Eastended Chubster

Fat n' Frugal

2009-08-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

So I finally found time to sit down and write this list up, so here goes...

* A decent pair of skinny jeans that don't puff in the back, pucker in the crotch or shrink above my ankles.

*A pair of black suede boots, Doc Martens (I already have white ones) or Wellies for running from authority figures in the harsh rain.

*A new bookbag, that is basic enough that I can wear it everyday, but not too boring so that I'll want to buy another (much cooler) bookbag.

*Either new frames for my glasses or contact lenses; my current one's keep sliding down my nose!

* Sue Devitt Face Powder in Tahari Desert. Expensive buy, but the way this powder blends in with my skin puts M.A.C to shame, I hardly have to wear any make-up at all when I use it.

...and that's all that I have for now. Obviously the original list was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer, but this is the best I could come up with after hours of denial.

Confessions of a Financial Basket Case.

2009-08-12T05:28:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I suck at saving money.

Admitting this just makes it easier to form a game plan on how to not completly waste my money shopping for school stuff this year. I've decided to make a list of all the items I need to have for school this fall.

Then, I'll narrow down that list to the 5-10 things I actually need. This is going to be the hardest part since I have a hard time knowing the difference between things I need, things I want and frivilous bullshit. Don't belive me? Ask my $25 Alice in Wonderland Rabbit Hat that I got at Otakon this year.

A hare-ible mistake. ( See? I can be funny.)

Whatever,man.

2009-08-09T06:09:00.001-07:00

Alrighty, So I know this is waaaaaaaaaaaaay past due, but hey, its my internet real estate and I'm making it a timeshare (was that an appropriate analogy?).

This Summer has been pretty eventful, I had a (horrible) summer class that I will never ever want to remember again. EVER; I went to Otakon 2009 which was a blast (still not as great as my first con though); I turned twenty (finally), and sorta started driving. Either way, it's been a really interesting summer, I really just wanted to use this one to relax and really think about where I'm headed. I'm beginning to realize that I need to direct my focus into a few hobbies in order to avoid mania, I'm reigniting my obsessions with writing, make-up, sewing, knitting and crafting.

Using this summer to really examine myself, what I want and how I deal with those around me, really opened my eyes. I now realize how much my procrastination hurts me, I have tons of ideas, bouts of inspiration and creativity that repeatedly go to waste because I was sure I was going to "get to it later" or "didn't really have to do it now".

I also, began to realize how much I turn other people pessimissim into my own, under the guise of "reality", no more of that either. Optimism and Realism don't have to conflict.

Sure, I've had a million "rebirths" and "new start's" but so what? Life should be all about falling and getting back up. I can honestly say their isn't a second of my life that has been wasted or without (eventual) merit.

So let's do this.

wait...wha..?

2009-05-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

Wow. I'd never think that'd the end of the semester would ever come, but here it is...tommorow is my last day and I'm pretty much in the clear. Even if I decided to "land it in the Hudson" I could stil manage a 3.0; cheers!

But this still hasn't kept things from being tottally stressful, there's papers, exams and assignments that I have had to bustle through along with work and my waning "social" life (and by "social" I mean sitting in a room along reading books whilst stoned*)

I'm actually in the middle of a couple papers right now...yea..I AM taking a break.

The one good thing about all of this chaos is that its somehow gotten me to appreciate the weather (which has been AWESOME over here), to the point where it actually alters my mood in the morning...freaky. I guess when everything is in a whirlwind you have no choice but to notice anything that makes you feel good.

Like compelling cartoons about race and gender.

Seriously, is there a reason I have never heard of Jim Lujan before? I'm really digging what I've watched so far; especially this:

Well I have to go, sorry for the randomness and disorganization so this post..I'm just drained.

Peeze

*JK drugs are bad for you.

Yo!

2009-04-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

Despite my lack of readers, I am a little ashamed at my neglect of this blog, it's been a while hasn't it?

*cricket chirps*

Anyway, school has been hounding me, we're closing in on the semester and I'm trying hard to get the grades that I want. I am also currently battling family issues, not really a conflict but just concerns that I have about my siblings and I now feel like I have to address those concerns with my parents.

Why can't life just be an everlasting Spring Break?

Speaking of, today was my first day back to school from my Spring Break! I spent the majority of the time sleeping ( I normally wake up @ 4am, so wakin up @ 9:30am was a luxury!) but I did manage to have some fun with a co-worker at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the American Visonary Artisit's Museum (which EVERYone in MD should check out whenever they can!) I have pictures on my Flickr (name : JennyTaelyah) if you're interested in viewing the tomfoolery of me and my mate ;)

I've also recently decided to apply to my school's nursing program. If accepted I'll earn my ADN and become an RN with the option of purseing a BSN.

I'm still not sure why nursing is still seen as a "low brow" kinda job, but I also don't care.
I still plan on becoming a doctor, but this path seems to carry the most benefits:

I have already completed the majority of the pre-req's needed to apply to most nursing programs, one more semester and I should be due to apply!
This allows me to work in a hospital and gain that much desired experience! Seriously, I have really wanted to work in a hospital for a long time and I dread the idea of sitting behind books for 4 - 6years without being able to do so,
My school (like many others) offers a bridge program where the hospital you work for will pay for your Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Nursing (BSN), should you choose to continue.
Pay is great.
After getting a BSN, I can take the MCAT and apply to med school.
Medical schools note the obvious experience of a current/ex-nurse.
Scrubs are getting cuter and cuter.

The only "problem" is that very few people get accepted to my nursing program. In fact, it's simpler to just apply to a four-year college for a BSN than to get into the Nursing progam at my school. It's very picky, so I am actually retaking two courses just to earn a more competitive GPA.

I'll be doing a review on some new products I got soon, including some mac and smashbox stuff I tried XD! But right not school is taking a HUGE toll on me, so as soon as I feel caught up, I'll be sure to post.

Oh please..who's really reading this anyway?

Catch me if you can!
Uchenna

Quick and Dirrrty Grade Post

2009-03-25T13:08:00.001-07:00

NOTE! *** School Themed Post!***

Ok, So I've finally heard from one teacher along with doing some math of my own and have calculated my grades so far for this term!!!

Sociology - 96%

Multi-Culti Psychology - 94.5%

Philosophy - 95.3%

Afro-Amer Hist - 81.6%

As for the low B in AA Hist...I can explain...but it's far too embarrassing. All I know is that I still have the potential to bring it up to an "A" soon or at least before the semester is over.

I'm really proud of myself for sticking to my schedule and being able to pull these grades, I've had really bad experiences with school in the past due to my battle with ADD and Depression (as result of my failures due to my ADD).

I'm glad things are finally seeming to come together. I actually thought my deranged obsession in make-up, blogging, YouTube, etc would deter me .

Yep, things are finally looking up.

(Except for that annoying B-.)

-Uchenna

Haul.Hawl.Howl

2009-03-18T11:15:00.001-07:00

Yep. Finally.
It was bound to happen, all the factors were there...
Paycheck, cancelled classes, free bus pass, comfortable shoes.
I shopped the other day.
I shopped for makeup, like I was harvesting it for the oncoming make-up famine.
But, whats done is done, I even used a bit of everything so that I don't return anything when I begin to feel bad.
Yep, I'm a sicko.

So anyway, first went to WalMart (yes, walmart) and ended up getting two more of the Revlon Matte Eyeshadows (my first was Venetian Blue) ,in Aubergine and Riviera Blue which I both LOVE beyond words! They are verrrry matte (duh), which (when combo'd with UDPP of course) prevents creasing on the oiliest of skin (ask me how I know, :P). These were only $3.88 guys! They're a great buy, especially if you're oily and have already invested in a decent eye primer!

I also got Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear nail polish in Twisted Pink. This was only $2.00 and has so far been holding up pretty well. I love the intensity of the color and the smooth, shiny finish it leaves behind; it dries fast and looks great with halfway decent topcoat.

The last thing I got from Walmart was one the new(ish) Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens in Black. I'm just starting to get the hang of using it, so I don't want to say too much about it now, my shaky hands may be the cause for my hard time using this, but even with that I did end up with a cool(ish) asymetrical line design for my fingernails. Oh, and this was $7.00

After that, I stopped at Ulta, where I nearly painted my self in swatches whilst admiring just about everything ( I walked out with like 12 eyeshadows , 2 blushes and 1 paint pot swatch on a single arm!). I actually only came there for the Urban Decay Primer Potion, with is an essential for me, since without it, eyeshadow either: a) melts off my skin or b) leaves behind a crease deeper than the grand canyon.
I also picked up a NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil for $3.99, which I am now using all the frikin time now! (which is a big deal, because I usually HATE wearing anything on my lips). Paired with a teeny bit of petroleum jelly in the morning and followed with any ol' cheap-o chapstick throughout the day, it stays on, stays hot and doesn't get all sticky and gross when I eat or drink.

Then, I went to MAC ,for the first time with an intent to (possibly) buy something. I'm actually going to put up a full post on my little visit to MAC this week, but let me just say that it was eye (and wallet) opening. I spent the most money there (of course), but I'd have it no other way. The lady who helped me was sweet (and didn't have that creepy bitch vibe like most MAC girls ) and sat with me for a looooooong time hookin' me up with the right color and right products for my skin.
I ended up with Studio Tech Foundation in NW47; Select Cover-Up in NW50 ,Pressed Blot Powder in Deep Dark and Blush in Fever. It all looks and feels amazing. It isn't too heavy/red/messy/dry/etc, it feels just...right.

All in all it was a pretty good day, I got what I needed and got want I wanted.
For now.
Ta,
Uchenna

The Devil Wears Mac

2009-03-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I finally caved in and shelled out the extra cash for some MAC foundation.
Now, I know it may be quite a foolish thing to spend a (large) percentage of your freshly cashed check on cosmetics, buuuuuuuuuut It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome!
Really.
I've always had problems with matching foundation, like most women of color
I have, like, 4 shades of brown on my face/neck area alone. So the constant
struggle raised questions like:
Do I match my face with my neck?
Do I match my neck with my body?
Do I match my face with my body?
and so on, and so forth.
For women with tone issues, It can be especially frustrating trying to answer all of these questions whilst trying to find a suitable foundation/concealer.
Now, MAC is notorious for being a bit pricey. I have actually never spent this much on make-up alone before, I promised myself I would only spent $29 on Studio Tech Foundation if I truly saw a difference between MAC and my other, cheaper foundations.
And I did.

First thing I learned, was that I was actually 2-3 shades lighter than what I usually wear, I've been trying wear darker makeup all this time because my neck is slightly darker than my face and I wanted to "bring it all together". What I didn't consider was that my neck was just a small fraction of skin . I looked crazy walking around with a dark face/neck and a body 3 shades lighter. ( if I ever wore a low cut top or anything that showed my chest/arms/etc.)

Secondly, Makeup is not just the color you see in the package itself, it carries an undertone. This is meant to make your skin look more vibrant and for WOC, less ashy. So, as a darker skinned woman most of my cosmetics offer a red undertone as opposed to a yellow one. This explained the annoying oompa-loompa look I sometimes got with my other foundations. Also, combined with the fact that I wore a foundation and bronzer darker than required, I ended up looking orange some days and never understanding why! It was enraging.

Thirdly, these undertones do vary in brand! I made the mistake of going to MAC one day an saying that I wanted something with "absolutely NO red" , so they gave me something with a yellow undertone. It was a big, bright, mess. My friend, the sweetest girl in the world, dropped her jaw, made her "eww" face and said "I don't like that AT ALL" when I asked her about it. It later occurred to me that while MAC may carry a red undertone in their foundation, it may be of a different quality.( And it was, the red in NW47 fits me perfectly.)

Lastly, in the case of a darker neck vs a lighter face (or vice versa). Find a medium, because if you go too dark to look like your head was dipped in chocolate and if you match your lighter body tone, then you get a "zebra effect".

"not sexy, at all"

So, that's pretty much it. I will be posting some pictures soon of my face with both the drugstore foundations (Covergirl, Queen Collection; Black Opal) and the MAC foundations.

**Oh!, and another thing : I am in NO WAY trying to put down DS makeup...at all! I love Revlon Matte shadows, Sally Hansen's Nail Polish, etc. This was just a situation of mine that I thought some people may be able to relate to. The Queen Collection served me well for quite sometime, but may have not been so good for me in the long run since: a) I have oily skin and its verrrrrrry creamy. and b) for 98% of the time I was using the wrong color. I've seen the same line on other women, and thought it looked great, so it's really just a matter of preference.

Peace,
Uchenna

EDIT: Face pics!

First: Pounds of Covergirl Queen Liquid, Black Opal Foundation, and CG Bronzer was needed to hide red/ashy look of each of these products. It melted, shined, got on all of my clothes, almost never looked even, and it took FOREVER to look normal.

Oh, and it held on to fallout eyeshadow like glue and for "eveness" I had to put some on my neck. It was a nightmare.

Then...came MAC.
*Please disregard the weird "Deer-in-the-Headlights" look, the camera flash was shockingly bright!*

Easier to work with, works better with eyeshadow and doesn't smear all of my clothes.
Also, it hold my eyeshadow well as well as blends in with the rest of my skin around my face/neck, without me having to actually apply makeup there.

Eyes: Auburgine/Riveria Blue from Revlon Matte Collection, MAX Factor 2000 calorie mascara and UDPP.

Lips: Petroleum Jelly and NYC Jumbo Lip Pencil

Not that much of a Barbie fan (anymore)...

2009-03-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

...but damn...she does nails now?

I can't wait to get some gold tipped zebra nails...

Econoclast

2009-02-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

Well, hello there.... - by Jenny_Taelyah on Polyvore.com

Click link's for prices. The most expensive thing on this set is $59.99 (Jacket)
Tell me what you think!

Pizzles,
Uchenna

Poly-core

2009-02-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

Les Diabolique - by Jenny_Taelyah on Polyvore.com

I'm a diehard Polyvore junkie.
It's helps me express my inner stylist.
This is just a random outfit I put together, I'm going to be making some "pocket friendly" one's.
Soon. Real soon.

Enjoi!,
Uchenna

Study now, Live later?

2009-02-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

Thats what it feels like.
Grades have been great, School has been great, I've even joined two clubs.
But I'm not really going out that much...and I never have money because I study more than I work.
God.
Well, this is what prioritizing is I guess, picking and choosing; winning and losing.
I guess.
ARGH! I never knew I could be so happy and so bored!
An so...I dunno...
I'm always tired after 10pm and I'm only awake long enough to go to school, study and work.
Everything else goes under the "misc" file of my schedule.
I need to save money to repair my laptop, so that I won't have to go across town just to type a paper.
That's $398.
That's another 4 weeks paycheck down the shitter.
I'm not sure how I am feeling right now, but I hope it doesn't effect my grades.
I'm in a school I don't attend, because they have to only library open on a Sunday.
Huzzah!
I'm in a school I don't attend and I'm blogging as opposed to getting this damn paper turned in before 6pm, when it's due.
Hmmm.
For those that read, or may read in the future, I'm really sorry for the downer.
Not really.
My life doesn't suck that much, I know.
I hate to be another whiney college going mama's girl
But then again...

..and I do it so well sometimes.
Later, Gator's.
-Uchenna

Cheater, Cheater!

2009-02-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin's are too expensive. Especially after I climb out of my economic rut and buy this dress.

But I tell ya, I look mighty fine in it...and that's that!

Yep, I spent my Valentine's Day window shopping and sipping free espresso's with an old friend that I recently got in touch with. It was grand..until I had to get home.
See, the thing with being a college student is that you usually know your way around the bus/light rail/train system of your area.
The thing about being a poor college student is that you usually have to use it.
My family was really busy, so I knew that calling them to come pick me up from the mall was not practical, SO, I do what I know I have to and stand at the bus stop with my friend. Only two buses got off where we were waiting..the 35 (the one I need) and the 15 (the one my friend is waiting for).

After about 15 minutes in the freezing night cold, the bus is not there.
After 30 minutes a mess of children come to the stop making a hell of alot of noise.
After 35 minutes it begins to flurry.

What the hell is going on?

Soon after this crosses my mind, I see the 35 come to the stop, drop off a mess of people and then, like a nightmare, the bus driver says "I'm taking no passengers!!!" and closes the door of the bus making that oh-so heart crushing "swooshy-air-compressor sound" and rides off in the night.

This happens twice.

I am going crazy inside right now, because it's getting later and colder and those damn kids are getting louder and more annoying. To make things MUCH worse, I have a chest cold that is only being made worse with the raw feeling in my throat now being worsened by the cold. I feel like I am between dying and wanting to die.

So then (of course) the next bus that comes is the 15 and my friend hugs me and then turns to get on the bus. My amygdala says "fuck this" and I wait 10 seconds before hurriedly asking her to talk to the bus driver before I jump on. Now that I am on the bus (and warm), my new set of worries begin.

Where the hell am I going?

I mean, really. I have no idea where the 15 goes. It is only through some gossip that I heard whilst working at a fast food resturaunt 4 years ago, that I had some idea that it might lead me home. The bus driver confirms my burger gossip, but even he seems a little..."ditzy", our conversation goes like this:

Me: Can this bus take me the the XX?
BD: Uhm yea, but thats not till we get ALL THE WAY downtown...
Me: What's the name of the stop?
BD: Oh thats the...uh...er...*mumbles*
Me: Huh?
BD: Uh...don't worry! I'll let you know when we get there! *drives*

So, as you can imagine I was a little less than comforted when I heard this. I am now thinking about how to either stick out in this man's head (take top off?) so he remember's my stop or how to find another way to get on another bus within the county; cause let's face it :

No one should be in downtown Baltimore at night.

Sorry, thats it. I'm not stupid and I now knew that the 15 was not taking me to the "hip downtown" where all the clubs and concert halls were. No, this was the Baltimore City, after the Metro area. My amygdala piped up once again with a "What!?...fuck!...No, dude!" and I began to freak out and think fast after my friend got off at her stop.

I then began to recognize where I was and luckily was able to get the driver to let me off at another stop that would but me on another bus that would take me to the XX, it was good for me cause it was the bus I took to school every morning.

Bitchin'!

Things actually begin to look up, almost. Until I get off.

I am now at "The Overlea Loop".

Now if you are not from Baltimore, you are lucky enough to not know what I am talking about.
The Overlea Loop is basically a drummed up bus stop, that I think meant more "back in the day" than it does now. It actually looks like it used to be quite adorable back when it was first put up.

Non-Baltimoreans:
Picture an adorable green and white home, with a gaping porch-like space for sitting.
Picture the surrounding greenery and old-timey architechture.

Now picture all of that covered in piss, shit, graffti, racial slurs, spit and ciggarette butts.

Picture this place in the rain, with an irate man spitting every 10 seconds (literally, it was give or take...I counted!) and a junkie rubbing his feet in the midst of the rain, spit and my stifled heaves.

No, really. I almost vomited when the wind blew and I saw his brown toenails and was hit with his foot smell.

Once I got on that bus, the rest of the night was pretty normal.

But damn,

I need a set of wheels.

Peace...

Uchenna

Intro(spective)

2009-02-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Hello! For those that read and those that skim, My name is Uchenna and I will be posting on this blog for the other PFP's out there or those that just want a peek into the lives of one of "us". I wanted to write for the "money-challenged", chubster collegiates that are less worried about living up to body standards and more interested in clothes, cosmetic art, hair, school, relationships , politics, and just enjoying the college experience and since it seems that while many other bloggers have, I'm not sure if many (or any) feature the challenge of being all of these things and...broke. For those that think that money is not a factor in PS fashions just try to imagine the frustration of finding the "perfect" outfit...then imagine finding it in the few store that have your size....THEN try to find the clothing that you can afford. It's less than easy and more than "hard", but growing up body/fashion/money concious kinda gives a "third eye", so through this blog I hope to learn from other PFP's about their experiences and share my own.

Till next time!
Uchenna