Let's Just Admit It...I'm An Introvert

I was browsing Facebook the other day when I ran across a video. The name of it was "Ten Myths About Introverts". I've always been one to keep to myself so when I found a name for it (introvert), I was elated to know I wasn't alone!

In the video, this guy talks about an article, "10 Myths About Introverts", and how it relates to him. I thought, what a wonderful idea?! I feel so misunderstood at times because I am an introvert and I deal with things in an introverted way. People who aren't an introvert don't understand because they operate differently. Being misunderstood can be very hurtful, especially when you try your hardest to get your point across in the best ways you know how. I want to be understood, especially by my loved ones, so I'm going to take the time to touch on all ten topics and how they relate to me. I will call this my 'I'm An Introvert' Series. I couldn't think of anything cute to call it, so I called it what it is...lol!

Hair Tuesday & June '13 Length Check

Hair Progress & 17 Months Natural

Today's post is about what else but my hair! It's a chronological view of my hair to date...so let's take a look.

First let's look at my wet hair over time:

(From left to right) These are photos of my hair from June back to January.

Look at the difference between the first picture and the last! I can't wait until I'm able to figure out how to wear my wet hair out as a wash-n-go. I'm still trying my hand at getting the different textures to blend AND I'm definitely still waiting on that hang time (Y'all knew it was coming :-)

Now, I've picked to show my hair during the three times I've had it straightened. I feel like these are good time markers to use and even though there's not that much time in between the three visits, you can see major growth. I'm getting my hair trimmed regularly now, so this will allow me to do a better job of recording my growth over time.

Let's see my hair before each salon trip:

These pictures (from left to right) show my hair before the last trip (6/18), my second trip (at the end of March),
and my first trip (at the beginning of February)

I know you can't really see the length of my 'fro in the first picture, but I chose it because this was the first time I've ever worn my hair on top of my head like that! I've never worn this type of pony tail with my natural hair. My hair grows fastest in the middle and everything else around it is much slower. So when I've tried this look before, the hair in the back would always find its way out of the pony tail. I'm not a fan of gel (although I'm trying to get the nerve up to use it more), but this time I was able to get my hair in the pony tail with no fuss...and no gel!


The top pic are from my March visit
& the bottom pics are from June.

Now, let's look at my straightened hair before being trimmed:

Look at the growth in only a 3 month period!!

Seeing this makes me smile. I know it's growing but it's hard to see that when I'm looking at it every day.

One perk of not having it straightened often is the gift of being surprised by how much it's grown.

I like those kinds of surprises.


Here's my just-stepped-out-the-salon-door hair:

This picture (from left to right) shows my first, second, and third trip.

And here's my hair a few days after each trip. In each of this pictures my hair is a little more laid down after being wrapped at night.

Left to right: last to first

As you can see, I've made great strides during the past (almost) 5 months. I always light up when my hair is straightened. You have to understand...my hair has been relaxed for as long as I can remember. Each time it's straightened, I also get a thought to heat train my hair...but it's a very quick thought. Going natural has been a long journey and it's a journey that I'm still on. I love my curly hair just as much as I love my straight hair and I'm not comfortable with letting it go (because as you heat train your natural curl will loosen more and more over time...and I would completely lose the look I have now). There's perks to each side but consequences as well.

Straight Hair
Pros:
~ easy night care (just wrap it)
~ I can run a comb straight through my hair
Cons: 
~ I can't be outside if it's raining or if there's a lot of moisture in the air (like at the beach)
~ When I wash my face my hairline frizzes
~ I'm afraid to straighten my own hair

Curly Hair:

Pros:
~ I can go out in any kind of weather
~ It's not the norm...it's different and uniquely mine

Cons:
~ night care is a serious task, as is washing it
~ you have to be creative and I'm usually not (for multiple reasons)
~ I can only finger comb my hair as opposed to using a comb
(for less breakage and to maintain the coils that develop over time)

I'm loving the versatility I have with my hair now. I feel like as my life continues to change, I will base what I'm able to do with my hair off of what's happening in my life at the time...

SO, only time will tell.

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Vote For My Goddaughter

So, isn't my goddaughter the cutest??

Maddie

My best friend (and her mom), at Pharr Away, has been snapping photos of this cutie with her new birthday present. Because of the great pictures she's taken, Maddie has been entered into a contest for Toddler of the Week at Parents.com. We want her to win. I'm graciously asking you all to go and

VOTE FOR HER!!! :-)

P.S. - Happy Birthday Dad!

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Sunday Funday

As you all know, I took a break last week. Again life has been taking a toll on me and I've been trudging through. I'm dealing with being at a crossroad with a few things and rather than stretching myself thin trying to deal with keeping up with appearances, I've decided to take the time tend to try and deal with my needs...as best I can.

Now that I've decided to get back on top of blogging, it would be just my luck that my computer would conk out on me :-( It sucks, but that's just another thing I must deal with so I'll ask that you all be patient with me.

Yesterday was Sunday Funday. Sunday is probably the second worst day of the week beside Monday...lol...because you have to get prepared for the work week! I'm thankful for my boyfriend and his efforts to try and help me deal with things a little better than I know how to at the moment. Yesterday, he took me for a little walk down one of the trails in the city and to see World War Z.

I loved the walk because I like being out in nature (when it's not too hot!...or cold, for that matter...lol). Something about it soothes me. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I can proudly say that I love Zombies AND Vampires (i.e., True Blood, The Walking Dead, and the Twilight series). I felt like World War Z did a good job of telling a story that was unlike any other zombie show are movie I've seen.

So, thanks Chris.

Let the week begin!

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50 Questions to Free Your Mind, Part 5

With all that goes on in life, it's somewhat helpful to take a break from the normal things that weigh my mind down. I mostly like to dream of what my life will look like down the road, but I also like to think about different things. I love answering these questions so I hope you all enjoy reading them.

21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Well, I worry now anyway...why not be more of a genius than I already am?!

22. Why are you, you?

Late 1990 or early 1991

I think I was shaped by the experiences I've been through. I believe a lot of who I am was created by the way I was raised. I also believe I was shaped by my environment and the experiences I've been through. A desire was instilled in me to want more than I was afforded as a child. Education was a high priority in our household and I've used that as an avenue to create better opportunities for myself. I'm able to provide a lifestyle for myself, by myself, because of my education and associated accolades I've achieved. If you read this (#3), you would know I learned independence at a very early age. I also took on a caretaker role early. My little sister was born when I was 5 and my Moma will tell you right now that I used to treat her like she was my child! LOL. I had to take care of her a lot at such a young age because my mom worked a lot...and I guess that caretaker, nurturing role just kind of stuck with me. So, there are a lot of stories I could tell that can be associated with characteristics that make me, me! 

23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
I have a small circle of very close friends. We all have our own lives. At this point in life we're all trying to get on our feet and get ourselves and our own families built and established. Life can be hard, time consuming, and tiring!! It's very easy to get caught up in that whirlwind. I find myself in it often, but I also know that if I need any one of my friends I can call on them. The same is true for them. That's all I can ask, especially since we're not all in the same city.

24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Definitely losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you. As I said in the question above, I have a very small circle of friends so losing a friendship would be very unfortunate. I know I can always call on my friends at any time and vice versa and that means a lot to me. Not being able to do that at all would suck! Distance doesn't erase relationships.

25. What are you most grateful for?
(God and my life...which is a given) My loved ones. They have been a part of making me who I am...through the good and bad!! They've been there for me and are there for me now. They are definitely a comfort for me and I don't know what I would do without any one of them!!!

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