My Life is Divinely Orchestrated

Ok, so I've started at my new job, so far its going exceptionally well. I work at an actual office with cubicles, a desk, chair, laptop and all that other jazz one is familiar with.  There are no balloons in sight nor working over weekends#YAY!!

The Office

The Boardroom

Office Kitchen

The team consists of young, dynamic creative heads and computer boffins#lol.  Note: might come back a computer geek#lol  Click on link to see the team and yours truly of course:  http://www.konnessi.com/about-us/meet-the-team

I don't know about you, but over the years I've mastered the "windows shuffle" everytime my boss walked past my desk, I'd swap out facebook for a powerpoint proposal, nicolebitchie would be replaced with an old but convincing spreadsheet and my skype call would be abruptly ended.  This is definitely not the case at Konnessi, if anything it is expected that I be on facebook, twitter, linkedin mashable, gizmodo and all other relevant social media sites#bigsmile

With that said, I've been working very closely with Amelia.  She is the Content Writer and I've been tasked with writing content for the company's blog...errrhhh, blogging for fun is something...but for a company...not sure#smh.  Anyway, it turns out I'm not too shabby at it.  Herewith a link to one of the articles  that I have written:  http://www.konnessi.com/blog/traditional-marketing-and-social-media/

Amelia is super awesome, fun and a brilliant writer.  She is well read, enjoys travelling and a Harvard graduate;  I'm hoping sitting next to her will make me just as smart as she is, if not smarter#lol  She has invited me to join her the next time she goes to visit her family in Pittsburgh#YAY!!

Amelia and I (she wasn't impressed that I looked "African" & she didn't#lol...wanted to rock a "duku" as well...yes,"duku" forget head scarf#lmao.  She loves South Africa & speaks a little bit of isiXhosa#lol

Amelia

At the end of May 2011 I will be moving to the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) department.  SEO focuses on certain visible and back-end aspects of a web page which improve its search engine ranking.  Keyword research is typically the first step in defining SEO strategy for a client.  This is a process which takes into account the core competencies, concurrece and specificity of a company's products or services.  The process doesn't only end there but don't want to bore you with the mambo-jumbo#lol. This is definitely an area of interest for me and am looking forward to all the learnings. 

After a month with the SEO Strategists, I will then move on to the Social Media department#WHOOP-WHOOP  Proceeding that, I will then be given the opportunity to decide on a department I would like to specialize in until my contract expires next year#WHOOP-WHOOP!!

I am thrilled to be working at Konnessi, I am excited about all the new things I've learnt thus far and all that I will still learn and the experience I will gain.  The environment is too awesome and I think I'm going to like it here....a lot#bigsmile

I truly believe that everything that happens, doesn't necessarily happen to us but rather for us.  God is continually working for our good and I believe He allows certain events to take place in our lives for our greater good.  God is always in control...He allowed everything that happened in NY to happen and had I given up and headed back to SA I wouldn't be experiencing Providence and Konnessi.  It says in the word John 15 v 4:  "Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself;  it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me"  You see, the enemy isn't a fool, he knows the plans that God has for us and he wants to beat us down and leave us hopeless before we can even make it.  I don't think he's concerned about where we are right now but rather where God is planning on taking us.  So I've made a decision, everytime I experience some challenges, I will smile and find solace in the fact that God has grand plans for me and the enemy wants to steal my joy before I even experience it and it aint gona happen#bigsmile

Stay blessed xoxo

#Roomies

Isaiah 45 v 2:  "I will go before you and will level the mountains, I will break down gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron"

I have arrived in Little Rhody#YAY!!  Don, a dear friend of Rich and Maria offered me a lift as he was heading to Maine which isn't too far from Providence.  He has done exceptionaly well in his career and and has managed to remain soo humble#smiles.  He has offered me a job at his company should things not work out at my new job but I told him should that be the case, I'm heading back to SA#lol

Providence, RI is absolutely gorgeous and so quaint.  It is afterall the oldest and smallest state in the USA and managed to preserve a lot of its historical buildings.  I'm not sure if its just me or if I'm in a better frame of mind, but the people seem friendlier than the New Yorkers#smiles. 


The apartment is a 3 bedroom apartment in the New England area.  My roomates are Conceptia and Jorge (pronounced Ho-Hey) and I met Shantel briefly as I took over her room after a couple of nights of squatting in their lounge area#lol

Conceptia a.k.a C-Dawg is Haitian and her family currently resides in Florida.  She is one of the most beautiful souls I've ever come across.  I met her on craigslist (its like Gumtree) when I was searching for an apartment#iknow!!!

I was a tad nervous about going online and finding roomates but my bbm prayer team and I prayed that God will let His will be done and bless me with great roomates. I had made a decision not to live on my own as that would hamper on me getting the cultural experience and meeting new people.  So, I had responded to an advert on craigslist and Conceptia requested that I call her.  I remember saying a quick prayer before calling her#smiles.  The chat went very well and there was something about her that put me at ease. We later skyped to confirm arrangements and she admitted that she too was nervous about finding a roomate on craigslist and confessed that my skype status, which was a Hillsong song title gave her some sort of peace.

She works for City Year,RI as a tutor and mentor.  Her duties include assisting kids during classroom time, afternoon programs and through community engagement activities.  She is very passionate about her job and life in general.  She is one of the sweetest and kindest people I've come across. She too is the daughter of the Most High and am thankful that our paths have crossed.  She has promised me several road trips during the summer and am looking forward to the experiences#WHOOP-WHOOOP




C-Dawg#that's what the students call her#lol

 Jorge...can you say "hombre magnifico"??  He is half Cuban and half Puerto-rican#needisaymore#  He also works for City Year, RI with Conceptia.  He's a very easy going, chilled and friendly guy.  He's a talented cook and knows the dialogue to the "Sex and the City 2" movie#hidesface#lol




Jorge#cutie




Shantel rocking her vintage suit 

 Shantel hails from the exotic Jamaica and has been in the states for the past 7yrs.  She hearts NYC with all her being.  She is uber-stylish, uber-trendy and such a city girl;  Note: all her sentences consist of the word "uber" hence the usage#lol She has introduced me to shopping on ebay and shoedazzle.  Her style is vintage and classic.  She NEVER EVER wears flats...it don't matter where she's going, she's always in 4" heels; can anyone spell DIVA?!?!  She is aspiring to work as a Visual Merchandiser and Stylist.   She has moved to NYC to do her internship at Nanette Lepore in Manhattan.  We're going to Jamaica next year#jahman#lol


Its Spring this side of the world and summer is fast approaching.  You know what they say about new seasons#fresh anointing.  I believe God has really gone before me and did "His thang"#blessed




Stay Blessed xoxo

My African-American Experience#incredible!!

Two Sundays ago a friend of mine invited me to a church she attends, which happened to be First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, NY.

Some brief history;  the church was constructed in 1912, and is one of New York City's most significant surviving early motion picture theatre buildings to date.  For thirty years now, the Regent Theatre has served as home to the FCBC, an African-American congregation formed in Harlem in 1939.

My friend and I arrived and were greeted by a long queue of predominatly white tourists with their back packs and cameras ready to capture the moment.  An usher then approached us and asked if we were regulars at the church and because my friend was, we were then permitted to enter the church#I was secretly hoping to take pics of the long queue of tourists but couldn't risk being prohibited to enter the church as they allow church members to enter first then tourists may come in at a later stage or after the service.


I'm no expert when it comes to archictecture...actually I know jack about it but when I stepped into that church a part of me wasn't sure if I was in heaven or Rome#lol.  The walls and ceiling were lavishly painted in gold and white and embodied a romantic yet sacred and holy setting.






It was rather challenging for the usher to find vacant seats for my friend and I but he eventually came right.  The church was packed; I cannot even begin to guess how many people were in there as I had no idea how many seats the church had.  It was rather warm in there and most people were fanning themselves, just like in the movies#lol.  The Pastor did reassure the congregation that they are working on an air-con system and it would be ready for the summer.

**Note: there were no vacant seats during the service-pic taken post the service.

The praise and worship was out of this world.  It started with "hectic happy-clappy" songs, the clapping elevated every couple of minutes.  I wasn't sure whether to jump up and down or bang my head back and forth like a rockstar#aketsebekekaeketsang#ROTFLMAO (Direct translation:  don't know what to do to myself)  After a while, the choir led us into a slower worship session, their voices so angelic and memorable.  I am convinced God and His angels were amongst us  and as  Matthew 18v20 reads:  "Where two or more come together in my name, there am I with them"

Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr.read from the book of Psalm 139 and the message was titled "The Inescapable God" herewith a link for those that are keen on listening to the sermon:  http://fcbcsermons.com/archive/

After the service, my friend took me to Soul Food Kitchens and we orderd some mac and cheese, fried chicken, catfish, greens and yams.
**Note:  yams are like sweet potato just YUMMIER#smiles

My overall experience at FCBC was enjoyable, I thoroughly enjoyed the praise and worship and the word was equally ecouraging and uplifting. Soulfood was too delicious and yes everything is fried#hidesface.  I had a truly amazing African-American experience#bigsmile

Note:  picture taking during the service was not permitted but the "tourist" in me couldn't resist and besides, empty seats would make for poor blogging and Thabi, although I'm not in the pics I assure you I was there and took the pics myself#LOL

Stay Blessed xoxox 

   

   

To weave or not to weave, that is the question?!?#LOL

I recently visited a friend of a friend of another friend who's studying at NYU and residng in Brooklyn.  We had an amazing weekend together, considering we had only had a couple of chats on bbm and I must admit I was kind of apprehensive to hook up as I wasn't sure if we would click or not.  Anyway, turned out to be a busy, informative and fun weekend which included a lot of walking and several subway rides#lol

Saturday, we attended a conference titled "Toward an Intellectual History of Black Women Conference" which was held at the Ivy League Columbia University.  The university is absolutely beautiful with its historic buildings and architecture.  The conference was very informative as it focused on black women's history, their struggles and phenomenal achievements. 




University of Columbia





My beautiful friend Jackie & I





Banner from the Conference


After realising that I stuck out like a sore thumb because of my weave in a room filled with fros and locks, it made me wonder what defined us as a people or rather as Africans?  Does my hair make me more African?  Is it my behaviour? Culture?  Heritage? Geographical location? The language I speak? The food I eat? The questions are endless...

What also suprised me is that one of the speakers from Malawi had a weave and the other one had processed hair...so there we were, three women from the African content with weaves and processed hair, sitting in  a room in the United States of America with African-Americans in their fros and locks#identitycrisismuch?!?!

Anyway, this led to a discussion with my African-American friend on this topic and she strongly believed that weaved up girls think they look "prettier" in their synthetic hair and don't feel HOTT enough in their natural hair. She also believed that our hair is a part of who we are and we need to embrace it and be a people that celebrates ourselves just as we are.  I heard what she was saying but didn't necessarily agree as I'm not in the business of pursuiding people to wear their hair in a certain manner as we are all individuals with different preferences.  I do think it is vital that the black child be told that she is beautiful with her natural hair and need not process it, but how can the black child believe that when her own mother's hair is straightened or weaved up?!  

As you all know, I love my weave...my mom and a very dear friend of mine Loyiso aren't crazy about the idea and always encourage me to go natural but that's just not what I like.  I make a conscious and informed decision to have a weave on.  I am aware of the dangers and long term results of using creme relaxer on my hair, I am aware of the amount of money I spend annualy on my weaves but its a CHOICE I make and don't believe it makes me less African. Today, as a 27yr old black female, I like the weave and will continue getting my hair processed and weaved but, because we are evolving beings I don't know if I will one day decide to go "all natu-ral".  Should I be prosecuted for having a weave in the meantime?!?!?

We are all familiar with India Arie's song "I am not my Hair" which I absolutely love but in the same breathe it pains me when little children consider "good hair" to be WEAVES!! I think it is vital that black children be told that they are beautiful just the way they are but how can they possible believe it if we the adults keep straightening and weaving our hair?!?!  I don't know...I'm just putting it out there and would like to hear your comments on this topic...

I have attached a youtube video from Tyra's show where she interviewed several women on what they think "good hair" is.  Please note its a five part video but quite interesting and saddening at the same time especially when it comes to how and what the children think about themselves, beauty and "good hair":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeXUm8OOUA8&NR=1

Ultimately, I believe its about personal choice and preference, the question is, are our choices informed and not driven by fear and history?  With that said, I'm not in the business of dictating to people what kind of hairstyle they need to have, however I am in the business of informing and sharing with people about salvation, grace and God's eternal love#justsaying.

So for some, the question remains "to weave or not to weave"?LOL

Stay blessed xoxo

He is Mighty to Save

After a month of suffering from miserygitis I have since been blessed with a new job and will be leaving the Big Apple and heading to Providence, Rhode Island (RI) hence my blog's title "From the Big Apple to Little Rhody"  I somehow think it was kinda hard for God not to respond to the prayers as I was constantly reminding Him of all He has promised us and the word. It was definitely a difficult month, emotionally and otherwise and if anything its made my relationship with God that much stronger.  It has also reminded me of how faithful He is and that whatever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.  A very dear friend of mine was also in prayer with me, everyday without fail at 8am and 2pm we dedicated time to pray and asked Him to let His will be done in my life. My friend had been instrumental in keeping me positive and always encouraged me and sent me scripture#muchluvgal


We have since had two other friends join our prayer group on BBM and have continued to pray with and for each other, we worship, praise, encourage and share scripture amongst each other.  God has been actively working in all our lives and we are trusting Him for testimonies#bigsmile

 So...my agent, "Mr. Delightful" and I had agreed that I would serve 2weeks notice once I got another job as it was the right thing to do and one should never burn their bridges...but apparently some you SHOULD!!   Anywho, Easter weekend came and I got into a squabble with my boss.  He wanted me to type an incriminating e-mail about his soon to-be ex-wife and partner so he could use it in court#smh.  Yes, I could've just typed the mail and carried on with life but my spirit wouldn't allow me.  It was important for me to harbour the truth and my integrity. After a few nasty words and threats from "Mr Delightful" he reported me to my agent and twisted the truth (like he always did) and this incident led to my resignation effective immediately#drama

This led to "Mr. Delightful" kicking me out of the place he had organised for me to stay at but had forgotten one very important fact...I am the daughter of the Most High and I'm covered with the blood of Jesus Christ.  Romans 8v31 "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  God knows our needs and will continually place people in our paths that will help us along our journey.  In my case, he blessed me with two angels, Maria and Rich.  I didn't meet Maria and Rich by chance, it was God's plan that it all happened.  I met them when I had locked myself out of "Mr. Delightful's" office and went next door to their offices to ask for help not knowing that I'd end up being good friends with them.  I have since been invited to spend Easter Sunday dinner with them and the rest of their family.  After "Mr. Delightful" kicked me out, Maria and Rich were only too glad to take me in.  They both have been totally amazing and I am eternally grateful for their hospitality and love they've given me. No words can even begin to express  my gratitude for all their kindness.  I pray that God will bless them richly and abundantly. 

I must just add that Maria is a typical Italian mother...always worried and taking care of everyone around her.  She treated me like her own daughter and am so humbled.  She truly is a beautiful soul#smiles  Rich on the other hand is a MEAN COOK and have urged him to start his own restaurant or catering business, he's convinced I was just being kind#lol will definitely be checking in and seeing how far he is on that front#LOL



My Guardian Angels, Maria & Rich

 
Back on the new job, I will be working for a company in Providence, RI and the company's name is Konnessi http://www.konnessi.com/blog/about-us/ the Hiring Manager and I are still deciding on my title#LOL.  I must just add that she's recently just visited our beautiful country SA and cannot fathom how friendly and warm a nation we are.  She also managed to learn a bit of isiXhosa so you can only imagine how fun my interview was#bigsmile

I am excited to start on my new journey and am trusting God to continually guide me, lead me and grant me favour with my colleagues, clients and everyone around me.  I believe God always has a plan and is always in control of our circumstances (it might not always seem that way) considering all that I went through during my first month in NY but its definitely true. I might never know what the reason was that He allowed me to go through all that I went through with "Mr Delightful" but I believe there was definitely a purpose.

Some of you might be wondering why I didn't pack my bags and headed back home instead of putting up with all the ish and truth of the matter is, it did cross my mind...several times actually, but something inside me always told me there is a light at the end of the tunnel and Jeremiah 29v11 reminds us of the following "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"  I am sad that things didn't work out as planned in NY but am hopeful that RI will be what I imagine it to be and more#smiles

One quick one, I sincerly thank Lerato Maunatlala-Marumo  for all the love she's shown me, you've been a gem and I am eternally grateful.  You made my birthday so special and always took time out to listen to my whining on BBM#madlove&Godblessxoxo




Beautiful Lerato



To all the people I have met, I will never forget you and promise to keep in touch a special thank you to everyone from the  Assembly of God Gospel Church in Island Park#Godbless

ps. my parents still don't know EVERYTHING that went down, kinda omitted some parts as I was avoiding sending them into cardiac arrest - no parent ever wants their children to go through any sort of pain or challenges...especially when they're all across the oceans from them#lol  So sshhh...don't say anything until I tell them#lol

So long Big Apple and hello Little Rhody...


Stay Blessed xoxox

Are you kidding me right now?!?!

Ok...so I landed at JFK Airport, my employer picked me up (an hour late)#smh drove us to McDonalds to grab coffee (well at least that's what I thought) turned out we were going to have a meeting.  "Are you kidding me right now?!?!? I had just landed from an 18hr flight, so...2 cups of coffee later,a few yawns and sighs he decided it was time I got home and rested.  Off we drove to Long Beach, NY pity I was too tired to appreciate the scenery#sadface.  He dropped me off, told me he'll pick me up the next day at 12pm so I could meet the people from work.  Tried to get some sleep but was up by 00:00 as my body clock was out of synchronization with my destination #jetlag

Next day#feelingsluggish I managed to put on my happy face, rocked my best outfit and HOTT boots of course.  We drove to the office...oh no, its not an office its a PARTY SUPPLY STORE!! Alarmed by this sudden discovery...I had a minor panic attack  but managed to keep calm (which was very difficult for me do as I'm a tad dramatic).  I was then introduced to ALL 2 of his staff members?!?!(one being his co-owner & soon to be ex-wife) You can imagine the 101 questions I had racing through my mind...where was the rest of the staff?  Office?  My desk? Laptop? Office coffee machine?  Did my agent know this?  Did she not do an inspection of the place?  Had I been taken for a ride and would I be working for a sweat shop?? #OMWdeepbreathesx10 

The horrid stories that we read about couldn't be possible turn out to be my story?!?! 

Turned out, there was an office I could use but it looked more like a store room and cold as a morgue.  I spent my day being taught systems and procedures on how the business is run#RME and thought to myself this is not the right job for me and definitely not what I signed up for.  Spent a full day at the office, was exhausted by the end of it.  Headed back home and passed out, was up at 00:00#jetlag and got to work again the next day feeling exhausted.  Friday afternoon eventually came and I was relieved as I thought I'd have the weekend to rest and recover from the jet lag...errrhhh NO, apparently I needed to come in and see what goes on on the weekend as that's the busiest time for the business!! REALLY!! I decided to ask for Saturday off as I was feeling exhausted, still hadn't unpacked and just needed to take it all in.  "Mr. Delightful" a.k.a my boss reluctantly agreed.  I spent Saturday shopping around for a cell phone, investigated on bus routes and schedules, acquainted myself with the neighbourhood and got me some rest.  Spent Sunday at work processing invoices, packing orders and all that jazz...I couldn't fathom that I had missed church to do that!!#RME

A week into the job and trying to live the american dream, "Mr. Delightful" and I were ready to throttle each other...at this point the following had happend:

• He had reported me to my agent for having asked for that first Saturday off, apparently he felt if I was sooo exhausted I should've slept all day to recover and not went out to get a cell phone and walked around town#RME
• He felt I hadn't shown interest in his business and was not ambitious to learn about balloons, balloon arrangements, party supplies and everything else#RME
• I had also communicated to him and my agent that I didn't believe the job had met my career objectives and professional standards#sadface

After countless emails, phone calls and imagining myself "baby shaking" "Mr Delightful"  it was agreed between my USA and SA agent that I could start job hunting and would need to serve 2 weeks notice before leaving "Mr Delightful" and his party supply and balloon store#YAY

At this point I had become good friends with my 2 colleagues but I knew I had to look out for me and my career objectives.  Afterall, I had paid an agency to find me a job that would enable me to gain international experience, enhance my CV, experience America, its culture and its people but unfortunately for me, my boss had misrepresented his company and made it out to be something that it definitely wasn't#smh

Besides "Mr. Delightful" and I having had our differences, I hadn't believed the job would've enabled me to achieve any of the above mentioned goals and objectives of my trip#sadface

On the bright side, I now know how to do balloon arrangements so should you ever have a balloon emergency, I'm your girl#ROTFLMAO

ps.we don't always understand why God puts us through ish we believe we don't need or will not serve us but I've come to realise that everything that we go through God is right there and is always in control.  It might not always seem that way but trust me, He's got your back and knows your heart and its desires. Romans 8v28:  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those whol love Him, who have been called according to His purpose"

 

#jobhunting

Stay Blessed xoxox