Okay, so I think I've discovered the reason why I've been getting sick. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I think I've been drinking too much water? For over the past three weeks, I've drank only water (as far as beverages goes, I've still eaten regularly). I NEVER get sick. Probably only one time a year at the most, so the fact that I've come down with something different every week for the past two weeks is significant proof that something is wrong. I did a little research and found out that too much water can reduce the amount of sodium in your blood. In turn, you have lower energy. Before doing my research, I kind of common sensibly came up with the conclusion that because water lacks calories, it also lacks vitamins and minerals that fruit juices have. For instance, Hawaiian Punch is rich in Vitamin C. Thus, no Hawaiian Punch means no Vitamin C. Drinking between 5 and 8 ounces of water a day reduces the likelihood of a woman to die of a heart attack by 41%, because the water thins the blood and prevents clotting. However, I've been drinking closer to 34 ounces of water a day, some days, over 50. I think that the key is balance. Water makes my body feel purer, it also makes my mouth feel cleaner as it eliminates the chalky build-up that juices and sodas leave behind, BUT I need to drink juice in order to remain balanced. It's kind of like becoming a vegetarian, wholetime meat is actually good for the body because it gives us proteins. So overall, I don't think it's smart to make any left-field decisions in your eating habits, but to instead maintain balance.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Water Sick?
Okay, so I think I've discovered the reason why I've been getting sick. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I think I've been drinking too much water? For over the past three weeks, I've drank only water (as far as beverages goes, I've still eaten regularly). I NEVER get sick. Probably only one time a year at the most, so the fact that I've come down with something different every week for the past two weeks is significant proof that something is wrong. I did a little research and found out that too much water can reduce the amount of sodium in your blood. In turn, you have lower energy. Before doing my research, I kind of common sensibly came up with the conclusion that because water lacks calories, it also lacks vitamins and minerals that fruit juices have. For instance, Hawaiian Punch is rich in Vitamin C. Thus, no Hawaiian Punch means no Vitamin C. Drinking between 5 and 8 ounces of water a day reduces the likelihood of a woman to die of a heart attack by 41%, because the water thins the blood and prevents clotting. However, I've been drinking closer to 34 ounces of water a day, some days, over 50. I think that the key is balance. Water makes my body feel purer, it also makes my mouth feel cleaner as it eliminates the chalky build-up that juices and sodas leave behind, BUT I need to drink juice in order to remain balanced. It's kind of like becoming a vegetarian, wholetime meat is actually good for the body because it gives us proteins. So overall, I don't think it's smart to make any left-field decisions in your eating habits, but to instead maintain balance.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I Never Went to Disney World...
I feel deprived. Like seriously. There are so many things that I haven't done that I want to do! Like learn to dance. Learn to play the guitar. And the list goes on...
Disney World represents dreams unlimited. It was inspired by the dreams of Walt Disney, an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, and philanthropist. When it came to dreaming and bringing those dreams into fruition, that man did it all! And his dreams cross the borders of the United States, he has international resorts in his namesake located in Tokyo, Paris, AND Hong Kong. I love the inspirational messages that represent Disneyland, especially this one, which is on a plaque at the entrance to the EPCOT Center: "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy." I'm determined to live out my dreams just like Walt Disney did...and to treat everyday like a fantasy.
Dreams.
For the past couple of years, I've been having strange, life-like dreams. It's like God is speaking to me during the dreams and I wake up with a new direction and a new outlook on life. This morning, I had a dream and when I woke up "legacy" was really in my spirit. The dream started with me (current me) walking along the bus line at my old elementary school. I spotted the younger me (around 4 years old) standing on the pavement. I quickly recognized the little girl as someone I knew and should protect, so I ran over to her and asked her if she wanted to come with me. She was hesitant, but not because she was afraid, moreso because that's just the type of person she was. She said "yea, ok" with no emotion and I grabbed her hand and walked with her to the front of the school building. At the front of the school building were my younger sister and brother, both in their current states. They both looked at the younger me and my sister said "Look at her. Do you see that dress she has on. It's (some name brand, I don't remember what she said). It had to cost at least $3,000." She then begin to speak about each of the clothing items the younger me had on, from a small white patent leather purse with a small pearl beaded handle, down to some white frilly dress socks and shiny, black patent leather Mary Janes. The little girl got annoyed and said "It's not a dress, it's a jumper. Can we stop now?" I noticed a piece of paper in her hand and took it. It was a report card with all A's and one A- on it. I stared back at her. She didn't have any emotion and her hair was braided down in a mushroom type of style, but it was kind of frizzy. We all looked at her in amazement. Then, I remember the dream flashing to years later...I was my age that I am now, my grandmother was a few years younger than she is now (maybe 80, 85), my older cousin Cosco was his current age, and my uncle Bernard was his current age. We were in a house...I can't really describe it, but the picture is vivid in my memory. Everything was wooden and there were three visible rooms, one of which was separated from the other two by a wall. The top room was a kitchen, one step down was a living room area equipped with a fire place, and the separated room was a dining room. My cousin was setting out the breakfast items and he called my name "Muffin." I said "Yes?" And he said to my uncle "I don't know why she always says 'yes' when I call her name for breakfast. We do this everyday. She knows what I want." I started to reply, but noticed my grandmother coughing and my uncle hovering over her. I beckoned for my cousin to come into the living room, telling him that something was wrong with Mommie Helen, but just as he came over, she said "I'm fine!" I then replied to my cousin "I was trying to say, 'I don't say 'yes' because I'm unaware of what you want. I say it to acknowledge the fact that you're addressing me.'" He shook his head and said, "just like Mommie Helen." My cousin and I looked down to at what she was wearing: a pleated blouse with forest, pale green, navy blue, and yellow horizontal stripes and an ankle length denim skirt. She had on a square necklace with a circular hole in the middle...it was a shiny stone texture, a light green color, and was tied to her neck by a brown ropey chain. On her feet, she had on some denim pumps...maybe about 2", with brown leather stripes going through them. We both said "Unh uh!" Her reply was "I'm grown today!" I'm really not sure what that dream meant...and there were other parts to it that I don't remember so vividly. I know that I kept following the younger me around...to class and everywhere else, protecting her. I watched her experience some of the things I've experienced, but she didn't grow up, she stayed the same age...and everytime something would try to come at her that I didn't like, I grabbed her from danger. It was like I was my own guardian angel, protecting myself from the things that I've experienced...it was so weird. I'm going to think about it some more and maybe talk it over with some of my friends and maybe my younger sister and see what I can conclude from it. All I know is afterward, I felt a strong sense of family, history, and legacy...and I remember standing beside my grandmother and my cousin admiring how much like her I was. I saw pictures of her on the mantel and my graduation (college) picture mixed in with them and we were like twins. It was so weird, but I loved that dream. And then, I remember (current me) being in a bathroom with my sister and brother. Everything was white and my sister had instructed me to read a poem that my mom had written for me when I was born. As I read each line aloud, I began to cry and my brother put his hand on my chest...kind of like he was a pastor and he was touching and agreeing or imparting something in me. I remember wearing a silver band with some words inscripted on it on my left hand (can't remember which finger) and after that part of the dream I felt a strong legacy toward my mother. It's like the dream was telling me that I am responsible for carrying on the legacy of my mother and my grandmother...and to just go, do big things, soar, but always remain ladylike, modest, and wise. It told me that there are two ways of getting anything you want in life, the right way and the wrong way and that life will make it seem like you need to go the wrong way because you'll never get what you want the right way, but that's not true. It showed me that while I'm out doing all the right things to get what I want, I'll see others with what I want already; however, they got it the wrong way. So, I can't get discouraged, I just have to keep on grinding. When everyone else is out "getting it in" and I have my head in a book or I'm in practice or something, that's my "getting it in" so that I can get it in later....I don't know, I just felt a sense of uprightness and it fit perfectly with a quote I saw yesterday "eyes forward, head high." So now, I'm chasing after my dreams.
Happy 92nd Birthday!!
Toda
y is my grandmother's 92nd birthday!!! I can't imagine living 92 WHOLE years. I mean, I hope I do, but, it's amazing. Like she's done 92 years worth of things, she's met 92 years worth of people, she's experienced 92 years worth of events, and she's 92 years worth of beautiful!! The picture to the left is her and I at a church banquet. It wasn't even a year ago...see how gorgeous she is!! I REALLY want to be like her when I grow up. She's an excellent role model.
y is my grandmother's 92nd birthday!!! I can't imagine living 92 WHOLE years. I mean, I hope I do, but, it's amazing. Like she's done 92 years worth of things, she's met 92 years worth of people, she's experienced 92 years worth of events, and she's 92 years worth of beautiful!! The picture to the left is her and I at a church banquet. It wasn't even a year ago...see how gorgeous she is!! I REALLY want to be like her when I grow up. She's an excellent role model.
I'm Backkkkkkk!!!
...like Lindsay after rehab!! I'm currently at work and I CAN'T STOP COUGHING!! I went into my supervisors' office to give her the mail and she had such an abbreviated conversation with me. I'm being treated like a step child!!...I really don't know what's wrong with me though. In all of my years of living, I've never been this sick. Last week, I had the pink eye and this week, I have what the Dr. said is a "common cold." I have a difficult time believing him though, because I woke up yesterday morning with a huge sty on my right eye and I woke up later during the day from a nap and my voice was gone. He told me I'd be better within the next ten days, which I didn't find very encouraging :(((((( But, even though I am sick, I refuse to act sick any longer. I'm taking a stand!!!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Yawn...
I'm SO tired.
But I had SUCH a great weekend ;-)
My female best friend came in town, two of my loves crossed Sigma Gamma Rho, I went to a nice gospel concert, and I enjoyed the company of a couple of new friends.
--
I'm getting really excited about graduation now that I've taken my grad pictures and I'm in the process of planning my graduation cookout. I can't believe that it's FINALLY here!!!
I'm so excited about moving and starting a new chapter of my life. When I just think about how good God has been to me, I become tremendously exuberant. He's done so much in my life over the duration of my life, but these past few years have acted as a time of major development. I've learned so many valuable lessons, met so many wonderful people, and embarked on so many incredible journeys...and to think, life has just begun!
I'm so grateful because I know that I wasn't always focused, but God still made sure I stayed on track. Even when my actions were antithetical to my best interests, He still shielded and protected me and made sure that I never ventured too far from His will.
God is so amazing. And no matter where I go, what I do, or who I become, I will always love Him with my whole heart and with every fiber of my being.
But I had SUCH a great weekend ;-)
My female best friend came in town, two of my loves crossed Sigma Gamma Rho, I went to a nice gospel concert, and I enjoyed the company of a couple of new friends.
--
I'm getting really excited about graduation now that I've taken my grad pictures and I'm in the process of planning my graduation cookout. I can't believe that it's FINALLY here!!!
I'm so excited about moving and starting a new chapter of my life. When I just think about how good God has been to me, I become tremendously exuberant. He's done so much in my life over the duration of my life, but these past few years have acted as a time of major development. I've learned so many valuable lessons, met so many wonderful people, and embarked on so many incredible journeys...and to think, life has just begun!
I'm so grateful because I know that I wasn't always focused, but God still made sure I stayed on track. Even when my actions were antithetical to my best interests, He still shielded and protected me and made sure that I never ventured too far from His will.
God is so amazing. And no matter where I go, what I do, or who I become, I will always love Him with my whole heart and with every fiber of my being.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Music Spotlight: Janelle Monae
I 
LOVE music.
It wasn't until about a year ago that I actually started listening to it regularly, but now it has such a tremendous place in my life.
Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy enigma. I'd rather use large, uncommonly used words or phrases that mean the same thing as smaller, commonly known ones just because not everyone would know off-hand what I mean. So, when it comes to song lyrics, I love subliminal messages, verses that require outside knowledge and research to understand...yea, all that.
I enjoy so many artists, but I'm particularly inclined to old skool music because it tends to have that essence of mystery that I enjoy. A wonderful new skool artist is Janelle Monae
(pictured here). Monae is sooooooo cool. She uses future-age imagery and lyricism to produce techno-quality beats and music. Not to mention, she's a naturalista...and I think she's gorgeous!
Monae hit the scene in the early 2000's when she first hooked up with OutKast. Years later, she has been chosen to tell the story of 57821, Cindy Mayweather, a archandriod from the year 271
9. Cindy is dealing with social injustice and her, along with other oppressed individuals, need Monae to tell their story. Monae plans to release a graphic novel and perhaps, a movie in order to communicate the narrative.
There are so many things I can say about her, because she's so complex, but I'll keep it simple by agreeing with her being creative, fearless, and "a different kind of diva."
"While people are categorizing what they think I may be doing, I'm focusing on creating more art. I've made a life-long commitment to stay true to art and making sure that it is preserved." -Janelle Monae
I believe we can learn a lot from Monae; one lesson being to choose something that you're passionate about and make a lifetime commitment to please it instead of the onlookers. When we get sidetracked by people, we get distracted from our purpose, initiating the loss of our happiness and our uniqueness. Monae has shown me that it's perfectly fine to be unlike anyone else.
Stay tuned, she has so much in store for her fans!
LOVE music. It wasn't until about a year ago that I actually started listening to it regularly, but now it has such a tremendous place in my life.
Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy enigma. I'd rather use large, uncommonly used words or phrases that mean the same thing as smaller, commonly known ones just because not everyone would know off-hand what I mean. So, when it comes to song lyrics, I love subliminal messages, verses that require outside knowledge and research to understand...yea, all that.
I enjoy so many artists, but I'm particularly inclined to old skool music because it tends to have that essence of mystery that I enjoy. A wonderful new skool artist is Janelle Monae
(pictured here). Monae is sooooooo cool. She uses future-age imagery and lyricism to produce techno-quality beats and music. Not to mention, she's a naturalista...and I think she's gorgeous!
Monae hit the scene in the early 2000's when she first hooked up with OutKast. Years later, she has been chosen to tell the story of 57821, Cindy Mayweather, a archandriod from the year 271
9. Cindy is dealing with social injustice and her, along with other oppressed individuals, need Monae to tell their story. Monae plans to release a graphic novel and perhaps, a movie in order to communicate the narrative.There are so many things I can say about her, because she's so complex, but I'll keep it simple by agreeing with her being creative, fearless, and "a different kind of diva."
"While people are categorizing what they think I may be doing, I'm focusing on creating more art. I've made a life-long commitment to stay true to art and making sure that it is preserved." -Janelle Monae
I believe we can learn a lot from Monae; one lesson being to choose something that you're passionate about and make a lifetime commitment to please it instead of the onlookers. When we get sidetracked by people, we get distracted from our purpose, initiating the loss of our happiness and our uniqueness. Monae has shown me that it's perfectly fine to be unlike anyone else.
Stay tuned, she has so much in store for her fans!
Thrifting...in my Grandma's Closet
I love, love, love my grandma. She's the coolest older person I know.
Yesterday, my dad and I started cleaning out her wardrobe room so that I can move into once I move out of my apartment. She had soooooooooo much stuff and because she can't fit or doesn't wear any of it, we were bagging it all up with the intentions of taking it to Good Will.
I asked my dad if I could make a pile of the things I would like to keep (he didn't understand why I wanted "old woman clothes," so I tried to school him on vintage, but it still went over his head). He said "yes" and I got some WONDERFUL buys...for free (lol)
When I came home, washed it, and tried it all on, it was baddddddddddddddd. So, I changed my cell phone ringtone back to "Bad Mama Jama."
And that's all she wrote ;-)
Yesterday, my dad and I started cleaning out her wardrobe room so that I can move into once I move out of my apartment. She had soooooooooo much stuff and because she can't fit or doesn't wear any of it, we were bagging it all up with the intentions of taking it to Good Will.
I asked my dad if I could make a pile of the things I would like to keep (he didn't understand why I wanted "old woman clothes," so I tried to school him on vintage, but it still went over his head). He said "yes" and I got some WONDERFUL buys...for free (lol)
When I came home, washed it, and tried it all on, it was baddddddddddddddd. So, I changed my cell phone ringtone back to "Bad Mama Jama."
And that's all she wrote ;-)
Gym Updates
This morning, I broke a sweat!!!
Nooo, not dreads drippin' sweat, but...the edges were drippin' into my face (lol). So, I think I had a pretty good workout. I'm still in the process of easing myself into an actual routine; today, I did a run/walk mixture for 20 minutes. I think I need to start going twice a day, but I can never seem to go in the afternoon: if I'm going to go to the gym, it has to be as soon as I wake up. I think I get super consumed with my day any time after that...but I have been doing thirty side crunch exercises per side, 60 crunches, and 15 push-ups with weights. That's my night-time routine. I'm going to have to do something different though. It's only been a little over a week, but I want to make sure I get the results I want as soon as possible.
I also think I need to increase my calorie intake. I'm usually not hungry and I don't stop myself from eating when I am, but I still don't think I eat enough. I weigh about 136 lbs. and I should be taking in around 1633 calories a day. I don't eat that much (lol)...perhaps 6-800, but definitely not 1633. And my body's not going to shed fat until I eat more :( So, I know what I have to do: add another gym visit to my routine and eat more!!
Nooo, not dreads drippin' sweat, but...the edges were drippin' into my face (lol). So, I think I had a pretty good workout. I'm still in the process of easing myself into an actual routine; today, I did a run/walk mixture for 20 minutes. I think I need to start going twice a day, but I can never seem to go in the afternoon: if I'm going to go to the gym, it has to be as soon as I wake up. I think I get super consumed with my day any time after that...but I have been doing thirty side crunch exercises per side, 60 crunches, and 15 push-ups with weights. That's my night-time routine. I'm going to have to do something different though. It's only been a little over a week, but I want to make sure I get the results I want as soon as possible.
I also think I need to increase my calorie intake. I'm usually not hungry and I don't stop myself from eating when I am, but I still don't think I eat enough. I weigh about 136 lbs. and I should be taking in around 1633 calories a day. I don't eat that much (lol)...perhaps 6-800, but definitely not 1633. And my body's not going to shed fat until I eat more :( So, I know what I have to do: add another gym visit to my routine and eat more!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Yummies :-)
One of my many passions is cooking.
As of about a year ago, I was totally inexperienced and didn't know how to cook anything but hot dogs and hamburgers, which is pretty self explanatory.
Now, I've mastered a few dishes and I'm soooo proud of myself.
It took me a while to get homemade macaroni and cheese down packed, but now I'm a pro!
Tonight, I'm cooking fried tilapia, collard greens, corn bread, and homemade mac'n cheese.
YUMMYYYY!!!
As of about a year ago, I was totally inexperienced and didn't know how to cook anything but hot dogs and hamburgers, which is pretty self explanatory.
Now, I've mastered a few dishes and I'm soooo proud of myself.
It took me a while to get homemade macaroni and cheese down packed, but now I'm a pro!
Tonight, I'm cooking fried tilapia, collard greens, corn bread, and homemade mac'n cheese.
YUMMYYYY!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Queen Germophob
Somehow I've contracted pink eye...
I don't understand :(
I haven't been around any children or any elderly.
And no, no one farted on my pillowcase.
As humorous as that may be and as endearing as the "ew's" I've been getting sound, it hurts like hell.
...Okay, perhaps hell is an exaggeration, BUT it feels really weak and kind of gritty, like I have something in my eye.
But because of this, I'm now a certified germophob. I've been making great use of my bleach wipes, I've discarded my mascara and cleaned all of my contact lenses cases, and I wash my hands...CONSTANTLY.
I'm thinking that I either got it through my contact lenses or from the gym. I never realized how many germs are probably on the hand rails of the treadmill...and the buttons. So, whenever I am able-bodied enough to go back, my bleach wipes will be coming with me.
Don't mean to push an agenda, BUT did you know that cell phones are dirtier than toilet seats?
(Holds out bleach wipe)...*here, help yourself.
I don't understand :(
I haven't been around any children or any elderly.
And no, no one farted on my pillowcase.
As humorous as that may be and as endearing as the "ew's" I've been getting sound, it hurts like hell.
...Okay, perhaps hell is an exaggeration, BUT it feels really weak and kind of gritty, like I have something in my eye.
But because of this, I'm now a certified germophob. I've been making great use of my bleach wipes, I've discarded my mascara and cleaned all of my contact lenses cases, and I wash my hands...CONSTANTLY.
I'm thinking that I either got it through my contact lenses or from the gym. I never realized how many germs are probably on the hand rails of the treadmill...and the buttons. So, whenever I am able-bodied enough to go back, my bleach wipes will be coming with me.
Don't mean to push an agenda, BUT did you know that cell phones are dirtier than toilet seats?
(Holds out bleach wipe)...*here, help yourself.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
One of My Goals.
Last night, I made a list of short-term and long-term goals. It really helped me to be able to see everything I want to do in black and white. Now I am able to make plans to achieve each of those goals one by one.
One of the goals that I failed to add to the long-term list was to be on the Monique Show...and I don't mean in the audience. When she first came out with a talk show, I wasn't a fan of it. I thought she was boisterous and did too much, but after watching it everyday, she began to grow on me and now I have the utmost respect for her. I feel like she's a very misunderstood person. That experience taught me that you can never judge a book by its cover, because you may miss out on some valuable knowledge that are on its pages.
Monique gives people that normally go unrecognized a chance to promote themselves. I really enjoyed the episodes with Raven Symone, Chrisette Michelle, Cymphonique Miller, and Beverly Bond. Before watching the show, I was so misinformed about each of the women mentioned above--in regards to Cymphonique and Beverly Bond, I had no idea that they even existed.
I really love the Monique Show and I am going to sit on the couch and be interviewed by her one day.
One of the goals that I failed to add to the long-term list was to be on the Monique Show...and I don't mean in the audience. When she first came out with a talk show, I wasn't a fan of it. I thought she was boisterous and did too much, but after watching it everyday, she began to grow on me and now I have the utmost respect for her. I feel like she's a very misunderstood person. That experience taught me that you can never judge a book by its cover, because you may miss out on some valuable knowledge that are on its pages.
Monique gives people that normally go unrecognized a chance to promote themselves. I really enjoyed the episodes with Raven Symone, Chrisette Michelle, Cymphonique Miller, and Beverly Bond. Before watching the show, I was so misinformed about each of the women mentioned above--in regards to Cymphonique and Beverly Bond, I had no idea that they even existed.
I really love the Monique Show and I am going to sit on the couch and be interviewed by her one day.
Let's Exercise!
I'm itching to go to the gym!
This morning, I woke up and I didn't even feel like getting out of bed. This is a common Tuesday/Thursday occurrence, so I figured I'd just make those my rest days where I just do some crunches and push-ups in my room.
I'm really happy that I've haven't lost my mojo and that I'm still going strong after almost an entire week of consistent gym activity!
This morning, I woke up and I didn't even feel like getting out of bed. This is a common Tuesday/Thursday occurrence, so I figured I'd just make those my rest days where I just do some crunches and push-ups in my room.
I'm really happy that I've haven't lost my mojo and that I'm still going strong after almost an entire week of consistent gym activity!
Monday, March 14, 2011
10 Things I Can't Live Without
- A book of stamps.
- A bottle of water.
- My jump drive.
- My planner.
- My camera.
- My cellphone.
- Dictionary.com and Urbandictionary.com
- Hand sanitizer
- My closest friends.
"Cake Head"
Sooooooooo, I had a minor catastrophe last night.
During the day I decided to do some research on washing my baby dreads and retwisting them myself.
From what I read, apple cider vinegar rinses are good for exfoliation. It removes dandruff, fungus, and other build-up and since it's slightly acidic, it also helps restore the scalp's pH. Further, I read that baking soda, since it's mildly abrasive helps strip your hair of excess oils without leaving it completely dry...and they are both CHEAP!!
My "no-poo" movement went well...(Shampoo can lead to hair damage! Did you know that some shampoos are used to de-ice airplanes? Why would we want something so strong in our head?)...
BUT, then I tried to retwist my dreads with a honey and lemon juice mixture.
It ended up being a sticky mess!!
I thought that if I sat under the dryer for a really long time that the honey would just absorb into my scalp and hair...
...that didn't work (lol)
So, after trying to keep the honey idea alive for long enough, I decided to just rinse it out and deal with the consequences, which didn't end up being too bad.
All I had to do was wring my dreads out of the water and blow dry them.
And now they're back :)
They are a little puffy, but I'm going to retwist them tonight...with lock and twist gel (lol)
Catastrophe solved, thank God.
During the day I decided to do some research on washing my baby dreads and retwisting them myself.
From what I read, apple cider vinegar rinses are good for exfoliation. It removes dandruff, fungus, and other build-up and since it's slightly acidic, it also helps restore the scalp's pH. Further, I read that baking soda, since it's mildly abrasive helps strip your hair of excess oils without leaving it completely dry...and they are both CHEAP!!
My "no-poo" movement went well...(Shampoo can lead to hair damage! Did you know that some shampoos are used to de-ice airplanes? Why would we want something so strong in our head?)...
BUT, then I tried to retwist my dreads with a honey and lemon juice mixture.
It ended up being a sticky mess!!
I thought that if I sat under the dryer for a really long time that the honey would just absorb into my scalp and hair...
...that didn't work (lol)
So, after trying to keep the honey idea alive for long enough, I decided to just rinse it out and deal with the consequences, which didn't end up being too bad.
All I had to do was wring my dreads out of the water and blow dry them.
And now they're back :)
They are a little puffy, but I'm going to retwist them tonight...with lock and twist gel (lol)
Catastrophe solved, thank God.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Frustration :(
So, this is the perfect depiction of how I feel right now:
Only, my hair and skin are a little bit darker and my breasts are a little bit smaller, lol.
I NEED MY HAIR DONE.
It itches and I have frizzies.
I was planning to go next Tuesday, but I don't think I can hold up that long.
I have three options besides waiting:
1. Change my appointment to this week instead of next week.
2. Let my roommate re-twist my dreads for me.
3. Learn how to re-twist them myself.
I was going to go back to the shop this one time and see how my loctician does them and then re-twist them myself from there, only going back every 2-3 months, BUT I'm scared.
Before going natural, I was so dependent upon the hair dresser.
I used to be a shampoo technician and I think it scarred me for life.
I didn't want to wash my hair myself, I didn't want to style it myself, heck, I barely wanted to unwrap it myself.
...And I think I'm ruined.
For some reason I'm just afraid that I'll mess my dreads up.
...That they'll become thin and break off.
BUT, I have to "conquer fear with love" (not sure if that applies here, but oh well)
---
As of right now, I still haven't decided what I'm going to do, but I'm leaning toward option 2, followed by option 3.
I'm only giving myself this one freebie though: if someone else does them this time, I'm doing them from here on out.
Only, my hair and skin are a little bit darker and my breasts are a little bit smaller, lol.I NEED MY HAIR DONE.
It itches and I have frizzies.
I was planning to go next Tuesday, but I don't think I can hold up that long.
I have three options besides waiting:
1. Change my appointment to this week instead of next week.
2. Let my roommate re-twist my dreads for me.
3. Learn how to re-twist them myself.
- Option one will cost me $65.
- Options two and three will cost me a little over fifteen dollars.
I was going to go back to the shop this one time and see how my loctician does them and then re-twist them myself from there, only going back every 2-3 months, BUT I'm scared.
Before going natural, I was so dependent upon the hair dresser.
I used to be a shampoo technician and I think it scarred me for life.
I didn't want to wash my hair myself, I didn't want to style it myself, heck, I barely wanted to unwrap it myself.
...And I think I'm ruined.
For some reason I'm just afraid that I'll mess my dreads up.
...That they'll become thin and break off.
BUT, I have to "conquer fear with love" (not sure if that applies here, but oh well)
---
As of right now, I still haven't decided what I'm going to do, but I'm leaning toward option 2, followed by option 3.
I'm only giving myself this one freebie though: if someone else does them this time, I'm doing them from here on out.
I Need a Fanny Pack!!
So, I woke up this morning ("grrr" to time springing forward) and decided to go for a run. Since I get really distracted by seeing the time on the treadmill, I opted to go outdoors. Today is a nice day, mid to upper sixties for the high...great sweating weather. As I gathered my things to go, I realized that I needed to take my keys, my water bottle, and my cell phone so that I could keep track of the time and use the stop watch (and in case I encountered any creeps that I needed to call the police on, lol). Then I realized, my key was too small to put in my sports bra and that it would probably fall out mid-run. And of course I couldn't fit my water bottle in there (lol)...further, I didn't want my cell phone to get all sweaty so I couldn't put that in there either.
The next option was to store things in my shoe.
....an OBVIOUS no-go.
So, I checked my closet.
Because out of all the things I do own, a fanny pack would have to be one of them, right??
WRONG.
Then my mind wandered back to the other day when I was at the thrift store.
There were two fanny packs there...and they were only 75 cents...siiigh ::smacks forehead::
...................So today, I had to settle for a tread mill run.
I brought post-it notes to cover up the time, BUT they kept falling off :(
So overall, my techniques to not see the time were a fail,
BUT I did successfully run a mile in 10:42, which is much better than yesterday's over 13 minutes. To have had such improvement from one day to the next makes me think that perhaps I haven't been exerting myself enough.
Maybe there really are 8 minutes or less inside of me and I don't need three months of training to reach it. Maybe just maybe I can run a mile in 6 minutes???
Hmmm...
The next option was to store things in my shoe.
....an OBVIOUS no-go.
So, I checked my closet.
Because out of all the things I do own, a fanny pack would have to be one of them, right??
WRONG.
Then my mind wandered back to the other day when I was at the thrift store.
There were two fanny packs there...and they were only 75 cents...siiigh ::smacks forehead::
...................So today, I had to settle for a tread mill run.
I brought post-it notes to cover up the time, BUT they kept falling off :(
So overall, my techniques to not see the time were a fail,
BUT I did successfully run a mile in 10:42, which is much better than yesterday's over 13 minutes. To have had such improvement from one day to the next makes me think that perhaps I haven't been exerting myself enough.
Maybe there really are 8 minutes or less inside of me and I don't need three months of training to reach it. Maybe just maybe I can run a mile in 6 minutes???
Hmmm...
Saturday, March 12, 2011
8K Excitement!!!
I'm a tad bit amped about working out now that I've started to set goals for myself. In the past, I've just went to the gym because I felt like I should, but because I love a good challenge, the thought of reaching the goals I've began to make has me SO excited about going nowadays!!
When I was in middle and high school, I was the top flex arm hanger in the Eastern District. I also was able to do a little over fifty crunches in a minute and run a mile in a little over eight minutes. I'm like, "what happened???" Nowadays, I'm barely making fourteen minutes per mile and I can barely do thirty crunches without falling out, forget how long it takes me to do them.
So now, I'm determined to reach and surpass my previous records. I want those old thangs back (lol)
And in order to keep me on track, I've decided to participate in the 2011 CHKD RunWalk for the Kids. I'm going to run all 8K in no more than 45 minutes.
And that's final ;-)
When I was in middle and high school, I was the top flex arm hanger in the Eastern District. I also was able to do a little over fifty crunches in a minute and run a mile in a little over eight minutes. I'm like, "what happened???" Nowadays, I'm barely making fourteen minutes per mile and I can barely do thirty crunches without falling out, forget how long it takes me to do them.
So now, I'm determined to reach and surpass my previous records. I want those old thangs back (lol)
And in order to keep me on track, I've decided to participate in the 2011 CHKD RunWalk for the Kids. I'm going to run all 8K in no more than 45 minutes.
And that's final ;-)
Song/Video of the Week- I Owe All-James Fortune & FIYA
It's the season of Lent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent) and we truly do owe our all to Jesus, so I thought this song/video would be perfect! God is so good and Jesus is truly worth of whatever sacrifices we give Him. He gave us His life so we can give Him forty days.
Dread Inspiration
In the wee-hours of this morning, I made this collage to keep me inspired during my loc journey. I have a vision for my Peasies and this will help remind me of that:
Each picture tugged at my heart in some way, for some reason. And YOU KNOW I had to throw my boo Lil' Wayne in there, just because he's the sexiest man in the world with dreads (lol). I also am in love with Ledisi's dreads (bottom row, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th pictures). Google her!
Each picture tugged at my heart in some way, for some reason. And YOU KNOW I had to throw my boo Lil' Wayne in there, just because he's the sexiest man in the world with dreads (lol). I also am in love with Ledisi's dreads (bottom row, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th pictures). Google her!
Updates! :)
Okay, so over a month has passed and SO much about my life has changed. The majorly (is that a word?) noticeable changes are as follows:
Regarding my fashion sense, I've realized how vintage I am becoming. I went to the thrift store twice last week, spending about $50 total and coming out with 8 handbags/clutches, 4 or 5 blouses, a skirt, a couple of scarves, and a beautiful corduroy jacket from Banana Republic. The funny thing is that I have SO many unworn clothes. I am always well put together when I go to class, but I rarely ever put any effort into getting dressed. Since there's nothing to do around here, there's no reason to wear anything worth wearing. I'm just going to assume that God is stocking up my wardrobe for the big move?! ;-)
- I started growing dreads!! I love them SO, SO, SO, SO, VERY much. In the stage that their in right now, I've nicknamed them "Peasies;" however, I'm looking for another name for when they grow longer. The name "NKYINKYIM" kind of has me sold. It's West African for "twisting" and is the symbol for initiative, dynamism, and versatility. I think that's the perfect name for my grown-up Peasies and the perfect word to describe me! Now I just have to figure out how to pronounce it (lol)
- I stopped getting my eyebrows done :( Only for the time being. I went to the M.A.C. counter back in January and the sales associate told me that I had such a lovely arch and that my eyebrows had the potential to be so full...contingent upon me not getting them done every two weeks like I had been doing. She said that I only need to get my eyebrows done every 3-6 months and that's only if there's no possible way for me to manage them at that point. She also schooled me by telling me that they should only take hair from the top and NEVER the bottom. Since then, I have been using my M.A.C. eyebrow pencil (color: Spiked) to fill in the gaps in my brows. I've been tweezing and snipping little pieces when necessary, but for the most part, they've been holding up. I'm proud...and in a few more months, I'll be the even prouder owner of a thick set of eyebrows (lol)
- I'm not sure if this is a noticeable change, but it will be soon! I've started going back to the gym. In the past, I've went faithfully for up to three weeks at a time...only to stop and not go back for at least a month or two. I HAVE TO BREAK THAT CYCLE. The day before yesterday (03/10/11) I made up my mind that I was going to go to the gym that next morning. And you know what? I woke up at 6:30 and I did!! I think what has discouraged me in the past is the fact that I wasn't running the treadmill at the rate that I wanted to. But, it's a process...and as long as I keep my goal in mind and push myself to become a little better each day, I'll be there in no time.
Regarding my fashion sense, I've realized how vintage I am becoming. I went to the thrift store twice last week, spending about $50 total and coming out with 8 handbags/clutches, 4 or 5 blouses, a skirt, a couple of scarves, and a beautiful corduroy jacket from Banana Republic. The funny thing is that I have SO many unworn clothes. I am always well put together when I go to class, but I rarely ever put any effort into getting dressed. Since there's nothing to do around here, there's no reason to wear anything worth wearing. I'm just going to assume that God is stocking up my wardrobe for the big move?! ;-)
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dollydylesiady
- dy
- ...I'm just a reflection of Him. "He is the truth and He is so real and I love the way that He makes me feel...His light it shines so bright, I wouldn't lie."