31 Lessons Learned...Lesson 4

   If at least one episode of FRIENDS doesn't make you laugh then I probably won’t like you

   

         FRIENDS has been my favorite show for as long as I can remember.  In the mid nineties when the show first aired, I was at a age where I could understand adult TV.  It was a show that my older sister watched, so I was allowed to watch it as well.  I remember the first time Ross and Rachel kissed in the second season, we were so excited.  I jumped up on the couch and squealed.  I can't believe I have admitted that.  The show always made me laugh, I would write down my favorite quotes from the show because I was afraid I wouldn't remember them later on in life.  And then came DVDs.  First the "Best of FRIENDS"  was released.  We bought the 4 DVDs instantly.  And watched it, a lot.  I mean over and over again.  It never stopped being funny to me.  And the older I got the more I watched it, I used to think it was because it had so many memories attached.  But now I know it was more than that.  I was reaching the age of the characters  and their stories were something I was able to relate too.  And now the jokes were funnier to me, and I had a bigger connection to it.  I feel the same was about Sex and the City.  When I first watched it, it was just a fun show to watch.  When I re-watched the entire series at a older age, it took on a whole different meaning.  

         

          FRIENDS is something I will always watch.  I have the entire series on DVD and I am watching it at a constant loop.  I start with season 1 episode 1 and go in order until I reach the series finale.  I have done this so many times, I lost count.  I can watch the show without even watching it, just have it on as background noise and I can see the scenes in my head.  And even to this day it will always make me laugh, and if you don't find at least one of the 236 episodes funny, there is something wrong with you.  And we probably will never be friends....

31 Lessons Learned...Lesson 3

     It’s hard to be sad when you hear a baby laugh

Try it, I dare you.  Even if you aren't a "baby person" the sound of a baby laughing is pure happiness.

      I am constantly surrounded by kids, and I love it. I have a niece and nephew that live overseas, too many cousins to count and family friends. Growing up I have always known that I don't want kids of my own, and even at 31 I can confirm that.  I have never had that desire that other women speak about for children, I don't know why I don't want kids, but I know that I love being around them.   Kids are so honest and fun.  They aren't concerned with the problems of the world, all they want is to enjoy life, something that adults forget about.  We get so wrapped up in our jobs, our problems, our friends problems, our neighbors problems, our politicians problems, even the problems of strangers (Keeping up with the Kardashians anyone?).  It's almost like we reach a moment in life that we forget that life should be simple.  Being around kids reminds me of this.  It doesn't take a complicated joke to make kids laugh.  Its the simple things that do it. 

      I was playing with my younger cousins on Thanksgiving and they were cracking me up as I was making them laugh.  One of them had pulled out a old Mr. Potato head toy, I took various objects and placed it on my head as if I was a big potato, and making comments about it in a odd voice. 

       

       "Ohhh look at this hat on my head, does it fit properly?  Why are you laughing at such a time like this? I need to know how my hat looks!"

   

      That sent them in a fit of hysterics, had they been adults, they probably would have whispered about how strange I was and then walked away. Simple things.  

           

       My next lesson I will be talking more about F*R*I*E*N*D*S, but this scene accurately depicts my point.

            

    Next time you are in a bad mood, make a baby laugh, it is a guaranteed mood lifter.  

  

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31 Lessons Learned...Lesson 2

Having a dog means someone is always happy to see you.

As long as I can remember I have loved dogs.  Growing up I had a few dogs, but never really understood the love that dogs can really give until I got older.  If you have never had a pet of any kind, it is hard to understand how they aren't just a animal, they are family.  To me having a dog means so much more than having a pet.  A dog is loving, they never judge you, they won't gossip about you to other dogs, they don't care if you wear makeup, they love when you over eat so they can clean up the mess, they want you to stay home and bum around the couch, they are always ready to play, they are sad to see you go, but more importantly they are always happy to see you.  

When I have a bad day at work, there is nothing better than walking through the front door of my house and having my dog, Remy, jump all over me.  He doesn't know what happened that day, but he always knows how to make me feel better.  Family and friends always feel that they need to help you solve your problems, but sometimes you just want to have a bad day, and dogs somehow understand that.  If I want to be depressed and lay on my bed and watch 6 episodes of Doctor Who, Remy will lay down right next to me.  If I am in the mood to go for a long walk, Remy will always walk with me. I never have to explain myself to Remy, he loves me no matter what.  

Dogs give the type of unconditional love that every human being desires.  If you don't have a pet, I encourage you to get one, it will change your life.

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31 Lessons Learned- Lesson 1

On the morning of my 31st birthday I decided to make a list of things I have learned over the years.  This list became lessons I have been taught by others, quotes that I have inspired me in one way or another or just general ideas that I enjoy.  I posted it on my Facebook page as my status for that day, and it got a lot of positive responses.  So, at the encouragement from my sister (Nadia Zerka), I am going to write in more detail what each lesson learned means to me.

Number 1

You don't know what you can get unless you ask for it, the worst thing someone can tell you is no.  

This is kind of two lessons in one.  Anyone that has ever met my dad, whether it is from personal or business encounters, they know that this is his motto.  I can't even remember the first time my dad told me this, but I can remember using this lesson multiple times.

The first time it really benefited me the most was when I started at the University of Michigan-Flint.  I was registering for classes with the help of my cousin Ronny.  Since I was transferring from Mott Community College, I had to figure out what classes transferred, and which ones I had to retake for credit.  One of the math courses I had taken a Mott didn't transfer, and I did not want to take it again.  At the time I was planning on studying Political Science, and had absolutely no interest in taking any additional math courses.  I asked the counselor what I could do, and she informed me that I would have to speak with someone in the Math department to override it.  With my dad's words ringing in my head "The worst they'll tell you is no", Ronny and I set off to the Math department.  After we walked into the office with saw a professor and started to explain my situation.  I wasn't able to articulate what I needed exactly, so my cousin Ronny took over and in the end the Professor signed the piece of paper and I was able to by pass that class. It saved me a lot of time and money in the end.

Another time that it really helped me out was during the Premier Orlando hair show in 2009.  We found ourselves short of a few office items, pens, receipt paper and shopper bags.  As I was making a list of what we needed, the convention foreman was going around checking on all the vendors.  When he approached our booth I had asked him for the items that we needed.  He told me "Let me see what I can do" and left the booth.  One of my co-workers looked at me and said "I can't believe you asked him for that stuff" I turned to her and said the words of my dad "You don't know what you can get unless you ask for it, the worst thing he will tell me is no".  A few moments later he had came back with everything I asked for.  He then asked if there was anything else we needed, and another thought came to mind.  Our backroom staff was short of space in the Model Prep area, however there was a larger room next to them that was empty.  So I kindly asked the foreman if there was a way we could have the larger room, at no extra charge.  He got on his walkie talkie and spoke to some people, came back and said "No problem, its yours.  You can still use the one you have as well".  With a bit of pride in my step, I walked to the back and informed everyone that they now had use of the bigger room.

I could go on and on about stories like these, but I can leave that for another time.  Just remember, all you have to do is ask.

The Perfect Blow-Out

One of the best parts about going to the salon is the way you look when you leave.  Your hair has incredible shine, it’s smooth and styled.  Many believe that it is virtually impossible to re-create a salon look at home.  If you want a salon blow out at home, you have to keep three factors in mind: products, blow dryer and brush.

A client once said to me “how come my hair at home never looks the same as it does in the salon? Are you keeping it secret?” I am here to tell you there are no secrets that I am not willing to share.  The first step of any blow out is using the right products in your hair.  Most think that you can use any type of shampoo, conditioner or styling aid, but the truth is every head is different.  True, many products can do the same thing, but not the same for everyone.  Naturally curly hair tends to be very dry, so a hydrating shampoo is necessary.  What would happen if a curly head used volumizing shampoo? They run the risk of damaging their hair since most volume shampoos actually pull out moisture from the hair; this causing the hair to swell causing the look and feel of extra volume.  The next step is finding the right styling products.  Think, what is your desired end look? Volume? Smooth? Curls? Most heads do not need more than two styling aids; pre-drying and a finisher.  Apply the recommend amount and move on to the blow drying. I recommend Pravana’s Straightening Crème for a smooth look.

Whatever type of blowdryer you use there are two things to make sure of.  Number one; there should be a concentrator nozzle on the end and number two; make sure it has a cool shot button.  A concentrator nozzle is very important because this controls air flow.  If the hot air from the blow dryer is not being controlled the cuticle tends to be pushed in the wrong direction.  Air flow should always be directed down the cuticle; away from the scalp.  This allows the cuticle to lay flat, causes less damage and increases the natural shine to the hair.  A cool shot button is always the last part of every blow out.  When using heat your hair becomes pliable, cooling the hair helps “set” your look.  This is the same reason that you should always do a final rinse with cold water.  The more closed your cuticle is the less likely your hair will be damaged.   FHI makes a great blow dryer, very powerful and lightweight.

When choosing the right brush for your hair the rules are simple, flat brushes create flat looks, round brushes create round looks.  What type of look are you going for? On my clients I use a Marilyn boar bristle round brush throughout the back and sides because most want movement, and usually a flat brush across the fringe.  As far as round bushes go, I suggest using a boar bristle brush with a wood or ceramic handle.  Any type of metal or plastic brush can hold too much heat, and cause damage.  And a boar bristle brush also grabs onto the hair better and can increase natural shine.  

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