Au Natural Ode

A minority of people know I am a writer and have been since high school. Sometimes keep my works, but this one I want to share with everyone. Maybe one day I'll get the courage to do a little spoken-word. hmmm...baby steps. Enjoy!

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Au Natural Ode by Jojo

I love the fact people love my hair. I also love the fact people ask me if it's my real hair because they think it's a wig. I love the fact white people always remind me my hair is cool and then tell me how much they wish they could do that with theirs. I love the fact people want to touch my hair. I wear messy styles most of the time so I love the fact it doesn't bother me when they do. Wendy Williams says you have to pop and tease...love the fact it's a different adventure everyday with her. I love the fact I've accepted my shrinkage...she's so stubborn that she'll act anyway she wants. Maybe she's shy because I never was. I love the fact I got over whatever my issue was and started wearing my hair the way it grows out of my scalp. I love the fact that as a black woman I have hella options. Altho I'm wearing my 'fro don't overlook the fact I'll reinstall my virgin Indian. I love the fact I'm still top model fab with both. I love the fact I spend so much time fingering and fluffing it, but I know that I am not my hair. I love the fact that just as a necklace or earrings my hair is an accessory. Actually it's my favorite. I love that people stare at us. Man oh man, does it make she statement effortlessly. I love the fact that she broadcasts my true beauty. I'm not covered by 20-24 inches of another's.  This is my ode to my 'fro. And I love the fact I'm in love with her!

RMR: Withdrawal & Super Bowl XLV

Happy Monday Funday a tous! 

Friday, Feb 4

It's been a week of me rockin my roots,  my natural hair, and I'm already starting to have weave withdrawal. I LOVE long hair and I love myself in it. It's almost like a comforting cloak in a way. The last time I wore my real hair was October 2009 so I've become pretty used to long hair don't care. Even my short weave was short lived; so the addiction just isn't weave, but length. I was so tempted to give myself a sew-in today. I felt like a disappointment. As I was walking pass the mirror in Marshalls this evening I caught a glimpse of myself and boy I feel in love. I blushed and grinned so hard then said "awwww Jojo". Maybe it was the lighting or the pouf I randomly put in my  hair. I'm not sure what is was but in was in that second that I realized how beautiful I looked with my natural hair...and I fell in love all over again.  It's a shame to say, but I HONESTLY feel like I just got off the crack pipe or something lol. I never knew how much of an attachment there was. *sigh* I loose the chains! 

*****

So whatever whatever...The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl....blah blah blah. I could give a care less *insert Chicago Bears cheers*.  However, that's not what I want to talk about. It annoys me when people, especially women, jump on sports bandwagons. Women, like myself, already don't get enough respect for knowing and watching football, because, well 1) we're women, 2) we're extremely girly, and 3) God knows why. So when I see women who don't even know the first thing about football tweeting and updating their Facebook statuses about the game it truly gets under my skin. You know...the girls that ask "Was that a technical foul?" during the punt return. They feed into that small percentage of pea-brained men who think women don't know about the game. It's also annoying because it's like STFU udk wth u talking about (abbreviation spree lol). It's like girlBOOM (and boy boom too...u men aren't excluded)! Anywhoot, gotta love twitter. You just have to! 

Talk to you tom!

Bantu Knot Out

*****

This is my 100th post! *cheers*

♥Jojo

to my future husband

         I know we haven't met yet, but I'm so in love with you. I'm thanking God in advance every night for sending you to me. Sending me someone who is able to love me purely. Love me despite of my faults. Love me in spite of surrounding temptations. It took awhile to get where we are, but, baby, we got the kind of love that they sang about back in the day lol.  I know sometimes subconsciously I do things that offend you.  I know I get on your nerves sometimes. I know I get needy, nag, or sometimes my temper gets the best of me.  I know I'm three much at times, but thank you for having patience with me. You're my king and I am your queen. Thank you for making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. Thank you.
         I never thought love would be like this. Of course, I fantasized and dreamt, but to actually live through something like this is...is....I just can't articulate.  We have that 1 Corinthian 13:4-7 type love. 
         And this love will last forever! As we submit ourselves to the Lord, and I become your Proverbs 31 noble wife, the universe is our limit. Actually, there is no limit to what we can achieve. It's not about what you can do for me or what I can do for you, but what we can do together.  Just don't forget: haste makes waste; and slow and steady wins the race. 
         I know I can be lazy at times, but even after our kids, I promise to keep myself up.  I promise not to get too comfy that I'll be embarrassing lol. I'll do my best to remain the same chick you fell in love with. Hair done. Nails done. Fancy ;)
        Communication is key. Don't hold back from me. Problem? Concern? Talk to me...not my neighbor. Tell me any and everything that's on your mind, but be tactful and respectful of course. The more we talk about and talk through things, they less grey area we will have. This is very important to me. 

God. Patience.

Reciprocity. Communication. 

Selflessness. Respect. 

Faith. Positivity. 

Exclusivity. Common ground.

... are just a few things that makes this marriage perfect! 

        
I'm so excited to love you for the rest of our lives. *bisou*

lessons learned

  The death of my grandmother and the new-coming year has transitioned my mindset. There's a saying that goes something like when somebody dies people want to start living, but then a week later are back to their old ways and complaining. True? Not sure, but I'm only working on myself. Change is constant, no? So with the new year there are things I want to personally work on.  I writing myself a little list of things that should be accomplished and worked on. Gonna post it around my room as a constant reminder. I don't care to share (sorry) but I encourage you to do the same. It could be simple things like trying a new hair color or going fishing. But challenge yourself to do something new and something different.


Remember goals should be realistic and attainable! =)


This 2011 is going to be suuuuuch a great, FUN year ! I already know becuz I claim it. Thank God. Bring it on ;) 

Black Girls Rock: my letter to BET

Dear BET-

     Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the “Black Girls Rock” program! Thank you for once, putting aside all the “fluff” and nonsense to broadcast something positive, uplifting, and conducive to the growth, maturation, and confidence of young black women. Thanks for going against what’s popular in times were programs such as “Black Girls Rock” as minorities among other such as 106 & Park or College Hill. I know it must have been a struggle to air a program which uplifts, encourages, and rewards strong, black females. Not to worry, the degradation of women and blatant boasting of “Cars, clothes, and hoes” will continue; I’m sure.
     It is a bit confusing to me how a network geared to spotlight black talent has deviated so much. I understand, that reruns of “American Gangster” and “Rap City” are more important that broadcasting the funeral of Coretta Scott King, for example. But not to bring up the past, I am hopefully “Black Girls Rock” is a step in the new direction of BET. I’d be more than happy if so.
     Thanks to all the inspiring black women, named and still unknown, who continue to carry out positivity. Black women are the mothers of humanity and I’m happy we being recognized as such. Press on my black women. We are awesome…like for real!!!!

TAG - blog edition

5 Blog Questions...

1. What is your name?
Neiman!

2. How did you chose the name of your blog?
Originally, I wanted to name it "To each HER own" but that was taken. So I took it a step further and chose "Giving Her Her Own." It signifies individuality and independence. I'm only going to be myself and this is my canvas to articulate what's in my brain. It's about Jojoality!

3. Why did you start blogging?
I've kept a little dossier since middle school. It contained poems, stories, drawing, etc. However, I was always private about it because I felt uncomfortable allowing people to access my thoughts or judge me (also, English is not my forte). This is like my coming out party.

4. How do you define your blog?yo
Jojoality! Remember? This pretty much means random-comme moi! However, I realize branding "Giving Her Her Own" will be important to her success. I blog as a single/not married, twenty-something, post-grad. This is my image and theme, and I want my blog to be centered around that. It's like the less affluent Sex and the City or small girl/big world with the fashion, family/friends, social life, independence, etc but without all the cliches, monotony, or sex!

5. What goals do you have for your blog?
I plan on buying my own domain space very soon and ultimately reaching millions!

Are there questions you want me to answer? Let me know and I'll be more than happy to!