Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's FINALLY over!!!

Yes yes... I know it's quite shameful that I haven't been here in like FOREVER and no I do not have any major excuse apart from the fact that my laptop has been "ill" for a while and had to go to the doctor's BUT no let's not dwell on the past but look to the future. AND what's this future???

I AM FINALLY A QUALIFIED FASHION DESIGNER!!!!!


Yup! I am. It's over! I have my BA Degree in Fashion Design from FEDISA AND my Advanced Diploma in Management from the Australian Business and Retail Academy, (ABRA) Australia.

Yes it's been 3 loooooooong years but well worth it.

And the best part is... I've just been sleeeeeeping. Yes it feels good to sleep and I better do all the sleeping I have to do now before the real work begins.

Over the next few days / weeks, I'll be taking a trip down memory lane sharing the last few months of the program and how much I've grown as a designer since then.

So sit back, relax and join me on this trip.

Cheers!

PS. Can you spot me anywhere in that picture??? Somehow my hat got stuck behind that lamp there... dunno how that happened... :-)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Mother & Obama's Trip to Ghana - An Inspirational Speech to All Africans



First, let me start my wishing my fabulous mother a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! She's ^£ (figure that out) today and I want to wish her God's blessings today and alwayz!

NOW on to my article for today!


I have spent a substantial part of this weekend discussing Obama's trip to Ghana on Facebook. (Quite apt that it also occurred on my mother's birthday, 11 July so I can never forget the day.) It really wasn't a big deal to me when I heard about this trip and would not have given it a second thought until I heard some people questioning why he chose to visit Ghana instead of Nigeria and how some Nigerians considered the trip as an insult to the "giant of Africa". Just like the Oprah show that caused a bit of controversy in Nigeria, I knew I had to follow the details of this trip. Initially, I thought to myself "Nigerians really should get over themselves" but this quickly turned into renewed respect for Ghana when I realised why Obama chose to visit Ghana.

And why did he choose Ghana over Nigeria? Simple. Because they practised democracy.

After reading his speech on www.saharareporters.com, I knew I wanted to refer to it time and time again and decided to to post the whole speech here, highlighting the portions that really made an impact on me. It is quite long but well worth the read.

"Good morning. It is an honor for me to be in Accra, and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I've received, as are Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana's history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States.

I am speaking to you at the end of a long trip. I began in Russia, for a Summit between two great powers. I traveled to Italy, for a meeting of the world's leading economies. And I have come here, to Ghana, for a simple reason: the 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.

This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America's. Your health and security can contribute to the world's. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.

So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world — as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility, and that is what I want to speak with you about today.

We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans.

I say this knowing full well the tragic past that has sometimes haunted this part of the world. I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family's own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story.

My grandfather was a cook for the British in Kenya, and though he was a respected elder in his village, his employers called him "boy" for much of his life. He was on the periphery of Kenya's liberation struggles, but he was still imprisoned briefly during repressive times. In his life, colonialism wasn't simply the creation of unnatural borders or unfair terms of trade — it was something experienced personally, day after day, year after year.

My father grew up herding goats in a tiny village, an impossible distance away from the American universities where he would come to get an education. He came of age at an extraordinary moment of promise for Africa. The struggles of his own father's generation were giving birth to new nations, beginning right here in Ghana. Africans were educating and asserting themselves in new ways. History was on the move.

But despite the progress that has been made — and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa — we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya, which had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born, have been badly outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent. In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair.

It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is a daily fact of life for far too many.

Of course, we also know that is not the whole story. Here in Ghana, you show us a face of Africa that is too often overlooked by a world that sees only tragedy or the need for charity. The people of Ghana have worked hard to put democracy on a firmer footing, with peaceful transfers of power even in the wake of closely contested elections. And with improved governance and an emerging civil society, Ghana's economy has shown impressive rates of growth.

This progress may lack the drama of the 20th century's liberation struggles, but make no mistake: it will ultimately be more significant. For just as it is important to emerge from the control of another nation, it is even more important to build one's own.

So I believe that this moment is just as promising for Ghana — and for Africa — as the moment when my father came of age and new nations were being born. This is a new moment of promise. Only this time, we have learned that it will not be giants like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa's future. Instead, it will be you — the men and women in Ghana's Parliament, and the people you represent. Above all, it will be the young people — brimming with talent and energy and hope — who can claim the future that so many in my father's generation never found.

To realize that promise, we must first recognize a fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.

As for America and the West, our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I have pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance, which is in Africa's interest and America's. But the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of aid that helps people scrape by — it is whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change.

This mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership. And today, I will focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

First, we must support strong and sustainable democratic governments.

As I said in Cairo, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable and more successful than governments that do not.

This is about more than holding elections — it's also about what happens between them. Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the port authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end.

In the 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success — strong parliaments and honest police forces; independent judges and journalists; a vibrant private sector and civil society. Those are the things that give life to democracy, because that is what matters in peoples' lives.

Time and again, Ghanaians have chosen Constitutional rule over autocracy, and shown a democratic spirit that allows the energy of your people to break through. We see that in leaders who accept defeat graciously, and victors who resist calls to wield power against the opposition. We see that spirit in courageous journalists like Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who risked his life to report the truth. We see it in police like Patience Quaye, who helped prosecute the first human trafficker in Ghana. We see it in the young people who are speaking up against patronage and participating in the political process.

Across Africa, we have seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny and making change from the bottom up. We saw it in Kenya, where civil society and business came together to help stop postelection violence. We saw it in South Africa, where over three quarters of the country voted in the recent election — the fourth since the end of apartheid. We saw it in Zimbabwe, where the Election Support Network braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person's vote is their sacred right.

Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change Constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.

America will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation — the essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. What we will do is increase assistance for responsible individuals and institutions, with a focus on supporting good governance — on parliaments, which check abuses of power and ensure that opposition voices are heard; on the rule of law, which ensures the equal administration of justice; on civic participation, so that young people get involved; and on concrete solutions to corruption like forensic accounting, automating services, strengthening hot lines and protecting whistle-blowers to advance transparency and accountability.

As we provide this support, I have directed my administration to give greater attention to corruption in our human rights report. People everywhere should have the right to start a business or get an education without paying a bribe. We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don't, and that is exactly what America will do.

This leads directly to our second area of partnership — supporting development that provides opportunity for more people.

With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base for prosperity. The continent is rich in natural resources. And from cell phone entrepreneurs to small farmers, Africans have shown the capacity and commitment to create their own opportunities. But old habits must also be broken. Dependence on commodities — or on a single export — concentrates wealth in the hands of the few and leaves people too vulnerable to downturns.

In Ghana, for instance, oil brings great opportunities, and you have been responsible in preparing for new revenue. But as so many Ghanaians know, oil cannot simply become the new cocoa. From South Korea to Singapore, history shows that countries thrive when they invest in their people and infrastructure; when they promote multiple export industries, develop a skilled work force and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs.

As Africans reach for this promise, America will be more responsible in extending our hand. By cutting costs that go to Western consultants and administration, we will put more resources in the hands of those who need it, while training people to do more for themselves. That is why our $3.5 billion food security initiative is focused on new methods and technologies for farmers — not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa. Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign assistance must be creating the conditions where it is no longer needed.

America can also do more to promote trade and investment. Wealthy nations must open our doors to goods and services from Africa in a meaningful way. And where there is good governance, we can broaden prosperity through public-private partnerships that invest in better roads and electricity; capacity-building that trains people to grow a business; and financial services that reach poor and rural areas. This is also in our own interest — for if people are lifted out of poverty and wealth is created in Africa, new markets will open for our own goods.

One area that holds out both undeniable peril and extraordinary promise is energy. Africa gives off less greenhouse gas than any other part of the world, but it is the most threatened by climate change. A warming planet will spread disease, shrink water resources and deplete crops, creating conditions that produce more famine and conflict. All of us — particularly the developed world — have a responsibility to slow these trends — through mitigation, and by changing the way that we use energy. But we can also work with Africans to turn this crisis into opportunity.

Together, we can partner on behalf of our planet and prosperity and help countries increase access to power while skipping the dirtier phase of development. Across Africa, there is bountiful wind and solar power; geothermal energy and bio-fuels. From the Rift Valley to the North African deserts; from the Western coast to South Africa's crops — Africa's boundless natural gifts can generate its own power, while exporting profitable, clean energy abroad.

These steps are about more than growth numbers on a balance sheet. They're about whether a young person with an education can get a job that supports a family; a farmer can transfer their goods to the market; or an entrepreneur with a good idea can start a business. It's about the dignity of work. Its about the opportunity that must exist for Africans in the 21st century.

Just as governance is vital to opportunity, it is also critical to the third area that I will talk about — strengthening public health.

In recent years, enormous progress has been made in parts of Africa. Far more people are living productively with HIV/AIDS, and getting the drugs they need. But too many still die from diseases that shouldn't kill them. When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress must be made.

Yet because of incentives — often provided by donor nations — many African doctors and nurses understandably go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease. This creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention. Meanwhile, individual Africans also have to make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries.

Across Africa, we see examples of people tackling these problems. In Nigeria, an interfaith effort of Christians and Muslims has set an example of cooperation to confront malaria. Here in Ghana and across Africa, we see innovative ideas for filling gaps in care — for instance, through E-Health initiatives that allow doctors in big cities to support those in small towns.

America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy. Because in the 21st century, we are called to act by our conscience and our common interest. When a child dies of a preventable illness in Accra, that diminishes us everywhere. And when disease goes unchecked in any corner of the world, we know that it can spread across oceans and continents.

That is why my administration has committed $63 billion to meet these challenges. Building on the strong efforts of President Bush, we will carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue the goal of ending deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, and eradicating polio. We will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won't confront illnesses in isolation — we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children.

As we partner on behalf of a healthier future, we must also stop the destruction that comes not from illness, but from human beings — and so the final area that I will address is conflict.

Now let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at war. But for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.

These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities — of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. We are all God's children. We all share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to access education and opportunity; to love our families, our communities, and our faith. That is our common humanity.

That is why we must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology. It is the death sentence of a society to force children to kill in wars. It is the ultimate mark of criminality and cowardice to condemn women to relentless and systematic rape. We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur and the dignity of every woman in Congo. No faith or culture should condone the outrages against them. All of us must strive for the peace and security necessary for progress.

Africans are standing up for this future. Here, too, Ghana is helping to point the way forward. Ghanaians should take pride in your contributions to peacekeeping from Congo to Liberia to Lebanon, and in your efforts to resist the scourge of the drug trade. We welcome the steps that are being taken by organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS to better resolve conflicts, keep the peace, and support those in need. And we encourage the vision of a strong, regional security architecture that can bring effective, transnational force to bear when needed.

America has a responsibility to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity. When there is genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems — they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response. That is why we stand ready to partner through diplomacy, technical assistance, and logistical support, and will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable. And let me be clear: our Africa Command is focused not on establishing a foothold in the continent, but on confronting these common challenges to advance the security of America, Africa and the world.

In Moscow, I spoke of the need for an international system where the universal rights of human beings are respected, and violations of those rights are opposed. That must include a commitment to support those who resolve conflicts peacefully, to sanction and stop those who don't, and to help those who have suffered. But ultimately, it will be vibrant democracies like Botswana and Ghana which roll back the causes of conflict, and advance the frontiers of peace and prosperity.

As I said earlier, Africa's future is up to Africans.

The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. In my country, African-Americans — including so many recent immigrants — have thrived in every sector of society. We have done so despite a difficult past, and we have drawn strength from our African heritage. With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos; in Kigali and Kinshasa; in Harare and right here in Accra.

Fifty-two years ago, the eyes of the world were on Ghana. And a young preacher named Martin Luther King traveled here, to Accra, to watch the Union Jack come down and the Ghanaian flag go up. This was before the march on Washington or the success of the civil rights movement in my country. Dr. King was asked how he felt while watching the birth of a nation. And he said: "It renews my conviction in the ultimate triumph of justice."

Now, that triumph must be won once more, and it must be won by you. And I am particularly speaking to the young people. In places like Ghana, you make up over half of the population. Here is what you must know: the world will be what you make of it.

You have the power to hold your leaders accountable and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, end conflicts and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can. Because in this moment, history is on the move.

But these things can only be done if you take responsibility for your future. It won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend. Opportunity won't come from any other place, though — it must come from the decisions that you make, the things that you do, and the hope that you hold in your hearts.

Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom's foundation. And if you do, we will look back years from now to places like Accra and say that this was the time when the promise was realized — this was the moment when prosperity was forged; pain was overcome; and a new era of progress began. This can be the time when we witness the triumph of justice once more. Thank you."

Nigeria PLEASE learn from this!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tribute to a Legend - Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)


(29 August 1958 - 25 June 2009)
Memorial Service: 7 July 2009

Yes yes... I know... but hey... I just had to write about the music icon Michael Jackson. I mean I expected a lot from him, after all, the press made lots of money telling tales about him but I definitely didn't expect this!


Lame as this may sound, I "remember the time"-s, countless times actually, I sat down next to a deck, pen and paper in hand trying to get the lyrics to many of his songs; Dirty Diana, Man In The Mirror, Smooth Criminal, Give In To Me, etc... you name it, I tried it. I didn't succeed then because for some strange reason, I just never got the lyrics, particularly Smooth Criminal, and I ended up mouthing words that sounded just like the lyrics.

Goodness - only about 2 months ago, while working on Outfits 3 to 5 of my final collection, I got this sudden urge to listen to the Dangerous album and I did. Day in, day out, I listened to the album, repeating my favourite songs such as Who Is It, Give In To Me, Keep The Faith and Keep It In The Closet over and over again for no reason, his voice keeping me company all night, amidst the pain from the pin pricks. Little did I know the world would be mourning him today...


The world has said a lot, just check out Facebook and like a cousin said:

"Even in death, he still stole our hearts. Talk about a Smooth Criminal".

How true! I actually thought his body would be embalmed and preserved for at least a year or so. I'm sure the world wouldn't mind at all.

But sad as his personal life may have been, I am actually thankful that God gave him to us to help make a difference in our lives and I am certain he will be remembered for decades to come.


Here are just a few Facebook updates about this Icon:

"When the earth takes great men, the world looks for a successor. But none will come, and none will ever come. For they were men distinguished only with themselves... There'd never be another Michael Jackson...RestInPeace!"


"You were God's gift to us."


"MJ : Special tribute to the KING OF POP! MAN This guy made history sorry he is history and he changed history!"


"...RIP Micheal Jackson.You will be dearly missed and would forever be a hero."

"Yes indeed, the world did stand still for a moment to pay a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Keep looking at that Man In the Mirror."


"Your musical presence has left a mark on us, you healed the world thru ur music and transcended race, tribe and it's time for us to look at the man in the mirror celebrate our......"


"...there's a choice we'r making...Micheal I will truly miss you. It is sad we never got to meet, but thanks a lot for giving, showing us a piece of your heart and making d world a betterplace with your talent. Thank you God!"


"Imagine they are going to pass a bill or rather debate a bill in yankee in memory of M.J saying he his an American legend. The guy is too much jo!!!"


"...let's remember the man wasn't just a performer/icon, he was a dad as well...adieu Michael, RIP n may God keep those u left behind"


"The plan for this tribute is truly to make the whole world cry. I cant watch it again but i want to watch it."


"his was the best memorial in the history of the Earth..WOW!!!"


"This is the first time i would actually cry for another man, just cause I truly listened to the words attentively on HEAL THE WORLD... I mean this guy really meant well with MUSIC. Thank you MICHEAL."


"MJ, I will learn from your life and legacy... I will enjoy regaling my children with stories about you. I am smiling through the tears. RIP."


"even in death he pulled it off... Well done MJ... See you on the other side some time..."


"There are but few men that can stand alive and look at the history they have created and the legacy they have left behind. There is only one word to describe a legend, be he alive or dead. Inspiration and strength live on forever in the reality of greatness. i am totally moved by the respect of the industry for a man that no man can be ! the one, the only, a true legend MJ. Respect ! achievement of greatness no doubt"


"why do good people have to die?....Micheal Jackson was a good man.....i know God has prepared a better place for him....Love you MJ....."


"he outsang his critics,out danced the cynics,put us on mtv and taught the world to love our music.the hits keep ringing on,the show will never stop.everytime some1 pulls his pants up and attempts a moon walk,we'll remember!"


"Long live the KING OF POP. RIP MICHAEL JACKSON. God Bless U"


"its not ur duration but ur donation to life that counts. A life well lived... RIP Wacko Jacko."


"WOW Michael Jackson was too much!!! Thanks for all the songs from my childhood...I almost forgot!!!"


"They called him the greatest entertainer that ever lived. You wanna dispute that?..."


" R.I.P Michael. we will never forget you, your words and your music. thank you."


"Loves the song 'Will you be there' & Jennifer Hudson's rendition. What a memorial ! Very well deserved. RIP MICHAEL. I'll alwz love you !"


"I cried, not so much for the memories, but for being one of his critics. Marlon made us see how much MJ longed for a 'normal' life. Before you poke fun at a person, try walking a mile in his shoes..."


"I knew that MJ was great but the comments tonight have been incredible! I wonder why such a supposedly "loved man" did not feel loved and understood.."


Need I say more??? Yes... I definitely need to. Though he was misunderstood and haunted by the tabloids (even after his death) we all agree that he is/was...

"Undeniably the greatest performer of all time! You know it, I know it, the world knows it. RIP MJ! You'll always be in our hearts... and on our ipods/MP3 players... :-)" [My FB Status]


RIP Michael Jackson!!! We love you!!! You blessed us with your music and it's time to rest. God bless you!!!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

THE INTRO...



Paragraphs 1&2 taken from a poem somewhat inspired by Lara Cameron from the book “Stars will Shine Down” by Sidney Sheldon
Paragraph 2 culled from Black Leopard ( Panther ) on www.allpoetry.com
Image taken from www.shutterstock.com

What's this about?  Well you'll find out soon enough [ha ha ha ha ha... somewhat scary laughter... :-)]  I sure hope you can read what it says though... Let me know if you can't.

Cheers!

Monday, April 13, 2009

How it all Changed for the Better...


Happy Easter y'all!!!  It's interesting that I am concluding my 3-part reflection mini-series on Easter Monday, the day that reminds us all of the hope we have in Christ.  And yup, y'all know where there's life, there's hope.

Ok... so where was I?  Oh yeah, I was telling you how my luck suddenly changed after I paid my tithes.

It's interesting how people take the Bible literally and think that once you pay your tithes you suddenly become rich from nowhere.  Whilst this may be true for some people,  from my personal experience, I realise that no matter how bad my financial situation may seem, I always manage to get by somehow.  Last year when I needed to furnish my place, the perfect recruitment job came along at just the right time in the perfect organization in a perfect location, with the perfect work hours and work load and the more-than-perfect pay.  This year, it came in the form of an unexplainable though logical increase in my disposable income. 

Ok, lemme explain.

I paid my tithes right and it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.  I suddenly felt lighter and suddenly things became clearer!  I now had a definite plan on how to execute my final collection.  No more panic buying!  Outfit 1, Trial 4 and Outfit 2 had to be made with the perfect fabrics because I really didn't have the time, money, energy to re-do any outfit.  Besides, it was a waste of resources and definitely not an efficient way of doing business in the real world.  

So the following weekend, I went round to fabric stores to look for fabrics and came across (in my opinion) this STUNNING embossed tafetta fabric!  I didn't buy much, like I would normally do.  I bought 10cm and took it to my teacher to confirm the appropriateness of the fabric for my look.  I got a thumbs-up!  Sigh.... a step in the right direction!  

2 days later, I went to my favourite fabric store in Woodstock to source for more fabrics, particularly one I had my eye on.  Why is Studio 47 my favourite store?  Simple.  Apart from buying amazing fabrics at half the price and still getting a discount on the already cheap fabrics, I have such an excellent relationship with the store owner and the staff that I took them cupcakes on my birthday and have dropped some of the staff off at the train station a few times.  Well people, my perfect relationship with them paid off!  

I was told I could return ALL the fabrics I had already bought if I didn't like them and exchange the value for anything else I wanted in the store.  I was ecstatic!  Like WOW!!!  This has NEVER  happened in any other store.  In fact all stores have the sign "no returns or refunds on cut fabric" or something along that line and here I was told I could return fabrics I had bought almost a month earlier.  And I didn't even ask them, THEY suggested it because I was such an excellent customer.  See people, paying my 10% paid off!  

So I returned all the fabrics I had previously wasted hundreds of rands on and replaced them with the perfect fabrics and other materials I would use for my collection.  The implication of this?  I didn't have to spend more money!  The effect?  An increase in my disposable income! 

Well though things did not immediately change as a result of the "butterfly effect", i.e. the ripple effects of previous actions, Outfit 1, Trial 4 and Outift 2 were a success and were handed in on time.  I wish I could say the same for Outfit 2's pattern though and I ended the module with a frown.  But hey, it could have been much worse though.  Funny... that was another disappointment that turned into a blessing... but that's another story for another day...

Well people, the new module starts on Wednesday and I would be lying if I told you I was looking forward to it.  I'm not scared of hard work but I am quite worried about the huge workload and the short deadlines.  But hey, I rested well this Easter so I'm more positive I'll cope better.  

Oh... by the way, one positive thing amidst all the stress and turmoil was buying my car!   THAT people is the best investment I ever made this year.  That is another testimony of mine that I won't get into now... or ever... but hey God has been faithful and I'm thankful!

Ok... lemme round off now by saying I'm certain you enjoyed your Easter holiday.  I know I did because I pretty much partied all weekend and met some pretty interesting people.  Shame all good things have to come to an end... too soon if you ask me... :-)

BUT now it's time to get back to work!  The sooner the better I guess.  No use prolonging the inevitable right?  Do keep your fingers crossed for me y'all!

Have a great week!  :-)