Sanding down each book cover after it's been guillotined may seem laborious, but is worth the effort since it gives the covers a smooth edge.

It clearly is. I just saw the Netflix movie ‘Tall Girl’, about a 16year old girl who is 6’1 facing issues in life because of her height. Having experienced similar issues growing up, I must admit, I didn’t think tall women would still be facing these issues in this day and age.

It is true that most of the issues highlighted in the movie were once my reality, but I personally no longer see them as an issue. Why? Because I’ve simply decided to be me and not be defined by my height. There are far more important things in life, than to focus on things that don’t add value, as life is far too short to waste valuable time on irrelevant things.

It is true that I’m tall (as some people like to tell me). Do I play basketball? No. Do I have days when I don’t feel like entertaining tall girl comments even when the comments are well intentioned? Yes. But life goes on, as I’ve learned to shake it off and be me regardless of anyone’s comments.

Being surrounded by women much taller than me in my everyday life, means I no longer see being tall as an issue. Past problems I encountered with ill-fitted clothing, like blazers with sleeves-too-short, or trousers not-long-enough, are fast behind me. Now, I know where to shop for my height or get clothes altered to suit my built. Even when stuck in confined spaces, for instance, on public transportation and my long legs won’t fit into the passenger seat, I take it in my stride. If I can’t sit comfortably, I stand and life as they say, goes on. Even when I accidentally hit my head against the bus ceiling, because I got up abruptly forgetting how tall I am, I just rub my swollen head and keep on going. What’s a girl to do. It’s all part of being tall. And if someone politely asks me to pick up something from a high shelf because it's beyond their reach, no problem, I’m always glad to help. Likewise, wearing heels is not a problem neither is it in my nature to slouch.

Being 5’11, I am by no means the tallest girl on earth, but I still get my fair share of tall girl comments. The difference is, that I don’t let the comments get to me, because I’ve realised it’s sometimes well intentioned. On the few occasions where the comments seem spiteful, I don’t take it to heart as people will always have a comment on something. It’s my reaction to the comments that is most important and I choose to make light of them. I even engage in banter about how tall I am and sincerely don’t feel offended by them, especially if I know it’s coming from a good place. The more people notice that I’m comfortable with my height, the more my height become less of an issue. Simply because I don’t focus on my height, but on my gifts and abilities, as there is more to me than my height.

All said and done, for me, being tall is not a problem as it’s not something that I can change. And sometimes it can seem like a predicament because of the issues being tall can bring. But as my mother always say, ‘What can’t be changed must be endured.’ It’s a saying I used to hate but it’s now my favourite phrase. On that note, what does being tall mean to me? I find It gives me the opportunity to be me and naturally stand out from the crowd.

To all my fellow tall girls out there, own your tallness, for you are beautiful just the way you are!

There are several stages to making a book and each stage can be therapeutic in itself. Cutting book spines is a process I enjoy when working on new book projects. Because you need a little dose of patience when binding a book, it can be calming if you’re focused o the task at hand and give it your undivided attention.

It’s that time of the year when we look for comfort foods to warm the body against the cold. As someone with a sweet tooth who happens to like functional eating, I thought, why not combine the naughty and nice foods all on one plate! The result was this french patisserie my friend and I made. A little bit of sugar with nutritional fruits to fuel the body against the winter chills!

Had the opportunity to attend a workshop run by Bermondsey Street Bees to learn the artisinal skill of infusing raw honey. I made some interesting honey infusions with herbs and the first of my infused honey is now ready just in time for the winter months! This lavender-infused honey can be used for baked goods, in teas, in salad dressing, in yoghurts or as a sweetener.

Alexis Peskine’s large portraits looks at African Diaspora. The tones in the portrait were made by hammering gold leaf nails of different sizes with precision into stained wood. His portraits convey images of strength and perseverance which is much needed into today’s world. Other works on display were from renowned artists Romuald Hazoumè, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, whose works I’ve previously shared on my blog and new artists I recently discovered such as Cyrus Kabiru, LR Vandy and Cosmo Whyte. There was also works from Zak Ové , whose work I came across at the British museum some years back! The exhibition ends on 23rd November 2019.

What does being Black mean to me?
By Kemi West

You asked, ‘What being black means to me?’
I respond, with a question, so you can understand me;
Do I have red BLOOD running through my veins?
Do I LIVE on this earth like every human being?
Do I ASPIRE to achieve the dreams I have within?
Do I CHALLENGE the status quo and stand up for what is right?
Do I retrain my mind to gain KNOWLEDGE so I can grow?
I know my truth and I know I do.

You ask what being black means to me?
But I ask why a label you created applies to me?
I am first and foremost a human being;
A valuable contributor to the human race;
My past, my present are my heritage and my teacher;
They enhance my humanity and give me vision without borders;

Being Human is to experience the good and ugly side of life;
Whatever our race, there’s a common thread running through our veins;
We breathe the same air;
We live and we die;
We can’t make a life neither can we prevent death;

When you ask the question,
What being black means to me?
I can honestly say, being black means you’re the same as me.

B.L.A.C.K is HuMANity

© 2019 by Kemi West

This beautiully written book by Austin Kleon is ideal for those times when you need inspiration to recharge your batteries be it creatively or in everyday life!