Friday, December 31, 2010

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the prettiest of them all?

Random Disney quote, I know but maybe it isn't so random after all. If you know me, you know I have a love/hate relationship with my hair.Hair means so much while truly doing so little for us. Here's my hairstory (get it....HIStory.....HAIRstory.....LOL. Sorry I couldn't resist)

 My hair is naturally curly and thick. Little me always wore pigtails in ball rubberbands. For those that don't know ball rubberbands were literally big colored plastic gumball looking things at both ends of a rubberband. Being that doing my hair was so time consuming I had to get it done at night and wear a scarf to bed so not to ruin my 'do. Talk about pain and uncomfort, but that's the price I had to pay to look like a civilized little girl for school.

As a teenager my sister began to use the pressing comb to straighten my hair. Looking back it's quite barbaric! The process of placing a metal esque comb on the stove til there was a bit of smoke coming from it (that's how you knew it was good and hot!) then placing it in your hair makes me laugh now, but back then it sometimes made me cry. There were plenty of casualties to this process.....those were usually my forehead. I chalked it up to the price I had to pay for manageable hair.

Then like a knight in shiny armor, relaxers came into my life. I became addicted to what Chris Rock would call "creamy crack". Relaxers made my hair manageable and uber straight. Like all things it came with a price. Ask any woman who has ever had a relaxer and I guarantee you they'll tell you one basic rule: do NOT scratch your head prior to a relaxer. Why? Cause it'll burn like hell that's why! Yep, needless to say I sucked up a burning scalp cause I wanted my hair bone straight. Who cares about the scabs on my scalp....my hair was cute.

As I got older I became a little more respectful of my hair. I completely weened myself off that creamy crack and I've gone completely natural, now before you applaud me I have a confession to make. I'm not completely off the straightening process. Every week I straighten my hair and every week before I do I complain about the process! Air dry hair, grease scalp, separate hair into sections, apply silicone, flat iron, curling iron, repeat. It takes about an hour, but I love my hair straight.

The purpose of this rant is for us, women and men alike, to ask who defines your beauty. I can almost guarantee it's not solely you. Let's work on that. I made it to adulthood relatively "normal" and unscathed, but little boys and girls now are exposed to so much more. Let's lead by example and show our children beauty is something that must come from within. And that leads me to the angel dust: I've been told you can be anti-makeup because you're naturally pretty and my response is thank you, but I'm naturally pretty because I'm natural :))


my straightening tools

Thursday, December 30, 2010

With my head in the clouds

So as I was making the journey from where I call home to the place I currently live I couldn't help but do some thinking. With the new year approaching and having nothing but time to reflect I realized some things.

1) God is GOOD!
He saved me from walking into a landmine of love (and shall I add delusion) and coming out as less than.

2) Jealousy is a bitch.
Women, men, girls, and boys with a case of the green eyed monster can see no further than their lack (and blame the world for it) and all we can do for these poor souls is to pray for them.

3) Santa is real.
A dear friend wrote a letter to Santa on my behalf and let's just say he came through with a wonderful gift.

4) Always take what your given and do what you will with it.
One of the most traumatic experiences in my life to date (having my biological mother pass away) was a catalyst in disguise. It brought me closer to my aunts who have served as my mentors, sounding boards, and a source of entertainment in my life.

5) No matter what, always give thanks!
Every night when I lay my head on my pillow I give thanks. Even if it hurts! (Hey, I too have fallen victim to treacherous days!)

So there you have it....A preview of what I'm all about, but before I go I want to leave you with a little angel dust:
 I was once told my head was in the clouds........and you know what?! I like it there!!

The Rundown

OK so here's the deal: this blog has been created to share snippets of my life that inspire, provoke, encourage, and entertain myself and those around me! Hope you enjoy this as much as I anticipate enjoying it! So like me, this blog will be a roller coaster of excitement. Buckle up, hold on, and enjoy the ride!!!

Three People on a Roller Coaster - Royalty Free Clipart Picture