The March through my eyes and camera.

Hey guys!

So, as most of you guys I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. This event had more of an impact on me than I thought it was going to be. Obviously, I am African-American but I feel like sometimes I am blind to the fact that people had to fight for me to go to school (especially Baylor) or even ride in the front of the bus (I always ride in the front, I feel safer...true story)! I mean, obviously, I knew it happened, I really just don't know how to explain it. After 50 years, things have gotten so much better, but almost every speaker expressed how far America had to go, not for only African-Americans, but for all races and sexual orientations to have equality, and this march opened my eyes to that.

The first thing that we (My roommate Jordin and I) did was participate in the March. The march was a 1.6 mile route and led to the Lincoln Memorial. Before the march began we got to see so many men and women, black and white, who participated in the march 50 years ago! It was just so amazing to see these people marching again 50 years later. While I was marching there was a guy who marched 50 years ago was telling his story to anyone who wanted to hear it. He said that on that day in 1963 it was just amazing to him how everyone, black and white, just joined together to march for equal rights. He said the day that made him so incredibly happy and it was a day he COULD never forgot!

While we were marching everyone sang songs, like "This Little Light of Mine" and "We Shall Overcome" and chanting "Keep the Dream Alive!". Sidenote: People were also chanting "No Justice, No Peace" which made NO sense to me because MLK was a pacifist, I believe, or he definitely believed in non-violence. So I didn't like that they were chanting that.

While I was marching I recorded some of the songs.

The first one is "This little light of mine" and the second one is "We shall not be moved" accompanied by this friggin awesome ukulele chick and her husband on percussion.




















After the march we had to wait for FOREVER to get into the actual event but we eventually got in!
We were able to hear from so many activists from many different communities, like the Jewish community, Native American community, and the LGBT community.



















The line up of star speakers started with Jamie Foxx and then Oprah! I have a  little bit of Oprah on MLK. And sorry for this crappy video, you can actually see Oprah's entire speech online somewhere on the internet I'm sure!

















Even star singers were there! Okay, I LOVE LeAnn Rimes, and her "Amazing Grace" was ....AMAZING. I'm sure it's on the internet somewhere too. And the super famous gospel artist, Shirley Caesar, was there and pretty much TORE IT UP! (That's the 4th video).

My favorite part, after marching, was being able to hear John Lewis, President Clinton, President Carter,and President Obama speak! John Lewis spoke at the March on Washington 50 years ago, and is the only surviving speaker. He was a Freedom Rider, and he was beaten, water-hosed, and everything that I ,honestly, wish didn't really happen in American history, but did. His speech really just opened my eyes to the things that did take place but have been changed and also, how far America needs to go so that there is equality for EVERYONE! If you have anytime definitely look up his speech!

Right before President Obama spoke, at 3:00 PM, the Obama family (I think) sounded the bell that was taken from 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama where bomb killed 4 young girls only days after the March on Washington. And then President Obama spoke and the high tailed it out of there because we didn't want to be on a crowded as hell metro. 

Sidenote: After the march we went to an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant and it was AMAZING! And I got Horchata! #whatwhat! 

But anyways, the March on Washington was an eye opening experience for me and I am glad I am able to share it with whoever reads this. And I'm not sorry if you actually read this and didn't like it...I'm not a friggin journalist. 

I'll leave some pics for you guys below!

Shabria 

People who marched 50 years ago led the march wearing a sash!

People who marched 50 years ago led the march wearing a sash!

People watched from the top of buildings and in their offices! They clapped and cheered! It was amazing!

My roommate and I during the march!

The white tents were where the metal detectors were and the Lincoln memorial behind it! SO MANY PEOPLE! #LovedItThough

Our view, which was pretty good! 

Selfie! #duh

My new favorite necklace!

So...I haven't posted in a while because getting your computer fixed IS NOT CHEAP! I am totally grateful for having a mac which means that I just need to go to the Apple Store to get it fixed, but it is crazy expensive! The Apple Store should provide customers like me who have to go into the store every two weeks with a coupon. A coupon that says "Heres 10% off. Thank you for being our b***ch." Yeah okay, rant over!

So, almost every single day I have a new adventure in DC and so far, I am settling in pretty well and making friends! Last night my roomies, next door neighbors and I went out to a club called Josephines and it was pretty fun! Whenever I go out, I immediately think about what I am going to wear and I knew I needed a necklace to match an outfit that I already had! So my roommate and I went across the street to the mall! (It's way too convenient)

I almost immediately went to Macy's because I knew that they would have something I would like. All I knew is that I wanted big and either silver (to match everything) or purple (to match the skirt that I wanted to wear). As soon as I walked into jewelry section, I saw it! The most awesome purple necklace ever! I knew it would turn my simple outfit into something...not fabulous...but less simple! At first I wasn't going to get it because it was $28.00 (wth?) but was on sale for $21.00 because it was 25% off. So I walked around with it (something weird I do) for a while, and then I looked up Macy's on THE BEST APP EVER Retailmenot and saw that there was a 15% off coupon and the item HAD to be on sale. Um, perfect!! So I ended up getting the necklace for $17.85! While I was walking around I found some silver earrings originally $18.00 on sale for 6.35 and I got them for $5.35 with the coupon!

Wearing: THE purple necklace and silver earrings

So in case you didn't want to read all the crap I wrote above, here's a breakdown.

Purple Necklace : Orig. $28.00, on sale for $21.00, after coupon $17.84

Silver Earrings: Orig. $18.00, on sale for $6.30, after coupon $5.35

Thanks for reading...or not!

Shabria Ray

Moving to Maryland!!! Cheap bed set...cheap dress!

So I haven't updated this blog in a REALLY long time because I have been running around getting stuff ready for my BIG move to Maryland!! It was a crazy time because I had HUGE drama with trying to find a cheap-ish enough apartment but in a nice area and close to school. I found some apartments for a little bit less than $800 a month but after reading some more than questionable reviews I decided I didn't want to live there. Then I tried to have them cancel the lease and it finally happened but only after I came to my senses that I was going to have to live there! After more DRAMA I decided to call the apartments and the un-cancelled the lease and thats where I am.

So #ugh right? Crazy, after all that the apartment is that bad. Even though UMD is like 1. 5 miles away, most of the residents that live here go to another college, and some of them are...questionable. I try not to judge ratchet people...because everyone deserves to be ratchet sometimes. But of the people that live here are ratchet 24/7. That's just who they are and I don't like that. Even though some of the tenants are questionable,  I get my own bedroom and bathroom, my roommate seems cool, and its close to the metro and a mall, Target, and a grocery store are all right across the street!!! Crazy, you can walk everywhere here, or just ride the train/bus! I've only met one of my roommates and I am on the top floor (16th)!!! I have views of the football stadium and the music school! So for right now, the pros weight out the cons....for right now!

Sunset from my bedroom!

So I really wanted a really nice bed set for my bedroom BUT supposedly really nice bed sets are like expensive as hell! I did a lot of of searching for over a week!! I really wanted to have a pink or orange bed set, but because I have a good amount of Mu Phi things, I decided that PURPLE would be the best!!! I also already had purple curtains!!

I ended up getting my bed set from Anna's Linens! Really random since I have NEVER been there! I ended up getting an 8 piece bed set, sticker pried at $269.00 for $69.00! I was really happy since I get like a high on saving money!! It purple and really purrttyy!! *Sorry for the crappy picture*

Bedroom set!

One of my last purchases in Dallas not Maryland related was a really pretty Maxi dress from TJ Maxx! Ever since I completely DESTROYED my really nice orange maxi by washing it, I always wanted a new one! I don't really buy many maxi dresses because, honestly, I love my legs, so if I buy them they have to be really nice to me! I love this maxi because its my fav color (color) and has lace!! I got it for super cheap at TJ Maxx, regularly $40 I got it for $14.99!!

Maxi dress!

I feel like the name of the blog is more appropriate because I really do love shopping! Even though I live across the street from the mall, probs won't be shopping a whole lot because I don't hear about a whole lot of grad students have SOOO much money and time to do so!!

Shabria Ray

What I got at Kohl's for $20!!!

So..."Starving Violist" is not a good blog name! It should be more like " I HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SHOPPING ADDICTION Violist" but it is what it is! Before I state the things I got for ONLY 20 dollars at Kohl's, everyone who is reading this right now should download an app called "Retailmenot" on your phone. With this app you can type whatever store you are in and it will pull up any coupons that store may have! It is the bomb.com!!

IT IS WEDDING SEASON! So per usual, I am looking for lots of dresses that are appropriate to attend weddings in! I usually do not like the Kohl's that is close to me because I NEVER find anything in it and the clothes are not extremely cheap or not cheap enough for me to buy anything like the one in Waco! But today, I got lucky! I found a coral and white dress that is so cute and, in my opinion, wedding appropriate! It was originally $54.00 and was on sale for $16.20! 70% savings...woot!!!

Can't wait to wear this with a pair of nude heels!

Then I went on retailmenot and saw that there was a coupon for $5 dollars off $25. I thought to myself...I could just buy this and be done at $17.00 after tax...or I could get $8 worth of something and only spend $4 more!!!! Obviously that's a better deal..right? So I find this yellow/gold shirt with a ruffle (LOVE RUFFLES)! I had $8.80 to spend and the shirt was originally $36.00 and was on sale for $7.20!!!

So, obviously I was like, crazy happy that the dress and top were so cheap, but I was $1.60 away from $25! WHAT WAS I GOING TO find in that store for under $2? Even the chocolate was $3.85! I legitimately looked at every single item in Kohl's and found baby socks for $1.80!! They won't go to waste because I have a baby cousin that was born March and they are navy blue, the classiest of all the colors!!

Baby socks to help me reach my total!

So I get to the register and the coupon worked and I got those items for $21.87 after tax! I'm sorry...but that's the bomb! I saved $72.80, which is awesome!!

Woot!! Saving money is my favorite thing to do!

Also, I got a pair of 2 inch, black heels at Target for 8.98! Woot, that was exciting too!

Woot!!!

Needless to say, I had soooo much fun shopping today! Don't forget to download "retailmenot"!!!

Shabria Ray

Confession: I don't have pierced ears and I love buying ALL the things.

Woot!! So I am totally not going to be blogging EVERYDAY! I just so happen to go to the mall today, and got some things. I am for sure am not going to be one of those bloggers that are like, "you should get this because is soooo cute", but I get over excited about things I buy, and I love to tell people about them!!!

So,  as usual, I went to NorthPark mall, AKA my favorite mall in ALL of Dallas. I just love shopping there, I even liked working there, lol! I don't think I have ever gone to the mall and only bought accessories. Sense I play viola, I don't wear necklaces or bracelets, buttt I do wear earrings! Not having pierced ears is actually not that bad! Now, a lot of companies are making really cute clip-on earrings and they aren't as hard to find anymore! Even though my ears aren't pierced I still love wearing clip o earrings and I usually buy my earrings from like Dillards or Macy's but I always look in Claire's. Claire's clip-on earrings sometimes look really cheap to me, but today I saw two flower like earrings in a turquoise and pink and because they were having a buy 2 get 1 free sale, I decided to get the silver version of the earrings, even though I don't like them as much!

Ad Astra by Mark Di Suvero
in NorthPark!!!

Earrings from Claires

The other place I went to was Charlotte Russe! Charlotte Russe is not really one of my favorite places, like I wouldn't buy clothes there, BUT, it is like the perfect place for very cheap accessories! I didn't know that because they don't sale clip-on earrings! The only thing that I have ever wanted in my life (not really) was a iphone case/wallet! They have a lot for the iphone 4/4s for really cheap, but the ones for the iphone 5 were like, so expensive!! I found one for $8.99 for the iphone 5 and it's floral and it is my favorite thing ever!!!

iPhone 5 wallet/purse! Floral print!

Also, at Charlotte Russe I found a pair of PINK sunglasses that don't make me look super dumb!! They were only $5 dollars, which is awesome, but not uncommon with XXI sunglasses also at $5!!!

These sunglasses do not look dumb on me! Woot!

Okay, well I am sure this was sufficiently boring!!!!!

Shabria Ray

I decided to wear my graduation dress to the mall because A) not enough people saw it on Saturday and B) I'm trying to meet a baller....duh!

Work Hard, Play Hard. A random ramble of a lot of things including why I am not sad about graduating from Baylor!

I am so excited to start this blog! I have talked to so many people that want me to talk about so many things, so I don't know what I am going to talk about! I go shopping every weekend during the school year, so probably more during the summer, and I only buy things on sale, so I can post about those finds! I also live in Dallas, which is really fun! I help with music camps and stuff so I can post about that! And last, but not least, I am moving to Maryland! Washington D.C. is much bigger than Waco, so the food and nightlife will be better (so I can't wait to post about that!). I am also going to the University of Maryland, which is a lot bigger than Baylor, and a public school!!! I am excited to meet a lot of different people, and most importantly, people who are a lot more open and free! 

That last statement ("open and free") is just a bad generalization of how I feel about a good amount of people at Baylor. Baylor is a  private Baptist school, and ever since the first day of school, I struggled with the fact that I was different than a lot of people. I went to a very open-minded, high school, where EVERYONE was different! So it was pretty weird attending a school with a lot of people that were, umm, not. Especially since I operate on a WORK HARD, PLAY HARD type of regimen, so it was weird to see a lot of people just work hard and not really give themselves any credit or see people just play, without working. And getting judged when people saw me actually having fun! Sorry, I am better than you and accomplished more than you and still party hardy once a month (okay that was rude, I might delete that!). My last high school party was, well, lets just say crazy! My first party at Baylor, we played apples to Apples. Great game, can't deny that, just not the way I partied, and it took me a little while to finally find people that I CLICKED with. I finally did find people I clicked with and I am so glad that I had them to support me and help me through some very crazy things!! Y'all know who yall are!!!

Any ways, I found out today how crazy proud I am that I am an alumna of Baylor University! Everywhere I went, I told someone! I'm like bragging as if hundreds of thousands of people haven't graduate from Baylor. Oh, well!! Everyone, at least in Texas, knows of Baylor, and even though I am kind of bragging, they congratulate me and are at least as proud of f a stranger as they can be!! 

I always say that I will not miss Baylor because I always think of the horrible things that have happen there, but I know deep down in my heart that the good times most definitely out way the bad and I will miss Baylor a little bit. I just know for a fact that I am not sad about graduating from Baylor. Why? It's not becuase it took me a while to find true friends or like everyday of my freshman year was horrible, but because I truly accomplished everything I wanted to do musically!

I wanted to learn the 3 big concertos: did it! I wanted to attend multiple music festivals: did it! I wanted to give at least 3 recitals: did it! I wanted to become a well rounded violist: participate in symphony, chamber, jazz quartet, and early music ensemble: did it! I wanted to be in Waco Symphony: did it! 

I made all of these goals, and not to be conceited, but I smashed every single one of them, and that is why I am not sad that I graduated from Baylor. It's really exciting to be continuing my goal of becoming a professional violist and I had to get my undergrad degree in Viola Performance to do so! Oh, shout out to Dr. Steely, who is the best viola professor in the world, I am sad that I will not be studying with her!

Well, I am crazy tired, so I will get off of here, I hope to do more light hearted, fun blogs in the future!

*BTW, I didn't re-read or revise any essay or paper in college, so I definitely am not going to do that for this blog* :)

Peace and blessings, 

Shabria Chantell