My Eyes Are Watching God

Floating in that marvelous creation, it reminded me of the scene of Their Eyes Were Watching God where Halle Berry's character submerges herself in pristine waters and focuses on the heavens above.

I have a thing for water. Rain, rivers, beaches, baths.

It's relaxing, cleansing, spiritual.

This pic was taken a week ago and reflects where I am in life. 

Before I felt haggard, hassled, harassed.

Hurried to make important decisions to fulfill the human definition of success.

Not pausing to hear from God. Not resting in Him.

But this pic is where I am.

Floating in Him. Resting and looking upon Him.

And wondering what it is He wants to ask me.

Sometimes we go about life in a fast pace frenzy 

because that's what is dictated to us as best by society.

Stop and bask in God.

Time & Ombre Hair

Summer is over and so is this ombre hair. It was short lived as was Summer. Where did the time go?

It's as if time said "Peace out homie" & left me behind.

I realize I tend to go missing on this blog during those months .. I'm not sure why.

Maybe it's because I get into a state of reflection which turns into a funk.

Life picks up & drops me - then Fall rolls around & I'm back. Two months just flew by me.

Recently, I was reminded by God how time is precious. Time is a gift.

Time is priceless. Time is also fleeting.

We are suppose to invest our time wisely and not squander seconds. Why am I posting about this? Well since 2014 is coming to a close 

[quicker than I thought]

Why not remind y'all to use it wisely as I've been reminded.

Yes You!

What things haven't you accomplished yet for this year?

Ready for this Fall/Winter season?

ME, Myself and.. Imperfection

As much of a non-Yonce fan that I am, I realize some of her song lyrics spur on numerous thoughts in my head when it comes to myself and life.

Take for instances, Me Myself and I.

A popular saying that I use to reference myself instead of just saying me.

 I thought of the last part.. and I.

What words start with I that reflect pieces of me I love to show or bits I like to tuck away?

So for that - today's word is Imperfect.

Perfection. A state a lot of us aim for or think we've attained. I hear the word perfect used frequently in the natural hair 'sphere. The perfect twist out, the perfect wash n go. So many posts and videos with these titles that lure women in and telling them how to achieve the "perfect" do.

I tend to steer away from these #noshade .. I'm not looking for perfection when it comes to my hair. It makes me feel as if something is inherently wrong with me. What's wrong with the way I'm doing my twists? What makes the way you do something perfect compared to how I do? How do we define perfect when it comes to hair?

Sleek, shiny and frizz free. Controlled. Defined. (I guess)

Eh. I rather not devote more time then I already do to my hair. Ain't nobody got time for that!

I also think it feeds into the stigma some women deal with of not being good enough. What I do or what I have isn't good enough. I'm not saying one shouldn't have goals and try to better themselves but in this world, nothing is perfect. 

No one is perfect. 

 I am imperfect. That doesn't sound affirming at all but it's  something I need to remind myself of daily in this race of life. When I trip over myself multiple times.  Punishing myself over and over for stupid mistakes. The times I don't get it -school, work, my kinks & curls- "right".

I don't need my hair to be perfect. Wasn't it the same Bey who once said something about flaws and all but now women feel they need to "wake up like this #flawless". I also realize I won't achieve perfection in this lifetime but I can still keep on keeping on and get better at everything.

Give me my messy, frizzy mane on this imperfect shell of mine. That's so perfect to me. 

Addressing Change

a draft post that should have been published.

Change is inevitable. Nothing is the same except change. Change is constant but not consistent. Change brings about known and the unknown together in a weird dance that is hard to comprehend. When the seasons change, people follow suit. Summer is upon us and many people are making changes. Changes in their wardrobe, hair color choices and things that are a bit deeper.

I've been thinking about changing my hair color yet again because well I like doing that. Summer awakens a desire to go lighter and this time I want to do full blonde. Completely different yet not really as I've done blonde on more than one occasion. Maybe I want to do it to signal a bigger change that is occurring right now in my life.

I just graduated from university and even though years from now this probably won't be the most significant change, it's the close of a chapter. It is the signaling of something new. Moving back home after living in a different culture and climate will be change. Even though I'm going back to something familiar, in a sense I'm not. I've changed so "home" is different. This new accreditation I have does not guarantee me anything back home. Anyone who has pursued a degree in the creative arts knows that unless you're living somewhere that is a cultural hub, you might be doing work that has NOTHING to do with what you studied. The hustle becomes real. So does the struggle.

I wish I could say I'm scared but I'm not. This calm I have about this change is weird. I've been anticipating it for sometime now. I welcome change, if one doesn't embrace change they don't embrace life. What kind of life are you living where you're afraid of change? Where you resist change... sounds like death.

A new job, home, friend, country - all exciting and scary wrapped in one. But it's change.
Embrace it. Explore it. Enjoy it.

Musings of Miché

It's Friday.

The first friday that is completely free for me. Haven't felt this in awhile.

I'm officially on Easter Break but I have work and more importantly, uni work to complete.

I'm on the last stretch and it's the part where nothing but the grace and goodness of God is getting me through.

I've decided to take this weekend to completely de-stress, relax and unwind.

I had a bit of that last weekend when I was suppose to be working but caught a bit of a cold and was stuck in bed.

It was like God said chill.

I was ok enough by the following Monday for work.

But this, I'm not sick! 

So I'm going to read - Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende

catch up on shows - Grey's, Scandal & Homeland

eat - healthy ish but mostly the junk I was sent from the States.

communicate with those who I haven't in awhile.

oh and of course - wash my hair. 

Gonna try out a new product which I'll post about it when I use it :)

Anyhoo, my feel good song and jam for some months now

feels right for my chill time.

Afraid by Amel Larrieux.

Why not leave y'all with a lil something for your ears on this fine Friday?

Enjoy =)

Fix of Hair

I figured posting a pic of myself and my hair makes up for the lack of posting

and the previous rant post.

in case you were wondering/cared

the hair is a failed braid out.

Fail because my hair didn't dry and

 I wasn't going to work looking like I walked off the set of The Color Purple.

but I rocked it and it worked.

More of a stretched wash n go.

I need would like a vacation.

I'm over uni. Can it be done?

I'm over working at a job that means nothing.

I'm grateful for both, I'm just.. over it all.

We've all been there at some point right?

But no really.. where's my vacation? Sigh.

Is Anything I'm Doing Brand New?

Who remembers that Drake joint? Loved it!

Anyways this post isn't about Drake or music. It's about dum dum dum.... HAIR!
I've been browsing blogs all up and down the place today and I've noticed an insurgence of blogs that cater to natural hair. I find it cool because I never saw this much when I started my transition and it seems as if everyone has gotten the 'natural hair" memo.
Now I'm not going off on a tangent about how everyone is doing it & blah (that's another post.. one I probably won't do) I'm just wondering what's new in the natural hair community?

Maybe because I'm not at the start of my natural hair walk, I feel as if a lot of the information I see out there is repetitive. If I was currently transitioning or just did the BC, all of the stuff I come across would be very helpful but now most of the things I see I skip over because it's things I've read before.
The blogs are still helpful in the styling aspect (which I'm still having a hard time grasping.. I'm no good at doing styles :| ) & product reviews (I've got a thing for product reviews)

Am I the only one out there feeling so?

How Do You Deep??

Hey lovelies! :)

I had a question to pose to the natural ladies out there.
I know everybody's regimen is different due to each person's schedule and hair but do you deep condition before you shampoo or after? Whatever your response, what is your reason for doing it that way?

Random but whenever I read people's regimens, I see some people say that they deep condition before they shampoo.  I was reading Nikisha of UrbanBushBabes regimen

I personally do it after I shampoo. I don't think there's a right or wrong way, I just find it interesting and I'm curious to see how many people deep condition prior to poo-ing versus after.

BTW look what's back... The MANE!

Soundtrack to Life

I know I'm not the only person who thinks that life should be a musical.
Let's all prance about and break out into a choreographed dance number.
Anything profound we have to say which is every 12 minutes, it's a catchy song.

A lot of songs would be in the film entitled "My Life" for it is still being written.
Right off the bat.. anything from Shirley Bassey.

Maybe because I was introduced to her way back when through James Bond movies & I've always wanted parts of my life to play out like Jamesy.
Yes I call him Jamesy. Only his friends call him Jamesy.

What would be included on the soundtrack of your life?

Shea Moisture Crazy

So Walgreens is at it again with their BOGO sale (Buy 1, Get 1 FREE) on Shea Moisture hair products.

They had this sale earlier this year & I sure did snatch up some products then aaanndddd I did so now.
I ordered my products online, free shipping on orders over $25 and Walgreens has a coupon for $10 off orders $50 and over.
I OD'd and got 11 items :|

Extreme yes but smart.
I love Shea Moisture products, the cost for the ingredients and the stuff is good. I can't get them in the UK and since I'm going to FL for the winter break, I can carry them back with me.
I was planning on buying some stuff anyways to take back with me but this sale just helped me out majorly.

I got the stuff I know works well with my hair.

source

-Curl Enhancing Smoothie
-Deep Treatment Masque
-Curl & Style Milk
-Purification Masque
-Restorative Conditioner


everything but the green labelled stuff.

I'm currently using the green labelled items actually. Not a huge fan.
The Anti Breakage Masque doesn't do much for me & I like the Thickening Growth Milk for touch ups when I feel my hair is dry but it isn't a fave out of the family.

Just hoping I'm not overweight on my flight back.....

Me Doth Wants

For the lil time I've been in the UK, I have noticed their attention for caring for the planet & consciously implementing a "green" lifestyle. More so than the US I might add.

I see recycling bins next to regualr waste bins and most shoppers with their own reusable shopping bag.
I'm very impressed.

I need reusable shopping bags or just one big one especially when I go grocery shopping. I dislike getting plastic bags (even though I reuse them as garbage bags) but I notice I accumulate a lot.


In comes, BAGGU.
I came across them via ourcitylights.org <--- AHmazing blog.

They have a wide selection of resuable shopping bags, different prints and colors alike.
The bags are cute enough to use as a regular day bag!

They also stock backpacks & kits that you can use to store knick-knacks.

the one I'm looking at

Check out the site. Really, really good!

Darn Fleas!

So there was an American Apparel Flea Market running from October 20-25th in London & I AM JUST FINDING OUT!

Sigh. I own nothing from them because they're so flippin' overpriced but I do like their stuff. I would have had to plan to go down there though cuz train tix are not cheap from Crewe to London town.

The crowds & lines sounded like a nightmare though. Not one for all of that. Then again, there will always be hordes of people for a massive sale especially for a brand like American Apparel.

Maybe next year? 

Shots of Life

Take it all in, S.FL pre-departure part 1 with my girls.

<3 them so much!

Bestita & Wifey

nuh seh ntn

Yummy crepes that we got for free!

Ah she name ride or die 

<3 <3 

Danncceeee

Cuz well we can

New tings

After a month of being in the UK, I finally got a phone. I am now a proud member of team iPhone :) so I decided to try out the Blogger app.

In Need, Yes Indeed

The title does not lie. I am in NEED! Need of a new camera :(

I love taking pics, great way to document one's life. I thrive off of visuals so it just makes sense that I have a camera around at all times to capture whatever I see fit especially now that I'm in a new country.
Alas, my trusty lil camera has failed me. It is a Nikon point & shoot.. nothing fancy but it worked for me. Love the quality of pics from Nikons so thats what I run with.

In Jamaica this past May/June, a piece that holds the battery in place flew away. I didn't break it, I promise.
One minute I'm taking a pic & everything is jolly then next minure my lens is stuck and the camera is acting janky. I say the piece had enough of me & chucked the deuces.

Ever since then, I've had to press down on the battery for the camera to stay on or find an elastic band to hold it in place. Most times go down unsuccessfully to say the least.

A DSLR would be a nice replacement buttt I'm no professional photographer & those babies cost a lot of moolah that I am not sitting on. I did see a Nikon I like that is a faux-dslr lol.

The L120?

Yeah this.

Like the look & it got decent reviews. The price point isn't bad either so hopefully I can get one somehow. 

It was between that or the Coolpix P300.

Sigh, until we meet...

FYI Blogland...

Hey all! Just wanted to let yu guys know I meant what I said about being back.

I have all sorts of things planned for the blog, it all started with the new layout. I wanted something fresh signifying the new chapter in my life.

There will be a lot of collabs with other bloggers so look out for weekly posts coming soon on the arts, fashion, food, etc.
 Even though I no longer reside in Jamaica, I want to promote the Jamaican blogosphere and give views of different Jamaicans wherever they may be in the world so there will be a lot of Jamaican influence on here.

Want to show the world what my country has to offer!

I'm all about supporting people in their craft no matter who they are and where they come from.

I hope you all enjoy what is to come, I'm excited about it so please give feedback on the new content when it hits.

Blue Sky

Hello!

I figured it would be nice to drop a post. I never did hop on the "I'm gonna blog from my phone a lot" bit. Maybe because I really enjoy hacking out whatever I want to post on a computer. I can't be the only person who finds the sound of the keys tapping to be therapeutic. I love typing on my BlackBerry as well but I'm not that in love with my phone at the current moment. I need a new one but I won't go down that road.

I've been bumming really for the summer. TV has been the main source of entertainment. I had and still have grand plans for my summer, I must do things before I leave this country to start life in another but the heat in South Florida is ridic! The A/C in my house always wraps me in its cocoon so I end up staying inside for the most part.

I've been making plans and thinking though.. Taking in the free time I have and just thinking on life. I can't complain. I also got a job, thank Jesus. Putting things in place for my move come Fall.

All in all, I've been having a very good summer. How about you all? Hope this summer has been treating everyone well :)

Oh, Happy Independence Day! Figured it would be appropriate to say that.

I refuse.

I've extended my stay here on this lovely isle for another week.
I really do not want to leave & I also have business to take care of so I can't leave as yet.

I have a ton of pics & I plan on uploading some to share with you all.
This place is great! Jamaica is really my home. I know I have to come back here and live in the future.

I want to share this with you all..

Earlier today I was in New Kingston which is the corporate area of Kingston (did an eye exam)  arond lunch hour and it was interesting to see the mix of people in their business attire and sprinkled in the scene where homeless indviduals. Jamaicans tend to ignore them, we give them the title of 'Madman' or 'Madwoman'.. some rightly so because a few screws are loose but they are human beings like us nonetheless.
They need oxygen to breathe, food to eat, clothes to wear and shoes on their feet.

My ride home were co workers of my aunt. She works with an HIV/STI awareness group and she also does drug rehab counselling. While in the back of the van, I was literally moved to tears during my ride.
I'm not an emotional creature and I could find an excuse with that fact that my hormones are just ridic right now so I was probably more vulnerable today but who cares.. That does not discredit the Good Samaritan work I was smack dab in the middle of.

The man and woman I was riding around with would stop at various homeless people, whoever they saw, and would give them a box lunch to eat. They also provided them with free condoms.
Now you can say "That is probably just apart of their job" and yes tis true but I saw the genuine affection these two people had in doing their job.

They knew 95% of the people by name and felt terrible if they zoomed by a person without giving them lunch.

It is the little things. These acts of kindness towards the people who are interwoven in this loom we call life.

That is just one story from my stay here.

Lemme Upgrade Ya!

Talking to one of my besties on Skype and the topic of upgrading came up.

It stemmed from talking about long distance relationships ( that's another post)..

Lemme rewind a bit. You see, we're both Jamaican and live in the US and coming from one culture to the American culture you see a lot of different things especially when it comes to relationships.

The long distance thing flowed over into how we don't see ourselves being with a man from America forever because they aren't loyal. Now I know most females will say that males in general aren't loyal but that isn't true. My bestie pointed on the fact that the males aren't loyal, not only in the fidelity area but just generally. 

I said it is because of the society now in America, we are being programmed to keep upgrading our stuff.

A new phone comes out every 2-3 months. Upgrade for a discount and so forth.

A man here will look at a girl and see her as "stuff" that can be replaced with a newer, better edition in 2-3 months time. 

Look at the iPad. Not even a year has passed properly and there is an iPad 2 out and people are clamoring to get it. 

Is anything wrong with said iPad? Probably not but the hype surrounding the newer one entices consumers to throw down their previous purchases and scoop up what is hot in stores.

Same thing in relationships.

You have the smart ones that hold on to what they have because as much as they may be not be the it thing, they are durable and have never failed them when they really need it.

Yes I just compared relationships and men's behavior in America to technological products but I find it totally fitting.

GIFSoup

New Tings

Its getting close to the end of the semester. I'm trying not to be in summer mode but that's becoming increasingly difficult. I'll be on a plane to JA next week Friday & that is where my mind is... YAAD!
I'll be there for a month because idk when next I'll be able to go there because...

I'm moving to England for Fall =)
Not sure if anyone pays much attention to the random written posts but couple months backed I posted a short bit about something happening but I was very vague.. Well that was it.
It has been a dream of mine since I was a wee bit to live in Europe & I have this obsession with all things British so I decided to go ahead and pursue my dream of doing dance over there.

Everything is bittersweet.. I'll be closing a chapter of life and starting a new one but I'm receiving it with open arms.



My friend Shaun by some random car. I found it fitting- car takes you places.. the Union Jack on the roof, It's a Mini... See where I'm going with this? =)