Then and Now!

I plaited my hair again last night; I felt that it had been looking a bit limp the past few days. I've grown to like this way of styling as it gives my hair a bit more body. I'm still having issues with my hair looking sparse - this camera is kind to me and always seems to fill in the gaps!

I have had my SL's for almost two weeks and I am enjoying the adventure. The road has been mainly smooth; itchy scalp has been a problem and I am still trying to find the right remedy. I haven't been particularly adventurous with my hairdo's, mainly letting it do it's own thing; I worry about being too brutal with it and I still have lots of scalp exposure around the sides. At present I'm just loving the 'get up & go-ness' of my hair - if only choosing what to wear was as easy!

One thing I have realised is that I have taken so many pictures, I'm like a woman obsessed!
I really am quite far away from posting comparison pictures, but I couldn't resist putting this collage together. It pretty much shows my hair from the installation to today - it's almost in order apart from the first and last pics, which Picasa has seen fit to move and duplicate.

(BrainTraining Age - 56)

Eating out - again

This has really got to stop; my gym routine just isn't keeping up with all the over indulgence!
I love this time of year for getting together with family and friends; with both mine and my Mum's birthdays occurring the reasons to celebrate are increased.

My hair is managing (just about) to keep up with all of this socialising, although it was looking a bit flat today. However this is minor compared to any 'bad hair day' issues I had pre-loc.

(BrainTraining Age - 51)

I'm getting younger!

As a gift for the family I purchased BrainTraining(TM); I'd seen the adverts for a while and it looked like something we could all benefit from. I sat down a couple of days ago for my first session; convinced that my education, love of reading and blog writing would all help me to achieve a good score. Having completed three of the assessment exercises I waited to be told my brain age.........80.
80 that's good right? means I'm full of knowledge. Wrong! As Dr. Kawashima informed me "This is a wake up call! I fear your brain is asking for help".
Oh really Doc! You'll be asking for help soon if you keep speaking to me like that, I'll remove your battery!
Ok, Ok, I decide that I should take this seriously and accept the good Dr's advice on a small daily exercise I might like to try to help my brain reach the desired age of 20.
He suggests that whilst brushing my teeth I should count the number of strokes I make. I remember this in the bathroom this morning and begin. One, Two, Three, Four - fifteen minutes later I am still brushing and counting. My poor brain can't keep up with the speed of the brushing, so my arm has slowed down to compensate! I give up having lost count and suffering from severe arm ache; I decide not to try that again for a while.
Determined not to be on the receiving end of anymore of Dr. K's wisecracks I ensure I'm fully focused for today's session.......67.
An improvement I guess, but soooooooooooooo far away from my biological age of 18!

Worth a look

My Dad popped by today with a Christmas gift for me and my SO. It's a book called 'Black Beauty' by Ben Arogundade.

'A smart and sumptuous book that offers an intelligent and insightful view of the ever-changing definition of black beauty.' Essence

'Superbly illustrated...today it has done most to make black not only beautiful but enviable.' Daily Express

I haven't had the chance to read it in detail yet, but it promises to be a very interesting book; it also contains some of the most beautiful photography I have seen in a long time.

It's Mother's Day

It's my Mother's day - her birthday.
This year hasn't been the kindest to my Mum;
yet she has faced all that has been thrown at her with dignity and strength. We celebrated her special day at a lovely little restaurant, eating good food and enjoying each others company.
I think she is an amazing woman and that's not because I'm biased!


Happy Birthday Mum.

Never again...

But I say this every year! Never again, will I get up early on Boxing day morning to join the hoards of bargain hunters at the Christmas sales. I am quite happy for about half an hour during which time I have usually made a purchase. Then a steady decline in both my emotions and mental stability starts to take place! The general public become a different breed when faced with the prospect of saving a pound or two and I become a different person when pushed, pulled or stepped on a time too many - so you see the two aren't really compatible!
We left the Shopping Centre just before my blood pressure was going to cause me to need medical assistance.


Back in the safety and calm of my own abode I was able to relax, become human again and then wash my hair.
I must say I was very nervous about this and my paranoid side told me that I would wash every single loc out! However I was pleasantly surprised by the results; especially the fact that my hair felt very soft despite me not using conditioner. I allowed it to dry naturally, making sure that the locs were separated properly - another paranoid thought was that my hair would turn into one big loc!. My hair actually dried faster than it would in its pre-loc days, although I suspect that as the locs swell they will take a lot longer to dry. Still, no complaints - I just Wash and Go!



The pictures show my hair whilst it's still damp

To my family and friends, near and far, sincerest festive wishes. XxX

Me and my Mandrisa

I have been wearing my hair down since my SL's were completed on Tuesday; this is quite a change as I would usually be seen sporting a ponytail. Today I decided it needed to be up and out of my way - Christmas is fast approaching and as usual I have left my shopping to the almost-last minute. The prospect of being at the shops with all of the other 'last minuters', with my hair getting in my face was not an attractive one, so I decided to give my Mandrisa Hairtie an outing. I gathered my hair into a fairly messy bunch and wrapped the hairtie several times around (my strands are rather thin!) before securing it. I'm not sure that my hair in it's present state does the hairtie full justice, but it has kept my hair in place all day. What's that you say? Did I get my shopping finished?...

I'm not sure about this!

Your Birthdate: December 22

You tend to be understated and under appreciated. You have a hidden force to do amazing things, doing them your own way. People may see you as strange and shy, but they know little. Your unconventional ways have more power than they (and even you) know. Your strength: Standing up for what you know is true Your weakness: You tend to be picky and rigid Your power color: Silver Your power symbol: Square Your power month: April

I spent the evening of my birthday in the company of family and friends. We ate tapas, drank champagne and caught up on old news.
Perfect!

And reach, two, three, four...

I decided to do a gym test on my SL's today, I haven't been for over a week and with the prospect of a large Christmas dinner to eat I need to make some space! I put my hair in to fairly small plaits before going to bed last night and let them loose this morning. I'm not sure what I think about this style - my hair looks a bit sparse, although the picture doesn't really show this. I am pleased with the fact that you can't really see all of the parts; I had worried that I would look like a pin cushion when my SL's were completed!
I tied a bandana over the front half of my hair and let the curls come out of the back - not sure what my rational was for this but it looked the part. I did a good hour's workout and my hair survived - perhaps it was because of the bandana! One effect of the workout was that some of the curls dropped and some SL's are now back to being straight.
I intend to got to the gym everyday between now and Christmas Eve so I will monitor the effects on my hair - although to be honest I'm not sure what I'll be looking for!

People keep phoning to check on my hair!

All Finished!

After what I think must be the longest time I have ever sat in one place, my hair is now finished! I have spent eighteen and a half hours in the salon over these two days; my hairdresser has worked like a trooper.
My hair is mad! I have 456 locs and at the moment they are very thin; my hair very much resembles single plait extensions. I got my hairdresser to work down to near the ends of my hair although I know this will probably unravel in time...

The Last Loc

Halfway there...

A tale of two halves

Well one quarter really!

My SisterLock(TM) installation began in earnest today. I washed my hair last night in preparation and found it extemely difficult to not put conditioner in. When my hair was dry it felt (and I'm sure it looked) like straw! We got started at about 10am and I left the salon just after 4pm, we stopped briefly to have something to eat. My hairdresser doesn't usually work on Mondays so today was a favour for me.
One quarter of my head is filled with SL's - 121 to be exact - I couldn't resist counting them when I got home! I probably have another 25 at the back where she has started another section. I am resisting the urge to play with them and I have put them into a french plait to help pevent this. Already my hair looks a lot shorter - I don't know if anybody else noticed this when they had theirs done.
I can't wait for it to be finished; I am back at the salon at 9am tomorrow and my hairdesser has told me that I am in for a long day...

Just a thought...

"The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

X-Factor

So, Leona rightfully won the X-Factor tonight, becoming the first woman to win the compettition. I was sure that she should win but wasn't convinced that she would; there have been many dodgy decisions made by the British public in this compettition already.
But what does the future hold? The past two winners have disappeared into... well, they've just disappeared!
There is no denying that Leona has a beautiful voice, the like of which has not been heard from a UK artist in a long time, if ever. She does however lack oomph in her performances at times; Simon Cowell puts this down to her being unaware of just how good she is.
She is the bookies favourite to have the Christmas no.1 spot and no doubt an album will quickly follow. But she had better learn quickly just how much talent she does have if she is to be successful here and go on to crack the American market.

Take it to Da Streets

I went to see my little cousin dance in an end of term show for her Theatre School this evening. Those that know me are aware of how much I love to see young people benefiting from the power of the arts. To watch so many youngsters come together and perform with confidence was fantastic. Of course my cousin was a star - you go Little Miss D!

What to do with my hair...

I'm having my hair SL'd on Monday and at the moment I find myself at a loss as to what to do with it. I don't want to be too harsh on it and have been avoiding excessive product and heat usage for the past four months.
So for my Xmas party yesterday I decided to plait it whilst it was still wet on Tuesday evening. (I actually went to bed with it wet, which I know is not a good thing, but I do it quite often)
When the plaits were taken out my hair had a nice wave to it, which I loosened and then created a little side bunch with my new brunsli hairtie.

Good to go!

Didn't we have fun!

Our staff Xmas party took place this evening and we had a great time. There was much sipping of bubbly, dancing to music young and old and of course I had my first Christmas dinner for the year!
It was a relaxed and enjoyable affair which marked the approaching end of an intense, eventful and sometimes stressful term.




And it was a fairly well organised event - if I do say so myself!

Do I want what?!!!

So it's the festive season and now begins all the socialising and partying that one associates with this time of year. I decide that I need to go and get my eyebrows threaded before my staff Xmas party tomorrow.
Happily I make my way to my usual place to see if they can fit me in at short notice. They can and I am grateful; It's not not my regular 'threader' but I'm not fussy.
I make myself comfortable in the chair "eyebrows please" I say, "of course madam" comes her reply. "Do you want you upper lip done as well?" she asks politely.

"Excuse me! my upper lip, are you mad, are you suggesting I have a moustache, are you saying I look like a man, are you implying that I have visible follicle growth on my face?"

Of course, all of these questions are going on in my mind and I just say "NO" and give a look that says please don't ever ask me that again.
She is extra gentle with the removal of my unwanted eyebrow hair and I leave the salon both pleased and paranoid. Perhaps I should have said yes...

Ladies, PLEASE be aware

It's the festive season and we all like to go out and enjoy ourselves. Quite often we don't plan ahead for the journey home. In light of the recent events in Ipswich which have, to date, seen the discovery of the bodies of five women in ten days, we all need to be careful. I know they were 'working girls' and therefore continuously at risk but, none of us should consider ourselves free from danger. A new campaign has been launched to help women make the right choices about how they get home after a night out; I implore those of you who are out and about in London to make a note of the details.

Be safe.

Don't just look!

Thanks so much to all of you that have read my blog - but, leave a girl a comment. That way I won't look like billy-no-mates!

Aaah...

My friend Sy commented on my 7/12/06 post:

"Reading this reminded me about what I've been missing for the last 6months. Wish me luck on my return this week..."


I'm sure I detect some sarcasm when she talks about what she has been missing, because she has been looking after this beautiful little girl. Isn't she gorgeous - look at that hair! I haven't seen her since she was a few weeks old and I'm amazed by how much she's changed.

Sy goes back to work tomorrow and I know how difficult leaving your child (no matter what age) can be. But I think one of her biggest problems is going to be getting the nursery staff to hand this young lady back!

Apology needed?

In the last two weeks there has been much debate about an interview with Tony Blair in the New Nation newspaper. In the article he expresses his sorrow over the role that Britain played in the transatlantic slave trade.
The cause of the debate is that he stops short of giving a full apology - some suggest that this is to prevent any descendants of slaves seeking reparation.

Whilst it would do him no harm to make an apology on behalf of Britain; the fact that he has made this acknowledgement means a huge step forward has been taken. He has gone further than any of his predecessors in recognising the situation. The role Britain played is documented and regardless of whether or not we are taught about it in school, the information is there for all to access.

In the litigious society we live in, the opportunities to seek compensation for any and everything exist. I believe that those who would seek this route, will do so no matter what Tony Blair has or hasn't said.
Personally, I embrace my heritage and all that my ancestors went through to make me the person I am today. The one thing I would wish for is that instead of being jealous of each other, trying to kill each other and doing our best to hold each other back; we would take example from other communities and unite.


What do you think?

Thank everything it's Friday

It's been one of those weeks where I've willed the weekend to arrive. Work has been hectic, the weather's been bad and I don't think I've had enough sleep. At lunchtime we make the decision to go out for a drink after work - we deserve it after all! Sitting in the pub, sipping a glass of wine and chilling, I reflect on what a fantastic bunch of people I work with.

Five of us joined the faculty in Sept. '05 which meant it doubled in size; this could have been problematic as at the very least we might not have got on! This wasn't the case and since then we have shared highs, lows and even managed to fit in a surfing trip.

The friends I have in my faculty are magnificent teachers, artists and technicians. I share with them a passion for the Performing Arts and a desire to bring it to the hearts of young people. So, whilst I am truly, truly thankful that it is Friday, I remember that there are many people for whom work is just that.

GMTV girl was right!

(see previous post)
London was indeed hit - by a tornado no less! I have just seen the news and am surprised by how close this is to where I live.

You know it's winter when...

You leave home for work and it's cold, dark and wet and then you leave work for home and it's cold, dark and wet!

An example

I leave my house this morning just after the girl on GMTV has forecast a storm, it looks like the middle of the night and feels like I'd be better off in bed. I have to put the headlights on but Johnny Vaughn causes me to smile as I listen to capital.
I arrive at school, "Good Morning", "Good Morning" and make myself a cup of coffee.
Then, I check my pigeon hole, check my e-mail, distribute the books I've marked, sort out books to be marked, check my e-mail, meet new colleague, look for keys, eat breakfast, run to form room, register form, discuss last night's footie, check e-mail, teach two lessons, have break, teach two more, lunchtime but not as you know it - rehearsing for OAP party next week so I eat soup whilst choreographing salsa routine, lunch over, last lesson, register form, check e-mail, pack bag with marking to take home, check e-mail, go down to hall - parents evening, meet parents and tell them about the progress their child is making, still meeting parents, still meeting parents, not quite the last teacher there - but nearly, walk to car - it's cold, dark and wet - have I been here before?, arrive home twelve hours after I left.

Would I change my job - nope. Would I live in another country - can't see it. Am I enjoying this blog thing - Yep!

First Post

Here goes!

So, I decided to start this blog as an arena for airing and sharing all that matters to me. From the seemingly trivial to the incredibly serious - although I suspect that the former will feature the most!

I will rant, rave and discuss here.

Feel free to drop in from time to time; to say hello or share your views.