I'm Ready!

I know it's been a while! It's been a busy summer so far. I have finished my job at a school in the area and I'm just winding down, getting back to my own routine. I posted a blog about it: (http://www.misshaywood.blogspot.com) Even though I'm still working, I have a lot of time on my hands to ponder things of the world. Well, more personally...I've been thinking (and thinking) about going natural.

As you may (or may not) know, I've been horribly procrastinating cutting my hair. I still want to do it, though! What I've been doing in the mean time, is finding other ways to be natural. I'm transitioning on using all natural soaps. I've found a Whole Foods Market in the area and I picked up some natural skin care items. I found a Vitamin E soap, chammomile, and a combination goat's milk/lavender soap. I'm working on finishing my Victoria's Secret washes, then I'm fully using all natural soaps. It's just better for your skin in general. If I could find a great natural shampoo/conditioner I'd be great! Whole Foods is a little expensive. I have to save my pennies!

I watched the Good Hair doc/movie by Chris Rock and I'm really inspired to go natural even more. Watching the part where he talks about relaxers, I couldn't believe that this is something we put in our hair! It's disturbing, to be honest. So whenever I happen to just feel it, I'm going to put all hesitation aside and go for it! Can't say when! But it's going to happen...VERY SOON!

So stay tuned! I'll be around these parts more often!

~LaDai

Window Seat -- Erykah Badu

http://universalmotown.com/videos/playlist.aspx?plid=1457712391&v=76010451001&aid=0

I am so excited! I have not seen a music video or heard a (current) song that inspires so much thought! I have always been a fan of Erykah Badu. She bares her soul in every song! And that's what I love. She takes everyday issues and just puts them in words on a beat we can all relate to. REAL MUSIC !!

I know I'm super late seeing this video and hearing this song, but I just saw it tonight and I had to get my 2 cents out there. I've been hearing alot of people say what they do and don't like about the video, but personally I don't see anything NOT to like!

The video definitely represents the process of groupthink and how it's destroyed us as a people, collectively. Alot of people claim to be individual thinkers, but if we all say the same thing, then we too are participating in a form of groupthink! As much as we all want to believe we are truly individual thinkers, I just don't think it happens as often as we'd like. The force of media alone kind of herds us to believe what "they" want us to. Badu shows this in the end of her video in 2 ways that I thought about it: 1) Assassination of group think can only get us to see the greater good. 2) Assassination of the individual thinker/the mind/the soul is where we are now. The fact that this happens in the same spot where JFK was assassinated...I bet the majority of people who saw this video didn't even pick up on that!!

Another thing that I noticed in this video as Badu sheds her clothing, is the concept that we must shed the preconceived notions that people have of us. At the end of the dare you can only be you. People's thoughts of who and what they think I am, majority of the time are wrong. Although she's literally taking off her clothes, it's the thought that people need to stop hiding behind what others want for them. I am not who you think I am or who you think you want me to be. I don't want what you want for me and your expectations for me are not the same expectations I hold myself to. I don't hide behind those false thoughts. I can only be me. Until people realize that, they shouldn't let what others think of them affect them. If not, then we'll all be fooled by the ravening wolves disguised as sheep!

I like that she's not afraid to get naked even though they have to censor it. It shows that through her music (one of the things I'm sure she's the most passionate about) and anything else she does, she's not afraid to be herself and bare her soul, essentially showing who she really is at the end of the day. You either love it or you don't!

[[I'll post what I think of the lyrics later]]

~LaDai

Let's Talk About Hair Baby!

Amidst all that's been happening, I haven't done a hair post in a LONG while!

An update on what I'm doing with my own hair...I haven't gone natural, YET, but I'm still felling inspiration from all around me: youtube vids, pics, people I see around town, and friends. One of my friend girls has gone natural recently and she's trying to convince me every chance she gets to go ahead and do a big chop! Slowly, but surely...

I haven't put a relaxer on my hair in a while! I think the last time I did was January. I use a flat iron everyday anyway so I figured I could skip the relaxer. I wear my hair short so it doesn't really matter to me. The haircut that I have right now, is the shortest it's been EVER! My goal is to go shorter and shorter until there's none left, haha!

I've switched hair products since I haven't relaxed my hair. I'm now using Cantu shampoo and conditioner with shae butter. I think it gives me the extra moisture I need for my new growth and even my relaxed ends that are still present. I don't do too much to protect the ends since I get a cut every so often. I still use the Cantu strengthening cream on my wet hair post-conditioning. It's a great heat protector since I use my flat iron everyday! I'll put an oil moisturizer on it while it's dry. I've tried alot of products so I use whatever I have: Africa's Best Olive Oil, Pink Oil, Profectiv, shae butter, or grease...whatever really! Then I style and use a holding spray! The holding spray is really drying so I try not to use too much (I reccommend the same for others as well)!

I recently switched hair stylists too! She's great (and alot cheaper than my last one)! She's been keeping me fresh and edgy with designs all all that jazz lately!

This one is the very first time she cut my hair. I want to say March 5th. I've had another haircut (and design) since then.

I'm a fan of cutting your hair until you're content. Anyone who wants to do it, GO FOR IT! It's just hair, it will grow back (if you want it to haha). One thing I tell people though, not only keeping your hair cut, but the daily styling is ALOT of work. So don't cut your hair if you're one of "those people" who don't like to: a) style your own hair and b) style it everyday. I mean there are alot of styles where you can get up and go and just wear it. But the point of short hair is to rock it (style it)!

~LaDai

Results!

So I'm a little late on this, but I definitely wanted to share how my fast ended.

SUCCESSFUL !

I definitely think I accomplished what I set out to do and I got great results. My mind was way more clear than it's ever been, I was able to focus on school alot more, spent my nights more productively (instead of going to parties, I studied and slept haha), and the most important thing was learning moderation!

I believe that with a fast, you should never dive right back into what you fast from in the first place. Then what's the point? Not to say that I never party anymore, but when I do, I make the most of it, enjoy it, and do it less. With anything in life, good or bad, too much can be a detriment to your well being. So... I stayed away from it and now I can party less, still have a good time, and have other things to look forward to Thursday-Saturday nights!

It was hard at times, but I made it through! With faith and prayer anything is possible!

Just Something I Noticed..

Females are the most bitchy, dramatic, and emotional creatures on earth. And it sucks because i'm a female too. I seem to have inherited this tragic flaw. As hard as i try not to be that way, it seems I cant avoid it. Its my nature apparently lol.... You think that we'd be able to survive together, but too many females trying to be cool eventually leads straight to trouble somehow.

Proud of Myself!

So tonight my friends were really on me about going out! They were like "you should really come out with us, you'll have so much fun, you'll have such a good time" and all that. But I had to say no!

I'm down to just a week left until spring break and I've really done a good job of standing by what I said I would do! Why would I give up NOW when I've come so far? I found a new level of strength in that moment also. To be in front of my closest friends and still be able to say no and stay true to myself. My parents raised me to think for myself and be my own person. I'm not going to give in to what other people say no matter what the situation is.

I just had to put some positivity out there saying I'm proud of myself for this!

~LaDai

Clarity

My mind is definitely alot more clear.

I feel a spiritual cleansing is happening.

I started my workout this morning, so a physical cleansing is about to happen.

I just feel great all around!

~LaDai