525,600 Minutes and counting...

If this made you smile, go to:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/about_us/ and scroll down to watch the video.

Well, it's been 1 whole year. Last year, March 1st marked the first day of my spring break and my hair cut. The dates are slightly different this year, as they did not allow me to attend the events in Raleigh. I was reminded by the headline on the font page of the newspaper. The headline (ha, get it? HEAD) read: 'Bald Altruism'. and if you wish to see more of it, it can be found below.
http://www.newsobserver.com/print/monday/front/story/1425056.html There are some photos and compelling stories.So when you have a moment, you can see why this is such a great event and how they have been growing in popularity! Yay.
This time last year it was sunny and warm, not too cool.This year, it is raining and snowing out. It would not have been an ideal year to shave the head. My head would be so chilly.Brr.
Here is what my head looked like March 1, 2008:

Here is what my head looks like March 1, 2009:


I mean, I see a slight difference, but I think that I am biased...

WARNING! Contains the following: human manes and Eddie Murphy look-a-likes.

Well, it is almost that time again, spring break. Yay! I am finishing up my last week in Cullowhee, then going to Raleigh for a bit. I might even stop by the St. Baldrick's event to pay my respects, see all them bald folks. It will be interesting to see it from a historical perspective I guess. If I do go, I'll take pictures and post them.

After almost one year, I have done many-a-thing to my hair style(s). Up, side, half, quarter, you name it, I might have tried to do it. Most of them failed to look acceptable, but some manage to work out. I have here a pinned mess, but oh does it feel so good to get it up.

It has taken me some time to figure out what I can and cannot do.
Some things just look silly. Once all the layers grow out beyond a point,
I think it will get better.

and this...this is the aftermath:

Granted it was up all day long and I did put it up when it was wet-ish,
but I look like Mufasa. UGH. ( Don't tell anyone but I kind of enjoy the
massive body it has, ha.)

Another way to wear it, is down. I think it is getting longer, right? Maybe
slower than I might like, but we can see the difference if we compare to
previous posts.



On another note, not only do I have hair on my head, but also on my face. Allie and I attended a party where a mustache was required. This 'Mustache Party' was a weekend festivity worth attending. Hey Al, congrats on winning the contest for the faux stash. She was told that she resembled Eddie Murphy...I don't think I see it, but that's your call.


I will leave you to ponder this one. I will post on the 1 year anniversary. See some of you soon, as for the rest of you, I can't wait to see you again.

Cut-It-Out

You know on Full House, when Joey does the hand gesture and says, 'cut it out'?!
Yeah, I had no real point there, just wondering if you watched Full House and knew what I was talking about in reference to the post's title.
Anyway, I went to Athens again this weekend. I got a hair cut. Before I went to get it cut, I had the Brady cut....AGAIN. In fact, it closely resembled a mullet as well. Sticking to the Full House theme, let's just say that I could have looked like Uncle Jesse. Wow, I must have looked HOT!
So, it was really just shaped and layered again with a razor. I am trying to keep length, yet maintain some sort of style. It is hard to watch them take off an inch and think that it will just grow back and I'll have to do it all over again...
Here is what it looks like now. You might not be able to even notice a difference in length. That could be both a good thing and bad, for me. It has almost been one year. In fact I got an e-mail telling me to be a shavee again. I laughed. But, maybe another time, we'll just wait and see.
I'll update you again soon, but just wanted y'all to see the new hair.

The End of an Era...

Who wants to leave this? Honestly. This is Green Pond, post sunset, and frozen. sigh.
I would like to thank everyone for their hospitality and bed for snuggle time. Loaf it!


I don't really have any hair pictures, no growth noted... Wow, I feel like I am recording a lab report, perhaps I should tone it down a bit. My hair is slowly growing, that better? :)
I have a pony tail and bangs. I feel like i'm in the 80's. It's awful.



This is a group photo on new years. I was not serious, but apparently others were, minus Joely. Happy 2009 by the way.

Thank you all for such a great break in New Jersey! I love you all very much and miss you dearly already. I can't wait for summer '09, it's going to be ground breaking. See you soon!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is the best time of the year, and this year I am spending it in New Jersey. The first day I got here, it was just cold, but I sure did enjoy the bitterness of New Jersey :) Within the next few days, there was 8+ inches of snow all around. Being with snow and friends, really makes it feel like a special winter and Christmas. I am super excited to be here and enjoying my break from school in the best way possible! I miss my family and know that they would like to spend the holidays with all of us, but I know that they are keeping us all in thought.


I have been busy doing nothing but enjoying my friend's company, staying cozy, eating a ton of food, and being very thankful for the people in my life, all around the country. My sister, in Georgia has to work today on Christmas. My other sister, in Arizona at the moment, with husband and son who get to celebrate his first Christmas which is very eventful and exciting. In fact, there are many new additions celebrating their first Christmases, and i wish them all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! My brother, who is in Brooklyn, is staying busy with work as well. So looks like I am the only one not working very hard...it feels good.

Here is one profile picture of the hair growth. I have been told it's getting longer? Only some more time will tell if it is significant over my vacation.


Here is another up-do I had to make-do with because it was greasy and nasty (to be quite frank). It gets it out of my face but is not always cute. Then again, when has cuteness been a factor with my hair? yeah...

(p.s. please note my mouth, it is wide opened. I called it out so that nobody else would tell me to close my mouth. ha)

Well, that is all for now. I wish y'all a very happy holiday season and will post again toward the new year. Miss everyone, but send my love from the New Jersey!

Also, Congrats Brandan on your engagement to Jeff on Christmas Eve. You two are going to have a wonderful Christmas together, with many more to come. Yay!

Time for CHANGE.

I am going to ignore the fact that I have not posted in quite some time, I have been finishing the semester here in Cullowhee and staying super busy with everything else. For all of y'all who have been checking this blog once in awhile and still awaiting some updated stuff, here you go. Let's make this quick...
Finals will be over and I will make my trip back to Raleigh. I will stay for a few days and then make my way up to the Garden State, Yay! This is where I shall stay for the majority of my vacation. I could not be any more excited to see my favorite people and to be in my favorite place, and in the winter?! Imagine that! Anyway, this is my future, let's take a look at the past.Here is what you missed:

My 'emo' costume for Halloween.(I am fond on the lip ring, ha).


Obama won. (Yeah, I know. This is how long it has been since I posted, sorry!)










Jacob's crawling. Jacob's two teeth. Jacob's insinuating a Denise the Menace childhood.


Thanksgiving.

yumm.


My hair can go in assorted 'up-do's'.


They are not the best, but they get it out of my face and neck. It feels amazing and i like having some variety of style in my hair.


Anyway, i have nothing further to say. Sorry i was not satisfying in the information department, but I will post over my month long winter break to show you some hair possibilities (and even some funny ones possibly). Green Ponders get creative!


...Oh yeah, and Emily got engaged. Yay! At this rate, I will surely have hair by the wedding!Bring it on hair.

Sunburns and Taking Turns

October 4th- It was homecoming weekend here in Cullowhee. This means not much to the students, faculty, or the football players really, which saddens me. Over the years, we have all come to grip with reality, we lose football games. I mean someone how to lose the game, right? I was cheering along with many of my peers in the stands during the game. It is a little after 12 o'clock and although it is October, it is still very warm. The sun was out and shining. As for my head situation, I parted my hair and had it up with bobby pins.After all day in the sun, I had a precious burn on my neck (oh no worries, it was only above the collar of my shirt. So essentially, I had a farmer's tan. YES! Ugh, it was horrendous.) and on my head where my scalp was exposed from my part.
At the end of the day we lost a football game and I got a sunburn.
(The picture to the right is of my burn. You know, just cause you can't see the extent of my burn, does not mean that it did not hurt. Please have some sympathy, it was sore the next shower that I took.)

October 5th- Allie and I went to Asheville today to see Barack Obama speak. It was quite gorgeous outside and we all might not have been able to ask for a better weather. Like yesterday, we stood outside. This time it was for more than six hours. Being outside for the duration of the day was spent in line standing, speech listening, and leaving. This day took for-ev-er! Regardless of the opposite side being parted today, I still managed to burn on top of a head. This particular area really is unfortunatete. In the end, I can say that today was worth it. I can not, however, say the same about yesterday.


October 6th- If you are wondering why there are so many photos of creative hair-do's, I think that you should know that the hair gel resides on a desk in the open. When people see it sitting there, the opportunity it open for all. Here are some more of Allie's creations. Each time they get cuter, don't they?

October 8th-11th- Fall break was finally here. Ashley, Daniel, and mister Jacob were going to be in Raleigh for a wedding and I could not have been happier! I got to spend time with my nephew and let me tell y'all...pictures do not do this kid justice. He is by far one of the cutest things that I have ever seen. I am a bit bias, but I know that he has some of his parents features.He was having a blast in this laundry basket. He was almost able to pull himself up, but we were all a little bit apprehensive to let him do so. He is one of the happiest children as Daniel and Ashley have been told. Here is some more proof that he is content in mommy's lap. It is about 12:30.Listen to his laughing!

Baby's First Haircut!

September 20th- Forever will mark the day when I had my hair cut...again. I have been attempting to grow it out for six months and never imagined that I would cut it so soon after. In order for me to NOT closely resemble Carol Brady, ( from the Brady Bunch) I had to fix this 'situation', FAST! **Please refer to the photo if you are unaware of the horrendous coif of Mrs. Brady.**
Looking back to pre-haircut, Allie sure did have some fun trying to fix a white girl's hair. The things is, she had no Godly clue what she is doing with the 'L.A. Looks' and my hair.She did a few experiments and I have evidence to go along with my case. So how you YOU feel about the 'pedophile look'?(left).

As the evening progresses, it is all fun and games...

...until it just isn't fun anymore.

The bottle was 2 oz. I have 1 oz. in my hair. Ew.

On another trip to Athens, I planned to get my haircut. This trip had been planned for quite sometime now, really it was based around a trip to Belmont. Before our venture, I went to get my haircut. This is what it looked like right before I left the house. It is longer in the back and has evenly grown in.

On Saturday, Emily and I went to Belmont-Abbey College (near Charlotte, like a three hour drive from Athens) to see a performance by Dave Barnes. This was definitely an anticipatory event I must say! I think we were more anxious because of the lack of information and planning on BAC's behalf. Patrick Motter...(ew, I get angry just saying his name) was supposed to be more helpful, but not to our surprise, he wasn't.
Emily and I always learn a few things while we're together. Occurring through divine or supernatural intervention, the tallest person in the entire venue will be strategically placed directly in front of us, right next to the either a) obnoxious, hippie dancers; or 2) the drunkards. This time we were fortunate enough to be embedded between the man who closely embodies Paul Bunyan and the girls who wish they were at Bonnaroo.

Yeah,you see those small specks in the foreground? Yeah,that's us.
And just think, this is him sitting down!


Anyway, the trip was amazing. We got to eat, lounge, and sleep in a Paul Bunyan sized bed, it was AMAZING. The only photo I have of my new hair, is with Dave Barnes. So here it is, with a clip to hold up the strays.I got the back trimmed, as well as the bangs, and I did get layers throughout my head. I like the new cut and hope that it grows out with some sort style, for I have been lacking it for the past six months.

Six Months Old!

Well, it has been a whole six months since. I know that from the picture it does not really seem like that much hair, but if you really think about it, it is inches long. From very short stubble --> to a 'functional do'.I was thinking, people actually get their hair cut like this, so I feel more normal now.
With the length that it is, it gets surprisingly hot in this heat. I am actually perplexed as to why though.My hair is neither heavy or long, so i don't really understand how it works. Recently, to get the little hairs out of my way, I have used headbands and bandannas. I look incredibly silly and I feel the need to share it with you. It feels so much better to have the hair off of me. I guess it really did help to have shorter hair this summer, when it was hot. I won't miss this heat, so winter can get here now, I'm ready.
I do miss, however, having the possibility of putting my hair up in a ponytail or even in bobby pins. I want to be able to do that, it isn't quite there yet.Oh well, can't have everything. Let's just hope that in another six months that I will be able to, if not, we have a SERIOUS problem.
Until the next post, which shall be in the near future I suppose...I think it is time to get a hair trim, so the next time it might be shorter, sigh. But hey, it will at least be even, thank goodness!

Let there be HAIR!

So I'm sorry for not keeping you updated as previously promised.You know, I don't even know who is reading this anymore, especially seeing how it is summer and people have plenty of other ways to further engage themselves... but I figure it is common courtesy to do so.
I have have a phenomenal summer so far. I have been to Aruba, spent time with family in Jersey, and even with some friends too, imagine that! Naturally, the hair is getting blonder. The length is currently very interesting and some have even gotten used to it.The girls were looking at my license and pictures and they think that I look, 'so much better with my hair like a boy, [I] looked silly before'. Wow, nice to know that I looked 'decent'. What else are they not telling me?
Well if you don't see growth, please look at the photos from Aruba, birthday, and such. (below)
May 19th-This is in Aruba on the first day. I wanted to note what the color and length was, just in case anything were to change in the week that I was there. Please also note the gorgeous sunset in the background. (I know, I know, there is a distraction in the foreground, but didn't anyone ever tell you to look beyond the photo?)

June 18th- Rachel's 19th birthday. She wanted me to simulate a Mohawk. I followed orders, afterall, she IS a Scripture. You don't mess with two things. 1) Texas;2) Scriptures. So this is the result of that. It was fun to try things with the length that my hair is. You can't do much with it, so this is one way to have fun. We then proceeded to go to Applebee's and I admit that I felt a bit foolish with this thing on m head.But, I have always wanted to do this with my hair. Looks like as the time goes by and the more hair that grows, I will be able to do more and more things with it. What will she come up with next? ( and yes, I am referencing myself in the 3rd person).
so long.
farewell...you know the rest.

Pre/Post ARUBA

Wow. It really has been quite some time since I posted last, almost a whole month. So I am sitting on the front poach stealing wireless right now, so we'll see how well this will work until Thursday when the cable and interent guy comes...YES! I feel so unconnected with the world, it really is disgusting how much I rely on it,it's like a drug, I NEED it!
This pictures is before Aruba on May 18th.
Although the lighting is not too great seeing how this was taken at night on my computer, there are no real complaints, you get the concept.
Now the next picture is post Aruba. That means more than a week in the gorgeous sun and heat, so possibly noticeable growth and color change? Who knows. The call is yours. I will certainly post some Aruba photos next time, but I don't have that cord, of all things, I think I forgot that one at home, UGH.

Stress Induced Hair Growth

Sorry that I have not updated in quite a while. I have been super busy with the last day of classes and finals. I want you to see the growth of my hair so I will give you a picture. I will see most of you soon, so you can take a look or cop a feel then... Love you. See you soon.

Bonus for 'Baldness' Part 2

April 12th,2008 This date will be sacred to me for many years to come. Dave Barnes...touched ME. Okay, I think that I should start from the beginning, I don't want to make him sound like a pervert.
This past weekend, I went to Athens to visit Emily. I knew that Dave was providing the Athens area a free concert. I was told that nothing in life is free, so naturally Emily and I were hesitant. We went to this 'Island Party' that was hosted by a fraternity and upon arrival we were just welcomed into a muddy field. As we entered, Andy Davis was playing. The crowd knew his music, but I came to the notion that people really came to see Dave Barnes. I can't really blame them.
Barnes finally came on stage. Emily and I stood as he serenaded me into a coma, which I greatly appreciated. **Footnote: Speaking of standing, we both came to a conclusion that everyone else is taller than Chell's. Okay, so we know that we are short, but is it really necessary that every tall person in the field, at one point or another, had to stand DIRECTLY in front of us? No really, is it? I think so. I think that due to our name, we are cursed for a lifetime.** I digress...
(To the right we have a little piece of goodness that I like to call Dave Barnes. Sigh)
So we watched him sing, listened to his stories, which by the way- HILARIOUS. (Ask me and you shall receive a synopsis. But ask Dave and you shall receive a 10 minute tangent) After he is done being perfect, he then says goodbye and leaves. Me, being the stalker that I am, followed him up the stairs with my eyes. I told Emily, like 5 minutes later, that I saw him go up. We slowly crept up and saw some beautiful man with these two other ugly people.( I am not this judgemental, I just think it reinforces my love for Dave Barnes. After we got up the stairs, Emily and I went off to the side to have a pow-wow to decide on what action to take. We did not really know what to do. She told me to go. I did not really want to. After all that- I started to walk over to him. Being more than prepared, I went to the liberty of bringing a Sharpie and the album cover in a Ziploc sealed baggie (Emily's idea). I went over there, standing at a distance. He then started to walk my way. At this point I probably have the world's most stupid grin on my face, but it really did not matter to me, seeing how there is little that I can do now. He put his hand out for me to shake and said, " Hello". Thinking more of it now, I mean there really is no point to the whole introduction thing, we both know that I know who he is, but I introduced myself out of habit. I said, " Hey there. I hate to be that person, but do you think that you could sign this?" With almost a shock, he said, " Yeah, no problem" and took my Sharpie. He was ready to write a name down, and he asked me who to make it out to. I told him Grayson and continued with the spelling of it. (This is when our 'moment' began). He said, " Oh Grayson... My friends are having a baby girl and they are naming it Grayson- only they are spelling it...G-r-a-c-...i-n no e-n, I don't remember, but it has Grace in it." Again with that stupid grin, I told him how uncommon it was to know of a female with that name and how special it will be. As he was writing his message to me he noticed my shirt. ( I was wearing a Gray Dave Barnes shirt). He asked me where I got it. I told him that I got it from his Atlanta show. At first he looked a bit perplexed, probably because he was going to do the Atlanta show the next night. I told him that it was the one he did with Matt back in November. ( And yes, we are all on a first name basis, jealous?) I saw the light bulb go off. He nodded and agreed with me. At this point in our deep conversation, Emily is still off to the side. It was until Dave actually rubbed his right hand over my head three times consecutively and said, and I quote, " I like this." I told him, a bit under my breathe, that I shaved my head about a month and half ago for children's cancer. I don't think that he heard me, but I was a bit distracted by his serenading touch. At this point, Emily's jealousy was enormous ( joking, she just noticed that this was not going to be a quick 'hello/ goodbye' thing, so she was now approaching us. This is when the manager or 'security' man started to tell Emily that Dave was going down to the table soon thereafter. Insinuating that she should not bother him at this moment. Emily told him that I was her sister and that she had no intention of harassing him as I did. I told him thank you and he started to leave to go down to the table for signing of cd's and doing the whole social thing.
This was a great weekend in Athens. I got to meet Dave Barnes and it made me so happy. I think that my hair made some sort of impression on him. So, for once, I think that I stood out from all those other blond, college, sorostitutes in the Athens/Clarke County region.

*Please note: Some of the events recorded above are a bit exaggerated in some areas. Although that is true, the general ideas are in fact accurate.

Bonus for 'Baldness' Part 1

April 8th, 2008 This evening, Allie and I ventured out to Asheville. We were going to see Citizen Cope at the Orange Peel and had been looking forward to this for several weeks. When we got there and marked our territory in the very front row, we met fellow Cope fans. One of them was a female who had her hair only mildly longer than mine is currently (as seen to the right). She was pretty funny and we enjoyed the small talk.
We found ourselves a bit surprised as to the performance that we saw. However, during the middle to end of the show, the girls to Allie's left became more belligerent and obnoxious. They started to push and fall all over each other and eventually over Allie. She managed to make it through, but people definitely noticed her situation. I know this to be true for several reasons. 1) the security guard came over and tried to remove the girls from being a disturbance and 2) because a peace favor (from the drummer) was given exclusively to Allie. He gave Allie both of the sticks that he had played quite roughly through the night and let me say, she deserved them things!
After the show Allie and I waited for the slightest possibility that Cope might make an appearance. As band members started to leak out from backstage, we then saw the drummer. He immediately came over to Allie and gave her this genuine, big hug. He looked down at her and said, " looks like you were having hard time out there". Allie I think was intoxicated from the overwhelming 'beautiful man smell' (please note that this is not sweaty and nasty, but very fresh and clean), but she managed to get out a response and thanked the drummer for his hospitality (and clean scent).
After the drummer came out, Cope shortly followed. At this point Allie and I were already thrilled to have met the drummer, and to have seen them all in person, but now we would meet Clarence Greenwood (Citizen Cope) himself. To our surprise, he is a bit timid and a man of very few words. He looks like he smokes constantly, but it is very clear that he loves what he does for a living. Allie being the great person that she is, gave me one of the two sticks. She then moved her way through the mini crowd and got a 'COPE' signature on her stick. I soon did the same, after a few other peoples' ticket stubs were signed.
Allie got looks from envious fans and I got looks for being with her. As to my haircut,I do not notice the looks toward me anymore. I might not even get them, we were in Asheville, so uniqueness much more common there :) .People at Western have seen me, so when I go out of the Cullowhee bubble, I am more likely to get looks, but I don't think that this was the case. This evening made me realize how happy I was not being the only girl with buzzed hair. Although, I do believe that seeing Citizen Cope and having our hair was the only thing we had in common. Throughout the night she showed preference to females...

Alie and I both left Asheville that evening very happy.