A New Spin on Something Still New-ish

I have to start by saying Kevin "K.O." Olusola is one of my favorite musical artists. To gloss over his immense talent would be a disservice to you and him, but I'll go more in-depth later. Promise.

Anywho, main points to know about K.O.:
-He's an AWESOME beatboxer- and I mean legit to the highest degree
-He plays the cello
-and he does them AT. THE. SAME. TIME.

Considering I can't do one or the other alone, the fact that he combines those skills is mind-blowing. He's also the beatboxer for the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix (who won The Sing-Off on NBC).

 [You also should do yourself a favor and go check him/them out]

Every Friday he does a #KOCorner where fans submit questions via social media and he answers them in-depth on his website. This past Friday, he switched it up a bit, put a new spin on his hashtag interaction and did the first-ever #KOAsksYou. He asked 6 questions throughout the day and we had to answer in the same format.

[I only answered 5, but I would totally be Cinnamon Toast Crunch, if anybody asks]                                   

I don't really have a favorite genre. I dig Motown, oldies, instrumental, rock and pop, but it's more about whatever moves me and makes me feel emotion and inexplicable things.

Favorite music to (1) study/work to, (2) cheer myself up with, (3) exercise to, and (4) roadtrip to.

1. "Explosive"- Bond (or anything from their ablum "Born")

2. "Get Up [Heelside Mix]"- Superchick and "I Smile"- Kirk Franklin

3. "Cross the Line"- Superchick

4. "Sir Duke"- Stevie Wonder

(I'm a HUGE Superchick fan!)

Remember when I said I'm Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Yeah.

  An artist I think everyone should listen to is Stevie Wonder.

I grew up on his stuff because my dad was a huge fan and as I get older, I understand why.

His music is life-changing and makes you think. His lyrics paint pictures and make you feel and experience so much. To also hear how it has evolved and improved (while still being GREAT in  his "Little Stevie Wonder" days) is quite amazing. His songs are all over the place, sampled here and there by artists and constantly covered. His music had a hook- it was catchy, but more than that, it was real. 

"Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand."- "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder 

His music has an impact and leaves a legacy, and will continue to do so. That is why people should listen to him!

Confidence is...being sure of yourself when no one else is. It's getting out there, doing what you do best and not caring what others may think or say. It's knowing you can and will have a positive impact through your actions. It's having faith in yourself. And if you don't have it, then you fake it 'til you make it!

 I'd use my currency in a way that lifts others up and encourages them to do the same- to go make a change. I'd want to aspire to inspire to goal-set and goal-reach. I'd use my currency to reach out to people who are like me and unlike me- to get them to get out of their comfort zone and make a positive change. I'd use it to bring smiles to faces and hearts and to help others find the strength within them they either lost or haven't yet found.
My currency would be used to empower. 

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I thought it was interesting because it was a way to open dialogue and be inspired by others.
It's an opportunity to engage and learn from people all  sparked by a seemingly simple question. Watching, hearing, listening, and feeling how a person responds helps you to better understand that person and their heart and mind.

I enjoy listening to interviews from people I admire, learning about them and their process and what they hope to do with their influence. 

I guess that's just a long way of  saying I like questions and hearing stories. *insert journalism degree here* 

I'll also never ever forget what he said to me when I met him at after a concert- it's something I keep as a reminder during my tougher days teaching...but I'll leave that one for another time and I'll leave this pic of that night! :D)

10+4(ish) Not-So Quirky Things About Me

Because in school, I absolutely loved those rare assignments when we got to do an "All About Me"-type thing, I thought I'd do that, too. I like getting to know people. I like seeing what people share willingly vs. what they share when their arm is twisted and they have to! So no arm-twisting here, just me spewing out random facts about me!


10 14 Not-So Quirky Things About Me

1. I love Christmas more than Buddy the Elf (and I'm LOVIN' this "Christmas in July" on QVC right now!)

2. I ❤️ Thrifting

3. I never want a pre-lit tree. Ever.

4. I'm still (and always will be) bitter that someone stole my bike in college... the bike I had since 4th grade (yes, 4th grade. I was a tall kid).

5. I kind of secretly wish I were in a bowling league (I recently found out my grandparents were in one together)

That handsome stud on the left and that foxy lady next to him are my grandparents! Aren't they groovy?!

6. I'm a tattoo designer. Okay, so I don't have one, but a girl liked what I drew on my wrist one time, took a pic of it, and tattooed it on her foot. So that's pretty much the same thing, right?

7. I pray for my future husband

8. I only wake up on even numbers

9. I still talk to my 3rd grade teacher (she's a big part of why I do what I do today- teaching and writing)

10. When I'm in the kitchen, I like to pretend I have my own cooking show. 
("Throwin' Down in the Kitchen with Rei," anybody???)

11. If Disney were a blood type, it'd be coursing through my veins.

12. I watch QVC like it's goin' out of style

13. I love Post-It sticky notes!

14-a. I dig the fine arts (music, art, dance, food delicacies like Lunchables...)

14-b. My favorite number is 14.


And that pretty much sums up a little part of me! :)