Got Soap...?

I received the Knotty boy soap and I love it! It gives me that lather I have been looking for. And for the first time since I got SLs, my hair truly feels "clean" when I wash it. It doesn't itch. I don't feel like I missed a spot. It feels...right. Now, I know many have complained about build up over time, and I will keep an eye out on that and also take preventive measures. But in the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy it.

The funniest post I ever read was by ijnschoolgirl and how she made her decision to lock. It was hilarious and so true. We go through so many changes to wear our hair in an "acceptable", so-called "comfortable" hairstyle (because that's what we've grown accustomed to) instead of embracing our natural texture and learning how to style the beautiful hair we have. I think most agree that once they took the time, they actually began to love their tresses -as they are in their natural state.

What I will not miss: having to dodge water, whether it's the rain, a pool, or the shower. I have been SLocked over 2 mths now and it's great. It's true, I still have less than great hair days, but they are always superior to permed\relaxed hair days.

Braid no Band....Oops

I am not fund of B&B, but I know it's necessary and heavily promoted. It has always been my intention to stick with the program until my consultant tells me it's okay to do otherwise. I can be somewhat rebellious, but this was not out of rebellion. This is how it went down: I was getting ready to go out of town and suddenly had the bright idea to wash my hair prior to getting on the road. I braided it and continued with my packing, cleaned the house (cuz I hate to go out of town with the house a mess). Then...I began to wash and realized that I had not banded. I washed as moderately as possible careful not to disturb my babies and I think it turned out okay.

Vacation was spent in Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC. This time of year, we go there and really just chill, eat lots of seafood, and hopefully walk the beach some. I've posted some pics. Enjoy...

Shampoo Controversy

I am all too familiar with the "Shampoo Controversy" that exists among newly locked sistas: What type of shampoo is best? How do I get rid of the flakes? I have been using the Sisterlock brand shampoo along with a shampoo by Taliah Waajid which was recommended by my consultant. I actually took a hair braiding class given by Taliah many years ago -but that's besides the point...

These shampoos are ok, but I find that neither lather extremely well and even after 3 -4 shampoos and rinses, my hair does not seem to be to the level of clean that I am looking for. So...I'm thinking of trying Knotty Boy soap. Everyone around the LIU group that has tried it seems to think highly of it. The smell, the lather, and even it's effectiveness has all been commented on. My curiosity has gotten the best of me.

I'll report back with my findings.

Dying for a Different Style

I still like, well, I love my locs; however, tonight I am not so enthusiastic about them. I have had them for over 1 month now and because my locs are still babies, it's highly recommended that you don't manipulate them much. I am just thinking that if I still had loose hair, I would have had about 3 different hairstyles inside a month. Now, I am walking around looking the same --everyday. It's so boring!

And plus, I keep stalking all these blogs and I see sisters with nice mature locks that they pin up, braid up on one side, etc, etc, etc. Yes, I have loc-envy. I am so impatient -in everything. It's definitely something I need to work on, pray about... Well, now that I have vented, I think I feel better!

I've Been Tagged!

What to do when you're tagged:

1) Link to the person that tagged you: Carmen

2) Post the rules on the blog. Here are the rules: Post 7 things (facts, habits, etc) about yourself on your blog. Then tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. Leave a comment for each person you tag letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.

3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.


Wow -6 things to share; so here goes:

1. I love to write poetry, but have somehow gotten too busy to actually do it. Some of my friends and I used to meet and write together. I called them "Mind Melds". I really miss those.

2. I am worse than most men in my love for football. Sundays are spent hosting football viewing parties or watching solo. Either way, I WILL know the scores!

3. My last personality test revealed that I am in the "Lion" category. That means I want to be in charge and when I ask you to do something, I want it done NOW. That doesn't make things go so well at home with my near adolescent 10-year-old daughter!

4. I am a Help Desk Manager which oddly enough means I used to know how to fix computers but now my staff does -at least that's what I tell friends and family who constantly want me to work on their outdated pcs -lol.

5. I don't listen well...and will quickly tune out if the topic becomes uninteresting. This is an extremely important quality and people understand their value when you listen to them -whether they are your friends, family, coworkers, etc. My goal for 2008 was to become a good listener and even though I think I have improved, I have many miles to go.

6. Hmmmm....I am a cell phone junkie. I buy a new cell-phone approximately every 6 months. Even though Verizon will put $100 towards a new phone every 2 years, I absolutely cannot wait. When a new, shiny piece of technology comes out with new functionality, I have to have it. I am currently using the Blackberry Curve, but am about 2 seconds away from the iPhone. The only thing holding me back is its limitations with MMS and some the inherent slowness of such a powerful phone on the AT&T network.

So there you have it -6 things about me. Now as for the below individuals:

Khandi
JusJos
Lynda
Doing4me

Tag! You're it! (I'll find 2 more ppl to tag soon.)

Follow up Visit

I had my first follow up on Thursday and my locs received a clean bill of health. My consultant said they were coming along quite well. There are certain locs that already feel like they are matting together -probably just wishful thinking... But anyway, I'm glad that she considers that my locs are on track. I told her of how challenging it is to wait 10 days between hair washing, but she insists that this is best and I trust her, so I'll hold out.

I am starting to notice that some of my locks are trying to ease their way out of the pattern. 2 or 3 locks have small bunches of hair that are just sticking out and are no longer uniform. Now I am wondering why my consultant did not correct those...? Does anyone know?

All in all, I am more than satisfied with how they look. I didn't have to deal with lots of parts showing thanks to super dense hair. Some of my ends are still kind of ragged because the straightening comb overprocessed my ends. I cut a lot of those off and my consultant did as well, but there are still some that were left. The things that make me happy with my SLs far outweigh any thing that I am unhappy with. Now, it's just the anxiety; I can hardly wait for my hair to be totally locked! I can't wait to see the growth, the changes, and all that comes with having SLs. I can't wait to further experience hair FREEDOM!

Reactions

On the road to sisterlocks (before you even have that first lock in your head), you play what the comments of others will be -over and over in your head. You've figured out how to be 'alright' with yourself -and that's what counts, but there's always the bracing for the reactions of others. Now I work in a corporate environment and have never held back from presenting them with a variety of ethnic hairdos. I've sported twists, braids, and even rocked a twa (complete with headbands), so when I walked in with SLs, there was no immediate shock.
It's like they expect me to do something different every now and then. Oh, most of them don't get it; they don't realize that this is a permanent hair change. Most of the compliments have come from the fairer-skinned. I'm not sure why it is that we can't support each other in our endeavors -especially when it comes to natural hairdos. I must admit though that my mom as well as my best friend have been my most advocate supporters. They make me feel on top of the world and continue to compliment and support me -in whatever I do. And this change to Sisterlocks is no exception.

2 Weeks Locked

After researching, lurking on LIU, and deliberating with friends and family, I finally have my SisterLocks! My locks were born on August 28th and 29th. It took a phenomenal 14 hours and it was worth every minute. I love them and I would not trade them for the world. How I wish I had taken this step years ago!

I had been wearing my hair natural for the past few years but fell under the spell of the straightening comb. That comb can be just as damaging as the relaxer! My ends were soon overprocessed and just as straight as if I were putting in the creamy crack. Once I decided to make the journey to lock-dom (which was about 1 year ago), I started slowly cutting off the straight ends and wearing two strand twists. I started my locks with varying lengths: 3 inches in the back and 4-5 inches in the crown and across the top. I wish I had gotten a haircut into a style prior to getting locks, but oh well. I am quite happy and will be using this blog to chronicle my journey.