Tuesday, September 13, 2011

New York Fashion week-Hair Tips!

Found a well done video of hair trends that each designer wanted for their collection this year. Check it out!  I must say how much I am missing my long hair after watching these. I love how the braid is still a go ;) 
http://youtu.be/zRDgXDryvdE

Sunday, August 21, 2011

TOday... Rainy day=Youtube

http://youtu.be/Q-OHRYzMpPs
This is what I got from today haha I love you all. YOU can actually hear the rain drops in the background!  

I plan on hopefully having tips in health, wellness, hair, make-up, etc.. Anything that really strikes me and I feel like sharing.
Until then, xoxo and goodnight!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Success

It's been a while since posting. So what can I say about life and measures of success?

People measure success in all different ways.  I believe that you cannot lose sight of the dreams and goals, but you must also not rush through the journey of getting there.
In other words, don't pass it up along the way. 
Become aware, journal, do yoga, help people, exercise, perhaps change up your facebook,develop relationships, try something new and enjoy the process of becoming in sync. 
We all need motivation and inspiration from time to time. Work hard, execute and commit to your plan of action.  Know your vision and what you have to do to get there.  Once you stop, you fail.  Embrace, balance and enjoy.

What does success look like to you?
6 figure income?
 Happy Marriage?
Healthy kids?
Small waistline?
 Low Cholesterol?
Careers?
Time?
Health?

The list could go on and then continue to be any success that you put your mind to while looking at the glass half full of course instead of half empty.

Friday, October 8, 2010

FRIDAY! Only one week left ;(

Alright so here's the deal, I cannot believe I only have one more week here. The school week flew by.  It's been 6 days of actually being in Kenya and it's just now I am getting  used to everything. I am writing this as Talisa( who is 7 years old) is braiding and playing with my hair ;)  Today was great! I had to play legos with pre-schoolers who the whole time just talked to me in their mother tongue language. Of course I had no idea what they were saying to me, but I just smile and nod and tried to keep them from hanging on me like little monkeys.  My favorite thing of the day was a little boy named Collins about 4 or 5 years old kept pointing and smirking at me saying "mzungu mzungu!"  In Swahili that means white person!  Adorable little thing, but quite mischievous.  Then I ate lunch with the teachers then it was off to watch class 4 perform a song and dance. I then told class 6 I would read stories with them after they begged me, but I ended up watching class 7 debate team!  All in all, School was great.  I have decided after being here, that the Kenyan Shilling rate to the US Dollar is so little!  It only takes 6,000 shillings to send 2 of the kids to school.  If they could have a sponser, it would be wonderful. I just want to pay for all of the kids, but their are about 400 kids!! Here's my point..... When it comes down to it, 6,000 shillings is $60 US dollars!!!!!!  That would be enough for a whole school year for 2 children! It's just profound.
Tomorrow is Saturday and Daniel is taking Jackie and I to Shimba Hills  to hopefully see wildlife. aka Elephants, giraffes, rhinos etc.... !    Then off to the beach.
I will write again, thats all for now. Goodnight (here) from Kenya
With Love,
Des

FRIDAY! Only one week left ;(

Alright so here's the deal, I cannot believe I only have one more week here. The school week flew by.  It's been 6 days of actually being in Kenya and it's just now I am getting  used to everything. I am writing this as Talisa( who is 7 years old) is braiding and playing with my hair ;)  Today was great! I had to play legos with pre-schoolers who the whole time just talked to me in their mother tongue language. Of course I had no idea what they were saying to me, but I just smile and nod and tried to keep them from hanging on me like little monkeys.  My favorite thing of the day was a little boy named Collins about 4 or 5 years old kept pointing and smirking at me saying "mzungu mzungu!"  In Swahili that means white person!  Adorable little thing, but quite mischievous.  Then I ate lunch with the teachers then it was off to watch class 4 perform a song and dance. I then told class 6 I would read stories with them after they begged me, but I ended up watching class 7 debate team!  All in all, School was great.  I have decided after being here, that the Kenyan Shilling rate to the US Dollar is so little!  It only takes 6,000 shillings to send 2 of the kids to school.  If they could have a sponser, it would be wonderful. I just want to pay for all of the kids, but their are about 400 kids!! Here's my point..... When it comes down to it, 6,000 shillings is $60 US dollars!!!!!!  That would be enough for a whole school year for 2 children! It's just profound.
Tomorrow is Saturday and Daniel is taking Jackie and I to Shimba Hills  to hopefully see wildlife. aka Elephants, giraffes, rhinos etc.... !    Then off to the beach.
I will write again, thats all for now. Goodnight (here) from Kenya
With Love,
Des

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Day 6 in Kenya ;)

JAMBO (Hi) Everyone!! So sorry it's been a bit since my last update. I have had the worst luck connecting to the internet. So far, it's extremely hot and humid here, probably such as a humid summer day in Minnesota.  It is a whole day difference of 8 hours so my time is all off!
I'm living with a great family and the girls are sitting right next to me watching some dramatic show ;)
To make a long story somewhat short, lets start by saying life is much different here.  Every day I start my walk to the Shikamana School for disadvantage/orphan children.(45 minutes there, 45minutes back) I am greeted by a "Jambo" almost everyday by the people in the village on my walk.  Jackie ( The other volunteer from England)  and I were initially in charge of just loving, feeding and caring for some of the children, but we have now stepped in and started teaching a few classes.  The classes are from Kindegarten 1 all the way to Class 8.  Class 6 Math and PE classes and kids are my favorite so far. Oh and class 8! Yesterday a lady from Belgium came in and taught them a few songs and dance.  All the ages are just lovely and precious.

The school itself was built actually 2 years by the Americans! Previously, the children (now around 400 students) had been learning outside and under a little hut.  They then built a very westernized style school for them.  I love being a part of it! We are so blessed to be living in one of the most powerful countries of the world.  Everything we do and achieve should never be taken for granted. My favorite part is when I tell them I am from America I get almost the same response.... " OH Obama!!" DO you know him?  Who did you vote for?  Of course I just had to laugh.  Now, they usually don't every learn about the U.S. presidents until at least high school, but in this case seeing as Obama's dad was Kenyan it's quite a huge deal for everyone here!

I have also come to the conclusion that my tattoos are very distracting to most the children. I tried my best to cover them up but it's just too hot!! One little boy asked me if I would take him to America to get meet Obama and get a tattoo;) hehe   Well then...... Guess that sums up that day.

Today we gave class 8 the option of social studies or P.E. and they all chose social studies. There are some very, very intelligent students in the classes.
My next project when I get home is to put together a few fundraisers for more libraries in order for teachers and students to actually learn more.  I know we all have an idea of a 3rd world country, but honestly until you arrive and live with the culture( not just seeing a village of the people as a tourist) no idea!

Tomorrow is Friday which means it has already been a week! Only a week to go which actually is somewhat disappointing:(   See you all soon !
XOXOXOXO

Saturday, October 2, 2010

HELLO from Amsterdam, HOlland ... still....

Hey ALL!  So My arrival time in Kenya was suppose to be this morning at 8am. (kenya time)  WELL>>>  I would love to say that that actually happend, but no instead I am here paying to use the internet while waiting for my 6pm flight tonight.  That means that I won't actually reach Mombasa, Kenya until tomorrow 8 am.  (Quick side note, it is 6 am Minnesota time, 12 in the afternoon here in Holland. Luckily KLM airline is top class and provided hotel, free dinner , breakfast, calling card, and even a little "over night" bag filled with shampoo, toothbrush etc...  

So amidst all the chaos and trying to call the UK,  for assistance about my flight change (Im sure my phone bill will be quite large)  I must say,  how much I thoroughly enjoyed Amsterdam the first day!

My great new friend Dionne, lives here and took me on a tour of the city and we went shopping of course.  I bought some new cute boots!  Her and her sister are wonderful, and I will see them and possibly stay there on my way back home. I could listen to them speak Dutch all day! Anyway, I finally got a good night sleep at the hotel at least and cannot wait to actually arrive tomorrow!   So far its only been about 3 days and it feels like a week so far, probably due to lack of sleep/time change all that good stuff. 
WEll.. for now I'm out I should get off to the boarding gate and I should say how much I LOVE seeing the world and traveling even when everything goes not according to plan.  Thats what its all about ;)  I love you all, and this concludes post 1, day (3 now) of still trying to reach my destination.   

xoxo  ~Des