The Naked Beaver

The other day, I treated myself to a Brazilian wax and I went to arguably the best place in Edinburgh. It was expensive, but the technician was fast, friendly and experienced. When I left the establishment somewhat lighter, I knew in my heart I can't give up the goo. You see, when I first got my job, I laid down the dough and got a Brazilian, a full leg and underarm wax and paying the bill brought me closer to tears than having hair ripped out from the roots in my most sensitive areas. So I decided to take it easy and do DIY waxing/hair removal in an effort to save money. I kept this up from about February until July when I decided to go ahead and treat myself in the days leading up to the wedding. I went to a cheaper place and immediately regretted it. Dirty walls, hard, thick wax and a procedure that took double the length of time that I was used to. NEVER AGAIN. But I got a better result than what I do myself. So I decided that it was worth paying good money to go to a nice, clean place (read: expensive) to strip down to basically nothing and make small talk with a woman I've never met before and have her put hot wax on my va-jay-jay and confirm that I'd like my "bottom" done too.

But while I was lying there with my limbs akimbo, I wondered why us women do this to ourselves. We don't have to and it's debatable as to whether or not it's detrimental to our health and skin. I don't take my clothes off for money nor are my nether regions featured in blue movies. So why do I feel compelled, and ultimately satisfied, to be hairless? I don't think it's due to societal or relational pressures. I guess it just makes me feel nice. I would love to have a really good conversation about this. I'm interested to know why other women do it or don't do it, for that matter. Anyone care to chime in? Boys are allowed (I'm looking at you C7).

Looky looky...

I'm a wedding graduate featured on my favourite wedding blog. When I asked Dave if her minded if I put our wedding forward to be featured on a popular blog, he told me he didn't have any problem with me "pimping" our wedding. Da nerve. I had to explain that I was trying to do a service to others. How many Black brides do you see "out there"? Mmm? Exactly. Anyway, I'm rather proud. A Practical Wedding has helped me and so many brides and I'm just paying it forward.

Hey, you're still here? Go check it out!

I'm glad our wedding got featured because I'm not committed to going over and over it on this blog. I may write about it in the future, but I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a little sick of talking about it. I have a feeling I'll go back to it now and then, but only when I feel like I have something new to say about it.

Two years and counting

I mentioned recently that work has been kicking my ass, but hopefully, I've turned a corner (knock on wood). I had to have a talk with my boss and basically tell him that I was drowning and needed help. That is something I've never had to do in all my years of working but I co-coordinate the biggest programme in the School. *Sigh* I'm not going to get into it because I'm having a three day weekend and I don't want to ruin it by thinking about work.

Moving on.

I've been reveling in the wonders of Scotland. The weather has turned and the crispness and the changing leaves make me so happy. Dave, his parents and I went to an airshow last Saturday and it was hands down one of the best days I've spent in the UK. I've never been to an airshow before but I would definitely go again. What was really fab was the fact that the day was absolutely stunning. Clear blue skies and a hot, unapologetic sun. I was supposed to go to work that day to play catch up, but I called in "hell no" and joined my family on a sweet day out. It was particularly special because it was so great to see my mother-in-law so excited about a massive war plane.

One thing I love about the Scots is their pride in their culture and their history. I can't begin to explain how excited I get when I see men in kilts or hear a really good bagpiper. So it was a treat to see the military pipe band do their thing.

Sometimes I take it for granted that I live in a somewhat foreign country. I have become use to the accents, the foods and the rituals, but when I see something like this, I'm reminded of how fortunate I am and that I need to enjoy it while I'm here. It has been almost exactly two years since I landed at Glasgow airport and one year since we moved to Kirkcaldy. It's tough sometimes, especially since we have such a clear vision of our future and we can't wait to realize it, but I have to say, Scotland kicks ass. From time to time I'll show it off so that you can get a sense of what I experience and see.

** I'm sorry if I haven't responded to comments straight away. I'm not sure how to receive comments to my email. I used to be able to on my old blog but I'm having difficulty configuring this new one.

Mmmm. Guacamole.

I just made a big bowl of the g-stuff and that was the most fun I had all week. It has been C-R-A-Z-Y. It's the start of the academic year and since I'm pretty much the main point of contact, everyone knows my name. And not only that, they love screaming my name all the live-long day. I can expect another three weeks of this (plus a couple of Saturday catch up days) and it's going to be tuff. So I'm trying to get little bits of pleasure when I can. Like the guacamole. And watching trashy t.v. when Dave's not around, like "Paris Hilton's New BFF". And making beautiful cookies (seriously the best I've ever made). Because I'm prone to forget that life is made up of the little pleasures. When it's wall-to-wall hell I have to try even harder to remember that.

So, I'll be back soon. With stuff. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to eating my guacamole and sleeping in on Sundays.