Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read our website and send your positive responses.  The website was set up to chart the daily/ weekly /monthly lives of black women in Britain as it is my belief our everyday stories hardly get told only in relation to a crisis or event.  My personal challenge is to keep writing every day which I do not always do therefore missing key elements of my life which may inspire, provoke thought or influence the lives of others.  As a reflective practitioner journaling helps me chart my experiences, read and reflect and perhaps have a plan or a way of changing if a similar incident should occur in the future.  It also helps me remember those special events that some how my memory erases and replaces with trivia!

We are fast approaching 2009 this will be an extremely challenging year for me – for the first time in my life I may have a major operation and in regards to my expectations and dreams THE BAR HAS BEEN RAISED! I know Diane feels the same too so 2009 will be a very interesting year for diaryofablackgirl.com

Most exciting of all we will be running workshops on journaling, blogging and empowerment in a town near you additionally we also undertake ‘one to one’ coaching and mentoring as well as custom designed  workshops for your your group or organisation.

We hope you enjoy reading the stories – please keep in touch and let us know what you think.

Walk good and keep the faith

Lauretta

I work near Ladbrook Grove and as such I am in the heart of the Notting Hill experience – I mean the black and multi-cultural version not the ‘white/ middle-class / blanked out version’ as portrayed in the film.  It’s a lovely area but what is clear is the extremes of wealth and poverty in the borough  – never have I seen such a grand example of the social divide.  Right now the preparations for the carnival are in motion - I am talking about the physical area.   I can see the streets being prepared by the delivery of the ’barriers’ ready for distribution.  For me the ’barriers’ are part of the ‘art’ of the festivities the ‘caracture’ and the costume - a social analogy mimicking and reinforcing the division – the divide in the borough – they too are part of the spectacle.   The carnival and mass bands have been preparing for the carnival for over a year – of course you know deciding on themes, designing and making costumes, raising money, training musicians and dancers.  There is definitely a good vibe and a buzz in the air. 

I am so excited!

Lauretta

I went out with Diane and two friends on Friday.  Dianes’ friend Timi had invited her to a cultural event about the African Village he comes from.  Oh yeah and he had a cousin …. who he wanted me to meet.  We had a very interesting evening first a meal then towards the venue for the talk, very interesting and thought provoking.  What was funny we were all tired and were drinkingRed Bull.  Following the event we went to the Blagg club down Ladbrook Grove, London, excellent – we danced ’till three.  We were the ‘fun couples’- you know the type when you go into a club and they dance and laugh all night.  It was great.  Following this we had jerk chicken outside the club.  Having not derived enough pleasure from this memorial night we then bought some goodies and came to mine and had some drinks and treats and talked till dawn.

Oh and his cousin – what a hunk ….

Lauretta

 
I just phoned Keith – he is busy at work but took the time out to speak to me.  I would describe Keith as:

Dark, tall, sexy, intelligent, open minded, spiritual, healer, good sense of humour, Mr Nice Guy

He is a long time friend – we met in a dance, chatted and danced all night.  He has asked me out more than once and I have asked him – there is a connection – spiritual and emotional – we have hung out – as friends.  I have not seen him for a while.  I remember in times of despair he was always there at the end of the phone or in person – he often came to my rescue like a knight in shining armour and healed the pain.  He is a great listener.  He loves my cooking.

I am so glad Keith is in my life.

Lauretta x