Let's Take This Back To The Old School

Even though I have an amazing flat iron (which was recently returned after being stolen...long story) I still like to hot comb/press my hair first. Normally I use an electric hot comb, but lately it has not done the job right. Soooo, I looked in my handy dandy kitchen drawer and VOILA, my old school hot comb was sitting there ready for use. I fired up the kitchen stove. It took me back to the days when I would sit in the kitchen Sunday mornings while my stepmother worked her magic to give me a press and curl.

I have to admit, my biggest fear with an old school hot comb is burning my hair. In order to make sure the comb is not too hot, I always have a wet rag to press the comb on before it touches my hair.

It turned out well.....More details to come.

I'm Not Going Back??

At first I wasn't going to write about this, because I felt I have touched on it before, but after talking to the BF and seeing as how I've been neglecting my beloved blog, I figured I'd give it a go AGAIN.

When I was in elementary school, not any older than 10 or 11, I wrote this song called I'm not going back. The lyrics talked about a woman or girl for that matter, who was not going back to the way things used to be. In the song she was talking about not going back to a bad relationship. I'm still amazed at how my young mind conceived concepts that are so relevant to the lives of women I know now.

Well for a while I applied that song to my hair. For a while I did not think about going back to a relaxer. But now my song has changed. As I'm approaching my 2 year natural hair anniversary (Dec 24th), I can't help but think about the blunted bob I want to get and how it would look nice with relaxed hair.

The goal of this journey was to get locks. I got the locks, I didn't want to keep them, now I'm in this limbo. Should I or shouldn't I?

Only time will tell......More details to come

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