was a little interesting. Cold, but definitely interesting. This included all of the little towns we'd pass through. I wondered if I could ever really live in towns like that. The people were pretty nice and the negative whatever degree weather wasn't so bad since I'd run from the platform to my cab who was always waiting upon arrival. They only bad part was the that the layover was so short. You really didn't have time to do much other than eat and get ready to leave in the morning.

Fast forward a few months, I now have to go to Rutland, VT instead of St. Albans. Rutland was different. Still a small town, it seemed to have a lot more around. On a long layover, I decided to take advantage and walked around since there was a few strip malls at the main road. I found an Applebee's type of establishment to have lunch at before I got ready to get back on the road. It was extremely obvious that I wasn't from the area. I sat at the bar and the waitress promptly came over to introduce herself and to let me know of the specials.

The group of 6 or so men sitting across from me kind of just looked at me and continued watching the game. One lady was sitting next to me and soon after, another joined on the other side of me. Both were pleasant and we exchanged small talk.

Being the only Black person felt slightly weird yet powerful. I went into several stores afterwards and it was the same case. People just looked. Of course, I had my headphones in and didn't pay it much mind but I still felt the stares.

Although I didn't get to really enjoy the scenery and explore much, what I did see was beautiful. I was actually pretty upset that I couldn't get more pictures. Part of traveling is being open-minded and willing to do things you wouldn't normally do. Luckily for me, I was paid to do it so I definitely took advantage.

Experience things.

Another early morning in the Greatest Place on Earth. Another picture to add to the dozens that I already have stored. How can you ever get tired of it? There's always a new color, pattern or effect when you think you've seen em all.

There's something about this time of morning that comforts my lonely commute. Today was unusually still. The people outside were at somewhat of a slower pace. They were almost still. My eyes didn't have to dart all over the place. My focus was so unfocused. Silence had completely consumed me. I could hear myself think. I could see my reflections in the storefront and lobby glass. My footsteps rang for blocks at a time.

If there was ever a moment of unsure certainty, this was it. Everything made all of the sense and no sense at the same time. Things that I'd been trying not to think about made their way to my mind. Things that I had tried to forget were nowhere to be found.

I was at my very own dynamic equilibrium.

Oh, how I love NYC.

"Oui j'ai pleuré mais ce jourNon, je ne pleurerai pas" - The Weeknd

There really is nothing like visiting a new city. It's even better when you're getting paid to be there. Although it was cold (I mean, it is Canada), Montreal is a beautiful city. There was no shortage of variety or people. Arriving later on a Sunday evening, there was no doubt in my mind that it would be a ghost town. To my surprise, it was pretty lively. I did hear that it was a college town but I had no idea it would be so busy. It wasn't an overcrowded busy but definitely displayed signs of life. After having dinner at Italian restaurant named Da Giovanni, I called it a night. A few hours later, I'd be on my way back through customs.

We all have that place that puts us in our comfort zone. If not completely, it at least starts the process of getting comfortable. For so many years, I hid from this place. I unintentionally ran from it. At some point, it became more hurtful than helpful to leave it partially behind. The place that birthed me became familiar but new. My beloved, New York City was That Place.

Years ago, you'd only catch me in the 5 boroughs twice a year or for family gatherings. I'd never forgotten about home but I didn't love being there anymore. I didn't enjoy what it had to offer. I definitely didn't appreciate the winter months. By luck, chance or blessing, I took a new job and New York City became apart of my weekly itinerary. In some cases, I'd be there twice in one week. As familiar as I was with this place, I began to find a new love for it. I began to reignite the fire that used to light the pavement before and after every step I took. You never really lose your NYC but it sometimes tones down and takes a seat.  This fire would soon start a 4-alarm blaze to life as I knew it.

In the last 18 months or so, I watched my life erupt into flames. Smoke billowed inside of and around me. I knew it was toxic yet I couldn't find an extinguisher or a window to open. Slowly, my charred remains became so evident, I could no longer recognize myself. I had no idea who was in the mirror. The only part that reminded me of me was my writing. No matter what I looked or felt like, this was me. There was no denying it.

With a spirit and mind so deeply damaged, it was hard to pick up the pieces (I laugh a little because of the Hustle Man episode of Martin). Each time that I left Miami and went home, it started to feel more like home. I began repairing myself, one city block at a time. Aimlessly walking through the city, visiting family and reconnecting with friends became more important than any beach day. Sitting in the park with my notebook and writing app made sense. It put things into perspective. Not to say there aren't days where I want to go back but, now is not the time.

Not one person in my inner circle imagined that I'd move back any time soon. Not one. I grew restless and stagnant almost overnight. I threw the idea out there but I knew no one would take it seriously. The more I thought about it, the more I grew attached to the idea and the more it made sense. I didn't need anyone to cosign it, I just needed you to listen and be supportive. With slight delay, I made my exit. Everything was sold minus my clothes. There was no need in carrying more than I could handle. Although I had to make a pitstop in DC for 2.5 months, I was gone. New York (via New Jersey for economic reasons) was home again. No longer the young lady from the Bronx, I returned as the grown woman ready to take care of business.

Remembering and rebuilding myself was difficult and easy at the same time. I don't have the answers but I have a pretty good idea of what works for me. Find your place and never neglect it. Let it lead you to your next peace and place.