Last week, was huge in DC.

The Supreme Court affirmed Obamacare in a 6-3 decision and Marriage Equality was ruled constitutional in a 5-4 decision last Friday. There is a such an amazing and humbly feeling to be in the same environment where history is being made.

I also had a great opportunity to take some pretty cool images. On Friday, my supervisor turned to me and said, "can you go document history.." so I got to spend my entire morning doing one of the best intern assignments ever - taking pictures. After I finished taking the shots around noon, I could not help but think that the pictures did not only reflect history but they also reflected love.

Although this was a really great moment for so many people in America. Across, the country same sex couples are still discriminated against through law. Prior to the Supreme Court's ruling 36 states including DC legalized same sex marriage. The remaining 14 are working to integrate the new into their particle states. Here is a great article from the National Journal which analyzes the steps 14 states are taking to integrate same sex marriage into their state

laws. http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/what-are-states-with-same-sex-marriage-bans-doing-now-20150626

coffee shop mornings

I am learning a lot about myself here. DC is so much more peaceful than Atlanta. My entire spirit feels more relaxed and at rest here. I don't know if that is because it is summer or if this city's affect on me. Regardless, I am thoroughly enjoying myself. 

I just complete my first week at the capitol as well. On Friday I had capitol tour training and realized how euro centric American is. Before I was extremely proud and thought I knew a lot about but Spelman has taught me American architecture was actually inspired by ancient Nubians and Egyptians. It really bothers me that blacks and africans contributions are often over-looked except to mention that slave labor built the capitol black ideas also molded our nation. 

I put a weave for the first time since December too. I really like the lady that I went to her name is Marcia and she was awesome! I told her that I am a sagittarius and she was like "you're a sagittarius". 

I really see the characteristic in myself and as I get older I become, more and more of myself and my position in the world. I'm also proud of myself for my fashion sense. I am becoming my own and I think that is such a beautiful thing. Cheers to forever emerging and blossoming into the young woman/ wolf in chic clothing that I am meant to be. 

Hello D.C.

Reporting live from your nation's capitol also known as Washington D.C. I will be residing in the district this summer for an internship. Many of my close friends and family have asked when I'm coming home this summer...(*inserts frowny face/ tear drop emoji*). I will not be returning to Portland, Oregon until either late July or Christmas. Although I am 2, 805 miles away from home. I am so so so very excited for this new adventure. D.C. is the perfect place for me, as  I am a true patron of the humanities. This city is the perfect combination of art, culture and history. I also love the accessibility of the metro, great food options and endless free museums and adventures. I must admit that I am a little anxious to be here. I came to this city alone. LITERALLY. Every aspect of this trip, from moving out of my dorm at Spelly to getting here was organized by yours truly. I'm extremely proud of myself because I usually depend on my mother to book trips and organize anything major in my life. I am  also surprised my mom let me take this city alone while I'm so young...But then again shoutout to her for letting me take this step of independence and allowing me grow, I guess she has figured out that I have an unstoppable taste for adventure. Growing up, she always gave me room to follow my dreams regardless of how wild they were. So..#thanksmamma. I think her upbringing is a big reason why this transition from Atlanta to D.C. has been seamless. I feel as though D.C. is the mecca for emerging young professionals. Living at Howard and being surrounded by college students have made this city feel a lot safer too.

I created this blog toward the end of my first semester at Spelman. I wanted it to be a space for creativity and self-expression. I soon found that I spent more time re-designing the blog than actually writing in it.  I hope that Sugar & Spice can be a space to document my experiences for people in my life, and those that are curious  to know how this Portlandian likes living in Washington D.C. (even if it is just my mom who decides to read this).

There is so much to do and explore in this beautiful district. Anyone that knows me well, will know that I am literally living out my dreams as I type this blog from D.C. I can not articulate how excited I am to explore and expand my education here.


Attached are a couple of photos from my D.C. experience thus far,
1st: first thing I saw when I arrived in D.C. It is an image from Union Station on May 17th at 7:50 am.
2nd: The room I will be staying in the summer. Much bigger and brighter than my dorm at Spelly.
3rd: My motto (for this summer) - "Like wild flowers; you must allow yourself to grown in all the places people thought you never would"

A young woman's perspective

 Films such as Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games have experienced overwhelming success at the box office. Each film has significantly impacted the life of almost every American teen/tween. I will admit  off of the bat that I have not read the The Hunger Games novels. However, I found major characters in Lionsgate's adaption of  Suzanne Collin's trilogy especially fascinating for it's portrayal of female characters. I saw Mockingjay Part 1 while on a date this weekend, I remember about half way through the movie, I realized that District 13 had a female President, Alma Coin. In the film, she lead the rebellion against the capitol. There was one point during the film where the capitol almost discovered the weakened District 13. Instead of continuing to fight with the capitol, President Coin did nothing. By remaining passive during combat the enemy couldn't find District 13s hide out. At this point,  her decision making process made me feel extremely empowered as a young woman. I have found that sometimes a women's best offense is a great defense. President Coin's passiveness is trait commonly associated with women, and negatively portrayed in popular culture. However, this film shows how passiveness can be a silent strength stronger that any direct weapon during combat.

I remember mumbling during the film, "Wow they have a female President" my date responded, "Yeah, a girl must've written this book"...I woman did write this book, in history I have never heard of a man writing about a female heroin or leader (to anyone reading this feel free to correct me on this statement if you know of one who has, I would actually like to be enlightened). I realized in this moment, how important good female writers are. I find Katniss's character so beautiful because she defies so many gender stereotypes and creates a new 21st century female heroine.

There are so many aspects of the movie that are really, really interesting I wish I could share them but I don't want to spoil the movie... When watching it, pay attention to how the women fight, and respond to crisis. I truly find the female characters in this movie diverse, strong and fascinating.

School

Happy Monday everyone. For many of us, the month of November marks "no school November" and the beginning of the holiday seasons. But for a college student the month of November should mean, CRUNCH TIME. Yes, finals begin at Spelman College in exactly one month and Thanksgiving Break is in two weeks. Basically the grades we leave with before break are the grades we are stuck with for the remainder of the semester. Am I freaking out: YES. Lesson to all viewing this blog, if you work as hard throughout the semester as we do during crunch time, well..there wouldn't be a crunch time and we would all have A's. Here are some study tips for these last few weeks:

If you're like I am, and have a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Friday evenings are a great time to get work done. The time between your last class and the turn up is crucial. Instead of using it to watch netflix, eat a snack or turn up during the day..just stop. Take an hour or two out to read, take notes or do an assignment.

While you're watching movies on Saturday morning/ getting over the night before's events take the time to study more. Study Sundays will feel a lot more relaxing than before. I promise.

A new me

Hi my name is Taylor Debnam. I am originally from Portland, Oregon but for the past four months I have been going to school in Atlanta, Georgia at Spelman College. Before coming to school, I had a million and one scenarios of what my college experience would be like, most of them surrounded around an anticipated freedom. I'm beginning to realize this anticipated freedom, is essentially a chance to "go my own way." This opportunity mixed with the liberal arts, black feminist education I'm receiving at Spelman College is greatly shifting the way I view the world. I'm creating this blog to document my ideas, fashion, art and just anything I like. I've found that when we share our opinions, it opens forums and platforms to connect with other's. Join me on my journey of self-awareness. One rule: ignorance ain't welcome.

xoxo 

Tay Deb.