Your Cousin Sleeping In My Basement...Complicated...

Hey All! Remember when I posted this post about Twitter and how I thought it was danger in the making? Well some really smooth cats did this video about Facebook proving my point. I'm sure the implosion on Twitter is not far behind, or has already happened. Enjoy!

FAVE LINES:

1. You don't comment on me!

2. Is that the same finger thats been poking all day?

3. You lying. Cause they don't even mess with you like that.

4. Your momma borrowing $20 every week. I feel like I got her on payroll.

Kamika wondering why folks like to get caught up

HairPplay: Flat Twistout Parts I & II

Like the Curly set but want something quicker and slightly different? Prefer a soft tossled look with hang time rather than fat curls? Then try this Flat Twistout!

Flat Twistout Parts I & II

How To Video:





More videos to come soon. Thanks for watching,

Kamika lovin this style

Remember those nights when you used to rush home before the street lights came on so you could do your homework, eat dinner, and wash up before the Special Presentation of the whole Michael Jackson video? I mean the whole video. I do. It was like being at the movies. My Mom would even pop us popcorn and give us sodas.

Remember this one:

I thought I was Iman for days after.

Kamika we'll miss you Michael

Motown Girl Spotlight of the Week

Ya'll come check me out over at Motown Girl. I'm the Spotlight of the Week.

Here's an excerpt:

What advice would you give someone who was thinking of going natural?:

1. As with everything in your life, ask yourself why you want to do this. Truly delve deep into yourself and look around. Going natural was the best thing for me because it promoted my health, improved my self-esteem, and re-ignited a fire in me.

2. Don't make a decision because it's faddish or because you like a certain style, or because you hope you'll have a loose silky curly texture. Make a commitment to YOU as a whole, because if you're committed, when the naysayers come it won't affect you.

3. Become informed!

Read up on hair and haircare as if you were studying to become a stylist yourself. Learn about products, ingredients, and styling tools. If need be find a good natural stylist in your area and pick their brain.

The more informed you are about haircare the less foolishness you will fall for (RIO anybody?) and the more money you will save on useless products that don't work for your hair.

4. Start now by widening your definition of beauty.

Add people with hair similar to yours to your beauty ideal. Create a look book or online album to inspire yourself and keep you motivated.

5. Join a supportive network.

Some good online sites are Motown Girl, Nappturality, Long Hair Care Forum, etc. But don't just stop there. You need a supportive network for your life in general. Hair is only a small part of it. If your spirit is content then your hair will be beautiful.

6. Remember it's your hair!

If you are committed to a healthy you and healthy hair then the occasional pressing, flat-ironing, etc. should be fine. It's your hair! Don't become re-imprisoned by other peoples ideas about what you should do to your hair.

7. Just do it! It'll grow back.

For the rest of the article stop by MotownGirl.Com and check it out. I really appreciate being spotlighted. MotownGirl is a great site to get informed about natural hair care.

Kamika facial video to be posted tomorrow on my YouTube channel. So stop on by!

A Few Things...

A few things I wouldn't mind trying to sew up this summer.

All pics taken from Neiman Marcus online catalog

Kamika can't wait for summer

5.0 Earthquake

It felt like a 6.0 but who am I to judge.  Nothing major just a little shook up (pun intended).  

Kamika 

Lawd, Lawd, Lawd!

This was so painful to watch.  Some of the jokes were funny but after most I felt so COLORED.  I feel like some jokes need to be left in the company of the darker persuasion for fear of bad translation and the others getting to familiar.

Translation:  Wanda know damn well she don't be telling all the bidness and code switching in front of white shadow!  You can't invite negroes nowhere.

Did you see Tyra Banks and Barbara WaWa's faces?  LOL!!!!!

Kamika wondering why the cousins always messing up a good thing

Happy Mother's Day

To the wonderful mothers and to all of us female daughters in the village who help to raise, protect, and inspire children.

Kamika daughter of Martha Ann

London ~ Day 4 & Eye Opening Paris

Spent my final day in London.  Had a great time riding the boat on the River Thames.  Took in the last of my sites, including the London Bridge and Harrod's.  Went out for a really late Italian Dinner and got ready to leave for Paris the next morning.

Paris~

Got up at 5 am to make a 6:45 am Eurostar train to Paris.  The Eurostar is a great way to travel between London and many of other European cities because it's fast, quiet, and comfortable.  It takes you right under the English Channel, which at its widest point is 350 miles, and in to Paris in less than 2 1/2 hours.  Through the train windows, I got to see the English and Parisian country sides.

After my train ride I got in the Taxi que and was whisked off to my hotel.  Yes, whisked!  The cab driver drove so fast through all the tight little streets I had to hold on to my wig! LOL

He dropped me at a small hotel on the Rue de Gros Caillou called Hotel Eiffel Rive Gauche.  I had gotten a good deal with my train ride so I took it.  It's a 2 star hotel that is clean, well situated, and extremely french.  It bordered on bordello, but since I was only staying for one night and because it was clean, I didn't care much.  I immediately dropped my luggage and went to see the sites.

... you can check out the rest of my tour through Paris in my PARIS ONLINE ALBUM.  I really want to tell you all about the vibe.

___________________________________________________________________

London and Paris are day and night.  Both are large cosmopolitan cities but, in my opinion, lie at separate ends of the spectrum.  At first glance its easy to see how the US and the UK are related.  London has a very bustling population like New York.  I would even say a larger population than New York.  On the streets you see every shade of human being imaginable.  It seemed as if just about every person I met in London was mixed.  Londons not afraid to broadcast it either.  

On more commercials than I could count there were mixed couples.  Black and white being the most prominent.  For the first time I saw something I had always wondered about when watching American TV.  Where are the mixed couples that show Black Women coupled up with White Men?  London showed them both.  It was refreshing but strange at the same time as I started to wonder where the same race couples were?

The people in London were generally nice and helpful.  Maybe slightly apprehensive because I embodied a little more sun in my skin than they are used to in their overcast land that promotes perpetual paleness (especially in the minorities) - but still pleasant.  

Paris on the other hand... Paris is a beautiful city.  It has lots of tree-lined streets and beautiful monuments wherever you look.  The architecture is breathtaking. The food is phenomenal and the fashion.  True, the fashion is enviable but the people are beyond smug.  Unbeknownst to me before my trip is the subversive racism of the French. People and the media tend to romanticize Paris in such a way that you think that Paris is very open and egalitarian.  You think because Josephine Baker was able to escape there to shake her tatas and swing bananas or because Langston Hughes found his thrill in de Maupassant that Paris is a black person's paradise. WRONG!

Paris is a segregated society that still openly criticizes its minorities (check the links below) while denying that it has a race problem.  Quite honestly as a person of color, if you are not rich or a well known celebrity the French would rather you not visit.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't overt but I did get the since that if I had been 2-3 shades darker and a little less stylish, I would have been openly ignored.  While walking through the Jardin des Tuileries I stopped at a concession stand to get a waffle.  Prior to my approach all I heard were sharp Mercis and Bonjours.  When I got to the counter the two women just looked at me as if to say, "Why are you here?  You must know what you want if you are bold enough to approach the counter without bowing your eyes."  I just held her gaze and said, "HELLO."  They both stepped back away from the counter, the one who was serving me bowed her head and took my order.  It was obvious then that I wasn't a french black and that their attempts at intimidation were not going to work.  I watched her like a hawk to make sure she made my food right and then went on my way through the garden.  

I swear to you that I was probably the only black person in the gardens.

The Louvre Museum sits at the end of the Tuileries.  This museum is massive and cannot be seen in its entirety in under 4 days.  I just wanted a taste of it.  At the ticket counter, the attendant was sweet and helpful.  It wasn't until I had left her to go to the first exhibit, Les Portes Du Ciel, that I realized I needed another ticket to get in.  I went to the first ticket counter closest to the exhibit, thinking that I could just pay the extra 5 euros and get my ticket exchanged.  The attendant scolded me as if I should have known better and then told me to go back to the other ticket counter to have it fixed.  It's bad enough that because I don't speak the language (although I can read it well enough) I'm at a disadvantage and rely heavily on smiling to get my message across, to have to be overly nice to mean people so that you don't appear threatening is even worse.  When she told me to go back to the other ticket counter, she realized she didn't really know what I needed and asked me again.  Then when she got it (a simple void of my ticket and reprint of a new one) she had to call her supervisor to override her system and issue me the ticket.  Her supervisor was very sweet and helpful.  Uggh!

Don't get me wrong.  Everyone is Paris is not bad.  I would even venture to say that most in Paris are not bad.  Those that were helpful, truly were just that and those that weren't I cut short and went on my way.  I've learned very quickly in my life how not to fight pride with pride. 

With that said (and because this is getting long), I would definitely go back to Paris.  The shopping is amazing and the scenery is beautiful.  Parisian women know how to keep their fashion simple, which makes them look so elegant.  Paris in the spring is truly wonderful. Yes, I would go back but I think I would prefer to go with a few people I enjoy being around and after I read the Wretched of the Earth.  

Links:

Runway Racism

The World is Round - Racism in France

BBC - Paris Liberation made 'whites only'

Tents Against Racism in Paris

Kamika au Revoir

London ~ Days 2 & 3

Day 2

Time to go see the sites London is famous for.  Woke up at around 11am, got dressed and left shortly after.  Stopped a Pret a Manger, to get a brown bag lunch, and then jumped on the Tube and went to Trafalgar Square.  Check out Nelson's Column and the Stone Lions.

I had every intention of going into the National Portrait Gallery but forgot.

Jumped on the bus and got off at Parliament Square where there was a rally going on for the Tamil Tigers.  If you haven't heard about the recent hunger strike of one of their members, Parameswaram Subramaniam, check the link.  He was in the midst of the rally at Parliament square.

From this vantage point you can easily see the famed Big Ben Clock which is attached to the Parliament building, the Thames river, and Westminster Abbey.  *Tidbit*  The clock is actually called The Great Clock and St. Stephens Tower.  Big Ben is only the non-official name of the bell within the clock.

After visiting Big Ben, I went over to Westminster Abbey and then walked about 1/4 mile down Birdcage Road to St. James Park and looked at the tulips.  London is very rainy and so it has great gardens and lots of greenery.

From there I walked past the Guards Museum, Number 10 Downing Street, and straight to Buckingham Palace which is the official state home of the royal family.  Unfortunately due to the rain, there would be no changing of the guard nor was the Queen's gallery open.

Afterwards, I walked straight up The Mall, around a few corners where I picked up a gift for a coworker and straight on to Piccadilly Circus.  Didn't take any pictures of the actual Circus but it's reminiscent of New York's Time Square, just a more compacted version.  

Stopped into a patisserie and coffee shop and got some White Chocolate Truffle Cake and Hot Chocolate with Chantilly Cream.

Then went shopping on Regent and Oxford Streets.  These streets are full of retail stores, mostly chain, but mostly high-end.  I had to wade through a sea of people just to make it into the entrance of TopShop.  Got some earrings.  Loved the shoes, but I had to save some money for Paris.

Jumped on the Tube at Westminster and made it back to Camden.  Stopped and got myself a waffle from a street vendor.  Excellent!  Had it covered in strawberries, chocolate, and cream. Went back to the hotel and fell out.

Day 3

I was so tired I just stayed in for most of the day and ordered room service.  Later that night at around 9:00 pm, I got dressed and ran out for dinner.  Ate at a restaurant called Zensai, where I had fried noodles and got my first taste of Avocado Ice Cream while listening to two friends try to mend their relationship.

ONLINE AlBUM

Kamika too pooped to Cheer

London ~ Day 1

Cheerio! I'm back and somewhat rested. Had a great time on vacation.  Saw some great sites and met some really nice people.  Also, got an eye opener towards the end of my trip.

This past week was spent in Europe, mainly London and Paris.  I had decided that I needed to go on vacation, and what better a time to take my first true international trip (a cruise to Mexico really doesn't count) than now.  I forced myself to get my passport and after that there was no stopping me.

Enjoy the details of Days 1 & 2.  For more pictures I've set up an ONLINE ALBUM for viewing.

Day 1

9:35 a.m. - Landed at Heathrow International after a long 9 hour flight from Houston (had a prior 3 hour connecting flight from L.A. to Houston).  

Sitting in the middle seat during the international portion was hard.  The flight was packed so I had no other option.  For some reason Continental didn't let me pick my seat at the point my reservation was made.  I had to wait a week before I could do so.  Other than that the flight was pretty cool.  I sat next to a lovely Indian woman who works for Rolls Royce and was able to give me some tips on the best sites to see in both cities.  She and I also mused over various Bollywood films and songs we both liked.  If you like Bollywood then you have to check out the movie Fashion with Priyanka Chopra.  If not, then just check it out for the great fashions and beautiful makeup.

British Customs was quick but very probing.  I felt like I was on trial.  Normal I guess for a first-timer.  After customs I made a quick exchange of some US dollars $ for British Pounds £ (a racket) and went directly to the train terminal located in the airport.  If you ever want to get around London quickly, cheaply but effectively then you have to get an Oyster Card and travel the "Tube."  

London's network of underground trains "Tubes" are so vast you can get from the airport to the city centre, out to Stonehenge, to the palace, and back again in no time at all and all for under $6 per day.  I bought a week's pass on my Oyster card and it cost me £25.90 ($38.90) and I still have money left on it even though I was constantly on the go.  The card allowed me to get on practically any London bus, train, or ferry boat I needed to.  I wish L.A. had a system like this.  I probably wouldn't have a car!

11:30 am - Jumped off the Tube at the Camden Station and just knew I had stepped into the

middle of a carnival.  The streets were packed with people.  I wondered if I had gotten off at the wrong location, so I stepped into a pub to ask for directions.  My hotel was right behind me, but with all the people I couldn't see a thing.

Checked in at the Hotel, The Holiday Inn at Camden, in Camden Town.  Dropped my stuff and went out for a bite to eat.  Ended up first going over a foot bridge into the Camden Street Markets where I went shopping!  Located under the Locks the markets part historical artifacts, part swap meet, part mall, part ancient food market.  I got myself a quick profiterole and started buying gifts for the family.

Later that day I walked the high street and stopped at a restaurant called the Camden Bar & Restaurant where I had breakfast (brewed tea with lemon, fried eggs and veggie sausage).  It left a lot to be desired so I immediately went grocery shopping at the local Whole Foods.  The rest of the day I spent walking around my neighborhood getting familiar.  I went back to the hotel at around 8pm and slept for the rest of the day.

See you tomorrow for London ~ Days 2 & 3.

Kamika cheers!

London Calling....

Hey all! I'm in London right now getting ready to jump on the train to Paris. I'm enjoying myself but can't wait to get back to share the details and pictures with you all.

Just wanted to say Hi!

Cheers and Au Revoir til my return


Kamika jet setting

Random Thoughts

Opinions are sometimes like virginity.  It's good to hold on to them a little longer and share them with that special person.  Otherwise all that mental mind hoeing can't be good.

Why dude at Sephora today get mad at me when he realized I was only exchanging a product and not buying anything new?  I could have sworn someone lied to me and told me that didn't work on commission.  It was like he went from being all lights, camera, action to brownout mode.

Don't repeat what I say and act like you're telling me something new.  I was there for the original conversation.  I know who told you the whoopty whoop.

I don't like men to be giggly.  It's fine after he's gotten to know me but don't be giggly before.  If he's giggling it means I'm bored. 

Joan on Girlfriends was dating a guy with wide hips.  I still get shocked everytime I see it in person.

I loves me some Fritters from Jim Dandy's in the South Central.

Kamika I'm getting itchy, which means I must be sleepy.

You Know What Irks Me?: The Reverse Race Sympathy Card

I was all set to post about the "Anti-Role Model" but while watching one of my favorite shows, The Amazing Race, I saw this mess that made me mad.  What mess, pray tell?  The REVERSE RACE SYMPATHY CARD.  

You may be asking yourself, "now what is the Reverse Race Sympathy Card?"  The Reverse Race Sympathy Card, not to be confused with Reverse Racism, is when someone of another race or someone at a momentary disadvantage tries to find sympathy and/or justification for their foul actions by calling out the fact that someone else, usually a black person [or insert your minority here], should allow them pass for their insulting behaviour because "the black person/minority knows how it is."  As seen in the video below at around the 3:24 mark.  Margie is accusing Jen and Kisha of laughing at her son's deafness and trying to shame them into contriteness by calling out the fact that they are black and they should know how it feels.   WHAT!!!   

 

How absurd to equate blackness with deafness. How exploitative of his deafness.  Luke isn't special, he just can't hear.  He's still able bodied, he just can't hear.  Equally disturbing to me is the tendency of some in our society to equate the fight for civil rights of African Americans to the current fight for homosexual rights or even better the Feminist agenda.  Entirely different issues with entirely different purposes.  I think it's really shady to feign empathy with someone for the benefit of having strength in numbers all the while exploiting them with the intent of distancing yourself from them once the battle is won.  

I thought Margie was way off base.  The fact that Jen and Kisha were black should have never been mentioned.  Her comments, obviously were not well thought out and in the heat of the moment, but they were still spiteful just the same.  Saying things like, "people like you" made her character obvious. The fact of the matter is Luke was being overly aggressive and rude. Previous shows have evidenced his unsportsmanlike conduct.  His being deaf does not give him the freedom to mistreat others. If anyone should know better it should be him.  HAH! Reverse Reverse Race Sympathy Card!

I get so tired of people thinking the only way black people can relate is if we dig far down into that deep dark emotionally charged pit of racial angst we all must have.  You know the government issued baggage we all got when we were born black...

Kamika still black, just a little more perturbed

Hairplay: Elasta DPR-11 Remoisturizer

I've been using this stuff for the last year or so and I still love it. Elasta DPR-11 Remosturizer is one of the best deep conditioners I've ever used and I've used a lot!

~It "contains 11 conditioning botanicals including Peach Blossom oil and Vitamin E

~Penetrates inner hair fibers to surge nutrients to moisture depleted hair

~Perfect hair repair treatment when combined with Elasta QP Protein Supplement.

I usually mix mine with honey, castor oil, and coconut oil, put on a plastic cap and cover my head with my warming heat cap for about 45 minutes. Afterwards I rinse with cool water and style. Instant softness, shine with no tangles or knots.

I you are concerned about cones and certain other ingredients, note that this has Dimethicone and Petroleum in it.

Ingredients: Chamomille, Nettle, Balm Mint Leaf Oil, Coltsfoot Extract, Horse Chestnut Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Rosemary Extract, Petroleum, Cetyel Alcohol, Cetromonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laurus Nobblis Oil, Orange Oil, Neroli Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil.


Kamika Happy Conditioning

Colored Me: A Makeup Quickie

I got this sweet comment on my last Hairplay post and thought I would share it with you all.

First I must say that your makeup is fantastic, you look so beautiful. I'm
about the same shade as you but I feel like a clown when I try to wear it. I
was wondering if there was a special brand you use and if you could point me
to some books or websites on how to apply it properly so I don't end up
looking like Bozo.
Chante~

On occasion I get questions from people regarding my makeup and what products I use and I thought now would be a great time to share my techniques. I don't have many as I'm still a newb myself but whatever I have I'm willing to share. But first, let me go on a tangent.


Keep it simple and slow and always stay aware. For me it's always about keeping things simple. I don't have time for much else. Plus I get bored easily and have a tendency to waste money on stuff I don't need if I don't pay attention. Makeup is one of those really dynamic arts that you can easily get lost in. For blushes and lips, start slow by picking colors that are close to your complexion but with just a hint of color and branch out from there. For eyes, try colors that look good on your skin in clothing form.

As with most things - stay aware. Treat makeup counters as you would grocery stores. Never go to them hungry or in need of a pick-me-up. The artists will eat you alive, pitching all sorts of stuff that would work best on the set of Girlfriends and not in real life. Also, when you are in need, you can't always readily tell that Sunbasque and Margin are practically the same color and that one is just a little cooler than the other. Makeup companies are always trying to get you to buy the latest greatest shade of this, formula of that, etc. MAC is notorious for offering new collections with only slight color variations in the shades or repackaging last year's colors to make them look new and fresh this year. If you stay on top of your personal collection you'll avoid having four of the same color.

But to answer your question, I used to feel the same way when I had just started wearing makeup. The key for me, I've learned, is to stick with shades that are similar to my undertone. I have warm undertones. Women of color can easily wear pretty much any color under the sun, we just have to make sure we wear the right hue (shade/tint). Every color comes in a spectrum of cool and warm shades. For example take pink. Within pink you have the coolest blue-pinks (similar to Barbie pink) and you have the reddest-pinks bordering on hot pink and Fuchsia. I stick to the warmer shades. The cooler shades wash me out and make me look bland. I could go on and on and show you a color wheel but quite simply, I wear a lot of warm hued colors such as gold, copper, reddish pinks, purples, deep teal blues, lots of different greens, and even oranges.

Anyhoo, so I did a great video for you but my PowerDirector crashed. **Sobs** so until it can get some act right I've subbed a video from Scandalous Beauty. I'll be back on Friday with my personal product choices and hopefully a video.





Websites I love:

Ateyaa's Channel
Clumps of Mascara
The Style & Beauty Doctor
Temptalia

My fotki for makeup looks

Books I adore:





Kamika coloring outside the lines

Running Behind

...so the Colored Me post will be on Saturday instead of today.

Kamika stil editing

You Know What Irks Me? Twitter

Not an April Fools joke. I really don't like it! Folks are probably cursing me right now. But oh well. Twitter probably irks me because I don't fully understand it. How can anyone find the most mundane details of someone else's life so interesting? I don't like being that connected. The telephone ring gets on my nerves. In my mind I'm thinking, 'what in the world? Don't these folks know I'm reading, or knitting, or picking my boogers and scratching my tail and now is not the most opportune time to call?' But then again... If I was Twittering, twit'n, twot'n or whatever you call it, then they would know that. Twitter is like to cooler trendier version of the Big Brother eye in the sky.

I'm just saying folks (those prone to lying) better be careful with Twitter. Twitter gone get between a whole bunch of folks and their money and their honey. Too much history being saved on Twitter.

But I'm jus sayin. I feel like this dude.

<


Kamika old skool - just send me an email. LOL!

Hairplay: Curly Set On Natural Hair

Meant to post this on Friday. If you frequent my YouTube channel then you've probably already seen this. If you don't enjoy!

Curly Set On Natural Hair

How To Video:



More videos to come soon. Thanks for watching,

Kamika lovin this style

You Know What Irks Me? Ungrateful Kids

Motel Babylon has become a community, ya'll. I'm not holding back anymore. I have to tell you what is irking me so that I can be free. If you agree, you agree. If you don't, you don't. If you want to share your irks, put it in the comments. I may just co-sign on it.
--------------------------------------------------------------

You Know What Irks Me? Ungrateful Chillens

Parents!!!

Please please please teach your children the value of saying and showing thanks! I'm not talking about any particular incident or any particular person, just children as a whole.

Children need to learn gratitude. When a gift is given to them regardless of the mode of delivery, a child should show thanks. Not the parents, but the child. Or in some cases the child in addition to the parent. When I say, 'mode of delivery' I mean regardless of if the gift came from a co-worker to the parent to give to the kid or some other person offered to pay (and the parent accepted)for something on behalf of the child. The child should still say thank you unless the parent is trying to keep it on the low-low or unless the gift-giver had ulterior motives.

Put the child's cursive/handwriting skills to good use. They learned it for a reason. Get them some thank you cards or even some wide-ruled lined paper and sit them down to write a Thank you note. Let em color a picture and put their name on it and some stickers. Whatever!

I'm getting so tired of parents saying thank you for kids that are of the age to be able to do it themselves. I'm so tired of parents ad-libbing for their kids and telling folks how much their kid loved a toy. Your kid couldn't verbalize that? Babies get a pass because they can't verbalize. But anybody that can speak up on some food (by name) can say thank you.

What happened to parents filling in the "please" and "thank you" for kids when they forgot to say it? Sheesh!

Kamika don't lie, it irks you too

This Just Irks Me

Most times I don't post because I'm just plain busy. Other times its because I wonder if the things I think about are relevant or just critical. I am a critical thinker and not in the critique judgemental form, although I do a lot of that too, but in the child-like "Why?" form. I dissect things constantly to get at the root of them. My natural tendency is to teach and simplify.


Although I try to think hard before I speak and season my words with love I often come off as high-minded and judgemental. The truth: I am high-minded, but no longer haughty or arrogant. I think on a higher plane. Not a plane unto myself mind you but one that constantly challenges my level of contentment versus my level of complacency. Naturally those around me receive some of the settling dust within my mind. I don't think I'm better than anyone, contrarily I strive to be "the least of these."


Most times when you are trying to serve others you don't get to talk about yourself - your fears, concerns, doubts, worries, desires... What irks you. You spend a good amount of your time listening and nurturing the dreams of some others. In this mode you can easily become angry, especially when you realize some people just don't want to change. Eventhough you try to love people where they are (in hopes that they will do the same for you) it doesn't always eliminate the bad after taste left in your heart. I refuse to be angry anymore. I want to talk about me.

My disclaimer is not meant to be heavy but more light-hearted than anything. Starting tomorrow I'll be back on my blogging game and will start a new column called "You Know What Irks Me?" I'm a start blasting stuff folk do. Myself included. Some will make you think, and some will make you mad. But trust, you'll more than likely be able to relate. The insanity must stop.

Kamika ahead of the game (I already wrote tomorrow's post)

33

Kamika it's my birthday!

The President, Fair Trade, and the Growth Initiative

Today the Prezzy prez, that is Obama, touched down today in Long Beach right outside my office. Folks were lined up all along the streets and in the tunnels. Our parking lot was full of cars that didn't belong to any of the employees that worked in the business park. Folks in the building were excited and giddy. From our office we had a birds-eye view through the windows. The new Air Force One is a very pretty plane. Very sleek and colorful. He landed, jumped on Marine One and was escorted by 3 other helicopters to Costa Mesa. Just a little excitement for the day.

Now back to me. Today is Day 4 of my personal Protective Style Challenge. On Saturday I braided my hair into a gazillion little box braids that I plan to keep up for 3 weeks to a month - repeat. Every night I will moisturize them with my rosewater mixture and baggy the ends. By following this method I hope to be better able to retain my ends and see increased length. At the end of this month after I rebraid I will show progress picks. My goal by the end of this year is full armpit length or just below. I'm being hindered by occasional scalp flair ups in the back area where I had alopecia, which leads me to my next topic.

I wanted to show you my recent haul. I love it when I get boxes in the mail. A couple of weeks ago I infused Castor oil with fresh rosemary and sage leaves. I wanted to see if I could get better effects with a fresh infusion vs. an essential oil mixture. So far so good. I'm loving the Castor oil mixture so I bought a few other treats to try. In a later post I will explain what each of these herbs are and their uses. I may even post a video.


From Mountain Rose Herbs I got the following organic fresh dried herbs: Lemon Balm, Chamomile Flowers, Peppermint Leaf, Rose hips, Nettle Leaf, Horsetail, Burdock Root, and Dandelion leaf. I plan to try some new oil infusions and make tea. I also ordered some fresh unrefined cocoa butter. Many of these items are Fair trade.


During this challenge I also plan to start hennaing my hair more often. One place I've used before and gotten great results is Mehandi. This time I'm not really going for color (my hair is darker than it has every been and I love it) but strength and conditioning. I bought two packs of the red label for African Hair. Mehandi has excellent henna that is finely sifted, smooth in texture and deposits great color. Also the prices are very reasonable. 200g cost me $14 with shipping.

Lastly, I picked up some yarn. I loved the Cycling Aran so much that I decided to make one for myself. My LYS Compatto Yarn Salon was having a sale and I got a spiffy deal on some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I plan to start working on this soon but it may have to wait until school is out.


Be sure to check me out on YouTube to see what else I'm doing.



Kamika Au natural