Intro to the Natural Hair Chronicles

Ok, I have a confession……I’m natural! Yes, like 100% natural. I wear my naps in braids and twist every day, every week, every month.  I stopped relaxing my hair in 2009 and SLOWLY but surely cut off all of my relaxed ends by September 2010.  Now I didn’t go natural because I saw the movie “Good Hair” or because I started being self righteous or anything like that.  My decision to go natural was because I would relax my hair and then weave it up.  I was putting chemicals in my hair for no reason.  One day when I was taking my tracks out I noticed a lot of breakage.  I decided enough was enough.  So from maybe Jan 2010 until Sept 2010 I cornrow my natural hair and rocked a lace front wig.  You could not tell me my lace front was NOT the business!!!  Almost everyone thought I was rocking my hair.    

      

It looks like it is my hair....yes, my weaving skills are GREAT!

                                                                            

Fast forward to Sept 2010 when I was told by the Creative Director of Get Lifted Ensemble, the dance company I minister with, that I needed to wear a bun for our concert.  Needless to say I was afraid to dance in my lace front because I did not want it falling off while I was in the middle of praise and worship.  Yes, ministering with GLE has caused me to give God a good, southern Holy shout!  I could not risk being embarrassed!  So I asked around and was led to this wonderful young lady named Lynda who specialized in natural hair!  For the concert she braided my hair into a side bun and it looked wonderful.  From that day forward I have been wearing my hair……sometimes I might add a little, but no full weaves, etc.

It took me some time to get use to rocking my own hair.  I haven’t done it sooo long….I’m talking 2003! There were days when I left ugly and wanted to weave it up or where a wig or grab the creamy crack and wear it straight….but I didn’t.  Between friends, family and other naturals I kept at it.  Here we are 16 months later and my hair has grown….A LOT and it’s finally healthy.  Lynda has managed to get my edges growing and my hair now touches my back!! That is a first!!! 

Now I have some THICK hair and every visit to the salon is a trip.  I have to take my style down the night before and sleep in conditioner in effort to keep my hair moisturized.  I arrive to the salon around 9:30 where I am washed, deep conditioned, detangled and blow dried.  That process takes about 2 hours!!! Yes, I know it seems like a long time, but my hair is that course *insert sad face* After that, the styling begins.  This can take another 2-4 hours.  But I come out looking GREAT!!!! 

My goal is to grow “arm pit” length hair.  Hopefully I will get there in the next 18 months.  It is my goal to blog my progress.  So here are the pictures of my hair growth thus far.  Look at the growth :-) 

Nov 2010

Mar 2011

Feb 2012

Long Time, No Blog

So it's been a minute since I posted anything.  Yes, I've neglected blogging....about life and sports. I would love to say I've been busy at work or exploring the world, but I haven't.  Truth be told I've been dating, moving, cooking, working out, dancing, and thinking of business ideas.  Here's a quick rundown of the various areas in my life.


Dating.  I've been seeing someone semi seriously for a few months now.  We are taking things slow and that is a good thing.  We are almost exact opposites, although there are some things we have in common.  He is very different from ANYONE I have every dated, which makes this entire thing interesting.  


Moving.  I moved out of my house in Bowie to a little spot in Howard County.  Honestly, I miss my house! I miss EVERYTHING about it, especially my dog and my lil neighbor.  But hey, I had to play the cards I was dealt.  The good news is I was pre-approved to purchase another home so I am looking.  


Cooking.  One of the things I started doing after my "mini divorce" was cook.  I went from regular cooking to serious cooking.  I'm talking shrimp mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, chicken breast stuffed with crab, homemade cakes, etc.  Cooking seemed to be my therapy.  I look forward to cooking more this year. 


Working Out.  So my weight goes up and down.  It depends on the month and my taste buds.  I have trying to lean out and my goal is to drop about 10-12 pounds.  I still try to hit the gym 5 days a week.  I gotta be in tip top shape by May....birthday month.


Dancing.  I still minister with GLE, the dance ministry I joined almost two years ago.  Things are going well, but I need to take some technique classes.


Business Ideas.  I am ALL over the map with the type of business I want to open.  I love fitness so I started researching group fitness certifications.  I also love planning, so I am looking into that as well.  Some of my friends think I should open some sort of Civil Rights consulting company since I have been in that business since 2003.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do.....actually I want to do it all!


That's a quick rundown of what I've been up too.  I promise to blog more.....I actually have two saved on my computer, I just need to edit and post.  Until next time, stay blessed!