: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 II

One of my biggest issues this past year was my location. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) my house from the very beginning.

My problem has been how far I am from everyone and everything, see here for a full 'tirade'. New to the country, new to the school...no family or friends---yea loneliness killed me! Well in January/early Feb, my landlords and I came to a peaceful agreement. Since things were getting more and more difficult for them to find someone to commit to such a short term lease (6 months) especially in the middle of winter, they knocked off $100 from the rent and I accepted.

The strike ended the same week (or maybe a week or so before) so I was feeling much more hopeful about regaining my independence with a car. Well of course, as I shared in the last post, I only got the car beginning of April...more than 4 months later but I got more acquainted with the bus system and just made it work! It was all about a change in perspective and the power of 'hope'. A little bit of hope can fuel an empty vessel! I think the fact that I was simultaneously working on that license also helped to make me feel like I was 'progressing'. I got a sense of control back, I was able to change my situation.

Anyway, long story short, I unpacked....gradually (yes that means that I surely did pack up EVERYTHING), made more regular visits to friends, the mall, the movies- all via the local bus system. In March, I got connected with a local church and that just opened an entire new support system for me.

so....I am back at the point I was in January except under better circumstances. My lease is up in August and since I will be heading back home at the end of this month, I need to secure new residences before I leave.

After a mere 2 weeks of looking, I've found a place that I love! YAY! It meets all my requirements and price is competitive for the area and what it offers- I am only waiting to hear back from the landlord to see if it is still available. what it offers:

• close location to school - 5 minutes (walk) - which is great since parking for me (who refuses to pay for a school permit) is about a 10 minute walk now.
• hardwood floors, I detest carpeting unless I am the first to live with it
• central air -HUGE bonus although I probably will only need it for 3 months of the year. I will be missing the awful heat this summer
• all utilities included in rent
• personal washer and dryer- NOT coin operated
• personal storage space in basement
• parking
• complimentary furniture if I want (desk, table, couch and chairs)

I am hoping this move is the last one I will have to make until it is time for graduation so I have some serious demands to ensure comfort and sanity over the next 3-4 years. If the above described apartment doesn't work out for me, I found a backup today. This one is a 1 bedroom though, so it is not ideal for a situation if Handsome decides to join me and live here for a couple years but it isn't that small that we couldn't make it work either.

All in all, I am optimistic about the new living arrangements although I am not looking forward to actually moving. :)

Until next time...

smooches!