sorry loves....

 Once again my hectic schedule has delayed my posting.

I do have the next Alphabet Challenge post for you - M; and I'll be finishing it tomorrow and posting it. I've also got some other news and updates to post so it looks like I'll be having a weekend of blogging!

I promise to have them up ASAP and hope that I won't be too busy to keep them coming. =]

a US$68million diamond ring!?

Saw this posted on someone's Facebook profile and I just had to blog it and see what you all think.

Now let me present to you....the 'world's first diamond ring'

This isn't your average 24 carat gold ring with a lovely diamond on top. What you're seeing here is a full diamond ring that has a total of 150 carats and costs a whopping US$68million!

So as an April baby with diamond as my birthstone, you can imagine how pleased I would be with more diamonds in my life. 

But in the world I live in, this is the perfect reason for just about anyone to stalk/kidnap/steal from you!

I do want an amazing diamond ring made of gold or platinum even lol....but I guess I would be quite worried walking around with US$68million on just one finger (note of course that I would also be wearing a bracelet, chain or earrings...maybe even all together).

So although quite gorge.....I think for my safety I'll stick to a 'normal' ring with diamonds! (but feel free to get adventurous you future husband you lol)

Plus......think about how many persons around the world or even just in Jamaica who are in need and could use that US$68million to cover the cost of their basic survival...........

L: living by the rules of the Dalai Lama

AlphabetChallenge

Motivation is a big part of my life and more often than not, it's me motivating myself. I do have the support of others to help me feel better about some stuff, but self-motivation has become a part of me (probably because I'm a middle child and used to having to do things on my own).

Anywho...

It's been a hectic last few weeks and over the last few months there have been a number of decisions I've had to make regarding 'what happens next' now that I'm done with university. I'll admit that at times I feel like giving up is easiest, but I think with such an unsure path I've been learning a lot about life, about myself and about dealing with different people and situations.

I've grown to better understand and appreciate the 18 rules of living (as quotes by the Dalai Lama) and at times it's little things like this that pump me with motivation and help me come back to terms with some of the things I honestly can't change (but of course wish I could).

The Dalai Lama's 18 rules of living 

01. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

02. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

03. Follow the three R's: respect for self, respect for others and respect for all your actions.

04. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

05. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

06. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

07. When you realise you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

08. Spend some time alone every day.

09. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go somewhere you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is the one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

So these are now my day to day reminders during my hectic schedule that help me feel more motivated, have a little more faith and believe more in myself and my abilities.

chaotic days

There is so much I want to post about everyday, but between my things to do list that keeps growing and my other day to day movements, I've had some chaotic days these last couple weeks.

Between my jobs and getting my stuff done for the registration, launch and final planning for my foundation....it's been crazy. I haven't had too much time to myself but usually when I do, I spend it with the hunny or family.

I do like a more hectic life though, otherwise I would be so bored I'd probably go berserk and then get annoyed at it all. Plus, busy is a sign to me that I'm working to get closer to my goals; and that's just about what I've been doing!

On the other hand, I do hope that soon enough things cool down even a little so I can post more and relax more. Until then.....back to my chaos!

DIY: bye bye broken make-up

After buying the perfect palette and probably using it a couple times, many fab femmes have the same problem where it slips from you, falls to the floor and shatters.

Based on the stories I've heard, more often than not it happens when you're rushing to get ready and have no time to figure out how you'll fix it.

Recently it was just my luck that my pressed powder fell and cracked a bit. So I went on a hunt to find a fixer because in my mind 'this must happen to other women and there must be a way to fix this.'

TADA! The solution was right there on YouTube!

I was so excited for a solution that I forgot to take pics (sorry guys) but I've embedded the video that I used below so you can try it. There are a number of these videos on YouTube with different persons fixing their broken make-up. The methods are the same, but this is the one I thought gave the best up-close and step-by-step solution.

While the problem I had was with my pressed powder, know that it can also work with your eye shadow and blush (I tried it with blush as well...but not the eyeshadow).

So here are my recommendations:

     1. Try to find the 'perfect sizes circle' before you start 

        the process. That way you're sure it will press to fit 

        the circle better and more evenly.

     2. The alcohol they refer to is rubbing alcohol. I don't 

        know if the alcohol for drinking works....I stuck to the 

        script.

     3. Use a bobby pin or something smaller than the knife to 

        help mixing powder and the alcohol. I found it to be a 

        lot less messy. 

     4. Avoid using soft tissue! Hand towel is the best bet. The 

        softer tissues leave little bits behind.

     5. Leave the make-up open for about a day for it to dry 

        completely. It may harden pretty fast but that may not 

        mean it's fully dry underneath.

I hope this saves your broken make-up disaster!

K: keep moving

AlphabetChallenge

On rainy days like today when I have a number of things all planned to do, I remember a bit from a book I read (then wrote it down and placed it in the drawer of my night stand):

There's always going to be some person or reason for you to think you're unable or it's okay for you to stop what you're doing. 

If you allow that thing to stop you once, it opens the door for other things to stop you at another time. 

Don't allow anything to stop you from finishing your tasks or reaching your goal. 

As long as you're able, keep going!

It's true....


Some days you wake up and a random headache stops you from getting stuff done. The following day the rain falls and you decide to sleep in or simply stay off the road. Maybe the next day a bad mood slows you down....but if you allow those thing to stop your progress then you've wasted just about three days.

Three days that could have been used for business calls, email responses, finishing that paper or starting that research.



More often than not it's consider procrastination, but sometimes it's as if things just are working against the progress. In my opinion, all the things that try to steer you away from getting things done, are mini-tests or challenges God sends you to see if you're going to keep going.

They all present the chance for you to prove your strength and keep working for what you want. All giving you the chance to overcome minor obstacles, and to make you more prepared to overcome the bigger ones that tend to come with success.

Each challenge no matter how small, is aimed at making you stronger. Whether it's the hater who says you can't do it, shouldn't do it or don't deserve it; or the course of events that all seem to be making the final product further out of reach......keep going!

I'll admit, maybe the challenges keep coming because God's trying to tell you 'not yet'....but the only way you'll know for sure if that's the case is if you have faith!

Otherwise, keep moving, because you really don't know how close you are to the end when you decide to quit!

#TeamTal :: so proud!

I'm so uber proud of my tweetums Talia Soares who did so well this weekend at Miss UWI 2012.

Miss UWI 2012 Sanneta Myrie (centre) with first runner-up Talia Soares (left) and second runner-up Danielle Morrison (right). (photo by Brian Rosen Photography)

I remember when she first mentioned she was entering and said:

Kim I'm gonna need your help you know? Serious serious!

Of course I responded with a resounding "no problem" because I do love pageants, and I like helping other ladies prepare for them.

Overtime I got those random bbm's with questions and concerns and although Tal thought she was bugging me....I smiled at almost every one of them knowing that she honestly wanted to win.

After months of preparation, throwing nerves out the door and letting out more of her bubbly personality, Talia placed 2nd at the coronation (1st Runner-up) and took home the two most meaningful sectional prizes - Miss Congeniality and Miss Beauty with a Purpose. Both awards proved that she has shown her true colours and they have been acknowledged.

Talia answering her top 5 question (photo by Campus Beat Online)

Her confidence and stage presence spoke volumes, but seeing her perform her talent piece that we both worked so hard on, that was when I felt most proud.

Talia during her talent piece titled 'Reggae Journey.' (photo by Campus Beat Online)

I really am very proud of her and I know that this was an amazing opportunity for her and that there's lots more in store for her!

Congratulations too to Miss UWI 2012 Sanneta Myrie and second runner up Danielle Morrison. Check out the Miss UWI 2012 Facebook page for more photos and info from the event.

Also remember that to keep on the look out for more from Talia...especially since she'll be working with me as a part of the Bloom Foundation for Education team!

the Joseph Kony reality?

After posting about Joseph Kony in my #AlphabetChallenge post this week I kept the research going to see what persons were saying about the movement and the charity Invisible Children Inc.

I woke up this morning to see an article posted on the NY Daily News, regarding the current situations in Uganda.

Read article here: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/stop-kony-video-campaign-raises-questions-article-1.1035502#ixzz1oa5dadsR

It makes mention of the fact that persons have been supporting the movement without doing much research on the situation and I can understand the statement and somewhat agree. I believe that while there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to support an initiative, it is important that persons fully understand the needs of the  victims/benefactors, as well as the projects and plans of the organization.

For me, regardless of where Kony is, it doesn't change what he has done and doesn't change the fact that he does need to be stopped.

I commend the persons who have decided to join the movement and end more than 25 years of what I consider child slavery. As a global community we honestly need to think and act on a global level, working together to reduce/eliminate some of the ills in countries and among minority groups that need more support.

So here's the plan....we all work together to make our world better.....but we do our research and ask our many questions! =]

strength of a woman

 
It's International Women's Day and I saw it fit to share with you all an article I saw online recently.

The article is a compilation done based on investigations about women around the world. Pretty much in a nutshell, they highlighted some of the best places for women in various fields and all that jazz.

Read the article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/revealed-the-best-and-worst-places-to-be-a-woman-7534794.html

I smiled when reading the article because it revealed to me just how things have changed for women in various societies considering that at one point women had no voice and were limited to specific locations, professions, and opportunities overall.

*yay*

Kudos to all the beautiful women around the world who are challenging the norm and making their way into arenas that are male dominated or have been limited/non-existent in previous years.

Special mention to the Caribbean ladies who live in the best place to be a journalist; and the Jamaican ladies who live in the best place to get high-skilled jobs.

I'm glad to know that women around the world are making a place for themselves.

Let's keep the ball rolling ladies!

(And for all the men who are saying 'what about us' there is an International Men's day in November....)

J: Joseph Kony

AlphabetChallenge

I first came across the name Joseph Kony in my second year at university. I was researching for a paper on child care in other parts of the world and interestingly enough, his name came up in my research.

My research took me to a website for a group called 'invisible children' and I watched a video posted there that was done by a group of guys who travelled to Uganda, Africa. They spoke of a rebel group called the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) which is headed by Kony. They mentioned that Kony would abduct children and add them to his army, turning them into child soldiers or sex workers and forcing them to kill and commit various other crimes.

I was shaken....I had heard stories of life in Africa and the varied struggles they face, but with my soft spot for children....that video made it so real. I bookmarked the page online, shared it on my Facebook profile and mentioned it in my presentation for my class paper.

To be honest, my reach pretty much stopped there. In the video they mentioned putting plans in place to stop the rebels, but didn't have a clear direction to get it done.

Days, weeks and months pass....then almost all of a sudden my social networks yesterday were blowing up with #KONY2012, #StopKony and others of the like.

I first checked my bookmarks for the link (yes I keep them saved) and as expected it sent me to the 'Invisible Children' site and I noticed that it was all a buzz with the #KONY2012 and #StopKony posts. After a little searching and reading about the initiative, I saw this video:

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Watching the new video brought back the feeling I had after watching it the first time....slight depression. The idea that so many children live in fear and that there are children who willingly would prefer death over life....it's sad.

Although I did get a lot of information from the site, I kept researching to see additional info. This is where the madness in my mind began!

First I came across a site that highlighted the fact that the writer believes the US is doing this to make them look good and not because they really do care. The second site spoke about the financial records of Invisible Children Inc and said that they do not donate all/majority of  the money to fundraising. The third site spoke about the fact that it is said that the Invisible Children Inc is overstating the issue in Uganda.

But here's what I think:
        1.   Any issue of abduction, abuse or damaging the life of a child....to me that's a big deal!
        2.   Non-profits do have to pay their business fees like everyone else. They may get tax exempts but there is still money needed to fund overheads, salaries and equipment. 
        3.    While I can agree that 'persons refuse to open their eyes until something is all up in their face' I can't imagine being so against something for a good cause.

I think I can fairly say that many people who are sharing the Invisible Children link and contacts are helping in their own way. Although they do need the funds to help complete projects, there is nothing wrong in doing your part by helping others understand the situation and joining the cause.

Whether or not you believe, these are the lives of children who are innocent and really need help. You may not be able to donate but you can spread the word and help to get the job done.


Watch the video, check out the site, and pass it on.

Remember too that you can be an agent of change...it always is an option! Spark a flame of change in your country by joining a non-profit organization for a cause you believe in.

in the name of charity

Thursday was a great day!

Remember the Ash Wednesday BBQ I told you all about? The one that Syndicate Events held with part proceeds going to the Jamaica Association for the Deaf?

Lil sis, my hunni and I at the Syndicate Events Charity BBQ.
Photo: Fern Elise

Well, the event was a success and on Thursday I visited my little kids at Danny Williams School for the Deaf with the Syndicate Events team and Miss UWI 2012 contestant (and my friend) Talia Soares to handover the proceeds and give the kids a little treat.

Yup! I not only got the chance to see my little kids, but I also got the chance to put a little in that large bucket of needs and make them smile. =]

Thanks to sponsors and the Syndicate team the school received some chicken (courtesy of CB Chicken), 2 fliptop laptops (courtesy of LIME) and JA$100,000 which was raised through the BBQ.

The handover: the Syndicate Events team, Talia, a senior teacher from the school, JAD PR officer, myself and some of the kids. (photos: JDash)

After the handover we treated the kids to ice cream (thanks to Talia). They definitely enjoyed it and we somewhat felt sorry that we gave them a sugar rush and left them with their teachers. lol

Miss UWI 2012 contestant Talia Soares scooping out ice cream with me. (photos: JDash)

It was fun and I'm really glad I gave Talia and the guys from Syndicate Events a chance to interact with the kids and assist them through their donations. I know there is still so much more to be done and the Kimberley Sherlock/Bloom Foundation for Education partnership with Syndicate Events and Talia Soares is not yet done!

Signing the visitor book (photos: JDash)

A million thanks again to the Syndicate Events team...your donation and assistance really means a lot to me.


Do you want to help too? Ask me how!