Kalizya applying Deva Curl products

I arrived at my summer destination of Washington, D.C. this week.  One of my first outings was “Curl’s Night Out.”  It was hosted by the Hela Salon & Spa in Chevy Chase, to introduce curly girls to Deva Curl products.  According to the flyers at the event “Deva Curl products are created for a healthy, frizz-free and easy-to-manage curly hair lifestyle.”  I had been around the house all day recovering from the seven hour drive and unpacking.   I came across the email invitation and decided to get out of my pajamas and go. Plus it was an opportunity to see my friend and stylist Adrin.

When I arrived at the salon it was filled with women representing multiple ethnicities, with every curly hair pattern, all dining on sushi, sipping champagne and sharing information on how to best manage your curls.  Washington is extremely humid during the summer. Humidity is a curly girl’s enemy.    It’s no surprise that the event attracted so many women.     Demonstrations of the products from Deva Curl were conducted by stylists at the salon.  The demos  based on different curl pattern types.  There were also stylists mingling in the crowd answering questions.     

I attended the demo session on zigzag curl patterns.  A very large number of the women in attendance jammed the shampoo room to see and hear stylist Kalizya Hutchinson.  It was literally standing room only as she worked on the model’s hair.  Kalizya talked about the importance of conditioning curly hair.  She recommended using Deva Curl’s Heaven in Hair Deep Conditioner and demonstrated the best way to apply it and detangle curls (never with a comb or brush, use your hands.)    There was also a question and  answer session as the stylist worked on the model’s hair.   One of the major concerns of the crowd was frizzy hair.   She stated that the major contributor to frizz is hair that is not hydrated.  Most shampoos are too harsh and dehydrate hair.  She used Deva Curl’s No-Poo shampoo on the model’s hair and recommended it along with deep conditioning to combat frizz.  

It was a fun and informative evening and I can’t wait to return to the salon for my appointment.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Mykonos from Prof Mac's 2009 summer vacation

This weekend I am leaving my college town for the summer.  Graduation took place two weeks ago but professors were officially on campus until the 15^th for meetings and end of the year reports.  During this time period there was an awards luncheon recognizing faculty and staff service.   The highlight of the post graduation week was the soiree celebrating the university’s reaccreditation.  It was held at a lush local resort.  There was an open bar, a live band and dancing.   My professor crew and I danced until the end of the event and continued the party at a local bar.  Now that the students have left town everyone is letting his/her hair down.  Our crew celebrated Cinco de Mayo and toasted the end of the semester.   

I haven’t been to my office in a week.  I got all of my reports in pretty quickly so that I could have some me time.  Instead I have been exercising and packing for my summer trip to back to D.C.    During the summer I will be doing more than catching up with friends.   I’m speaking at the T. Howard Foundation’s Internship Orientation in a few weeks. Also in June, I will spend a week at New York University to study media in the Middle East.  Three of my colleagues (including my two favorite professor divas) will also be on NYU’s campus for seminars as well.   In July I will be participating on a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Philadelphia.  The panel is on composing syllabi for journalism classes.   Professor Cali and I were both suggested as participants by our dear supporter @AvWeekBenet.   I look forward to NABJ every year to see all of my friends and colleagues from my journalist days and to expand my network. 

Professors are not totally off during the summer break.  This is the time to prep for fall classes.  However I do have plans to go to the beach, enjoy the time off in one of my favorite cities during my favorite season.    

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Ashly Campbell Photography

Although I’ve been tweeting and updating my Facebook status, it has been a while since I wrote a post.  Professor Cali and I are on different academic schedules.   Our midterms and spring breaks took place at different times.  Midterms week was chaos; collecting and grading projects and students trying to negotiate for better grades.   I was determined for my spring break to truly be a break; that meant late nights and going into isolation at work to finalize grades.  I never give midterms on Fridays because as I tell my students “I’m ready to leave town as much as you are.”   On average the students received mostly Bs.  In one of my public relations classes the highest grade was a C.  As the classes completed its assignments the grades got better.   Then I was off to, Washington, DC! 

As usual I had a great time in “the urea.”  Once again I forgot to go to American University to purchase regalia.   I never think about it while I am in town.    During April and May there are three occasions of which I will need to wear it.   My friend the Professor Diva of Voice has an extra robe that I have on extended loan.  It’s not full regalia but I’m covered. `

On Saturday I returned to the pollen laden south and went back to class on Monday.  I was so groggy but thinking about the Prince concert that night, got me through the day.    This week the weather has been gorgeous, 80+ degrees daily.    There are only a few weeks left in the semester. However there has been an extreme amount of goofing off by the students.   The first day I thought ok we all have to readjust after spring break.  By mid-week I was over it; students showing up 30 minutes into class, being disruptive with chatter and laughter.  Even the students in my “Dream Class” have been exhibiting this behavior.     This week I feel like I have been scolding students, which is ridiculous in a college setting.    One of my colleagues  shrugged and said to me everyone has spring fever now.   So do I, but the students must understand that you must still handle your business and conduct yourself appropriately until the end of the semester.  Be careful students, there’s still a chance of contracting fail fever.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

kugelfish

College campuses have an economy of its own, where everything is considerably lower priced than in the outside world.   Since relocating to the south from Washington, D.C., I’ve enjoyed reverse sticker shock for goods and services except for dry cleaning.   The one price for all garments concept has not reached this city yet.   But on campus exorbitant prices are nonexistent.  Lunch in the faculty dining room is $7 for an entrée, salad, dessert and drinks.  This also comes with ambiance, waiters, white tablecloths, piano music and original art hanging on the walls.  The 24 oz. Diet Coke that often brings me out of my afternoon coma is $1.    Attending the ballet, opera or plays are free or a very nominal suggested donation.  

The best savings of all I have found is on hair care.  My stylist Adrin in D.C.  is from the college town where I live and recommended a stylist to me when I moved here.   For a year she has been styling my hair. This semester our schedules frequently do not coincide.   A few weeks ago I desperately needed to have my hair  blown out but could not get an appointment with my stylist.   Therefore I decided to try the top stylist on campus.  I see great examples of her work daily including her own hair.  She’s a senior ,works  at the TV and radio stations, is in a sorority, has an internship, maintains a high G.P.A.  and received a cosmetology license while in high school.  I pondered whether having a student style my hair was appropriate. or not.   Then I learned of all the other faculty, staff and administrators that she has been styling for years.   My reservations went out the window and I made an appointment.  The student came to my house. Normally she styles in her room, but you know the diva was not going up in the dorm.  When she was done my hair looked as if I had just gotten a relaxer instead of being over due for one.   The blow-out rivaled the work at Dominican salons.   After she was done she wrapped and scarfed my hair.  This was superior at home service all for $15!  I was tempted to ask if she would read me a bedtime story too.   This week she relaxed my hair, styled and rolled it all for $35.   The Phytorelaxer cost more at Sephora than her services.   College life is great! I’m going to weep at her graduation and will be contacting all of my friends to help her find a job.   Until then I will continue to tip well.

Last weekend I traveled to Washington, D.C.  Instead of packing my large pack of makeup removal wipes I grabbed the sample pack of Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes that I received at Blogalicious.  On Friday I used the wipes for the first time and am now hooked!  The cucumber was very soothing to my skin, especially around my tired eyes. I taught two classes on Friday and advised students before leaving campus for the airport.  The wipes also did an excellent job of removing my makeup. It did not feel soapy or produce bubbles, as some wipes I’ve used in the past have. The bubble effect can be particularly irritating, literally when removing eye shadow and mascara.  I’ve ended up with red eyes as a result.   
 
However, the Yes to Cucumbers wipes simply removed the makeup and left my face feeling clean. Prior to Blogalicious I was not familiar with this company. Since I am a professor I did some research and discovered that the Yes to brand has been around since 2006.  The company’s website describes the brand philosophy as “a consumer-inspired line of hair and skin products born out of a desire to make you look and feel your most happy and radiant.” 

The line also includes Yes to Blueberries, Carrots and Tomatoes products. All of the products are made with “organic fruits and vegetables and a special mineral elixir derived from the Dead Sea.” The facial towelettes are hypoallergenic, paraben-free and biodegradable.  The very reasonably priced ($5.99 for the my wipes) Yes to products are available online and at a wide range of national grocery and drug stores.   Furthermore the company allocates a portion of all proceeds to the Yes To Carrots Seed Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports sustainable agriculture.  
 
After my trip to D.C., I’ve continued to use my sample pack of Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes. Hopefully I can find a full size package before my small supply has been depleted.
 

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Steve Snodgrass

Usually I leave town most weekends and definitely on all school breaks.  Today marks the end of fall break, a four day weekend and I never left.   Everyone that knows me figured I would be off to Washington, D.C.   One of my colleagues who also relocated from the D.C. area asked me on Friday, “When are you leaving for DC? I leave at four.”   I’m going to D.C. next month so I didn’t plan a trip there for fall break.   Last weekend I was in Miami, so for fall break I decided to visit another city within my state.  The friend I was planning to visit unexpectedly had to work so my trip was cancelled.   It can be tough living in a college town socially and during the weekends it’s extremely difficult because all activities are for the students.   

Although I began my break by sulking, I ended up enjoying it.   I went shopping for a Halloween costume, some new accessories and spent Saturday hanging out with one of my favorite cousins. He had been inviting me to his house for a year and I finally made it over.   The weather was warm enough to grill and sit outdoors.   Sunday I attended church where another cousin is the pastor. This was my first time seeing him since I returned from spending the summer in D.C.  His message of change and training the mind to direct your destiny was just what I needed to hear.   

I haven’t been to the grocery store in two weeks.  On Sunday I went shopping instead of going after work when I’m tired and all of the produce is gone on Monday evenings.    After shopping I had lunch with my oldest sister and then went to her house another place where I haven’t been in months, although we live only 20 minutes apart.   I caught up on DVR’d episodes of Oprah.   

 This week I am moderating a panel on the role of the female anchor woman.  I conducted some research to prepare for the very astute panelists I will be questioning.    One of the panelists is Professor Diva Cali.  During the break I also prepared for my emcee duties for the Miss University Coronation by getting my eyebrows waxed, scheduled a hair appointment and also went to rehearsal.    On Monday and Tuesday I went to the gym during the day.  It was nice to avoid the after work crowds.     

Fall break was very relaxing, productive and I spent quality time with family.   It was not the way I intended to spend the time off, but just what I needed to get ready for the second half of the semester.   

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

My earliest memories of my Aunt Anne are of her emerging from the car after a 12-hour trip from New York to South Carolina and still looking radiant.   She always traveled chic, no sweats allowed.   When she arrived in Washington, D.C. for my graduate school graduation this past spring those memories came to mind.  More than 20 years later she was still the chicest traveler.

Anne traded South Carolina for NYC in 1968. She dove into city life; always looking fabulous, attending Broadway shows, and dining at hot restaurants.  She was the most glamorous person I’d ever seen. There were many suitors that tried to “Put a ring on it” but she was the original “Miss Independent” and preferred holidaying in the Caribbean to domesticity.  

Although she was living the glamorous life she loved visiting her family in South Carolina and hosting them in New York.  Her siblings provided her with an army of nieces and nephews that she doted on.  When I was little, I’d help her unpack when she came to visit.  I loved her clothing’s fabric, especially the furs!  I’d ask why there was an LV on her brown luggage when her initials were AW.   It was diva training!

During my trips to New York she introduced me to her city.  When I was interning in New York every Sunday she gave me subway tokens, made me dinner, and styled my hair into a chignon or French twist that withstood the summer heat.  Her closet was my “Bag, Borrow or Steal.” I borrowed Louis and Gucci.  Years later I was so proud to introduce Anne and my mom (her older sister) to my then city of Washington.  We shopped, saw a play, and dined at Zola and B. Smith’s.

Anne retired at the age of 52 and returned to South Carolina.  She reconnected with old friends, learned to drive, and bought her first car: a Mercedes. If I had become really busy and didn’t call her, soon I’d receive a voice mail message laced with love and encouragement. I saved her messages and listened to them several times.

When I returned to South Carolina this summer we were both excited that we could now spend more time together.  She quickly corrected anyone that called me a teacher and said “she’s a professor.” All year she had been experiencing mysterious health problems.  She endured test after test with style and grace and in heels.   She was a woman of faith and was confident that she would beat this mystery illness.  Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and the prognosis was bleak.   Anne made all the decisions about her treatment although she could only communicate through written notes now. On Monday night she returned to her home instead of going to a hospice facility. Her siblings rallied around and prepared to care for her. Tuesday morning she made her transition.

I’m devastated.  We wanted to go to California together, holiday shop at the Saks outlet, and one day I’d have a daughter that she would be a great aunt to.  At 62, my original diva exited too soon.

For more information on Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), please visit http://www.alsa.org/.

Professor Diva Mac