HOW TO LIVE, LAUGH, AND LOVE IN ONE YEAR

It is amazing how fast time flies! It has official been a year since my most recent move to the Big Apple and so I only thought it would be proper to write this post to reflect on my achievements and to mainly pay tribute to those who have helped to make this year fabtabulous!

So first for the achievements / milestone moments.  Here are my favorite 20:

1. Lost 80 LBS
2. Realized that weight didn't have anything to do with anything (still working out the bugs on this one from time to time)
3. Have a LARGE portion of my family tree completed 
4. Purchased new wordrobe with some smokin' haute new pumps
5. Removed all the toxic people out of my life
6. Surrounded myself with wonderful and positive people that push me to grow
7. Performed in 2 cabaret performances
8. Learned LOTS of new songs
9. Won 3rd place and featured exibitor in 2010 Orange Giraffe Project Creative Contest
10. 2 weeks of P90X and now I can do at least one regular push up - I'll take it :)
11. Found and funished apartment on the expensive East Coast
12. Nate Berkus Show and Deborah Norville room makeover
13. Purchased an iPod Touch (this upgraded my life - Thanks KB1 for upgrading my world)
14. Survived EFFFIN Bed Bugs in my crib (THIS MAKES ME ANGRY) But on to the next...
15. Asked for help LOTS of times this past year
16. Relied on others to help me
17. Mentored two high school students
18. Stayed in touch with my FL friends (VERY hard task)
19. Manned up and went to dance class :) and continue to go
20. Landed job that allows me to combine all my skills and give back to the NYC community

Now.... These are some of the people below that stood out in my mind when I think of the achievements above and the people that were the most instrumental in helping me achieve these things.  I am thankful for all the people in my life so please do not feel offended if you are not listed.  I would be writing forever if I were to shout out what everyone means to me.  Also, being thankful to God goes without saying.

This year for me was about healing and recovering from a very toxic time in my life.  When you are in the midst of your situation sometimes you cannot see the damage in real-time.  When I moved to NYC all the "damage" started to surface and I realized that I had to actually re-learn how to function in this world and discover "who is Aleesha?" and these people helped me uncover my truths and learn how to live, laugh, and love again! :)

ROB COATS

The first person I have to thank is my homie, Rob Coats.  Thank you so much for checking on me each and every day to make sure that I was okay.  Listening to me crying even at 9AM :) You put me on to Tony Robbins which FOREVER changed my life.  You also kept me on track with staying committed to listening to the entire program and I TRULY thank you for being my friend. You took the time to remind me of my worth and encouraged me to be better each day.  I truly appreciate you! 

LESLIE NASH (My Fork for Life)

This piece would not be complete if I didn’t mention the person who I LOVEEEEEEE lots and lots and lots... even though she stinks AND the person who has known me the longest… Leslie Nash, my sister!  You ROCK girl and I thank you soooo much for loving me exactly as I am.  I can be all the different Aleesha’s with you and I LOVE you for allowing this.  I thank you for all the emotional and financial support you have given me this year!  

I love crackin’ up at your silly jokes and I wish we lived in the same city so we could kick-it Aleesha & Leslie style (you know how we do).  Anyway… I don’t even have to tell you about any lifetime stuff… You already know :)  Can't wait to see you and my two little tator tots soon 

SHAUN DERIK

Shaun, I thank you for demonstrating to me what it means to function as a decent human being every day… no matter what!  You laugh at the little things and find joy every second and because of you, I was able to take down my “everyone is toxic” wall and live ALLOT.  You helped me to literally to relearn how to exist in a world that can be gloomy if you choose to see it that way.  I have sooo much admiration for you and the man that you are and I am truly blessed to call you a friend… one of my best friends.  I can’t wait to see all the greatness that comes from all of our adventures.  Thank you for supporting my dreams and calling me out when I am being lazy.  I look forward to our lifelong journey as friends.

NATON "FLIX" SHOEMAKE

My friend, my friend... what can I say - You normalize me.  Thank you for loving me for me and letting say "whatever" comes to mind. You never judge me and you "KEEPS IT REAL".  I love you for being my friend and staying my friend through all the craziness and being my lifeline when a "freakin' out" moment happens.  I adore our friendship!

PEGGY LEWIS

Peggy... Thank you so much for continuing to push me towards greatness! You inspire me and empower me to be the best Aleesha EVER! I thank you believing in me! I love your candid feedback that keeps me on my toes and estatic about my progress. You are an Angel and I love you! :)

EYAN EDWARDS

Without going into all the details, Eyan is a gentleman and the founder of an organization called, “The Gentlemen Movement”.  The organization’s mission purpose is to be a resource and learning center for men and women to transform their lives in order to have stronger and long-lasting intimate relationships.  I met Eyan at a mutual friends house party and then later on I ran into him at an event in NYC and afterwards we hung out and he shared with me info about his company and what he was striving to build.  He asked if I would would be interested in coming alongside him and in order to complete the organizations main website.  Originally, I said, “Eyan, I have no reference for what a gentleman is and good luck with your mission”.  I was not being sarcastic I really had NO reference for what a gentleman was or functioned like and therefore I could not possibly sign on to a project that I did not believe in 100%.  Eyan was not going to give up so easily and slowly but surely, I started working on small projects and eventually collaborating on TGM website.

Originally, I thought my purpose for this new adventure was to gain more experience in coding … however, it turned out that the purpose was for me to be introduced to the concept of being a lady and getting an inside look at a “gentleman” and in a VERY concentrated period of time. 

I walked away learning that being a lady or being a gentlemen is a lifestyle.  I learned that if you do not let someone treat you nicely … then they can’t (not just “won’t).  Furthermore, that the level of respect and care that comes from a true gentleman needs to be a part of ALL my personal relationships.

Eyan, I truly thank you for helping me to redefine my idea of a friend and life-partner.  I wish every woman I know had the opportunity to be in your company for the same amount of time, etc. that I spent with you (like an Eyan Edwards bootcamp).  You would be proud of me now… seeing me walk in the inside of the sidewalk and making the transitions as I cross the street so that I am away from the cars AND I am working hard at letting others open the door for me.

Thank you also for helping me work through a few difficult moments and also reminding me of my truths.  You are a decent person with high integrity and  I am truly thankful for our friendship and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow from you as an example.

KEVIN BROWN

Kevin has an amazing story of resiliency and triumph over life’s challenges.  The thing is when you meet Kevin you would not have any idea that he has led the life he has… WHY – because first thing is he is very humble. He doesn’t talk about his story unless he is asked and even then he shies away from some of the details.  Secondly, he is so very well dressed and put together that one would assume he comes from a background of privilege.  The last thing is he is always laughing and he has the best smile ever --- so again… how can his life have any problems in it, right?

Kevin,  I don’t actually think that there are words to put to the joy that I feel when I reflect on our friendship and its growth over the short period of time.  I feel like I have known you my entire life. The laughs we have shared still make me laugh and I look forward the laughs I am sure we will share hours from now.  You are an amazing person and just so you know… you are in the lifetime category and so that means you will never rid of the A. Nash. Also thank you for continuing the “training” that Eyan started by being a gentlemen with bad boy swag :) ---Your training program is a little more intense ("Don't touch that door") but I appreciate just how mindful you are of treating me with respect!  #TeamHashbrown4EVER

TYNISHA LEON

Tynisha Leon… my dear friend and partner in crime I appreciate the path that we are on together and glad that I am not on the “road less traveled” alone.  We will knock these goals out and conquer our dreams in no time! I thank you for your encouragement and your complete honesty.  Lifetime for you too lady! You can’t get rid of Leesh :)

DEVON HOERNSCHEMEYER

There is a particular redheaded woman that I am fond of and her name is, Devon.  Dear lady… I love you so much! You are an amazing friend and your happy spirit is addictive.  Thank you for your neverending support and constantly checking in on me and not letting me slip away into the oblivion that is sometimes outside my front door.   Thank you for always being there and letting me talk your ears off.  I miss hanging with you and can’t wait to see you soon.  Lifetime for you too darling! :)

BEVERLY OBASEKI

GUUUUUUUURL you know I miss you sooo much! I can’t wait for us to catch up and talk trash real soon.  You have constantly checked on me and helped me get through the low periods of not finding a job and all the apartment issues.  You have continuously told me not to sweat the small stuff and you have helped me to keep the thoughts in my head organized and to not spill out onto the world.  I miss your laugh and we need to hop on a cruise with the quickness!

ALICIA WHITE

A-Team RULES the world and I absolutely adore the person you are Alicia! I thank you so much for your friendship! And even more than that your authenticity! You are an amazing human being and I learn so much from you daily!

CASSANDRA VELEZ 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO --- I love you so much boo! Thank you so much for keeping it real with me! You are a great friend and a wonderful listener!  I am here for you whenever you need me, darling! 

KRISTI REDMOND

Thank you soooo much for your support! I feel like I have known you forever! I can't help but to think of you as I see the buttons around my house! Thank you for being intentional about sending me things that make me happy! I appreciate you and am sooo glad that God connected us! You are beautiful inside and out! :)

MARIO SHAMIR

You are FUNNY! Thanks for making me laugh so hard at your crazy perspective on life! You are VERY talented and I appreciate you sharing your gifts with the world and making it a more colorful world.  I appreciate your honest questions about life and what you hear! Thanks for listening and providing feedback with depth.  JM is going to ROCK and I can't wait to see its progress this year :)   I am truly thankful for our friendship.

MAHOGANY WRIGHT

It takes a really great person to open their house up to someone and I appreciate you for offering when I was going through my housing dilemmas! More than that I appreciate your ability to point out the facts and helping me to see my options and for reminding me that anything I truly want will take sacrifice and hardwork.  And thanks to you I am still here in my lovely apartment and everything is fine!

Thank you for trusting me with your two babies! I truly appreciate you! :)

Thanks Everyone for being apart of my life - I can't wait to see all the wonderful things that happen this next year! 

TTFN

Aleesha