I felt myself getting a little lazy, but was encouraged watching the Act normal podcast s1 ep5 which featured the @pour_minds Podcast and there was a point where Lex P was encouraging Jayda and Des on consistency in content creation. Drea Nicole also spoke on how things have to be a passion project because there will be a season where you won’t see immediate reward. Not going to lie I was motivated and got to writing. IMMEDIATELY.
I am figuring out my rhythm and sound but even with this, I am thankful. I spoke to an old neighbor this week last year, me and her discussed taking our social media plans off. She wanted to create content on Tiktok and myself, with my blog. We planned to hold each other accountable. Well she ended up moving out of the building and life took me elsewhere as well. But I was so happy to come across her content on tik tok and tell her that WITHOUT FURTHER ADU (WFA) is live and active. I love this project. Everything WFA is, and has been for me. I love this platform. Being able to swap passion project stories with her was nice as well. We are both in a space where we are settling into who we are in our lanes. It is beautiful to support each other! This is weird but I feel like a mom and this is my baby.
A couple of weeks ago I saw a post on Tik Tok about how, millennial homes are looking more aesthetically pleasing and less, homey. This idea has even extended to children’s toys.
Kim Kardashian’s Bathroom, Cute.
Pacifiers look like this now.
I understand the aesthetic, but I think I’d draw the line at my children’s toys. Toys should have color. Colors expand a childs mind. Give the chirren some yellows and purples, different textures and sounds we are expanding brains here!
This made me think about some of the décor I remembered seeing growing up. I’m not sure if the impact of the décor is what made me into the minimalist I am today, but give me a plain space and not too many patterns, I need to keep my mind clear!
One thing I remember seeing and I’m not sure if this is specific to immigrant homes was the dresser with the plate set and silverware. I always thought and still do find them ugly and old fashioned. After some time reminicing on the things I saw in these displays and how, all of the plates in there were special. This is where they’d keep the “fine china.” I never got what was so fine about those ugly saucers and tea cups and why did we need to get them from China? Why couldn’t we break it and just simply get another one. Why are we holding these cups in such high regard?
Exhibit A:
Just like this, in the living room. Stacked with plates we don’t usually use. Maybe for special occasions we’d bust out one or two nice plates.
So being me, I researched it, ( fun fact about me: LOVE Asian culture, this was a fun way to learn a little more.) As many probably know, tea holds a significant cultural and historical importance in Asia. With the significance of tea, of course, this would bring into account the items used in making tea the tea cup, the pot saucers and set. The idea of “Fine China” or a tea set made from Porcelain was first employed by the Chinese in the 18th century and later introduced to Europe. Once it hit Europe, it made sense why I saw this in a lot of Ghanaian homes, as Ghana was once colonized by Britain, we see this influence in our homes till this day.
In Ancient Chinese culture what we now know as Fine China was a status symbols. The kind of set you had communicated different things to your guest and whoever you were sharing your tea with. So for instance, you’d serve an associate tea in a different tea set than your lover or bestie!
Throughout the years Fine China still reflects wealth and affluence.
Today, I see that our generation has definitely paused on such practices. I believe it is because we didn’t understand the value. After all of my learning, I decided that I actually really want a nice vintage tea set. My plan is to buy one in China and pass it down for generations. I might not make it to see my 8th generation but a porcelain tea set can!
Another great thing about Fine China is that it appreciates over time! I know we don’t often think about these things now. The spiritualist always reference our ancestors. I don’t know much about mine, but what a beautiful way to connect when I become an ancestor. Artistic investments passed on are so cool.
Now that I am dancing out of my 20s, there are a lot of financial decisions I am making, new ventures I am taking . I feel like a beautiful vintage tea set to pass on, is a cute creative, way to leave something to for my generations to come.
When I get to China; I will find my tea set. If it isn’t vintage, I’ll hold on to it, until it is.
Now, will I have it in a chest on display in a living room? I don’t know. Depends on my anesthetic. I’ll ask my decorators. But for me, being able to hold something that can go forward and bring value to my children’s children even if they don’t know me. Is priceless. As the tea set goes forth they’ll always get the story of their fine ass great grandma, and all she was. I think that will be too cool.
The prose carries a subtle rhythm, like breath or heartbeat. It reminds the reader that knowledge and insight are not separate from life itself, but woven into its very fabric, waiting to be noticed.