After a joyous two month vacation, it's back to work for all us English teachers in China. I was somewhat excited for the beginning of the semester until it actually started. I have students that don't participate/don't respond to the simplest questions i.e. "How are you today", attitudes, and my personal favorite the "BLANK STARE" all made their appearance in a matter of minutes. I asked them what they did on vacation and they just stared at me for a good 5 minutes. A brave soul finally said, "I watched t.v. and slept". The others just nodded and simply said "YES". I understand that the students haven't spoken English in a month but where are the "enthusiastic" students I heard so much about? Most days, I feel like a dentist, instead of pulling teeth I'm constantly trying to get information out of my students.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my students and not all of them are divas. Most of them are excited by what I'm teaching and doing but it is hard to find the balance. I'm trying to get them interested and excited about class....everything I do just seems to fall flat. Back to the drawing board.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Traveling Afro in Kunming
I've decided to make the blog about my travels and hair because
A) It's easier only having one blog
B) It's different and
C) Just 'cause!
Kunming, China
Traveling in China without knowing Chinese can be a nightmare to say the least, but I did it! Kunming (also known as the Spring City) was supposed to be the calm and "laid-back" city but it is anything but. Getting around was extremely difficult/impossible. Most cities in China do not have subway lines (though they are in the process of creating them) and Kunming is no different. If you want to get around, you have to go by bus or taxi. My traveling partner (Renee) and I waited 30 minutes on average for a taxi (not cute). I did mention that the city has over 100 bus lines and is huge even by Chinese standards? Renee and I got lost countless times and just hopped different buses until one street looked familiar. Although it was extremely frustrating at first, we started to find interesting places this way. Sometimes when you travel, you just have to get lost and explore.
Huh was the main word in Kunming, we didn't understand them and they didn't understand us. The dialect was utterly confusing and a far cry from our Nanchang dialect! It was to the point when we just started laughing at one another. Most of the sounds in Yunnan are different than in Jiangxi. Chá which sound goes up (as if you're singing) seems to go down in Kunming. We had to say things multiple times, point, and ultimately just sigh. You just have to remind yourself to be patient and try to order a glass of wine (if you can).
Two good things about Kunming though are the shopping and the food! The city is known for it's jade, coffee, and orchids! Chá Lu (means Tea Street in English) has a ton of speciality food stores and plant markets. Eating in Kunming (and China as a whole) is what I like to call the "pick and cook". You pick it they cook it, it's that simple, and that delicious! We found a bunch of "pick and cooks" across the street from our hotel and went to town.
After our food came, I noticed that the cooks kept staring at us, which isn't unusual being a foreigner in China. It wasn't until Renee and I both said, "hǎochī" (delicious) that they smiled, bowed, and went back to cooking. The Chinese are extremely curious about foreigners and how we cope in China. If you just say one or two words in Chinese or smile when they stare they usually just go back to what they were doing before.
Regional foods you should try: Yunnan coffee. As I mentioned, Yunnan is known for their coffee and you'll know why after having one cup. I've been going through coffee withdrawal since being in China, not a lot of Starbucks or Wawas here. My favorite is the Coconut coffee which has a light coconut flavor and is a bit sweet. Good until the last drop!
Stone Forest is the site that most Chinese will tell you to go to in Kunming aka a Tourist Trap. After a 500 yuan shared taxi ride, 175 yuan entrance fee, 200 yuan ride into the forest, and 100 yuan for souvenirs you get my point. The forest was beautiful and great for getting pictures but it's just a forest with stones.
Traveling in China can be a bear, but if you have a good sense of humor and wine....you're golden.
A) It's easier only having one blog
B) It's different and
C) Just 'cause!
Kunming, China
Traveling in China without knowing Chinese can be a nightmare to say the least, but I did it! Kunming (also known as the Spring City) was supposed to be the calm and "laid-back" city but it is anything but. Getting around was extremely difficult/impossible. Most cities in China do not have subway lines (though they are in the process of creating them) and Kunming is no different. If you want to get around, you have to go by bus or taxi. My traveling partner (Renee) and I waited 30 minutes on average for a taxi (not cute). I did mention that the city has over 100 bus lines and is huge even by Chinese standards? Renee and I got lost countless times and just hopped different buses until one street looked familiar. Although it was extremely frustrating at first, we started to find interesting places this way. Sometimes when you travel, you just have to get lost and explore.
Huh was the main word in Kunming, we didn't understand them and they didn't understand us. The dialect was utterly confusing and a far cry from our Nanchang dialect! It was to the point when we just started laughing at one another. Most of the sounds in Yunnan are different than in Jiangxi. Chá which sound goes up (as if you're singing) seems to go down in Kunming. We had to say things multiple times, point, and ultimately just sigh. You just have to remind yourself to be patient and try to order a glass of wine (if you can).
Two good things about Kunming though are the shopping and the food! The city is known for it's jade, coffee, and orchids! Chá Lu (means Tea Street in English) has a ton of speciality food stores and plant markets. Eating in Kunming (and China as a whole) is what I like to call the "pick and cook". You pick it they cook it, it's that simple, and that delicious! We found a bunch of "pick and cooks" across the street from our hotel and went to town.
After our food came, I noticed that the cooks kept staring at us, which isn't unusual being a foreigner in China. It wasn't until Renee and I both said, "hǎochī" (delicious) that they smiled, bowed, and went back to cooking. The Chinese are extremely curious about foreigners and how we cope in China. If you just say one or two words in Chinese or smile when they stare they usually just go back to what they were doing before.
Regional foods you should try: Yunnan coffee. As I mentioned, Yunnan is known for their coffee and you'll know why after having one cup. I've been going through coffee withdrawal since being in China, not a lot of Starbucks or Wawas here. My favorite is the Coconut coffee which has a light coconut flavor and is a bit sweet. Good until the last drop!
Stone Forest is the site that most Chinese will tell you to go to in Kunming aka a Tourist Trap. After a 500 yuan shared taxi ride, 175 yuan entrance fee, 200 yuan ride into the forest, and 100 yuan for souvenirs you get my point. The forest was beautiful and great for getting pictures but it's just a forest with stones.
Traveling in China can be a bear, but if you have a good sense of humor and wine....you're golden.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Be natural
I'm almost six months natural (July 22, 2010) and since I won't be able to post during my travels, I thought I'd post now. I've been in China almost five months so most of my natural lessons have happened here. It's been an amazing time of discovery and I just wanted to share four things that I have learned so far...
1. Ignore the haters/naysayers:
People will try to get you down about your new experiences. "Why did you do that?", "What were you thinking?", "You know your hair is never going to grow back, right?", etc. Everyone has an opinion about your hair but at the end of the day it's YOURS! If YOU like it then that's all the matters! You chose to B.C., transition, or loc your hair, so enjoy it plan and simple, naysayers be damned!
2. Do what works for you:
Every one's hair is different and although we are all natural doesn't mean our hair all likes the same things. My hair doesn't like olive oil at all. It completely dries my hair and makes it crunchy. I kept putting it in my hair, thinking "everyone raves about it". At the end of the day I'm going to trade with someone else and move on. Try the product/s a few times and if you notice that it's not working for your hair swap or return it if you can. There's no shame in trying a product and finding that it doesn't work for you. Don't try to force your hair to be something that it's not. Love your hair for what it is; not what you think it should be!
3. Big earrings are your friend:
This may seem like a silly one, but it's true! I went to a private school for most of my life (elementary school-until graduation from high school), meaning no earrings bigger than a quarter. In college, I wore bigger ones but they were usually hidden by my flat relaxed hair. After my B.C., I went earring crazy! Since my hair was really short, it helped me feel girly and beautiful. Sometimes something small can make a big difference!
4. Enjoy it:
As each month passes, I am more and more thankful that I'm natural. I'm learning more about my hair now than I ever did when I was relaxed. I was too dependent on others doing my hair instead of taking care of it myself. Now, I know how to work with it and when to back off. I feel marvelous knowing that my hair is healthy and growing normally.
Being natural isn't just about cutting your hair; it's about what you do after that. So go with the flow, try new styles, and enjoy this process while you're in it. Don't force yourself or our hair to be something it's not, just be natural.
1. Ignore the haters/naysayers:
People will try to get you down about your new experiences. "Why did you do that?", "What were you thinking?", "You know your hair is never going to grow back, right?", etc. Everyone has an opinion about your hair but at the end of the day it's YOURS! If YOU like it then that's all the matters! You chose to B.C., transition, or loc your hair, so enjoy it plan and simple, naysayers be damned!
2. Do what works for you:
Every one's hair is different and although we are all natural doesn't mean our hair all likes the same things. My hair doesn't like olive oil at all. It completely dries my hair and makes it crunchy. I kept putting it in my hair, thinking "everyone raves about it". At the end of the day I'm going to trade with someone else and move on. Try the product/s a few times and if you notice that it's not working for your hair swap or return it if you can. There's no shame in trying a product and finding that it doesn't work for you. Don't try to force your hair to be something that it's not. Love your hair for what it is; not what you think it should be!
3. Big earrings are your friend:
This may seem like a silly one, but it's true! I went to a private school for most of my life (elementary school-until graduation from high school), meaning no earrings bigger than a quarter. In college, I wore bigger ones but they were usually hidden by my flat relaxed hair. After my B.C., I went earring crazy! Since my hair was really short, it helped me feel girly and beautiful. Sometimes something small can make a big difference!
4. Enjoy it:
As each month passes, I am more and more thankful that I'm natural. I'm learning more about my hair now than I ever did when I was relaxed. I was too dependent on others doing my hair instead of taking care of it myself. Now, I know how to work with it and when to back off. I feel marvelous knowing that my hair is healthy and growing normally.
Being natural isn't just about cutting your hair; it's about what you do after that. So go with the flow, try new styles, and enjoy this process while you're in it. Don't force yourself or our hair to be something it's not, just be natural.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I'm back, again!
I know, I know...I promised to update once a week and then 4 months later a finally post! It's been a bit crazy on my end with teaching, studying Chinese, and surviving daily life in Nanchang. Some days, I feel as if I'm in the Twilight Zone. I'm starting to FINALLY figure out the language (besides saying Ni Hao which means Hello) and culture. Classes have ended for the semester so I can relax and start blogging again! And if I haven't mentioned it yet, I'm really sorry!
Back to glorious natural hair talk! It's been five months since I B.C.'ed. I completely love my natural hair! After my third month I stopped using combs (I saw a challenge for it but can't remember who/where I saw it). Only finger-combing has helped my hair tremendously! I haven't noticed as much hair on my bathroom floor since I stopped using combs. My hair also started to grow in thicker after I stopped. Sometimes it is a hassle to not comb it though; especially when you're in a rush. But I've noticed that the more time I spend taking care of my hair, the less damage I have, so power to the fingers!
I also added Shea Butter into my regimen just gives me just the right amount of moisture. It makes my curls shiny and gives them a POP that they didn't have before. Some people don't care for the smell, but it doesn't bother me. It's kind of become my crack. I started using it on my body as well and it's truly amazing. My skin is less dry and cracked and has a glow. My favorite thing about Shea Butter is that you don't need a lot...a little goes a long way.
What do you think? Done any challenges lately? Let me know!
Back to glorious natural hair talk! It's been five months since I B.C.'ed. I completely love my natural hair! After my third month I stopped using combs (I saw a challenge for it but can't remember who/where I saw it). Only finger-combing has helped my hair tremendously! I haven't noticed as much hair on my bathroom floor since I stopped using combs. My hair also started to grow in thicker after I stopped. Sometimes it is a hassle to not comb it though; especially when you're in a rush. But I've noticed that the more time I spend taking care of my hair, the less damage I have, so power to the fingers!
I also added Shea Butter into my regimen just gives me just the right amount of moisture. It makes my curls shiny and gives them a POP that they didn't have before. Some people don't care for the smell, but it doesn't bother me. It's kind of become my crack. I started using it on my body as well and it's truly amazing. My skin is less dry and cracked and has a glow. My favorite thing about Shea Butter is that you don't need a lot...a little goes a long way.
What do you think? Done any challenges lately? Let me know!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Two Months Since the B.C. and Counting
I B.C'ed (Big Chopped) my hair on July 22, 2010 and it's been an fascinating journey so far. I decided to do the B.C., mainly because I was getting tired of relaxing my hair. It had become more expensive and I noticed hair-loss at my temples. I started to wonder if the chemicals in the relaxer was causing my hair loss? What is in the relaxer? What did my natural hair look like? How would I get my hair relaxed in China? Why am I relaxing my hair in the first place? I had no answers to any of the questions, so I decided to do some research on natural hair. And the rest as they say was history.
The best thing about having natural hair is the freedom. I "listen" to what my hair wants and learn more about it each day. The thing that really surprises me, is how soft and tightly coiled it is. I had my hair straightened for so long that I never imagined that it could be so curly. I'm re-learning everything, which is/can be annoying at times, but necessary to having healthy hair. My relaxed hair was extremely dry and flaky. It's hard to be confident and carefree with itchy scalp. Now, I'm reading shampoo and conditioner labels throughly and asking questions, something I would've never done before.
The biggest difference from two months ago and now is my attitude. Doing my hair before was a chore and now it's just a blessing to have healthy hair.
The best thing about having natural hair is the freedom. I "listen" to what my hair wants and learn more about it each day. The thing that really surprises me, is how soft and tightly coiled it is. I had my hair straightened for so long that I never imagined that it could be so curly. I'm re-learning everything, which is/can be annoying at times, but necessary to having healthy hair. My relaxed hair was extremely dry and flaky. It's hard to be confident and carefree with itchy scalp. Now, I'm reading shampoo and conditioner labels throughly and asking questions, something I would've never done before.
The biggest difference from two months ago and now is my attitude. Doing my hair before was a chore and now it's just a blessing to have healthy hair.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My Hair Journey in China...
I haven't posted in quite a while, but I'm back and I will try to post once a week!
Everyone has asked about my hair and China, so here it goes. Once I settled into my new apartment, I realized that I needed to get back to co-washing my hair every two days and shampooing twice a week because of the heat in Nanchang. We've had humid high 90 (almost 100) degree weather since I've been here. With all the running around we've been doing (residency permits, photos, getting to know you dinners, etc.) my hair was tired, dry, and flaky. Once I started my regimen again, my hair started to look like its normal happy "self". I haven't been putting too much gel in my hair, partly because I don't want to waste it. China is a wonderful country but you won't find any black haircare products. If you did find something, you wouldn't know what's in it, unless you can read Chinese characters (which I can't). I brought enough of everything, but I just want to make sure that I'm not using too much of one thing, before I can have more items shipped from the States.
No one has said anything negative or positive about my hair. A lot of the women that I've seen so far have all different types of hairstyles( I'll take pictures to show everyone). I'm learning to "listen to what my hair wants". If it's itchy is time for a "poo", if it's dry time for a deep conditioning treatment, etc. All-in-all, I think I'll be fine as long as I have good products and a good regimen to see myself through.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Carol's Daughter Product Review
Hey Wonderful People! It's been a while since I've posted anything, life keeps getting in the way of writing, but I'm back! I've decided to do a product review, since I hadn't done one yet, and because it hopefully helps anyone who's thinking about buying the product!
I have Hair Milk, Healthy Hair Butter, and Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner.
Positives:
1. My hair really loves the Black Vanilla, which keeps it shiny.
2. Makes my hair soft.
Negatives:
1. It doesn't moisturize my hair like I thought it would. It keeps it shiny though. I have to keep applying to my hair because it still feels dry.
2. EXPENSIVE! Hair Milk (depending on size 2-10 oz) $9-$20 , Black Vanilla $12 for an 8 fl oz, and Hair Butter (depending on size 4-8 oz) $10.50-$16.50. I really cannot afford to pay for CD products on a foreign teacher's salary.
3. The Hair Butter and Hair Milk have a watery consistency, feels like pouring water on my hands.
4. Strong scent. I love the smell but after a few hours I feel like a walking Scent Shop.
5. Hair Milk promises to control frizz....doesn't on my hair.
I'm not trying to knock CD products! I just really really wanted CD to work for me, but I'm starting to realize that my hair isn't feeling it! All-in-all, I'm still learning about what my hair likes and dislikes. I'm just excited to try different products and see what happens.
Tip for other Broke-Newly Naturals: Buy a smaller size, just in case your hair doesn't like it! You won't break the bank or later cry because you spent 20 bucks on something that didn't work for you. Try to trade with another newly natural, who doesn't like the products that they bought either. That way, you really haven't lost anything.
If you have any tips to share, feel free to comment!
I have Hair Milk, Healthy Hair Butter, and Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner.
Positives:
1. My hair really loves the Black Vanilla, which keeps it shiny.
2. Makes my hair soft.
Negatives:
1. It doesn't moisturize my hair like I thought it would. It keeps it shiny though. I have to keep applying to my hair because it still feels dry.
2. EXPENSIVE! Hair Milk (depending on size 2-10 oz) $9-$20 , Black Vanilla $12 for an 8 fl oz, and Hair Butter (depending on size 4-8 oz) $10.50-$16.50. I really cannot afford to pay for CD products on a foreign teacher's salary.
3. The Hair Butter and Hair Milk have a watery consistency, feels like pouring water on my hands.
4. Strong scent. I love the smell but after a few hours I feel like a walking Scent Shop.
5. Hair Milk promises to control frizz....doesn't on my hair.
I'm not trying to knock CD products! I just really really wanted CD to work for me, but I'm starting to realize that my hair isn't feeling it! All-in-all, I'm still learning about what my hair likes and dislikes. I'm just excited to try different products and see what happens.
Tip for other Broke-Newly Naturals: Buy a smaller size, just in case your hair doesn't like it! You won't break the bank or later cry because you spent 20 bucks on something that didn't work for you. Try to trade with another newly natural, who doesn't like the products that they bought either. That way, you really haven't lost anything.
If you have any tips to share, feel free to comment!
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