My Thanksgiving break starts tomorrow at around 2:30 pm. I’m expecting M, A, and Al to come sleepover. Maybe they’ll let me practice applying henna . Wednesday I need to bake two pumpkin pies, and then Thursday is Thanksgiving! It’s also Chand Raat, so a lot of family friends will be over; we will laugh and dance and make merry .

And then Friday is Eid! (Unfortunately, I will not be shopping on Black Friday). We’re going to go to see family, and I’ll finally get to meet my new baby cousin Eshaal . Super excited about that.

I’ll probably be very busy working Saturday and Sunday because of the crazy shoppers. Also, the J-Bucks coupon becomes valid on Satuday; there will be hordes of mothers in the store.

And then on Monday, I’ll be busy working on my three term papers which are due Tuesday . Back to studying now.

getting started

I’m 35 weeks pregnant now and moving into full on birth preparation mode.  I had 2 unforgettable days this week spending time with friends, saying goodbye as we prepare for our trip home to New Zealand.  I received blessings & beads (& a few cheeky gifts) to encourage me on my journey and glowed feeling so propped up by my wonderful women!  On Wednesday my Dubai friends gathered at my house to get some henna done.  The artist is from Sudan & she was incredible.  She didn’t speak much English so we pretty much left the designs up to her.  I loved how she called me sister.

CJ & MC were curious

my tribe

finished product

booties and beads

wow!

The next day CJ, MC & I got a ride with A to Abu Dhabi for a mellow day with a three very special friends.  On the way I was so tired but when we arrived & I saw my friends who I hadn’t seen for a long time I was so happy & woke right up.  It was a beautiful & emotional morning & I cried lots of happy tears, slightly overwhelmed.  I collected more beads for my birthing necklace that I’m looking forward to threading up once we’re settled in NZ.  Photos to come!

I’ve been given lots and lots of birth preparation DVD’s too so I’ve started working my way through them & will enjoy the last weeks of my pregnancy filling up on those, getting ready to have this baby.  CJ has been watching some too, it is hard to explain to an almost 4 year old that pain can be good & isn’t always a “mistake”! He is looking forward to meeting the new baby.

We are leaving in the morning & I’m ready for a long hard journey.  It will be 24 hours door to door on my own with CJ & MC, 35 weeks pregnant & involving 3 airplane boardings & a terminal change.  I’m hoping that when we finally arrive I will breathe a big sigh, knowing why we’ve done it & ready to relax in our new nest, waiting for our next family member to arrive.

Tren pewarnaan rambut yang semakin canggih saat ini, memang membuat decak kagum sebagian orang. Dari warna rambut yang awalnya terlihat kusam, dengan melakukan sedikit perubahan pada warna rambut, bisa membuat seseorang terlihat jauh lebih menawan.

Namun, dalam hal pewarnaan juga tidak bisa dilakukan sembarang. Butuh informasi dan pemahaman yang tepat sebelum Anda memutuskan untuk merubah gaya atau warna rambut Anda.

Masing-masing pewarnaan memang belum tentu cocok dengan rambut satu orang dengan orang lainnya. Karena pewarnaan pun juga harus dicocokkan dengan jenis rambut dan kondisi kulit kepala seseorang. Terutama bagi mereka yang memiliki sensitivitas tinggi pada kulitnya.

Supaya Anda tidak salah pilih dan tidak ragu-ragu, berikut jenis-jenis pewarnaan rambut yang harus Anda ketahui sebelum Anda memilih pewarnaan rambut.

Permanen

Pewarnaan secara permanen mengandung amoniak yang fungsinya untuk membuka kutikula rambut, supaya warnanya meresap kedalam lapisan kutikula rambut. Komponen warnanya pun tidak akan hilang 100% dari rambut, hanya memudar saja kalau sudah terlalu lama. Dan akan hilang, kalau rambut dipangkas.

Pewarnaan permanen ini, ada yang mengandung hydrogen peroksida lebih rendah, yang sering disebut toning. Toning memang lebih lembut, namun pilihan warnanya sangat terbatas pada warna-warna gelap. Jadi pewarnaan permanen paing tepat untuk Anda yang ingin menutupi uban.

Semi permanen

Karena pewarnaan ini tidak mengandung amoniak, maka pewarnaan semi permanen, akan berangsur-angsur memudar setelah 4-6 kali keramas. Jadi pewarnaan ini cocok bagi Anda yang memiliki kulit sensitif dan rambut yang sangat kering, namun tidak cocok bagi Anda yang bertujuan melakukan pewarnaan untuk menutupi uban, karena hanya 30% saja uban bisa tertutupi dengan baik.

Bentuk pewarnaan ini antara lain bisa ditemui pada hair manicure, shampoo, dan foam pewarnaan rambut.

Temporary colour

Temporary colour adalam pewarnaan rambut yang hanya melekat pada permukaan luar rambut saja. Dan hanya bisa bertahan sebentar, dan warnanya akan langsung hilang saat rambut dikeramas. Seperti pada foam warna, mascara rambut dan hairspray warna.

Highlight

Highlight rambut bertujuan untuk menunjang tekstur potongan rambut supaya terlihat lebih dinamis. Sentuhan warna-warnanya hanya pada bagian-bagian wrna tertentu.

Pada dasarnya, warna yang digunakan pada highlight adalah warna yang kontras atau lebih muda dari warna dasar rambut Anda. Dan untuk mendapatkan warna yang lebih sempurna, jenis pewarnaannya biasanya bersifat permanen.

Henna

Henna yang terbuat dari bahan alami tumbuh-tumbuhan ini, memang tidak memiliki kandungan oksigen dan hanya melapisi bagian luar kutikula rambut, sehingga ketahanan warnanya tidak lama, dan pilihan warnya pun tebatas pada warna-warna redup.

Henna melapisi kutikula rambut sangat erat, sehingga jika Anda ingin melakukan pewarnaan dengan warna yang lebih terang, harus menunggu warnanya hilang. Meskipun begitu, mewarnai rambut dengan henna, banyak dilakukan oleh mereka yang ingin menutupi uban. (Dee)

(Dari berbagai sumber)

Sumber: hanyawanita.com

like a lotus blooming, she spoke
of home, tales of tears while smiling
a royal bengal tigress, far from home
no longer surrounded by native roars

i sit wide-eyed with curiosity, awe
picturing her in a saffron cape of courage
descriptions of matchmakers that aid
with prearranged lives, cultural castes
unions that are blessed with mounds
of plantains, milk, bowls of turmeric
prayers sent up to the sun as a god
horoscopes consulted, studied in earnest

wondrous sari of deep red, gold glimmer
intricate head pieces that glitter and dangle
borrowed from the artist that dressed
her skin, her hair, her entrance like
the grace, pride, beauty of a peacock
into a vast sea of 1500 brilliant colors
elder males wearing white, shirtless Brahmin
knots in necklaces, family denoted by lineage
more than title, no simple aunt and uncle
as families bear up the union as prop roots
to massive banyan tree lift fruit to daylight
i wish her the alabaster white of unity and peace
the darkest green of both faith and fertility like
four lions, back to back, may she be courageous

yet while i snack quietly upon ripened mango
there remains a question none of us dare to ask
when the celebration ceases, wedding games end
how do you make love to a stranger

Jaymie Thorne

All Rights Reserved

© 2009

Må så vara att jag gått ut gymnasiet redan, men nog lär man sig en hel del även utan skolan. Den här veckan har jag lärt mig en massa bra saker!

~ Rävens vecka av ultimata lärdomar ~

• Om man har tråkigt kan man vifta lite på Rifas svans, då jagar hon den.

• Om det inte fungerar att vifta på Rifas svans, då kan man pilla henne i rumpan med svansen, men då blir hon arg.

• Det värsta jobbet i världen är inte toapapper eller tandborste, det är Steve på The Jerry Springer Show.

• När Rifa lagt sin repknut på sängen och vänt ryggen till ska man inte sparka ner den, för då har hon i smyg uppfunnit en lek och kommer göra det again, and again, and again.

• Facebook är djävulen och nästa gång någon taggar en skitful bild på mig tar jag till Bildarkivet-från-03-till-09 och taggar tillbaks. In your face!

• Jag har inte 10 läsare om dagen.

• Spykopareti är en mycket farlig sjukdom som uppkommer när man läst min blogg, fått syn på Brissie och som biverkning förlorat hjärnceller. Förlåt, läsare, it’s my fault you’re retarded JAO

• När man har hobbitöron och hennar håret kryper det in henna i öronvecken (veckans fulaste ord) och gömmer sig där.

In India, anything marriage related is marigold in color. Its the most commonly associated color and flower with Indian weddings. And it sure does have a charm of its own. I remember how I wanted my home to be decorated with marigolds and even my mehendi mandap (tent) was done with that. I have such sweet and vivid memories of that day. And to revive them – I came across this – Porticos wedding marigold collection – this is so beautiful. Its rich, its weddingy, its pretty, its so says “pick me up”. If you are not getting married, gift it to a friend and she can pack it off as part of her trousseau. This one’s a taker!

Hello to all those henna lovers out in HK!

Just to let you know that Sara’s Henna will be making an appearance at the RAW Festive Affair Market on 28th November from 2 till 8pm! So come and support the stall and in the meantime get beautiful Henna Tattoos to brighten your mood in these gloomy cold winter days as well as add a bit of body decor with those gorgeous winter outfits!

Stuck for ideas for christmas presents for those special girlfriends? Watch this space for the latest: Sara’s Henna Gift Cards!! (Available very soon)

Random Art Workshop hopes to build a community that will inspire each other to create and share handmade arts and crafts.  Following the great turn out at our Summer Arts & Crafts fair, we are bringing you RAW Marketplace: A festive Affair for all things handmade and festive. Bringing to everyone quality handmade goods from various artists and designers. Products include jewelry, bags, new & vintage clothing, natural body products, art, photography, paper goods and more.  A great chance to select unique gifts for your friends and family for Christmas.!  We will also have special snacks and drinks, holiday book reading, and surprise prizes and discounts!

Click here for details on RAW Festive Affair!

So, this post isn’t me showing more grey clothing and shoes that I’m in love with – but the dreaded grey that most if not all women loathe. Grey hair!

While trying a new style with my hair earlier this evening, bantu knots (for anyone really interested) and finger parting my hair I happened upon a couple roadblocks in my progress.  Here are two photos that I just had to get.

So I’m not sure if you can tell, but on the second picture there’s a grey hair and then it turns brownish-orange at the end. I’m pretty sure that that’s due to the henna job that I tried while I still had locks. If that’s not it, then I have no idea where it came from.

Anyway, after finding these two and countless others during this hair experiment – I’ve decided to try henna again to color my hair. So if anyone out there has some tips, color choices or whatnot – please comment and share your ideas with me!

I look forward to hearing from ya soon!

“Planta Henna (Lawsonia inermis) , este cunoscuta de milenii ca planta ce coloreaza, dar care da sanatate parului. Henna este renumita pentru stralucirea matasoasa, volumul si culoarea vie pe care o da parului. Tot ea reface structura parului, ii da rezistenta si previne aparitia unor boli specifice parului si scalpului. Efectul de culoare este datorat unui pigment continut de planta a carui nuanta si intensitate difera in functie de specie, zona geografica, gradul ei de maturizare si de anotimpul recoltarii”.

Dupa ce am citit parerile bune despre Henna, dar am si vazut rezultatele la doua prietene, am hotarat sa incerc si eu. Pentru ca nu am parul vopsit, si pentru ca parul meu este saten deschis-blond, am cautat henna blond. Din pacate am inteles ca henna blond nu deschide nuanta parului, ba chiar ii confera reflexe roscate, ceea ce pe mine nu ma intereseaza. Asa ca am hotarat sa incerc Henna incolor. Henna incolor este un pic diferita pentru ca ea contine mai mult extract de senna(o alta planta), care ar trebui sa ofere stralucire parului si rezistenta.

Este de mentionat ca praful acela de Henna poate fi combinat cu apa, vin, cafea, musetel..aceste ingrediente se aleg in functie de culoarea pe care o dorim. De asemenea, exista pe piata o Henna frantuzeasca, care este ambalata ca o vopsea, si care este gata de aplicat pe par.

Pentru ca am parul lung, am cumparat de la plafar(dupa ce am cautat prin tot orasul) Henna incolor  – 2 cutii. Am ajuns acasa si m-am pregatit de operatiune: m-am spalat pe par doar cu sampon si am uscat cat de cat parul. Am amestecat apoi Henna cu apa fierbinte si un pic de balsam; apa trebuie sa fie fierbinte pentru a activa extractul din planta. Am aplicat apoi pe par pasta; acest lucru nu a fost foarte usor pentru ca henna nu este de consistenta unei vopsele. Am acoperit parul cu o punga mare, si apoi m-am infasurat intr-un prosop. Am stat asa timp de doua ore. Am clatit parul fara fara a folosi sampon. Rezultatul: nimic spectaculos. Ma asteptam sa fie ca in cazul prietenelor mele roscate care au folosit Henna.  Iar pentru ca am inteles ca Henna da rezultate dupa mai multe aplicari, am mai incercat-o odata in combinatie cu apa fierbinte si ulei de masline…Rezultatul: parul era destul de uscat:(…Am renuntat la ideea de Henna incolor…cine stie…poate ca efectul acela de stralucire se obtine doar la Henna coloranta..sau poate am facut eu ceva rau:(

Gissa vem som somnade om…

Vaknade för en stund sen i ett mindre sandtag. The dark side of hennafärgande – man får aldrig ut allting och det man inte får ut, det torkar och smulas sönder. Mm.. sandigt. Ska strax få i mig frukost och sen börja packa direkt. Bokhyllorna blev i alla fall nermonterade igår. Tur man har en handyman som är duktig med kniv.

- Frukost
- Ringa viktiga och tråkiga samtal + betala räkningar
- Gå ner med grejer till mina bröder
- Släpa ur sakerna från vindsförrådet
- Diska och packa köksgrejer
- Tejpa ihop delarna till bokhyllorna
- Packa packa packa…

Välkänt fenomen hos oss ovan. Typ: jag sitter vid datorn, Robin kommer dit också… och Den Mahognybrindlade Faran kommer flygande för att köra nosen i örat på oss. HUNNAJEVEL! Fast vi älskar ju henne ändå… oftast. ♥

God morgon! Som en reaktion på Desirée Nilssons ständiga informerande om att hon ska “raka benen och andra privata ställen “ har jag bestämt mig för att slå tillbaka. Hårdare än det väteperoxidfrätta stackars flickebarnet någonsin kan. Ska hon helt oprovocerat äckla folk halvvägs till spyhinken… Well, anything she can do, I can do better!

Min tanke bakom detta är att ni ska bli immuna mot Desirées Too Much Information-attacker. Lägligt nog sköljde jag ur henna ur håret igår. Henna har en mycket fördelaktig färg när det gäller att äckla folk. Om inte detta fungerar vet jag inte vad jag ska göra. Skriva en remake på “Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja”? INGEN VILL VETA OM DU RAKAR FIT…

Hahahaha jag dör. Henna for the epic win and lulz i all evighet amen.

Henna?

Lawsonia Inermis, en växt. Ger ifrån sig röd färg och fungerar bra som hårfärg och för tillfälliga tatueringar. Som hårfärg ser det ut som ett grönt pulver och luktar som hö.

Finns det olika färger på henna?

Ja och nej. Det finns bara röd henna, all annan henna innehåller tillsatser av något slag. Kika här för en tabell på vilka färger man kan få och vilka naturliga tillsatser som kan användas med henna för att få en annan nyans än röd.

Finns det dålig henna?

Ja. I vissa hennor är det tillsatt kemikalier för att göra tillverkningen billigare. Faran med det är att håret i kontakt med väteperoxid, om du t.ex. vill färga över hennafärgat hår med “vanlig” färg, kan reagera helt fel. Håret kan anta fel färg eller i värsta fall lösas upp.

Är hennatatueringar farliga?

Ja och nej igen. Den svarta henna som används flitigt på semesterorter och marknader innehåller ofta PPD, som kommer från ett gift. Det ämnet ger ofta allergiska reaktioner. Jag skulle hålla mig borta från Sakis 50 bast på Kreta. En allergisk reaktion kan ge permanenta ärr.

Vanlig henna lämnar en brunaktig färg om man använder på huden och är helt okej att “tatuera” med – men tar ganska lång tid att verka. Ju längre man har hennan på huden desto djupare/mörkare färg, från orangeaktig till mörkbrun. Är man inte extremt sällsynt allergisk mot henna är det inget farligt.

Vilken henna är bra?

Lush:
+ Den luktar gott och innehåller bara naturliga och bra ingredienser.
- Den är dyr och snäppet krångligare att använda eftersom den kommer i stora kakor.
Svenska hälsokosten:
Helt okej henna, jag och bekanta har använt den utan några problem.
Crearome:
Bra och ganska prisvärd henna, men beställningsspärr på lägst 500kr i onlineshopen.
Helenas Henna:
Svensk onlineshop för henna. Säljer även t.ex. indigo för andra färger än rött. Verkar jättebra och utan kemiska tillsatser.

Just nu använder jag henna från en lokal orientalisk affär. Mycket billigare än t.ex. Lush men all text på paketet är på arabiska (?) så jag vet inte om den innehåller kemikalier. Den som lever får se.

Är det inte krångligt att färga med henna?

Inte speciellt.
+ Luktar mindre än kemisk hårfärg.
+ Mysigare att använd, det har samma konsistens som.. eh.. lera.
- Tar längre tid för färgen att verka – jag kör på 3 timmar.

Det som är krångligt är att få ur henna ur dreads. Ofta vaknar man morgonen efter i ett litet sandtag – torkad henna alltså. Det är dock värt besväret.

Vad är skillnaderna mot vanlig färg?

Nu syftar jag alltså på röd henna och röd hårfärg.

Kemisk hårfärg:
“Onaturlig” nyans
Sliter på håret
Går ur håret fort, bleknar och blir brunrosa

Henna
Ger en naturligare röd nyans
Stärker håret
Går inte ur håret snabbt

Är henna farligt/kan man få cancer av henna?

Ja, om du har för vana att äta henna till frukost varje dag.

Är henna awesome?

Eh, JA! ♥

Jag tror jag fått med det mesta men om jag missat något eller ni undrar något så säg till! Hoppas någon lärde sig något av det i alla fall.

______________________________________

Mer info på dessa sidor:
HennaForHair
Hennapage
Henna-Boy
Helenas Henna

mandala pouch with paste on

i’ve been working on more pouches to offer through my etsy web site, here.

they are carefully hand sewn (no machines!) with muslin fabric. the seams are double-folded and sewn to be extra sturdy (double threaded and triple-knotted).

i use ribbon for the drawstrings, and create them so that you can pull from both sides at once – way more fun than just having one ribbon!

these few pouches are only my second attempt so far, and so are priced very cheaply. the designs are slightly blurry – i tried to portray them as accurately as possible in the photos on etsy. they stained well, and are still an exciting way to carry around your smallest treasures.

swirls pouch

i know folks who use them to carry smoking accessories, dice, coins, handkerchiefs, and more. they’re also great if you attend or work at renaissance faires and need a ‘period’ or ‘non-modern’ way to carry small things on your person. these pouches would also be a great way to present a small gift (jewelry, special stones, or even a gift card).

please take a look at my etsy site and let me know what you think. i may at some point offer these types of items for sale directly through this site, but i’d like to find out what folks are interested in first.

thanks for your feedback!

Shannon has started doing Henna Bodyart.  Check out the pictures below!  Great for birthday parties, baby showers, special events, or a great way to try out a tattoo before you dive in!

A student at a madrassa, who was very shy as well as amused when I asked if I could click her image.

All the images on this blog are protected by copyright. Please do not copy, blog or repost in ANY way. If you wish to use them please get in touch with me through email.

When you make the effort to grow long hair, you get picky about what you do to it. You come to know how much of a price you can pay for damaging it, not to mention the long growing out time. Experimentation is done only with great caution.

But if you want to dye your hair, you can, even if it’s long. You have to be a little pickier about what you use. Fortunately, there are some great options out there.

You should always pick a hair dye that does not have peroxide. Peroxide can be very damaging to your hair. If you can avoid these, do so. Just look at the ingredients.

Many people with long hair like to use henna or indigo to dye their hair. These can work very well, although you do need to experiment to figure out if the color will be right for you, and the dying process can take a long time. It can be a lot of fun figuring out the exact mixture that gives you the color you want.

A simple way to test a henna or indigo mixture is to clean out your hair brush, and place the hairs in your mixture. Let them sit for a while to see what the resultant color on your hair will be.

Mixing these up is not as simple as opening a tube. You will want to get instructions for the mixture you use. Henna often has to sit for hours before use, and so many people mix it up the night before to give plenty of time for dye release.

Many people who have used henna report that it also has wonderful conditioning properties, and their hair feels wonderful after.

If you choose henna, the best sort is the type that is body art quality that you mix with lemon juice at home. Some henna products include metallic salts, and these are the main cause of bad reactions with other dyes later on. These are not always listed on the label, so it is often wise to just be careful about dying your hair with chemicals after using henna.

Most important is to not overdo the use of chemicals in your long hair. This includes times other than when you’re dying it. Think about the chemicals you use daily. Hair spray, mousse and so forth aren’t good for your hair. Some ingredients in shampoos and conditioners aren’t too good for your hair. The more attention you pay daily to your hair, the better your hair can cope if you do something that does damage it a little.

like a lotus blooming, she spoke
of home, tales of tears while smiling
a royal bengal tigress, far from home
no longer surrounded by native roars

i sit wide-eyed with curiosity, awe
picturing her in a saffron cape of courage
descriptions of  matchmakers that aid
with prearranged lives, cultural castes
unions that are blessed with mounds
of plantains, milk, bowls of turmeric
prayers sent up to the sun as a god
horoscopes consulted, studied in earnest

wonderous sari of deep red, gold glimmer
intricate head pieces that glitter and dangle
borrowed from the artist that dressed
her skin, her hair, her entrance like
the grace, pride, beauty of a peacock
into a vast sea of 1500 brilliant colors
elder males wearing white, shirtless Brahmin
knots in necklaces, family denoted by lineage
more than title, no simple aunt and uncle
as families bear up the union as prop roots
to massive banyan tree lift fruit to daylight
i wish her the alabaster white of unity and peace
the darkest green of both faith and fertility like
four lions, back to back, may she be courageous

yet while i snack quietly upon ripened mango
there remains a question none of us dare to ask
when the celebration ceases, wedding games end
how do you make love to a stranger

Y’hello! Nu är jag en massa grejer rikare och lite fattigare i penningpungen. Jag var ju dock till banken för att skaka loss lite flyttcash (till första hyran och så) så lite smygshopping kändes berättigad. Jag gick faktiskt ut från Indiska utan att ha köpt någonting alls – fattar ni vilken kraftansträngning det är för mig? Indiska är den enda affären här uppe som har automatisk shopaholic-effekt på mig. You done good, Räven, you done good.

Kilade ner på den orientaliska affären i södra hamn och köpte henna. +1 Gullig gubbe som jobbar där +1 Skitbra henna.
Passade på att köpa en ny mascara efter det också. +1 Rea 20 spänn! Heja!

Den blev en sväng på Dollarstore också. Passade på att handla handsprit som ni ser, haha, svinsjuka you shall not pass! Det blev schampo till mina huvudkorvar och 2 billiga ansiktsmasker också. Dollarstore I will miss u.

Sist men inte minst – skor. Har gått och dreglat efter dessa ett par veckor och fick lätta panikkänslor när jag inte hittade igen dem på hemsidan igår. Men.. spegel, spegel på väggen där – säg vem som mest second thoughts i landet har? Ska på stan imorgon igen en sväng och fortsätta snoka efter skor lite. 

Nu ska jag försöka fixa någon slags middag, sen blir det mer flyttpackning. Det finns inget slut på hur mycket man har att göra. 120 mils flytt är tydligen knepigare än 4km… Oh well, jag har haft en förvånansvärt bra dag för en måndag.

Vad gör alla idag?

I just took a much needed day off! Yes, I had a weekend getaway last week at Bodega Bay, but that was a working, brainstorming, manic-writing kind of weekend in a relaxing location. Today … now that was a day off.

It actually began last night with some henna action on my hair. Something about that warm, goopy mess of chai tea, paprika and henna just makes my brainwaves slip right into relaxation mode. While the henna did its thing, I watched two Netflix instant downloads: Management and Bickford Schmeckler’s Book of Cool Ideas. Maybe it was the relaxation talking, but I really enjoyed them both. I rinsed out the henna, dried my hair and slept blissfully well.

This morning I awoke, turned a dream into a fictional dream sequence, and watched another movie: Step Up 2: The Streets. OK, closet confession here: I love dance movies, especially street dance and Bollywood. It’s a little embarrassing just how much I love such movies. Also embarrassing: the fact that I then love to “show my moves” to my hubby for several days afterwards.

Yes, I took many, many years of ballet, tap and jazz, and I spent my fair share of time dancing into the wee hours of the morning with my restaurant buddies when I waitressed my way through college. But in elementary school and (ahem) beyond, it was all about the break dancin’. I used to do that stuff until my double-joints cracked backwards. Anyway, this morning provided a wonderful trip down memory lane as poor Stephen witnessed renditions of “the moonwalk,” “the banana” and some bizarre moves I learned by osmosis just today! OK, I have officially outed myself.

Then, my friend Shana called to see if I might love a jaunt to Cafe Gratitude and a trip to the Sonoma County Coast, in this case, Jenner. Um, was that a rhetorical question? She picked me up and we went to Cafe G where it was 2-for-1 wheat grass shots. Who knew four ounces of wheat grass could be so much fun? Followed by a sushi bowl full of kale and kim chi? Followed by a miraculous pecan pie, aka I Am Perfect?

It was bliss. Followed by more bliss as we drove along the Russian River all the way out to the pristine sea of giant boulders and seaspray. We arrived just in time for sunset.

This was such a pleasant day that it has officially inspired me to begin Thanksgiving two and a half weeks early. Here’s my gratitude list so far:

1 ) I am so thankful that we live in a world where I can pick out a movie while wearing nothing but pajamas and a shower cap over a henna muddy head, download the movie, and when I’m done watching it, download another … and another … all for $9.95 a month. I remember when we had to go to the actual movie theater or Blockbuster. We take such things for granted, but today I’m feeling the love for online movies.

2 ) I am grateful for NaNoWriMo, because this insane quest to write so many words this month made me realize way sooner rather than later that I’ve been trying to squeeze two full books into a single novel. I now have plot, character and themes for books 2 and 3 of the Schizandra Series. If I hadn’t pushed myself to keep writing when I hit the wall, I might not have noticed that little glitch for months. Book 2 seems much more manageable now, and I’m really excited to write book 3!

3 ) I am grateful that I have a husband who loves not only the intuitive, psychic, coaching, writing and energy work I do, but who actually enjoys my spontaneous a.m. dance recitals in his office. And if he’s faking that enjoyment, then I’m even more grateful because he encourages me to be me no matter how old or young or silly or amazingly rhythmic I look doing it.

4 ) I am grateful for my friends, who are always up for an adventure, experimenting with raw food goodies, juice and/or fascinating conversation. I am truly blessed to have so many diverse, compassionate and high vibe people in my life.

5 ) I am grateful that we live in Sonoma County with its unique access to stunning coastlines, open space, misty seascapes, redwoods, and more raw food restaurants than I can count. OK, normally, I can count higher, but once I start eating those desserts, I’m too blissed out to care. We have one: whichever one I happen to be eating in, and I’m so thankful that I momentarily forget just about anything and everything else. Now THAT is gratitude.

6 ) I am grateful for raw cacao. This may seem redundant to number 5, but au contraire, raw cacao deserves its own spot in my pre-T-Day gratitude list. Because raw cacao fuels happy, open hearts, and novel writing and just about every other fun thing I can imagine. Breakfast not only tastes better with chocolate; it feels better with chocolate; and we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The more cacao the merrier in my book, especially during NaNoWriMo.

7 ) I am grateful that people continue to send me such generous and supportive feedback on my writing. Stephen still calls me “the hardest working lazy person” he’s ever met. Truth is, I may be a Lazy Raw Foodist, but I pour my heart and soul into my books, especially my fiction. Thank you for noticing, and thank you for asking (so often) about Schizandra and the Peruvian Jaguar (book 2). I joke about the pressure of a 9-part series, but I honestly feel honored people want to read that many novels by me. Really, truly: thank you.

8 ) I am grateful that Cafe Gratitude’s having a FREE Thanksgiving meal on T-day and that they need volunteers. Another little outing of myself: I totally love waitressing, always have. Eating a raw vegan Thanksgiving feast and then serving food to others as a pseudo-waitress? I didn’t think I could top last year, but this one might just win.

9 ) I’m grateful that I get to teach a combined Reiki Level 1 and 2 class next Saturday. I love sharing Reiki with people, and this intensive class is particularly fun and rewarding to teach.

10 ) I am grateful to be alive and thriving after a brain injury destroyed the life I knew. November 6, 2009 marked the 11th year anniversary of the neuropsychological tests that showed a 40+ IQ drop and confirmed in an irrefutable way just how disastrously injured my poor brain really was. At the time, recovery looked unlikely.

From where I sit now, every day’s a miracle. I love my life! I have so much more freedom, joy, clarity and love than I ever had pre-injury. I feel smarter, quicker and more intuitive now than I ever did before … and I’m living my dreams. Shortly before my 1998 car accident, I set an intention to write a novel. Not nine novels. Just one. And you know what? When I started writing, I found that I had nothing at all to say. The day of my accident I asked the universe to rectify that situation. I asked for more freedom, joy, clarity and love so that I’d not only have something to write about, but something remarkable to live for. It took awhile for it all to fall into place, but the universe delivered.

Happy Thanksgiving Both Now and Later! Blessed Be.

Well the craft market/ handmade Hong kong Festival is over but this is hopefully just the beginning for Sara’s Henna! I hope to participate in many other fairs and festivals and get a chance to meet up with the amazing artists that I met during the weekend!

THANK YOU to the Mushtaq Clan for the Support (my family!)

THANK YOU to all those who got a henna tattoo done! (hope the color’s come out well!)

THANK YOU to Michael and the staff of Olive Restaurant (who were extremely helpful and super nice!)

and Lastly

THANK YOU to Megan and Stephanie for organizing this fair and giving me the last minute space!!

I never posted a follow-up about my coloring my hair with henna. I’m convinced that henna is the best thing I’ve ever done for my hair. My hair is silky and shiny and in better condition. The color is gorgeous too.

Love it. This is four applications of the “Punjabi Prime” henna from http://mehandi.com