About a month ago, I made the decision to be a TEFL teacher. This experience has been fun and I’m very excited about learning about other cultures. Most of my students are located in China. I have truly enjoyed this experience and it has given me the opportunity to make new friends abroad.
One particular student stood out in my mind. Xing Mi is a 19 year college student learning English so that she can become a corporate lawyer. Most of my teaching is just having conversations with Chinese students so they can learn how to properly use English dialogue. Xing Mi told me she lives close to the beach. I asked her if she got to go to the beach often. Her response was, “Oh no! I don’t go to the beach at all. I cannot be in the sun!!” I was expecting her to say maybe she had a disease or was on some kind of medication that caused her to get sick in sunlight, but instead she told me she couldn’t go in the sun because she couldn’t risk getting dark or her fiancé would break up with her. I immediately thought about the Spike Lee movie, School Daze which addressed the effects of colorism in fraternities and sororities on HBCU campuses. Colorism has not only become a social epidemic in the United States, but it is also felt around the world with a heavy influence of European cultures and characteristics being prominent in 3rd world countries. Around the globe in the Middle East and some parts of Asia fair skin is considered more socially acceptable than having a darker complexion. People with fair skin are often associated with being in the upper economic class while people with darker skin tones are often considered to be poor, or they are often associated with doing manual labor jobs instead of having more respectable jobs. The influence of the media as well as the social effects of colorism have become such a problem, that even the origin of civilization, in Africa, skin bleaching has become increasingly more popular in recent years. In the latest report 75% of Nigerian women and between 50-70% percent of Senegalese women have used skin bleaching creams. It has become one of the most commonly used household products in Africa. The belief that lighter skin will cause an individual to receive more privileges, higher social standards, and an increase in marital prospects are a few of the reasons why the demand for skin bleaching products have increased. The demand to become lighter by using a variety of skin bleaching products also comes with a price. Skin bleaching products contain mercury, cortisone, and hydroquinone, a chemical used to develop photos. The chemical components in these products are so strong they are not lightening the skin, but are gradually burning off the first layer of the epidermis. The risks of using such products include: thin skin, skin discoloration, skin infections, and even skin cancer. The growing consumer demand for skin lighteners across the world has caused the skin lightening industry to become a billion dollar market. The projected worth of the skin lightening industry is 19.8 billion dollars by 2018. Skin lightening has changed the face of Africa instead of being proud of our melanin rich skin, a vast majority of our African people choose to indulge in a harmful façade that is becoming increasingly popular around the globe. Instead of embracing our colorful complexion hues that God created, so many are becoming more and more ashamed of God's handiwork. I'm not sure if we will ever get past colorism, skin bleaching, the brown bag test, or ignorant comments from low budget reality stars such as Hazel E's comments boasting about her light skin tone, but it's a despicable plague that we must somehow overcome. xoxo, Krystale Jane'l
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I get alot of questions about what I use in my hair to achieve thickness and growth. My hair texture is 4b/4c and is high porosity. What this means is my hair is extremely coily, sucks up any moisture, and shrinkage is an everyday struggle! My hair is very thick, but my individual strands are very fine.Picture a cotton ball...this is the texture of my hair. Its super soft and fluffy, and very thick until you seperate my hair strands. Which means protective styles is the best way to achieve growth. I usually opt for wearing wigs because my hair grows best when I leave it alone. After big chopping my hair a year and a half ago my hair is thicker than its ever been and also very healthy. The biggest challenge for a 4b/4c natural is keeping our strands moisturized. My everyday moisture is coconut oil,a mixture of olive oil and castor oil, Cantu Leave In conditioner, and during winter months Summer Rayne Whipped Shea Butter. I use Elasta QP Conditioning Shampoo which is a fab moisturizing shampoo and I deep condition EVERY wash day which is necessary to penetrate the hair follicles. I also make sure when I rinse out my deep conditioner I use COLD water. As uncomfortable as it is, cold water actually seals moisture in. For my deep condition I use Manetabolism Green Tea and Carrot Deep Conditioner. This conditioner is all natural and contains biotin and castor oil...two key ingredients to promote hair growth and combat shedding. For my leave in I also use the Cantu Leave In and the Aphrogee Green Tea Reconstructer. Aphrogee has a great line of products for damaged and chemically treated hair. They also make a 2 step Protein Treatment I use every 6 or 7 months to strengthen my follicles that I highly recommend for anyone with a perm, experiencing shedding, or in need of strengthening hair strands. You must have the correct balance of moisture and protein for your hair to reach its full potential. For my twist outs I use Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Souflee. This product is amazing for achieving twist out styles! A littke goes a long way. Using too much will leave your hair greasy. I also add the Elasta QP Curl Pudding its extremely moisturizing and it leaves my twists bouncy, shiny, and helps maintain my twist out style for a couple of days If I blowdry my hair the LottaBody Blow Out Lotion helps to straighten my coily tresses and leaves my hair soft and fluffy. Minimum heat is a must so I flat iron maybe 2 or 3 times a year. I also make sure to use a clarifying shampoo once a month when I wash. To much product buildup can also stunt the growth of your hair. A few products not pictured that I also use is the Cantu Shine Spray to revive a 2 day old twist out, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner, and the Organx Coconut Milk Conditioner and Shampoo. Occasionally I will switch up and use these products. The most important thing to remember is that you must also drink water to hydrate your body from the inside out.Water is vital to healthy hair and skin. I am currently a little past shoulder length but my goal is for my hair to reach tailbone length. The myth that black women with 4b 4c kinky curly hair cannot grow long hair is absurd. There are several youtube vloggers with my hair texture who have hair almost to their waist. The thing to remember is not everyone has long flowing silky tresses or hair that forms the perfect ringlets when you get out of the pool. For us 4B/4C queens water turns our hair into a poofy fro with our curls packed tightly to our heads, strands tangle easily, wash & gos are a wash & no, and shrinkage is real unless our hair is flat ironed. Whatever your hair texture is love your tresses and take care of your hair... becausecyour hair is your God given crown. xoxo Krystale Jane'l This book has been the most difficult book I have written. I almost feel like I'm leaving old friends behind. The last book in the Undercover Life Of A Diva trilogy feels bittersweet. Somehow Hennessy, Lucille, Passion, Dallas, and Lexus became a part of my life in an amazing way.
When I began writing The Undercover Life Of A Diva it became my way to escape an abusive and tumultuous relationship. Little did I know at the time I would create characters that would later become a part of something bigger than me. The Sweetest Temptation is supposed to be the last novel in the series, but for some reason I don't have the heart to end it here. I'm down to writing the last 3 chapters but I find myself deleting and erasing words because I just can't let it end like this. I promised myself I would write this last novel in the series and devote more time to promoting my brand, business, and my ESL tutoring, but God may have other plans. I want to thank everyone who supports the vision God has placed in my heart. I am so deeply humbled and moved by the support of my readers who motivate me to keep writing.We are planning to release this last installment by February 2018. It has been a fun, and I promise this won't be the last book from me. I will also publish on a few short novellas and more short devotionals later next year. Who knows...maybe Hennessy and the rest of the crew will make a shocking return...:) Stay tuned...and if you have not purchased The Root Of All Evil please visit www.prestigeroyaltypublishing.com to purchase it now for 20% off. Act In Love Walk by Faith Express Without Fear xoxo, Krystale Jane'l 12/1/2017 Restoration: What We Could All Learn From The Book of Job & The Term “Reversion To The Mean”Read Now Most Christians have read the story of Job, a man who pleased God and who lost everything because God allowed the devil to test him to see if he would curse God. Job was a faithful servant and although he lost his fortune, family, and his health he never turned away from God. In the end, everything that was taken from him God rewarded him with 7 times more than what he had at first.
Hurricane Harvey left the city of Houston in massive destruction. Houston residents lost their homes, personal belongings, and family members. Some people asked, “Why would God allow something like this to happen to innocent people?” My question is, “Why not?” You don’t have to be a follower of Christ to know that test and trials teach us life lessons such as patience and strength. If you have never experienced anything how will you ever learn to handle a challenge? The best thing about taking a loss is the process of restoration. You may lose material possessions but your restoration includes not only material possessions restored but you gain mental strength and endurance. You may lose a personal relationship, but God restores your heart and you gain wisdom to distinguish who should and shouldn’t be in your life with more clarity. You may lose a loved one, but God restores your prayer life and you gain peace that will allow you to help others who are grieving. “Reversion To The Mean” is a theory used in stock that basically states that no matter how great the loss (and profit) of a financial market it is almost guaranteed that it will eventually return to its average price over time. “Reversion to the Mean” is a theory we can apply to our everyday life. In times of despair walk in the confidence of knowing restoration is inevitable. There are no statistical calculations like what’s shown in the stock market to predict when restoration will occur, but we do have hope, insurance, and assurance that there is restoration after devastation. XOXO, Krystale Jane'l |
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