“True Life: I Revealed My Natural Hair at Work and Now My Co-workers Won’t Speak to Me”

I read an article on http://blackgirllonghair.com/ and it was a story about a beautiful sistah by the name of Tashay Manning (click tag to read story). She did the big chop, but utilized wigs as a protective style, and to basically gain the confidence to eventually wear her hair.

When she did, many of her co-workers were not receptive. All I have to say about that is ‘THEIR LOSS”!!! For me, the beauty of their reaction and her finally wearing her hair was that she was able to see who really liked her and she was able to received a sense of a new freedom. The feeling of being natural (once we get past all the mental bullshit) is amazing, and necessary.

Ms. Manning’s story speaks volumes. I’m so proud of her. Because she didn’t allow those people to stop her from wearing her natural hair texture. Congratulations, Ms. Manning :-).  And thank you Portia Cole of huneybflyy.com for sharing the story. (another beautiful sistah)

For me whooole ordeal isn’t all about being “natural”. I don’t like the harsh effects relaxers can cause but (to each his own). Hell, if I feel like relaxing my hair I will and may (but will always cut it all off again and go back to my hair texture. Those who know me “know me”)..I just do not like when relaxers are used because a woman feels her (our) natural hair is not worthy, is disgusting, or that it is something to be ashamed of……. I just don’t want any woman (regardless of nationality) to rely on any “accessory”. I don’t want us to feel that we need any certain look to be beautiful. I want us to feel secure within ourselves, enough to not care so much about being accepted by others.. These “accessories” i’m talking about can be: weave, relaxers, make up, dyes, eye lashes, certain style clothing, certain people, whatever. Be you (no one else). #usethemdonotabusethem

And men need to stay out of it!! We love you but stop!!

As women, it is normal for us to be creative and change up our looks from time to time. It’s FUN!! For many of us, that is why we dye our hair, wear make up, lashes, wigs, weaves, relax it, go natural, locs, braids, dress within a variety of styles and fashions, etc. It is our form of creative expression.That is just what we do. Men need to ACCEPT that (which would be accepting us). The ones that do get better loving for it ;-).

Employment Ops Monday

Good morning;

I will try to post different positions that I have come across every Monday. I hope this helps. Please see below:

From Indeed.com:

Foundry Worker – Molten Metal Casting

Strom Engineering – Birmingham, AL

Foundry Worker – Molten Metal Casting Foundry Worker – Molten Metal Casting We have several positions available for individuals with experience in a foundry / molten metal casting environment. These are temporary positions.Primary Responsibilities and Qualifications for Foundry Worker Job: Must be able to travel, work a minimum of 60 hours/week, be capable of lifting up to 40 pounds, pass a drug test and background check. We pay weekly per diem and your travel expenses and also provide transportation to/from work. Compensation: $14-18 per hour + weekly per diem and guaranteed weekly overtime After we have reviewed your resume, we will contact you. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Strom Engineering – 9 days ago – save job – original job – block Send your application to recruiter@stromengineering.com. Human Resources Assistant US-AL-Bessemer (AL Works) Apply View All Jobs Share This Job Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services Job Description Candidate will perform various administrative duties. Maintains an applicant pool and processes new hires for job vacancies as they occur. Administer job bidding, layoff and rolling procedures in accordance with applicable labor agreement. Prepares and distributes reports and forms in accordance with State and Federal requirements and company policies and procedures. Administer job bidding, layoff, and rolling procedures in accordance with applicable labor agreement. Prepare reports out of SAP (or UltiPro) such as termination, new hire, employee roster, headcount and weekly TO reports. Maintain accurate and complete personnel records on all current hourly employees. Maintains accurate attendance records on all hourly employees and insures that proper documentation is furnished for absences. Assist employees with enrolling for and making changes to their health and life insurance plans. Coordinates events, sends out information for newsletter, and makes timecards for employees. Skills & Requirements Skills, Knowledge, Abilities and Traits:     Bachelors Degree, 6 months to 2 years of experience in Human Resources highly desired.  Must have excellent computer skills, high energy, be driven, and ambitious; with a willingness to learn and participate.   Apply View All Jobs Auto req ID 33811BR Entity UAB Health System HR Organization 694503000 Call Center HS Job Category of Interest Clerical & Administrative Job Code NC203N1 Call Ctr Operator Job Title Call Center Operator (Night Shift, 10:30 pm – 6 am) Job Description Under general supervision, operates computerized telecommunications and emergency notification equipment in a Unix based Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) system; accesses information from specified databases and paging systems to route incoming calls from both internal and external customers; provides routine and emergency paging, long distance calling, handicap assistance and other services as required. Provides information regarding staff and patient locations. Assists callers with UAB departmental numbers, and general UAB Hospital and Campus information. Utilizes and maintains on-call schedules and protocols for various departments and staff. Monitors incoming emergency alarms and dispatches appropriate personnel. Notifies staff, patients and specified community officials upon the initiation of internal and external disasters and/or special patient care teams; provides documentation of events for quality assurance and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) compliance. Provides long distance calling and billing services. Provides information, equipment and services for handicapped callers. Announces overhead paging notifications within UAB Hospital facilities by request of UAB staff. Performs department administrative duties and services as required. Reports equipment problems as necessary. Minimum Qualifications High School diploma or GED and one (1) year of related experience required. Preferred: previous (1) consecutive year of Call Center experience. Medical terminology preferred.
Posting Salary Minimum	11.14
Posting Salary Maximum	16.71
Employment Status	Full Time Benefit Eligible
Shifts	Night / 3rd Shift
Licensure / Certifications	None required.

Oh How I Love Belly Dancing

 I just completed belly dancing class and I loved it. It hurt a little (for me anyway) but it was great. Aziza is my instructor and she is amazing. She teaching traditional Middle Eastern belly dancing and have 40 years experience and believe me you would never be able to guess her age :-). She is a patient and informative instructor that believes in freelance vs. choreography. Sessions are once a week, for 5 weeks, and there are 3 levels (beginners, intermediate, and advanced). 

It is a comfortable atmosphere with no judgement and it’s fun! 🙂 I’m using musles and parts that, for myself, do not get much exercise so this is perfect! Her teaching can take you to professional level, if you’re interested. Or can be simply taking for low impact cardiovascular exercise (which intensify with each level). I look forward to future classes with her and my fellow classmates and look forward to my improvement because I AM STIFF :-). I swear when I was younger (and much thinner) I had rhythm and could move honey. Not anymore, I am having to loosen up those muscles and joints that I don’t use often, so this class is great. The class if filled with and appropriate for all age groups, which I love. Now time to rest and unwind. 🙂

 

 

 

 

HEAR WHAT OPRAH WINFREY HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN

I received the email below from a friend, on 08/20/08. It was titled: HEAR WHAT OPRAH WINFREY HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN. Being that I looooove Oprah, I listened. Every word, every phrase, was and is so real to me. Sound advice from a very sound individual. A woman whose individuality speaks volumes in itself; so why wouldn’t I listen or at least read it. While I can not say i’ve followed all these rules. Hell, this email has been filed away in a email “folder” for almost 6 years. But i’m very glad I kept it :-). Please read…..

 

“If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.

If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.

Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.

Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.

Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that’s not meant to be.

Slower is better.

Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.

If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can’t ‘be friends’. A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend.

Don’t settle.

If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is

Don’t stay because you think ‘it will get better’

You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

Avoid men who’ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.

He didn’t marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.

Never let a man know everything.* He will use it against you later.

You cannot change a man’s behavior.* Change comes from within.

Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are…

Even if he has more education or in a better job.

Do not make him into a quasi-god.

He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

Never let a man define who you are.

Never borrow someone else’s man.

A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.

All men are NOT dogs.

You should not be the one doing all the bending…

Compromise is two way street.

You need time to heal between relationships…

There is nothing cute about baggage…

Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship

You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you…

A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals…

Look for someone complimentary…not supplementary.

Dating is fun…even if he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right.

Make him miss you sometimes…when a man always know where you are, and you’re always readily available to him – he takes it for granted

Never move into his mother’s house. Never co-sign for a man.

Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn’t give you everything that you need.*

Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

Scared of being alone is what makes a lot of women stay in relationships that are abusive or hurtful: Dr. Phil

You should know that:

You’re the best thing that could ever happen to anyone and if a man mistreats you, he’ll miss out on a good thing. If he was attracted to you in the 1st place, just know that he’s not the only one.

They’re all watching you, so you have a lot of choices.

Make the right one.

Ladies take care of your own hearts….

Share this with other women and men (just so they know)…

You’ll make someone smile, another rethink her choices, and another woman prepare.”

—
“To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.” – Confucius

Akiane Kramarik

I was introduced to this young lady’s worth while watching Heaven Is For Real. The movie about Colton Burpo, the young boy that witnessed Heaven during an emergency surgery. She also believes she has seen Heaven and God, however, her experiences were brought about differently. She began to have visions at the age of four. Very vivid depictions of different realms, and wanted to express what she was experiencing through art. Art became her door, her way to share with the world what she was seeing.

She believes God is giving her these visions and with a look at her work, I too believe he is (akiane.com). With researching her and seeing her work, her progress with age it beautiful. Even at the age of 4 she was pretty good, amazing, if you ask me. However, it’s not just how “good” she is at drawing, then painting, and her poetry; it is the depth of her work at such an age. For her to be a child, then a teen to have such a indepth wisdom to express, showed me and my spirit that she had a connection to a divine power.

Her wisdom did not come from her parents, whom were both atheists at the time she began her journey. They actually converted to Christianity because of their child’s work! Now, tell me there is no God! They saw the beautiful connection their child has to a higher being and began to believe. I love it and I thank God for it.

Her work is passionate and beautiful. You can sense the power placed in her pieces. Her poetry is moving and amazing. She is definitely a blessing to see.

Sweet Perks

A delicious and rich cake was given to my department today. So we have a “cake break” :-).

This cake is so beautiful and sweet. As soon as my manager opened the box we were like “wooooooow” we all ran to get our cellphones to take pics (even the guy on our team) lol. They do beautiful work at Edgar’s Bakery. I believe this is my first time eating anything from them, but I definitely will be ordering from them for special occasion and just for a fix :-). 

 

There is No Need to Try to Be Anyone Else but Yourself

 

I love this song and video because it speaks volumes. We’ve moved so far away from what is naturally beautiful (including ourselves). Everything now is so amplified/extra and artificial. People wanting to resemble and mimick celebrities, whom in reality dress and look like us when they are home or out and about. When did it come to a time where being me wasn’t enough?

I’ve always gone against the grain, for the most part. Especially as a teen it was all about being me to the fullest. I can admit that as an adult (how weird?) that I’ve felt the pressure to “conform” to what society thinks now is beautiful. Weaves, fake eyelashes, contouring the face, lots of make up, and body shapers that give the illusion (well I’ve given in to that last one :-)..). I see nothing wrong with these things. We are women and dressing up, putting on make up, hair, etc is fun and a norm. However, when it is a necessity in order to be your idea or society’s idea of “attractive” or “beautiful” then there is a problem ladies.

Now, i’m not saying we all need to quit cold turkey and just walk around bare faced and “Plain Jane” (unless that is what YOU want and truly prefer) but just be ourselves. Recognize your natural beauty. Don’t mimick what you see because it’s what’s popular. Never place yourself or allow anyone to place you in a box.

In most cases, I’ve always done what I felt was right for me. I wear wigs, weaves, I’ve relaxed my hair over the years, worn make up from time to time; however, never in an excess where I didn’t know what “I” looked like anymore. Or never to where I was ashamed to be seen without all the “extra”. I never hid myself. We should love ourselves in the view that GOD made us, not in the view of others. Our hair, face, style all represents US and who we are individually, so never mimick the next or cover your own beauty; because I’d love to meet the authentic you.

See Jane Write Mini-conference

From left to right: Erica Bunker, Dr. Bertha Hidalgo, Vanessa Culpepper, and Heather Brown

Megan LaRussa Chenoweth

Javacia and I

From left to right: Carla Jean Whitley, Tanya Sylvan, Williesha Morris, and Alexis Barton

 

I had a great time at the See Jane Write mini-conference (held this past Saturday, 7/19/14). It is so amazing to me, that Javacia Harris created this organization; this movement. What a great idea.

We were able to pick the minds of successful bloggers/business women. Women that are beauiful, confident, and very sure of what they stand for. I loved it. It was a beautiful thing to get away from what some women potray on “reality” tv and to see intelligent women writing and building their brand under their own rules.

Tons of advice was given, tons of support; it was fantasitc. Not to mention these super sweet, super delicious mini cakes that were provided (God I wish I could remember where Javacia said they were catered from. I’ll have to ask her).

Javacia Harris, See Jane Write
Alexis Barton, Same Chic Different Day

Heather Brown, My Life Well Loved

Erica Bunker,  Erica Bunker DIY Style

Megan LaRussa Chenoweth, Southern Femme

Vanessa Culpepper, Budding Fashionista

Bertha Hidalgo, Chic In Academia 

Williesha Morris, My Freelance Life 

Tanya Sylvan, All In Stride

Carla Jean Whitley, Birmingham magazine

These chics are awesome and I appreciated them giving there time to us who are just starting out in the blogging/writing world and those who just needed the advice.

Boss Women Pray

A friend of mine introduced me to the book Boss Women Pray. The author’s name is Kachelle Kelly, and she is cool as ice :-). I haven’t met her yet, but I already love her. This book is amazing. It provides me with guidance and beautiful prayers,  during my journey to success.

As women, we all have roles to where we are a “boss” in some form or area in our lives. That role can be at work, with the kids, husband (lover, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc), in taking the lead in a project, completing goals; something. We have some form of control/authority within our lives (at least she should).  All these roles can be stressful, and sometimes we feel we have hit a dead end. That’s where prayer comes in.

Prayer is one way to connect to GOD (it is a personal and intimate form of self ministry). It is a verbal and spiritual communication tool to our Ulimate Source of  and to everything. I love you God :-).

I am not a religious person and prefer not to assign myself to any particular “religion”. It was breath taking to read  this book. The author provides Bible scriptures, however ,she didn’t overwhelm me with religion. This book is very personable and relatable. It is an amazing read.

Cara Black recently invited me to the Boss Women Pray book club. Our first meeting was this past Friday, 7/18/14, and we all had a great time. We discussed the book and our goals, exchanged ideas to support each other on our journeys, and just had a blast.

SN: If anyone is looking for an apartment please see Ms. Black. She is the owner of ASAP Locators and is a great source.

I’m looking forward to the next steps in my life, my journey, and I thank GOD for this walk. Muah 🙂

 

 

 

My First Breath (back into writing)

Hi;

My name is Aja.

Now let me tell you what brings me here.

Within this last probably 3-4 months there has been a shift in my life. The major “turbulence” in this change was the passing of the amazing Dr. Maya Angelou. Her death brought pain and a rebirth to my life. She was a blessing to my soul and so many others. I strongly regret never meeting the woman that introduced me to poetry and that showed me spiritual/soulful expression.

After she passed, I watched her on the rerun episodes on the OWN network. Just hearing her voice, feeling, and absorbing her words brought me to tears, and strangely, guided my soul to that freedom I felt when I first read her poems. Watching her at that moment, caused an epiphany inside of me,  that flowed through my body, like My First Breath. My desire for writing returned.

Hmph, even in her death she is still teaching me, without even knowing it. I thank GOD for her.

So, this blog is my way to air my soul.

My posts will be of all things Aja. My: experiences, journeys,  likes, thoughts, poetry, loves, my life, my soul.

New beginnings.