Ghana

I recently had the amazing opportunity to visit Africa again for a wedding celebration. As I thought about what I would pack for the trip, I immediately began to wonder what I would do with my hair. I took out my locks not too long before my departure, so my hair was up in the air, literally. Twist out was definitely the first thing I thought about, but I would be in Ghana for 9 days...What happens after that 5th day? I ended up twisting my hair, wearing a scarf on the plane and not untwisting until after my 18 hour travel to the motherland. 5 day twist out? Yea right....lol It was sooo hot and humid that my hair started to shrink after the 2nd day, so I retwisted. Then I realized that it wasn't going to last so I pulled my hair back with a headband and put the front in a mini bun. Mmmm, overall it was okay, I wasn't too thrilled with the way my hair turned out, but hey, I was in the motherland.

I saw interesting things that dealt with hair while I was there, so I'm going to post those also.

1970s Flow

Okay, okay, I will eventually post something about Ghana, but obviously this isn't it. lol

We have a student organization on campus called UJIMA, this year I am president. In keeping with tradition, we had our 70s party last night. It was a blast! It was great having people come out to network, eat, and dance. The costumes and hair were amazing at the party and right on point. I think our moms and dads would be proud. I was very proud, and thanks to James we definitely broke a sweat.

It had been 4 months since I last blow dried my hair, so I was excited about seeing the growth. And my has it grown. (Post about growth coming real soon) Of course I wore my own Afro to the party. No wig needed. Really got my Jackie Brown/Sheeba Baby on! lol......More details to come.

Sesame Street....I Love My Hair

I was planning to write about Ghana next, but I came across this cute video from Sesame Street and decided to share it first, and write about Ghana later in the week. The song is called I Love My Hair. In it, you see African American puppets who are wearing their hair in afros, twists, cornrows, ponytails and pigtails. The song reminds me that you should love your hair no matter which way you decide to wear it, natural or relaxed. The main point is that you make sure you are loving you and not wearing your hair a certain way because you think that's the way it has to be. That goes for natural and relaxed. Although I chose to wear my hair natural now does not mean that I will always wear it that way. I will love my hair either way and won't be pressured into wearing my hair a certain way because that is what is deemed the right way. At the end of the day the important point is to Love You, your hair is a part of you.....More details to come

Doctoral Candidate

Soooo, I decided not to keep my locks in....6 1/2 weeks was long enough for me to realize that I could not make that type of commitment right now. I really liked my locks, but I missed combing my hair and switching things. So I combed them out.

Sept 30th, 2010 marks the day I became a doctoral candidate. I had been stressed about orals for months, and the day of was no exception. As I tried to deal with my bundles of nerves, I figured I would "look the part." I dressed for success, and made sure my hair was styled in a way that made me feel confident and powerful. I guess that stems from the fake it until you make it philosophy. I wanted to at least stare at something powerful when I looked in the mirror before I left the house. I must say I was pleased with my reflection.

I passed!....made it through that hurdle. Congrats to my fellow cohort! Now on to these APA applications......More details to come

Wipe Me Down

Yes, in my head I'm singing Wipe Me Down by Lil Boosie, don't judge me. lol

So I waited a month after I got my hair twisted to wipe my scalp. I used Sea Breeze which is an astringent that removed the oil and dirt from my scalp. Soaked cotton balls with the Sea Breeze and proceeded to wipe myself down.....My hair that is. I thought it would be a lot dirtier than it was, I mean it had been a month since I cleaned it (gross I know).

After I wiped my scalp, I rinsed in the showed then started retwisting.....Goodness, it took forever! lol. Around a hour. I used Silky Milk setting lotion and some lock it up gel to retwist. I retwisted my hair from the scalp and clipped at the root.

Overall this hair style is pretty care free, but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. I had a dream last night where I asked my sister to give me a relaxer and a blunt bob....Wonder what that was about............More details to come

Locked Up

Akon....Locked Up....That's when I used to like Akon's music......."Messed around and got Locked Up, they won't let me out, they won't let me out, I'm locked up....Ohhhh" Yall should see me jamming in my apt to this song. lol

Anywho, it's 2 weeks later and my hair is still twisted up. I am kind of leaning towards keeping them. They have been very care free so far. All I do is wrap my head in a scarf at night. My hair is still soft. I'm telling you, I love that silky milk setting lotion that my stylist (mom) used. Next week I get to wipe my scalp down and retwist at the scalp. I'll post about that process and tell you how it goes......More details to come

I've also decided that I will expand this blog a little bit. Not entirely sure what all it will include, but I will start to write about more than just My hair.

THIS IS IT

So, I started this natural hair journey almost 20 months ago Dec 2008. The whole purpose of the journey was to get locks. That time has finally come. It actually came a little random, I was actually going to the hair salon to get it pressed. (My mom #2 is a hair stylist) As she conditioned it, and was plating it so I could sit under the dryer she said "Your hair would lock up good" Next thing I knew she did two twist. I looked in the mirror and I liked what I saw. So I said to myself, Okay, THIS IS IT.

She twisted it, and I liked how it turned out. I must admit I had some reservations about it the next day. I loved how the twists looked themselves, but I did not really like how it looked on me. Another day passed, and I styled it slightly different and realized that it was growing on me. I even took my license picture with the twists (25 on Aug 31st!! lol) My hair is extremely soft, which is so weird b/c just days ago I had an untamable Afro, but she did use that Silk Milk (setting lotion) which seems to do wonders for my hair.

We will see where this leads me. Will I keep them? Will I take them out? Now that I am about to reach my goal will I go back to a relaxer? Questions Question Questions......More details to come

Hair Stylist: Locks: Cynthia Fluker Salon at Samiyyah's 513-761-7998
Color: Verna' Meadows Dillard's 513-745-4473