Category Archives: Writing

Art, Poetry, Writing

A check in with Nina ( About me part 5 )

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So I’ve been  blogging for about two months now, this isn’t my first time trying wordpress but I have never been this dedicated and with this much purpose. As a transgender artist I think my presence as a writer, youtube artist, rapper, graffiti artist and poet speaks volumes on the great changes to myself and other trans individuals across the world. Please join me.

I never in my life would have thought of “putting myself out there” for the world the way I have been doing, especially on my YouTube, especially as a trans girl! Www.YouTube.com/innashademusic. (Please check me out and subscribe). But as I grow older I realize how important self expression and art can really be! That, and conquering your fears. This is very important….Sometimes a samurai has to shed their armor.

I was terrified to transition to a girl full time. But in the end it saved my life and I could not possibly be happier on how it turned out. An outspoken artist I remain and I feel as though my transition is done. I’ve grown so much over the past few years and I just want to share this hope and inspiration with trans people and people in general alike.

I’d like this blog to really grow into something special, my followers have risen and I am ecstatic to get reactions and feedback from my work. We all grow artistically together here on wordpress; unlike facebook I get on WordPress and completely dedicate myself to writing and posting something special for the masses. The closer I can grow to my readers and fellow bloggers the more I’m going to progress.

I am in no way, shape or form a perfect person but they say the lotus flower can only bloom in the mud. As I work on my craft I’d like to thank the people pushing me along; to keep me creating and writing, drawing and filming. I’m going to keep pushing, harder than I ever have before. Perhaps I’ll start sharing more and more personal stories on WordPress because I do have many stories and lessons; a lifetime of struggle and success in its overcoming glory. To share.

Thank you.

– Nina

 

 

 

About me, My Poetry, Poetry, Writing

The art of finding oneself. – Nina

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More often than not we are told how to live, right?

Take a minute to evaluate.

Starting off in a classroom for years and even decades on end, you sit, sit to learn; Christopher Columbus discovered America and how to find the square route of random numbers. Sigh*

Did human evolution naturally incline us to spend our most important years of growth in a chair? I think not…….

We graduate, we’ve learned how to follow orders and build bridges for our employers… laws of the land; creating barriers physically and financially more and more as life progresses. The idea of a 9-5 and a white picket fence and 3 kids. Even if it is graspable for the lucky few, we struggle to move forward.

“Did you stop, stop to reevaluate the ingrained ideology placed upon you?”.

Individuality is becoming farther and farther less prevalent as we strive to get the same jobs, same cars, computers and apparel… We want to be beautiful or successful financially in essence… bombarding us in advertisements and corporate agenda.

Some say in order to find oneself, one must lose themself; similarly in religions in the aspect of being “reborn,”. Every day we wake up from a subconscious state, back into the conscious reality. Every day is a chance to be reborn.

What I am trying to portray is that “change” is this key. To Lose yourself… be reborn…

It all starts with you. As much as the daily routine brings you comfort it can also be your prison.

Escape it.

Fear not what change may bring unto you.

“Imagine”.

Who you are and where you can be. Erase all fear they have instilled inside your heart.

Be free.

Poetry, Stories, Writing

About me :) Pt. 5

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I’m 50 days clean and sober which is more than I can honestly say I’ve ever done in any past attempts. When my anxiety gets bad I think how far I’ve come from being homeless just a few months ago to a beautiful apartment in my most desired neighborhood…

I liked to party… or maybe a more serious way to put it, I liked to get Fucked Up… and also self medicated in extremely dangerous mixes of substance and situations, seriously Fucked Up situations I put myself in to do so. I can’t begin to describe how lucky I feel to be alive. Daunting memories and situations I have to try to deal with and leave in the past.

Lucky for me, after um… using random shit for 10 years or more, I never died in my sleep nor physically hurt anyone other than myself as far as I know. I worry so dearly about all the people I grew close to and It’s great to see my close friends in a recovery zone too, we’re all in this together and nothing is easy to do alone.

Art is so important, expression and the act of simple creativity. That’s an addiction I can never, ever… leave behind. Blogging has been a great outlet, something to look forward to when I wake up, read articles and poetry and sharing a little bit of what inspires me and keeps me grounded. I’d say it’s played a positive role in my life, recovery (whatever you want to call it). I don’t think blogging about my experience in the streets is in store anytime soon but I thought it would be a nice note to leave the world that… I’ve been through a lot but, I’m doing better than alright.

Peace n love.

Nina

Art, Love, Poetry, Writing

I was about to cry; Then I felt the universe. -Nina

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Sitting alone it’s pitch black before the dawn.

Stars in the sky.

I have had my issues with depression, the weight of the universe making me about to make me cry.

“No Nina,”.

It’s not the weight upon you; causing this sensation…

it is the energy trying to flow through you.

This world is moving and flowing at unimaginable rates and molecular mathematics.

I let the energies of it all flow through me; it takes but a millisecond to feel it.

Like a river.

Flow through my body and take all my pain away.

To literally feel time, space and matter for just that one moment.

Do not fight the flow of the raging river was a Zen tale I always enjoyed, perhaps it applies in all moments.

This flowing universe ; we live amongst the endless stars.

Stop to feel it,

If you need to.

 

-Nina

About me, Activism, Poetry, Transgender, Writing

A Transgender Note – Nina

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I don’t feel as though being transgender as a burden, to me it’s a blessing. Many gods, goddesses and spiritual guides were intersex or changed gender over time. Some aboriginal tribes in north America had a name for it centuries ago ” 2 spirit ”

Although unacceptable in Muslim and Christian faiths I am neither. In Buddhism they regard it as your spiritual qualities from your past life arising in your present. I do not need validation from anyone or anything to be myself.

Countries around the world need to show basic human rights, laws protecting trans people across the world. I see suffering in the trans community from an ignorant world without conscious mind on human spirituality and science.

I am a proud transgender woman urging you to be whatever you want to be. Manifest yourself a brighter future in regards to your identity. You need not a label nor a piece of paper. You need not to be understood by all.

But you need to be yourself,

Love Nina

About me, Transgender, Writing

Myself : Part. 1 *

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I’m going to attempt to write more about myself,

my life.

Part 1.

      I was always different for sure. Too much too handle for pretty much anyone I grew up with, became friends with or had relationships with. I was kicked out of home at a young age, bipolar disorder and an addictive personality: constantly lit or trying to get high or drugged out and party…being homeless and running the streets with kid gangs basically. Doing petty crimes and shit it was stupid. I’ve changed a lot.

Being transgender only started to blossom when I turned 18, living in a crack shack that the government called a “group home”. Starting to dress how I wanted to …I liked getting drunk, a lot. I’ve always had hobbies and passions but mixing em up with drugs and alcohol was deemed necessary on a daily basis. I also thought drinking was giving me the courage to dress how I wanted.

I’ve been in a few abusive relationships, somehow managing to graduate college and various courses that peaked my interest. When I worked construction it was like selling my feminine soul and I hated myself for it for over 7 years. But nevertheless at 25 I started hormones and transitioned into myself; female full time. I have zero regrets. I have no doubt in my mind of who I am and the choice I made was right.

Since I transitioned Ive had several jobs, schools and was never really targeted for being a trans woman. But I had been partying for a living… for a year…the drugs twisted my mind. I met my girlfriend online, she helped me get out of the trap. She encourages me to peruse any art, job or school I like and I’m happy. Sober. In Love. I can’t get enough and it’s like I’m comfortable for the first time you know?

I’m good.

Dedicated to my girl.

Love Nina

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My Poetry, Poetry, Writing, Zen

The interconnected manifest – Nina

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The abstract thoughts relevant to concrete form;

everything is connected making the magic very real

Submerged in self awareness yet profoundly connected

in imaginative design and inclinations creating and manifesting its form

Dreams and reality are not so far apart; both created by the mind and collected in the mind

to be analyzed and articulated

What today may bring is up to me as well as the destiny

We’ll have to work together or bound in self destruction

I can make today whatever I want it to be

Setting Destiny Stones for me to walk upon with grace

Or they could tower over me; an abrupt fate

Creating overwhelming fear in my heart

But if I choose to take destiny

Fate and future into my hands

I know I can surely manifest

Stepping stones upward on this journey into tomorrow

Into the sky with my dreams once again.

 

Nina Yin

Buddhism, Hip Hop, Mahayana Buddhism, Uncategorized, Writing, Wu Tang, Zen

Wisdom from The Wu

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Decades of Wisdom from the Wu.            By Nina Yin Vestergaardwu_tang_clan_wallpaper_by_davidsmith1

Growth, Spirituality and intensifying Stories. Is what comes to mind when I think of Wu Tang Clan. Still today I’m admiring them from “My borough” in Vancouver Canada.

Peace Salaam to the Abbott: Shokran Rza Thank you for all that you have done for me. “The dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum” was the case when I was 12 but I have grown up and am realizing / have realized the potential of myself; no longer scared of my own power and spirituality.

My tattoo of the Wu Tang with a lotus flower becomes more and more important in my life every day; located on my right ribcage where it is said Buddha’s mother was touched by the elephant to conceive him.  The video made in Vancouver on the recent Wu tour by my friend Nardwaur and possibly my teacher Fred interviewing Rza in particular where you spoke of the lotus flower… you were speaking to me.

Wu Forever and 36 chambers as well as Killa Beez been were bought for me at an extremely young age. I bought “Digital bullets” a year later, playing the Wu Tang video game which I’d have my lil group of friends come play. I put a big Wu on the basketball hoop at my school and it remained there for many years.

A better tomorrow is the new shit but I’d like to talk about the book written by Rza : The Tao of Wu, it had many Zen type/ Buddhist type stories; true stories! Sories you learn from and have to really think about…and the chicken bone story I could feel on my teeth, or the sad yet heartwarming story about your family moving into the new hood and getting robbed and finding out why so much later down the road.

Rza speaks with peta and his views on being vegan was extremely powerful. These animals are stressed in captivity, when you eat that meat, your eating that stress,”. I appreciate your activism and outspoken attitudes that carries on forever. I recently bought a Quaran for something I’ve never read. Wu Tang got me back into using my time wisely, call me back at the God hour.

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Throwing up the W….My birthday turning 21 I was watching Rza perform with Stone Mecca his upcoming album “Digi Snacks” plus all the wu classics in a small club in downtown Vancouver called Richard’s on Richards.. It was beautiful.

Can it all be simple was a song amount many others I was obsessively listening to and watching the videos. I also watched the home videos in the projects; Gunshots and homicide. Shaolin Island. Videos meth made talking about the corrupted world we living in and how we should be preparing ourselves.

But there’s another side… “Good night. Here’s a kiss. Sleep tight and make a wish… “Beautiful. I regard Rza as the best hip hop producer simply because of the talent and style that resonates in my soul.

Salaam

Peace

Nina Yin

 

Activism, Art, Graffiti, News, Writing

On Codes and Translation: Understanding Alaa Awad

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The following is a shorter version of a chapter I contributed to Translating Dissent: Voices from and within the Egyptian Revolution, ed. Mona Baker, out now via Routledge and available for purchase.  This content has been edited for brevity. 

In 2013, I gave a talk at the Petrie Museum in London to an audience of Egyptology students and academics. I presented the work of Alaa Awad, a 33-year-old Egyptian street artist who had painted murals of ancient Egyptian art around ahrir Square during the political protests of 2011 and 2012.

As I showed them a series of murals depicting women in fierce, coloured robes walking to battle, or a row of bearded men kneeling before the throne of a mouse being fanned by a cat, I could sense the room temperature changing as they began to realise that the paintings were almost perfect replicas of the ancient Egyptian murals they had studied.

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