the circle of life

(new orleans 05'/tokyo 06'/chicago 07')--(new orleans 08'/chicago 09'/tokyo 10') Life Lesson- I can never lose myself again, if I always look within... and this is the greatest art i've learned to master. -The Circle of life. -by KA




The Beginning-
It all started in my Chicago Studio, in Rogers park for days alone. I didn't speak to the world. kept things to myself. Read books and Wrote what ever i could think of. My life was empty. It was lonesome. I had to rebuild. and my first thought was to return back to new orleans. I did. It was a "power move" thats what i like to call it. I came with intentions to continue living a low-key life, just as i had kept in my last chi-town days. But to my surprise... I was greek, and greek life reigns at HBCU's and even more I was the new "guy"

Not only was this the matter, but the most beautiful woman in the world found me. She spoke in a different language, and although she had know idea i was in mere depression at the time she would refer to me as her "giant" "hero" "lion". She became the most precious woman in my life. I Love this woman...But still, at that point i wasn't ready to understand her story. It was a more me that was still left elsewhere.

After a year in the N.O. I needed to face my fears, I needed to see chicago again. After I had re-grouped. Gained some strength. And I did. I took it head on. I noticed early on that it was not too much going on. The chicago I left was no more. I thought that i had left something behind but realized that the more me was within.. From chicago I returned back to new orleans, only to shortly pack my bags and catch a flight to Tokyo 2010.

Tokyo 2010- Has been great, but It is no doubt in my mind that i have tremendously out grown this place. The things that i onced loved about it are still loved, but i'm really in a different place at 23. Im more within.

It took me leaving myself in new orleans to tokyo 2006 to chicago and then retracing my steps entirely to new orleans 2008 to chicago to tokyo 2010... to realized that I can never lose myself again, if I always look within... and this is the greatest art i've learned to master.

-The Circle of life.

New Orleans bound



by Keenan Allen