Re-tightening class.......................

On Sunday 17th I undertook the sisterlocks re-tightening class with Liz Joseph in Edmonton with 4 other ladies. Liz is featured in the most recent sisterlocks journal with Carole and Marie.

The training was well organised and well enjoyed. It is quite a simple procedure once you get the hang of the tool. My index finger is very sore as you have to push down part of the tool to expose the hook. However, I am very excited and feel a sense of total freedom being able to finally control when I re-tighten my hair. I guess it will take the best part of a week to complete my whole head.

I am still debating whether or not to travel to the States to do the consultants class.

Links........................

The Pampering Club link - www.pamperingclub.co.uk

Sol Andelusi - Malaga - http://www.solandalusi.com/site/facilities/facilities_health_beauty.html

The Write Thing - event organisers - http://www.thewritething.com/

Compass Yoga - http://www.compassyoga.com/

Pampering Club product range.......

This is at another women's event in March. This is the Pampering Club stall and their range of products. There is lavender bath salts and body cream, citrus bath salts and cream, white ginger foaming body scrub and cream and sweet orange hand cream. For the feet there is peppermint and lime scrub and cream.

All very nice.

Hair.........................

Just hair over the last few months. 

In Celebration of My Sisters

I do voluntary work for an organisation called the Write Thing. They are events organisers here in the UK. March is International womens month and there is usually performances in and around the UK. I met up with Iyanla Vanzant when she visited the UK back in March.

She performed at the Hackney Empire for two nights, an excellent show. I worked both nights. Selling her books on the Friday and working for the Pampering Club on the Saturday. I was able to meet Iyanla in the Green Room after the show and at the after party on Saturday.

The Pampering Club launched their product range which includes, bath salts, body creams and scrubs. I am now a fully fledged Pampering Club consultant. It is my own business as I have bought a franchise. The aim is to hold Pampering Gatherings in your home. I am hoping to launch my business in October, with my very first gathering. I was also hoping to incorporate the sisterlocks consultancy, however, the training was cancelled. 

Malaga, Spain...................

Here I am giving my acceptance speech. 

Sol Andelusi - Malaga

Had a great time in Malaga. The wellness circuit was amazing. An hour long circuit of different types of pools, saunas, showers and steam rooms.

We did yoga in the evening before dinner and also some Pampering club exercises - collages and "love letters to self". On our last day we were all presented with awards and had to give acceptance speeches. I got the "Oprah Winfrey - life your best life award" for my personal development over the years. It was quite an emotional time. 

The Missing Months............

Well as I mentioned some posts back. I am working backwards and forwards on this blog. Nearly back to where I left off in February 2006. So much seems to have happended since then, but here goes.

Back in April 2006, I travelled to Malaga, Spain, with the Pampering Club. I am a member of the Pampering Club, which is the UK's leading empowerment group for women. It was originally aimed at women of colour, however, now in it's 7th year, it is open to all women.

I have been a member for the last 4 years. I happened across the club following the break up of my marriage. I was looking for something and came across the club. I attended my first meeting and was overwhelmed by the number of inspirational black women. I immediately joined and every woman I came in contact with had to know about this wonderful club.

The club was founded by two women who had both read the book, Sacred Pampering Principals of African American Women, by Debrena Jackson-Gandy. Both of them contacted the author, who put them in touch with each other and the Pampering Club was born. I have gotten so much out of the club, I have attended relationship workshops and have been to a number of spas and events.

Malaga was the first overseas trip I had made with the club. One of our members had a dream to live in Spain and provide yoga holidays. That was 2 years ago. This year she realised her dream. I had the most amazing time, relaxation, good company, spa and yoga! It was only 4 days, but worth every penny.

Sparty time!

Group shot. Some of us had facials including the mud packs. I opted for a relaxing pedicure and lots of champagne. Even my 6 year old enjoyed the parafin wax pedi's. I think he was facinated by the wax. 

Happy 40th Birthday - Sparty!

Here I am with my cousin, Vix, enjoying a glass of champagne cocktail! 

Happy 40th Birthday to me!

Last week on the 5th September I celebrated my 40th Birthday. Here I am at home with a few friends. The celebrations went on until 3 am. Not sure how I managed to get to work the next day, but I got through. Anyhow, you are only 40 once.

On the Saturday before my birthday I had a girlie "Sparty" at home. The dress code was tiaras, feather boas and animal print! We had foot spas, facials, manicures and pedicures. We played pass the parcel and a beauty trivia quiz. Everyone enjoyed themselves and again a very late night was had by all.

I was planning to get to a spa for the weekend before my birthday. But as it was a bank holiday here, the spa was totally booked up. I should have been ahead of the game. Two years ago was planning to be in Bali for my 40th (the spa capital of the world) however, following the tsunami and events, decided against it. Also my mum got ill and passed, so my plans were put on hold.

I eventually decided to do a small scale event, hence the Sparty! I was also due to undertake the sisterlocks training in London 9th - 12th September, paid my deposit. However, a week before then, the course was cancelled, due to lack of interest! I am soooo disappointed. I am however, going to do the retightening class this Sunday. 

Oldest and Youngest

My father, Jalen's great grandfather. What a picture! My mum would have been so proud of him. 

Baby Jalen

Here is my little darling. Three months old. 

I'm Back again!

I am not sure what happens to the time, but it just seems to get eaten up with stuff. Being a single mum and working full time does not help I guess.

Anyhow, lots been going on. But first I think I should share this news as it is now old news but great news.

On the 24th may 2006 I became a grandmother. Little JJ safely came into this world following a 28 hour labour. He weighed in at 7lbs 6oz. I must say after the year that I have had, loosing mum, it was a joy and a great pleasure to witness the next generation being born. Having only experienced c-sections myself, it was an amazing feeling watching my only daughter give birth. Every emotion comes into play. She did so well. No pain relief and no tears or stitches.

JJ is growing so fast and is such a pleasure. My 6 year old is over the moon to be an uncle. I was not sure how being a grandmother would be, however, now that he is here it is the most wonderful thing after having your own children. In fact I would say it is better. You can have all the pleasure without the pain! so to speak.

Chaguaramas Bay...........Trinidad

On our last day in Trinidad, a friend of my mother took us on a boat trip to Chaguaramas Bay. It was nice to have some tranquility! I want to buy that pink house.....!

Downtown Port of Spain........

One thing I did notice about Trinidad was all the natural hair wearers, especially locks. No sister locks however, although there is someone listed on the website in Trinidad, her number was unavailable when I called. A sister was in need of a re-tightening!

However, due to the high crime rate and also the reluctance of people wishing to have their photos taken, I was unable to get any pics. I was too scared to take out my camcorder!

Also the "Soca Warriors" had their welcome home whilst we were in Tobago. Everywhere in Trinidad were banners of the soca warriors, on goverment buildings on cars, everywhere. Tee-shirts for sale on every corner down town.

Family, Friends and Fun in Trinidad

Our days were spent in "town" and our evenings were spent drinking rum, eating roti and liming on the porch! Catching up with mum's friends and reminicing over the good times. It was a whirlwind trip to Trinidad, but I can look back fondly on the time we spent there, with friends old and new.


After 6 days of rushing around, the time finally arrived to venture back to the calm of Tobago. This time, however, we decided to fly!

Well "who tell me to do that?......." Was all our travelling doomed for disaster?

I booked the flights on Tobago Express which flies between Piarco Airport in Trinidad to Crown Point Airport in Tobago, every hour.

I made the reservations for 5 as my brother who arrived in Trinidad whilst we were there wished to see Tobago.

Reservations made for 11.30 am flight. Check in time 10.30am - no problem or so I thought. We arrived at the airport at around 10.40am, and due to the long queue, by the time we got to the desk, low and behold our reservations had been given away as "standby" tickets. Well you can imagine. I was fuming. The next available flight that 5 of us could be accommodated on was the 2.30 pm. We had no choice but to wait in the airport until the 1.30pm check-in. This time I made sure I was first in line, only to be told that they were still checking in the 2.00pm flight. I stood my ground and remaining in line. I was then first for 2.30pm check in.

We then proceded to bagage clearance as you do not need to go through customs inter island. 2.30pm came and went. Then came the announcement that the flight was still in Tobago and would be delayed due to bad weather. Yes it is rainy season and yes it was raining!

We finally boarded the plane and arrived in Tobago 15 mins later at around 3.30pm. Hugh our taxi driver was patiently awaiting our return.

Culture Shock Shower...........

These are the pics of the antiquated showering facilities. I am sure back in their day they were very state of art! No disrespect grandmum, but we had to shower very carefully! I can't seem to keep these posts in order. Having lots of problems uploading the pics and when I do through Picasa they seem to go wherever they like! Although I do think I am getting a little better! Bear with me, I am sure you all can manage to follow the story script somehow!

Skerretts Villa Mt Irvine Tobago

The villa is situated at Mt Irvine Bay, in a nice quiet residential turning. Three minutes walk from Mt Irvine Bay beach.

After peeking at the villa, we walked to the beach and had lunch at the Surfers Restaurant and Bar. Again we dined on fish, but king fish with rice, macaroni pie, callaloo and salad. This time the cost was $50 TT per person which equates to £5.00! that's more like it!
We spent some time at the bay and then returned back to the hotel in the early evening.

Tonigt we were going to eat Chinese. Showered, changed and took a walk to the local chinese restaurant. The food was well presented and tasted nice and above all it came in at around $130 TT about £13.00 in total, including drinks! It's funny how when you are on holiday, you always compare what you would pay at home. It is one thing getting used to the new currency and quite another working out the exchange rates!

Mt Irvine Bay with the Sufers Restaurant in the background.

Home from Home!

Day Three. We made ourselves comfortable at Skerretts Villa. We were only due to spend one night as we had to go over to Trinidad on a business trip.
My aunt has a cleaner, Pinky, whose partner Hugh has a taxi service. Hugh was invaluable and was at our beck and call.

Hugh advised us to travel to Trinidad via the Lynx which is a Catamaran type ferry, which sails twice a day between Tobago and Trinidad. As I have only flown before I decided it would be a good experience to try the Lynx. It certainly was an experience. Hugh advised us to purchase our tickets "downtown" the evening before and that we should take the 6.30am sailing to make the best of our time. You have to purchase your ticket at the Port Authority. So we lined up outside as the Port Authority closes between 2pm and 4pm. It was about 4.30 pm before they re-opened to a rush of irate Tobagonians!. Children were getting squashed and they had no regard for the elderly or infirm! Once at the desk, you have to give the names of all passengers travelling etc. My fist attempt was disaster, the teller did not get it right and I had to go back and change the names again. That over, we returned home to pack a suitcase and prepare for our 4 days in Trinidad.

Hugh arrived at 4.45am as promised and we were whisked off to the Port for our 6.30 am sailing.
A pic of the Lynx. I did feel like I was boarding the "Windrush" like my foremothers. Passengers have to walk up the gangplank and the Port is very commercial. One inside it was quite pleasant. However, the 2 and a half hours sailing was delayed by about 30 minutes due to the boat not having any water on board!