Day 57- Teach for America (STL Region) and Heather

I get to donate to education today-- yahoo!

In honor of my entry about my classmates last year, I thought it was only fitting that I donate to something we all have in common... and by this I do not mean liquid refreshments or our suspicion that one of our professors also enjoyed liquid refreshments... before class (him, not us). 

Instead, I thought the most important thing we all have in common is our belief in education and public school systems.  One organization that really fits in with all of this is Teach for America.  Here's some information about them:

Since its inception in 1990, Teach For America has worked to close the education achievement gap by placing a corps of our most talented future leaders in under-served communities, providing students with excellent teachers and creating an alumni force of influential advocates working for systematic change from every sector. Your donation will help us continue to recruit, train, and provide ongoing support to our corps members and to foster long-term change through our alumni network.

http://www.teachforamerica.org/

When you donate (which you will, of course), the site even lets you pick a specific region you'd like to support if that interests you.  I decide to keep my money somewhat local.  There are definitely a whole lot of schools are this area who could use it! 

This program does amazing work.  It turns teachers into leaders and advocates for their community and for education.  It sends people with good intentions into schools with bad problems.  It pushes to end educational inequality.  It's just plain nice.

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When I was little (up until just a few years ago), my mom took me in for regular haircuts.  On schedule.  Without fail.  I really don't know how she did it, but the older I get, the more I appreciate it.   

We didn't have a whole lot of money in the early years, but Mom would always make sure that only people who knew what they were doing were allowed anywhere near our hair.  Cheap haircuts that looked like cheap haircuts were just not good enough for her girls. 

I'm also not sure how she made the time.  I find myself so busy these days that I don't even make time to call to make an appointment for a haircut, let alone make it to one.  By the time I remember to call, it's 9 o'clock, and I put it off one more day.  One day turns into two... two into three... three into three weeks.  Luckily, I don't use a lot of product or heat on it, so it takes a while for my hair to become a complete and total disaster.  When I start to get split ends, tangles, and crazy flyaway layers, I finally know it's time to make the time. 

I paid a visit to my girl Heather today.  She's a lifesaver (okay, maybe just a hairsaver, but still).  She is always able to squeeze me in ASAP.  This often means that she finds time the next day.  She's pleasant, does a nice job, and doesn't charge too much.  She works at a salon five minutes from my house.  I tip accordingly.  I took a huge step forward with Heather this fall when I let her to highlight my hair.  It took me two years of seeing her to build the kind of trust I needed for such a bold move, and she did not disappoint.  It was the beginning of a beautiful hairship.  Friendhair?  Hmm... that one still needs work.  I wrote a paper in college that was mildly amusing about how hairdresser-client relationships resemble dating relationships in just about every way.  In that case, I have to say that Heather is a keeper, and we are currently exclusive.

I always leave Heather with a bounce in my step and some bouncier hair.  Ahh...

Thank you, Heather, you made my day.

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