On my way home I decided to pop into Waitrose to buy something nice for dinner.  Mid shopping I felt extremely ill and decided to telephone for a cab to take me home.  There I sat in the cab, feeling unwell the driver broke into conversation – you know the type looking at me in his rear view mirror, commenting on the area we were driving through remarking how nice it was.  We got to my place and sat outside exchanging cash, still talking.  He said ‘nice place’ I said ‘thanks it’s OK’ he said ‘do you live alone?’  I paused and said ‘yes’ he said ‘oh why don’t you get yourself a TOY BOY?’  I paused looked startled and said – ‘ ……. BECAUSE I AM TOO YOUNG!’  

Work it out folks! 

He pushed the change into my hand, looked embarrassed, apologised and drove off hastily.

MEN!

Lauretta x

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

Well I watched, I saw, I wept.  Oh happy day – what a vision a BLACK man – a slick, cool, intelligent, talented BLACK MAN, a family man has won the presidency of America through faith, determination, strength and ETHICAL campaigning.

History has been made – can I get a witness Hallelujah!

What I love is that OBAMA stands as a CORRECTIVE to the negative portrayal of African Caribbean men by the media NO longer will the world have a shallow negative vision of black men, the pathology has changed.  We can hold our heads high.  Do you realise our families, our children will be watching a black man on TV, seeing a Black man in newspapers, hearing his name learning about him in schools and colleges, at home … the possibilities are endless.

America is a culturally dominant country that influences our our childrens’ lives so when a Black man is voted in as President I can only see it as a positive now and for the future.

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMMING – BUT A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

I’m feelin’ good

Lauretta x

I’ve been out of touch for a while – in this ‘while’ so many things have happened to me.  In the moment when these ’so many things’ were happening in my life I wanted to write – I mean that is what the Diary is for right?  However rather than write I thought I’d give my power to getting through things rather than putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) which is not like me usually I diversify and do many things – there was a lot to be said for focusing on one thing – for me it  worked.  It now means I will be writing retrospectively for a while.  Mabey it’ll make more sense if I just get on with it.  There is so much to say I am glad I am sharing this site with my beautiful dear friend Diane.  Whilst writing at this very moment I am thinking and believing this site is such a good tool to share with the world the experiences of two black women getting by in this big ‘ol world our ups and downs, our dreams and aspirations, our loves and losses our challenges and successes.  I am so happy here right now today this very second, and the next and the next …….. this time last year I was HOMELESS yes officially homeless a year on I have my own place, working as a community worker (my love) and lecturing in a college for excluded young people.  I’ve lost weight and I have a much healthier mind, body, soul and spirit.  During the last year I have had a year of abuse at work, left and was unemployed, thrown out of college even though I got the highest marks in the class!!! (They have since apologised- and facing my solicitor) I am now facing a major operation in the next few weeks  – but hey I am still smiling because I am here! I am alive! I am happy! I pray, keep positive and focused. In the next few days I will ‘catch up with you all and fill you in – but for now I’m doin’ fine.

Lauretta