I'm like a shooting star, I've come so far. I can't go back to where I used to be. -Jasmine

So the day has finally come. 

Today I'm getting my first haircut since I started my quest to grow my hair out (It's been about 3 months and 6 days).  Honestly, I was due for a trim about 2 weeks ago, but I tried to hold out as long as I could.  (I also got to go to Disney to run in the Disney Princess Half Marathon, so a haircut wasn't really in the cards at that point). 

Last night at my kickboxing class, I got some cool before photos to share.  A shout out has to go to Kim Anderson for taking my photos and to the MMA dummy (my Iowa City boyfriend... don't tell Michael) for modeling with me. 

Kim Anderson took this photo.  We are at STRIKE Martial Arts in Iowa City, Iowa.

Kim took this photo, too.  (She wanted to be credited for her photography) This is me and the MMA dummy.

Here was an attempt to show the horribleness that was the back of my head... alas, the photo did not really turn out.

As you can see, my bangs are beginning to be a bit unruly and don't even talk to me about the back of my hair!!!  Mullet city.  I'm anxious to see what Angela from G Spot Hair Design (Iowa City) will be able to do with my hair in this truly awkward stage.  I'm hoping that my hair will be able to be shaped enough to grow into a proper bob, but I'm not really sure.  (I have weird short areas around my ears and the back of my hair may require a little more maintenance before it leaves the threat of mullet-ness). 

Pre Haircut Data
Current length ~5 inches at the crown
Change since the start ~ 2.4 inches (I'm learning that it's nearly impossible to be precise)
Inches to go 14-5 = 9 inches left to grow at least

Only time will tell... but you get your results NOW!

A little later that day:

Tada!

Me at G Spot Hair Design in Iowa City

I feel SO MUCH BETTER.  Angela was able to trim up my bangs, tidy up the "side burns," and hack away all the needless hair on the back of my head.  I think today's cut was definitely a step in the right direction (even if it's not as edgy as my hair has been the past few months)!  I'm thinking that I should be able to achieve a version of a bob the next time I go to visit (probably in May).  

As always, leave any comments if you want to.  I'm sure I'll have another entry as I start to get antsy again.

Peace out, homies.    

Once Upon A Time...

 

Ok, full disclosure... I'm writing this blog to help me through a process that I've struggled with for my entire life: leaving my hair alone.  I'm not a writer. I'm not a photographer.  And... honestly, I'm not particularly creative unless I have knitting needles in my hands, but I'm hoping that this blog will help motivate me through the process of growing my hair out!

I'm Valerie!  (nice to meet you)  I'm currently living in Iowa City, IA working as a program evaluator at the UIHC (to keep the boring out of this blog, I'll spare you what that is... wikipedia has an entry though). I have a cat (Mittens) who is the best roommate ever and a boyfriend that lives way too far away!  Below are a couple photos of my hair as it currently exists: 

Christmas 2012 with my bf's nephew.

December 2012

Just so you know, I love the pixie cut.  I've been told by many people that I pull it off well and that I should keep it short.  However, as I suggested before, I cannot tolerate keeping my hair in the same style for too long.  I originally got "the chop" on August 12,2012.  [I need to give a shout out to Angela at the G Spot Hair Design in Iowa City] You'll see the transformation below (I promise there will not be this many photos of me in all of my posts!):

Before and after

Some of my previous styles have been
A perm

Summer 2008

Blonde

Fall 2011

My goal is to grow my hair out past my shoulders for the first time since high school.

Me in high school with my sibblings

I know this may not be the most exciting blog in the world, but I'm hoping I can use this as a tool to help maintain focus while I go through this process.  They say that hair grows 1/2 inch per month.  I think we still have a ways to go.

Data:
Current hair length: 2 5/8 inches at the crown
Hair length change since blog started: 0 inches
Inches to go: currently unknown