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Donziikinz
Bio
Stories (26/0)
Cultivating The Spirit of Ubuntu . First Place in Good Deeds Challenge.
Last year was a challenging year for everyone and undoubtedly one for the history books. Amid the pandemic and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, I often had moments where I just wanted to sink into a dark abyss and forget that the world around me existed. It didn't help that my eating habits took a turn for the worst. Personal and collective struggles had engulfed me, and to be honest, I was tired of it all. I won't lie; I had a powerful virtual support system in my mother and sister, but not having them in my physical space had its limitations and left a void in me that was not easy to fill. Over time, I turned to my connections in my local Black community for comfort. I had amassed a group of friends that all relied on each other to get through the tough times en masse, and though they didn't ask for any praise, they deserved it.
By Donziikinz3 years ago in Feast
2020 Fashion Trends That We Are Leaving Behind
Though I have never personally bought into the idea of global fashion trends, I have always been an avid observer. Personally, I prefer not to go out and find that I am adorned in the same outfit as ten other people. However, this is not to bash anyone who chooses to follow fashion trends. People should be free to embrace their concept of style and individuality and wear whatever they please without being scrutinized. This isn't to say that trend onlookers like myself don't have questions. It is beyond me why people will spend their hard earned money to be a part of these trends especially if it's primarily for an Instagram photo-op. Like many, I like to flaunt jaw-dropping outfits, but I also like to spend my money on things based on their usefulness.
By Donziikinz3 years ago in Styled
A Peek Into My Blue Mind
As a toddler, my parents would take me to the beach and let me roam the shores in nothing but a diaper. I think that was when I fell in love with water and it is no surprise that even as an adult, my love hasn't waned. Ironically, I hate drinking it, but I love being in and around it. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood and young adulthood years include the beaches in my hometown. I often sought comfort in the familiar smells of the salty sea air as well as the therapeutic sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. This was my happy place. When I decided to leave my country and explore others, a criterion of finding housing was that it had to be close to a body of water, so that I could not only channel memories of my earlier days but also have a peaceful energy source a stone's throw away.
By Donziikinz3 years ago in Motivation
A Gift Guide Featuring Five Indigenous Businesses
As a Black woman living in Canada, I am aware of the fact that there is no Black liberation without Indigenous sovereignty. I am mindful of this in everything I do, and so I walk the walk. Or is it walk the talk? Either way, in my quest to achieve this and also support local businesses, I have curated a short list of Indigenous businesses in Canada. Many of these share similar values, and in their entrepreneurial ventures, they either give back to their communities or use their brands to create awareness. For those reasons, I support and share these companies as I know that their impact is far-reaching, and they are focused on achieving a triple bottom line. At the end of this article, I will include a link to a website with an even longer list that includes Indigenous businesses in the USA. However, the five I've listed below are my top picks in Canada.
By Donziikinz3 years ago in Lifehack
The Celestial Gift Guide. Top Story - December 2020.
Gift-buying can often be a challenging task, especially when it comes to the individuals who have been in your life for quite some time. Eventually, you run out of gift ideas and end up giving a gift you've already given. Luckily, I can buy my niece a different LEGO set each year, and the excitement never wanes, but I can't say that is the case for everyone else in my life. So, why not try a unique gift-buying method by using the stars as a guide? This may seem cheesy if you aren't a fan of Astrology, but what do you have to lose from gaining a fresh and fun perspective when shopping for gifts? Many of us turn to our horoscopes for guidance, so there is no harm in utilising this concept in other aspects of our lives. Below is my unique celestial guide for gift selection based on zodiac signs. If you try it, let me know what the gift recipient thinks of their gift!
By Donziikinz3 years ago in Lifehack
Grey Finn's First Christmas
Like most folks, my Christmas plan this year was to spend time with my family. Out of 52 weeks each year, we typically only have a week together so as you can imagine, our holiday plans are highly anticipated. Unfortunately, covid-19 restrictions, along with a covid-19 scare in the family forced us to rethink our plans and celebrate virtually instead. Having spent the last nine months working from home and sitting in countless Zoom meetings, this is certainly not ideal. However, any celebration is appreciated as I value any time we spend together in whatever capacity.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Petlife
Rhythms Across The World 🌎
I've been dancing for as long as I have known myself. I have danced competitively and even to have fun and alleviate stress. I mean, who doesn't like to dance? And I don't mean fancy Chris Brown moves; I mean anything that results in your body moving. As someone who doesn't like doing cardio in a gym and only jogs occasionally, my love for dancing became my creative outlet for achieving my fitness goals. It provides a full-body workout that burns approximately 250 calories in 3o minutes and also has other benefits. These include increased flexibility and balance, memory boosts, muscle endurance and improved mental health.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Longevity
A Grassroots Approach to Change. First Place in Beyond the Vote Challenge.
In my earlier years, I had absolutely no interest in voting. I had experienced leadership under both major political parties in my country, and regardless of which direction the pendulum swang, there was always chicanery involved. The election-induced crime that made me fear leaving home wearing a particular colour only exacerbated the issue. But, as I grew older, I saw the importance of embracing my right to vote. My vote was one of the ways I could amplify my voice, and I learnt that I ought not to take this for granted.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Humans
Old-Time Chocolate Tea
I’d be lying if I said I have a traditional fall recipe that I make every year during the season. I grew up in a country where it felt like summer all year round, and the leaves didn’t become more visually appealing during autumn for the perfect photo backdrop.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Feast
The Lesson My Lipoma Taught Me
When most people think of body art, including me, they think of tattoos and in some cases, piercings. I do not have any tattoos as I am more of a piercings gal, but this could also be due to my cowardice since I have a fear of needles. I mean I barely got through my flu shot the other day. However, the body art that is dearest to me isn’t any of the holes I’ve added to my body but rather one that became a part of me three years ago.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Longevity
No, It's Not Scrambled Eggs. It's Ackee!
As a child, I was often awakened on Saturday mornings by the smell of a hearty breakfast wafting through the house. My favourite days were the days my mom would make ackee and saltfish. What’s that you might ask? Well, ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica while ackee and saltfish is the national dish. I know what you’re thinking. Fish and fruit for breakfast? Such an odd combination. Interestingly, ackee is unique and unlike any other fruit. Not only is it savoury, but it also cannot be eaten unless it’s cooked.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Feast
Donzii's Signature BBQ Ribs
I remember in my second year of university, my best friend reported me to the director of the school, and not for the reason you think. Our sub-division, the school of tourism, only had one hundred students and because of this, the administration had close-knit relationships with us. My best friend was concerned about my poor eating habits because I would often have my first meal at 6 p.m. This was always unintentional, but she felt that an authority figure needed to intervene and help me with my eating dilemma. It seemed like an odd choice, as though the admin team genuinely cared for the students, I'm not exactly sure what the director could have done to make me break this personal habit.
By Donziikinz4 years ago in Feast