**Updates --> 10/31/12**

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.

I Corinthians 4:12 (NKJV)

Hey everyone!

I know it's been a LONGGG while since I have done an update, but I've finally taken out some time to share what's been going on in my life so far. Where to start...

As some of you might know, I'm currently attending the University of Maryland pursuing a masters in Minority and Urban Education. This transition has (up until recently) been completely Jesus led. Moving all the way from Detroit to Maryland has been a huge leap of faith, and although I am happy and excited for some of the things God is doing in my life, I'm also super worried about the future.

To describe my situation in a nutshell, God led me here, but once I got here my relationship with him waned because I started slacking. Although I am doing well in my classes, my anxiety has kicked up full force due to the fact that I was not talking to Jesus like I once had. At one point, I had a mini-breakdown because I didn't think that I was good enough to finish the program. I have a lot of trouble with reading a large amount of text in a short time frame because it takes me forever to comprehend the material. That stress really took its toll on me and started to effect my physical health.

In my infinite wisdom I decided to try alleviate my loneliness by seeking out potential male suitors online...needless to say, that did not go so well... I will say that God has really done a great work in me in that my preferences for men have DRASTICALLY changed in the last few years. After some really bad situations (some VERY recent...), the #1 priority is now to only date a man loves Jesus and puts Him first! Over the past couple of months, I have really been slacking when it comes to listening to God's instructions, and I have definitely paid the price. I have since shifted my focus back to following the Lord because I am truly lost without Him.

In these next couple of weeks, I will certainly be tested like never before. Midterms are beginning and I am now starting to throw together some of my abstract interests to some how formulate my masters thesis. I still have a long way to go, but I can say that for the first time in a LONG time, I am happy. Although I am stressed out and frustrated with the seemingly endless readings for class, I am in a place right now of sheer happiness. Despite all that I have gone through, God has really been revealing some important things to me. He has shown me that I have some very supportive friends that I love dearly. No matter what I am going through, I am grateful that I have so many God-fearing women praying for me and ministering to me (thanks ladies!!). I am truly blessed to have them in my life!

For the most part, I am really enjoying Maryland, despite the fact that there are cops EVERYWHERE and they seem to be gunning for the girl with the Michigan license plate (still need to switch over my registration). I am still a little homesick, but things are getting a lot better.

Before I go, there are some things that I would love for you all to join me in prayer for:

1. Jesus-led Masters degree pursuit
2. Spiritual & physical health
3. Celibacy
4. Finding a spirit-led church home

I hope to update you all soon with a praise report!

I love y'all for free,

nNb :)

New Protective Hairstyle --> Cinnamon Bun!

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.” 

― Dave Barry

Hey lovelies!

So after going 2 weeks with my hair out, I decided that my tired old ends need a much needed break! So, I searched high and low for a nice low maintenance protective style (y'all know I'm lazy, lol!) to wear for a  couple of days. Well, I came across a great protective hairstyles by one of my FAVORITE vloggers MsVCharles (check her out, she provides great info accompanied by plenty of laughs). Needless to say, I ran out to my local beauty supply store and grabbed all of the necessary materials and got to work! 

This style costed me a whopping $2!! wOoT wOoT! Y'all know that I'm a diva on a budget, so that's a definite plus for me! Check out the pictures below:

Brand of hair that I used (2 pkgs.)

Hair nice and slicked back! hehehe!

The braided extension

Final product

I got a lot of compliments about this style while at church and it took me less than 30 mins. to do. Check out the tutorial below:

Happy styling y'all!

nNb :)

Healthy Meal Challenge

5/26/2011 Breakfast: Whole Wheat Bread,
Orange Slices & 3 Scrambled Eggs

When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow."  Tomorrow is disease. 

~Terri Guillemets

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone is having a spectacular week! This post was inspired by a post that I saw on (now, one of my favorite weight loss websites) www.myfitnesspal.com. One of the members was challeged by his friends and coworkers. The challenge was that healthy meals can't be filling and satisfying while still being low in calories. He decided to start a forum post about the subject, and began posting pictures of his meals on the site as well as the corresponding caloric content. After seeing some of his meals, I got inspired! I have been griping internally, wondering when I would get tired of eating the Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine meals. "Running out of food to eat" was one of my biggest problems that contributed to my failed attempts at weight loss. It was then that I realized that in order for this attempt at my LIFESTYLE CHANGE to be effective, I have to figure out ways to spice up my meals.

First and foremost, I will look up great recipes online for healthy meals (that don't have to be microwaved) and cook more food at home. My goal is to try to post pictures of some of the meals that I am eating online. This will help me get out of the "food rut" that I am currently in :) In addition to looking up great recipes, I will also be posting my feeble attempts at making them on the blog. I'm looking forward to this great new opportunity in front of me. Any support or comments (as well recipes) will be greatly appreciated...

Chao loves!

nNb :)

Weight Loss Journey: Week 1 Results!

"Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” ~Buddha

 Hey everyone!

I'm excited to say that I made a whole week in my weight loss journey! My diligence has paid off and this week's set of measurements proves it. This past week, I have made it a point (or at least tried...lol!) to do some sort of exercise everyday. The first exercise video that I attempted was Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. That video was (and still is) particularly challenging to me. After the first day, my thighs and lower body ached and burned for a

few days. After the first workout, I became afraid and started to avoid doing the "Shred" and tried to find other ways to work out. Needless to say, the "Shred: video gave me the best AND most thorough workout of my life! For this reason, I have decided to dedicate 30 Days to doing the "Shred". Please pray for me y'all, lol! As for this week's measurements, I do have some very exciting news: 

I LOST WEIGHT and INCHES IN EVERY ATTRIBUTE!

Here are my Week 1 Results:

Weight: 

Wk 0: 198 lbs. |  Wk 1: 193 lbs.

Bust: 

Wk 0: 42 4/8 in. | Wk 1: 42 3/8 in.

Waist: 

Wk 0: 38 in. | Wk 1: 37 6/8 in.

Hips:

Wk 0: 43 6/8 in.  | Wk 1: 43 3/8 in.

Thighs:

Wk 0: 26 in. |  Wk 1: 24 in.

Biceps:

Wk 0: 12 4/8 in.  |  Wk 1: 11 3/8 in. 

Last but not least, I made a video basically restating some of the things I said earlier. This video also contains a tutorial on measuring body parts. I show y'all step-by-step how I will be measuring myself during this journey. Check out the video below (Don't forget to rate, comment & subscribe):

Enjoy & Stay blessed!

nNb :)

Official Weight loss Week 0 Measurements!

"Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied."

~Charles Caleb Colton

Hey everyone!

I started my official weight loss journey yesterday and I am still super excited! In order for this journey to be successful, I am not only going to weigh myself each week, but I'm also going to be recording measurements for other parts of my body. This is so that I don't get discouraged when I look at the scale 2 weeks in a row and see the same weight. Looking at the change in the rest of my body measurements will help make me feel so much better. I took the my initial measurements yesterday. Here they are:

Weight: 198 lbs.

Bust: 42.5 in

Biceps: 12.5 in

Waist: 38.0 in

Hips: 43.75

Thighs: 26.0 in

I plan on measuring myself at the end of each week and I will be posting my progress on this blog as well as other weight loss communities. Stay tuned for more details/developments!

Stay blessed!

nNb :)

Measurements for Weightloss Journey...

Hello beauties!

So, as you all know, I am starting my weightloss journey today. Each week I will video taping or blogging the following measuments:

• Weight


• Waist


• Hips


• Thighs


• Bust


• Arms

This will allow me to keep an accurate account of all of my weight loss. There will be some weeks that I won't see a weight loss change but I will see a decrease in another measurement. I will be measuring myself today and recording all of these measurements on the blog. I'm super excited to start this journey and I hope that I can motivate others to begin taking control of their health.

Be blessed,

nNb :)

*Reflections* --> Following God's Will For Your Life

"We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can, namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us."

~St. Teresa of Avila

Hey y'all!

As we are approaching the end of another year, many of us can say that we have had some high points and some low points. There have been trials and tribulations as well as moments of joy. If you are questioning whether you had any moments of joy, remember this: You are reading this post, that means that God woke you up this morning and for that you should be thankful and joyful :)

I for one am thankful for the fact that I graduated from the University of Michigan...low g.p.a. and all! That was nothing but God! I am thankful for having a roof over my head, despite the fact that I am struggling financially...again, nothing but God!

As this year comes to a close, and the City Year corps year drawing near the halfway mark, I became stressed about plans for next year. I started frantically researching graduate schools and checking requirements for admission. I had everything planned out...grad school for non-profit management, then a nice career in the non-profit industry. Afterwards, I would cry a little realizing that I don't have the "credentials" to gain admission to some of these schools that I am interested in.

After a very powerful sermon that I heard at church, I realized that this life is not mine. God has a will for my life. Here I was planning out my whole life...down to the amount of children that I wanted...and packaging the whole thing up and asking God to co-sign for me. It doesn't work like that...

I was reading my study bible and here was an insert that they placed in there to give people more insight:

"Jesus said anyone who wants to follow him must 'deny himself and take up his cross' (Mark 8:34). The cross meant suffering and death for Jesus. Does that mean that you'll suffer too?

The cross is more than a place where Jesus died. It is a symbol of our salvation and a symbol of God's will. The cross was God's will for Jesus. But your cross, God's will for your life, is different. What is Jesus telling you?

• Deny yourself. Choose what God wants, not what you want.
• Take up your cross. Do God's will each day.
• Keep on following Jesus.

Following Jesus will make a difference. The old you will be left behind, and you will become a new and beautiful person in Jesus."

After reading that passage, I have decided to leave my life to God. I will follow His will, even if that means that I will have to scrap that whole lifestyle I envisioned for myself. The way I see it, if Jesus knew no sin, and was completely righteous and my righteousness is the equivalent of filthy rags AND I am still seen as righteous through the blood of Jesus, what right do I have to deny God my life?! Absolutely none! He sacrificed His son for a wretch and a sinner like me! What an awesome and amazing God!

I will wait on the Lord and follow his will and I will put my desires on the back burner. I know that God has got sooo much in store for me, that if I follow his will, he will pour down so many blessings on me!

He will do the same for you as well as long as you have FAITH and SURRENDER yourself to him!

With love,

nNb :)

Updates!!!

Hey y'all!

It's been a longgggg time since I've done a post of any sort. To all my followers, I truly apologize for the delay. So much has happened in such a short time span, both good and bad and I am excited to share all of it with you :) Rather than bore y'all with lots and lots of text, I decided to relay the information in the way I do best...you guessed it, VIDEO BLOG POST!!! In addition to this video, I will be doing a lot more blog posting, artist spotlights and I will RESTART and COMPLETE my weight loss journey! So much excitment to come your way so keep it posted!

Here's the vid. Make sure to comment below and follow me on Twitter: @natNaijabeauty :)

Peace -n- love,

nNb :)