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Feng Shui 2017

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Infomation | No Comments

Any creative or visionary knows that constant change is almost mandatory to keep things oiled and moving. I, for example, switch up my hairstyle frequently because each ‘Do’ makes me feel like another character. Key for any actor. Creatives also know when something has been the same for too long. We get anxious. We look for a change that can be made and we make it. The past few months, I’ve had a very hard time falling asleep. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what was causing the insomnia-filled nights, but I knew I was over it.

I became obsessed with figuring out why I couldn’t sleep. I changed the scent in my bedroom. Got a diffuser. Added mood lighting. You name it. Then one day, while I was sitting on my bed I realized that the position of my bed put me far away from the window and I’m someone who thrives off natural sunlight. *Ting* Of course!! My bedroom was laid out all wrong! So I jump out of bed and get to work. I didn’t know how I wanted the room to look, but I knew it needed a makeover. After an hour, I’d rearranged my bed, desk, side table, chair, and rug and all of a sudden the energy of the room shifted! I’d opened the space up completely, and breathing felt like I had fresh new lungs! I’d found my new layout. I also changed my phone’s theme and even that gave me an extra feeling of being refreshed!

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Like everything else in a creator’s life, balance is key, but change is also important and should be consistent. Routine causes us to be stagnant, and that does nothing for the creative juices. I’m thrilled for the change and so excited to spend the night in my all new feng shuied living space!

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Head Down. Get to work.

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” – my man Mandela

After being back in LA for 3 weeks, this quote rings quite true. While I’m thrilled to be back (LA is home), something feels different this time around. I tried pinpointing my feelings to try and figure it out but to no avail. Man did I make excuses, though.

“Maybe I need to get acclimated again.” “Maybe get our house unpacked and in order.” “Maybe seeing my friends.”

Nada.

Then, as I was hiking this weekend, (damn, I didn’t miss that ish, but boy does it feel great!) Zeus himself shot me with one of his golden thunderbolts ⚡. That shit hurt … but the message was clear: I’m not the same person I was when I left almost 2 years ago. Call it cliche. Call it growth. Call it whatever you want, just acknowledge it’s truth. Things that mattered before don’t matter this time around. Dreams are clearer and more attainable. Goals are set. Distractions are recognized and shut down immediately. In short, can’t stop, won’t stop. Failure is not an option, and being inactive is the same poison by my definition. So! It’s time to get to work. My newly adopted motto from Gina Rodriguez, “Head down. Prayers up.”

Start each week off on the right foot. Set goals. Make plans. Support others’ visions. Sky’s the limit on what we can accomplish when we try.

Happy living 💛’s.

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

Eritrean Woman: Blood of My Blood.

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Infomation, Jade's Top Ten, Uncategorized | No Comments

Fact: By 1990, 40% of Eritrean freedom fighters were made up of women. Making the EPLF the highest percentile of women fighters than any other liberation army worldwide. Let that marinate for a second!!

Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

When I sit back and reflect on this, so many things become clearer in my mind. I’ve always admired the grace that Eritrean women embodied. Couple that with strength, resilience, and a loving heart that’s the cherry atop this sundae. My God, this woman sounds like some sort of medieval sorceress who spends her days strategizing world peace, while cooking monster meals for her little ones before sending them off to school, which she inevitably does on the back of a unicorn. In short, she doesn’t seem real. I mean, how do these women make it all seem so effortless?? Tell me your secrets. Tell me, I say!

The beauty of all this magic is that when you’re born into this reality one doesn’t have to look far. I’m fortunate enough to be talking about the many mothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, & friends I have in my abundantly blessed life.

I mean, is it a wonder that I’m a strong-willed feminist? It’s forged in my make. It runs through my veins. The perception that a woman can do anything and everything a man can. Think about it! Eritrean women have been fighting since 1810. They not only held house and home, they fought on the field alongside their countrymen. At a time in the world where women (although the backbone) were brushed to the side without thought, their opinions dissuaded, it’s knowing the stock one comes from that can shape who we are.

Eritrean-fighter-EPLF-woman.jpg

Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Sorry mama. Sorry baba. I know of all the things that make the Eritrean woman, you wish I’d veer towards the domestic but that’s a no-go. Strap me up and send this jigna (warrior) to the battlefield (uh, hypothetical battlefield because you know…. I bruise easily 😔)

Jokes aside, I  want to take this moment to thank the thousands of women who’ve paved the way for me. You’ve taught me that my abilities in life can exceed all my expectations if I just do it!

A’day Eri, in all my endeavours I carry your spirit with me. Blood of my blood. 💚❤💛💙

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

NYC: Be the Backdrop of My Life Any Day

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments

From the moment I touched down in NYC I felt something stirring inside me. My spirit was awakening. I thought, if a city can do THIS, what else could I possibly experience in the next 4 days? I was not disappointed. In a trip that mixed business with pleasure, I landed ready to explore. I knew I was only there for a short period of time, and did not want any wasted opportunities. I stayed on the Upper East Side with an old friend of mine. Once I dropped my luggage, I was off! The first things no one tells you about NYC, is that there is soul in that city. And it was everywhere! On the subway you’ll see business men who work in the financial district sitting next to an older lady making a grocery run with her granddaughter. You get a show from artists who use the train system as their stage. While I was taken aback by the performance, everyone else looked on or looked away, completely un-phased by what was going on.
I admit, I went in slightly afraid of the “rude” behavior I was sure to encounter, only I didn’t encounter any. At all. Mind you, know one goes out of their way to welcome you to the big city, they’re all much to busy. but when I had a question, I encountered only people who wanted to help. One lady took it upon herself to be my guardian angel and made sure I got off on the right stop.
As much as I thought Los Angeles was a melting pot, it pales in comparison to NYC. All walks of life don’t just have the subway system in common, they have the local pizzeria, the Starbucks in the corner, the nail salon 2 blocks down, the rooftop bar across a lit up Empire State Building…the list goes on.
I’d start each morning just ogling the inhabitants of the most vibrant city I’ve ever been in. The way they interacted, the way they maneuvered. In LA, a sign that you aren’t interested in the company of others is to have head phones in and your head lowered. In NYC, it just is assumed that no one wants to be bothered. Not in an attempt to be crass it’s just an understanding the citizens of NYC have among each other. As someone who is never without her iPod, I found myself not wanting a reason to miss ANYTHING happening around me and left them in the apartment as I wandered the city.
If the men of NYC aren’t reason of enough to go back to NYC, then the lasting impressions this city full of life, is.
I want to take this time to thank the city of New York, for rekindling the fire in my soul and reminding me that if I’m not enjoying life as I’m living it then I can, and must, change it.

I was able to take some footage of my time in NYC. You can view that vlog here: https://youtu.be/8k0U3WgchJU

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B

#DearMe: Bethlehem

By | Baby Jade, Blog, Uncategorized | No Comments

In honor of Woman’s Day, YouTube came up with a great idea. They asked female YouTubers to write a letter to their younger self. The YouTubers then created a video sharing their words of encouragement.

I thought, what a fantastic idea. Many of us say things like “I wish I knew this” or “If I could do it all over again I’d change this”. And while that isn’t possible, it’s still fun to look back at who we once were and how much we’ve changed.

I mean, what things would I share with Bethlehem 10 years ago? I decided to join this great campaign and make a video to my younger self. Not only giving advice but also expressing my gratitude at the choices made.

After hours of agonizing and picking the most important moments, I was finally able to come up with my video.

To view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haFcrYc2ucY
I encourage everyone to take a moment and join in the campaign. Even if you don’t film yourself, just have the conversation. You’d be surprised at the things you’ll unearth and discover.

*Thank you for continuously reading my blogs. For more content check out my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethlehemawate*

Let’s connect on social media, I’d love to hear from you:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethlehemawate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemawate
Snapchat: betu_la

Xo, B