Monday, February 13, 2012

a fresh start

Ahhhhh ... that's the exhale of letting go of last week and starting fresh with anew.
Thank the Colombian gawds (there's a few diff. concepts there) that we had access to our supplies and tools today.  Also, that after an unexpected few days of disconnection - my girls (well - most of them anyway) showed up today!  Seven out of ten is a REALLY great turn out for this community and culture, in general.  Yessss.  And the coaster continues to climb.  I like this direction a lot.
After establishing the incentive program (the top 3 attendees of the program get to keep their kits, while the other kits remain with the foundation for future classes and "sign out" option for the other original girls use) I am confident that attendance will soar and the girls will get the maximum possible out of our time together.
Today I demo'd the haircut the girls will do tomorrow on their live models (family, friends, other volunteers and travellers from the city's major hostel) and then they learned how to pamper the client. 
My favorite luxery of getting my hair done is the relaxing head massage at the sink.  Feet up, head back resting on a padded sink, warm water, beautiful products, and that ooohh so awesome zen moment when your scalp gets that attention you wish you could generate on your own each morning in the shower.  But, somehow - it just can't be done yourself.  Like being tickled ... you just need someone else to pull it off.
However, with just a bucket of water not fit for drinking (even for the locals) and a plastic container resembling a sand castle form ... the experience was just a little off of the whole North American salon full meal deal.  Regardless, with our adaptability and creativity we managed to design our own version of the ever-so-enjoyable shampoo/condition/scalp massage.
With a few unintentional facewashes, a lot of giggles and some pampering techniques ... it is safe to say that everyone enjoyed today's class.
In addition, I have now hooked a whole new demographic onto Bumble and Bumble products (ooops).  They loved the smell of the shampoo and when it came time to condition and massage they agreed they had never smelled something so amazing before and the feeling was unlike anything they've ever known.  It struck me at how fortunate I am to work with quality every single day and it is just like breathing ... I just do it. 


After today, I realized that there is still room to enjoy simple pleasures ... and sometimes that is even in your shampoo and conditioner.  *A special thanks to the fabulous owners of ShampooHairBar for donating a litre of each to the project.  It is VERY safe to say that the contribution is being enjoyed more than anyone could have anticipated.  Such a treat - for them, and for me to see.  xo.


In fact, the girls were so blown away by the conditioner that they all refused to rinse it out at the end.  Seriously.  When I said it was time to rinse the all looked up at me like, "woman! you're crazy!".  Oh no no no ... something this lovely was going to stay IN their hair.  And so it was.


At the end of the day I had seven ladies with (not meant to be) left-in conditioner walking down the street.  I don't know what was shiny'er ... the sunshine bouncing off of their over-producted greasy hair or their beaming grins. 
Nahhh ... it was their smiles, for sure.

 

3 comments:

  1. Way to go Amy!!
    You are truly an inspiring, brave and beautiful woman!
    Thank you for sharing.
    xo
    Vanessa

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  2. That is AWESOME Aim!! Love the change of perspective you're providing us. Stay safe friend.

    xox
    Linds

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