Natives and a Redhead

"Go and make disciples if all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and if the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

Go. Go. Go. I've been hearing that word for quite some time.

Culture, is something that has struck heavy on my heart over the years. I can remember my few years living in Oklahoma and asking so many questions about the Native Americans. Just having the knowledge that something or someone stood where I stood, was something as a young child so magical. I was still so young to comprehend the fact that their culture was a dying culture, because it was all around me. A few years pass and I go to cultural fairs in my town in Arkansas that had tribal dancers. Booths containing craftsmanship of hardened hands working hard for little income. Still to this day I picture the old Indian woman's face when I asked her about her work. Small carved wooden dolls, littlest of details etched into the craft. It all sounds cliche, I know. But as young as I was this was my biggest fascination.Years pass and here I am. Attending college in Tallahassee Florida, home of the Seminoles. Everywhere I turn there's something pointing towards the Native American culture.
Why?
Holy cow batman, that's a hard one.
God has made it clear to me within this last year that he wants me teaching, not just teaching, but teaching in Native American schools. Weird, right? I know. People are always like "wow, I've never heard of anyone wanting to do that". That's true. You probably wont again either, but hey, you asked. But God is working in my heart and allowing me to grow through this. I've become aware and researched the culture and the reservations needs for teachers, and it's interesting to see what they need. Often times students on reservations don't complete high school or go on to college, because they are such poor communities. They're spiritually dark too. It's a constant war of alcoholism and drugs. Women raise their children in alcoholic house holds and have no way out.

 Where?

Good question, God is still preparing me and educating me, and I'm just now completing my freshman year of college. But, he has laid it on my heart, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, no matter how hard I shake it. I've found that the WHERE aspect of it all is to be determined later on by the Lord and he will do something great with it.

God has done a lot in me this year, and it hasn't been easy to battle with. Coming to terms with what he wants for me wasn't exactly my dream, but dreams do change, and so do people. It's an adventure in the making (and I'm all about that) that he has already planned out.

Go, I'll be going. I sit in excitement for what he has in store for me. Now all I have to do is wait, and do what I can in the mean time. Things change, plans change, life changes. But everyday I find myself dreaming up and coming up with ideas of things I can do, I have a small note book where I write them down so that I wont forget.

I wanted to share this with y'all because its all I can think about. I waited long enough to know it wasn't a phase, and that I wasn't dreaming up something. I felt the need to share what God had been working in and on my heart in this last year, and last forever. God is truly amazing. I can finally answer the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" truthfully.





-Tay

Not so Cool Story, Bro.

Growing up, I was never typically embarrassed by my family.They've always been really chill and relaxed. My parents weren't/aren't super strict, and always have been encouraging.

So I'd say their pretty cool. How? well....

For starters my mom, Laura, she's pretty awesome. She has a heart for God and I can't imagine the world without her. Rarely do I ever go a day without talking to her, whether it be me calling and complaining, or asking random questions, sometimes as an excuse to call her.
Recently she's made friends with a women who's son plays volleyball with my little brother. She doesn't speak much English, so my mother being the saint that she is has offered to tutor her in her English. Which in my book, makes anyone who offers to do such a thing is awesome. It's a difficult task learning another language. Much less teaching it. me and my BEAUtiful mother.







Next in line, can't forget DaddyO. My Dad, Mike, has always been my partner in lazy Saturday afternoons watching the history channel, or some random action movie on tv. He's always had a knack for tinkering with things and being really creative. I've always looked up to him, because not only does he see prospect in random things hes tinkering with, but people as well. His and my mother's love for each other is the cutest, there's no question about it.

He's pretty cool. 

JACOB: 6'3", Varsity Volleyball.

Position: Front Middle.

Hobbies: Being busy with school, work, and Volleyball

The sweetest boy/man/whatever, you will ever meet. Doesn't complain much, but will eat out out of house and home. Been a real good pall over the years and I really hope he'll join me up at FSU fall of 2014. I love going home to have him meet me at the door with a giant hug that dwarfs me. He's a good lookin' goofy fella that doesn't even need explaining. 

Yeah, he's pretty cool.

Hyperventilating .

Can't shoot with my machete . 

You betcha, Morgan O'Kane. 

Ain't nobody gonna go and try to tell her what to think, do, say. She is her own individual self and I give her a lot of credit for it. She has always had the jealous girls on her back growing up,  and she's always held her own regardless of what they say. shes trouble when she gets going, but trust me when she's done, you'll still be laughing. 

Yep, she's one cool cat.

Last but not least. Ladies and gentlemen. THE ONE. THE ONLY. 

JOSIE O'KANE.

The youngest of us, the most liberal of us, the most opinionated of us, the most popular of us, and good gravy shes a real beaut'. Never at a loss for words, ever, Will watch any movie with you, if you refuse, well good luck. She has a heart of gold, always sticking up for the under dog. Will get her school projects done the day their assigned if she can, shes got the brains, the looks, and the guts. She'll go far, no doubt. 

Especially with a talent like this

so, I'd say shes's pretty cool.

For those of you who actually read this, I'm sorry that you had to experience me brag about my family. Usually that's what parents do, or grandparents. But I'm the big sister, the experimental child. So if I turned out alright, I reserve the right. Right? 

Of course. 

-Tay

How to's and Don't do's

Recently I discovered in my apartment our tea cups, or mugs to the coffee drinkers were stained.

For me this is gross, so what did I do? I text my Kaki of course. Kaki is my Mom's mom, instead of 'grandma' she's Kaki. I don't know where the name came from honestly, it's just what I've known to call her.
Anyway's, yes my Kaki texts, and yes she replied with an answer.

BAKING SODA.

Of course, it makes sense. It's used to clean jewelry if you don't want to buy the actual stuff.

Anyways, the trick is to pour some baking soda in the bottom of the mug and put a little bit of water and mix it together. Make it thick and cover the stained surfaces as well as possible. Let it sit for up to fifteen minutes, or it will eventually begin to take the glaze off.
Works like magic. Within minutes you have removed all the tea stains. Be sure you run it through water to get the excess baking soda off, and to be extra safe a run through the dishwasher could never hurt.

It's the little things my friends, the simple remedies that fix everyday things.

What are the little things that make everyday things more efficient and effective for y'all?
Or do you have a "Don't do" in the kitchen? (aside from setting it on fire of course).



-Tay

Hair Care

Curly hair?

Don't care?

Well, you should. A few years ago some family friends who also had the dilemma of what to do with curly hair introduced me to a magical product. This magical product is called "Ouidad". It's probably the best curly hair product on the market that I am aware of to this day. I don't have super curly hair, but it's curly enough that it's not wavy. Did I mention it's red? I'm not hard to miss. There's no going out with it completely untamed, unless its raining of course.

I learned the first trick to keeping your hair healthy is to ditch the brush. Wide tooth combs are the absolute way to go. It keeps the ends of your hair from breaking off and keeps it from frizzing up as much.
Secondly, DO NOT dry it with a towel, or twist it in a towel. It breaks your hairs, drys it out, and even damages ends. The alternative is to dab it, or gently squeeze it with a soft t-shirt. One that you probably don't fit into anymore, yet still keep out of sentiment. No worries, I'm on the same boat mate.
Third, once you've dabbed it, combed it, and what not use the magic potion.
 Ouidad's Climate Control gel.
Price: $22
Lasts up to six months, assuming you have normal weather.
Worth every penny.

If your one of those people who doesn't like to wash their hair everyday, but it still looks like a birds nest each morning try Ouidad's Botanical Boost Spray. Same price, same worth. It makes mornings so much easier and leaves your hair looking good for another day and doesn't make it all oily. Which is one of my biggest pet peeves.

I'm no expert, but I love playing with my hair, and trying new things, so if anyone has some suggestions on hair care products, please leave a comment or tweet me @taylorokane.





-Tay