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<\/em><\/p>\nPhoto by A. Marsh.<\/em><\/p>\n Learning. <\/strong>I GRADUATED LAST MONTH! I still have trouble believing it. I graduated from the same school that my dad graduated from forty three years ago.\u00a0 For the last three years, I have worked hard to achieve a lifelong goal, and I did it! My husband, kids, family, and friends have been amazing support. I have to thank them for helping me keep it together, and God for giving me the strength to homeschool and be a mom through the whole experience. I am grateful.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n What Being a First Year Law Student Taught Me about Being a Better Mom (Part I)<\/a><\/p>\n What Being a First Year Law Student Taught Me about Being a Better Mom (Part II)<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Eva Wilson.<\/em><\/p>\n Celebrating everything.<\/strong> My oldest graduated from high school last month as well, and I wanted to celebrate every single thing with him before he goes away to college. We took a trip to Hawaii with family to celebrate both of our graduations and got some amazing photos to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n The Ultimate Family Guide to Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii (with packing list!)<\/a><\/p>\n Destination Graduation: 5 Fabulous Places to Celebrate Homeschool Graduation<\/a><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of BlogHer.<\/em><\/p>\n Traveling.<\/strong><\/p>\n This last year of law school was the year that I traveled the most. Last year this time I was in Los Angeles showing my video and accepting a Voices of the Year Award, that started a wave of travel \u2013 Jamaica twice for my third Social Media and the Sand Conference, and second time accompanying my son to Beaches Teens, Montserrat to speak at the Alliouagana Festival of the Word, Vieques to recover from exams with family, and celebrating graduations in Oahu, Hawaii. When June 1st<\/sup> rolled around, when I would ordinarily be ramping up my advertising for the Anancy Festival, I was headed back to Los Angeles for a girl\u2019s weekend with my Li\u2019l Bit.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n BlogHer Voices of the Year: I’m a 2016 Honoree!<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] Voices of the Year Community Keynote at BlogHer 2016<\/a><\/p>\n Caribbean Moms Talk Parenting Styles at Beaches Negril Resort and Spa<\/a><\/p>\n I DID That! Paddle Boarding and Sailing in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Give and Take: Reading Road Trip in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat November 10-13<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day One<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day Two<\/a><\/p>\n 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vieques with Your Family<\/a><\/p>\n The Ultimate Family Guide to Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii (with packing list!)<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] The 2016 Anancy Festival in Washington DC Hosted by SocaMom.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Eva Wilson.<\/em><\/p>\n Being on the beach.<\/strong> I spent more time at the beach and applied more sunscreen and mosquito repellant this year, than at any other time since I was a kid and traveling on my parents\u2019 dime. This is not a complaint. The beach is pretty much my favorite place to be\u2026 always.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n I DID That! Paddle Boarding and Sailing in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Give and Take: Reading Road Trip in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat November 10-13<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day One<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day Two<\/a><\/p>\n 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vieques with Your Family<\/a><\/p>\n The Ultimate Family Guide to Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii (with packing list!)<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by H. Osun.<\/em><\/p>\n Working hard.<\/strong> I went to law school because of this blog. Because of you. I wanted to be a champion for immigrants. I finished all of my required courses early, and spent the remaining semesters taking classes that would help me serve my community \u2013 on and offline. \u00a0Even though we were\u00a0homeschooling our\u00a0three children, I was able to win two CALI awards, meaning I earned the highest grade in the class for two of my classes. My final semester I took Immigration Law, Refugee Law, and Social Media and the Law, and wrote some of the most amazing scholarly papers I have ever written.\u00a0 I got clarity on what I want to do, and how I want to do it. The\u00a0decision to go to law school is one of the best decisions I have ever made, besides becoming a mom, a wife, and a mom again.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n What Being a First Year Law Student Taught Me about Being a Better Mom (Part I)<\/a><\/p>\n What Being a First Year Law Student Taught Me about Being a Better Mom (Part II)<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by N. Golden of Discover Montserrat<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Liming\u2026 hard.<\/strong> I can\u2019t say that it was all work and no play. I enjoyed interacting with my friends online, and IRL (in real life). I hung out with friends, family, and readers locally who kept me motivated and encouraged, and Caribbean mom bloggers who just\u2026 got me. We laughed, we talked, we connected.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n BlogHer Voices of the Year: I’m a 2016 Honoree!<\/a><\/p>\n BlogHer Photos on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] Voices of the Year Community Keynote at BlogHer 2016<\/a><\/p>\n Caribbean Moms Talk Parenting Styles at Beaches Negril Resort and Spa<\/a><\/p>\n I DID That! Paddle Boarding and Sailing in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Give and Take: Reading Road Trip in Negril, Jamaica<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat November 10-13<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day One<\/a><\/p>\n Alliouagana Festival of the Word in Montserrat: Day Two<\/a><\/p>\n 5 Things You Must Do When You Visit Vieques with Your Family<\/a><\/p>\n The Ultimate Family Guide to Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii (with packing list!)<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] The 2016 Anancy Festival in Washington DC Hosted by SocaMom.com<\/a><\/p>\n Discussing politics.<\/strong> Caribbean people LOVE discussing politics. Love it. I was invited to Villanova to do a Black History Month Interview about being Caribbean in America.\u00a0 It was one of my favorite on camera interviews ever, and the discussion seemed to resonate with immigrants from many different regions, given the current climate.\u00a0 I posted one of the executive orders in its entirety, and tweeted about its possible ramifications. I can\u2019t think of a more advantageous time to be a law student in a school like Howard.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements<\/a><\/p>\n Black History Month Interview about Caribbean Culture in America<\/a><\/p>\n Election 2016: Trading Fear for Hope<\/a><\/p>\n Looking back.<\/strong> I looked back at all that I did over the last six years, and felt amazing. I think about where I was when I started this blog and where I am now, and I can\u2019t believe the growth. The impetus to start this blog was a gift from God.\u00a0 If I had not started this blog back in 2011, I may not have been an award winning blogger, author, speaker, children\u2019s event coordinator, or a graduate of Howard University School of Law. The fruits of this blog have been unreal.<\/p>\n Some of Our Top Posts:<\/p>\n Happy New Year: Top 16 Moments of 2016<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] The 2016 Anancy Festival in Washington DC Hosted by SocaMom.com<\/a><\/p>\n Happy New Year: 14 Things I Learned in 2014<\/a><\/p>\n [VIDEO] Cicely Tyson Shares a Story About Her Caribbean Mom<\/a><\/p>\n [PHOTOS] Voices of the Year Community Keynote at BlogHer 2016<\/a><\/p>\n 10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Connected to Caribbean Culture<\/a><\/p>\n 7 Ways You Can Support Your Entrepreneurial Friend Without Spending a Dime<\/a><\/p>\n 10 Caribbean American Things President Barack Obama Must Do Before Leaving Washington, D.C.<\/a><\/p>\n Is Your Caribbean Culture Killing You?<\/a><\/p>\n Back to School Shopping Made Easier with Procter & Gamble and Bed Bath & Beyond<\/a><\/p>\n Black History Month Interview about Caribbean Culture in America<\/a><\/p>\n 10 Ways to Tell if Your Non-Caribbean Man is Actually Caribbean on the Inside<\/a><\/p>\n Looking forward.<\/strong> I know it sounds clich\u00e9, but the best is yet to come. I have some amazing projects in the works that I can\u2019t wait to share with you – the bar exam next year, and more working, creating, traveling, laughing, and loving all chronicled here on Socamom.com. I will spend Caribbean American Heritage Month planning, creating, and being the best Caribbean Mom I can be \u2013 a fitting tribute to the community I love.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n How to Host the Ultimate Family Vision Board Party: A Step by Step Guide<\/a><\/p>\n Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month!<\/strong><\/p>\n For information on Caribbean American Heritage Month activities around the country, please follow me on Facebook<\/a>. I\u2019ll be sharing them as they come in.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I know, I know. I haven\u2019t been around much.\u00a0 I have written things here and there, but for the most part I have been quiet here on the blog.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t that I don\u2019t care about Caribbean American Heritage Month \u2013 it is our month to show off. It is just that I have spent last few months being\u2026 well a Caribbean American Mom. June came and I figured the best way to celebrate is to continue being the best Caribbean mom that I can be.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/cahm_2017_2.jpg\")
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