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I Guest Blogged this Past Winter

June 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

Remember that update post that really was just a boring little report? I forgot to tell you mama, that I tried challenging myself in writing, by guest blogging at group blog during January and February.

The place is called “The Online Safehouse” and it was organized by longtime friend and source of inspiration, Margie Clayman. She invited me to participate and for once I didn’t say “well…I dunno…I’m not that confident in what I can offer…” Because the reasons for creating this group blog were so compelling. Continue Reading…

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At 17 I had No Idea How to Get Pretty

May 28, 2013 — Leave a comment

Mama, remember my senior pictures? Nearly a disaster, for reasons we’ll be discussing today. Oh the agony, the inner struggle, the aborted diva moment and momentary resentment of biology…Oh yeah, and clothes. The following story is one I can’t tell Almay for the NYC Makeover contest, but I felt like sharing anyway.

Beauty is MORE than skin deep

Beauty as it is defined in the public world is something we rarely discuss. The Matriarch would say, “child, that doesn’t even cross my little brain,” because for us, beauty is an attitude, the result of good habits. In our family, we know you can’t change your face, and whatever IS wrong that you can change can fall within two categories: Continue Reading…

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onejillian and mama on thanksgiving

First Beauty Lesson: Clean Skin Is Clear Skin

May 12, 2013 — 5 Comments

So, you remember when I first went natural, mama? It was an easy decision for me to make: I didn’t have much disposable cash to keep this open-ended investment going, and I also wasn’t pampering my hair much at all.

Continual breakoffs and battles with new growth convinced me to go ahead and make the switch to natural by getting my first big chop. I didn’t feel less pretty. If anything I got more in touch with my feminine side, finding ways to enhance that side of me. In all, it was one of the best beauty decisions I’ve made. Continue Reading…

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onejillian-nokia-lumina-822

How Nokia Crushed Verizon (And Motorola)

April 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

Mama, you know my ongoing struggle and the endless saga of The Phone I got in my last Verizon phone upgrade. It was nothing but trouble for me, after the first 6 months. At the one-year mark, you were present for the ungracious “customer service” I received regarding this prolonged phone issue. What I haven’t told you about is my Knight in Shining Armor: Nokia. Continue Reading…

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homemade natural deep conditioner

I Won’t Talk About Work.

March 24, 2013 — 1 Comment

It’s been an action-packed couple of months, mama. Remember when I got my haircut? I haven’t done anything with my hair since then, and it’s had a chance to rest and grow out for all this time. Continue Reading…

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onejillian big chop january

My New Haircut Is Hot!

January 29, 2013 — 11 Comments

Mama, I’ve been looking forward to my haircut for a long time. I was fretting about where I could get it done, though. Oddly enough, the city where I live in New York is a LOT like Frankfort. I mean…..it’s A LOT like Frankfort. So my choice was between the multitude of barbers working locally, in the Hudson Valley and the multitude of Natural Hair salons in New York City.

Yelp Chose My Natural Hair Stylist

Since I don’t know many people up here in the first place, it’s easy to imagine I didn’t have a lot of good advice coming my way about reputable natural hair stylists. My most urgent thought: “Who’s going to respect my hair in its natural state?” A salon that caters purely to styling NATURAL hair is my priority starting point. Continue Reading…

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OneJillianTasting Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt

Mama, Korean is hard.

January 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

I know you know I’m working on picking up Korean as a second language, Mama. But I’m here to tell you – Korean is hard. To keep my ear familiar with Korean, I’ve kept watching Kdramas and various Korean movies on Netflix and Drama Fever. But during 2012, there was a slight decline in picking up any new knowledge… Continue Reading…

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OneJillian Slapping a Bear in Denver, CO

Mama, Get In The Picture.

December 31, 2012 — 6 Comments

I know you like to take photos because you don’t like being on camera yourself, Mama. But in hindsight, is it all that pleasurable to be missing from literally years of your own life history? I say that because our photos of holidays and past visits could often leave something to be desired. Continue Reading…

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OneJillian's TWA July 2011

Mama, Talk To Me In Korean

December 27, 2012 — 2 Comments

Mama, over a year ago, I got WAY interested in Korean language. It was right after The General & The Kid moved to South Korea to be reunited with The Sergeant, remember?

In about the span of 6 months, I shot through beginning Korean lessons, learning the written form of the Korean language - Hangul - and the basic reading/speaking rules of it. Then I grabbed a little vocabulary, like numbers, some proper nouns, months/days/seasons, and a rough understanding of the history and geography of the peninsula… Continue Reading…

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Jillian Medium Fro August 2012

A Haircut Is Coming. After This Long Discussion.

December 24, 2012 — 5 Comments

Mama, you saw what happened with The Hairdo in October. As I told you a couple of weeks ago, I knew at the very moment the hairdo was getting underway that I would have to sheer my scalp like an Alpaca.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.

Our history with the cutting of my hair is long and storied, isn’t it mama? I still have a church photo from 1992, the year of my first foray into rocking short, curly fuzz. Oh yes.  Remember the 6th grade grown-up-woman Coming to America Jheri Curl? Continue Reading…

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