2012 RetroSpective: Looking Back to Look Forward

Happy New Year!! Yesterday, as everyone was in a rush to move on from 2012 and embrace 2013, I couldn't let 2012 pass by without recognizing what a great year it was.

Even with acknowledging the tremendous losses (such as legendary icons as Whitney Houston and Donna Summer), the tragedies of the shootings in our communities as in Sandy Hook, the devastation from natural disasters, the politics as usual childish games in DC that impact the lives of my family/neighbors who still remain underemployed or job and the fiscal crisis that continues into the 2013 new year (I could go on), I also witnessed the beautifulness of humanity from my window (especially during the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy) and, connected with so many people and places.

The Music...its rhythm, lo's and highs move me, change me and take me to a better place. Ledisi and Eric Benet showed us live and in color a "LOVE SERMON", Lili Roquelin showed you her love of the "BEAUTIFUL SUN", Kameron Corvet shouted "F_CK LOVE", ArinMaya urged you to "BE YOU - BE BEAUTIFUL", Peter Hadar serenaded you to "TAKE OFF YOUR VICTORIA", Jesse Boykins III defined why he is the "ZULU GURU", Szjerdene revealed her "PATCHWORK" EP, Navasha Daya sang into your heart about being "REBIRTHED ABOVE GROUND", Dawn Richard unsheathed her "Armor On", Choklate showed us how to be "FLY", LaSonya Gunter blessed us with "LOVE & MUSIC", Jose James teased us for two nights in Harlem and with his "It's All Over Your Body" EP. And in 2012, the masses were introduced to the (not-so) new voices of the independent music movement, Daley, Ginette Claudette, Caprice StarBRITE, Jennah Bell, Tess Santos, Candice Anitra and Lianne La Havas.

Artist: Dawn Richard

The Culture....its the embodiment of a community breathing life into a nation. The tasting of the eateries of Brooklyn at the ultimate foodie event hosted by Brooklyn Exposed, Spike Lee welcomed folks to Brooklyn (once again) in his fictional film "Red Hook Summer" and he strolled us down memory lane with his epic Michael Jackson documentary "BAD25", Martina and Frank showcased abstract art right here in Brooklyn via their amazing art shows at MF Gallery, Harlem hosted the first annual Harlem Arts Festival at Marcus Garvey Park with art located in every crevice of the park, Pachi Tamer introducing the world to his photography series "One Dollar Dreams" that give a voice to those without, the living Hip Hop legend Ice T birthed the documentary "The Art of Rap", musical senses were indulged with the remake of the Porgy & Bess opera, Harlem saw the doors shutter at the HueMan Bookstore; a historic literary resource, Brooklyn witnessed the Great Googa Mooga, Nhojj embraced you into his life with his documentary "Music & the Word", Broadway witnessed the 2012 remake of the "Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway, Amanda Seales gave her definition of a DIVA in her one-woman play, folks reminisced on the music and history of Bob Marley in the self-titled documentary, exciting folk connected at the Meet the Afropolitans plenary of the Social Media Week annual event.

"Meet the Afropolitans" Social Media Week Event [2012]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

The Travel...its the passport to another place to explore the culture, music, language and pulse of the people of that region. The duo of Street Etiquette does it quite well with its new web travel series "Travel Etiquette". Mario Nicholas took us to places less traveled through his "Mario on The Go" web series. And I also trekked the streets of NYC and beyond in my own special way with travel escapades in my hometown via my post on summer sights/sounds and the "How Did I End Up Here?" blog series throughout the year (the last trip ended at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens). Also, I traveled Me to the  Hamptons for the first time for wine, shopping and a bit of exploration of the scenic destination. Lastly, I took a two week journey half way across the world to Hawaii. 

Kona Island in Hawaii [2012]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

2012 gave me so much life! The one lesson that I carry into the new year is to live in each moment and be appreciative of what that moment represents - personal growth, indulging of the senses or seeing/hearing something new.

What will you bring from the 2012 year that once was into the 2013 year that has yet to become?

In Peace,
Chante

Travel to the Hawaiian Paradise

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

In late August, I escaped New York City for a much needed vacation to the other state of the U.S.A. – Hawaii. To say that this trip was an escape to paradise is an understatement. The beauty that was seen was beyond words can describe, the welcome that was shown was genuinely amazing and the traditions learned will linger with me for a long time.

Along with my travel buddy (Charles), we took this journey via an 11-day island-hopping cruise that allowed us to see all of the Hawaiian destinations for a day or two. The cruising life aboard Norwegian’s Pride of America was an experience within itself that I highly recommend for single folks, families, groups of friends and couples. Between the plethora of food, the on-board amenities and the friendly disposition of all staff, it was hard to say goodbye to the place that we called home for over a week.

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

The first destination was Waikiki, Honolulu which was somewhat reminiscent of South Beach in Miami filled with plenty beach realty, bars along the shore and water sports plus shopping districts - a tourist’s dream. It took a minute to adjust to the six hour time difference. We would wake up at 3am (9am in New York) ready for breakfast but luckily Waikiki had a couple of 24 hr foodie stops to quench my hunger. Besides the time adjustment, I used those first two days to simply begin to soak in the customs, sights and sounds of the Polynesian culture in America. While I was here in Honolulu, I visited Pearl Harbor, both a spiritual and humbling experience, to say the least.

The next stop was the island of Kahului, Maui home of the Haleakala crater (the world’s largest dormant volcano). If you are a water sports fan – this is the place to go! I saw here plenty of people surfing, boating, kayaking, body boarding, etc. on this balmy mid 80 degree weather. Since I’m not a swimmer, I opted to keep dry and stop by the town of Lahaina in west Maui for some shopping, gallery hopping and eating, of course.

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

The third stop was to the Big Island - the Hilo side - where I visited the Volcano National Park to see the Kilauea, the most active volcano on the island. Although I was not able to see molten lava, I got a chance to see the steam vents, the botanical life and the arbor beauty that lay in the aftermath of lava flows that occurred many years ago. It was sheer beauty! In between volcanoes, I checked the Big Candies Factory to see the workers in action making delicious sweet treats for public consumption– macadamia nut cookies, candies brownies, chocolates, etc. (drool)

The fourth stop was to the other side of the Big Island, Kona, the land of fruits and coffee. The trees here birthed delicious fruits that anyone is welcomed to pluck and eat – from bananas to limes to avocados  While I was docked here, I stopped by the coffee plantation for a tasting, a tour and to grab a few bags of coffee to take home - my favorite was the coconut macadamia nut roast! I also visited the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau Historic Park, on the black lava flats of the southern Kona coast, this site is a remnant of the Polynesian rich history of rituals and where royal chiefs resided and sacred grounds for defeated warriors and noncombatants in time of war.

The final stop was Nawiliwili, Kauai home of the Waimea Canyon also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. And Kauai is also home of the Na Pali area of the island that is only accessible by hiking, sea or air and is the location of many movies such as Jurassic Park and the Pirates of the Caribbean. On this island, I sampled more of the island cuisine, mainly seafood, did more shopping in the town of Kalapaki and connected with craft artists – they are extraordinarily talented!

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

During this entire trip, we learned quite a bit of history about the 50th state. From the tour guides and chats with the locals, I learned about the smorgasbord culture of the Hawaiian people due to the various periods of migration throughout history to this then unknown destination, the main industries that fuel its economy and, the strength of the Polynesian culture that is alive and well in the daily living of the Hawaiian people.

-Chante