Sisterlocks: Consultation Day

Top of the morning gals and guys,

So, I mentioned yesterday that I would have a SUPER BUSY day and boy, did!!  It was such a busy day until I came home and passed out!  So, I am up this morning (at 6:08 am on a SATURDAY) to update you on it.

First things first.  I am a newly trained Zumba fitness instructor and yesterday was my first job as an instructor.  My nerves were through the roof as I made my trek over to Friends For Life.  This a wonderful nonprofit agency that provides ALL kinds of services to persons living with HIV/AIDS.  I too, work with HIV/AIDS infected and affected persons as a Program Coordinator at a nonprofit alcohol and drug treatment facility, Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Program and Bloomfield Urban Ministries.  I am also an Adjunct Sociology Instructor at the University of Memphis, so let's just say a sista in BUSYYY!!!

So anywho, when I arrived at "Friends" several clients were waiting outside the room where we would workout.  My heart really started pumping then.  I played it cool and we got busy.  It was GREAT!!!  A surge of energy (adrenaline) kicked in and I rocked the house.  The clients (and I) were dancing, sweating, and "feeling the hypnotic beat" and before I knew it, the hour had passed.  It was very rewarding to provide a fitness class to such an (often times) marginalized population.  I will work with them one day a week from now on.  Can you say, job #4?  LOL.

And then came the Sisterlocks consultation!!!  I drove to my mom's house, removed the quick weave that I was wearing and she helped me take my cornrows down (that were under the quick weave).  I washed my hair and bolted out of the door to meet Barbara, my soon to be loctician at Salon Naturelle, in the Whitehaven area of Memphis.  I was immediately impressed by the sense of warmth I felt from her spirit.  She possessed this motherly quality that made me feel so comfortable.  She sports BEAUTIFUL, long, blonde Sisterlocks and has had them 11 years (of course I asked her).  She told me that her journey began after an adverse complication to medication that broke her hair off. 

So, we sit and she begins an easy conversation with me about my hair.  I soon relaize that she is assessing if I am "really" ready for this journey.  I tell her about all the internet research I've done, the relationship I've had with my hair over the years and how ready I am to start my locs.  She asked to look at my hair.  The nerves kick in immediately!!!

I am transitioning from a perm to natural hair and as you can tell by the picture, MY HAIR IS A MESS!!!  An enormous sense of embarrassment sets in. I take off the cap that I am wearing and she says, "Oh wow!" and my heart immediately sinks, she follows with "You have sooo much BEAUTIFUL HAIR!"  I am floored!!  Never (in a million years) was I expecting that response.  I was actually expecting her to gasp when she saw the combination of kinky roots and straight ends.  Blushing, I asked her, "really??" and she replied, "girl yes!!!!"

My confidence begins to win the race over embarrassment as she escorts me back to her work area (my hair standing straight up on my head) and there in her styling  chair sits a lady with beautiful Sisterlocks obviously getting a retightening.  A teenage boy with beautiful Brotherlocks sits watching TV and eating McDonald's, (embarrassment takes the lead in the race again).  The client obviously picks up on it and with a bright smile asks, "are you going to 'loc up'?"  I reply, "I hope so" and she goes on and on for about 10 minutes about how happy she is with hers; confidence picks up the pace again.  I take a seat in the styling chair and Barbara begins to run her fingers through my hair and embarrassment runs passed confidence again.  I knew what to expect because of all of the research I'd done online about the consultation and as expected she begins to assess my hair type.  I am so sure that my hair type is "THE WORST" she's ever seen.  To my surprise a few minutes later she says, "your hair is smooth and spongy"...  I don't acknowledge her because I am not sure that I heard her accurately; I assumed my hair was "nappy and coarse".  I just nod and she giggles.  She inserts 4 tests locks, tells me to stay away from any chemicals (including weave glue and conditioner) until I return for installation day.  I'm left thinking, "WHAT THE HELL AM I GONNA DO???"  She senses this and suggests a roller set.  I think but dare not say, "A ROLLER SET????  LADY ARE YOU CRAZY??? MY HAIR IS TOO DAMNED NAPPY FOR A ROLLER SET!!"

We set my installation for May 5th at 7am, Ciinco De Mayo!!!  I am very disappointed because I wanted to get started the next day.  She explains that the test locks need a chance to "set in" so that she can see which pattern will be best for my hair type (she explains that she inserted four different pattern styles...  (they all seemed the same to me).  I reluctantly accept the appointment, make a mental note that I need to take off that day, pay my $100 deposit and shortly thereafter, I'm out the door. 

I got in my car and looked in the rearview mirror and cracked up!!!  A roller set?!?!?  Girl please!!!  Not on these naps.  I call a young lady that braids my hair (without extensions) and of course, I'm sent straight to voicemail!!!  Frustrated, I contemplate the "creamy crack", I tell myself, "I can't walk around for 2 weeks with nappy hair".  "I have to be out of town for a whole week on business". "What am I gonna do?"  Exhausted, I take the 40 minute drive home and allow Jill Scott to minister to me in song "Let It Be!"  I'll figure out what I will do with my hair tomorrow.  I've come too far to turn back now!

Sisterlocks, here I come!!  I will not backslide to the addiction of the "creamy crack" (perm), I am in "hair recovery"; total abstinence of the perm is the only way!   I can do this!  I MUST DO THIS!!  This is just a test!

First day as a Zumba Instructor!!

My hair after taking out the weave and cornrows!! 

As my mom takes these pics she asks, "Are you going to put these on the internet?!?!?!"  LOL...  YES I AM!!!!

Two of my test locs, I couldn't find the other two..  They are lost in the naps...  LOL

This is a picture my hair braided (without extensions).  I plan to wear it similar to this until I return to Salon Naturelle for My Sisterlocks installation

Until next time, LOVE, PEACE AND SOUL!!!!!