Ah yes... I remember it well. (~~~~trip back to 1980~~~~)
I remember my first day of High School. Actually what I remember is the picture taken of me leaving for my first day of High School. I'm wearing a brave smile, but the hair, the hair, my hair style was a nightmare. My two best friends and I were going to be attending a High School out of our district, that was stressful enough. To add to this new-ness we wanted new looks as well since this school was known for the preppiness that was sweeping the John Hughes lovin' nation.
K. was going to sport the Argyle and Alligator shirt look. W. was going for 'All Monogrammed, All The Time" and I was going to ditch the bell-bottoms, wear Levi's and have the hairstyle of my dreams. I have straight, thick hair and had always wanted curly hair. When I would see girls with curly hair they always seemed so artistic, so worldly. I wanted to be those things too!
My mom had been perming her hair for years so she called her hair stylist. The only appointment available was the day before the first day of school. I took it. I had to have my new hair to go with my new life! My best friends went with me. We were all excited.
During the process I had an inkling that there might be a problem when the hair stylist began to run low on perm rods. However, my friends and I were so busy talking, and laughing that I didn't give it another thought.
At the end of my transformation the hair stylist took out all of the rods, put on her finishing touches of spritz and fluff, then turned me to face myself in the mirror. I was stunned. We were all stunned. The hair stylist in a good way, my friends and I, not so much. What... exactly... happened to my hair?! My hair had transformed from looking straight and long to, well, a big pile of curly poo!!! There was an upside-down triangle of curls on the top of my head.
I cried on my friends shoulders all the way home. I cried at the dinner table. I cried on the couch. I cried in bed.
I don't know how I got over myself and made it to school the next day. But I did. And I learned a valuable lesson that I can now pass on to my two girls. When wanting to make a big change, start with clothing. At least that you can return.
I remember my first day of High School. Actually what I remember is the picture taken of me leaving for my first day of High School. I'm wearing a brave smile, but the hair, the hair, my hair style was a nightmare. My two best friends and I were going to be attending a High School out of our district, that was stressful enough. To add to this new-ness we wanted new looks as well since this school was known for the preppiness that was sweeping the John Hughes lovin' nation.
K. was going to sport the Argyle and Alligator shirt look. W. was going for 'All Monogrammed, All The Time" and I was going to ditch the bell-bottoms, wear Levi's and have the hairstyle of my dreams. I have straight, thick hair and had always wanted curly hair. When I would see girls with curly hair they always seemed so artistic, so worldly. I wanted to be those things too!
My mom had been perming her hair for years so she called her hair stylist. The only appointment available was the day before the first day of school. I took it. I had to have my new hair to go with my new life! My best friends went with me. We were all excited.
During the process I had an inkling that there might be a problem when the hair stylist began to run low on perm rods. However, my friends and I were so busy talking, and laughing that I didn't give it another thought.
At the end of my transformation the hair stylist took out all of the rods, put on her finishing touches of spritz and fluff, then turned me to face myself in the mirror. I was stunned. We were all stunned. The hair stylist in a good way, my friends and I, not so much. What... exactly... happened to my hair?! My hair had transformed from looking straight and long to, well, a big pile of curly poo!!! There was an upside-down triangle of curls on the top of my head.
What I'm sure I looked like in my "First day as a Freshman" picture on my porch |
I cried on my friends shoulders all the way home. I cried at the dinner table. I cried on the couch. I cried in bed.
I don't know how I got over myself and made it to school the next day. But I did. And I learned a valuable lesson that I can now pass on to my two girls. When wanting to make a big change, start with clothing. At least that you can return.