:gasp:

I never imagined, when I applied and then accepted the invitation to enroll in a doctoral program, that it would be THIS intense. I mean, I have already successfully completed a Masters program and it was literally a cinch. I had tough moments, some long nights but all-in-all...I was at the top of my game even while holding down a full time job for the last year of the program.

WoW! how completely different is this experience! Anyway, this post is not to complain about my program. I am honored to be a part of such a program. I've just find myself so busy, and at a point where I don't have time. I could literally wake up at 7ish and begin working after my morning devotion/quiet time and go straight through until 7pm. Of course I take breaks to eat and engage in idle internet surfing but nothing compared to what I was used to. So much so that my hair...my obsession has actually fallen on the list of "important things".

Rest assured, I'm still taking care of my love, just with less passion. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, structure and consistency is a great thing! My routine has become very simple as I summarized here with a set arsenal of products. In the past month or so (since early April), I found most of my products running low and surprisingly, I never found the time to re-stock.

Most items I can pick up at a local grocery store so that is no big deal except my beloved Hairveda Whipped Gelly. Well, after literally scooping the last morsel of gelly on my twists 2 weeks ago, I finally made an effort to reorder. Of course, in my own way, that effort was another FAIL as somehow I left the shopping bag and never completed the order. A week later...I completed the order. Unfortunately (or fortunately) most products are made to order thus there is no such thing as overnight (or even 2 day) delivery.

At this point I'm packing up to head home for the summer (YAY) and get desperate so I try to find something, (1) that's already made, (2) that is not too expensive (3) that seems like it has similar ingredients and (4) consistency to possibly substitute until my goods are ready and delivered to me. I stumble upon Darcy's Botanicals. :shrugs: never heard of them, but I found a product that is a possible 4/4 for my requirements. Well... I forgot to mention that I put down this task (I told you my hair dropped on my list of important things) and never really actually ordered until 4 days after I found it.

So long story short, I'll probably be receiving both products about the same time. The one smart thing I did do, was changed my original order with Darcy's Botanicals from their Natural Coils Curling Jelly - which had a very similar ingredient composition as my beloved Whipped Jelly

KEY INGREDIENTS
Distilled Water, Organic Aloe Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Brown Rice Extract, Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum (Thickeners), Hydrolyzed Oats, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Fragrance & Sea Moss Extract.

to their Avocado and Honey Twisting Creme - which seems much thicker/heavier in consistency.

KEY INGREDIENTS
Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Distilled Water, Avocado Oil, Organic Sustainable Palm Oil, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Panthenol, Botanical Oil Complex, Wildflower Honey, phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol, Ylang Ylang, and Lemon Essential Oils.

Both are moisturizers and styling products...I just hope that I made a good decision to switch. But I'm very excited. I haven't received it yet, but has received notification of shipping so in another week or two I should be able to give a pre-product review. :-)

cheers!
Gia

Hair Update

Remember this post....Hair Porn??? My aim was for a fuller head of hair by April. Well it is May and although my hair is not quite as full (I am not sure my texture will ever create such a look) but I think the length and thickness is worthy of a shoutout!

It is a kind of unfair comparison since my hair is technically ‘straightened’. Quotes were necessary since this picture was taken merely hours after the heat was applied to my hair.

But all-in-all some significant growth if I do say so myself. I’ve played around with some styles since I took the 4 month break so you will just have to check out my fotki if you are interested. I hope to create some more funky styles once I get home and I have access to people who can braid my hair.

Regimen

I finally managed to get in a Trader Joes and got their shampoo and conditioner. I am very pleased with the price and just as happy with how my hair feels after the shampoo and conditioning...

I also incorporated the Castor Oil challenge for 6 weeks. Nothing to report. There were not any negative side effects I noticed so in light of the huge container of castor oil that I purchased, I will continue to oil my scalp with castor oil...once I remember.

Deep conditioning- I’ve been bad and somehow deep conditioning went down the drain. A combination of no hooded dryer here in Canada and my house being cold, I didn’t have the nerve to walk around with a wet head longer than necessary (i.e. longer than it took to dry). Once again, I haven’t really noticed any negative side effects so maybe the regular conditioning, leave-ins and other products I use was helpful.

Twists were pretty much my staple since January. When not in twists, my hair was braided so I think protective styling can be credited with the ‘no negative’ repercussions from the decrease in deep conditioning. Current twists (put in on Sunday, 5/9.2010)

Heat- there was no heat included until May 1^st when I had my hair flat ironed in order to get the ends clipped. Even with the hair ‘straightened’ I primarily wore my hair in a bun or with a phony pony so the ends were still protected.

And that’s me...as far as my hair goes. The obsession has decreased a bit. I’m less of a ‘nazi’ in certain areas. I still struggle from time to time with my texture and all those lies I have swallowed over the years.

smooches

Part 1

I know I promised an update over a week ago but clearly that was a FAIL although for a worthy cause...had a deadline for my final assignment that kinda overtook my life.

I figured I'd start the update with the easiest thing....

I am a fully licensed driver in Ontario!!! As of April 1st, my 4 month process came to an end...or should I say "beginning" considering it marked the beginning of another aspect of this journey.

Here is my little blue Aveo affectionately known as "Smurfie".

It is still taking some getting used to as it is a very small vehicle and I am an SUV kinda girl but I refuse to complain and am just loving my new found freedom.

Backing up a bit...this process began in January with the written test, then I had to take 2 (yes I said 2) road tests. and NO, I didn't fail any- it's apparently the Canadian way for everyone to go through 2 stages before being fully licensed. I, fortunately, was blessed to get the 1 year wait time between the 2 road tests waived, thus my entire experience was only 4 months when it technically should have been more like 1 year and 4 months...

Other wonderful things going on:

• I found a church and a new church "family" that I love
  
• I am still in the same house and happy (Part II)
• In general, I am more comfortable and less lonely even though I am still living alone
• I have friends and the beginnings of a social network in the city
• My hair is growing healthy and I'm loving it...most days
  
• I have completed the first year and I am living to tell the tale (Part III)

I think that is all for now...I promise to not stay away too long. I'm still under a deadline (summer project) but it is definitely less demanding than juggling classes, work and life!

smooches

A new way?

I'm no Einstein, nor do I consider myself creative or 'smart'...but I wanted a more effective way to clean my hair- moreso my scalp while in braids without having to immerse my entire head in water.
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The last time I wore braids, I got the idea to use the color applicator bottle to apply conditioner directly to my scalp and then I would lather with my fingers...well this time around, I decided to incorporate a toothbrush (soft bristle) in my arsenal of cleaning tools while I'm braided up.
.
Same as before: the color applicator bottle holds diluted conditioner which is squirted on scalp, then toothbrush 'scrubs' scalp working a nice lather..all this time my hair is in a loose ponytail (shown in picture below). Then I rinse bottle out, pouring leftover conditioner in the spray bottle and filling applicator bottle with clean water and then I commence squirting again to rinse scalp. I'm not too upset if some of my hair gets wet...its inevitable but having it 'kinda' wet and having it sopping wet are two completely different scenarios. I'll take the former over the latter anyday...especially being in Canada when I don't have the warm air to dry quickly.

note: I'll use the leftovers in the spray bottle later this week when I want to 'spritz' my hair...

The only thing I found there were some areas where my 'rinsing' wasn't done completely and this will add buildup around the root of the braid..so you want to be careful about that...maybe dilute conditioner even more? Mine was kinda thick.

I don't have to worry about actually washing my 'hair' because I'm not afraid of buildup since I'm only using water, Greg Juice by Oyin Handmade and/or Hairveda butter which are all natural (made from natural products) and so my hair should be fine until I decide to actually wash the entire thing!

enjoy the rest of the weekend!

smooches