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.
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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)

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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

I'm Still Alive

But school, work, and life have been kicking my butt! I'se been too tired to do much of anything extra-curricular to my schedule. I'm in the midst of mid-terms and my English professor is an essay-Nazi. Chick wants an essay, EVERY WEEK! Plus 3 smaller ones (she calls them responses) to other folks essay. YOUR THE TEACHER! YOU READ THEM! I've got 2 other classes. But it's all cool. I'm just trying to keep my head above water.

Lately I've been rapt with YouTube. Posting and Parlez vousing over there. I do have some craft projects to share. I did another Blue Curacao shawl for a coworkers grandmother-in-law. She turned 90.


I'm also working on a sweater from Knit n' Tonic's Wendy Bernard, called the Favorite Cardigan. I'm working on the sleeves but I've since gotten lazy. I'll post pics soon.

Anyhoo, if you want to check out my vids (those that I don't get around to posting here), visit my YouTube page.


See you all soon,


Kamika stretched

MAC Hello Kitty Event!

Let me just say that me and my girls had a ball! Well at least I did! MAC did it up for the release of their new Hello Kitty collection launch and we were in the house at the South Coast Galleria here in Southern Cali.










It was really one of those events where it was what you made it. The anticipation and the crowd interaction is what made it fun and exciting. The collection itself, to me, was kind of average but the atmosphere was fun. I got an invite and RSVP'd for 8:30pm. We got there at ten till 8 and the line was already about 100 people deep due to the fact that MAC not only mailed out invites but, possibly to combat the economy, they also did an email blitz which sent the turnout overboard. They had anticipated a return of about 50% but they nearly had 100%. That equates to nearly 500 people waiting.

We stood in line for nearly 2 hours including the deep standing room only crowd once we actually got in the store. The manager and staff though were all fabulous and so helpful and sweet. They made sure that nearly everyone who came got in even when the mall management threatened to shut the event down. The store itself was like a sauna because the mall had turned off the AC. For hors d'oeuvres they served chocolate bow tie cookies, cucumber sandwiches, and mushroom and Gruyere cheese pastries. For drinks they served mixed drinks with gin and some with pink lemonade and vodka. I don't drink so one of my girls held mine for me *wink *wink.

After standing in that long line and gabbing it up with the staff I ended up buying only one thing from the line which was the Deep Blue Green pigment. The other items I got were from the Brunette, Blonde, and Redhead collection or general MAC; a lipstick called Frenzy, the Mineralize Finish in Gold Deposit, and a lovely orange blush called Devil. I'm contemplating taking the pigment back. I don't think I really need it. Heck, I don't need any of it. I think I just don't want it.

<~~~ Aren't her nails too cute? (Customer in line)

So suffice to say we had a ball. Unfortunately when I got back home I had a crazy sinus attack which kept me home from work today.

Crazy event with mad crazy spending. Last night's event just solidified in my mind that I need to go on a spending diet. I spent a $100 which was paltry compared to the $500 and $1,000 that others were spending. But, I plan to cut back on all purchases save for groceries, gas, and health necessities for the remainder of the month of February and possibly into March until my birthday. I don't want to start becoming out of control. I have way more makeup than I'll every use. I did have fun though...

Did any of you hit an event in your area?

Kamika MAC'd out

Happy MLK Jr. Day!

We often take for granted events that have made radical changes on our lives. We like to be nostalgic all the while forgetting and ultimately putting our own spin on how things actually happened. Sometimes we get caught in the hype and pandemonium but never actually get the true message. The 1963 March on Washington is one such case. Although I had not been born, I still have benefited greatly from the event.

In my mind I know the high points of the speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on that day, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character..."Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!", but unfortunately those were all I knew. I know I'm not alone. How many of us as adults have taken the time to conciously listen to this speech? Through critical examination have been able to discern if the dream has actually become a reality and if not why? Here's some help:



Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Kamika grateful

Hairplay: Bentonite Clay Tutorial

Sorry! I meant to post this yesterday but I fell behind. This is a tutorial on Bentonite Clay:

Bentonite Clay or "Natural Calcium Bentonite" can be used as an agent to absorb excess sebum, clearing pores. It may be used like a shampoo trapping and removing dirt, debris, build up and other particles from your hair and scalp. You can use this on natural, relaxed, and loc'd hair. Check out more details here at AnitaGrant . I bought mine at my local health food store for $4.99. You can buy the Hibiscus (Jamaica) at your local ethnic grocery store in the produce section.

How to:



This is now a part of my monthly routine. I plan to use this twice a month to clarify and detox my scalp. It left my hair so soft and manageable. I highly recommend it.

BTW, much love to you all (lurkers included) for stopping by and leaving comments on my last Hairplay. It was greatly appreciated! I haven't stopped knitting, crocheting, or sewing. I just haven't been doing those as much and I've been pretty busy with work. I plan to have some updates for you all this week.


Kamika with Love

I Wouldn't Tell You If I Didn't Love You

Two scriptures today. The first has always given me strength and the resolve to get back up and keep trying - the second the desire to man up within mine ownself to see my self-destructive ways that hinder me from experiencing the fullness of God's peace. The second is a mindset and habitual stance that can lead to the weariness experienced in the first. Even in a land of peace our weariness (doubt, lack of perserverance, lack of patience, tiredness, and unbelief) can rob us of the blessings of God.

(both American King James Version)

Jeremiah 12:5

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?

Song of Solomon 2:15

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Be Blessed,

Kamika full of joy

Hairplay

Welcome 2009!! Happy New Year!

New Year. New Installment. I'm going to be making Fridays my hair day with the addition of the Hairplay column. Each week I'll post pics, videos, and articles about hair and hair care.

First up: The Puff Bun


















How To Video:



Thanks for watching,

Kamika stylin & profilin