A new twist for 2010... I hope it works

Merry Day after Christmas!!!!!!!!!

So my Theme for 2010 is to change my mind set.... I feel that every year I am so determine to lose weight, become a better person, stop procrastinating. And every year I end my new year's resolution a month or two after I started it. Just sad!!!!! So I decided for 2010 to change my mind set and instead of having resolutions I have decided to set monthly goals for myself to achieve. People always say that setting smaller attainable goals are better than setting big resolutions. Basically these monthly goals are my road map to my final destination.

Goals for January 2010

-healthy living goals every week
- exercise once a week
- stick to a schedule (work/school)
-go to the library after class
- drink 32 oz of water a day
- start budgeting
- keep a journal (daily)
- meditate on a scripture every day
- memorize a scripture weekly
- always read a book I enjoy
- take water aerobics
- every Saturday= cleaning day
- have a health challenge every week
- crock pot meals for dinner
- lose 1-2 pounds a week

My new twists that I did on dry hair

Bless the broken road.... I love this song!

A little frustrated.... I just want to know my hair type that is all!

So ever since I did my bc I have always wondered what my hair type is. I have been on different forums, watching youtube videos, looking at peoples blogs, and even doing a google search and I have yet to find my hair type...... I am going crazy over here I just want to find my hair twin, sister, cousin. My hair is soooooooooooooooooooooo tightly coiled and it shrinks so much. I still love it, don't get me wrong but I am running out of things to do with it. Also I am looking for that one product, that stable product that will just make these coils pop lol. Well this is my rant for today lol I hope you enjoyed it :o)

I got my hair trimmed for the very first time!!!!

So this past weekend I got a trim for free!!! Let me tell you, scissors have not touched my hair since my big chop and that has been 9 months now. My hair truly needed a trim but I was afraid of someone doing it and not knowing what they were doing but let me tell you, I was blessed to meet a lady who knew what she was doing. I had to ask her what steps she would take to trim my hair. And she said the obvious... "I won't cut off too much, just the split ends" I was thinking in my head like everybody said that. And then she said what I was looking for, that she would wet my hair first before she combed it. I knew right then that I was about to get my hair trimmed. Well I got it trimmed in someones kitchen (never did that before but I was at a like a women's retreat). Man, my hair feels so different from the trim! It feels amazing!!!!! Its soft and healthy and everything!!!! I had to apologize to my hair for waiting so long to get it trimmed. I will faithfully trim my hair every 3 months because it looks and feels so healthy!!!!!!!

Starting the Hair Challenge today!!!!

Here are the rules for the hair challenge that I am participating in:

I will be doing this from Nov 1- Jan 1 (I hope I can stick to it lol)

1. Wear protective styles
-I will be wearing twists and twist outs, I might do nubian twists if I can find someone to do them for me lol

2. Water
-will be drinking at least 32oz a day
-need hair to be healthy inside and out

3. Moisturize ends daily
-trying to figure out how I can moisturize my ends so if you have any advice let me know

4. No heat
-if I do use heat it will only be for once a month

5. Stick to my routine
-no more buying new products
-this will be a struggle for me but I know I can do it and I will save some money :o)

I'm featured on a natural hair blog!!!! My first Hair Challenge

I am super excited!!!!! I am featured on a natural hair blog! Please check it out and let me know what you think: http://newlynatural.com/blog/?p=2448

Also I have decided to do a hair challenge. Here is the challenge that I will start on Nov. 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8OZ0yzRBqM

I am super busy in my life right now!!!! Midterms, papers, staff, meetings, and conferences. So I have to update you all on everything when I am free sometime this weekend. I will be in Nebraska this week!!!!! I am super excited!

I did a twist out yay!!!

My Worship is for real

My hardest struggle

So recently I have been worrying alot about EVERYTHING in my life. I think the root of this worrying is because this is my last year in grad school and I have to start the whole job search thing. I just get so nervous! Like I keep comparing my skills to others that are in my program and I feel as though I am not the best candidate. I have a lot to improve on w/my position and I just wish I can stop looking to the negative things and start seeing how I am good at my job and start improving on things (like the administration stuff). I am so blessed that I need to stop worrying and start putting it in my Father's hands.

I have started reading (only read chapter 1 so far but it is good) The power of a praying woman by Elizabeth George. I know for a fact once I improve my 1-1 time with the Lord and truly start getting serious with my prayer life then my whole life will start getting better and I will no doubt stop worrying. This morning the Lord gave me this verse that I need to truly memorize when I start worrying about my future:


Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I know for a fact that my Father will not let me fail as long as I am giving Him my WHOLE heart. So today is a new day and I starting my day right with putting my Father first and not worrying what will come.

8 months in the natural game :o)

So it has been 8 months since I did my big chop and I am loving every minute of it. Recently I have been debating what I should do with my hair for the winter weather because I do not want to do wash and go's when it is cold outside. So I did some twists on my hair.... Yes you have read right lol I DID MY OWN HAIR!!!!!! I was quite nervous when I started twisting my hair because I had no idea how it would come out but I think it came out alright. I think this is the style that I will try to keep up with for this winter. Gosh my hair has been growing alot and I can't wait till it gets to the point where my twists are long enough to style. Here are some pics of my new hair.... Let me know what you think!!!!

Been Slipping on my pimping!!!!

Well I haven't blogged in like forever and a day and I feel so horrible about it!!!! Gosh so much has been happening in my life that nowadays I just want to sit down and not do anything at all. But you know what that is just an excuse. Blogging truly allows me to stay sane, so lovely followers if you still read my blog...... I'M BACK :o)

I hope you are excited because I have so much to fill you in and also to encourage you and as well as myself. So I will for sure come back later today or tomorrow, so keep your eyes open for some new fun post from the RHDiva!!!!

But here is my fav song that I have on repeat...... Its how I feel my 'ship is with my Heavenly Father

Accessories make the outfit!

So I just got hip to this website Etsy Let me tell you it is amazing!!!!!!!

It is a website for people to sell their handmade items. I fell in love with it the minute I discovered the website.

I have found some shirts and dresses that are so adorable! But wait this is not the reason why I started this post lol. Just recently I found out that my friend designs and makes accessories!!!! Amazing, I know! In my opinion accessories truly make up the outfit. I mean come on, you know when you put on some FABULOUS earrings it just make you look so DIVA! Plus if you are rocking the natural look, you are always trying to find some earrings that will make your style even more WONDERFUL! Well my friend's work is DA BOMB! All of you have to check her work out. Not only does she do a great job but she is such a sweet heart. Check out her products here:

Sweet and Spicy

Tell me what you think!

Having a rough start..... But this got me pumped!

One of the reasons why I love Jill Scott!

New clothing site I found.

So I am trying to "enhance" my style. Recently I have been finding all types of plus size and natural hair blogs that I am loving. All of these blogs have introduce me to new worlds that I am embracing! I am so excited! I have so many choices of clothing stores and also hair products.

This site that I found was the one that helped me identify what body shape I was which is truly a life saver. IGIGI


On this site you can figure out what your body type is by answering some questions and it also gives you suggestions for clothes that you can wear and also clothes you shouldn't wear.



I believe you should check it out if you want to learn more about your body and even look at some of their clothes. In my opinion their clothes are for more of the sophisticated DIVA but if you are trying to step your GROWN WOMAN up then for sure check it out. Also be aware it is a little pricey but you might catch something in their sale section.

I highly suggest you go on this sight to understand your body type so when you do go shopping at a store you will know what types of clothing enhances your thickalicous curves.

If you are a FABULOUS FIGURE 8 like myself her are some tips the website has provided for us:


What to wear

• Ruffles or softly draped details over the bust and neckline
• Open collars, asymmetrical details, v-neck, or styles that expose the neckline
• Wide, empire waist belts to emphasis more on waistline
• Bottoms that are darker in color, a-line, or flared skirts

What not to wear

• Light colored tops paired with dark bottoms
• Styles with horizontal stripes, heavy pleating, ruffles, or extra details at the midsection
• High necklines
• Short length tops

Here is a video of a purple dress that I love!!!!!!

Love it..... Will always be my song

Deep condition w/Honey and olive oil

So I was trying to find a method that I could deep condition my hair with using the products I already have. If you are not aware I am a product junkie!!!!!!! I believe the reason why I am a product Junkie is because I want to find a product that makes my curls POP....

Any who, yesterday I decided to deep condition with honey and olive oil. First I shampooed my hair and then I add honey and olive oil and sat under the dryer for about 20 minutes then I washed my hair again and put conditioner on it....... Well today my curls are going crazy lol. Like they are real tight today especially in the back. So I am guessing my hair truly appreciated the little experiment I did yesterday.

So hopefully I can continue using the products I already have with my hair but I am always asking folks who have some beautiful curls what products they use...... I think I need to find some one who has the same hair type as me and then use some of the products they use to see if my hair likes it or not. But I know for one thing I am going to do this deep condition technique again!

Oh I am taking any suggestions as well!!!!

A F.A.T. Girl is tired of shopping at Lane Bryant.... I am bout to switch my style up!

That's right I'm F.A.T.- Fabulous and Thick! And I am frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely love to go shopping and puting different outfits together. But with my size its been kind of difficult for me to do this especially living in a Midwest town where the biggest thing is Walmart. I am not knocking Walmart or anything because I have seen quite a few cute things for thick divas at Walmart. But the Walmart near me does not have any cute choices for me. So I have to go shopping online to find some cute clothes for myself...... But that gets so freaking expensive and I have to wait such a long time.

Ok I kind of went off on a tangent but anyways back to my real frustration. I went to Lane Bryant the other day because I needed a some new jeans. And I decided to splurge a little on myself while I was there. So this is how I shop: I walk into the store walk around a little and look at everything. If something stands out I grab and it and try it on. Well yesterday was truly interesting. I went into LB and was walking around and everything in there was not my style at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was all clothes that would make me look way older than what I am. I mean dang I already look older because of my weight so I am not trying to put on clothes that would add more years to me. There were 2 things (yes only 2) that I would actually buy. That is just sad!!!!!!!!!!! I am not going to say that I am giving up on LB but I have decided to take a step back from it. Not only is it expensive but it really doesn't have a variety of choices for a 20 something DIVA like myself.

I have started "researching" different stores, boutiques, and things that are geared to Thick ladies like myself and I am so happy that I did. I realized there are other choices for myself other than Old Navy, Lane Bryant, and Torrid. I am about to go on an online shopping spree when I get paid. Now that I know my body shape, I can start buying different clothes that will look FABULOUS on my body!!!!!!


Sidenote: So last night I sent my exboyfriend a text apologizing for any hurt I caused him while we were together. I have no idea why I did this but I kind of wish that I didn't. Don't you hate that?! When you do something and then later you wish you hadn't. Well anyways he sent me a text back today and said something (I choose not to read it lol) But I sent another one back telling him that he doesn't have to worry about hearing from me again and I wished him and his girl well. Ugh, I just wish I could just delete his number from my mind. I just don't understand why I am always lingering onto the past knowing that I am so much better than that. I truly think God is testing me on my contentment of being single and right now I am failing horribly!!!!!!!! I really need to take the time out and break all the soul ties that have in my life because they are not helping me to love Jesus w/all of my heart. They are just really holding me back........ I am praying about all of this and I know God will allow me to have a breakthrough in this situation.

Beautiful Flower

We are all beautiful!!!!

I am not my hair!

So my friend did my hair last night, because I told her I was getting tired of my TWA. She gave me some coils!!!! Tell me if you like them or not. I think it makes me look mature!!!! I am rocking my Mary Kay make up so I feel oh so Diva at work lol. Really can't see them (sorry about that).

I know my body shape!!!! Finally!

So I am starting to appreciate my thickalicousness to the next level. All through my life I have struggled with my weight and accepting that I was FABULOUS no matter what my pant size or scale said.



With this new chapter in my life, I am learning to love everything about myself. Being the "Diva" that I am, I just love fashion!!!! I love feeling good and looking good but I get so frustrated when I try to find some fly clothes. It has been hard for me for real!!!!! I am short, big chest, big stomach, big thighs, and a HUGE butt!!!!! So when I shop most of the time things would be to long for me or just wouldn't look right because of my stomach. There have been plenty of times that I cried in dressing rooms.



You know what?! No more tears are going to be shed when I am looking for my outfits!!!!!!! I have finally found what body type/shape I am!!!!!!!!!!!



I am a FIGURE 8 SHAPED DIVA!

Here is a little information about figure 8 body types taken from IGIGI:

Figure Eight Shape...

Outshining your hourglass shaped sister? Your body silhouette is amazingly curvaceous and not only do you share similar qualities as the hourglass, you also have the diamond, triangle, rectangle, oval, and inverted triangle infused into your unique shape. Your shoulders line up nicely with your overall silhouette and your voluptuous cleavage is one of your great assets. The definition in your waist is visible; however, you may have issues with your "love handles" and front bulge of your tummy area. Like the oval shape, the fullness is evenly distributed throughout your body. Also, the upper parts of your arms tend to be fuller while the lower parts of your arms are slender. Overall, you have great proportion to your body! Embrace your curves and work with what you've got! There are a lot trendy styles available that accentuate and complement your figure well. Take this information, shop for the right stuff, and strut your sassy figure eight shape.

Don't Even Know lol

So I wanted to write a new blog but I didn't know what to name it lol. Anyways, I wanted to share with you all some things that people have told me these past couple of weeks that I thought was interesting..................



So I have been/WAS talking to this guy for a minute kind of.... It was to the point where he told me I was wifey material (ladies just because he say this doesn't mean anything at all because I have had PLENTY of boys tell me I was wifey but I am still single because NONE of them was husband material through my eyes and God's).



Ok back to the story: So I told ole boy that I cut all of my hair off and have been natural for about 4 months. He said he was curious to see how I look now, so I sent him a picture (this is where everything went down hill lol). So asked him to be honest about what he thought about my picture. He said it was "different and it is something to get use to" Ok cool I understand that but he kept going!!!!! He gonna tel me "Don't worry your hair will grow back" EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!! I am not worried whether or not my hair is going to grow back, I mean it will be nice for my hair to grow back but right now I am embracing my natural beauty, the beauty that God has blessed me with! If I am suppose to be wifey shouldn't you appreciate me outside and in no matter what?!



I just don't understand why society is so on the way people look. We are so quick to judge one another based on our looks then anything else. I mean the most "fly" person in the world can have a horrible attitude/personality but you rather be with that person because they have sex appeal?! All I have to say is "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)



Ok so the other day I met this girl who seemed really cool and everything. She came by the halls to say goodbye to all of her friends before she left for Turkey to go teach. I was interested in her teaching job that she got in Turkey (cause you know I am trying to move abroad and work some day). She was saying how good this job was how they were paying for her flight and if she didn't like it they would fly her back to the US for free and all this other stuff. I was thinking wow this is the job! So I asked her how did she find out about this amazing opportunity. Why in the world this girl told me that she found it on CRAIG'S LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man when she told me that I just pray that I didn't have a look on my face because in my mind I was thinking that she was crazy!!!!!! Why in the world would you fly across the world to a job that you don't know that much about that you found on freaking Craig's list. Well I'm going to pray for her because who knows what she has gotten herself into.

Now this is my last crazy/random story that I have for you all. So as all of you know I am natural and loving every minute of it. Right now my hair is so short that I cannot do any styles to it but a TWA. So sometimes I get bored with my hair. So I have been looking for products that will enhance my natural curls so they can POP! Well yesterday I went to bible study and met this girl who was natural as well and her curls were POPPING!!!! So I asked her what products could I use to enhance my curls (and this girl does hair so I was thinking she would know what she is talking about). Why did she tell me to put a perm in my head for a little bit and to loosen up my curls?! I AM NOT PUTTING ANY PERMS IN MY HEAD! If I wanted to do all of that, why did I cut my hair. She gave me another product to use but I highly doubt I'm gonna use that. Goodness I am turning away from chemicals, not welcoming them back into my beautiful hair. So I guess I will continue to rock my TWA until further notice lol

Do you love MARY KAY?! Well I am a consultant now!

Just letting all my fabulous followers out there know that I am now a Mary Kay consultant. So if you are looking for someone to place your orders, schedule facial parties for you and your friends, or just want to play around with some make up LOOK ME UP!!!!

I would love to help you to embrace your inner DIVA by providing some helpful tips about skin care,make up, and just making you feel FABULOUS!

I believe this is another opportunity for me to touch other people's lives and also to help me to build more confidence and encouragement for myself.

To all the men out there don't be afraid to contact me either! I would love to do a men's facial class with our men's products.

If you want to look at our products, do a virtual makeover, or place an order go to my website at www.marykay.com/hshepherd176

Essence of a Black Woman

You can see the essence of a black woman when she walks into a room.
Her beauty is like a flower that blooms.
She doesn't need a man to be strong,
Because she remains a woman all on her own.
She overcomes challenges that stands in her way.
The inner strength she has gets her through the day.
She continues to triumph with elegance and grace.
While being a double jeopardy because of her sex and her race.
She is a goal oriented woman with style and confidence.
She never forgets where she comes from and for that she is blessed.
She has faith in God and not ashamed to acknowledge his presence in her life.
She can testify that without him she could never endure any sacrifice.
This black woman of beauty is the mother of all.
And for that we should be proud and stand tall.
Everyone around her can feel her presence.
For she is a Black woman of essence.
~ Kathy L. Martin

Saved & Single

I need to read this everyday when I am feeling lonely and wondering if I will be found by my husband that GOD will send for me......


~ Author Unknown~

What makes you think that just because I am an attractive woman of Godly intelligence

that I'm incomplete without a mate?

Who told you that without a man

something's missing from my life?

and if so, what would that be?

Love?

I love myself

And more importantlyI love the Lord

He told me that when I delight in Him,

he will give me the desires of my heart

Security?

I have everything I need according to His riches in glory.

Intimacy?

Now, how's a man going to get to know me

When he doesn't even know who he is in the Lord

See my Father told me I'm above a ruby's worth

And a gem does not seek it is sought

I'm single and that's all right with me

See, it's not that I oppose relationships

it's that I detest co-dependency

as a woman I know it is not my role
to chase after any man

Esther 2:14 reads That I am to wait on my king and when he's delighted in me. He will call me by my name.

My Lord does not intend for me to be needy or desperate.

I am to be Cherished, Relished, Valued, and Honored,

It's not my job to convince him

Or Convict him of that,

My mate will already know it

And consistently show it

And he will stay on his knees daily

Not just to adore me

But to praise the Lord for

The virtuous woman he has found

So, when you see me by myself

I'm not aloneI know what I have coming to me

I'm single and saved, and right now that's all I need to be!

My Bucket List!!!!!!

Here are some things I wanna do in my lifetime:

• go sky diving
• live on the west coast (either Seattle or San Fran)
• white water rafting
• visit every state
• live in London, England (for 3months- year)
• live in Mexico(to learn Spanish lol)
• get my PhD (not right away)
• become a mini van mom (I am really excited about this but only if God is willing)
• run a mile (right now run is not in my vocab)
• get my masters in:

-Counseling

-Teaching (math maybe)

-College Student Personnel Administration (coming in May 2010)

• work at an HBCU
• work in Orientation(or work with)
• design a program that will solve the problem of the revolving door for all minorities in college
• become director of Multicultural Affairs at a university (still deciding about my career path)
• teach a college class (might be doing this, this fall)
• become a fitness instructor (either step or zumba)
• start a scholarship for phenomenal women @ Maple Heights High School
• become a cheerleader coach
• visit:

-Madrid, Spain

-Paris

-Italy

-Kenya(use my Kiswahili)

-just basically travel the world

• teach an algebra class
• take up ballroom dancing
• go on the Disney cruise
• go camping(need to find some friends for this one because I am too much of a chicken to go by myself)
• go backpacking
• take a self defense class
• take 5 cycling classes (I am scared its going to hurt my booty)
• touch or inspire one person

3 months natural and still loving it!!!!!!

Its been 3 months (a little over) and my hair is really growing!!!!!! I can put a headband on and I am super excited about that. Gosh I can't wait to see it at 6 months. Right now I am looking for ways to define my curls. I have been looking at some products but haven't bought anything yet (because I am product junkie and I don't wan't all my products to start adding up). Oh I am so excited about my natural journey!

My reading list for the summer!

So I started reading for the summer and I just love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always had a love for reading but during the school I get so busy...... But Im gonna try to keep up w/it when I go back to the Burg. Ne ways, here is my list that I have read/going to read(if you have any suggestions please let me know thanks!):

Finished:

• City of Thieves David Benioff
• Angels & Demons Dan Brown
• The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown

Reading Right Now:

• The Alchemist Paulo Coelho

Next in line:

• The Appeal John Grisham
• The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini
• Cane River Lalita Tademy
• The Chronicles of Narnia C.S. Lewis
• The Five People You Meet In Heave
• A Thousand Splendid Suns
• A Million Little Pieces
• My Sister's Keeper

Please if you have any suggestions at all please let me know!

My new scarf and earrings

Do you like?!

Almost 2 months!!!! Hair update!

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo I am still loving my hair! I decided to post a new pic of myself so you all can see the growth. It is truly growing fast! Just to let you know that is not my office lol.

Talk Show

Lately people have been putting the idea of me getting back on facebook...... I have truly been thinking about it.... I have mixed reviews about it. I don't know what to do. I would love to get back on there to talk to all my new and old friends but I know I am an addict lol. What should I do ya'll?! I have been off since Dec. 31, and that is truly a long time and I don't even miss it! Give me some advice.

Wet Seal has plus size clothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh My Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am super excited that Wet seal has plus size clothing now!!!!!! Now all I need is forever 21 to jump on the band wagon. I am about to be too fly again! Hey now!!!!!!!

I am a Superwoman! But I still need some sleep

The day in the Life of a RHDiva

I am so sorry to all my blog followers (Jessica!) that I have not been keeping you updated on my life so far lol. I have been crazy busy nowadays. Right now I am like almost falling asleep in my office :o). Gosh this week has basically flown by and I am so not ready for next week but hey it won't be as busy as this week.

Well on Tuesday we did CA hiring and it was so freaking stressful for me!!!! I was tearing up in the meeting cause I didn't know who to hire and who not to hire. Then at the end of the day I had to tell one of my Ca's that she wasn't being hired for the next school year. Do you know how stressful that was?! We were both crying in my apartment. I told her that there is a possibility that she will get hired before the school year, but man that was so hard for me to do. I think that is the hardest thing about being a Hall Director is hiring because there are alot of great candidates but you cannot hire everybody.

Lets see, how is school going?! Well it is going for sure..... I need to get started on writing some of my papers so I don't have to worry about them further on down the road. Gosh I am so over school right now but I have to finish this semester strong and continue on to next year....... But hey I am having a great time w/all the friends I have met and it is truly a stepping stone for myself.

Gosh, spring break is just around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And guess what I will be doing?! I will be writing not one, not two, but 3 papers lol!!!! Good times I know! I wanted to visit OSU for spring break but that is their finals week and I didn't want to be a bother to anyone. But I think since I do get out of school in May I was thinking about going to visit then. Gosh I miss my Osu folks so freaking bad!!!!!!

Inspiration

I am reading this book called A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART and I highly advise everyone to read it. It is such a great book and has allowed me to see that I need to build my relationship with God much much much stronger. There is a chapter that talks about how we should be commited to prayer for us to grow in our faith, this is the area that I slack off in is my 1-1 time with the Lord. So for everyone's inspiration I am gonna leave the verse that is the start of this chapter:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills- from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord." Psalm 121:1-2

So when you are feeling down and out just look up and take a moment to ask for the Lord's help and I promise you won't feel nervous, worried, anxious, sad, you will feel a calmness take over you.

25 things I hate about facebook, so funny but oh so true!!!!

My TWA (teeny weeny afro)!!!!!! Its me all naturally!!!!

Talk Show

So I just got my hair shaped up and I love it!!!!!!!!! Its really no way I can turn back now! I am all natural baby and loving it. Gosh I left the shop all smiles!!!!!!! Couple of my friends seen it and they said they like it (i don't know if they are lying or not but i don't care cause I love it!) Well here begins my natural journey!!! Oh but the crazy part is that I haven't told my family that I cut all of my hair off lol. Gosh I feel like I am having a mid life crisis lol but im not! I am ready to develop the whole new me!!!!!!! Just I have to stick to my healthy living. Let me know how you like the picture.

Seek Forgiveness

The Day in the life of THE Rhdiva



So I am finally done with all of these phone interviews for a summer internship....... And you should all know that I can't stand interviews (they make me so nervous). During this whole process I realized I am a person who worries way to much. Did you all know worrying is a sin because you are basically telling God you don't trust Him..... Isn't that deep (I know, I can be deep sometimes). Anyways, I have decided where I will be working this summer............... Illinois State University!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am super excited. The lady who will be my supervisor sounds like she is amazing. We just clicked when we were on the phone together. I am super excited. So for the summer instead of being 12hrs away from home I will only be 7 lol. It really doesn't matter because the dates with this internship is perfect to where I can come home before I go back to UCM. I am so excited from all of these experiences that I am having the chance to do.



Inspiration



So this video that I have on here is so POWERFUL!!!!! Everytime I watch it I start crying. It just makes me stop and think that the Devil is always trying to destroy and keep a sista down, especially when I am trying to get to know God through Jesus! But this video truly shows how much we are loved! If you have time please watch the full video!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise you won't regret it.

The Big Chop

Talk Show



So I am doing the Big Chop this morning!!!!! Craziness I know! Well I hope I dont look like a boy................ I might put pictures up later..... pray for me that I w0nt start breaking down in the shop.

Things truly happen for a reason

Talk Show

My grandmother died this morning.... I am in like shock right now because I seen her the day before I left to come back to Missouri. Mind you I really didn't see this grandmother alot but God made sure I seen her before I left because He knew she would be coming home to Him. Wow, I know I developed this saying as my new motto but I am truly believing that everything that we go through is set up by God so he can prepare us for our future. We may be going through something in our life and may not understand why this is happening to us, but just remember everything happens for a reason and whatever we are going through is making us stronger and wiser. I believe as long as we have Jesus on our side we should not worry at all. If you are worrying about something in your life right now, just step out on faith, I promise in the long run you will be grateful that you did. Gosh I am so going off of my topic, but I know the Lord is directing what I am typing right now so no worries :o).

I called my father this morning and gosh he is such a strong man. He just told me that he can't wait till I get home cause he would be so much better with me being there. Do you know what that does to me!!!!!!!!!!!! I am crying right now! It is truly a hassle being 12hrs away from home right now but God knew I need to be this distance to see how strong my family bonds are. He is truly making a stronger woman every second................ Gosh I am so going in a tangent...... I just want to thank everyone who kept my grandmother and my family in their prayers. No worries anymore she is in a way better place right now!!!!!!

A new me for the week...... hopefully

So I decided to set goals for each week for me to reach. I hope I can keep to them :o)

Getting into the Freakum Dress

• eat more fruits and veggies
• start taking vitamins
• drinking 32oz a day
• exercise 3x this week
• no fast food
• no junk food
• eat less bread

The day and the life of a RHDiva

• clean off my desk
• clean my apartment
• do laundry
• stop being lazy
• clean office
• be on top of my things
• keep to my to do list
• take my car to the shop
• dont let things stress me out
• go shopping for some new earrings and scarves
• save money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• movie nite w/staff
• change out my printer
• get my nails done!!!
• start my papers asap

Just a little sidenote........ I want to cut my hair off so freaking bad! I can't wait till I start my natural hair growth. I am nervous but excited at the same time. I am trying to let my sides grow a little bit so I wont have a fade when I chop everything off but I am just ready to see the beauty of my natural locks!!!!!!!!!! This is about to be such a dramatic change for me, its so exciting!!!!!!!!!! So I decided not to tell my family that I am about to chop all of my hair off because I know they would flip out, I am gonna just wait till I go home this summer for them to see. Hopefully by that time my hair would have some length on it. Well that is all the excitement in my life (thats so sad lol)

I'm cutting all of my hair off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting into the Freakum Dress

Sooooooooooooooooooooo I am about to change my whole appearance! I am going to cut all of my hair off next month. I am quite nervous to see how I look. I just hope and pray that I do not look funny. Once I cut my hair I'm gonna buy scarves and HUGE earrings!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With this new me coming out just means I need to get more dedicate on my healthy living regime. I have been slipping badly on my exercising and eating healthy but its cool this is gonna be a new day, new week, new month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I shall keep you up to date on me going natural and losing my weight. I am nervous to hear the comments once I chop my hair off.

When it Rains, it POURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk Show

Lord please give me the strength I need to get through these rough times in my life. Gosh I had to say a little prayer before I went into what has been going on in my life. I haven't wrote in here for like over 2 weeks. I am so sorry everyone, I just have been going through alot in my life. The crazy thing that is going on while I am writing this is that Yolanda Adam is on my Pandora singing the Battle is not your's, its the Lord's. Wow, God knows my heart and he is truly looking after me even when I am not even thinking about it.

This past week has truly been a rough one for me. A couple of weeks ago my Grandmother had knee surgery. The surgery went good, she was up walking around telling everyone she had to get better so she could go to Hawaii with my little sister...... The next day she stopped breathing and now she is on a ventilator. I mean I just seen her before I left to come back for school. So now everyday I am getting calls telling me that I might need to rush home. Gosh do you know what that does to me?! It is very stressful not knowing whats about to happen. Being 12 hrs away from home and family at this kind of time is really a struggle cause its not like I can up and go home. On top of my family calling me every minute about my Grandmother, I get another call about my friend's sister who just passed away and I just seen her before I left too! Man............... it seems like i get bad news everyday.

Right now I am going through an interview process to find my summer internship. Mind you I already struggle with interviews (lol). So right before my interview (like 5 minutes before) my mother calls me to tell me that my auntie is in the hospital because she was so stressed out over my grandmother. Lets just say that interview did not go as well as it could.............. Man just a whole lot has really been trying to bring a sista down but I just need to be prayful and hopeful.

I am really trying not to get in my depressing stage that I seem to always get in because it is not healthy for me, my job, staff, and others around me. I need to always consider that I am TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't mind just please keep my grandmother and my family in your prayers. Thankssssssssssssssssss

Craziness!

Getting into the Freakum Dress



So I lost 4 pounds!!!!!!!!!! Yay me!!! I just need to keep up this exercise thing up. I feel great and I have so much energy now. But yet again food is my down fall. I need to get my mind right and just start using the word no!



The Day in the Life of an RHDiva

So my residents moved in yesterday............ but my mind is still on break lol. I feel like I am losing it. I need to get my life together for real. I feel as though I am not ready for this semester but it has already started so I need to get my act together. Back to me having no life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol All this paperwork, residents, interviews, hiring folks. Pray for me please!



Talk Show

So I started liking this boy I use to go to high school with, he is younger than me. Back in the day he use to have a crush on me and since then we have kept in touch with eachother. I just don't know how I feel about this at all. I think I fell into like way to quickly and I am trying so hard not to get my hopes up high at all but I haven't had male attention in such a freaking long time. Shoot a woman gets lonely sometimes lol. In my book I have been single for 4 years (I had some commercial breaks in those 4yrs but I really don't count them because they were not good/healthy for me). Well anyways, before I left to come back to Missouri this guy took me to the movies (he really didn't "take" me to the movies, he drove but we paid for our own tickets, so we went together to the movies). I was quite nervous to see me because of the way I looked (i know sad, but the last time he seen me I was quite a looker lol). Well we went to the movie and I don't know how it went, I guess it went alright cause he decided to keep talking to me afterwards lol. We have been keeping eachother entertain for this past week but he just recently went back to school and I feel as though now our conversations will end now......... Which I kind of have a feeling about. So I'm thinking, should I fall for this guy, or should I just forget about him? I just feel like opening up my heart for something that might not work. I am the kind of person that truly reads too much into things and I get excited over small little things. So i think I am reading too much into the things he tells me.................. Like I think I am so ready to have a boo-ski that I may cling on to the first male who shows me attention lol (not really). So what should I do if I sense that this guy is gonna stop talking to me? Should I keep trying to stay in contact with him or should I let him decided it? I am known for deleting boys numbers out of my phone after a while, so i am trying not to do to this one. I don't know I am really feeling him but I don't know if he is feeling me or not.................... This thing called love is a very difficult game to play

I am so disappointed in myself!!!!!

Getting into My Freakum Dress



Oh my goodness I am so disappointed in myself................ I ate some chipotle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know we all slip up sometimes but man I slipped up lol. After I ate it I felt horrible, I think this truly happen for a reason, I believe I am truly over unhealthy foods (hopefully). After I ate my burrito i felt like a freaking elephant and I couldn't move, I was uncomfortable, just ugh! I am making myself a promise right now. I will not put foods in my body that will slow it down and make me feel nasty. Lord please give me the strength to turn down all the BAD foods I am use to eating. I need some support people lol!

Beautiful Flower

Getting Into the Freakum Dress




Why Do I Want to Lose Weight?!

• So I can walk up the stairs w/o losing my breath



• So I can bend over w/o feeling uncomfortable



• So I don't have to be the biggest girl in my group of friends



• So I can be healthy



• So I can buy cute clothes for cheap (so I can shop at all the stores)



• So I can feel comfortable all the time and not worry about if my stomach and rolls are showing



• So I can borrow clothes from my little sister cause she is tooooooooooooooo fly!!!!

Today is my second day of exercising! I feel great but I just need to stick to it. I always start off strong but by the 3rd week I lose motivation, so pray that I keep my motivation this time cause I need to drop these pounds badly.

The Sassy Girl's Book Club

My new book that I start reading yesterday on the plane is The Invisible man by Ralph Ellison. So far I have only read the prologue but it is really good. Based off of Wikipedia this book addresses many of the social and intellectual issues facing African-American identity, including the relationship between this identity and Marxism, black nationalism, and the reformist racial policies of Booker T. Washington

I am really excited to read this book for real! I will keep you updated on my reactions to this book.

Inspiration

So I love India Arie! All of her songs speak to my soul, like I can relate to almost every song that she writes/sings. When you want to feel motivated, powerful, or just need some soul healing you need to listen to her. Yesterday I was trying to find some new songs for my workout play list and I came across one of her songs that I never heard before and let me tell you it is my new fav. It is called Beautiful Flower and it is the truth for real! Here are the lyrics let me know how you feel about it! Trust I have it on repeat right now.

Beautiful Flower By India Arie

This is a song for every girl who's ever been through something, she thought she couldn't make it through (yeah, hmm)

I sing these words because I was that girl too, wanting something better than this, but who do I turn to?

Now were moving from the darkness into the light, this is the defining moment of our lives. (umm, yeah)

'Cause your beautiful like a flower, more valuable than a diamond, you are powerful like a fire, you can hela the world with your mind and there is nothing in the world that you cannot do, when you believe in you (who are beautiful), yeah you (who are brilliant), yeah you (who are powerful), yeah you (who are resilient)

This is a song for every girl who feels that she is not special

'Cause you don't look like a supermodel, coke bottle

The next ime the radio tells you to shake your moneymaker, shake your head and tell them, tell them you're a leader

Now were moving from the darkness into the light, this is the defining moment of our lives. (yeah)

'Cause your beautiful like a flower, more valuable than a diamond, you are powerful like a fire, you can heal the world with your mind and there is nothing in the world that you cannot do, when you believe in you (who are beautiful), yeah you (who are brilliant), yeah you (who are powerful), yeah you (who are resilient)

Yeah you (who are beautiful)

Yeah you (who are brilliant)

Yeah you (who are powerful)

Yeah you (who are resilient)

Yeah you (this song is for you)

Yeah you (this song is for you)

Yeah you (this song is for you)

Yeah you

Yeah you

New Format for my blog.... I think you all will like it

So I have decided to change the format of my blog, actually I was inspired by a dear friend to change the format of my blog. I believe with this different format my readers/friends/family/fans (oh how I wish I had fans lol) will get a better inside look of my life since you all can no longer keep in touch with me thru facebook or myspace any more. So this is how the layout will look (please give me feed back):

I have decided to break my blog up into 5 sections: Getting into the Freakum Dress, The Day and the Life of a RHDiva, The Sassy book club, Talk Show, and Inspiration.

Getting into the Freakum Dress

• This section will be about my journey of weight loss and exercise. I will talk about the ups and downs of a Thickalicious woman trying to become healthier. This section is really suppose to be a motivation for me to continue on my goals of trying to lose weight and get into the lovely shape that I need to be in.

The Day in the life a RHDiva

• This section will be about the things that are going on with my work and my school life. This right here will probably keep me sane because this is the true stress of my life lol but I love it soooooooooooooo much........

The Sassy Book Club

• This is where I let you know all about the books I am reading. Also about books that I want to read.

Talk Show

• This is where all the drama goes down at....... I will talk about different things that has been bothering me or just my opinion about different subjects.

Inspiration

• You know I always have to end on a good note so this section right here will have quotes, feel me goods, and encouraging history.

So this will be my layout of my blog and I am kind of excited about it. I hope you will enjoy my blogs even more now. Also to let you know I have decided to keep the colors for each section so they will stand out.

I deactivated my facebook account!!!!

Oh my goodness I have been off of facebook for 24hrs and I am freaking out. I know that facebook isn't a big thing or anything but I had an addiction to it. I use to be on it all the time!!!! When I was bored in class I use to get on it on my phone. I use to read all of my friends statuses look through all the pictures. Gosh I knew almost everything that people would put on their facebook profile. Isn't that sad?! Well I know that I wanted to make a major change in my life and I knew the first thing that had to change was facebook. Facebook is a great way to keep in contact with high school, college, childhood, random friends but it was bad for me because I use to sit there and compare my life to others. I do not know why I would do this but I guess we always want the things that we do not have. Also another reason why I had to get off of facebook because I was not being productive in my life at all. I use to sit on the computer for hours just going through pictures, statuses, profiles being NOSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But you know what I had enough of looking into other peoples lives. I am ready to make a positive change in my life and not worry about Suzie, Billy Bob and Frank lol. Though it has only been 24 hrs I have been wanting to get on it just to see who wrote on my wall, who is online...... NO I have to stop this because now I will have more time to do things that facebook has kept me away from lol. I am determine to exercise more, read more, just enjoy life more. I am making myself promise today that I will not come up with any excuses that will cause me to be a lazy bum in life. I am about to be a new and improved WOMAN! Watch out now!