Someone said that to me this past weekend when I told them I was leaving for Africa in a week. Clever. African LOVE the fact that I leave for Ghana, Africa in six short days, though. I have no idea what to expect. I’ve decided that since the summer of 2013 is bound to be an eventful one, I wanted to not only document it but also make a bucket list. So, here’s what I have so far. Let me know if you have any good ideas!

Summer 2013

-Document Ghana with photos, letters, and journals

-Design a piece of clothing in Ghana

-Bring home an awesome leather bag! 

-Bring home some piece of jewelry! 

-Emerse myself in Ghanian culture. Live, breathe, and love Ghana will all that I have. I don’t want to look back and think “I should’ve done that.” Instead I’m going to try the weird foods, talk to the locals, and dance to the African dances like I was born to. And of course, laugh hysterically along the way. 

-Move to NYC for the 4th time! 

I’ll work on my NYC bucket list before I get there. You’d think I would’ve done everything there is to do, but I’m far from completing the list!

Although, down here in Georgia, it couldn’t be sunnier. The showers I’m surrounded with are showers of good news. That’s right. It’s closing in on summer after all. If you know anything about me, summer means that I will be obtaining another NYC internship. Where will this one be??

I will be at Elle Magazine! I could not be more ecstatic. My mentor and boss is an incredible person and I have no doubt that the experience will be just as fantastic and rewarding. However, I’m taking a slight detour prior to moving back to NYC…

This would be Ghana…Africa. I’ll be going on a month long excursion to Ghana, Africa to partake in a retail development course. I’ll be working with local retailers and designers to design something and sell in a store back in my school’s town. I’ll be having frequent posts of my travels. While there, we will be working directly with Ghanian women to learn how to weave, make beads, batik printing, and various other trades. It will be an unforgettable trip to say the least.

Until my departure date of May 14th, I’m trying my best to be a student. No more trips to fashion week or the beaches of Florida. I’ll be attending class, taking finals, and volunteering a lot of my time at the local humane shelter. Yay for puppies!

I’ve officially been back at school for 10 days and I am 5 days away from leaving, again. Between my winter internship and the activities taking place over the next 2 weeks, it’s hard to imagine I’m even a student anymore. I’ll all for learning about bones and dirt in my anthropology class, but I’d much rather be a self-proclaimed jet setter.

My winter internship at Women’s Wear Daily was my absolute best internship experience so far. I learned more than I ever have at an internship and I felt like I was valued for my work. If you’ve been an unpaid intern in the fashion industry, you know how much a simple thank you can even mean, ha!

For the next two weeks I will be in New York City, Las Vegas, and then back in New York City. I’m beyond excited to become sleep deprived and surround myself with fashion week activities. Not to mention, a solid weekend at the Palms in Las Vegas. Luckily my teachers understand the opportunity I’ve been given and are working with me to miss yet another week of classes. It’s time to pack a suitcase full of black clothes and refill my Starbucks gold card to prepare for the early mornings and late nights that are FASHION WEEK!