Positive Impact.

My labor day was filled with PAINTING...PAINTING and more PAINTING....for my aunts middle school cheerleaders...I freaking love these little girls. They kind of remind me of myself when I was their age. They have the same problems, similar conversations, it's just in a new generation. I have gained a connection with a couple of the girls and they call me their big sister...I'm not really the type to show favoritism so I try to correct them because I know the feeling of being left out, and I never want anyone to feel that way! So I make sure I let them know that I love them equally 

So yesterday they had a 4 hour practice ON Labor Day...they needed it though. Today is their first game and I am so excited for them! This is some of their first times ever doing something like this and I just LOVE to see young ladies actually doing something positive and tasteful. Cheerleading was an experience for me and it showed me a lot of new things because I was not used to being around such a diverse group of girls. It showed me that YES black girls can cheer and we can actually be darn good at it. Although I never stuck with it, it wasn't because I wasn't good at it, it's because my passion was in another sport.

 I am just elated that my aunt is able to give these girls this opportunity because I actually talk to a few of the girls and they seriously look forward to being able to come to practice and be in a SAFE and POSITIVE environment because some of them are less fortunate than others. I myself once were in those shoes, not having support from parents while all the others parents were at every game and it seriously would put me down at times, but it never got the best of me. I continued to do something that keep me busy and I gained so many friends and opportunities in the midst of it all. 

My Cheer Days: 

That's me at the base!

 Being a cheerleader gave me opportunites to be apart of things I never thought I could do like, acting. I was picked to play a cheerleader in the famous musical, High School Musical my senior year of High School.

Being a Cornball

I will be at the game tonight on the sideline cheering for them, while they cheer on the Westlawn Warrior football team. I am glad that young ladies see me as a mentor and someone they can talk to, and I let them know that they can talk to me about ANYTHING. I was 14 and 15 before also, and I will only tell them what is right. 

These girls are TREMENDOUS :) 

Westlawn Warriors!

Peace & Love

Where Have You Been All My Life?

AHHHHHHH!!!!! Seriously, I hate when I have these 3 month hiatus's and its like....Where in the world have you been Rikk??? Ok, well I have been ....doing the most, to say the least. Don't want to get into too many details but in the last 3 months I have ....changed TREMENDOUSLY.

 To go in order, I spent my entire summer in my Hometown, Champaign IL....Relocated my LIFE to Alabama, and CUT MY HAIR. Yes...I did a big chop for numerous reasons. Most of my hair was damaged due to stress and just me not taking care of my hair. But this time around I shall take care of my tresses. 

I have not really updated my Youtube channel in about 3 months either.....just because my hair....was becoming more important to me than more important things in my life. Such as, my faith and relationship with GOD, and my family. I was spending so much time on my hair and making sure it's "perfect" to please....others who I don't even know. Not to say that I, myself didn't want my hair to look good, but it just wasn't as important to me anymore. This time in my life has become critical for me to gain a better understanding in God, and less in what new product is out and what will make my twist out look great and all that jazz. 

Not saying that I will never make videos again. I just needed a break. The art of humbling YOURSELF and not having to have someone else do it for you is so liberating. I seriously felt like I was setting a standard for some people and I do not believe that I was in the position to have that power. Social networks are SO powerful and people are so caught up into the blogs, vlogs, tweets, IG posts, etc. That they don't know that those people are individuals with real life problems too. 

So after I cut my hair...The RED hair was GONE :( Yes I was sad...not about cut...but I did miss my color. So I dealt with the black hair for a few weeks. ...but I am a woman of color. So I did color my hair Honey Blonde. And I Love it. 

Humbling yourself does NOT mean I still can't be fly. It's just not my first love. That's the lesson I learned. 

Peace & Love

The "Ninja" Bun

So yeah don't kil me for not being on here in a while, but man has my life been....well hectic. So yeah I really haven't been able to update as much as I like, but I promise I will do my best to post as often as I can while I'm dealing with what I'm dealing with right now. For those who follow me on Youtube, I apologize for not being able to post videos also :( 

THIS WILL ALL CHANGE SOON THOUGH....NO WORRIES! 

Ok, Back to the post. 

The "Ninja" Bun has most def become one of this summer's most sought after trends and there are some Ninja bun masters and some are just.....an epic fail in my book. But nonetheless, I believe that my bun is pretty decent, just because I've been wearing this style since cheerleading days back in high school, but back then....we just called it the "Messy Bun". Now people have to throw official names on stuff...smh.

But I straightened my hair recently and since the weather has been so darn humid here in Central Illinois, I had to put it up in the old trustee bun. 

Peace & Love.

A Night Out.

School's  out. I missed a few friends. We drove to Chicago. Got it in. Woke up. Back to reality. Whomp Whomp. 

Stay Wrighteous.

XOXO.

Bed Head.

So one of my many natural struggles is the fact that  after wearing a twist-out, braid-out, etc. if I want to achieve that same style the next day....i have to re-twist my hair at night. Whelp, being a college student, I usually stay out pretty late some nights, and when I get home, I just want to hop right in my bed and go to sleep.

....I ALWAYS regret it the next morning though, because I wake up looking like buckwheat. and I have to re-twist my hair and wear the twist throughout the entire day just to get my twist-out back on and popping.  

I'm going to try my hardest to save myself the headache, suck it up, and just retwist my hair at night, because not only is it a irritating task, it can help save my hair from A LOT of damage and breakage that I do not want to have to deal with. 

Stay Wrighteous.

Get Fit...Stay Fit (Well That's the Plan)

Last week was the last week of classes at my University, and after finals and just being so stressed out about last minute assignments and all that jazz, my friends and I decided to blow off a little steam. My friend Amber called a few of the girls who were still in town together, and signed us up for a Kick boxing class. 

I was super excited and nervous at the same time. Excited because I have taken a kickboxing class before and I know how good it is for you, especially for relieving stress. I was nervous because I have not been active in a while, so I knew I was going to be super sore, but we have to start somewhere right? 

We went on the first day of the class, so we chimed right in doing all the beginner moves, which included: working on our jabs and knock outs, footwork, balance and kicks. This was a complete body workout for me since every aspect of my body was being used. I felt amazing afterwards, kick boxing offers so many benefits and I believe that I will be going back in the future to stay toned. 

A few benefits that Kick Boxing offers are: 

1. The obvious reason of Reducing Stress: witch all the kicking and punching during this workout, you will find that you are unconsciously reducing your stress levels. 
2. Boost your Confidence: According to Dr. Rose Windale of Healthzine.org, kickboxing helps you release endorphins which will give your mood a boost and help you feel more confident. Endorphins will also make you feel happier and more positive for several hours after the workout.
3. Energy Boost: No doubt that after I worked out I was energized to the max, I felt like I could kick butt all day long. 
4. Burn More Calories: You can burn over 800 calories/hr during a fitness kickboxing session 

 So go out...get fit, and STAY FIT!!!

Stay Wrighteous. 

Night Life.

So I went home over the weekend and went out in my home town for thee first time in a whileeee! I saw a lot of my friends from my childhood, it was.......good and bad. Some people are still looking the same and doing the same ish from 5 years ago, but ehh to each his own! I was glad to see everyone nonetheless, I saw one of my old T-mobile buddies. Low key used to have a crush on this guy when I was in high school because he was my cousin's best friend lol YOU know how that is as a hormonal teen. But the party was a Ciroc Party that was hosted by my close friend from school, and plusssss it was on 4/20. Yeah soooo....

Ok these pics are from my iPhone:

Endless shot of Ciroc

My Older Sister

Both of my big sisters!

Stay Wrighteous,

XOXO

Mic Check 1-2-1-2...

Open Mics are always fun and interesting, you get a chance to relax, chill, and indulge in others talents. You also may get a chance to discover new talent. I am a part of a committee called "Main Stage" at my school, where our area of focus is bringing entertainment to our campus and each semester we host an Open Mic. The last one of the year was last week and we had some GREAT performers. 

Up and Coming Artist: Jeff

Up and coming artist: Sky 

Live Wrighteous,

XOXO