What's Going On??

I made a post talking abut hot I'm back to blogging on a regular basis and then seemed to disappear once again.  I promise it's not that I'm just some inconsistent flake.  My computer decided to contract a virus recently. -__-  Yeah.  I know.  Right now I'm able to use my laptop only in safe mode, which is very annoying and inconvenient.  Everything from my desktop to my web pages all look like they've been zoomed in too far.  When I try to zoom out, everything looks grainy.  And for whatever reason, sound is nonexistent.  I can't hear anything on YouTube or any other website.

Today is the end of the 6 month challenge I joined with SistaWithRealHair on YouTube, and I can't even upload my final length check!!  Believe me when I say, there is nothing I would like to do more.  But until my laptop is feeling better, (which will probably set me back a couple hundred bucks) I'm very limited in what I'm able to do.  I'm up for blogging daily, but the visual aspect of my infected laptop is so difficult to get used to.  Sigh...  Oh well.  For now I think it's what I have to do.  So, just be on the lookout for my posts on here, twitter, facebook, and instagram.  When my computer is fully up and running again, I promise to get back to (almost) daily uploads.  Thanks for sticking with me, loves.  I hope to be fully back soon. :)

Pictures of the Day (And a Couple Days Ago)

2 years, 2 days natural.

2 years, 2 days natural.

2 years, 2 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

2 years, 4 days natural.

The top three pictures were taken two days ago and all the rest were taken today.  I love the way my hair has been looking recently.  I switched from my normal twist out with 10 two strand twists to braid outs with 6 to 7 braids.  If I want a middle part I do 6 braids; a side part, 7.  I get more stretch and don't have to spend as much time on my hair with fewer sections.  The truly beautiful thing about this style is the 6 sections I do for a middle part are the same sections I use to detangle my hair.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  Even when I separate and fluff out my hair, the distinct sections remain.  So, come combing time, all I have to do is grab the hair in each section and gently separate the few hairs that make my hair look completely loose.  This new routine is awesome!  I'll go into more detail about it in a later post.

Later, loves! ^_^

I'm BACK!

It seems like I haven't done a written post in FOR. EH. VER! and I feel so horrible about that.  No only do I feel bad for the people who may occasionally check my blog for new content, but I also feel like I've kind of betrayed myself by deigning not to post.  I started blogging out of a desire to have more than just my YouTube videos to document my journey.  But without uploading new pictures regularly, there will appear to be visual gaps in the progress I've made thus far.  As far as pictures go, I think it will appear as though I went from TWA to medium length with no in between stage, which is completely unrealistic. 

After some recent, unexpected changes in my personal life, I've decided to rededicate my energy to meticulously documenting my hair's growth.  I think I had allowed myself to become distracted by things, people, and situations around me and I forgot all about what's really important.  This journey is about so much more than just hair for me.  It's a very spiritual experience accepting myself as I am, regardless of what the status quo or popular opinion may be.  Any opposition I encounter (which, admittedly is much less than when my journey began) serves only to prove to me that I'm on the right track.  I've found that the road less traveled seems to be where my feet are most comfortable.  The beaten path is boring and stagnant.  Stagnation = death. 

But I digress.  This post wasn't meant to be very long or too "deep."  Just wanted to actually spend the time to put... the normal expression is "pen to paper," but I guess in this instance it would be "fingers to keyboard?"  Either way, I just wanted to actually use my energy to make a written post again to refocus myself.  I truly believe documentation is key when it comes to assessing progress on any healthy hair journey, but especially a natural hair journey.  So, later today I will post some recent pictures taken with my new camera and talk about the changes I've made in my hair care for the 6 month growth challenge I'm currently participating in.  I mentioned it in my last video, but, like I said, there have been some recent changes in my life that have affected my hair regimen and I'd like to detail those.  So, for anyone who might be reading this, thank you for sticking with me and I'll TTYL.

Later, loves!! ^_^

Hair Challenge Announcement

A Rastafarian Gets Interviewed by a Natural Hair Vlogger 1/2

I'm NOT Ignoring You Guys!!

Ok, so to any of my lovely YT subbies who may occasionally stop by my blog, I am NOT ignoring you.  Right now I'm having technical difficulties in the form of a non functioning laptop.  I can't get it to cut on at all, and it doesn't even recognize that there is a charger plugged in.  I've been wanting to make videos for a while now, but I just don't have any way to upload them unless I do quick videos from my phone and upload directly from there.  It's not an ideal situation, but that's what I'm working with.  I may do a direct upload later today because I've been missing you guys so much!!  I need to update you on everything that has been happening with my hair, school, and life in general.  I'll be posting this to my Blogger blog and Tumblr as well, so I hope that gets the message across.

I miss you guys terribly and I promise to upload like 5 new videos as soon as I'm back up and running.  Till then, HHG!! :-*

Coastal Scents Shea Butter

I Love My Hair

My hair is healthy. My hair is sexy. My hair is beautiful. My hair is alluring. My hair can be challenging. My hair is rewarding. My hair is wondrous. My hair is natural. My hair is a labor of love. My hair is unique.

As you can tell, I could go on and on about my hair. At this point in my hair journey, I've come to have such love, pride, and admiration for my hair. I never knew it was possible. Who knew a little water, sealant, and delicate handling could make such a tremendous difference. I can honestly say going natural indirectly lead me to change my major, setting me on a path I never could have predicted. I've actually sat in the mirror and cried because I was so in awe and thankful for my hair. Yes. I've cried. Compared to some other journeys, my road has been pretty smooth. Thus far I haven't had any major setbacks. I know my hair very well, I don't have any issues retaining length, and people ask me about my hair all the time. I can honestly say I love it.

A few weeks ago I was at work with my hair in a high puff off to the side. I happened to walk past a mirror and stopped for a second when I caught my reflection. I fluffed my hair a little bit and said aloud, "I love my hair." My manager, who happened to be walking with me shook his head and told me I'm conceited. Offended, I asked him exactly how am I conceited and he said, "you just said you love your hair," as if that was all the explanation required. I don't know about you, but I think that was a pretty stupid assessment on his part. How exactly does loving something about one's self make one conceited? In my opinion, it's not an unhealthy love or obsession, more like a passion. I don't denigrate others while lifting myself up. I try to help people as much as I can. I keep a generally upbeat attitude. So I don't see how conceit even could have been perceived from my statement. I can't love a part of myself?

Maybe my manager said that because he's not used to seeing black women who actually have a healthy relationship with their hair. Maybe he thought he might come off as joking. Maybe he's just a tool. Either way, I thought about it and there's no reason for me to feel bad or stuck up because I proudly proclaimed my love for my hair. It's not going to change any time soon and there's nothing wrong with it.

Just thought I'd make that PSA for anyone out there who might be wondering how they come off when talking about your hair. If you truly love it, that will come out when you talk about it whether you say it explicitly or not. And if the people around you don't know how to take it, forget about them. So long as they don't have control over your wash schedule or your product selection, they can go kick rocks. That's just my opinion. :-)

"Some People Need A Relaxer" - My Thoughts

I didn't do any editing just because I didn't really feel like I needed to. Please leave your thoughts and your comments. :)

The High Bun I've Been Rocking

OK, so for the last three days I've been wearing my hair in this big high bun. This serves as a great visual proving how much my hair has grown since my big chop. I love the size of my bun! When I was relaxed, the only way I could get a decent looking bun was to use the sock method and my hair was so short and thin that many times you could see the sock through my hair. But now my bun is way bigger and Fuller than it ever was in that state and no sock is necessary to get it big and beautiful like this. :-)

You guys truly have no idea how proud I am of my hair growth thus far. It's amazing to me that all it took to get my hair to this point was a little knowledge, dedication, and patience. I haven't even reached my goal length yet but I'm loving my hair so much!