Countdown: 2 days

Feeling
A little frustrated, by the number of people that have asked me to think twice, thrice about shaving my head. Everyone except myself seems to be more afraid of what I will be doing! Not much fear today. Quite eager to shave. Feel a little sien (demoralised) because almost everyone is asking me not to do it. It's not like my hair will never grow again... I'll still do it but all these negativity is just dampening.

Pictures

My father called me and asked "Are you really going to shave your head?" to which I replied "Yes, I will". He then told me about his cousin whose couple friends had also shaved their heads for the same event last year. They had lots of glares and stares (even people looking from the corner of their eye), all trying to look at them and understand why they may be bald.

I cut my father off and said, "Hiyah, Pa! It's to be expected what. I am sure a lot of people are going to stare at me and I am aware of it". He also said that his cousin mentioned that there are many ways in supporting charitable organizations and shaving one's head bald is probably not the best option.

The funny thing is that it's not just my father who's trying to ask me not to shave my head bald but my friends and colleagues too!

Well I really appreciate people showing their concern and I know that they love me and worry for me but perhaps... it's my choice? Please be reminded that I'm under no pressure or obligation to do this. I just want to do this. It's just... my way of showing support. Some people would rather donate money but I don't like giving out money. Instead, I give emotional and physical support just like how I regularly donate my blood.

Pa if you're reading this, I'm not angry. Just don't worry for me okay? I know, you love me and want the best for me and I love you too!

Countdown: 3 days

Feeling
Rather neutral with occasional bouts of nervousness. Very excited, can't wait for the actual day. I don't know if it's my subconscious mind making up excuses but I would like my hair shaved off for the following reasons:

- it's been very hot lately and the baldness will give me a feeling of cool (I hope)
- My fringe is neither long nor short so it keeps getting into my face and irritates me
- I think I'm balding because a handful of hair drops whenever I wash it

Pictures

Wig

The whole HR department brought me out for lunch today. The purpose: to buy me a wig! 2 of my colleagues wanted to buy me a wig each. One long, one short. We took a taxi from Raffles Place to City Plaza (a quiet neighbourhood shopping centre) and my boss paid the taxi fare.

We went to this little shop called Sinma that had quite a variety of wigs. I tried on a few - short hair, bob hair and long hair. The short one looked weird on me. Even the Promoter told me that I looked too old for my age with the short hairstyle.

So I tried on a bob hair one. It was quite nice. It looked natural. I liked the design a lot but the colour was light brown (like hazel) and I wasn't used to light coloured hair. I have never dyed my hair since I was born and have always had jet black hair. So I tried on another where the colour was darker. Oh, the colour was nice. But I didn't like the hairstyle. It was ugly.

I then tried on some long haired wigs. They looked fake. One could tell at a glance that I was wearing a wig. Probably because the length of the hair made the wig heavy and didn't seem natural.

So it was only down to two wigs. The one with the nice design but not so nice colour or the one with the nice colour but awful design. I guess the choice is obvious. I picked the light coloured wig with the wonderful design. One of my colleagues shared my opinion but my other colleague and boss actually thought I looked nice in the wig that I picked.

Well I wouldn't be looking at myself so I guess if they're right then it's safe to get it. As we only ended up buying one wig, both my colleagues shared and paid for it. I am so touched.

We then went for lunch at Happy Restaurant where my boss paid. It was yummy. There was a buffet dessert/ salad/ soup/ fruit spread that came with each main course. I think it was quite worth the price.

Taking the cab from City Plaza back to the office, my boss paid again. How wonderful. I got a free lunch, free transport and a sponsored wig for my courageous act. hehe Perhaps I should make this a yearly affair...

2 Birds with 1 Stone

Today, one of my colleagues told me about a Locks of Love organization. It is a non-profit organization which collects hair from donors, that they make into wigs for financially disabled patients suffering hair loss from any kind of medical treatment, based in Florida, US.

I attach below, guidelines from their website. If my hair is long enough, I’ll ask that it be cut according to the guidelines so I can send in my hair for another good cause.

NO Turning Back

Up until now, I had been wanting to shave my head but kept having doubts so I decided to send a mass email to all my office colleagues which will prevent me from backing out. Here's the letter that I sent out:

Hello all,
In support of the Children's Cancer Foundation Sam and I are going to take symbolic action and sacrifice our locks to raise awareness of childhood cancer in Singapore.

Sam will be doing it on Thursday evening just before his last day of work here in SIO on Friday, 29th June. I, on the other hand will be doing it publicly at Novena Square on Sunday, 1st July.

Please show your support, either through monetary pledges, which will help the Foundation improve the quality of life for the children and their families, or by JOINING US! and help give the plight of child cancer a louder voice!

Many thanks to all!

Regards,
Sam & Yen Yi

I found a Shaving Friend

I was in the pantry getting some drinks and told a colleague about my desire to go bald and he said that he was going to do it too! Yay... So I won't be doing it alone.

Not that we're gonna be doing it together, side-by-side anyway. He's going to shave his head on Thursday evening as his last day of work here (he's a colleague from the States) is Friday whereas I will be doing it publicly at Novena Square.

If anyone of you reading this is interested to come and look at me, please do so. The event starts at 12 p.m. so I suggest you reach around that time.

See ya there!