How to stay focused?

Focus.

That is one of the hardest things for me. I get so distracted quickly by things. Even now, I am writing this post, whilst having GMTV on in the background and listening to my mp3 player.

What kind of things do you do to stay focused whether it is on a task you need to do or work?

Here is what I am trying to implement to stay more focused:

1. Stick to my lists in my notebook: I think a notebook makes you more organised but if you don’t stick to your lists of what to do, it becomes harder to focus

2. Wake up early: When I wake up early (ie before 8am), I do feel more productive because I feel like I have spent more time on work.

3. Don’t overthink things: This is the most important thing, I think.

There has been a lot of upheaval in my life recently and I am sure some of you have felt the same. I think in this instance, it really is about telling yourself that if you focus, you will succeed.

What do you think?

“Is that a real Afro?”

I always loved Valerie’s Afro from the cartoon Josie & The Pussycats. So round and fluffy = fire! Today I went to the hair shop down the road (not black owned, sadly — can’t seem to find those here). My friend was coming around to cornrow my hair. I popped down to the shop and the man at the till asked me:

Is that a real Afro?

I was like….*crickets*

Rihanna’s Album Cover: ‘Rated R’

Russian Roulette is growing on me, but I am not sure about the direction of this album. I suppose we will find out when it is released in mid-November, but image wise, I do not understand how this is different from GGGB.

Rihanna succeeds in her element when the production of her songs are fire.

What do you think of the RR song? Do you think this album will be Rihanna’s magnum opus or has the CB controversy helped her to gain fans?

I’m looking forward to hearing the songs from the album, but image-wise I think the album cover is slightly repetitive of the so-called edgy factor.

What to do next?

Are you ever stuck on what to do?

I handed in my MA project in last term. One segment of it was creating my careers website/blog for people who want to work in entry level PR, which you can view here. I am so pleased and humbled to say that I got great feedback from some PR experts in the industry.

I am delighted.

Several wicked things have happened so far (which I kept under wraps until it was confirmed):

Was This A Mistake?

There is something I haven’t divulged about the Stamp Man situation.

And I think I made a massive mistake. I haven’t even told my friend’s because I am really embarrassed…

Black Hair:Teyana Taylor with Relaxed Ends?

 Images: CL & Necole Bitchie

These are promo shots for Teyana’s new lip gloss line, called Dope or something Dope. The name sounds really knobbish to me lol. I think Teyana is a pretty girl…

but boo and hiss to her big gorgeous Afro which is now no more. And her continuos nonsense support of Chris Brown doesn’t help either.

What do you think?

What’s your limit?

On my way back from Bristol, I was reading LOOK magazine. LOOK is like a a cross between Grazia and Heat magazine: it showcases lots  of affordable fashion with celebby gossip. Good for a pick me up. One of the X Factor finalists from last year, Laura was featured inside, clearly doing promotion for her latest single.

In the article, they asked her how old her boyfriend is. Laura is 22. Her boyfriend is 40.

Do you think age gaps are still a ‘big deal’? Do you think black communities would be shocked by an age gap relationship?

I find the concept of age gaps fascinating. Love does not know age or does it?

When the man is older, does this mean he will tke advantage of you? I personally am attracted to older men. I am in my early 20s, so I think my limit for now is 35. I like the idea of someone with experience, but having said that, would your family accept a man who is much older than you?

Vision Board: Trying to get a thick skin

When I looked at some of my summer vision board aims this autumn, I realised that I had achieved two of them.

1. Finishing my MA project before or on the 25 September

2. Writing a freelance article for  a magazine (haven’t sent it in yet but I did finish it)

One of my core aims for my future that I cannot seem to attain is trying to a thick skin. I have been betrayed and hurt by people who I thought cared and loved me. I think betrayal is one of the most painful things to del with. But we must all deal with it. One thing in particular that someone did betrayed me and for the life of me, I can’t understand why this person betrayed me like this.

One thing I am trying to do to get a thicker skin to deal with people who may betray me is:

• Write about my feelings more in my diary that I carry around with me

I am way too sensitive as well so I am trying really hard to overcome my over-sensitivity so I can get a thick skin.

Unlike finishing a writing project, gaining a tough skin will be something I have to spend years perfecting but I am confident I can do it. Has anyone every done something to you to make you want to have a tough skin?

Sorry to bring Beyonce in it but sometimes I don’t know how she survived people saying horrid things about the La-Toya & LaTavia scandal. She must be a strong girl because that must have been incredibly hard for her.

–Aulelia going to Bristol in a few hours. Back on Wednesday night but please comment!

Is Amber Rose The Ultimate Career Grafter?

I admit, at first I thought Amber was one of those women who was famous for no reason, because in the early stages of her fame, she was being foto’d with Kanye but I didn’t know what she did.

Clearly, I should have kept my mouth locked and sealed.

Amber’s growing line of achievements include:

• Being the face of a new perfume
• Having an entire mag issue dedicted to her
• Being featured in US Elle magazine

Doesn’t sound bad at all for someone that some blogs dismiss as a video girl!

I knew she made it when I discovered that she has a fan following online at Amber-Rose.org (which is currently on hiatus but will be back soon) and her wikipedia page which highlights that Amber has a 24 inch waist! OMG!

In her Complex mag interview earlier this year, Amber said:

I grew up very poor with a single mother. My mother is a waitress, and she raised me on a waitress salary

Maybe this is why she is taking the opps given to her and working at them.

I must say, I really do think Amber is a grafter. She is taking advantage of her good fortune to forge a career for herself. This mostly happens only in celebrity circles, but do you think we could learn anything about this in order to graft about our careers?

I’d love to hear you lot’s thoughts on whether Amber is just a hard worker or whether the Kanye connection has helped. In fact, I’d say there is something almost Beyonce-esque about Amber’s career grafting.

She just seems like she really wants to get ahead and I have respect for that.

–Aulelia in London en route to Bristol for 2days.

Beyoncé’s Legs = Perfection III: B’s Exercise Regime for her Legs Revealed!

[Image @ Concrete Loop but posted on Beyoncé's Lair]

I am so excited to reveal that the baddest woman in the entire entertainment industry does the following to get her amazing legs.

To get a tour-worthy body–one that can handle singing and dancing at the same time–the star works out five days a week with her trainer. Those workouts include 100 squats, step-ups and walking lunges (each!).

[Source: Self Magazine (June 2009 issue)]