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

A Belated Merry Christmas & Early Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and (not to be presumptuous)

Happy New Year!

I did a lot of cooking for Christmas, thought I'd share. Enjoy the pics!

Kamika resting

...Stitch Markers

I've had a very eventful week which has delayed me from listing these items on my Etsy page and here. I would tell you all about it but I'm trying to cut down on murmuring and complaining. Sorry but I have to practice gratefulness in order for it to become habit! Here's a few things I've been working on. Very picture heavy. If interested please drop me an email at kamikak at msn dot com. They'll also be listed on my Etsy Store page (sometime this week). I'll also do a second post of some I finished today but didn't have a chance to photograph.

Golden Lanterns (Melon) $10

Giraffes $12

Citrus Drops (Green) $10

Citrus Drops (Yellow) $10

Amber & Pearls $12

Virtues in Blue $12

Love, Trust, Live, & Believe $8

Shipping on all is $2 with discounts applied for multiple orders.

Kamika with Love

Moot Points & Stitch Markers

I was going to write this dissertation about the recent elections and the now President-Elect Obama's successful election strategy and docket of policy changes. But I decided that RawDawg and a few of his well read readers surmised my thoughts up well, so I now render rehashing my thoughts here MOOT.

Suffice to say, politics here on my page was a bit of an anomaly anyways (I convey much better in person). Even though, I didn't support Obama at the polls I am happy to have lived in a season where a black man has been rightfully elected as president of the US. The fight for equal rights in America is far from over, but at least we have a picture of what could be, aside from ideologies.

I am looking forward to seeing the contrast of black upon the White House. A more colorful (no pun intended) and engaged First Lady as opposed to her many stiff upper-lipped vacuous predecessors. I wonder what her platform will be. She strikes me more as Barack's inconspicuous Regent than First Lady. Can't wait to see her on the cover of Vogue. I'm looking forward to him relaxing so we can really see who he is. More personality as opposed to charisma (I hate using that word to describe black people, but it's true).

Didn't vote for him, but I respect and love God and so therefore will support him insomuch as his policies do not cross those of God. For it is God's will that he won. In saying that, I respect those who have charge over me and will do my part to show a united front within and without America. Just as with Bush, Barack Obama is our President-to-be and it is incumbent upon the citizens of these here United states to support, encourage, and pray for him, his family, and those in his cabinet even if we don't necessarily like him or the policies he's championed.

Congratulations Barack Obama, President-Elect!

**Post to long. Look for stitch Markers in Tuesday's post.**

Kamika

Grown Folks At Play

I love it when grown folks can humble themselves and play like kids. Seeing them so intensely focused on an arts and crafts project just lifts my spirits. I think that's why I love the the crafty community. We are forever creating with wide-eyed excitement just like kids.

Some of you may remember how not to long ago I was really down about my current work state; a mix of boredom and anger. I was seriously considering getting a new job and leaving these folks behind. Well wisdom pervailed. I decided to stay and not look to be served by my company but to serve them more. Sometimes our expectations from a company (and by extension it's employees) are too high. Just like a love relationship, we expect them to fulfill certain needs they're not designed to fill (i.e. self fullfillment, affirmation, acceptance), change who they are (change the company culture to suit self), allow you to control them (accepting only your ideas as sound), and be like the boyfriend before (have the same programs/fringe benefits we loved from the previous company). It doesn't work in a love relationship and it most definately will not work at work. Somebody has to change. I choose me! Hopefully others will be so inspired to serve more as well.

I joined the new Morale Committee at work. We're responsible for, well, lifting the morale of our department. We put on events to foster teamwork and the cohesiveness amongst the various groups that make up our department. Our first event was Halloween. Eventhough I don't celebrate it, it didn't hinder me from helping to oversee the festivities to lift the morale of the team. We had a costume contest, candied apples, and a pumpkin decorating contest. Check out how creative we all got, without carving! Grown folks at play!

Kamika smug cause our pumpkin won!