HEALTH & FITNESS: Abs Workout Post

Aloha. Guess who's back with yet another workout post? So, this will focus on your abdominal area. Ladies, you can do this in the comfort of your home. You'll have the privacy you'll need. So, it's a 24 day challenge. I must say, it gets pretty hectic but it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR WORKOUT PLAYLIST

PHOTOGRAPHY: My Favourite Photo Editing Apps

God bless technology. Really, all these apps have me feeling like a professional photographer. Come on, I know you've edited a few pictures here and there. The picture below was actually edited by yours truly, me. This was a picture I took a couple of days ago. Sleep had failed me and I figured I'd try my luck at abstract photography. So, I got my phone, took a the picture, edited it and the rest is history. I think I used Camera360 and Instagram for this edit.

I happen to have my fair share of these editing apps. I'll list them down for you in order of preference with the first being my favourite.

1. Camera360
2. PS Express
3. Instagram
4. Colour Effects
5. BeFunky
6. Sketch
7. CamWowPro

HAIR: My Take On Hair

Hair. I guess to many guys hair isn't as big as a deal as it is to women. Today, I'll blog about my own personal experiences regarding my hair. I don't want to say I've tried it all but I've had my fair share of hairstyles. My hair was relaxed at a tender age. I can't even remember how old I was. Growing up I only ever braided my hair or relaxed it. When I was in the seventh grade, my hair had gotten severely damaged so I had to cut it much to my dismay. That was the first ever time I had natural hair that I could remember.

I think about a year and a half later my hair had grown and guess what I did. I had it relaxed. I had no idea of natural hair care at the time so I opted for a relaxer hoping managing my hair would be easier and it was. Fastforward to December 2012 and there I am, again, getting my hair cut. Thus, my natural hair journey had began. Later in the year, I should think around July, I got yet another haircut. 

It's funny because many times you hear people saying, "I am not my hair" or "I am not defined by my hair". I've said that too. I've come to notice that a lot of people have enough to say about what's going on on your head. When I got my big chop last December, I got my fair share of unwanted attention. With that attention, came comments-some good and others down right rude. It's hard not to take some of these comments to heart. There were times when I felt low about my hair. I'm gaining more confidence now.

In my natural hair post (http://osinop95.blogspot.com/2013/11/natural-hair-post.html) I had mentioned that I have a little fro going on. I like to switch my hair up occasionally. I'll have braids one time, a weave the next and rock my little afro. Point is, shade will almost always be thrown at you on how you wear your hair. I guess you just have to do you. What you have on your head is your business. Just think of it as your "Hair Game".

RELATIONSHIPS & DATING: Are You Selling Yourself Short?

Ladies, ladies, ladies.  Don't we have a lot to learn. I've read a few posts on valuing yourself in a relationship and whatnot. Today, I want to add my two cents to the jar. Funny thing is I realised I was in that position. Yes, I sold myself short. Actually, it hit me. I thought to myself, I don't need to stress about my relationship. School's enough stress for me already. If a guy doesn't appreciate you, let him go. Will it hurt? Yes it will. Thing is, it's likely that you'll remember the good times that you had with your partner but don't let that cloud your judgement and get back with him. However, that's not to say that issues can't be resolved but it's difficult to change a person. If he won't appreciate you, leave him and don't look back. Here are a few questions to ask yourself. They'll help you determine whether or not you're selling yourself short in your relationship.

1. DOES HE NEGLECT YOU? We are women and yes we want attention, even though we may not always make it clear that we do. If he stays for days or at times weeks or at times weeks without reaching you then that alarm in your head should start ringing. Often times the excuse used is that he was busy, but there's only so long somebody can be busy. If this is the case in your relationship, speak up. Make the effort to let him know how you feel. If he won't listen to you, he's just not worth it. You deserve much better than to be ignored.
   
2. DO YOU UNDERVALUE YOURSELF? Do you ever feel like you are not good enough for your partner? Do you wonder why he chose you? Come on, be honest here. If I were to play around with numbers I'd say four out of five women feel this way. I've felt this way too, trust me. Once you undervalue yourself, you pave way for your partner to do the same to you. Eventually, he might just take you for granted. If you are in this situation, you better step up. That's right, step up. Encourage yourself. Build up your self esteem. This will help you become a stronger person in your relationship.
   
3. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS ONE-SIDED? Does it feel like you're the one putting in all the effort in trying to make your relationship work? Does he seem nonchalant to you? I'm not an expert at relationships but this might be because he has lost interest in the relationship. I've heard and read about people falling out of love and this might just be the case. If this has been long going then chances are things are not likely to change and staying in a relationship like this would be unfulling. This inturn would lead to you selling yourself short in trying to please your partner as much as you can.

WRITING: Flashback!

FLASHBACK

Helloooo there. Happy weekend everybody. I take it you're planning for the new year. Anywho, today's post is a flashback! It's funny though, the idea just hit me about ten minutes ago. So, I've had two sets of braces so far. Uhm, I really didn't know what made me think of that. Does a teenage girl with braces ring any bell to you? You know, a cartoon perhaps. Let me make it easy for you and just spit it out- it's Braceface! Anyone remember it? My oh my, that was one of the best cartoons ever. I must have been a preteen at the time.

So, my flashback didn't just end there. Guess which other cartoon came to my mind? As Told By Ginger. I must say, we used to watch some pretty cool cartoons back in the day. Cartoons on T.V. now suck....that's not to say I watch cartoons ;) Really, I don't but I am quite the SpongeBob fan. I'll make a list of my favourite cartoons and T.V. shows from "back in the day". You can drop a couple of your favourites in the comment box.

P.S. If you want to watch any of them, I think full episodes for most of them are available on YouTube.

• Braceface
• As Told By Ginger
• All Grown Up
• Cousin Skeeter
• Kenan and Kel
• The Amanda Show
• Saved By The Bell
• Boy Meets World
• That's So Raven
• Smart Guy

WRITING: Then and Now

"New year, new me". It's almost that time of the year again. Yes, 31/12/13 is the day will see the annual cycle repeat itself. Social networks will be filled with status updates of people changing in the year2014. Resolutions, as the call them. I have nothing against new year's resolutions though. It's just funny because it's always the same old story. I graduated from high school two years ago. Looking back, it's been two years since I wore that high school graduation gown. What does that mean? I've had two years since the me of 2011 graduated from high school.

Have I achieved any of my resolutions in the past two years? Honestly, I don't know. I've never really  been one to focus on that anyway. What exactly is the point of this post? Well, it's me saying you don't need resolutions to be a better you. You don't have to plaster your social media with the changes people will expect to see from you in the new year. I like to think change is inevitable and there's definitely no way you can stop it. Thing is, if you're meant to change you will. When you do, believe me it will be noticed. Don't forget, change can either be good or bad. That's up to you. In as much as we can't resist change, you can choose the path you want to walk on-hypothetically speaking. I think you catch my drift.

Basically, I don't believe the whole "then and now" hype. The only difference is that you get older and possibly wiser but it's still the same person underneath. To sum it up, simply LIVE life. You don't need to refer to a piece of paper to see how far you've come along the way. I know it's early, but you have yourselves a blessed 2014.

MOVIES: Movies to look out for January, 2014.

Are you a movie fanatic? Do you like to stay updated with the latest movies on the big screen? Here's a list of movies to look out for in the month of January 2014.

January TBA

• The Bronx Bull 

Friday, January 3

• Paranormal Activity: The Marked ... Thriller 
• Open Grave Thriller 
• The Best Offer Drama 
• Beyond Outrage 

Friday, January 10

• Lone Survivor Drama 
• The Legend of Hercules Drama 2D/3D
• Her Drama 
• The Adventurer: The Curse of the... Adventure 
• The Banshee Chapter Thriller 
• The Truth About Emanuel Drama 
• Black Coffee Romance 
• Raze Action 
• Cold Comes the Night Drama 
• Dumbbells 
• Divorce Corp Documentary 

Wednesday, January 1

• Generation War Drama 

Friday, January 17

• Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Action 
• The Nut Job Comedy 
• Devil's Due Thriller 
• Ride Along Action 
• Big Bad Wolves Thriller 
• Like Father, Like Son Drama 
• G.B.F. Comedy 
• Back in the Day Comedy 
• Reasonable Doubt Thriller 
• Life of a King 
• Jamesy Boy Action 
• Gloria Drama 

Friday, January 2

• I, Frankenstein Horror3D/2D
• Run & Jump Drama 
• Enemies Closer Thriller 
• 24 Exposures Thriller 
• Gimme Shelter Drama 

Friday, January 31

• Labor Day Drama 
• That Awkward Moment Romantic Comedy 
• Best Night Ever Comedy 
• Brightest Star Drama 
• At Middleton 
• Tim's Vermeer Documentary 

Movie list obtained from Movie Insider: http://www.movieinsider.com/movies/january/2014/