Life After Graduation PT.1

Hey guys. Long time no text. I know :( Please forgive me. After graduation I took a two week staycation that involved an infinite amount of pizza, gummy worms and Netflix. I watched shows like 'Dear White People', 'House of Cards', & 'Greenleaf'... I throughly enjoyed all the shows and I am impatiently waiting to view new episodes.

While on my staycation I attended a concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa Oklahoma. Chance the Rapper graced the great state of Oklahoma with his presence on May 9, 2017 and it was one of the best performances I have ever witnessed. He's energetic, in tune with the crowd, and he mentions Jesus and heaven while performing. He is the perfect guy to love and support and I am so glad my good friends decided to take me as a graduation gift.

For inquiring minds, no I haven't started working my big girl job yet. To be honest, I haven't even started looking... I am finally going to enjoy the beauty of being young and carefree. Even if it is only for 12 weeks, or however many weeks summer is. I will be traveling to new states. Going to concerts and festivals. And doing all the things I've always wanted to do but didn't have the courage to do. I am a 22 years old and I think it's time to live a little before it's too late.

The Fate of Loc'd&Living

Was Loc'd&Living only for class? If so, will there be anymore post in the following months? 

As many of my readers may know, this blog was a semester long assignment in my Blogging for Journalist class. I struggle in just about all areas of my writing, so I purposely took this class in hopes of somehow getting better. 

Did I get better? I don't know... But I do know I am more confident in my writing abilities. I think I can credit that to finding 'my voice'. My writing isn't going to be like others, and I am finally ok with that.

In the 1st few months of Loc'd&Living I struggled trying to create the tone of my blog. Yes, this is a blog about my loc journey, but I wanted it to be so much more than that. I am a complex individual and I wanted to document all of that on my blog, hence the word living.

So, it's the end of the semester and I no longer have to blog for a grade... Will I continue?

Yes, I will continue blogging on Loc'd&Living because I enjoy it. I enjoy the creative freedom. I enjoy exploring new and exciting ideas. I enjoy the platform. I enjoy the community of readers I now have the opportunity to connect with. The thing I enjoy the most is inspiring other individuals by my words.

In the coming months Loc'd&Living will undergo a very much needed facelift and from there we will keep on trucking.

Thanks to all the readers that are here for the ride, buckle up though, because we are just getting started! ;)

Peace&Love
-Precious

Operation Graduation PT.3

Graduation is in less than 2 weeks and I cant adequately put into words how I feel. Of course I am overjoyed to be finishing up, but so many other emotions accompany my joy.

I think the first emotion that comes to mind after joy is fear. It's weird though because I am not a very fearful person. Yet, that's one of the most prominent emotions.

Second is anxious. But of course that is to be expected if I am joyful yet fearful. I don't think it's the actually ceremony that is causing these emotions, but the major transition that is on the horizon.

What's Next?

I probably get asked this question 3 times a day. Not only am I tired of answering it, I don't have an answer to give.

 I DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S NEXT!!!!

One thing I know is I am in search of happiness. 

My 5 Go-To Loc Styles

I don't always style my locs, but when I do, I have 5 go-to styles 

Half up, half down 

Middle up, everything else down 

Two top knots, the back down 

Low ponytail to the back

My handy dandy hat :)

85% of the time my hair is down like it was in the beginning of the video, but on those days rare days that I want a style those are my top picks. 

Raquelle Naomi Gail

Circa April 2017

I am aunt (again)! My oldest sister gave birth to my first niece on March 25th 2017. One of the best days of my life.

The biggest downfall is they are literally 1,000 miles away from me :(

Thank God for technology. I really enjoy our daily Facetime conversations.

I can't wait to see you and kiss those cheeks.

I really wish I wasn't currently in the most important semester of college.

I love you, and I can't wait to officially meet you Lil Gail

-Love Aunt P

4 Mistakes I've Made On My Loc Journey

1. Didn't get a consultation with my loctician before I scheduled my appointment. So any questions, comments, or concerns I had before she styled my hair were left unanswered. 

2. I continued to condition my hair. I conditioned it the wash before I started my locs. The more conditioned you hair is the softer it will be. Soft hair = harder/longer to loc :(

3. I didn't research the best method of starting locs before I went to my appointment. I have traditional locs started by the comb coil method There are many different ways to start locs and if I would have researched more I could have found a way that worked better for my hair type. 

4. I envied other peoples locs. Constantly comparing my progress to theirs, instead of focusing on me and mine. 

This loc journey started on January 11th, 2017 and everyday I am learning/witnessing changes in my hair and life. The best decision I've made thus far. 

 

 

2013 vs 2017

-18 years old 

-Bright eyed and bushy tailed

-Searching

-Know it all 

-Super skinty eyebrows

-Weave, hair extensions

-No make-up 

-No direction 

-Enrolled in 12 hours :(

-Major: Undeclared 

-22 years old
-Focused
-Searching
-Learning
-Thicker eyebrows :)
-Locs, natural hair
-No make-up
-Directions, no destination
-Enrolled in 17 hours
-Major: Strategic Communications

Month 3 Loc Update

3 MONTHS LOC'D 

I am quickly approaching my 4th month loc'd and i just remembered I haven't even given an official month 3 update.

Day to day, it doesn't seem like much is changing...
-More buds 
-More frizz 
-More shrinkage 
-More life ;)

Easter 2017 featuring RaRah 

Recently I have been trying to do more styles, although I'm not any good. I will blog about my go to styles very soon!

So, what's your major?

Life Changing Conversations 

Guy: What's your major?

Me: Marketing, you?

Guy: Oh cool. My major is Strategic Communications. Its basically the fun side of Marketing... creating and executing marketing ideas.

Me: Oh really, is it under the College of Business?

Guy: No, it's under Mass Communication. You should check it out!

Me: I will thanks!

Circa Spring 2014 

A few weeks later I got a C in College Algebra for Business. So, the thought of taking Accounting 1 and 2 seemed impossible. Like hundreds of other students I changed my major. It was the very best decision for me and I don't regret a thing about it. 

Operation Graduation PT.2

Without God none of this would be possible. Like many other college students I contemplated the idea of dropping out of school. To be honest this idea came into my mind at least once a day depending on what part of the semester it was. It was/is not easy. Regardless of the major, college is not easy. It’s expensive. It’s all consuming. But, it was necessary for me. It was something that I started that I was certain I needed to complete. Majors changed. Minors were added… then dropped. My wants and desires changed. I grew. I evolved. I matured 

Within this last year alone I have grown so much. From May 2016 – May 2017 I completed 45 credit hours. I had to have faith in God as well as faith in myself to ever go on such a quest. I am so thankful for my support system that has seen the potential in me from the very beginning. The people that honestly believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. Thank you to my beautiful heavenly support team as well. I love you daddy and granny I miss you both more than I could ever put into words. I hope I continue to make you all proud daily.

I DO NOT know what’s next after graduation. When asked, this question used to make me very anxious, but now I am at peace with it. I won’t let society’s norms dictate my next move. My next move will be my very best move so I will not rush it. Thank you all for your continuous prayers, love and support. I appreciate each and every one of you and the role you all have played in my life.

Operation Graduation PT.1

May 6th, 2017 ya girl is walking across that stage. These past 4 years at the University of Central Oklahoma has been some of the most memorable times of my life. I am soooo thankful for all the love and support that has been given to me consistently over the years.   

Four years in, four years out, isn’t an easy task. There were late nights and early mornings. There were days that I stayed up for 48-50+ hours. There were battles that I faced internally and externally. But, thank God I made it.

Loc'd AND Living

So my blog is titled Loc'd&Living, yet I don't have a single post about me living...

Well here's whats happening in my life as of March 2017 

                                          I picked up my cap & gown 

                                          I got a free stole, so I saved 25 bucks

                                          I got my hair retwisted after 6 loooooooooooong weeks 

                                          Found out UCO has a new STEM building under construction 

                                          I only found out because I was still trying to park in that lot 

                                          I have less than 12 more times to come to UCO for class 

My plan is to incorporate more living post into the blog... I'm thinking at least once a week...?

Month 2 Starter Loc Update + Managing Heat Damage

10 week in the books!

I have been locd for 10 weeks and I am finally noticing some changes. 

This time around I waited 6 weeks for my retwist instead of 4 like the 1st time. 

                                       

                                            5 Things That Changed This Month

1. I was finally able to wash my hair. 
2. None of my locs came down during the washing process.
3. Some of my heat damage is frizzing up. 
4. I'm maintaining some of my length, but i am expecting some shrinkage soon. 
5. I have a few in the back and in the middle that I think are starting to bud.

Did a Blogger Influence That Purchase? cont.

Before ‘locing my hair I was natural for 3 and a half years. I came to college in August 2013 and decided I no longer wanted to put a relaxer on my hair. From August 2013 – January 2017 I typically wore my hair in protective styles, keeping my ends tucked away. If I ever were in a rut looking for a new style I would get on the web and search for new styles. Or if I was in market for a new product I could count on the bloggers I followed in the natural hair community to give an honest review over a product and I would try it. I followed beauty blogger MahoganyCurls for many years and appreciated her product reviews. I can honestly say bloggers have influenced many of my purchasing decisions, consciously and subconsciously. 

As time goes on I believe we are getting savvier as a culture. I’m more skeptical if I see a blogger, or social media influencer, promoting a brand/product than I was before. I try to recognize what’s going on before I am bamboozled. As Cristina mentioned in her article, consumers need to be able to discern ads, paid content, and honest reviews. I know it may not be the easiest thing to do, but I believe it is possible.

Did a Blogger Influence That Purchase?

Blogging has transformed the natural hair community. As well as, changed consumers behaviors. Bloggers have a great influence over readers. Readers take the opinions and reviews from bloggers and make purchasing decisions for themselves off of what they read.  So I ask the question, did a blogger influence that purchase?

Because of the shift in consumer behavior, I have witnessed an over use of ads, or paid promotion, from bloggers. I don’t think product reviews are as honest now as they were before money was involved. Yes, I know one raving review from a blogger can send hundreds of people to that company so bloggers deserve compensation. Yet, it’s becoming harder to decide if bloggers are expressing true satisfaction. Cristina C. mentions in an article for NaturallyCurly that, “consumers today are faced with the challenge of discerning who they can and can't trust. Does my favorite blogger genuinely like that product, or have they been paid to mention it?”