Danielle’s Submission Letter

My name is Danielle McGhee, and I am a BLACK woman.

Being a black woman comes with many GIFTS and equally as many CURSES. But the one thing that is on both of those lists is my NAPPY ROOTS…

At the age of 9 or 10, my mom gave me my first relaxer. She was tired of tugging and pulling just keep my thick, long hair tamed. I was excited! My ponytail actually moved when I swayed my head from side to side. When I wore my hair down, I felt so BEAUTIFUL… Shoot! I thought I had white girl hair.

Throughout the years I struggled to keep my hair healthy and grow it longer than right above my shoulders. I just thought GENETICALLY my hair would never grow that long.

Five years ago my best friend decided to go natural and as I observed her progress, I was amazed at the rate of GROWTH she had. I wanted that! It took a few years, but finally, exactly one year ago, I decided I would transition from relaxed to NATURAL.

At first, I survived on the Dominicans to keep my hair looking right. Man, they are good! But the process was grueling because as my hair got THICKER, the harder it was for them to comb my hair out. So my next move: The Weave Shop. Here in Atlanta, they throwing in weaves for $50!! You can’t beat that. I knew a SEW-IN would give me the FREEDOM I wanted…

But after 5 months of that, it got old. I wanted to feel my scalp again! My boyfriend is also not a fan of the weave so I thought I’d try to see how I could manage my own hair. Last week, I took my hair out and to my amazement, my hair hung below my shoulder. WORD!! That alone was the motivation I needed not to EVER get another relaxer.

Being that it’s been two weeks without my weave and with almost 5 inches of new growth, I still do not know what to do.

Here are my questions:

1. Is it possible for me to wear the wet and wavy (curly) look? If so, what products do I need?

2. What’s the best way to comb out natural hair? I’m always afraid I’m doing more damage than good.

3. When wearing my hair straight, what techniques can I use to keep the edges and roots in tact while I’m working out?

4. And my edges look thin to me, how do I stimulate more growth in that area?

5. I wear a ponytail everyday, what are some other styles I can wear during these hot summer days?

I would like to thank Alumni Roundup for this opportunity.

Naturally Yours,

Danielle

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Tracy’s Submission Letter
Hi my name is Tracy Alladice and I would love to be considered for the Naturally Yours Contest.
I made the decision to commit to the natural hair in January 2010. Mind you I’ve been natural several times only to give up at the point where I am frustrated with same old two strand twist, twist out, blow out, and braid out fro style. I tend to get bored with my hair because I feel very limited in styling options. However going back to the relaxer in 2009 made me realize that having relaxed, lifeless, shedding, dull hair was NOT the look for me and as soon as the “creamy crack” hit my hair, I knew it.

After wearing sew-in weaves and braids for a few months while trying to grow out my hair, I made the journey to a barber shop near my house in Dunwoody (Jan 2010) to get my hair cut, do the B.C. (Big Chop) yet again and hopefully for the last time. Now on the natural journey again and I have committed myself to being natural for life. I would love to find a salon that can teach me about my hair type and what products and styles work best with MY texture. Right now my routine consist of washing my hair weekly with Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo, conditioning with Jane Carter Nourishing Conditioner, and they I usually style my hair with (usually in two strand twists) with either ORS Twist and Loc Gel or the Mango Lime Twist and Loc Creme.

I would love to win the contest so I can have a professional natural hair stylist teach me exactly what to do to achieve styles that I love, help me fall in love with my hair, and to take care of my hair in a way that is healthy. I feel really constrained by my current style(s) and am desperate for some versatility in the life of my hair.

Please pick me because I would love to learn what to do with my hair texture and to fall in love with my hair. My hair that doesn’t exactly have a natural curly or wavy pattern. My hair is very thick, dense, dry, and has hella shirkage.

Naturally yours,
Tracy Alladice

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“Throughout the years I struggled to keep my hair healthy and grow it longer than right above my shoulders. I just thought GENETICALLY my hair would never grow that long.”
-Naturally Yours
Danielle McGhee

“I’ve been natural several times only to give up at the point where I am frustrated with same old two strand twist, twist out, blow out, and braid out fro style. I tend to get bored with my hair because I feel very limited in styling options”
-Naturally Yours
Tracy Alladice

I’d first like to thank all of the beautiful ladies that submitted their hair stories for the Naturally Yours Contest in conjunction with Salon Soy. I’d then like to congratulate the 2 beautiful ladies above for being selected as winners. We will be hitting the salon this Tuesday morning.. stay tuned for the photos and video recap.

Naturally Yours Contest

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So last night, the devil bka Walmart got me again. I went in just to get some water, Gatorade and Redline and I ended up letting my eyes get the best of me on my way from the back of the store to the register.I noticed this Pedometer and started wondering how many steps I actually took a day. So, today I decided to put it on my belt during simulated workplace hours to see what the average me would walk. I wore it from about 8am – 6pm today and I took 8,912 steps. Check out this info I found online regarding average steps/day:

If you add just 2000 more steps a day to your regular activities, you may never gain another pound. So says research by Dr. James O. Hill of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. To lose weight, add in more steps.

Move More
Sedentary people in the USA generally move only 2000-3000 steps a day. Previous studies have shown that moving 6000 steps a day significantly reduces risk of death, and 8000-10,000 a day promotes weight loss.

How far is 2000 steps? It is about a mile. But the benefits for health and for weight management don’t depend on you walking a mile all at one time, but simply adding in more steps throughout the day.

Based on the best evidence as of the end of 2003, Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke recommends the following:
Classification of pedometer-determined physical activity in healthy adults:

1) Under 5000 steps/day may be used as a “sedentary lifestyle index”
2) 5,000-7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and might be considered “low active.”
3) 7,500-9,999 likely includes some exercise or walking (and/or a job that requires more walking) and might be considered “somewhat active.”
4) 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as “active”.
5) Individuals who take more than 12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as “highly active”.

I realized that if this was a good representation of my average day, then I live a “highly active” lifestyle. I took the pedometer off a good 8 hours before I go to sleep and more importantly, I usually go to the gym in the evening, so I know I would easily hit 12,500 steps in a day.

I encourage you all to buy a pedometer and give it a try… make sure you are at least taking 7,500 steps a day, but aim for 10,000…
Stay fit my friends
#GodBody Diet

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As you have read my story and the sacrifice of the beautiful young ladies that have chosen to participate in this God(dess) Body Diet experiment, it is devised to be practiced in 30 day increments. Everyone’s body is different and everyone’s tolerance to certain restrictions is different. I personally practiced this diet for 5 months straight the first time. During that time, I lost the most weight every (30lbs) and I never felt better in my life. Now, depending on what trips I have planned, I practice this lifestyle (Full Restrictions) at least once a quarter.

The most important part of this whole program for me was to find a way to turn this “Diet” into a lifestyle. As with me, I didn’t want to continue the rest of my life under the GODBODY Diet restrictions, I had to find a way to incorporate the important aspects into my life and learn how to truly practice moderation. Here is how I made it work for me:

- Abstinence from Alcohol
When I’m not practicing the GBD I do drink socially. I don’t regularly drink soda so thats usually not an option when mixing cocktails. Although the second option was usually juice, I realized that juice packed on almost the same amount of calories as the liquor when added as a chaser. So my drinks of choice (in moderation) are typically a glass of wine or champagne or if a cocktail, most likely vodka and tonic… add a few limes to give it flavor. Its important to realize the alcohol is just empty calories and it usually takes your body a few days to work off the effects of it as it slows your metabolism. Be Smart!

- Abstinence from Sex
You can resume your sexlife as regular. To be honest with you all, the abstinence from sex really has no physical impact on the GBD. This is used as a tool to:
1: Practice and strengthen your willpower from temptation.
2: To take your mind off of the fact that you will be eating a lot of dishes that may not be the most appetizing. If you keep your mind busy with not having sex, eating Kashi cereal and MorningStar breakfast sausages is an easy task.

- At least 6 hours of sleep every night
This in general is a great piece of advice to carry on even after your 30 days, especially as you continue a workout routine. Your muscles need time to heal and repair themselves to get stronger. As an insomniac, I find myself continuously struggling with this stipulation after my 30 day stints but it is my goal every night.

- No packaged food unless it is signified as Organic
Packaged and canned foods are typically high in sodium or similar preservatives to increase their shelf life. I may not stick to the “ORGANIC” items that are packaged but i certainly make sure items like my fruit cups do not contain any added sugars and are packaged in water and not syrup. My veggies are always either fresh or flash frozen, never canned.

- Consume a gallon of water every day
Working up to drinking a gallon a day was a task and I definitely find it a waste of effort if I let this habit go by the wayside until I choose to practice the GBD again. A great benefit is that it keeps off water weight. If you do not drink enough water each day, your body will hold onto whatever it can. This is the same premise as food. If you do not feed yourself small meals throughout the day, your body will hold onto it whenever it can because it does not know when you will feed it again.

- No farmed fish or meat
This is a another habit that I continue after GBD to create my customized lifestyle diet. Farmed animals are typically smaller and not as nutritious as wild caught animals. They are kept in large vats (fish) or in large pens (chicken, cattle) where they swim or walk in their own feces and have no room to mature as they would in the wild. This stunts their growth and can lead to health issues. Fish is a sensitive topic now with the disaster that occurred in The Gulf but if you go to a nice market, they can usually tell you regionally where the fish comes from.

- Dairy products must be cage free, non- homogenized
Yet another restriction that I hold true to in my After GBD life. My general rule is that I ALWAYS buy the most expensive dairy product choice. The difference can be up to $3-$5 difference but you are still paying no more than $10 for any dairy product. Buying with this in mind, you will always have “Organic”, “Non- Homogenized” and “Cage-Free” products.

- 3 days of cardio workout. Can include core workouts for strength training (i.e. Yoga, Pilates, Swimming)
The last piece and probably most important piece of the diet/lifestyle change.. KEEP MOVING! I stay cardio active whether its Jogging, Kickboxing or Cycling. I incorporated weight training back into my routine but at a much lighter scale. I’m no more focused on HOW MUCH can I lift, but HOW MANY TIMES can I lift a certain weight. This builds leaner muscle instead of bulky muscle along with extending my stamina.

I hope this all helps you understand the days after you hit GBD Day 30. If you reach this day and you feel good, and you feel as though its the right point in your life to continue, please do so. Practice this Diet/Lifestyle as long as you can as long as you can promise me and yourself 2 things:
1: You will listen to your body. If at any point you feel lightheaded, have trouble sleeping, lose your appetite, etc, please stop and redraw your plan.
2: Your doctor/ physician will remain a resource. As stated, everyone’s body and internal system is different. Your blood sugar levels or your thyroid may not dictate a diet as such listed. Please print all of the GodBody Diet information and bring it to your physician if you are considering participating. See if they think it’s a good idea for you.

With all of that said… Thank you for following, there is much more to come as far as my updates and the updates of you and your peers that follow. It has been a true blessing to share my success with you all and more than that to hear yours.

Peace
-Russy

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In an effort to help spread the word of natural beauty, hair education and health, I will be treating two beautiful ladies to a day in the Salon. Lets talk about the media’s influence on the definition of the word “beauty” and lets talk about the health and care of your hair. Whether you’re deciding whether or not to go natural, or have recently started growing out years of chemical processing, this will be a chance for you to ask questions and get specific, educated answers.

I have teamed up with Atlanta’s Salon Soy to provide a unique educational & hair style session that will have you leaving with a better knowledge of your hair type, haircare products tailored to your needs and most importantly a beautiful styled look. One of you beautiful ladies will also receive a Keratin Hair Treatment along with your styling session ($125 value). Keratin treatments have been proven to infuse your hair with and replenish much needed protein to encourage long, strong growth. It is also used to control frizz and give you a natural alternative to a straightener.

All of this can be experienced by you, a loved one, or significant other ABSOLUTELY FREE.

Here’s all you have to do:
- Submit a photo of yourself from the shoulders up, both from the front and the back.
- In 500 words or less, write a letter telling me your hair story. Are you thinking about going natural? Have you recently gone natural? Do you feel constrained by the hairstyles available for natural growth and what’s the one thing you hope to learn from this Salon experience?
-Sign the letter “Naturally Yours”

Deadline for submission is Friday August 13th, 2010 11:59pm

Winners will receive:
- The first appointment of the day, so no long lines.
- A one on one hairstyling session with a professionally trained hairstylist who will educate you on the texture of your hair and the best ways to care for it.
- A $100 gift certificate to return to the salon whenever you choose. You can decide to come back to maintain your new sexy look or pass on the gift to a friend so they can have the same eye-opening experience.

Salon Soy

On the South Side of the Atlanta skyline sits Salon Soy. Owned by Queens native, Soyini Thwaites, the hip salon is one of the newest in the city primarily offering the healthiest in hair care, and the most thorough information on the latest in products and techniques. Salon Soy is run by four fabulous young stylists, who are all about embracing the community that they’re in, as well as teaching members of that community how to embrace themselves.

The topic of haircare in African American circles has been either non-existent or completely polarizing. “We really work hard to educate our clients about their hair. Most of them don’t know what the real texture of their hair looks or feels like and that after years of relaxers, the integrity of the hair is broken due to the original molecules being stripped.” says Thwaites, “Then we have to rebuild by trying to add proteins afterwards, when in fact, we can start off with strong, healthy hair because that’s the way it grows out of the scalp in the first place.”

- Naturally Yours

Fine Print
- Salon Soy is in Atlanta, GA. I have booked the salon for Tuesday August 17th, 2010. You must be at the salon on this day from 830am – 1pm.
- Contest winners must agree to be on film as your experience will all be documented to share with the audience of Alumni Roundup, and the following of Roundup Russy
- A preliminary meeting with the owner of Salon Soy will be conducted the weekend before 8/17/10 in order to get a better idea of some initial points to touch during your counseling session.
- Contest winners are required to submit a one page summary of their day at Salon Soy within a week of their visit.
- Send all submissions to RMoore@AlumniRoundup.com
- Deadline for submissions 11:59pm on Friday August 13, 2010

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Got an email this morning from a friend and fellow HU Alum DJ Parlay sharing a new video from a Hip Hop Rock band that he is a member of. Pretty DOPE

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Bliss passed away yesterday, July 26, 2010. It’s unlikely he would have been famous enough to merit all that much more fact-checking beyond nailing down his place of birth and exact age (he was believed to be in his 70s).

Synthetic Substitution (1973) was sampled in:

Chillin by Audio Two (1986)
Ego Trippin’ by Ultramagnetic MC’s (1986)
Pee-Wee’s Dance by Joeski Love (1986)
Holy War (Live) by Divine Force (1987)
Miuzi Weighs a Ton by Public Enemy (1987)
Don’t Believe the Hype by Public Enemy (1988)
Funky Dividends by Three Times Dope (1988)
Sirocalot by Sirocalot (1988)
Cool V’s Tribute to Scratching by Biz Markie (1988)
All the Way Live by Captain G. Whiz (1988)
Jazzy’s Groove by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1989)
Black to the Future by Def Jef (1989)
Potholes in My Lawn by De La Soul (1989)
Droppin’ the Bomb by Naughty by Nature (1989)
Eazy Street by Eazy-E (1990)
Brothers Gonna Work It Out by Public Enemy (1990)
5 Men and a Mic by Special Ed (1990)
On a Clear Day by P.M. Dawn (1991)
Yoke the Joker by Naughty by Nature (1991)
She Said It Was Great by Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs (1991)
Alwayz Into Somethin’ by N.W.A (1991)
Catch ‘Em Slippin by O.G. Style (1991)
Deadly Venoms (Vocals Up) by RZA (1991)
O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature (1991)
Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa by De La Soul (1991)
Real N***** Don’t Die by N.W.A (1991)
O.G. Original Gangster by Ice-T (1991)
For Pete’s Sake by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1992)
Ya Mama by The Pharcyde (1992)
Flip Da Scrip by Da King & I (1992)
Runway by Snow (1992)
DWYCK by Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth (1992)
Jam 4 U by Redman (1992)
Bring Da Ruckus by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
How U Get a Record Deal by Big Daddy Kane (1993)
Heaven or Hell by Salt-N-Pepa (1993)
A Name I Call Myself by Souls of Mischief (1993)
Trust Me by Guru feat. N’Dea Davenport (1993)
Crossroads by LL Cool J (1993)
The Name I Call Myself by Souls of Mischief (1993)
Clan in Da Front by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
The Streetz R Deathrow by 2Pac (1993)
Hot Potato (Remix) by Freestyle Fellowship (1993)
Looks Like a Job For… by Big Daddy Kane (1993)
Transit Ride by Guru feat. Branford Marsalis (1993)
Turn the Party Out by Tha Alkaholiks (1993)
Stone Age by De La Soul feat. Biz Markie (1993)
Comin’ to Getcha by Boss (1993)
24 Deep by Brotha Lynch Hung (1993)
Anything Can Happen by Souls of Mischief (1993)
Saturday Nite Live by Masta Ace (1993)
All I Need by Method Man (1994)
I Remember by Coolio feat. J-Ro and Billy Boy (1994)
Snubben by The Latin Kings (1994)
Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide by Gravediggaz (1994)
Code of the Streets by Gang Starr (1994)
Cuttin’ Headz by Ol’ Dirty Bastard feat. RZA (1995)
So Called Friends by Group Home feat. Guru (1995)
Funky Methodist by Buddha Brand (1995)
Wild and Crazy by Dr. Octagon (1996)
Cat People by Cujo (1996)
Kowalski (Automator Mix) by Primal Scream (1997)
Coda by Chocolate Weasel (1998)
Run On by Moby (1999)
On the Run by Naughty by Nature (1999)
Love Me Now by Beenie Man feat. Wyclef Jean (2000)
Mighty Healthy by Ghostface Killah (2000)
Burnt by Del Tha Funkee Homosapien (2004)
Meera (Extra Lucid Remix) by DJ Cam (2006)
Don’t Feel Right by The Roots (2006)
The Champ by Ghostface Killah (2006)
Supa Jean by DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. Jean Grae (2007)
Sun Used to Shine by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist (2008)
Just Be Good to Green by Professor Green feat. Lily Allen (2010)

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In the Fall of 2009 I decided that I wanted to lose at least 12 lbs.; weighed 162 lbs. By Winter of2009/2010 I managed to gain an additional 8 lbs. One of my best friends told me that as long as my jeans still fit that I’d be fine… Well, my jeans (even the “safety/fat pants”) didn’t fit well anymore… something really had to be done. And there was another issue, sometime last year I got the ambitious idea to run the ING marathon in 3 years. Yes, indeed, something really had to be done!

There’s some significant history to this weight gain/loss process of mine. I have a 4-year-old daughter and managed to lose the baby weight by a low-carb diet. At various times in the past 6 years I’ve gained and lost significant amounts of weight. However, I have not been physically fit. When I was younger, I was an athlete so I technically had the foundation but it had been years since I maintained focus on being healthy and strong.

I remember the day I weighed myself and internally screaming “I WEIGH ONE-HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT POUNDS?!?” I also took a good long look at myself in the mirror wearing nothing but my “pom-poms” (as my daughter calls it) and skivvies. I knew that what I was looking at could be “fixed” but it had been so long since I looked how I *wanted* to look… I didn’t know what the end result might be. I just prayed and said I’d make it happen. It was more than just losing 18 lbs (at the very least)… I wanted to see definition in my arms again, strengthen my abs to what they once were, diminish those “love handles” (Why in the world are they called that anyway?? There’s nothing lovely about them!), and tone my thighs to be giggle-free (this was especially important since I NEVER wear shorts because I’ve never liked my legs since they’re not naturally firm).

I am blessed with the best friends a woman could ever hope for and received a plethora of advice and support. I initially started with some extreme kind of diet which proved to be, well, impossible; I consequently hand-picked the best advice for me and came up with a plan that was both feasible and pleasing. It was a complete lifestyle overhaul which included eliminating unhealthy foods from my everyday life, incorporating exercise and maintaining long-term focus. This was beyond just losing some pounds- it was time to shed weight, build a better body and a better mind.

I’m also a huge foodie and knew that I didn’t want to deprive myself of stimulating my taste buds. Part of my process has been to find/develop new recipes and tweek old ones to suit my new lifestyle. I learned to shop differently at the supermarket and challenge my culinary imagination to include more whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables in to my diet. I haven’t missed anything that I used to eat. Actually, my body has adjusted and now craves healthy foods. The human body is a beautiful thing.

My initial exercise of choice was running. I knew it challenge my entire body and mind. I would lose weight and strengthen. But I also had to find alternatives for the days that I couldn’t make it out and I don’t own a treadmill so I’ve also relied on tried and true exercises. My rule is “If I’m not drenched in sweat, I’m not pushing hard enough.” Every week I try to exceed whatever I achieved the prior week and I’ve been successful!

The Goddess Body Diet wasn’t my initial approach but it turns out that the guidelines were quite similar to my own…
- Abstinence from Alcohol: This was not a major issue. I usually only drink socially and recognized the adverse effects of alcohol on any weight-loss endeavor. Empty calories galore!!

- Abstinence from Sex: Well… this was even less of an issue. A relationship and potential intimacy weren’t my focus. I was far more concerned with what I needed to do to better my body than satisfying *ahem* momentary urges.

- At least 6 hours of sleep every night: I have always been a 7-8 hour kind of girl but I must say that exercise had helped me to sleep a lot better and my body needs it!

- No packaged food unless it is signified as Organic: This was HUGE for me! Early on I started paying attention to the nutrition facts on everything and realized that so many of my usual foods where nutritionally horrific! I focused on incorporating as many natural and organic foods as possible in to my every day life.

- Consume a gallon of water every day: I’m close to a gallon… I’m working on that one still. For various reasons, it’s been quite challenging for me to drink a gallon of water but water is absolutely critical especially when you’re working out! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

- No farmed fish or meat: This is still in the works for me but I have essentially cut out red meat.

- Dairy products must be cage free, non- homogenized: This is also in the works… but I have switched to 2% organic milk. I must say that it’s far better than the regular 2%, which I really can’t tolerate.


- 3 days of cardio workout. Can include core workouts for strength training (i.e. Yoga, Pilates, Swimming): I work out 3-4 days per week. My preference is running and I’ve worked up to 1.75 mi.; I can run 1.25 mi. straight. Otherwise, my home work-out currently consists of 200 (20 reps) sit-ups, 160 (20 reps) squats, 30 side leg lifts, 30 push-ups, and 30 ab/leg lifts. When I first started, I ran 0.25 mi (max), and my sets were of 15 reps; I couldn’t do more than 10 push-ups or 15 leg lifts.

It’s been 4 months and through it I have lost 21 lbs., managed to work my way up to running 1.75 mi. (I barely got through 0.25 mi. when I first started), begun to see significant definition in my legs, arms and abs and most of all, I just feel good! I decided to lose 2 more lbs. to give myself “wiggle room” but my journey absolutely continues in building and maintaining a healthy body. I have loads of encouragement around me but my biggest cheerleader is me- there is something remarkably rewarding about feeling myself surpass the extent of my last work-out. And, ING awaits me in 2 years!!

Follow Zulay through her day on TWITTER and on her BLOG

You can also find her on AlumniRoundup.com now, providing great, healthy recipes under our Lifestyle Category
Check in with the rest of the participants on the GodBodyDiet Lifestyle:
Jill Person aka JI double L
Julie McShay, ASouthernSocialite
Leilah Reese

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