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         This page is made in collaboration with Mixt Back in the bay and kicking off this farewell run of chapters with some bright colors. It can be difficult to find healthy fast food options in the world we live in today. Trust me, I know. As someone who doesn’t eat meat i’m pretty limited at most food chains. On the other hand @mixt fills the void and delivers what I need to keep me eating healthy and full. Their staff is beyond helpful, accommodating and so friendly. They prepare every salad or meal on site with sustainably and responsibly sourced ingredients. There is something for everyone. I was given the suggestion to try the “ritual” salad. My god, was it everything. Not only does it look so photogenic, it is genuinely very filling and so delicious. As and added bonus, we all know I love kombucha, they have Health Aid on tap. YES PLEASE. So what are you waiting for!? If you are in the bay, the Oakland location is now open and is located off Broadway and Grand Ave. The San Ramon location will have it’s grand opening on April 27th. The first 250 guests will receive a tote bag filled with Mixit goods. There will also be balloons for kids and samples from favorite local neighboring brands. Head on out and try out this salad and whatever catches your eye at the fantastic Mixt. I want you to be able to experience the great service that I had, I also want you to fuel your body with the healthiest options. So that way you’ll be strong enough to get out there to write and live your story. START OF CHAPTER 13 "Note To Self" Dear readers, Welcome Back To San Fransisco. It's been a minute. New York was everything and more. I guess what they say is true. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. I really miss New York. I didn't think I would miss it as much as I do, but damn, it's like I left a part of me there to grow while I go back to SF. Being back in town has been a little weird. I feel like I came back here better than when I left. I also feel like I owe it to this place that has, in a way protected me, to give the best of me and what I can offer before I say goodbye. Majority of everyone that I love, lives in and around this area. As I obviously did some soul searching on the East Coast, I'm now back in SF with goodbyes in mind. I'm not leaving here yet, but I will be sooner than everyone thinks. I want to take these next few months and make more lasting memories that I can look back on when I'm in New York and beyond. I know that when I leave, my family won't be coming with me. I don't want no regrets and wasted time for the rest of the duration I am here. I feel like I conquered SF and did so much. But there is still a little more juice left in this bottle. I want to use it up and create a little more magic. I know that I won't be able to remake versions of my family in New York or wherever I decide to go, but I can at least forever stabilize my bond with them here and in my heart. I also feel I have a little more learning to do. Specifically from my parents. It was a little rough being out in the world again, it is doable, but I don't want to have to question motives or struggle more than I have to. Little things like cooking and simple house work, things that I wasn't doing when I got sick. Those kinda things, I just want to get that beyond 100%. If i'm going to be living with someone that I love and taking that next step, I need to take the next step for myself, as well. Obviously when I returned, the first person that I saw was Courtney. Let me tell you, if my sister was portable and can fit in a carry on, New York and wherever I live, would feel so much more complete. I'm so glad to have been able to see her when I returned and vent about our travels. She just got back from following her favorite artist on tour. Now she's in a finale stretch of her own. College graduation is next month. To say my sister is graduating college already, feels so weird. Because it flew by before our eyes. It is a reminder that we are once again at a crossroad. Dash obviously got back to her usual routine, a little bumpy for her, but we are fighters. No matter how sharp the blade is, we handle the pain and do our best to move forward. I know she's missing Morgan and I do too. That's my vegan roomie, lol. It's weird living apart now, so as of these last few days, she's been staying at our house for a little. Kinda like a mini reunion. I know she's at a crossroad too. When I leave, I hope she goes too. I think her moving with Morgan would be magic and that just gives us all and excuse to have a roommate reunion. SF is crazy as usual. I went on bart and had to squeeze myself into the bart car. I mean come on, on the subway, I never had that problem. Maybe it is because it runs constantly and bart actually has longer wait times, but it got hot and uncomfortable. I say this now, just wait to leave again and i'll miss it, lol. I went to Oakland and attended the grand opening of Mixt. It felt nice to get back to a routine that I have kinda grown to know. No one could go with me though. Courtney had to go to Florida last minute and Dash was at home resting after getting sick. So I went on my own, it's all good though. It felt kinda weird walking the Oakland streets without Steven. I miss my little bro. I texted him to check in. I literally went MIA from everyone for a month because of New York. I hope he's not upset. But I miss him and hope he's well and finds his way back into a page of my life before I leave. Anyways, I showed up to the event and Bridgett from the Mixt marketing team was on hand to greet me. Let me tell you, this was one of the most welcomed welcomes I have received in awhile. I mean after dealing the rude people in New York, it was nice to have that Cali kindness shine through Bridgett. She introduced me to her colleagues and literally helped me out and gave me suggestions on what to order. I'm more public about being team no meat now. I mean have you seen the fire I have been eating in New York. THANK GOD Bridgett is keeping that flame alive. I had this bomb salad called the "ritual". It was filled with some of the yummiest greens and colorful veggies that my boys would probably say NO THANK YOU UNCLE DD, THAT IS TOO HEALTHY, lol. Their loss, because I devoured the whole bowl. That carrot ginger dressing is stuck in my mind. I swear, I gotta go back and get it, even if it means riding in a sweaty bart. I mean it though, it was such a kind and warm experience. Bridgett and everyone that I got to see along with the kind staff, made me feel this a good start to a long ending. I wasn't about to half ass this story of mine and just come back with a final page or two. I have been through so much here and that would be injustice to those that I love, this city and myself. As I walked away and back to bart with a smile on my face and full stomach, I looked around Oakland and knew I was back home in SF. From the crazy people on the street, to the laid back kindness, to me and Courtney hitting up our matcha joint, to the full bart cars. That's home and wherever I go, I won't forget that feeling. I also knew and felt something was different. My purpose has grown. New York somehow is bleeding into this life here. I get to go home to my family and Dash is staying with us. So it's kinda like the 2 are combining and prepping me to take that next step I talked about. I grew a little more from being away from here. I left some seeds planted in New York, so that way I can water them from afar. So when I return, it will be more grown up than when I left it. I'm excited to see what will unfold over the next few weeks. I hope that I'm able to make those memories that I want to make, learn what I need to learn, experience whatever I can, also make a few more new friends and make memories with them, continue to grow out my long hair (that is somehow turning gray, SALT AND PEPPER HAIR HERE WE COME) and figure out what is best for my heart and the protection of it as I move on. This right here is one long note to myself. A note that i'm going to keep re reading to keep my head on straight as we walk towards the town line that I will step over, once again, very soon. Love, Dom Photographer: Courtney Johnson What i'm wearing: Jacket - Calvin Klein, Jeans - Goodfellow, Shoes - Lugz PRESS PLAY Every post I will include the song that inspired me to build a post around it's title Page 120
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