Day 1020, Friday, November 18, 2016- Thankful for 10 days of Freedom!

10 days of absolute freedom! I am thankful for many things but second chances are what I am most thankful. Second chances, do-overs, redemption, whatever...they all equate forgiveness. Forgiveness of self and others. I love reinventing! I am constantly reinventing myself in every realm and definitely whenever necessary to obtain and access the maximum level of peace and happiness! Remember to love, be kind, and approve of yourself because if you do not, who will? :)

 My favorite character and obviously filter in the whole wide world!

SLS- Halloweezy 2016. Happy birthday Little Bit!

Loving Life!

Vegas- Halloween 2016

Day 990- My OCTOBER Rendezvous...and it hasn't stopped...

I made a decision in September that my previous life was over and this new life was to start. I told myself that I would not put it off another day and took that needed leap. So far its been fabulous, extraordinary, perfect, exhilarating! Humble is not a word I am going to use to describe myself because I have worked overtime, double-time, and triple time to get here. I have done what people are not ready to do. When others were going their thing, I was holed up just trying to get through the next millisecond of the day. Only my close friends know that journey and honestly without them I could have never made it but I'm HERE dear God, I'm HERE (in my Color Purple voice)! Life has a funny way of taking you in a circle. I was starting to feel like Moses who was suppose to be on an 11 day adventure and embarked on a 40 year journey. I love Moses but not for me! However, with prayer, the willingness to change, and a holistic approach I have arrived. Of course, everything is a work in progress but I am beyond thankful. I am thankful for my job that allowed me to take care of me and never whined about what I did not do while I was gone, I am thankful to my friends that understood that I hit a brick wall and it was time to go over or drill through it or else, and my mom for always reinventing herself for her very grown 30 year old daughter who is still trying to figure out this thing called "life." This month we celebrated my daughter's (10/13), mom's (10/08), and my own birthday (10/01). Oh and my sister friends' upcoming birthday on the very last day of the month. This of course, requires another trip. No matter what, these women mean the most to me and their birthdays, oh and mine are so special to me. Needless to say it was busy. :) However, my friend watched me quietly go through this year and planned a surprised overnight Vegas trip for me and the Big Red Bus barhopping adventure. I spent less than 15 hours in Vegas but I was able to breathe...not be a grown up, a mom, a teacher, or even responsible. I was able to breathe and just release. I am really over adulting. :) Its so overrated. Actually, I was never the one who wanted to adult. Ask my mom, she knows that I love living at home and telling her or anyone who would listen what I needed is fine with me. These are just a few pictures that depict the sheer happiness that I have been experiencing in the last month! Thank you Father. 

Happy 30th Birthday to Me! October 1st!

Ruth's Chris. Bae knows. :)

September 30th!

Before the Nelly concert, that I do not remember. Oh well. Next time. :) As long as I look skinny!

October 1st!

On the flight back at 7am. I do not remember this picture either but I just say, " Happy birthday to Me!"

Still October 1st!

Oh and my first 5k or run of any sort with my dedicated coworkers and students. Students Run Los Angeles, SRLA.

 October 8th

Now I am going to have to talk to my mom about having these falsehoods on the cake. She claimed these were the only numbers they had.:) No matter what, my mom always celebrates my birthday. Not a year ever went by and I did not have a cake. This year made me think about how many birthdays we have left and what it must feel like to be stuck with someone for 30 years. That's a little excessive. :) I want all her birthdays to be special as long as I am on this earth. Thank you Mom.

And this... is the sheer happiness that I plan to experience every day of my life for the rest of my life. The birthday planner. Thank you Father for your continued favor! That's my Little Bit!

Day 984- New pics coming soon!

PEACE! So much has happened. I do not even know where to start. Life has taken on a new personal journey for me. I can never be thankful enough. My three weeks of solace allowed me to view the ways in which I have been holding my own life hostage. No more. Not ever. Thank you to all who have been with me on this ride. I love you more than you will ever know. I am forever grateful for your presence in my life.

Day 964- Enlightenment!

If I told you where I have been, you would not believe me. If I told you how I feel, you would not believe me. If I told you how healing my life is a daily challenge, you would not believe me. Thank you Father for your continued favor and taking care of me when I could not take care of myself. Your faithfulness reminds me of peace you have promised in my life. One more week until my 41st birthday, so it was time. BTW, super natural look. Moments after my retightened and being off work for 4 weeks.

Day 945- Labor Day!

Can't disclose everything. :)

Day 926- Tuesday, August 17, 2016

Today was the 2nd day of my 18th year as an educator and I felt different. I love my profession and would not change it for the world! It is so crazy to see how time has flown. My son is a sophomore in college and my baby girl is going to the 7th grade. In my mind, I am still 24 years old. The only thing that reminds me that I am not is my growth and maturity and I still have a long way to go. In the last year, I have had people I love violate my trust with lies, infidelity, backstabbing, lifestyles I most certainly do not agree with (or was aware of), inconsideration, selfishness, and asking of me what they could not provide had I asked and certainly would not do anyhow. Just blatant levels of betrayal. Despite it all, life has went on. I have lived and survived. No matter the age, the lessons do not stop. Lately, I have been shielding myself from having to endure any MORE lessons but the reality is...what would life be without them? I have never been a person that has said that would never happen to me in any circumstance because I know that is not true. I know anything can happen to anyone. So with all the ups and downs, side to sides, and vertical rides life has provided me with I can only be thankful. Thankful to have endured, come out on top, and learn a lesson or two or three or four. I do not regret any of my life decisions (well one and that is only because if affected people I love dearly) because apparently I had to grow somehow. I would have to say this is my favorite decade of life by far because right now IDC and my primary concern is to be at peace. No more whys, what happened, why me! Who cares? Done with that and moving on. Thank you Father for your continued favor.

"Life goes on! Who cares!" look.  :)

No Matter the Day

I just took my son to the airport so he can begin his second year of college. I thought this year would be easier but panic and anxiety has set in again. I have a headache and I am nauseous. It's crazy how the body responds to your subconscious. I plead the blood of Jesus over he and his endeavors. For his safety and success, I pray daily. I just knew this time would be easier but I still broke down. I do not want him to feel bad or sorry for me so I tried to hold back but it happened anyway.  Today we looked at old pictures, talked, ate tacos, and sat quietly with each other. I still see him as a three year old boy who was crazy about his mommy. As I left him at the airport, I saw a young man that had matured so much and is ready to set the world on fire. I miss him. I just miss his presence but I know he has to go. At least I know this is temporary. 

2 1/2 years SISTERLOCK'D!- Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Smile through it all. :) Thank you friends. xoxo

That is my shirt and not my stomach!

Day 893- Thursday, July 14, 2016

Sisterlocks and their outings!

Day 887- Happy Independence Day, 29th month Anniversary!

Happy Independence Day! Independent from abandonment, disappointment, pain, hurt, codependence, loneliness and on to honestly, truthfulness, loyalty, and transparency. Of course, you know I would never be eluding to a day that my ancestors were not a part of but definitely a day of personal rebirth. Today, ditch all the things that steal your joy and control your daily disposition and move into the life God has planned for you. A life of victory, prosperity, joy, and success. Whatever happened yesterday, was yesterday. Today we are moving forward to bigger and better things. My Sisterlocks allow me to reinvent myself daily because every monthly growth spurt brings about a new experience just as life does. When my hair is not doing exactly what I would like it to do, I do not decide, "Ugh, I am over this. I am going to take these out. I cannot do this anymore." I decide hey let me try something else because there is always another route or solution. That other way inevitably becomes a  way better creation than the initial plan. That is how life must be. One speed bump cannot deter you from your path and one monkey don't stop no show! Be well my friends and become independent from all the things that are holding you hostage. :) May God continue to bless you and all your endeavors.

Day 843- Long Overdue Update!

Life has just been happening! I cannot believe that I have abandoned my website for so long considering that it has definitely been a place of refuge for me. Well, you can see the growth in these pictures. Finally, people are noticing the length! Thank goodness. I was starting to be concerned. :) I have so many more but these are recent pictures and display sheer happiness! My locks in the middle are obviously the last to condense considering the texture, which has a shorter curl pattern. Every month begats a new unexpected journey, positive of course. So here are a few pictures of people that I love and are dear to me. xoxo

5/28/16

5/28/16

5/30/16

6/2/16

6/5/16

 3/14/16

My bootleg Straw Set

Early May 2016

Day 743- Happy Day After Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day does not just belong to lovers. In my opinion, its a time to remind family and friends of your unconditional love. Being so far from my family has made my friends become my family, which is actually lovely. I have named them my "framily." I am thankful to have them for without them I would be totally completely and utterly lost. From grad school friends to coworkers to other lock wearers, I have acquired meaningful relationships that mean the world to me. I can talk, whine, cry, and curse without judgement but always receive consolation that everything will be ok. When need be they hit me with that blatant honestly I need at times regarding my inappropriate behavior. Although I hate to admit it. :) It is necessary at times. I want them to always know I value their opinions and I love them with all my heart. Happy Day After Valentine's Day!

Day 730- Happy 2 year Lockversary to me!

These pictures do not do my locks justice. Well, at least the second one. My locks have gone through so many stages. Now they are just swelling. Not horrible but I would like it to stop. :) This is just the hair replicating its DNA. The hair will shrink to about half the current size which I am sure I will miss. Anyhow, I have enjoyed every stage. I am not as versatile as others in terms of styling but I definitely love the freedom. Rain, moisture, activities of all kind do not bother this hair. This is the real natural and I would not change it for the world. No product needed. :)

  

                              

2/?/14                                                                               2/2/16

Day 721- Randomness

I cannot believe that its almost been 2 years since I have had my Sisterlocks. Those who know me personally know how trivial but rewarding the last two years have been. Trials, lessons, tribulations, celebrations. everything. My Sisterlocks have been with me the entire journey. I have not had any regrets and for those of you that have questioned whether this journey is for you, the only way is to jump right in! I went through my natural phase which only means no heat but it definitely does not mean no maintenance. I wanted to embrace my hair, my hair in its natural state without any additives, additions, heat, and I found the perfect solution. For those that say my hair won't lock, not true. Everyones journey is different and can not be compared to another. Enjoy your journey! You see all ethnicities with locks so stop it with that excuse. Your hair too will lock one day. :) Anyhow, that is it. I will post on February 2, my 2 year lockversary!

I typically do not like putting a picture of my babies on the web however they are my two greatest accomplishments and the oxygen that keeps me going.

The planner that keeps this busy life in order. Just because my baby is away at school does not mean I  do not parent him. So with the three of us I have to keep a planner. This one is great. I just had to personalize it. Pink and Hello Kitty are my love! #gettoworkbook

Day 699- 23rd month Anniversary, January 2, 2016

In exactly one month I will have had my Sisterlocks 2 years! Wow! Amazing how quickly time passes. My locks have travelled with me through good and times, domestic and international. My locks have certainly reached maximum swelling. There could not possibly be any swelling left in my locks. I definitely do not notice the growth until someone that I have not seen in a while comments. Unsavory as it may be, I am using my tattoo are a measuring tool for my locks. My routine is simple or nonexistent. Wash and set period. I have been having my locks retightened every five weeks. This last five weeks was rough. I did not think I was going to make it. Mostly because the roots are still fighting the locking process and it makes my hair so...I do not know just a little all of the place or unaesthetically pleasing to me. However, I love them. My hair is always done and I can just wake up and go. These pictures mark my last month in Sisterlocks. Please be reminded that my selfie skills are elementary.

Ignore the mugshot expression. First pic, 5 weeks. Second pic, 23 months. So there has been significant growth but I do not notice the difference. 

This was literally hours after my last retightening. The plus of waiting 5 weeks is that you can see significant month to month growth. The hairstyles that you loved the previous month just do not work anymore. :) 

The last Sunday in 2015. I never wear my hair straight but because it has grown and has a little weight I can actually deal with it. I literally always set my hair either in a braid out, Bantu knots, or roller sets. Bantu knots are my favorite and usually all I do. I complained to my locktician and she suggested putting my hair in a bun and use Lock Loops on the end. Basically so I would have a loose curl but a curl nonetheless. It was actually perfect. Now that may be my new style. I lack creativity in the styling area.