My new camera!

Women!

I feel cheated.

They asked for our votes and pretended they care about what we think.
And when we voiced out our concerns and dismays,
we were told that it was heard and understood.
Almost of us voted against it.

And yet, it was passed through.

Then why bother to go through the trouble and asked for our opinions?
You really think I got a lot of time to think about something you have decided?

Maybe women just like to listen to opinions even though they already have a decision in mind.
They just think by doing so, it makes the other party feels involved.
And when they speak of the decision they had in mind,
all you would feel is,
OVERWRITTEN!

Rebonded!

have I ever talked about this before?
Hmm..too lazy to check back.

If you have known me before I turned 18, you wouldn't laugh at my I/C photo.
And if you happen to know me after I am 18,
you'll flipped upon seeing it.
At least 99% of those who have seen it almost choke themselves when they did.
the 1% showed sympathy.
Hmm.

Thank God for the new technique from whichever country and hair stylist that I no longer have to wear that broccoli/cauliflower crown.

But to be rid of that broccoli style is no mean feat.
It involves 5 straight hours at the salon.

First, a softener has to be applied one centimetre away from my scalp.
it can't touch my scalp as I have sensitive scalp which turns sore and red if the chemical is a tad too strong.
I have fine hair, and lots of it - and will take around 45 mins just to apply all of that softener onto curly part of the hair. The ends are spared because they have been too dried out from the past straightening.
After which, a heater like machine will be placed over my head to speed up the absorption process for around an hour.
And this is always the worst part of it all.
As I mentioned, I have sensitive scalp.
The heat + the chemical irritates my scalp and creates a biting sensation on my scalp.
It's like ants biting you underneath your skin and you can't remove it.

An hour later, the softener gets washed away and I get a blow-dry.
This is the humiliating part.
even though the frizzy parts have been softened, the frizz remains.
and if you frizzy hair, you'll know what I mean when u get a blow-dry without a comb.
Air gets trapped with the mix of curls and frizz and the hair looks "blown-uP".
Nice style to attract all that attention in a small salon.
And the stylist takes an awful loooong time to get the straightening crimpers heated up.

Next is what I'd call, the "ironing" process.
My hair gets "ironed" by the crimpers, and it has to start all the way from the roots 'cos it is where the curl and frizz all starts.
And I have to say, it's hot!
Imagine all the heat burning the ant underneath your skin.
and it tries to escape in circles.
Yeah, that's about how it feels like.
And the fumes from the heat + softener chemical
= Eeks!
Burnt ammonia.
All the hair pulling continues for yet another 90 minutes.

Then the hardener comes in.
Cream the whole head.
Wait for 15 mins.
Wash the hair again.

Then apply scalp treatment because of my weak scalp.
Followed by another rebonding treatment for another 15 minutes.
Wash it all off again.

Finally, it is set.
but wait,
not forgetting the finishing -
A nice layered haircut.
in which I cannot even cut much of my fringe as I have to keep it long to prevent it from curling too fast in the coming weeks. (the longer the hair, the heavier it is, and I won't have to rebond it so fast :))

all this takes 5 hours.
At least.
All in pursuit of the beautiful straight locks which I can never have naturally.

So, the next time you wanna laugh at my I/C again,
think about this post and all the pain I go through just to get it straight. Ok?

Yeah, I know it's a comic relief for most part of my life and most of those who know me later.
And when I look back, I laugh at myself too.
It's a distasteful feeling.
But it's a part of me I enjoyed AFTER I've grown up and learned much on society's discrimination on those who look different physically.
And I am especially sympathetic towards those who are still struggling with such discriminations. I feel for them too.
A major impact on one's self-esteem ok.

Sigh.
Not everyone can understand.
it's like being fat but have done no wrong and yet people still fault you because you are FAT.
Get it??!