🌻 ‘ello 🌻

good ☀ LINF family

a lot has happened within my absence. i’ve experienced a lot of professional and emotional firsts that i admit, i’m having difficulty adjusting to.  i’ve learned to accept what i cannot change, and challenges what i can. it was during this experience lie the most hardships. it took me quite a minute to realize and understand the reality that is my life. like most i want a good life. a great life and yet like others i refused to accept my current situations. i battled with what i want vs what i need. wanting is great, but without taking care of my needs first, i was lost. i started at the end of my story. lost and confused on where to go from there. stepping back shared a new perspective. new goals. new ideas. new routines that guaranteed accomplishments in the long haul. patience, determination and faith are keys to reaching that fulfillment. and that is where i am today. at the beginning of my story. reevaluating. 

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literature update

• i received my second assignment for the local magazine, which is due October 5th.  my topic is holiday traditions. although, i did well with the first assignment, my ability as a journalist are fairly fresh and somewhat overwhelming. 

… to cope, i started quite early:
researching the selected businesses and topic.
planning and scheduling interview dates. noting well.   

• i always believed that my writing abilities were great for fantasy stories. however, lately the motivation i once cultivated is no longer mustering as it once had years prior. 

so, i downloaded stories that enticed me mentally.
then i picked up a journal and started writing with no goal or story in mind. surprisingly, i love this method. i noticed that i enjoyed dark psychological short stories. to keep engage i found short story contests that i plan to enter. to name a few contests online: Short Story Competition 2018 | My Best Story ✍ Writing Contests | Tethered by Letters ✍ 

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visual update

original | cropped | no filters

the enjoyment of taking nature photographs is not only rewarding but tranquil. yet, i want more. i want to show my envision of the world of me. the vast and vividness of natures own colorful aspect. in heart i feel i am a photographer, armature, but photographer nonetheless. like the other struggles i’ve encountered, i’m not satisfied of my work.

Photoshop | cropped

i recently started investing more time in learning the different techniques one can apply to bring a scene memorable to a greater sight. all in which i’ve applied in Photoshop. doing so, i learned more about the program and my abilities as an artists. ive only completed one touch up. there are a good list of others scheduled for a makeover.

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• there has been a lot of thinking put into the new set of memes design and reaching out to a greater a audience. though Instagram is visual, i lack the skills to really connect and improve my online presence. i’ve thought of many ways to go about it, but none seems to advertise my skills properly to the public.

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🌼do not #pray for an easy #life, pray for the #strength to #endure a difficult one 🌼 Bruce Lee #quotestoliveby . . #follow 👉 @ebonaffects👍 for more  #visualart #inspiration👑 . . #photography #nature #naturephotography #naturalbeauty #nofilter 🌼 #original #ebonaffects #photograph 👑 . #believe in the #unbelievable #lifequotes #quotesoftheday #quotesofinstagram . . 👣💎#royal #family 🌼 . 🙏 #bibleverse #bible 👑

A post shared by 🌼••°••K S••°••🌼 (@ebon_stateofmind) on Aug 26, 2018 at 4:23pm PDT

🤔so, the question of the week is: what design examples can i create to showcase my knowledge and abilities? i’ve narrowed my lists of possibilities to inventing a made up business and then design advertising documents to go with said business. on the list, i have: a flower shop, a restaurant, and a community project. these are a few ideas. friends, if you have any suggestions please leave a comment below!  all suggestions are welcomed!

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how are you?

🌼success is no accident. it is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do -Pele

afternoon my royal friends. jus wanted to stop by and say hey. i hope your week is going well.

over these past few weeks, i’ve been thinking of ways to stay engage and consistent with all my social media; personal and professional.

the truth is with this new job as a freelance journalist and graphics designer, and working from home as a customer service agent (again. need to keep the babies fed) i noticed that there aren’t as many hours in the day. basically, i’m still adjusting to these new changes.

speaking of journalism, i received my first assignment last week. i was enthralled and nervous, interviewing the local business owners. i turned my assignment in on the 10th. now, i’m jus waiting on a reply from the boss. nail biting, i know. honestly, i used to think customer service wasn’t me. however ten years of service did me well on the field.

🤔… Samara. journalist🤗

other wonderful news… i am an official author🙌 one of my short stories was chosen to be published in Z Publishing Housing Emerging Oklahoma Writers Anthology. yup. took me over three years but i finally accomplished it. the chosen story is Karen. the published story is a lot cleaner than the original, gory, piece. my pen name is ks affects. you can check out the publication 👉🏾here 👈🏾 

i have a feeling that this is only the beginning of my career. thank you for supporting me through this journey.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

 

my fellow royals

it’s been a minute. life’s gracious winds has blown me to an unfamiliar land.  the worst part is that i cannot plan ahead like i used to. and when i mean ahead, i mean many weeks if possible. the whole daily regimen is exhausting. confusing. lots of anxiety but few depressive episodes, so in truth i cannot really complain. my therapist and i have had a very long discussion about love and the love i lack for myself. i hadn’t thought about it actually. it never occurred to me. officially i have graduated👩🏾‍🎓 with a certificate in media communications. i should be overwhelmed with joy of such accomplishment but i feel nothing. i feel no change what so ever… i am neither happy or excited about my next step. i’m jus apathetic. ready. or at least in the process of preparing myself for my next challenge. my next set of goals.

*sigh* another truth… it’s that visit with my therapist that changed me completely. i thought about the weight of her words. the sullen and worried look on her face when she explained the seriousness of my situation.

you’re such a sentimental woman, Samara. you care so much about others that i believe we have forgotten our own happiness somewhere down the road.

that’s what i told myself and frankly, i’m right.

so, everyday i wake up with one big goal and two small ones that I want to complete by the end of the day. so far so good. i’ve started a new story, which you can check out here 👈🏾 a dark fantasy. sort of horror. it’s still in the baby stages. but the characters are based on me and my family. of course, i am the main lead. when i started brainstorming the characters personality i thought of everyone else with no worries. when it came to the protagonist… block like a stuffed nose. i really didn’t know shit about me other than what’s on the surface. i found that to be sorrowfully disappointing. but the truth is the  no matter how grainy and crude i felt, it  didn’t deter me from the story or my own self discovery.

photography and gardening reminds me that those who have patience and determination they will thrive and improve with each step. i love the results thus far

Client #1 and i are very much still working on her logo. tweaks here and there. adjusting hues. darkening and lightening. replacing and redrawing. such a process and i can’t say i don’t enjoy every bit.

embroidery design for uniforms

official website logo

click here to follow ks

twitter has become my new go to. i’ve gotten quite accustom to the succinct tweets. i’m still learning the works but i am a tweeter. hey! why don’t you follow me and i’ll follow back? i’d love to follow you awesome peeps. i wonder what your tweet feed looks like 🤔💭

ebon affects is the centra of all my projects. it’s easier when i have a reason, so to say.

another big change in my life besides the absent of terrible relationships, i’ve become a lil more stern with the kiddos. they’re growing and their attitudes are too much for a 10 and 5 year old. it’s my fault for spoiling them but hey i have no regrets. jus now i’m repeating myself more and more. teaching them respect and how to behave around their elders, especially me.

👑i am the Queen. i am the Alpha and Omgea🐺

i seriously feel that way. i can’t let them think they’re better than anyone because we are all equals and plus i jus don’t like disrespecting children. it’s jus not right. parents are guardians. we are here to protect, nurture, and provide. not there personal Butler.

👸🏽princess

🤴🏾prince

⚔knight

i also started talking to myself out loud. hey, i havent lost my marbles. when i have a depressing moment i need to talk. to express what’s bothering me. some of the things i say, i want to share with you. so, i recorded myself. yup. jus audio but it’s helping me a lot. i would greatly appreciate if you could listen and let me know if i’m ready to be an audio blogger. it’s about ten minutes. sorry. i… um… it’s my first run so i started to ramble a lil. you can listen to the audio 👉🏾here

a lot has happened as we can see but i believe they are all positive and worth sharing. i’ve been saying this for a while, but I’m going to read your thoughts. stop by your blog. see whatcha ya been up to.

until the next time my royal friends

🖤ks

🌼

👩🏾‍🎓when worlds collide

👋🏾hello friends. this week (past week or so) is a lil busy. kiddos are out of school for summer, amid job searching and doing what I must to get my name and brand out in the world🤯 it’s a lot for someone who spent most of their life procrastinating their own growth. i’m overwhelmed more than usual lately. mainly because of the kids bickering and fighting over lil words (princess) or ragin over every damn loss on the xbox (prince). it’s difficult being an official single parent. but i got this. What happened to me and princess’s father? well, our difference finally got the best of us. four years of ‘being the bigger person’ in a six-year relationship finally melted my psychic.

i deserve more damnit! i deserve someone who not only loves me but wants to do as much for me as I for them. so, we separated. like prince’s father, princess’s too stepped out of their life with the excuse that he’s ‘workin’ 🤨😐yea, okay.

however, i do admit it. it could be me. but I’m quite sure it’s not. I’m faithful. Loyal. And when I give my heart. I give it. not a quarter. not half. all of it💁🏾‍♀️ but that’s me.

as of late ebon affects is my focus. with graduation around the cornerthe assignments are tailored to career and brand development, which is a lil weird feelin for some odd reason?

🎉👏🏾 want to applaud everyone who succeeded in their entrepreneur career. its damn hard! but you kept at it and now you’re reeling in your accomplishments. sincerely, you’re awesome🤝🏾

that’s where i am now. i’ve set the foundation and now i’m building my castle.

Clientele #1 had a few more edits before the official embroidery design. yea, cool right? i designed a logo that’s going to be ironed on polo shirts. representing creative elegance planning and ebon affects. local advertising is a lil excitin😎

i am in more in tune with my Lord father. i feel there is more i need to learn before i can come at peace with the knowledge that circles around Him. my faith is guiding me. i’m taking that step forward. that queasy and unfamiliar step forward. alone. as it should be. everyone at some point in their life must walk their own journey. it’s a self-accomplishment victory thing that boosts you more than anything.

Check out my latest inspiration in honored of 🎆Independence 🎉Day 4^th of July🎇

🎇Nora Roberts Quote🎆

🎆Divyanka Tripaythi Quote🎇

👑i’s a snappin🌼

☕coffee break

it’s been the most eye-revealing weeks i’ve experience thus far, and i know its goin to continue to get better. i jus have to keep up with what i’m doin. i see the positive changes as it takes form in to a beautiful flower of opportunities.

current desktop wallpaper

i do consider myself broken. emotionally. mentally. i allowed my past to define my future. understanding the cause of my unhappiness is one thing. it’s easier to wallow and sulk in the knowing. but comin up with a solution to end the despondent nights alone, crying with no reason other than my own self-loathing and guilt; is another thing.

it takes a lot to cross that threshold of certainty. relief. purpose. it’s not jus any pass way. everythin believed to be buried or forgotten comes back in a problematic arithmetic (binge on Sherlock on Netflix 😋) of memories and the only way to cross is to recognize, understand, and forgive yourself for whatevea which lingers on your mind. no matter the time frame of its existence.

in a way it’s like how Sherlock Holmes process information. words, images, and mostly emotions flood through me all at once. now i have this truth that only i collected. i can’t blame anyone. i can try, but my conscious will subtly remind me of the choices i’ve made.

it felt like i was holding my breath for what seems as forever and then finally gave in to my body’s awesome involuntary precautions to stay alive. i went through that water dumping minor electrifying feelin… and crossed my threshold.

this quote is from an anime series called Black Butler… ❤❤❤ 😍Sebestian😍

yup this woman here is blooming. my first fresh breath of prosperity was sending my resume with a link to my online portfolio to the local magazine and newspaper.

started back writing. used Tellus, my baby yet to be birth, as an example of my artsy capabilities

that same day i had an interview with the editor. i feel official. the position requires exploring, writing with constructive feedback, and photographing Bartlesville.

🙌🏾woot woot🙌🏾

…all with a possibility of some coins!! Don’t get me wrong, i’ll be down if my article isn’t chosen but the adventure! the experience!

awesomesauce

a few updates:

school is awesome. currently takin the last course before i get them certificate papers😊😁

clientele #1 loves her logo:

and of course, over at ebon affects the inspirations keep coming inspiring all my queens out there!

*side note* 🎶Babylon by Brendan Perry Ark has a very nice opening.

i am a designer. a strategist. a creative visionary and i am honored to have awesome followers like you🌼 thank you 💕

☕

🤔is it okay to use the cliché… ‘the story of my life’👸🤴✍

🌙konbanwa friends. surprising myself😯 i have not jumped in somebody’s abandon well  after everythin that has happened these past week or so. to sum it up; i’m in the amidst of an another pivotal life change.  when i mean change, i’m talking a whole new 📖

📅a quick run down on what happened so far⏳

✔ i kept up with my assignments and passed with a good ol’ 86 as predicted by the awesome grade tracker.

😎 🤗 finishing up week 8 assignments now & then it’s on to the next & last course before i graduate with a certificate in media communications 🎊

❌there was a physical altercation between my daughter’s father and i 🙊 words were said that shouldn’t have 🙈 actions were done that shouldn’t have 🙉

✔i completed my resume. i’m eager to send it to the local newspaper and magazine  press. it hasn’t seen a lot of 👁🏀⚾what do ya think friends🤔 professionally ready?

business cards

resume

✔adding a few more touches to client #1’s logo

✏updating the  🌷🌹 design

✔my plant babies is growing fabulously 😁😊😁🌱

✔me and my babies are awesome, getting ready for summer fun 😎🙌woot 🙌woot🙌⛱

bubba & his trusted guard, bear

👑princess & the mother’s day gift she made for me💕

😁progress!!!

✔i’m back on the writing bandwagon. started on my favorite five year ol wip🥁  🌷🎉 tellus 🙌 woooooot🌹woooooot 🙌 i read over (… and edited🤫) chapter one rather the last moon: Illane 😁 two years and reading the chapter still give me tons of joy and goosebumps all at the same. i’m glad i picked it back up.

oh and i jus learned (literally) bubba, ten, apparently has a girlfriend. we shall call her e 🤦‍♀️

☕