Hair Flair

I've done some pretty crazy things to my hair. As a child, I begged my mom for a perm...unaware that I already had naturally curly hair. The result was something very similar to a poodle atop my head. The "frosted" look was popular when I was in high school, so I had blond streaks, red streaks, and a combination of both at one point (apparently I was representing FSU without really knowing it). In college I had blond hair....inspired by the ever-so-popular Britney Spears era. I've had extensions...first purple, and then blue. Most recently, I chopped my hair off to donate to Locks of Love. I'm in the process of growing it out again to chop off and donate again.

Perhaps this hair flair is inspired by my mom. She might be the reason that the hair extension company stays in business. She's put a variety of colors of extensions in, and currently has feathers and glitter extensions. My mom is a pretty cool lady.

But I digress....

So I understand how fun it can be to change things around in your hair. Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj are known for the craziness they put on their head. So perhaps my student M was inspired by one of those fancy ladies.

M is a cute little girl. Her attitude leaves something to be desired, but when she smiles, she's quite adorable. I'd often compliment her hair; for picture day, she had adorable curled pigtails. Another time, her straight hair met a curling iron, and the result was quite chic. But a few weeks ago M (or, perhaps her mom decided for her) decided to get a weave. Well, I'm not even sure I can call this a weave. Because I think that weave is meant to be put into hair to make it more attractive. What M has on her head is a combination of Medusa snakes and a mop.

M has never been top-notch in the behavior category. She has some serious issues with respect, and often talks while I am talking or will talk back pretty fiercely. But I think this weave came with a curse. Maybe the chemicals got to her head, or the braids are just too tight, but her attitude has taken a serious nosedive. Funny, because I really didn't think it could get any worse. Some of the precious things I've encountered from M since she acquired her new 'do...

• "I want to break my foot!" (after kicking the wall while wearing slippers for PJ day)
• "I'm 3. No, I'm 1." (after discussing ways a 6-year-old should act)
• Running away from the class, down the stairs, while screaming "I'm just trying to get my stupid dollar!"
• Running away from the class, down the stairs, while waving her sweatshirt around like a helicopter above her head, and then whipping the staircase several times with her sweatshirt
• Pushing her desk away from herself, into another student.
• Screaming and running to hide under a desk after not receiving a holiday cookie because she pushed her desk away from herself and into another student.

There are many more...but I think I have pushed them from my brain. Stay tuned for more quotes though, because I don't see the Medusa mop going away anytime soon.