So I thought last week was nuts. Well this week definitely
trumped that. Let me start with this picture:
Yes. I chopped off my hair. Well not exactly me. You know
that saying: it takes a village to raise a child… well it took a village to cut
my hair. So now that the shock has hit you (as it sure has hit me a million
times this week), let me rewind a little bit.
I always knew that jobs could be more challenging to receive
with dreads. I always knew it was not the norm. And I always said if it came
down to having a job and having dreads, I would need to be responsible and
choose to have a job. BUT I didn’t think that moment would come this week.
Basically since my second week after leaving home I’ve had conversations with
my superior about how I could be more presentable in the professional realm, as
in the Nica culture dreads may close some opportunities before I would even
have a chance. This is something that I’ve been open to, and started wearing it
back with a headband when I would be in work setting. It seemed like this would
work. I had started working in a school co teaching. I felt like the students
and teachers were all responsive and that we worked cohesively.
Well Tuesday I was told that I would need to cut my hair.
That preparing it in a more controlled matter simply wasn’t enough. I know that
my “look” wasn’t ideal, but I always have used my personality and work ethic to
show who I am as a person. I no longer had the opportunity to do that and still
have my beautiful locks. I spent about a day and a half being heart broken, and
definitely a crybaby. Then I went to my newest hairstylist, tia Delma. She and
about 4-5 assistants began the long EXCRUTIATINGLY painful process of trying to
salvage some of hair. 2 days of 3 hours sessions later I was shocked. First off
that I survived the yanking and pulling, and my scalp feeling like it was on
fire. (Yes its still sensitive 2 days later). But mostly I was shocked that I
didn’t look like Brittney spears after her mental breakdown. I couldn't stop
smiling and stop touching my hair. It was soft and actually looked like a
normal short cut.
No I was not happy to do it. No I do not think it was
necessary. But I am incredibly grateful, that when I was caught between a rock
and a hard place, that I had supportive family and friends here in Nica. It
definitely was a group effort, and they worked miracles. Now I can continue
doing my job, with out having to worry about “what if”.
I’ve learned a ton from having dreads. There are some who
love them, some that hate them, and some that are just curious about them. I
have loved opening peoples eyes and surprising them when I break stereotypes of
being just some dreaded hippy. I was successful with them, and I will continue
progressing with out them. Same Hannah, just minus about 10 pounds of hair.
RIP my baby dreads <3
