Black Women: /ˈɛks(ə)l(ə)ns/ Noun; The Quality of Being Outstanding

This is for my Sistahs...

You have made this pivotal part of my life one I will always remember and cherish for the rest of my life. When I decided to open my computer and re-do my site and start writing blog posts again, it was because of you. As these tears roll down my face in this coffee shop, I just want you to know they're tears of relief. I thank you, my sanity thanks you.

"I'm an emotional gangster. I cry once every month. " - Cardi B

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We have established that living overseas as a person of color is difficult. There really is no way around it. Yes I can stay in the house everyday, which I have done, but that gets me nowhere... no pun intended. I was asked how do I cope with the things that have happened to me.... and frankly it's at the point of annoying now, like really I chew my food like everyone else and I stir the sugar in my coffee like everyone else, but we'll come back to that another day. The way I cope is by leaving... what spare change can I scrape up in order to leave and take a break from the terrible stuff. But, I don't have a lot of coins in the first place sooooooooo there goes my coping mechanism to keep me sain. But when I tell you there is joy at the end of the day, hunny.

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When I came here I thought, hmmm I'll make some friends and see what happens. Being housebound for the first 3 months didn't really help with my plan, but I did. I made some great friendships that I cherish very deeply (Alex, you numba 1, and don't let anyone tell you different *snap*). But there's this feeling I get when I am with other Black women. It doesn't feel like home, nope, it feels like family. Now, I am on the more inexperienced side here, fresh outta school, unmarried, childless, and my biggest concern is making sure I am ontime for my nail appointment, but the Black women I have met here and have become close with have definitely impacted my life in a positive way. Some of these women I met last week and feel like I have known them forever. So let's take a stroll down memory lane shall we.

Before I moved over here a previous Fulbright ETA (thanks Kevin) was like hey Mecca, I know that you may feel out of place here let me give you someone to contact and may you can meet up. Honestly Kevin, I am so glad you did that because it has changed my life for the better. This is where I contact Tammy, hey girl! Once I landed I was of course in shock, but ended up being connected with Kim, hey doll, on Facebook. Jump forward to October and I arrive at the Embassy for an orientation. I walk into the lunch room and see two Black women!!!!! I hadn't seen another Black woman in person since I hugged my mom at the airport. I left my group and sat down and introduced myself. Here we welcome Paula and Nikki to the story, hey y'all! When I tell you these two have been like aunties to me... baby girl I am so grateful for them and just embracing me. When I was going through the process of trying to transition to Skopje, they were there like okay, listen to this song to hype you up (Don't Make by 8ball & MJG)... We love them.

As time passed on I met Kim in person and I was so happy to listen to her insight and her perspectives as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Let me tell y'all I have a great respect and adoration for the people of color who are PCVs. I now live in a Metropolitan area where I haven't gotten as much hate as I did, but living in a village where you are probably the first, ever to come through.... hunny, that is a different type of strong that I do not have.

We have now made it to my first official PCV outing (No I have not joined the Peace Corps, I have been embraced and loved by people here in the Peace Corps and find myself adopted into their family). I tagged along with Alessia( Her Post is Coming Soon), and there I met Joan and Tammy. We took the cutest lil picture and realized we all going through the same darn thing. I don't get it, people want Americans to come, but then are shocked to find out there are Black people there..... I am in confusion and need someone to let me know what's up (Another post on this will be written).

In the current month I have had the opportunity to meet other women who live in Macedonia that are Black. And I just get so happy. Just this past weekend Kesssie was in Skopje and came and hung out with me. A group of us went to support Khaleen at her singing performance. Listen y'all, we are here and we are a force to be reckoned with. I have taken my hair down and am rocking my lil two strand twist, I was nervous at first, but now I'm like, y'all raggedy and mean people are not going to damper my spirit. Miss me with your shenanigans. (But, Milena is going to help me this week by giving a lil more life to my crown).

I would also like to take this moment to give some claps and aye's to the Black women I have met on my travels, other Fulbrighters. Yassssssss Caroline, my soror (Because y'all know Delta's are just great), I love you gurl and I can't wait to give you a hug! Two claps and a snap for my girl Ta'mara out there in Athens, my Thanksgiving buddy! Karen, Ibby, Brianna, Courtney, Desiree, and Sonita!

Listen, there might not be a lot of us out here, but we here. We have things to accomplish and moves to make. Although I am leaving here rather soon, it doesn't mean I won't have the opportunity to see them all again. We're Black Women. Which means, we are strong, intelligent, loving, caring, motivated, unmoved, we have the power. Have you noticed when a Black woman does something, it's done right?

Black Women, I love you. You make me happy, give me joy, calm me, and love me unconditionally. I love you. My day gets better when I see your name pop up. My soul is filled with joy when we are together. In the society that we live in that doesn't get it, I get it, I get you, I got you.

I Love You.

Mecca S.