The Hols are here!

Whew!

This week my exams finished so I'm finally free!

If I could sum up how I feel in one video...this would be it:

(And who doesn't love Tom Hiddleston?? :)

This semester has been extra busy for me and unfortunately I haven't blogged nearly as often as I should have.

My second year of university is now half-way finished...I can hardly believe how time is flying!

Since my mini-chop in August I've mostly been keeping my hair in braids. Trust me, this has saved me sooooo much time and energy. All I have to do in the morning is moisturize and seal and I'm out the door. When I get home later this month I plan to take out this current set of braids and maybe...cut off the rest of my straight ends. :)

I'm excited to see how much my roots have grown out since August. I'm still not a big fan of the teenie weenie afro on myself...so we'll see whether I decide to big chop or continue to transition. I'd love to accomplish a long term transition of 1-2 years like some bloggers, but I'm just too impatient!

Watching youtube videos has helped to keep me inspired while I couldn't play with my actual hair.
Here are some of my recent favourites:

As the year comes to an end I feel that I need to sit down and reflect on my highs and lows, strengths and weaknesses. I plan to do this especially for my university experience. Honestly, this semester has been my most challenging so far; emotionally, spiritually and mentally. So, I need to evaluate how I can prepare for next semester so I don't feel like I've been hit with a ton of bricks at the end!

Have you begun to reflect on the past year, or made any goals for the new year?

Oh, and I can't wait for Christmas!!

Lots of love,
~Hatter

Matta Season! Getting ready for exams

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Hello fellow beauties!

I have 2 weeks and 2 days until my final exams begin...as you can imagine, I'm nervous!
BUT I'm determined to devote all most of my remaining time for studying.

Oddly, this semester I'm actually a bit excited about exams (say what??!)

Maybe it's because I did well in my finals in last semester that my confidence has been given a boost.

However, in no way am I placing my confidence in my own abilities or intelligence. I know that everything I do is because of the gracious God that blesses me with the ability to do it!
I constantly see God's favour in my academic life, and I'll be darned if I don't acknowledge HIS favour in my studies.

So I'm praying constantly and having confidence in Him to help me do all that I can do, and allow him to do the rest for me.

*By the way, "Matta season" means study season here on Milner Hall. From next week the Hall will implement study zones, quiet time and even have "matta food" for sale for the residents. How awesome is that??


Are you preparing for exams? Good luck being a matta beast! =)


~Hatter

Exam Season!

Yup, its exam time.

Well, my exams actually started about two weeks ago...but I'm still hitting the books.

Thank God I have my last final tomorrow and then I'm freeeee for the Christmas break! =)
Does anyone know statistics? My statistics course has been the most difficult course I've taken this semester x.x Pray that I do well in the exam!

I haven't been able to post as often as I wanted to since I've been studying, but by the end of this week I'll have some new posts up. I might be getting my hair relaxed later this week so I should do a relaxer update, plus an update on managing my new growth/hair health.

Who else has been consumed by finals?? I hope your hair's health hasn't suffered because of it =)

Farewell!
~Hatter

Playing Hairdresser

University girls are on a budget, and that budget doesn't always include the weekly or bi-monthly trip to the hairdresser for a wash and set.

My sister has been learning to deal with this fact by washing and conditioning her hair herself, and then having me rollerset her hair.

That means this Hatter has been the default hairdresser for both me and my sister! lol

Here are some pictures of the rollerset that, yes, I did on my sister's hair!

Front view of the rollerset

Side view of the rollerset

It didn't come out too bad, if I may say so myself!

Maybe I can harness my hairdressing skills and start a business on my hall! 

haha a Hatter can dream =) ...but seriously, who knows?

Goodnight folks.

~Hatter

University Life...lawwd ah mussy!

Can you believe I'm already in week seven of university?? Time just seems to fly by as I get closer and closer to the end of semester.

Yesterday I had my psychology midterm. It was quite good for 60 multiple choice in 60 minutes (which is more challenging than it seems! lol) I only wish I had studied the topic of learning more thoroughly >.> operant and classical conditioning got me tied up!

Keeping up with the workload in uni is indeed hectic, people. 

I haven't been blogging as often either. I still take time to read my favourite blogs but between studying and the crappy internet on hall its a challenge to update regularly.

Hall life is so different from living with my parents but I'm loving it. Its like a cross among living in a hotel, apartment and summer camp. Being both adolescent and adult at the same time. The adult side comes out more than the other, but I definitely still feel like a teen =] Is this what they call the transitioning period?

I can hear a football match being played in the distance. I love observing how the guys and girls interact in uni. I have to keep my head on and focus on my work but it's harder than I thought it would be! Trini guys are the bombb! =P 

Did I mention I'm playing sports? Oh yes! This Hatter played tennis this morning! (weeeeeeee!) The only thing is that the sessions are intense. I can hardly walk the day after x.x lol. 

Hope you don't mind that bit of randomness =]

Now to my hair: lately it's been showing signs of less than average care- unfortunately one of the showers only runs cold water and I happened to chose that one to wash my hair >.< Now my hair feels sticky and coated with residue from pre-pooing with my ORS Vital Oils and washing with cold water. grrrr

My hair is also shedding more than usual! I realized that around this same time last year I also experienced increased shedding so I'm hoping that this is just seasonal shedding. I'm not going to worry about it.

I'm now seven weeks post relaxer and hoping to try out some tweaks to my regimen this weekend when I wash and condition. I hope to prevent the usual matts, tangles and knots I experience at eight weeks post and successfully stretch to nine weeks this time.

How's your week been? 

Life happens!

~Hatter

University-bound!

Drum-roll please!

I am proud to announce that, as of August 2012, I became a university student! Woot woot!

I now studying for a B. Sc. Psychology, at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, my home country. (Shout out to all my fellow West Indians! *waves Trini flag proudly*)







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I am so excited for the future!! Hall life is already fun and certainly a new experience. All these crazy people would certainly make an interesting a psychology study! lol

The fire and spirit of the Caribbean is certainly all around me. I really hope that meeting new people (while a terrifying experience) will help me to open up my shy personality.

Living on hall (aka dorm) made me think that I'd have to adapt my hair regimen significantly, but so far things have mostly stayed the same. I pre-poo overnight and shampoo, deep condition and rollerset on the days when I have no class.
At exam time I'll see how much my regimen will have to change. I hope I'll still have time for all my beauty rituals. :)

Being at university has also made me think about my personal development and maturity (those should have been the first points I discussed instead of my hair...right?) I know that I'm among the youngest students to be starting university and this fact is shaping up to be both an advantage and disadvantage.

Postively: I'm getting a head start with my future by aiming to obtain my degree within the next three years since I've graduated sixth form college.
(Note: sixth form college in the Caribbean is something like 12th grade in the US, except college has a two year duration and we sit different exams to the SAT. Also, most degrees at the UWI are three instead of the US four years. :) Its like making up for that extra year at sixth form!)

Negatively: I'm not quite sure that I have the same level of intellectual maturity as many of my colleagues. At many of my classes I'm like, "Oh gooshh why isn't my vocabulary like that?" Or "My gawwd can't I read between the lines?!" lol I guess university is the perfect time for me to focus on improving my err, "critical thinking and communication skills".....eek!

Another point- being underage sucks! I've got limits on the types of events I can attend, (not that I party!! Oh nooo *innocent face*) and of course, who wants to associate with the shrimp?? lol

Okay, rant over.

Despite all of that I am incredibly grateful to be here and I just have to push myself to infinity and beyond! to stay on top of my grades and personal relationships. It helps that I have family here in Trinidad to support me! =)

Even if I had no family. I've got Jesus!


Are you in college/university? How has the experience affected you? Any tips?

Oh the life of a
~Hatter!