The Grass is Greener Effect...

We spend so much time trying to figure out the "rules" of maintaining our natural tresses, that we often forget the basics. MOISTURE, MOISTURE, MOISTURE!! I used to get mad when I see men with their fros and their braids, then a year later their hair is down there back!! Well ladies, I refuse to go another year with little growth.  What's the most common factor in the positive growth? Say it with me....LOW MANIPULATION.

I'm guilty of excessive combing, brushing, blow drying, geling, puffing with a scarf (that rips strands from the back) and on lazy nights going to bed without a satin scarf.  But I refuse to walk around with straight back braids like a guy for months at a time. Sometimes I feel like the only one, having this minor growth setback.  Yet at the same time I witnessed my greatest growth with my yarn braids.  Then I get growth happy with all my blow outs and now Im reaping the consequences of my trigger happiness. 

What to do now...I can't keep abusing my tresses, but don't want to look like for a lack of better words "man-ish".  After searching high and low through Google and my favorite bloggers, I come across a few names like "Spring" and "LaJay".  These aren't the names of our hair dressers from around the way, but half wigs! These two have the best "natural" look to them. I posted pics of the two and how well they blend.  Out the the two I prefer New Born Free's Spring because the older it gets the better it looks and plus it feels nicer that Vanessa's LaJay.  I dont know why the hair is rough to the touch. 

Therefore ladies, don't complain about the grass being greener or envying the hair of others unless you are focused and disciplined with the maintenance of your own beautiful tresses.   Biblically, God wants us to be good stewards over what's been given to us to care for. Although the context is usually with money, people and other resources, but let's apply it to our hair.  Don't let the lie fool you thinking that one hair type is better than the other, you treat it good and it will be good to you! Be-YOU-tiful Made~

LaJay brand

Me and my nice - Spring brand

Self-braided Yarn Braid

Grad school...ugh not a fan

Why is this thing such a necessity to "make it" in life? Who knew the value of what a piece of paper brings.  I have struggled many years to complete this thing called a graduate program.  I initially started off at Rutgers University in their MPA program but with 27 credits left dangling in the air.  I regret it til this day!!  I didn't know what I was doing, meaning truly understanding what it means to buckle down and finish.  Now I'm at Webster University in their Education and Innovation program, currently with 12 credits trying to finish...just to have a M.A. behind my name with the "hopes" of being qualified to make more money, even though I just put my self in more debt.

Don't get me wrong I truly believe education is extremely important, but the means of obtaining information that I can very well "google" boggles my mind.  But I got to do what I have to do to appease the system.

I guess the biggest struggle is taking these online classes....I consider myself to be borderline ADD.  Well I change that, it's all selective hearing, seeing and doing. That's why I prefer in class work, but oh well it's not an option for me.  I just gotta finish...


Anyone else had to suffer through an online graduate program?? I need advice and support before I go CrAzY!!!!

Sept 19 Lit and Tech!!

Tonight ended with a nice little twist. Last class I decided to work on a community resource web page, but ended up changing my idea. I have an awesome niece who plays basketball on a community team. The coach was wanting to create a website for the team but lacks the time necessary to put into it. I was thinking to kill two birds with one stone. Although I still am interested in creating the community resource site, the project I want to present is my niece basketball team! Go Lady PHENOM!!

On the other hand, in class, we were being introduced to the basics of creating a web site through Microsoft Word and some of it's advanced features. I think I was a bit engaged in the web page development. I look forward to the next few classes to learn about additional sites that are beneficial to educators as a whole.

Sept 12, 2011 Lit and Tech!

This class session was very informative! I learned a few new tricks in regards to sharing potential project information. With Webquest, I wasn't 100% sure of it's powers at first, but once I got the hang of the process and it's capabilities, I wanted to look at the various topics listed. I am a fan of history, so I did my initial search of African American History. I was very impressed with some of the topics listed. We discussed a bit about our up and coming final project. I'm choosing to create a website, since I'm not a teacher, I'm thinking to utilize the skills I have. My work experience is primarily filled with social services. Therefore, I will create a website with various resources for students and parents to have access to information that will uniquely benefit their family. I look forward to working on this project!

August 29, 2011 - Lit & Tech!!

Class was fun! Today was filled with some awesome web resources that are beneficial to teachers. I enjoyed helping out my classmate with the tech stuff :) I do look forward to working more with wiki's and Im surprised that I never heard of it before. I can definitely see myself using it in the future. As we have the opportunity to ponder on different technologies to use in the classroom, I wonder if classrooms will begin using phone apps as a tool in the classroom. I'm very curious of what the future truly holds when it comes to education. All we can do is speculate, because remember we are supposed to be flying in cars by now! :)

Looking forward to work on developing a webpage and working on the advanced Excel use.

Literacies and Technology

August 22, 2011 - Journal #1

I’m always a bit nervous on the first day of class. Anxious about “newness” and the curiosity of how the session will go. I have heard great things about Dr. Flank and I was at ease a bit. I believe this is my largest class thus far and it’s pretty exciting with the varied experience of my classmates.

The video that we watched on the affects of technology with our students was every insightful. I have always viewed technology as the best thing for our youth and culture as a whole. Mainly with the focus of accessibility of information and connection cross-culturally. Today we as global citizens are more aware than ever. Now since viewing the report, my mind is questioning the effects even more. After being blown away with the trend with Korean youth and their PC gaming café’s I will not be surprised if that becomes popular in America. I do understand that technology, in and of it self, is not bad, but it is us that that turns it into something negative due to abuse.

The funny thing that the program pointed out with the MIT students is that we no longer write in essay form but in paragraphs. That is so true because I am very guilty. I always have spurts of ideas and information and it is not necessarily cohesive. One question I do have in relation to the issue is if all of this really that bad. The world is definitely changing and that is a fact. Yet, is it that bad if we no longer write novels, read Shakespeare, or know how to cross multiple a fraction in our heads? Who decided that this is what’s needed to be known. That is one idea that was brought up by one of the guest on the show. These are standards that were okay “back in the day” but what is the true relevance to today and tomorrow’s generation.

Choosing Joy...

Life in and of itself is a struggle. Everyone in some form or seeks to choose things that will have them struggle less or not at all. People say all the time that you should be "happy" but what does that really mean?? Yes we can grab the dictionary and write down what Webster said and survey many people then come up with an answer. But if we take a true hard look at the true beauty of happiness. It is 2010, and with so many books, experts, bloggers, etc. people still continue to seek after this thing called "happiness". Some are lead to believe that you have to money to be happy because you think your worries are gone, but what about the thousands of people who commit suicide because they were "unhappy". Well, what about the people who have great careers, since most of us will work a traditional 9 to 5, but with the high number of layoffs, etc. This is temporary as well.... Well one of the biggest way individuals connect happiness is with love. I can't front it is difficult for me to equate love and happiness, but with the high divorce rate, infidelity, etc. It's apparent that we can't do that either.

The crazy thing is that I truly equated happiness to these things and they were eventually removed from me and mainly by my own doing. Now Im literally left with nothing, no longer working, love is over and can't pay my bills. All this is literally out of my control and I prided myself in being "in control" and I have come to the point of having bouts of depressive moments. But through my experience of biblical Truth, I couldn't deny looking to the Lord for help, not it 'fix it' but fix me and my thinking.

I believe that is the biggest issue with chasing "happiness" because nothing is guaranteed in our lives. We have to look at what is True and for the believer it is the promises that God has made to us like Matthew 6:25-34, He promises that He will provide for us. I can't lie and say that He hasn't, I have food, shelter, clothes etc. It may not be the fine restaurant and that tends to be what people are seeking, what is above and beyond our "needs" in life. (That's another blog)

But overall the Lord did have to check my heart and what I'm trying to seek outside of His provision. Meaning I have been trying to cling so hard to being able to do things myself, but abiding in Him and that is through His word, prayer and obediently applying His word in my life. So I was reminded to look to the Lord choose joy, which is unconditional regardless of our current situation (what we have or don't have) and I am to honor Him regardless.

I can be quickly taken from this earth and my intentions to do or say things won't matter but only what I have done will be judged. I am grateful for salvation and work of the Holy Spirit in my heart. Through humble repentance of previous behavior, I'm choosing to honor and love the Lord with ALL of me. Mercy is new everyday, seek unconditional love that is only found in Christ, through the perfect work that was done on the cross for the believers behalf.

What now?? I will love the Lord with ALL of me and be a fruitful witness while I am seeking a job, hanging with my nieces and nephew, being with my family, etc.