Category Archives: Thoughts

010 Hold those Moments

Driving back home to Ohio from Maryland and the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the earth is just beautiful. I love long drives and taking in the scenery it’s just amazing how much life exist that has nothing to do with me. Time with family fills my heart with joy. Sometimes in life things don’t go the way we planned and I’m learning to find the joy in that. This weekend finding that joy was easy it overflowed in every interaction that I had over my 29 hours home.

And as I talk to text this post while driving through the hills of Pennsylvania I’m just reminded of all of the joy and the wonder the world has to offer if we take a moment to take it in. Winter is coming in Cleveland and the sun will soon fade but these moments of sunshine and memories of joy will keep me through the winter (hopefully). I hope this week you remember to find the joy hold tight to the memories and enjoy the beauty that exist around you.

I challenge you to check in with a friend, go on a walk, find art or nature that inspires you and take a picture and live in those moments a little longer than you normally would. These times are all blessings that can change your perspective for a this upcoming week!

XX Ande Mari

008 – Ode to the Good Times

I’m back into the swing of things and I am missing the good times. You know the times where you made all the memories you now talk about at dinner parties. My best friend posted a bunch of old pictures and I just felt the nostalgia immediately.

This weekend I made memories and it felt great to be back to the good times. Taking time to be in a good space, and enjoy life again. During the pandemic I lost the high of life in trying to survive from day to day and it’s time to get that back.

How are you going to make the good times roll?

XX Ande Mari

007 – B.A.M. Faves – List 2

#1. inTreatment S4 on HBOMax – I watched it all in a week! This is not my go to light hearted watch. But, If you want a show that makes you think, opens up so many questions and positions on life… this is it! The show follows three patients in therapy and the therapist “Brooke”. This series is a great conversation for friends to break down over food and drinks! Let me know your thoughts, let’s talk about it!!

#2. Bao Buns! – I have been obsessed since Chication and haven’t had a miss yet. I’ve had mushroom, fried chicken, braised beef, and lamb! If you love textures with your food this is next level! Find one near YOU, do yourself the favor. Trust me!!!

#3. FM Broadcast on Nike App – this broadcast covers black voices in different spaces! It is a great educator and concersation starter. I love the element of video! The cinematography and taping of the episodes are poetic. Check it out! My favorite episode so far is #3 – Black Disrupters.

#4. Coda – TEARS!! If you are looking for a good movie, with comedy, music, and family this is it!! And even if your not, watch it!! It is a beautiful story of family responsibility, love, acceptance, and differences. Watch it!!

#5. HP Ink Plan- this is an unusual fave but with back to school it’s a time and life saver! I have an HP printer and I use to wait for my ink to get low and then search all the stores for the cheapest ink purchase, it was a mess and you always run out of ink when you have a ton to do! Enter hp ink plans! You can sign up for a monthly print plan and you can change the plan whenever. Since I’m coming off summer I’m only paying $4.99 for 100 pages BUT they send you ink whenever your printer registers low even if you didn’t print 100 pages. And your pages can roll over! It’s an easy way to get ink to your door!! I love it!!

Thanks for joining list 2 of BAM faves!

XX Ande Mari

006 – It is okay to BE the first!

These days I find inspiration and insight anywhere. On my weekly Nike video binge I came across this 11 min video on the Nike App FM Broadcast- Episode 3. There were so many quotable moments throughout this broadcast. In the conversation the host, Janaya Future Khan is interviewing a variety of young people and they are speaking on how they are owning their identities and their advice to the future first. One statement gave me chills.

Ramla Ali stated “ It’s okay to be the first!” This is something I heard before but just hit different today.

Where are you after pushing yourself to have a positive mindset last week? This week I’m back at school and my work life chaos is from 0-100000000! I am a planner, a perfectionist, and someone who runs when inspiration strikes and this broadcast was just what I needed to jump start my 6th year as a teacher! 

Black educators have such a unique perspective to bring to the table but also an unseen burden of showing up as our “true” self. I just want to BE me sometimes and the education workforce isn’t always receptive. And in the past I’ve cared wayyy more than I should have. But this year I am going to be the first. I am going to do the creative over the top lesson, join in conversations I’ve stayed silent in, and build the foundation to tackle my next career goal. I am going to be the first! Where can you show up first this week? This is the invitation to be yourself this week!

XX Ande Mari

005 – Mountain Top View

Does your mind have a mountain top view?

Sometimes in life it’s hard to maintain a positive attitude and outlook when we have no view of our future. While driving to visit my best friend in Nashville I saw this ginormous brick house on the top of a mountain. I immediately began to wonder what it was like to live there and have that incredible view every day. The owners have a view of everything below and for miles around their home.

The idea of this view made me really think of what it’s like for us in the valley. Seeing that house brought me a sense of inspiration and light. Yet, sometimes in life we’re in a valley and everything around us is hard and we can’t quite see the beauty of the future, or even the now. Work, family, friends, health, and even love is just not going the way we planned. What do you do? As I continued to drive through the lush trees in this valley I pondered, what if during that time that we are low we had a mountain top view mentality? A mentality that sees the positives and chooses to stay on the optimistic side of any situation.

After what the year 2020 gave us, I know this is harder said then done. But, join me from your mountain top view for this week. Remind yourself of all you have, your dreams, and the possibilities of the future. If you get afraid of the view or find yourself slipping into a valley. Read one of these quotes!

🥂To a mountain top view this week (and for life)!

Let me know how your mindset shift changes this week, and a quote that helped you through!

XX Ande Mari

003 – B.A.M. Favorites

Hello ALL to my first ever B.A.M. faves! I will be sharing a list of all of the things I am currently loving from food to fashion! Stop in to find your new favorites, something to try or just enjoy the reviews!

XX Ande Mari

#1. Johnny Pop – Strawberry w/ Chocolate – Looking for your next favorite treat? Look no further, these strawberry popsicles dipped in dark chocolate are it!!! Sold solely at Target this small brand is doing it right! Be sure to add them to your next Target order. S/O to my cousin Lex for putting me on to this sweet treat!

#2 The Heights – I LOVE a good musical and this was the summer inspiration I needed! If you loved Hamilton you are sure to enjoy this story of sueñitos (dreams) set in New York! Check it out on HBOmax or in theaters.

#3 Drama Queens Podcast – One Tree Hill is one of my all time favorite tv shows!! I can’t say how many times I’ve rewatched my favorite seasons. And now I’m doing it again with Peyton (Hilarie Burton) Brooke (Sophia Bush) and Halley (Bethany Joy Lenz). These main characters have teamed up in a podcast rewatching the series with loads of special guest and back story! Trust me it’s an amazing walk down memory lane and a fun way to relive an iconic series. Listen to Drama Queens wherever you get your podcast !!

#4 Peloton HIIT Cardio Exercises – You don’t even need the bike to enjoy all things Peloton. Peloton has an app that allows you to take workouts wherever you go. The HIIT cardio has been a summer time favorite to keep moving! You can use a free trial to check it our yourself and see what you think. There is cardio, yoga, meditation, barre, and of course cycling! You can even find me and add me as a friend! Let’s stay fit together! Add me @amurda

#5 Cloud Slides – I have been seeing these very thick slides float around from luxury brands to Amazon finds. I had to find out what the hype was about. I first saw them on an Insta add, and of course followed the dark whole of searching until I bought a pair on Amazon! I have a yellow pair and they are my new favorite house slides. They are soooo comfy and easy to clean and keep clean. I even wore them during a 6 hour drive and they were heaven. I would highly recommend if you are looking to try the style.