Donna's Salon Utopia

--> My first hairdresser was my mother, and between her knees my hair was transformed from wild, wild hair to a tame ‘do of braids that looked more “presentable” for school. It was early in my life, at the age of 10, the time that many psychologists believe that personality is set, that I entered the world of the salon. I have fruitlessly looked for a “perfect” salon for about 16 years now. Salon Utopia on the web gives me a chance to create what I have come to believe as a perfect salon experience. As time has passed I have gained many skills, some of them have to do with self-hairdressing, many of them have to do with the media. I have learned how to create stories and information in various media formats, such as sound, video, still photographs, journalistic and academic writing. There is nothing like the web that I am aware of that exists that makes it possible to bring together all these formats. The web makes it possible for me to exercise many of the skills I have le...

Hello everyone! I started my PhD program as a full-time student officially on May 3, 2010. I am taking one online course in foundations of curriculum with Dr. Heather Sykes and an in-class course with Dr. Stephanie Springgay on arts-based research. I am enjoying both tremendously. With the online course, it is really interesting how you can respond to the discussion postings, as well as produce work that has links to videos, podcasts and include stories from blogs and photographs. I'm having a lot of fun with it. I have not received any marks back yet, however I hope the fact I am having a lot of fun with it is an indication that I am doing well. The arts-based research class is a blast too. On the first day we all learned some fascinating things about the origin of arts-based research, as well as some of the schools of thought on the topic. On the second day, we went down to Trinity Square Video at 401 Richmond St. W. in Toronto and saw three documentaries and a piec...

Things are going great. I'm starting my PhD in May. I have some great part-time job prospects on the horizon. I will most likely be working in French again - which I love. My students are terrific! I was just doing some marking today and the things they come up with are excellent. I'm so proud of them. I especially love it when they come to class. I'm taking on an intern from Seneca College's Journalism program. He will be working with Donna Magazine for a month at least. He's a very promising writer named Chris Temelkos and expect to see great stuff from him on the mag. I'm coming up with a strong idea for my dissertation at the University of Toronto that will follow in the tradition of Salon Utopia and Afro Forever . Afro Forever was the original title of my thesis at Concordia University that I did more than 10 years ago. I'm loving the Macbook Pro I'm typing on now and I know it is going to come in very hand for the work I will doing over a few yea...

Well...after more than 10 years of being out of school to formally study - I'm going back. I received today my official letter of acceptance from OISE/University of Toronto to do my PhD in curriculum, teaching and learning development. I feel lucky. It's even raining in Toronto today. The thing is, and the great thing is, I did not get into the University of Toronto's PhD programs on first try. This year marks about four years of applications, every time a round came up just to the University of Toronto. This does not even include my years of applications to York University and Ryerson University. Bothering all of my bosses, former teachers and colleagues over so many years as I applied from one program to the next - sometimes throwing that dart at the same program over and over to get rejected just the same. Thank you to those of you who were so patient, supportive and encouraging. All this to say that perseverance pays off. I am so happy with where I have landed and it is...

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I'm actually having a good hair day. I've included a picture of one of the worst hair moments of my life. I became inspired to actually express how I am doing with my hair by reading some of a blog on someone doing their MA in TESOL. That sounds so interesting and I remember how busy I was when I was doing my thesis on the politics of black hair at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. It consumed most of my life, even though I still made time to do other things, such as work. Things are going well lately with my book sales. Currently there is a $5 off coupon to celebrate Canada Day until July 8, 2009. When you buy, you need to enter CANADADAY. This would be a great way to buy What Happened to the Afro? or as many books as you like. I am up to 25 written books by me. Well, actually, one of them is edited. There is also another code that is for 10 per cent off. This one can work out well too for bigger purchases. I have bought some of my own books so I can showcase them at ...

I knew I had a problem seeing far when I would sit really close to the television by about the age of six. Once I reached higher up in the school and I needed to sit at the front of the class to see the chalkboard, glasses were an obvious consequence by time I turned about 12. At first I did not want to wear glasses, however I found the frames fun. I came across a pair of white ones and would wear them without the lenses, even though I needed still needed to see. Growing up in the 1980s in the age of the material girl, looking your best was a priority and glasses did not always go with that image. I had not heard of anyone who had received laser eye surgery – I really did not even know what it was. At first when laser eye surgery came out there were reports about people going blind. Others would say it changed their lives. I decided to just stick with my contacts, no matter how much they bothered me. I did know of some cultural groups who would get surgery to add an eyelid to their eye...

There are many ways you can prevent needing eye surgery at all and always make sure that you have 20/20 eyesight. If you are a parent, make sure you do not allow your children to sit too close to a television set. As well, when they are reading, the area should be well-lit. This is also true when you are an adult and your are parenting yourself. Always make sure that you do not sit too close to the television set, as well keep in well-lit places when you are reading. You may also want to try to purchase or borrow books from the library that are in large print, creating less strain on your eyes from small type. Make sure you get enough sleep, this is also important for maintaining proper eye care. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes as well because this disturbs your cornea. When in front of the computer screen, make sure it is set up properly so that it does not disturb your eyes. Make sure you have enough light to do your work. As well, it is important to take breaks when you are working a...

Most people feel fear when it comes to doing any surgical procedure. The eyes are a delicate area and anything can happen. If you pick the right time to do your surgery, this may help problems to occur. Choosing the right time to do your eye surgery is key to the success of it. If you are already feeling stress in your life and things are quite chaotic, it is probably not the ideal time to have surgery done on your eyes. It is best to choose a time when everything is going well for you – when things are going smoothly. This way you can also find the time to heal and enjoy the new change in you. Making sure you get the adequate time off work, or even scheduling it during your holiday may make for a pleasant experience as well.

When I think of how difficult it is for me to see at night, this does make me think of laser eye surgery. My vision is so bad at night that sometimes I do not even go out. When I am sitting in my backyard and have seen raccoons passing by around garbage and recycling days, once in awhile I have mistaken them for cats. My vision is really bad at night. Laser eye surgery could be something that would correct this. I have heard some people say that they find when they do the surgery their night vision looks a little like a cable TV when the connection is not as strong. I know other people where their vision with laser eye surgery is so good it is like looking at HDTV. This must be really great. During the day when I can see better, I once saw the brothers from Lasik and Lasik Eye Surgery bicycling down the street close to where I live. This is something else that would be great with eye surgery too. There would be an ability to bicycle without worrying about wearing eyeglasses that can re...

Considering this column is called Iris's Perspective, I could not help but focus on a place called IRIS Laser Eye Surgery. Eye surgery allows more freedom when you are golfing, swimming, driving or shopping. Restoring one's natural vision can be a dream of a lifetime. The process of gaining the freedom to see without glasses or contact lenses can be quite easy. IRIS has been the business of providing laser vision surgeries since 1998. They have clinics in Montreal and Vancouver. Both of the locations feature North America's Carl Zeiss MEL 80 laser, Wavefront Sciences Aberrometre and AMO Amadeus Microkertome – this is the latest and most advanced equipment. Visit IRIS to find out how laser vision correction may be the right choice for you.

Not everyone who wants to get eye surgery can get eye surgery because something may be wrong with their eyes that would prevent getting the surgery done. If this is the case for you, there are some inexpensive choices you can make to find eye wear. Many people will go to the Dollar Store to buy reading glasses. For the cost of just $1 CDN, you can find reading glasses that will help you to get through everything you need to see with to read. As well, at one time when I was not receiving benefits, I went to the Dollar Store and bought a pair of sunglasses, punched out the lenses and got prescription lenses put in to help with the near-sighted life I lead. I found this to be an extremely inexpensive way to deal with not having an insurance plan to pay for my glasses at the time. The whole thing cost me about $40 to $60. Later when I did have an insurance plan I bought other glasses that snapped because a child in my life kept playing with them. I went back to my old glasses from the Doll...

Despite what people are saying about actress Nicolette Sheridan having cosmetic surgery, she insists that her looks come down to “good genes.” Sheridan is one of the stars of “Desperate Housewives.” At 44 she says she has not been under the knife yet, however does not rule it out for the future.

Plastic surgery is not just for the wives of Hollywood stars anymore – their husbands are getting it too. George Clooney has admitted to some eye work, many other men are spending thousands to fight the signs of aging. Chiseling the jaw line, getting rid of fat in the rear end and bellies, as well as smoothing wrinkles around the eyes are some of the surgeries men are performing to give them the edge in the business world, physicians are saying. In 2007, men did 1 million cosmetic procedures; this is an increase of 17 percent from 2006. The major growth for men is in non-surgical procedures such as Botox, lip plumping and skin resurfacing. These procedures have increased 21 percent. In the United States, the common surgical procedures for men are liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose work, male breast reduction and hair transplants. Men are also getting laser hair removal, micro-dermabrasion, and fillers to plump up sagging cheeks and laser skin resurfacing.

There are so many people out there who believe that looks make them matter that are seeking out professional experts. This results in cosmetic surgery. Sometimes, not everyone can afford plastic surgery that would then lead them to find other ways to finance it. Taking out loans for cosmetic surgery has become more common. In some cases, people are taking out any where from 1,000 to 2,5000 British pounds sterling to get such treatments done as breast augmentation, liposuction, hair transplantation, plastic surgery and laser treatments. These loans are different from other loans and are available in a secured and as an unsecured way. With the secured loans, you would need to pledge any valuable asset. This is beneficial for major surgeries and the interest rate is lower. Unsecured loans offer a smaller amount and are good for minor surgeries. The interest rate is slightly higher. These loans are basically short term loans where the repayment usually takes about two to five years maximum...

Britney Spears is planning to undergo cosmetic surgery because she has slacked off her diet sources say. Spears would like her body to be the way it was before she had kids. Spears has been ripping pages out of magazines to choose what she thinks are her favourite body parts. Sources say Spears is insecure over how much her body has changed since having her kids. She is reported wanting to do whatever it takes to be back to her best, even if that means plastic surgery. Psychologist Linda Blair says that Britney may need more than just plastic surgery to feel better about herself. Blair says people often think plastic surgery is the answer and will solve their problems when it really does not. Spears is looking into getting a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast enhancement and rhinoplasty. She is also looking to get a chemical peel for her facial skin.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) says that 2.8 million botox procedures were done last year. This makes botox the most popular cosmetic procedure since 2000. The numbers just keep rising and have jumped to 82 percent in the past five years. Although many reports about botox have been positive, there have also been some alarming trends such as “Botox parties.” This is when a group of people get together to have botox performed. The ASAPS says that it is important that if you are seeking botox you need to make sure a qualified person does it. These are some of the questions they would ask: · Have you been asked to provide a complete medical history? · Have you been advised on alternative treatments? · Have you been advised of the risks and given your informed consent? Is a qualified clinician administering the treatment? · Is the physical setting appropriate for administering medical treatment, including handling emergency situations? · Do you kno...

In the past, the only place available for Filipinos to look great was to go to their neighbourhood beauty salon. Now there are many places to choose from such as the facial salon, the spa, the medi-spa, the cosmetic surgeon and more. Dr. Jay, who established his cosmetic surgery and beauty services eight years ago, says he has seen an increase in Filipinos requesting his services. He also says the prospects for the future are good. Jay’s business called Faces & Curves also gets many foreign clients through the medical tourism program. They call these clients balikbayans, from the U.S., Japan and Europe. In the Philippines, prices for plastic surgery are more affordable. They are one-third less than in the U.S. or Europe. Breast augmentation can be anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000. Their website also helps to drive a lot of clientele to Faces & Curves too. They do about 30 surgeries a month. Not just anyone can get surgery; they do a test before they decide to take the client on. ...

If you are looking for that perfect get-away and to rejuvenate yourself to look younger at the same time, you just might find it in Malaysia. There is a holiday called “Beautiful You” offered in Malaysia. This holiday specializes in cosmetic surgery abroad. It is the first of its kind. This unique world-renowned medial organization is located in Malaysia. These foreign top-quality medical facilities offer cosmetic surgery at the fraction of the cost you would find them in places like the United States, Europe and Japan. The added benefit to doing these services abroad is that you would not need to pay taxes on them either. The facility makes sure that if you are at all worried about traveling to a foreign country alone, a patient coordinator will assist you with everything you need such as learning the local customs, as well as helping you with the language differences. This will allow you to relax and to be able to truly call it your “beauty holiday.” Instead of needing to go to follo...

The popularity of plastic surgery is huge. In Toronto, Canada there have been reported cases of people who have had the surgery and things have happened to them as serious as death. Does this mean there should be stricter regulations on cosmetic surgery? Some places in the world have strict regulations, while others do not. The training of the surgeon should be considered an important factor, as well as the research you have put into finding the perfect doctor for you to do the surgery. Going with recommendations can help a lot. At least you would know that the surgeon has a good reputation and will most likely do a good job for you too. In Canada, there is an association called the College of Physicians and Surgeons where you can find out more about the surgeons you are researching. You can also find out what are the ideal qualifications for a surgeon for you. Most surgeons have studied for about eight to 10 years after graduating from medical school. You should also find out in terms...