As strange as it may seem, I am thankful that I found a hairdresser I liked and who did a good job on my hair.  I had found the salon online without any recommendations and my first appointment was for a perm.  Perms can be fickle although usually my perms last for more than a year which is unusual.  But also going to an unknown means I didn't know if I'd get on well with the person working on my hair.  It all turned out good and I found out, too, that some of the new friends I made from school here, also go there.