Zakiya Daniel > Recent Status Updates

We are finally about to meet Pigsy! 🤣 Seeing Wukong’s attitude and antics up to this point has been lowkey hilarious —he’s wise in his own way, but he won’t deny a fool the chance to learn things the hard way — by “meeting this rod!” 🤣🐒

I’m getting the hang of this narrative style! And it is so neat to see how the slightest changes of thought, or smallest differences in reaction can alter the course of future events for each Archie. Every time I take a break and come back to the book, I have to give myself a refresher on what each Archie experienced and how each one’s personality differs.

This book has been quite a journey so far. I’m about 2/3 of the way through it now, and it is interesting how Kamala Harris navigates the political landscape, littered with double standards, personal attacks, and difficult decisions, all on such a short, fast-paced timeline. I can only imagine what decisions I would have made if I was in her shoes. I know how this ends, but I look forward to reading her POV.

I can only imagine the immense pressure she felt on that first day when she received the call, the feeling that she was standing on the precipice of an momentous event that could change the course of history forever. 🥺 It’s kinda scary to put myself in those shoes. A normal person might’ve caved under the pressure of a seemingly impossible mission, but she took it on with humility and confidence. Wow!

I finally made it to Chapter 13 and Xuanzang has now been bestowed the name Tripitaka and is officially beginning the Journey to the West! What a heartfelt sendoff and departure. 🥹

I’ve learned a lot in this book so far, about the REAL first Africans in America, about the ACTUAL history of Haïti and why the country is in its current state, and how the foundation of the U.S. has been cracked and unsettled since the beginning. History is DARK, man. 😭

This book is one of the most intriguing stories I’ve ever read so far. I’m growing to really like the author’s writing style as well! The premise of this book - one life split into four simultaneous, alternate realities - is so interesting (though a bit confusing at first… may need to make some kind of tracker to keep them straight)!

OMG. The revelations are revelation-ing! 😩😮‍💨

I can’t believe I just had my mind read by a Giant Pacific Octopus. 🫠🐙😂

Lowkey creeped out so far. 😵‍💫😬

We’re making it. 😮‍💨🚂💨

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 Everybody is suspicious to me at this point. And what can you say about a character who consistently makes poor choices?? NOTHING. Because you can’t tell grown people what to do, apparently. 😤😤😤

Now that I’ve seen the Monkey King’s shenanigans and the stage is mostly set… I just finished chapter 9 and learned the tragic story of Xuanzang’s family and his origins. That chapter was very intense! 😮‍💨

It really is hard to part from things that bring us nostalgia and comfort…and that makes it hard to remind ourselves that these are just THINGS. I’m sentimental, so getting rid of things that hold special memories is difficult for me, too. 1 chapter in, and I already know this book might help me rip off some metaphorical band-aids.

I’m awash with emotions rn.

Imagine waking up as a cat, and your only priorities are to sunbathe, take a nap, eat, and then do whatever else you wanna do.
Humans got a whole lot of made up obligations, we literally stress ourselves out. 😅 No wonder cats are so care-free.

OMG. OMG. 😫😫😫 Please don’t let this end the way I think it will. #PrayingForAConvenientlyTimedPlotTwist

“The consequence of NOT defaulting to truth [is that] if you don’t begin in a state of TRUST, you can’t have meaningful social encounters.”

Defaulting to truth makes us vulnerable to lies, deception, and misinformation, BUT recognizes that humankind operates and socializes most efficiently when we assume that the person is being truthful/honest rather than suspecting every word or action.

“The consequence of NOT defaulting to truth [is that] if you don’t begin in a state of TRUST, you can’t have meaningful social encounters.”

Defaulting to truth makes us vulnerable to lies, deception, and misinformation, BUT recognizes that humankind operates and socializes most efficiently when we assume that the person is being truthful/honest rather than suspecting every word or action.

😳

So much is happening. 🫣 So many unanswered questions. *goes to grab popcorn to see how it all plays out* 🍿

SHEESH!! 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

Best Advice I Needed Today: “This is your life, so it’s up to you to live it. At the end of the day, you are the one who is going to have to deal with the consequences of your decisions. So make them for you and nobody else. If you stay true to yourself, there’s no way that it won’t work out.” 🩷

As a Black woman, it’s hard to remember that you can pick your battles, and—more importantly—don’t have to fight every battle alone. 🫶🏾 Keep an eye out for those who genuinely have your best interests at heart.

Biting my nails!! 😬😬😬

This itty bitty manga makes my heart race! This is exhilarating! 🤯

Man… being a Black woman is hard work. 🫠