Kou T. Nyan

ShopKick and Ibotta Adventures (Issa Review, OF COURSE!)

The whole making extra income thing is definitely something to get used to. It’s hard to keep up, and at times it’s quite tedious. I understand that every little cent counts, that compounding exists, and faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), but sometimes you don’t want to wait until your 75 to have enough money to buy a yacht. Sometimes, you want that right now big bucks. However, I downloaded a few point/money acquiring apps that are semi-popular today. These include ShopKick and Ibotta, which I downloaded maybe the end of 2017 and thought, at first, “What’s the point?”

One week, I brought my mother to the stores to look for clothes. I chose the mall since, well, she takes a while, and it gives me time to use these apps, ShopKick and Ibotta. Why not? I’m already at the store.

Target was the first stop. I considered that I should check both apps to see if they had things I intended to buy. Neither did and neither did Target. I mean, what West African and their American children you’ve met who bought tiny bags of rice? Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked here. The point I’m trying to make is that particular Target didn’t come with everything I or my household needed. Therefore, many items in both apps were out of the question.

My experience in Target made me overall super excited. I was able to scan every item on ShopKick’s list and got some points. ShopKick’s points lead to gift cards at selected stores. I looked to see if I got any prizes and BEHOLD, I earned a $5 gift card to TJX Maxx stores. I rejoiced. Then I checked Ibotta and saw that I only received $2.50 for the lifetime of having the app.

“You win some; you lose some,” I had texted my friend who introduced me to these apps.

ShopKick and IBotta do make shopping in major retailers fun. Particularly, when you don’t have anyone with you and no podcasts to have you laughing by yourself while other people stare at your strangeness. But I must warn you, ShopKick is on to you.

I went to Walmart to continue my app adventure. With confidence, I turned on ShopKick with plans to try to scan every single item I could. Unfortunately, I had a better experience with Target than Walmart that day. I went to get the specific Tresseme shampoo Shopkick asked for, but the scanner refused it. I also couldn’t find the Tresseme midst that the app was looking for. When I saw that item at CVS, a notification came stating the app didn’t know my location. It only wanted me to scan the item at Walmart. It seemed like ShopKick didn’t realize that Rhode Island doesn’t sell liquors in regular stores. So it was interesting to see only two cans of beer available on ShopKick to be scanned at CVS.

The issue I’ve had with Ibotta is that many times it seems to have deals for things I don’t usually buy. However, it’s good to know sometimes you can get money back for buying say, a drink when you’re thirsty. For example, at my Target trip, I was able to purchase two Bai drinks to get some money back on the app. When I receive enough money back, I can get a $20 gift card. I do get nervous about Ibotta because it reminds me of the times I tried couponing. They sometimes require that you get more than one item to get some change and sometimes a dollar back. The coupons I’ve used required me to get more than one somewhat pricey item to get one free or a small percentage off. Coupons encouraged me to buy the store brand.

I had great experiences with both apps during my Target trip but not with Walmart or CVS. Walmart didn’t have much of what I needed and nor did it have stellar reception to really go through the whole store with both apps.

I enjoy using ShopKick because I get points for scanning giving me the opportunity to look at items that I’ve never seen before and possibly consider buying next time. Ibotta and I are still working on our relationship, and it’s okay. I do enjoy that every now and then Ibotta does allow you to get cash back to uploading a receipt or purchasing an essential like bread or milk (Hello, there New England).

My friend said this whole thing is like riding a bike so I’ll just ride along. It’s not like I designed these apps. I’m just a twenty-something-year-old looking for some deals.

28 questions from someone who just turned 28

My birthday had passed recently. Bloggers, vloggers, and writers take the recent birthday opportunity to write about what they’ve learned up until however old they are (most of the time thirty). So I figured that instead, I will list questions I still have.

Why did it take me until last year to learn that it’s “baby when we’re grinding, I get so excited” not “baby when you’re crying I get so excited”(NEXT- Dancing too Close)?
Why do toddlers have so much energy?
Why do some people clap when they talk…like me?
Why does sage smell so oddddddddd?
Why do babies feel entitled to stare into a person’s soul?
Whatever happened to my neighbor’s rooster?
If I laugh at my own jokes, does that mean I’m funny?
What’s the best life insurance and do I really have to wait until I’m married?
Why…was she “creeping ’round late last night? Why did I see two shadows moving in your bedroom light? Now you’re dressed in black when I left you were dressed in white” (Craig David- Fill Me In)?
Who’s paying for the wall?
Why is that particular town that tax blocked my car so petty? (LMBO!)
Why did less than five years ago someone called “twerking” the new dance craze when I believe it may have been around more than 28 years ago?
Were the guys (assuming cis-men) who wanted to sleep with me on Plenty of Fish going to ask me questions like, “do you have an STD,” “do you use birth control” or “are you a serial killer” before proposing that we should engage in sexual activity?
Can I put my pronouns in the signature of every email I write?
Can I be silly in peace? Gosh, darn you!
Will the people I invite to church actually go to the 8 am service with me? I have my reasons…
When will I stop thinking things are so far away?
“(Insert Liberian accent)Why do Americans say everything’s cute?” My mom asked.
Why hasn’t anyone confirmed or denied that Chris Brown had a master’s degree when I asked?
What am I looking for when I scroll through social media?
Will I ever meet that check from someone else that will wipe my student debt forever?
Why does every dating app I mention people say that it’s technically a “thot” app?
Will my edges ever fully grow back?
Is there a cute/flirty way to let my date know I have a terrible nut allergy?
Did Flint get clean water yet?
When’s the best time to post?
What is the proper title of the career I’m trying to get into?
Why is life so fascinating?

Trust me, I have soooo many more questions. I did learn a lot, but I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my 28 years of life is that I don’t know everything…. and that’s perfectly okay.

Adulting: You never called back

Free image of phone from Wix

You never called back
I know I’m disposable to you
I was taught that I was unworthy
And you had no time for me
But I’m so glad to wake up and see
That perhaps your disposable to me
…I think I might be losing it…

I wrote you back
Told you thank you for rejecting me
I appreciate that you’ve remembered I existed
I think at some point I stopped being so angry at this pattern.
It happens for a reason.
Or am I numb?

I look upon this upcoming season
Gifts and gifts required and more
Many asked me what is in store
Did I find what I was looking for?

No, that door was closed
Yes, I found something I needed
Something needs to change

Transformed me
God did
He had all I need
As crazy as it seems
I’ve gone mad
absolutely bonkers
But I love it.

You vanished
They stayed and told me that they chose someone else
They sent some love my way
I sent it back
I’ve asked if it’s in God’s will
I guess this is His no

I’ve gone mad
absolutely bonkers
But I love it.

I’m choosing not to worry
Because
I’ve gone mad
complete insane
But I love it.

To Write “Meh” on LinkedIn

I wish I were just like you

You’re so darn cool

You always look like you’re in a good mood

You smell nice

Everyone REALLY likes you

You. I wish I were just like you.

You’re very pretty. What’s your name?

You’re very funny. Do you think I’m the same?

Last night I thought about you, how you fix your hair

How you make them stare

How you walk like you don’t even care

I look past your soul because I don’t want you to see mine

Man, you’re so special

I wish I were as strong as you

I even bought the same makeup-well, the knock off version because…

Wow, are you rich, too?

What will it take to be just like you?

I think I’m far too old to be somebody else. It’s a little too late. It’s also too late be jealous. It’s quite tiring. Like I’m running in the same hamster wheel for over two decades now realizing that I’m still trying to grow up and be normal. I’m still not sure what normal is. Quite frankly, I’m too tired to care. Yes, I really want to write, “meh” on my LinkedIn profile.

Drawing (and poem) by Me, Kou T. Nyan

#meh #Linkedin #poetry #admiration #sketches #aspirations #normal #yes

To Write "Meh" on LinkedIn

I wish I were just like you
You’re so darn cool
You always look like you’re in a good mood
You smell nice
Everyone REALLY likes you
You. I wish I were just like you.

You’re very pretty. What’s your name?
You’re very funny. Do you think I’m the same?

Last night I thought about you, how you fix your hair
How you make them stare
How you walk like you don’t even care

I look past your soul because I don’t want you to see mine

Man, you’re so special
I wish I were as strong as you
I even bought the same makeup-well, the knock off version because…

Wow, are you rich, too?

What will it take to be just like you?

Drawing (and poem) by Me, Kou T. Nyan

New Year’s Eve in the Magical Garden

From Wix free photos

“All right, all right everyone we’re about to do the countdown!” I heard the DJ amp up the attendees packed onto the dance floor.

I somehow slid amongst the crowd finding myself in the middle of the dance floor. I was surrounded by people filled with joy, alcohol and plenty of food. My coworkers were nowhere in sight. I assumed they were doing other things or maybe since I’m the shortest staff member, I just couldn’t see them. I dropped two kitchen towels on the floor, stepped on them and began to use my feet to wipe the liquid off the floor. The crowd began to count.

“10..9..8..7..”

In me, I must admit, I was glad I was somewhere other than my bed that night. I was manically wiping the floor while trying to grab napkins people had stuck under their shoes.

“6…5…4..3…2…1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!” The crowd rejoiced with cheers, hands in the air and noisemakers.

“Happy New Year!” Some kind people leaned in and said to me. That was sweet of them. I brought in the New Year with a bunch of strangers. Totally not what I expected.

I noticed a napkin was stuck under a man’s shoe. I looked up only to see he was busy giving a woman her New Year’s kiss. I thought people just did this in movies. I waited for them to finish and tapped his shoulder, but he didn’t notice me. So I slid out the crowd and went to find my coworkers.

I left the garden to walk a few steps across the walkway. It was pouring. I mean, it could’ve been snowing so I didn’t complain. I skipped over puddles to the other greenhouse.

This year was different. I couldn’t help but be grateful.

We probably finished close to 1 am. It was another beautiful wedding. However, I was still ready to head home, get into some dry clothes and rest.

I hopped in my car as the rain poured on it. I stared at the phone screen. It wasn’t like a ton of people were wishing me “Happy New Year” but it was alright with me. Seasonal sadness is the sneakiest thing I’ve ever encountered; however, I was grateful for a day to avoid its constant persistence. I clocked out for what I was told for the next few months. It’s okay, I wasn’t alone tonight.

Review: Saint Monday on a Wednesday

For no reason at all, one night I made an intention to go to Saint Monday the following Wednesday.
I don’t remember when but I first learned about Saint Monday via Instagram. One day, I noticed that @project_overflo (it’s my community project, please follow and like some stuff) had a brand new follower. Of course, as the young community advocate, I was excited to know who was following the account. I saw it was Saint Monday. I looked on their page and decided, “Hey, we might need more sponsors/supporters in the future and I also really like coffee shops that are also bars that also sells food and that also doesn’t have a real floor or bright lighting.” I made a mental note to visit one day (I’m not joking, I’ve found myself drawn to such places since I moved back to the city).
It was probably a month ago I was in the neighborhood and noticed Saint Monday’s building. “Oh, here’s where it is!” I thought. “Let me see what they have.”
Like any smart young woman living on the East Coast would do, I decided to purchase coffee while asking a million and one questions about the establishment and what apple butter was.
“It’s really popular during this season!” the young man behind the counter assured me. I never heard of it, so I had my doubts as to how popular it really was and with whom. He told me that the coffee was specialty brewed and from New York. I love those non-chain coffees. And I’ve no idea when and how I became this person.
The coffee was bold and fresh, just how I liked it. It gave my heart joy to see, like most non-chain coffee shops I’ve visited since returning to the city. I’ve noticed they supplied no disposable cups for the water or disposable stirrers for the coffee. I thought that was cool. I also thought it was cool that they provided natural sugar and stevia as well as a liquid sweetener. I was even more impressed and decided to visit another day.
Well, that other day came Wednesday morning. After Bible reading, praying, journaling and yoga-ing I decided to head out and visit my friends at Saint Monday.
It was pretty quiet when I entered. I examined the options, first for coffee than for breakfast. A woman ordered before me.
“A blueberry corn muffin please,” she said.
I gasped and clutched my pearls- in my head. I never heard of such a combo. Will it actually taste good? Will it be dry and sad to eat? Soon it was my turn. I ordered the same thing with a coffee.
“Is it possible to have it warmed?” Unfortunately, it wasn’t, but I got there not too long after they’d opened, so there was some warmth. Before turning away to tend to my coffee, I asked, “How is the apple butter?” It’s amazing what one can remember.
“Well, it’s apple concentrated and smooth,” the young woman behind the counter began. “I can let you try some if you want.” She handed me a mini tub of apple butter. I thanked her and spent some time with my coffee.
I enjoy flavors in my coffee. I remembered during my last visit being told it was not offered, so I made sure before I got there that I brought mini flavored creamers to give my coffee even more personality. I don’t mind the coffee shop not having the flavors because the coffee takes on its own bold taste with a complimentary aroma. But flavoring does add a specific boast that only people like me love.
I sat facing the wall. There wasn’t A LOT of table seating. It definitely is a nice place to get some work done or hang out with a small group of friends. There was bar seating in the center, single person seating facing the walls and of course, cute corners with wooden booths and tiny coffee tables.
The blueberry corn muffin surprised me. The blueberry was juicy, and although it was still a corn muffin, it wasn’t crazy dry. Also, the apple butter gave a nice fruity burst in my mouth. I ate, drank my coffee and read a book. I was so relaxed that I most definitely see myself going again.

If you find yourself in Rhode Island, check it out at 393 W Fountain St, Providence, RI 02903.

Randomness: Winter Feels

Images: Wix

Give me hot chocolate already! I’ve been talking about this for the past several weeks. Probably since the weather dropped from 87 to 27 degrees without warning. But I don’t care! Everyone will hear me complain about how I want hot chocolate as I continue not to buy some.

I’m a whole adult with a whole car, living in a whole city with multiple means of transportation. I also live walking distance from several stores where I can get a box of powdered hot chocolate in which I can make at home. Of course, I have a marvelous habit of making life more complicated by not always doing things that make sense.

I freaking love this hat that has cutie pie colors and a fuzzball at the top. I wear mittens and complain about how I’m often get mistaken for a high schooler. I put a photo of me in one of those dating sites to send a message to potential suitors of how I’m probably going to look when they meet me…especially, in New England- mainly, in the months September thru April. I’ll be bundled up, with a scarf, my hat with a poof ball on top, mittens, glasses and looking 13-years-old in case you need to find me.

Winter is not my favorite season, but I do have things I love about it (besides hot chocolate and fuzzball hats). Here are some things I enjoy about the winter season:

1. I’m the person who loves sleeping with the covers on. I try it during the summer months- it doesn’t make sense, but people drink Dunkin’s iced coffee in negative 20-degree weather. Yes, I’m talking to you Rhode Island, you don’t make sense, I AM judging you.

2. I love heat. Winter is an excellent opportunity to drink hot teas, hot coffees, HOT chocolates, hot cocoas, hot lemon water. The way it eases in brings me joy and comfort.

3. I love my teddy bears. They’re mine. I sleep with the teddy bear my parents bought me for my 27th birthday. And Rhode Island, before you say anything, you march through the ice and snow with heavy winter coats on to get a large iced coffee- extra, extra.

4. All the goodies from the holidays!

5. Everyone seems nicer November and December. And well, I’m a softy, it warms my heart. It seems like donations get larger and people start getting closer.

Winter has its perks! They’re what keeps me going when I hear that it’s going to snow and I need to drive in it.

Adulting: Please take a shower

College was where I mastered the art of not showering every day. There was a time when I was twelve, my cousin and I refused to take a shower for two weeks. We felt like it was a way to rebel against our aunts and uncles who wouldn’t take us out. But when I becamean adult, it wasn’t out of rebellion that I chose not to shower but instead not having the time.

Self-care, when it came to hygiene, didn’t exist in college. We had papers to write, money to make and dreams to chase. But shower, Nah. Taking a shower meant you were WEAK!

You can stroll into class in your PJs, sweats, or even the same sweater you wore for a month straight. There was something about the intensity in college that made you wonder what made you so reluctant to take showers. Yes, you made sure to brush your teeth but shower- man, you have to think thoroughly about how taking that 5-10 minute shower will really contribute to your wellbeing. I didn’t make the connection until now.

I remember how in college, I decided to go to the gym frequently. If it’s a part of tuition might as well use it. After such physical activity, I knew that it was in the world’s best interest that I’d shower. As a good Christian with morals, I would shower immediately after a workout but as a good Christian with flaws, days went by, and I didn’t work out- you’d probably hear crickets in the shower.

It’s true that I remember how good I felt after a workout and a shower. How amazing it was to go to the dining hall and eat a salad before dinner with friends! But why do we sometimes take moments like that for granted and forget the good that it does us rather than harm?

I don’t know the reason for this. I’m grateful that, although it took years, I learned to prioritize my self-care and take showers, drink water and make sure that every now and then I eat a salad.

Winter and Writing Prompts

Once in a while, you need a good writing prompt to get your brain juices flowing. Sometimes your brain or fingers just don’t feel like writing. I rose from a nap and thought about how I really want to post something since it’s been a while. I’ve told so many crazy stories in the last…24-27 years, I’m not sure what else I can tell. However, to finally get those stories in writing, I need to write.

I found two writing prompts on http://www.inallyoudo.net/winter-writing-prompts-for-elementary-students/ and thought, “Meh, why not? Let’s give it a try.”

“If it was winter all year long I would…”

Move.

What type of question is that? To be fair this writing prompt is for elementary schoolers. I’m sure that if someone gave this prompt to seven or eight-year-old Kou her answer would be cute. It might be something like, “Celebrate Christmas all year!” Or “Build a snowman, make a snow-angel and ask my parents if we could move.”

I try to enjoy winter. I like how it seems to be filled with cookies, hot chocolate, teas, HOT coffee (there is a certain breed of people who drink iced coffee all year round). But the cold has me saying, “Aw, nah…” to every activity that involves me having to go outside.

Last year, we were hit with a blizzard, as usual. It snowed all day. Some neighbors shoveled in the morning then in the afternoon. I get where they were coming from. The idea was to have less work to do after the storm- but I wasn’t trying to shovel at all.

I watched them from my bedroom window sipping slowly on my hot lemon water. I was nestled in my fluffy blue star robe and was somewhat amazed at the beauty of the snowfall. I was happy I didn’t have anywhere to go. I guess that’s the perk of being unemployed in New England.

My car was buried in snow. The outline was all one could see while the details of the car like it’s color and design were hidden in white fluff. I didn’t care. I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay in my warm cozy house and sit.

I heard my mom in the next room talking about how much snow there was. I go under my covers to pretend I’m sleeping. There will be NO WAY that even a thought will cross ANY ONE’S mind to consider me shoveling all that snow.

“If I could make the best snow fort, I would…”

Seriously?

I won’t make one.

IT’S too cold for all that nonsense.