Make my hair grow........

Having my Cosmetology license I am occasionally asked questions about hair. It was requested I answer questions on my blog regarding hair so I will try. Here is the first. I was recently asked by Cardine the following question:

"I was wondering if you would address hair growth? I am trying to grow out my hair to give it to Locks of Love. I want it to be long enough for them to make wigs, but I also don't want my hair to be very short after I cut it. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to help my hair grow fast and healthy?"

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but no. There is nothing you can do to make your hair grow faster. Hair growth is basically determined by your genes. As much as you try and no matter what you hear, if you hair only grows 1/8th of an inch a month, then your hair only grows an 1/8th of an inch a month. 1/2 and inch, then a 1/2 an inch and so forth. Many people think taking prenatal vitamins will help hair growth, but the change in hair growth during pregnancy is not due to the prenatal vitamins but rather it is due to hormonal changes taking place in the body so taking prenatal vitamins really aren’t going to help your cause. Health and stress are also 2 major components in the health of your hair. Being ill for long periods of time can cause hair to be lifeless and dull. There may even be times of hair loss or delay in growth due to sickness. Also different people are able to grow their hair to different lengths. Some will never be able to grow their hair past a certain length no matter what they do. Just as hair grows at different speeds, hair also can grow to different lengths. Though some may try to grow it longer, all the hair won't necessarily grow so the ends can be thin and lifeless.
There are probably many things you can do to affect how healthy your hair is. Here are a few I could think of.

One, Use heating tools such as hair dryer, flat iron, curling iron as little as possible. If using these tools is a must, use them on the lowest heat setting possible that will work with your hair.


Two, Taking a multivitamin (not prenatal). Though this will not increase hair growth, it will make the new hair growing more healthy and strong to be able to withstand the torture we put our hair through.

Third, Use good product that works well with your hair. If you hair is thick, coarse, flyaway, please do not use a Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will go crazy. Volumizing conditioner has a very light base so the hair is not weighed down. Use the kind that is made for your hair type.

Fourth, Get a trim every 10 to 12 weeks. ¼ to ½ inch should suffice. Just enough to snip off the split ends before they get worse leaving long smooth edges.

Fifth, Scalp massage!!! Not only is this good for your hair, but wow does it feel good. This can promote good circulation to the scalp providing nourishment to the papilla where the hair begins.

Sixth, Do not comb you hair while wet. Doing so can cause stretching and breaking of the hair shaft. Use a pick or wide tooth comb.

A very good cause to want to contribute to Cardine. Your hair is beautiful by the way and will make a very pretty wig for someone in need. I hope this helped a little. I will try to get better as I go along. Thanks for the patience.
If you have anymore questions, please email them to me or post them in the comment section. I will try and answer them.

New Year Greetings!!!

Another year has come and gone,
Shared with friends both old and new,
A year of celebration, love, and loss,
Of happiness and times of grief too.
While this year has been a good one,
I wonder where the next one will lead,
With different choices I make in my life,
Each one hopefully will help me succeed.

I look forward to the future,
The past in my heart I'll hold dear,
Starting out the New Year, a beginning,
And with faith I have nothing to fear.
I hope you all had a a nice Christmas,
I know that I had a ball,
I just want to wish everybody,
Happy New Year to one and all!!!

Caroling Caroling through the snow.....

I love caroling. Just as I said I love Christmas music, I love going around to peoples houses especially the elderly and bringing a little bit of joy to them. Growing up my Grandparents lived right next to me and every year at Christmas time we would go caroling and the first place, or last place would always be there. My Grandma loved it so much. I remember her sitting there listening and when we would finish a song she would ask for more. There were a couple widowed sisters we would also go to and they would come to the door and their eyes would just light up when they saw us.

Well this year I was privileged to be able to go twice. Once here and once at home. My sister planned a bunch of people to get together and go caroling on our street. There are quite a few older people here who I had never met. They were so cute. We would sing a song and then they would want us to come in and sing which we would. In the process we got to know our neighbors a little and we also got to share some Christmas joy with them.

I also got the opportunity to carol at home. Again Laura came with me as well as my mom and 2 of my friends. It was a small group, but oh so fun. We walked and the roads were quite icy so we linked arms to help each other from falling. We went to some of the elderly around town a couple of my aunts and uncles included. Though it was really cold outside and some had braved deery roads to get there, I think we all had a great time.

Brother Hess

On a sad note, Wednesday night I received word that an amazing teacher, and current Bishop of my home ward had passed away after a tremendous battle with cancer for the last 9 years. He was such a good teacher and always seemed to have the answers to the questions you had.

His knowledge of the gospel was so vast that sometimes I wondered if there was anything in the gospel he didn't know. As a teacher he was able to bring the scriptures to life. I looked forward to his class everyday. In everything he did he showed the light of Christ. He was a great example to all who knew him. Thank you Brother Hess for helping to teach me the way back home. We will all miss you but know that we will see you again.

"Its the most wonderful time of the year"

My next adventure in this Christmas season, is Christmas music. Everyone has their favorite that just has to be listened to and sang to. I love Christmas music and start listening to it as soon as reasonably possible without annoying everyone around me. There are 3 cds I don't think I will ever get tired of for misc. reasons. The first is Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. When I was in high school a church leader of mine introduced the story to me. It is an amazing story that just gives me cold chills every time I hear it. The music is so powerful. I had the chance to see the show for the first time December 2000 and went to it every year there after until this year. They changed it in 2006 to a little different direction and in doing so, it kind of lost the heart of the show to me. Still when the music starts playing... wow.

Second, Hillary Weeks Christmastime. The very first song on the cd is the song the cd itself is named after. As I listen to it, I am reminded of Christmas past, and hope for Christmas present, and future. It also reminds me very much of my Grandma who passed away 4 years ago. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and so many things talked about in this song was my Grandma. It makes me miss her very much, but also appreciate Christmas from the past and help me look forward to the future. The rest of the cd is amazing also. Love it!

Third, Beach Boys Christmas. I know funny choice huh. Growing up my mom had a huge record player that also played 8 tracks and possibly even the radio. It was the coolest thing and I loved to have her play records on it. Well leading up to Christmas I don't know how many times that record was played. Very good memories are brought back when I turn on that cd and remember.
There are so many good Christmas songs out there, but if you get a chance I would completely recommend listening to at least a few of the songs on my list of cds.

December

It is now December. Actually it has been for 3 days. Being the Christmas season I thought it might be fun to remember a few of my families traditions, share Christmas stories, and just bask in the joy of the season. I love this time of year. I can't wait for snow which is kind of crazy since I am always freezing. Yet there is nothing like the first good snow fall. Especially if it happens at night. I love walking in snow at night when the sky is red (I am guessing from the lights) and big fluffy snowflakes are falling blanketing the ground in a puffy white cloud. Warming up with hot chocolate. Just sitting around talking about Christmas growing up. Good memories. First we will start with the Christmas tree. For as long as I can remember when we had Thanksgiving at my Grandma and Grandpa H house we would eat dinner and then we all pile into pickups and head out into the hills to get us a Christmas tree. Unless you have done it, I can't even begin to describe how fun it is to search for the perfect tree (every ones perception of perfect is different by the way) find it and cut it down. Good ones will even smell heavenly as you cut them the pine (if you get pine) surrounding you. Sometimes its takes a couple hours, sometimes you find the right one right away but want to look around to be sure, but then usually come back to it if you can find it. Then other times you really do find a better one. Rain, snow, ice, sun, we have gone in all types of weather. Thanksgiving, just isn't Thanksgiving with out the Christmas Tree gathering.

Veterans Day

At FHE yesterday someone mentioned about how they were thankful for their Grandma and how we should all call our Grandparents. Though mine have all passed away, I too am very grateful for them. I am grateful for the sacrifices they made to make my parents the wonderful people they are today. On this day I would just like to especially thank my Grandpa who fought in World War 2. I want to thank him for sacrificing his time so that I have the joys of living in a free country where I can do pretty much what I want. I have the right to oppose something I don't believe in. I have the right to speak my mind. I have the right to my own opinions. I have the right to protest and many other rights I enjoy as a citizen of the wonderful United States of America. Thank you Grandpa. I love you and miss you.

Stupid

Sometimes I get really irritated over the stupidest things. I will say or do something and then look back and ask myself (sometimes even when it is happening) why did I do that. I can also get upset at people for being stupid. I will get upset because they cut me off in the car, they are going to slow, or they don't pick up after themselves. Just dumb misc. things that are really stupid things to get upset over. What's worse is when I get mad at someone for doing something, then a while later, I find myself doing the exact same stupid thing although there is usually a reason behind my madness. Which brings me to my point. In all the craziness of me getting upset over nothing, maybe like when I did the things I am so upset over, they also have a reason for being stupid. Maybe they don't know where they are going, maybe they are trying to find a landmark, or maybe there are things going on in their life (or minds) that makes them do the things they do. I don't know but what ever the reason, my new goal is to try and have a little more patience with others around me. Ones I know, and ones I don't. So please if you see me being stupid, remind me of this post. Thanks. :)

Navigating New York (part 3)

Sunday morning we woke up and got ready for church. We decided to leave a little early since we didn’t know exactly where the church was.


We made it though 30 mins early. We talked to a few people then when to sacrament meeting. After which we went back to our hotel to change. Our next goal was the Manhattan temple. We boarded the subway but when we neared the exit by the temple, it didn’t stop. It didn’t even slow down. So we got out on the next stop and made your way back down to the temple.


Its weird because it is suddenly just there in the middle of New York City with people hustling about their lives around it. We took a few pictures there then decided to see a few museums.

We when to the museum of Natural history on the west side of Central Park.


We then cut across central park following a path we hoped would take us to the other side. It was so beautiful there. I could have stayed there a lot longer, but we didn’t have much time where everything closed at 5:30.

We got the museum just 15 minutes before it was closing so we didn’t get to see much. We then walked up to the Guggenheim museum, but it was also closed.

We stuck around there for a little while just enjoying the city and then headed back to the hotel for Miranda and Christina to get ready for the play they were going to that night.

Michelle and I were not attending another play so we decided to head down to Times square again to see it one more time at night. It is a site to see.

I highly recommend it. We took pictures on the red stairs they had just opened one of the nights we were there. It was fun we just enjoyed the sites. We went back to the hotel because we were tired again that night.

We had walked a long way that day and even though it was our last night there, I just wanted to relax. Miranda and Christina came back later and then we all just went to bed.
Our final day started early for me. I had packed all my stuff the night before because we had planned to check out of the hotel and leave all our stuff at the front so we didn’t have to take it everywhere with us before we headed back to the airport. Since our hotel was hooked to Grand Central we would be able to just catch the subway right there. Well we had forgot to shut the blind in our room so I work up with the sun which rises quite early in New York. I got ready and everyone was still asleep so I decided to take a walk in New York.

I got outside and it had turned kind of cold so I was glad I had my coat. As I was walking I saw and starbucks and decided to get a Hot Chocolate for my walk. After my purchase, I was on my way. I walked up 42nd until I got to 5th. We had gone south on 5th to get to the Empire state building so decided to go north. It was fun to just get out and walk and see early morning New York. I walked up to where they were shooting the Today show again, but didn’t get to close this time. Then I walked back not wanting to be gone too long in case they were up and ready to go.
When I got back to the hotel everyone was pretty much ready. We made sure we had everything then took our bags down to the front desk. I wanted to take a picture of me having breakfast at Tiffanys so we headed that direction. We found a FAO toy store on the way and decided to come back when we were done. We found Tiffanys but it didn’t open until 10:00. Trump tower is next to it so we went in there and saw they had breakfast so we went and got something.

We then went up and took pictures of us having breakfast in front of the Tiffanys sign. It was fun. We went back to the toy store next. It was the biggest toy store I had ever seen. At the door a guy dressed as a toy soldier held the door for you.



They had stuffed dinosaurs and a huge dragon that was regularly priced at $5000, but was on sale for $2500. We were tempted but how would we have got it home. We then went to Macys where I found 2 pairs of shoes and a wooden escalator.

It was cool. Then we kind of split up with Miranda and Christina going one way and Michelle and I going another. We shopped at a few more stores along the way. We also stopped at the library and took a picture in front of a lion.

We had some time so we decided to go inside. It was beautiful. I wished we would have had more time because I would have like to look some more.

We then went to Grand Central Station because they had an eating place there. There were so many choices of different cuisines that it took awhile before I could decided where to eat. I chose Chinese, but didn’t like it all that much.

We met back at our hotel and picked up our luggage. I then had to figure out how to pack in all the things I had just bought, into an already packed suitcase. It was fun.
We rode the subway and airbus back to JFK airport.

It wasn’t bad at all. We then went and waited for our planes. Christina’s came first. We said goodbye and then ours went about a half hour later.

The plane ride back was okay but both Miranda and I got sick on it. I don’t know if it was turbulent or what but I sure was glad when we landed and were no longer in the air. Miranda’s brother met us at the airport. We took him back to his house then were on our way back to Cedar. In some ways that was the longest trip of my life. Partially because I was so tired. The last 15 minutes before we got home were the longest 15 minutes of my life. I was so tired. It was fun talking to Miranda though.

All in all it was very fun and I most definitely would not be opposed to returning to New York City one day.

Navigating New York (part 2)

October 18, 2008
The next day started out bright and early as you can tell from the last post.

I think we ended up leaving the hotel around 10:00 to 10:30 I can’t quite remember when. Our sites were set on the Empire State Building. On our way to our hotel the day before looking to the south we could see it standing tall and proud so we just decided to walk. We headed west on 42nd turning south on 5th and navigating in and out of traffic towards our destination. The thing about New York pedestrians is that lights really don’t mean anything.

You can go when it says stop and quite frequently have to stop when it says go due to cars continuing to turn or go through even though the light has changed. They are kind of there as a guidance, but not really used. Anyway, continuing down fifth avenue we observed all the sites, sounds, and smells believe me there are smells both good and bad (Cigarette smoke being the worst. Everywhere you went people were smoking. I may even have come back with lung cancer JK).

Suddenly the buildings no longer obscure the view and ESB comes in to view. From a ways away, you can see all the way to the top but when you are right next to it, the top pretty much disappears.

We entered into the building believing because we had a pass, (this is what the book told us anyway) that we would be able to skip the lines and go up pretty quick. Don’t believe everything you read because we were told we were required to wait in line with the rest of them. Fun stuff.

The nice thing is they really do keep you going pretty good. It was probably one of the fastest lines I have ever been in. Security was first then we proceeded to another line to wait to get tickets. Then again another line to wait for the elevator. (If you don’t like lines or elevators, I probably would recommend you stay away from here). After arriving at the elevator we were then packed in like a can a sardines which did nothing for my claustrophobia though I must admit I handled it pretty well. The elevator takes you up to the 80th floor. They are doing all kinds of construction there. Then you get out walk a ways and get on another elevator 6 more floors to the 86th floor observation deck.

Walking outside the air was bitter cold on every side of the building except the south. It was really weird but the wind was kind of blocked on that side and the sun was there. We all split up and just enjoyed the view coming back together occasionally and then spliting apart again.

The view was amazing but whenever I took a picture with my phone I had a fear shoot through my entire body because I just kept imagining it falling out of my hands and crashing 86 floors to the ground possibly killing someone in the process so I kept a tight hold when I was reaching out.



Especially for this picture looking straight down.
When we decided to leave we took the stairs down 6 flights of stairs then had to take the elevator the rest of the 80 floors down to the bottom.
We next decided to go to the NBC studio tour. We took the subway up to the rockafella center exit and made our way to into the building having to ask directions to where we were suppose to meet.

This was around 2:00 and the next tour started at 2:30 so we were walking around looking and hadn’t eaten lunch so there was a little shop there that sold muffins, bagels, and gourmet popcorn. I got a bagel which was really good and a mixed bag of popcorn for later (it was very good later also. Mmm mmm good. Cheese and caramel the best combination.
This is where they put the Christmas tree at Rockafella Center every year.

We started the tour in the very thing I hate, more elevators. They crammed 32 people into 2 regular sized elevators (because the space in Manhattan is so limited, every thing is crammed into the smallest spaces possible to make room for more. Crazy) Anyway. We went up to where they shoot the news and then went back on the elevator and went to another floor where they shoot Saturday night live.

It was kind of fun because they took us to a room with windows overlooking the set and some of the cast and guest members were down there practicing for that night. We then got back on the elevators and went to another floor where Miranda and another girl in our group got to pretend to be a news anchor and a weather girl. It was really funny because she totally got into it and they said they were sending her tape over to SNL for her to take over Tina Fays job. It was very funny and we could have bought it but it was $30 for something that didn’t even last a minute so we didn’t. After the tour we went to the gift shop and found many fun things to do with different shows.

I had been searching for a note book and found a Dunder Mifflin one (The Office for those who don’t know). It was a little more than I would have like to pay but I figure it would be kind of fun to have. We then went to the Rockafella Center tour which was kind of interesting but not at all what I had expected. The lady just took us around to different architectural sites there. Really cool but not what I thought it would be.
We had decided to have one really nice meal while there and I had been told by someone from there that they had Broadway specials that if you went before 6:30 you could get a 3 course meal for around $25.00. We started walking towards Broadway thinking the street should be somewhere nearby. We never found it. We found 2 restaurants with a 3 course meal for $30.00, but nothing too appealing. Miranda’s called her friend who had lived there and she recommended the Republic.

It was so good. At least mine was. I would highly recommend it. I had sliced porkchops with curry rice. Mmmm so good. We also tried this non alcoholic drink that had coconut and pineapple and I can’t remember what else but it was very good.

After dinner we looked around at some of the street vendor stuff. We also did a little shopping around in a couple of stores in that area. Michelle found a good coat but no luck in the shoe department for me. We then went and looked around Grand Central station because it is huge.

There are some steps there that tell people not to sit on them but everytime we went by there, people were sitting on them it was quite funny. Michelle breaking rules.

We made it back to the hotel around 9:00 thinking how lame we were to be in our hotel on a Saturday night in New York City instead of out and about but all of us were just so worn out from the day we decided to take it easy. I went down to the lobby for a bit and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

Later we watched SNL to see the skit for real that we had watched being practiced. It was really kind of dumb and not really worth watching. In the middle of the show my body suddenly jumped and I realized I had fallen asleep. It was my cue that it was time for me to go to bed.
TO BE CONTINUED........