“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou

Let’s Chat, Shall We…

When I first launched this blog, it was as part of a school project during my undergrad years. The original goal was simple: to provide natural haircare tips for college-aged women (or anyone who identifies as a woman), and to document my personal journey transitioning from permed, straight hair to embracing my natural curls. But as life has evolved, so has my vision for this space. What started as a niche blog focused on curly hair is now a broader platform where I can reflect on everything from pop culture to identity, to whatever musings I feel like sharing with you. Hence, the name change—and the shift in the content you’ll see going forward.

I’m truly excited to return to this space, and I hope you’re just as excited to read along as I am to write.

What Have I Been up to?

At the time I first started this blog, I was a junior at Maryville University of St. Louis, juggling majors in Psychology and Organizational Leadership with a minor in Communications. I was also the President of the Hawaiian Asian Pacific Islander Association and a proud Multicultural Scholar. Since then, life has taken me on quite the ride.

After graduating, I had the incredible opportunity to work in public relations for my dream company, FleishmanHillard. I then packed my bags and moved to France, where I spent two years earning my Master’s in Global Communications from the American University of Paris. Fun fact: My body physically refused to learn French, much to my regret now, so I eventually returned to the U.S. after realizing that navigating the world without understanding the local language is a bit of a challenge.

Now, here I am—a full-fledged adult, juggling responsibilities, navigating the endless grind, and trying to make sense of this thing called “life.” So much time has passed, and I’ve experienced so much in these years. It’s been an exciting, sometimes overwhelming, journey—and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

Why Write Again?

You might be wondering: Why now? Why come back to this blog after such a long break?

The truth is, I didn’t have much to say for a long time. After years of being entrenched in academia, I found myself at a loss for words. I had written so much for school, work, and life that I didn’t have much left to express. For a while, I was in survival mode—treading water in the adult world, where every decision is now mine to make, and no one is telling me what the next step should be.

But now, I’ve finally got something to say. Something worth sharing. I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to reflect on where I am right now, talk about the world around me, and explore the future I hope to create. There’s a lot on my mind, and I’m ready to share it with you, my reader.

Setting Intentions

With Roots and Reflections, I want to create a space that serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, I see this as a productive outlet—a place to clear my mind and process my thoughts. I also want this blog to be a portfolio piece that I can proudly share with future employers, demonstrating my writing and creativity. And lastly, I want to use this space as a tool for self-discovery. Writing has always been a way for me to make sense of the world, and I hope that through these posts, I’ll learn more about myself and continue to grow along the way.

Closing Thoughts

So, with all of that being said, I’m excited for what lies ahead. Life has been a journey of growth and learning, and this blog will now be a reflection of that evolution. I hope you’ll join me on this new chapter of Roots and Reflections. It’s going to be a space full of reflections, revelations, and yes—more than a little bit of curly hair talk. But now, it’s about so much more than that. It’s about me, you, and everything in between.

Thanks for sticking around. I can’t wait to connect with you all again.