The Evolution Of Beauty

1st week on the floor!

Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew: it's been a long week!

Our first day on the floor was Tuesday and I didn't expect to be so busy.  My first guests were people that I did not know and I think that was for the best.  I could be myself and like I've been told for weeks: be a duck.  Smooth on the top and feet scrambling under water.  Well, that's what happened.  I've found that it is a little tricky to find a balance between having your guest wait a really long time when you are waiting in line for a check from your educator, my education and my guest's satisfaction.  I'm trying to strike a balance.  I have not found it yet, but hopefully through out the next several weeks I will.

So... saturday was the end of week 19 and the last day of my first week on the floor.  I get a guest with long... and I mean long hair.  Not only was it long, it was tangled like I've never seen before!  AND it was 6pm.  As a Mod 2 student, we are given 1.5 hours to complete a hair cut.  At 6pm, I've got to finish up with my guest and start cleaning up so every one can get outta there at 7pm.  I just kept thinking... how is this going to happen?  It took me around 15 minutes just to untangle her hair!  I ended up giving her a decent cut, my educator cut bangs that looked great and gave her just want she wanted.  I booked her an appointment for next week - just to make sure those bangs are working for her, the right length, etc. and made an appointment 8 weeks out, just before the holidays to ensure that she was able to get a new cut right before the holidays.  She also went home with some detangling spray for sure!  This is a prime example of how you can make it right with a guest, even when you are cutting it short on time.  Thanks to my instructor Bianca who cut section 3 with perfection and helped me send home a happy guest!  I stayed late, but ended my first week with much success!

Here's to a successful week 2 on the floor!

We're moving! Caution: make no assumptions until you read my blog:)

Not me and my family, but my class.  Yes, tomorrow will mark a big day for me and my classmates.  We are moving from the annex building to the main building and most importantly the clinic floor.  It's been 4 1/2 months, 18 weeks and just about 500 hours and now we're ready to take on the world by storm... at least a little.  Some of us are wracked with fear and have no idea how to handle the pressure of what, as of tonight is pretty unknown for us.  Some of us are ready to jump in, but really have no request guests to speak of!  One gal in our class has 15 requests on the books and she has no idea how she's gonna do it!  We are as a class of about 10... all over the board.

Movie Contest: Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys

As I reflect back, time has flown by.  Six months ago, I had no idea that I would be in school full time, let alone, know how to cut a woman's and man's hair cut, give a scalp massage, color, perm, highlight - and didn't know what a relaxer even was... but I now know how to do them!  In the past week alone, we've learned corrective color and passed the final, manicures and pedicure practical and written finals.

I wonder, where will I eat lunch... the break room is awfully small.  Will we have time to chat and learn new things?  Is our foundational education over?  We've got 8 months left - I've learned so much in 4 1/5 - I cannot imagine what the next 8 holds.

We've been told, "wait until your on  the floor" and "we'll let you know when you need to know" and "just wait for now" - tomorrow is the day they "let us know" - we'll get our new lockers, assignments and expectations.

This move feels like a graduation of sorts - we've met the requirements, we've made the grades and had the attendance to warrant moving onto the clinic floor... Tomorrow's moving day... gotta pack!

Good-bye for now annex - I'll be back for State Board Prep!  See ya working on the floor Tuesday!

mama loves babies

Today is my day off. I always try to prioritize my precious time, with so many things pulling me in different directions. Finals are this coming week, I have clothes that don't fit the boys that I need to get in order and some potential grocery shopping to do.And yes, I plan on getting us all to church on time tonight.

Yesterday was a tough day for Logan, he asked for me when I wasn't here, he had to get up early, pulled from bed to take me to school early in the morning. Talk about Mama guilt. I promised him we would get the whole day together today. Well, as you can see... we are together, he just happeneds to be sleeping. Maybe we'll get a walk in later.

My days off never quite turn out as expected, but I am sure glad to have my little snuggle bug right next to me for now. What a perfect relaxing afternoon!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.9

mediocrity no more.

A couple of weeks ago another student at school commented to me that I seem extra focused on getting things right.  I confirmed that yes, that perception would be accurate.  She didn't understand why that would be important to me.  I was compelled to explain to her that there were few things I feel I have done really, really well in life - besides my children.  This is my chance to take a fantastic opportunity and turn things around and do well.  Mediocrity is no longer an option.

I have taken steps to ensure my success in the classroom - just little things that I believe that have given me an advantage.  A couple of weeks ago, I realized I was super aggravated and had a head ache - I was in front of a huge fan that was drying out the moist products I needed to accurately and efficiently do my work and I was next to the music - blaring acdc.  There was also a lot of idle chit chat, which was slowing the rate at which work was being achieved for the entire classroom.  I must say, it did take me all afternoon to figure out that those were key factors that were not working! I have since moved across the classroom, my concentration level has been honed and my work has increased in efficiency and accuracy by 100 fold.

Front of Spiral Perm for Hair 6" or Longer

Some times these new practicals take hours to complete and you've just gotta commit yourself to the project at hand, not knowing exactly how long you'll be wrapping, spraying, twisting and picking!

Everything has gotten in my way to be able to go to school at Gene Juarez - since I was in high school, when I first started looking at going to school there.  I think it was initially that I was scared, then it was that yes, indeed I was scared - scared of failing.  Then, again - I am scared of failure.  Thus, I am finally going to school.  Sometimes at the beginning of school, I would look back over my shoulder and whimper a little to myself, scared of being there.  But, that's over.  I am sacrificing so much right now to be in school, that I have not ever sacrificed before.  I have settled for mediocrity and that is no longer acceptable to me.  I strive for excellence in my work, through head aches, feet aches, itchy skin, prickly people and throbbing arms and fingers.  This is my new life.

 Back of Spiral Perm for Hair 6" or Longer

The perm picks remind me of my grandma

When I finally discovered that it was fear that was holding me back, I gained a new perspective.  It's the end of week 11 - finals for Technical are next week.  I can't believe I've made it this far.  I can't wait to come home next Saturday night - having graduated this module and knowing I was focused, my head was in the game and I came out a winner.  Mediocrity no more. Life's too short.

It's school time: come drink the juice kids!

There are surprises that have hit me along the path as I've just finished week 10 at school.  One of them crept up on me during our first six weeks in Design.  I saw one or two people taking energy drink shots, a few more tapping their legs like crazy and thought... ok, good for you, you've found something that works... or not.

Well week 7 rolls around and we all graduate into Technical.  Different educators = different game.  "Ok people - go get your *Rock Stars* - your *Five Hour Energy* or *Red Bull* - we've got some work to do!!! Next day: come with your (see above list) and be here on time!  Next break - go get another one people - hurry it up!

I gotta tell ya.  Energy drinks have not appealed to me and they still don't, but these educators are awfully convincing.  However, I have not seen any behavior out of the students (who's numbers have steadily increased) that have decided to drink the juice preform at excellent levels or increased anything other than perhaps irritation and possibly aggressive behavior.  If anything, it's an interesting side note on watching a group of people migrate toward the same behavior - "everybody's doing it..."

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/the-health-dangers-of-energy-drinks/

By the way:  I've never had an energy drink and I've even decreased my caffeine intake since I've been in school!

6 weeks went by so quick!

On the eve of my first final.  I am sitting here at... oh my.  12:21am.  I guess  I could say the morning of my first final.. .awk.  It starts in less than 8 hours!  Well, I feel confident.  I feel as though there is nothing that I couldn't have prepped more for given the circumstance and that it will go very well. I think I did a good job in choosing my models and helping out my classmates and I have also prepped myself as much as I can.  I look forward to cutting Kristen's hair b/c I hope she feels beautiful when she is done.  I have already prepped myself for her cut pretty well, so I hope it goes well.  I hope I get enough time to flat iron it... we'll see.  I also look forward to my time with Charlotte tomorrow afternoon.  I think she will be a kick in the pants and make it pretty goofy.  I am excited.  The only thing I do not look forward to is the waiting time after 5pm, where all we do is... wait.  Who passed.  Who didn't.  Do I secretly take bets?  I put big bucks on myself.  It's all good.  Whatever the outcome. It is all good.