Hello Alopecia World!

My mini-hiatus is over and I can finally begin to (somewhat) relax. I hope you all have been well.

I finished summer school last week, which is such a weight off of my shoulders. My job has been progressing nicely and I've finally finished the layout and edits on this year's season brochure, mini-pamphlet, ticket order form and fall newsletter. So for this next week it's just press releases and postcard designs for me until I finally get to go home! I'm taking a three week "vacation" back home to my beloved Nor Cal to see family, friends, and (hopefully) sleep. A lot.

In addition to the expected R & R will be the trip to SF to get my new wig from Miss Peggy. I'm excited but still trying to decide on a style. I'm thinking layered, a little below the shoulders...something similar to my old hair, but just shorter and not as thick. Any suggestions on similar celebrity cuts so I can bring in a picture to show Miss Peggy?

The other night my cousin asked me if I've ever considered tattooing eyebrows and makeup on my face to look more "normal." I'm not sure whether to be thankful for thinking of me enough to ask or offended because I apparently don't look "normal" now. My cousin is a 24 year old male who recently shaved his head because he wanted to try a different look. However, apparently having a shaved head is different for girls and women though because it's not "normal."

Okay then, so what IS normal, and who gets to define it? I did my five-week research on this whole subject of the beauty stereotype in America, but that still doesn't change my frustration when I hear comments about what I can do to look "normal."

(I personally am terrified of needles so tattoos are not in my future.)

I hope your summers are continuing along fabulously and keep smiling those beautiful smiles. =)