Living in Asia has many kinds challenges, especially when certain things are NOT the “norm.” 

Fine hair is looked upon as being “cat hair.”  If anyone knows anything about hair, then you know that a Westerner’s hair is NOT “cat hair.”  To be honest, I have always had a feeling down deep to not trust the hair dresser that just looks at you, without touching your hair and says, “Oh! Cat hair!”

I have tried to give some hair dressers a chance, while holding my breath the whole time or just praying inside that I would not be totally ruined.  One time I went for perm and made sure that she only used water while rolling the perm rods.  I thought that it had taken until one hour after I left the shop and my hair style went completely flat on my head.  I was surprised when I called and told her what happened.  She told me to come back the next day and she would give me another perm.

I waited two days and went back, but that day was different.  In her head she was sure that she needed to use the perm solution while rolling it.  The only problem was she put some of the solution on my head and began rolling the rods.  After five minutes, she was called away to give advice and didn’t return to finish the rolling for five to ten minutes.  I was counting the minutes thinking that the solution was on my head.  She simply poured more solution on and finished the rolling.  She then finished and poured all the solution and began timing.  I kept thinking about the 45 minutes the solution had already been on my head.  Needless to say, my “fine hair” was not styled but just “fried.” 

What does a person like me do living here?  You have to pay a lot of money, yet it ruins your hair. 

Since we are not traveling and have no access to get western perms, I began praying and talking to the Lord about my situation.  I kept looking worse and worse, but had no idea what I could do.  If I had a western perm I could have it put in, but I wasn’t sure if I had one and how old it was. 

One day on a very small road on the way into the city, I realized that there were new signs that had been put up.  What caught my attention was that they were only in English out where most everything is only in Japanese.  The signs were black with red lettering:  Prime Hair Salon with only a telephone number.  I noticed that the shop was sitting back in the middle of nowhere.

In April my friend and I talked with the lady who opened this new beauty shop about my hair.  She said that she was willing to work with me and try to figure out the best way to work with my hair.  She was a real doll.  I thought, “What a dream come true finally.”  We made the appointment and I went in the next day.  She used her normal products and it looked good.  This time four hours after I left her shop, my hair was completely flat on my head.  All the curl and volume had disappeared.   

She welcomed me to come back and bring my western perm.  She said that she put it in and not charge me anything.  I also took the western perm rods I had from the states.  It was all new for her, but she was a trooper.  Not only did the old perm work out, but she was great to work concerning the way I asked her to cut it.  She had never seen such a style, because most everyone here has long, straight hair.  Those who have any curl always have it permed to straighten it.  I wanted mine flipped up in the back.  We had several good laughs together.  How refreshing to know that I was not being classified as “cat hair.”  I felt like a human as she was so patient and sweet working with my hair.

I went back in June for a trim and learned how special she is.  I am going to post pictures of where her shop is just so you can appreciate my story and know it is real.   I still can’t believe that she opened up her shop literally out in the rice fields.  AMAZING!  I believe God heard my prayers and answered.

When I returned to her shop in June she opened up and told what had been happening in her life.  In May she had flown to Osaka and was in a National Competition of not only hair styling, but the nails, make-up and style.  My new little friend, Emika, won FIRST PLACE in that National Competition.  

As I looked at the pictures and her awards, I just thanked God for blessing me in the middle of nowhere with one of the best.  Most of all, I now have a new friend, Emika.  Here she is holding her awards.                      

                                                                                                                                                                          Sharon