My First Wash

I tried washing my locks for the first time on Thursday. At first my intention was only to style it differently but my sister said my hair had a funny smell. I couldn't smell anything but big sister would steer me wrong so I had her help me to band and braid my locks so that I could do a quick wash with my SL starter shampoo that came in my kit. I commented on one of Brunsli's blogs and she wrote back! Yeah I felt all extra giddy when she wrote back giving me tips about me being afraid to wash my locks on my own. I paid too much money to mess them up! I washed very gently but I must admit that if felt good standing under the shower spray, and it felt even better not having to sit under the dryer to dry my hair. I just towel dried unbraided and drove to school with the windows down. My hair had a different bounce to it after the wash and I loved that, normally my hair just sticks up. Which I find that I don't mind as much because they are locks.I've received a lot of compliments about my locks as well and that's just wonderful. I'm excited when women ask me about my hair, I especially love the comments from women that think I made the wrong choice. (attempt to wash hair braid and band)One girl said "why DiVA, you were always the pretty girl in high school" I wanted to call her a liar most people didn't notice me in high school I was the smart black girl that got bused in with all the black kids but went to different classes so I never fit in with my thrift store clothing even though my hair was always tight work. Girls spoke to me only because (you can barely see the parts now!)they found out I could do hair. (Being on a dance team with all white girls forced me to have to do my hair.)It wasn't until my senior year that I decided to dress up and try to be "pretty" and stopped trying to go natural, I think that was the longest my weave had ever been my senior year in high school. I had to bite my tongue, yes I know I've always been pretty that's not a lie (lol) but wearing a weave and hiding my natural glory is no better then having my nappiness out in full effect. It was funny when her boyfriend turned around and said that he loved my hair. A lot of black men have commented on my hair they like it, not one negative comment yet, but they are curious as to why I decided to lock up.

I was excited to see that Blaqkofi wrote me back on her blog!!

"DiVa La Reine - I know your locks will rock. My fam teased me too because I was and remain so passionate about my locked journey. But now they understand. You too will be a living, breathing Sisterlock testimony. Your locks will encourage others to step into natural freedom. Thanks for reaching out."

I love her locks, before getting mine I was always stalking her page because I feel as if our hair types are similar. She is so beautiful inside and out and I would feel blessed to have a crown of locks as regal as hers. I really do hope to encourage others to be natural. Lord knows I'm always trying to give my friends that extra push. One of the women at the college I attend is planning to get locks she was checking my out and I shared info about what I did before getting mine and choosing a consultant. She wears her natural hair out and she has a lot of length hopefully she'll let me share pictures of her locks once she has them installed. I know a guy with brotherlocks he's also been giving the woman I mentioned earlier advice about getting sisterlocks. We have the same consultant. It's funny because when we first met I had braids in my hair and I mentioned that I was going to lock my hair, but he didn't offer his consultant's information. It wasn't until we ran into each other a week ago that we found out that we had the same consultant. She does great work, his locks are beautiful. He likes my hair too! He complimented my hair a few times and that means a lot hearing that your locks look nice from a fellow locked person. At least for me it does. I don't have many pictures to post because I recently gave my camera away. The camera on my phone doesn't take great quality pictures. I miss my blackberry! =( So, I'll have to figure out a way to visually document my hair journey. I do have pictures of me trying to style my hair with rollers and braids...it didn't work my hair just stuck out everywhere lol! So I just wear it with head bands or just let it do what it wants. (snapping pictures of my hair at work pre-wash) School is going great, I'm way ahead in my math class.My journalism class is a bit intimidating I'm not used to that style of writing but I'm going to have to read more news articles and get into that mind frame, in my chosen career I'll be writing more as a journalist then as a creative writer. Speaking of creative writing...we just had a professor change but it's all gravy! We're writing novels so I'll post up whatever I come up with hopefully I'll get some feed back it will be a romance novel. I got the idea from zaythegr3at, we write stories together because we're dorks and one of our stories gave birth to the idea I'll be using to write this one! Lastly, my Humanities course is very interesting I think my classmates are to the point where they'd wish I'd shut up in discussion so that we can leave class but it's so interesting I can't help but to speak out. I'm writing a paper on truth and beauty using Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and you know my hair is going to pop up in there somewhere. Back to my hair because I can't ever stray too long! My first re tightening is in a week! I wonder what the prognosis will be. I was supposed to get my first was then so I hope I didn't mess anything up by washing it early on my own.

(my hangout spot at school...)

This post is getting HEKKA long so I'll end it here!

It's that time of the year

It's that time of year when love is supposedly in the air and everyone around me in a relationship makes me sick and the bitter women not in a relationship annoy the mess out of me. Relationships at this point in my life are just overrated, I don't know many couples that actually have lasting relationships they all seem to revolve around sex. But that's just an opinion maybe somewhere out there young people are having, lasting relationships. People seem to find it strange that I'm 20 years old and I've never been in a relationship, my question is what's the rush? Would you rather me fall into a statistic young, pregnant and on welfare? How about not! I may not be the norm but I much rather it that way. I haven't met that guy yet the one that makes me push caution to the side and say what the hekk this might be worth something. I'm still thinking logically what's the long term, can I see myself with this person for more than a month. The answer thus far N-O. I'm not saying that all guys are dogs but I'd rather not go through the things that many of the women I know are going through.

We had sex and he hasn't called. He's cheating He doesn't think I'm pretty anymore Maybe he'd like it if I cut my hair this way SCREW THAT! I know a lot of people are saying Diva you are supposed to be out enjoying life dating. Worry about all the other things when it happens. Okay I can do that I don't see anything wrong with dating but does a $20 date equate to us necking in the back of a theatre? If it does I'll pass. What happened to those old courtships where you were just friends first? Held hands at a movie instead of dual of the tongues. Lay on a blanket telling life stories rather then doing the horizontal polka? I've only made out with one guy in my entire life and that was after a 5 year long crush my first and last, once I realized nothing would come of it I kept it moving. What's the point of putting myself on an emotional roller coaster worried about who else he's kissing, or why he's kissing me but not moving our friendship to another type of relationship. I've gone out with guys yes but I send them home with a hug and a call me when you make it in safe. Too many people can't be single and it's sad. Every body should be comfortable being alone. Yeah at times it sucks and who wouldn't want that companionship but that's all it is a want not a necessity. I'm getting to the point where I'm rambling so I'll end this part of my post now. I'm not anti-love real love that is I'm just tired of people thinking I need a man or if I mention a new guy that I'm automatically going to jump into bed because it's something I've been missing. This nappy headed diva loves herself more than any one could ever love me. Well my birthday is slowly approaching and I've decided to stay in town. Have dinner with family friends and co workers then dance the night away. Maybe I'll make it into a weekend event, a night of bowling, roller skating, go cart riding then top of the big day with the dinner and the spiffy restaurant and dance the night away. Only time will tell.

Not Sure What To Do For My 21st B-day

I turn 21 Februray 16th 2008 at 12:01AM. No really, I was born on the very first minute of the day; that doesn't mean that I only get to celebrate my birthday for a minute it means that my birthday officially begins a minute into the day. LOL okay now that we've taken care of that it's time we talk about what I'm going to do for my birthday. Well, at first I decided I was going to celebrate my birthday on South Beach with my family, friends and co-workers. Yes I'm originally from Miami but I've never really enjoyed the Miami night life. Call me a prude if you may but I've never really been the partying get drunk and stand up on the bar type, never really had many girlfriends well scratch that because when I lived on campus everytime I got invited out I'd stay in and watch movies with one of the guys in my dorm. My asian baby daddy (I need to get in contact with him.)It's not what you think we just normally stayed in when everyone else went out and I had a netflix account so naturally movie night is what we did.We'll I don't live in Miami anymore I live 2hrs away not that far so I could go anytime which I do but I want to go and do the things that I never do for my 21st. I mean I'm only turning 21 once right? The plan was to drive down with a couple of people get a hotel room on the beach meet up with friends and family to party, shop, eat enjoy each other's company for the weekend. Now I'm thinking we could that anytime and that I should just get myself a HUGE plasma tv for my birthday!! LOL I want one I've wanted one for a while and now that I can afford it I need to get it.I actually want to redo the apartment new living room set huge tv redecorate. See I told you I'm a prude, I rather re-do my living space rather then walk half naked on South Beach. I don't think everyone I want to come down will be able to either, I have friends in Conneticut, Louissiana, Philly, Jersey, Brooklyn, and Arkansas that I want to fly in but I don't think everyone would be able to come in and get a room for the weekend I mean come one we're college students, we are NOT ballin'. So, I need to decide Miami and splurge or stay home and invest in my living space. If you want to help with my mini dilema take my poll. Another change to come, braces I'm getting my grill done Feburary 12th AHH 21 with braces and a nappy head lol. That is going to be hella fun I can't wait to see everyone's reaction to that. Not that I'll care but I think it's going to be funny. That's enough for this post maybe I'll edit and add more to it later. (plasma sony)http://www.costco.com (south beach picture)http://www.sobenightsonline.com/article1.htm DiVA 0ut

School Daze

I can't stop taking pictures of myself! I was excited about getting back to school so I took a picture before I left the house. My mother was looking at me side ways as I traveled around the house trying to find the best light for my hair. I'm already beginning to obesses about it. Then I did it again because I thought the hospital room my sister was in had the best light and all the silver I had on would just make it perfect. LOL I'm a fool but I guess sisterlocks has me loving myself. Playing in my hair 24/7 posing in every corner. I love my hair!

I'm Locked Up!!

Yes it finally happened I got my locks installed Jan. 5Th 9am-7pm & 6Th 9-8:30pm. Long days and my flat behind was screaming after that second day but I was so excited I could care less! Mass text messages went out that evening because all my friends knew that it was finally about to go down and they all couldn't wait to see the final results, my locked friends welcomed me, the ones still enslaved by the relaxer commented on how nice they look and how they would do it too but they're afraid of not being able to ever use a comb again. Child please, my hair pick and combs have all been handed over I am not going to miss trying to comb out my naps. Oh you won't imagine how many times I've heard aren't they just little braids, I want to just slap them with knowledge but I didn't have time, because I was rushing to class. Yup that's right I'm back in school and realizing that I'm still a nerd, jumped right back into it. I don't understand why students are so afraid to talk out in a lecture shoot you're paying for this you better get as much information as possible. I sit right up in front so that I know my face is seen and if I have a question or an answer best believe it will be heard. Back to my hair, a lot of people have asked if they were braids, some women look at me in aw others look at me in disgust oh well I know I'm fabulous catch up with me in a couple months when all this scalp isn't showing and I have some growth they're going to really hate me then! LOL A lot of people are surprised that I'm not covering it up with hats or a weave, I did not pay all this money just to hide it oh #3!! nah. One woman actually knew what it was she saw me walking to class as she was walking out one of the buildings and sister girl yelled out "who did your sisterlocks?" My head shot up really fast and I did make time to speak to her but then she quickly got on my nerves when she started picking at my head like a bird looking for worms, telling me that from a far my locks were beautiful but now that she was up close she thinks my consultant jacked me up and over prices. Having the mouth on me that I do you know I had to question her on her skills. She's never taken a sisterlocks training course in her life, but being from "Jamaica" she felt she was an authority on them. Umm booboo it wasn't even created in Jamaica and what you think you know is mostly likely WRONG!! Yes she pissed me off luckily for her the christian side of me saved her. I told her to log onto the site become certified then contact me. Oh yes I gave her my card took hers to be polite then strolled off. Well that's the end on my first week being locked up. I would've posted sooner but, life got to me. My sister was in the hospital all week but she's out now, then this morning I found out that someone in the family passed away stressful week but a little stress never hurt no body! Ok I have to get back to work, well doing my homework at work:).

Tomorrow The Journey Begins

I'm super stoked about tomorrow I can't wait to have my sisterlocks installed. I decided to wear my natural nappiness out today and I have to admit I'm loving it. The fullness in my up do is beautiful I'm asking myself why was I too lazy to comb it out before. Well I didn't comb it out this morning my mother did but after she took the original kinks out I used an afro pick and a headscarf to style it. My sister loved it my mother played it down as I pranced around the apartment telling everyone how beautiful I am. I do that a lot, I'm not conceited but I've learned that only I can love me flaws and all. Maybe someday I'll sit and write about how I'd hide behind sweat pants and big shirts, because my butt was too flat and breast too big. Oh and how I had to always have bangs because I didn't have a forehead I had a five head, skin color was even a problem. Society and what it deems beautiful can just make a person go crazy. Now I love me and I love my fro and I'm going to love my sisterlocks! And so it begins....

A New Year

So far I'm loving 2008! Happy New Year (a day late)...

What does the New Year mean to you?

For me it means a new beginning when I think of the New Year I think of a clean slate a chance to try again get things I didn't get right in the past year right this year. When I think of New Years I think of freedom because it was on Janurary 1st 1804 that my people "Ayisian" Haitians became the first free BLACK nation. If you were to ever take a look at the Haitian flag you would find the motto : "L'union fait la force" Unity brings strength, united we are strong depends on how you translate it. That's one thing Haiti is not at the moment, the last symbol of unity and freedom we as Haitians have left is Soup Joumou, every Haitian household eats Soup Joumou every year like clockwork every New Year, yet many do not know why. This year I didn't get to eat soup at home with my family because I had to work, but I made sure to bring a huge bowl of soup with me. When one of my co workers commented on the great smell I was eager to share it with her. Not only did I give her a taste of the culture to fill her palet I made sure to fill her mind as well by telling her the story of why my family as well as many other Haitian families all across the world eat this soup. My heart filled with pride in being able to do this, a silent prayer followed. One day my people will reunite, one day we'll remember our past, the struggle for our freedom, and will continue to fight for that freedom. What a wonderful way to start a New Year free, our ancestors fought for nearly thirteen years before the day so that we could be free they initiated this symbol of freedom for ALL slaves ALL over the world. Before 1804, A Haitian slave was NOT allowed to touch Joumou, a delicious and aromatic pumpkin that was a favorite for her white French master. Haitian Slave Diet: He/She was to eat one ounce of salted meat or fish and one bottle of lemonade per day. When our ancestors finally kicked the French out of the island best believe we ate it up like "in your face!!" My ancestors fought the French and we won!

History Facts: Place: Gonaives, Haiti

Nickname: City of Independence

Date: Sunday, January 1st 1804 On Sunday January 1, 1804, the Haitian slaves of yesterday started gathering at dawn at the "Place d'Armes de Gonaives"it was there that Jean Jacques Dessalines mounted the Autel de la Patrie to speak. He made his speach in Kreyol so everyone could understand him. "Liberte ou la Mort!""Liberty or death"Jean Jacques Dessalines declared that Haitians would forever live free and die free. "Cannons were fired, church bells rung, people cheered, and, they say kettles of fragrant soup joumou perfumed the air, ready to be ladled up in a mass communion."

I wish that it had been that easy and only good times followed but Haiti once known as "pearl of the Antilles" is now routinely excluded from travel guides on the Caribbean. Has the lowest literacy rate in the Americas and our people have the lowest daily calorie intake in the western hemisphere. That's why I say my silent prayer that one day we'll truely be free.

How does one jump from that to talk about hair? I wore my natural hair out to work, I was not in the mood to comb it down and re do a weave I mean I might as well seeing as I'm getting my sisterlocks on Saturday yippee! But it was short lived because today I was to lazy to style it so I'm wearing my weave again. One of my scholarships went through! It paid for all of my tuition so it really all did work out I can't wait for Tuesday! That's the day that my classes begin I'll have just completed my locks, my consultant has reserved Saturday Sunday and Monday to complete my sisterlocks so I'll be going to school with fresh locks I need hair accessories, I wonder what I'm going to look like. I feel like the way I always do when school is about to begin, I just want the day to end so that I can sleep wake up and go to school. I'm such a nerd.

Think this is where I'll end this post...I'll write again soon!

Information obtained (http://www.soupsong.com/zdec02.html) As well as from my Mommy! DiVA 0ut