I really hope to use this site as a way to track my dreadlock journey, in pictures, in blog posts, and in the friendships I make with other users.A friend and I braided my hair about 5 weeks before I started TnR'ing. I remember being nervous about other people's reactions. I had never braided my hair before, and I worried about negative comments, especially those with a tinge of racism. I worried that I would be harrassed for being a "white girl" sporting a "black hairstyle." Those fears came from growing up in rural Arkansas where residential segregation still exists and where I'm sure I heard those comments from people in my community.But you know what happened? I received more compliments on my hair the last 5 weeks than I think I had received in the previous 20 years of my life. And they came from many races, ages, and genders. How beautiful that made me feel! How confident!When I started locking my hair, I was not longer worried about what other people might think of my hair. Yeah, there will be messy days, funky days, crazy days, but I'm looking forward to all of them. I know this will be a journey, and I am so excited for the experience.I finally finished with the TnR last night. Today as I walk into my office building, one of the building administrators asked if I was dreading my hair. I told her yes, and she said, "Well, it looks really good!" I just smiled and said thank you. What a wonderful way to begin the day.