A lot of the time I feel my life is buzzing by me, opportunities zooming away. Sometimes I don't even realize that there was an opportunity until it has already passed. Example: I was in choir in middle school. The teacher absolutely loved me. When I sang for him he said I gave him goosebumps. I participated in an "American Idol" contest in that school (which was not a small school btw). I sang "Delta Dawn", by Tanya Tucker and a couple other country songs. I got 2nd place, beaten by an older girl. For a kid I could sing! I didn't take advantage of it. I dropped out of choir to be in agriculture class. When I told my choir teacher I quit... he threw a chair at the wall. Not an exaggeration. He was soooo mad. Why would I want to be a farmer over a singer? (Not that I wanted to be a farmer, but FFA does stand for Future Farmers of America). At that age I didn't think that being a singer was ever an option. What are the chances of that? I could easily land a job in the agricultural industry, plus my best friend was in that class. I should have stuck with choir and taken singing lessons. But I didn't and now that I am older I can see that FFA didn't benefit me at all, when choir could have. I would kill to be able to sing the way I know I could if I would have practiced and educated myself in it. There are so many opportunities out there for me that have either passed by or overlooked. I overlook them because I don't believe that I can do them. I have wanted to model for about the last 5 years. I have gone to a couple of open calls but never got called back. That is extremely discouraging. I know I'm not tall enough, but I just want to do it for me. I don't expect to be a supermodel. I got in contact with a photographer that is looking to build his portfolio. He was interested in me and I was really excited about it. But then my parents found out that I contacted him off of Craigslist, an add for wanted models, and they said ABSOLUTELY NOT! Of coarse he is a rapist/murderer if he was on Craigslist! So there's another opportunity passed.
Recently I have decided that I want to act. Not anything big, just student films...and maybe if I am good enough, a small roll in an Indie. I have never even been in a play, but I want to act. It's not that I wasn't interested, I just wasn't confident enough. I did try out for a Peter Pan play in 7th grade but they wanted me to be a "lost boy" and I wasn't havin' that. I am not going to lie, my sudden desire to act probably has something to do with my love for Kristen Stewart. I see me in her. Don't make fun, I really think that! Our personalities are kind of similar, from what I have seen. I just think, "Hey! If she can do that, so can I!" ( I think she is an amazing actress). I found a guy, yet again on Craigslist, that is filming a short student film this month. I think I am going to audition. I figured, why not? I am worried I am going to make a complete fool out of myself, but I keep reminding myself that in order to be good at acting, you can't worry about that kind of stuff.
What I am coming to realize is I feel like I can do anything and I want to do lots of things. I want to be an amazing hairstylist, I want to model, I want to act and I want to travel to Europe, frequently.
Here's one inspirational example: John Paul Dejoria started Paul Mitchell out of his car, and with only $700. He is now very very rich and the most famous man in the hair industry. Here is another example: I was reading an interview with Kristen Stewart. (She was discovered by an agent when she was acting in a Christmas play.) When she was like 10, she went to tons of auditions, i think maybe around 30. She never landed any of the roles. Eventually she got discouraged and sick of it. She had one last audition and didn't want to go, but her mom made her. Because she didn't give up, she is now the most famous teen in the US. It turns out she was cast from that last audition and it landed her her first role in a movie. This just proves if I want anything in life, all I have to do is take advantage of the opportunities, and recognize that they are not out of my reach.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Be Nice (Or Else!) My Metamorphosis Has Begun!
If you know me, you probably know that I am not the nicest person. I never have been, and I never cared. I had this, "I don't like you, or agree with the things you do... so why should I give you the time of day? Talking to you, or pretending that I care about what you have to say is a waist of my time. Why would I want to associate myself with you?" type of attitude. I have always envied, and still do, the girls (or guys) that can mingle and be genuinely nice to everyone... no matter who they are, what they look like, what type of reputation they have etc. How can they really be that nice? I sometimes feel like it's simply not in me.
About an hour ago I began reading the book I have been putting off for a while. Be Nice (Or Else!), by Winn Claybaugh. They give it to all of the students at Paul Mitchell Schools, and Be Nice (Or Else!) is basically their theme. I have been so excited to begin reading it, because I knew I would love it. I have recently discovered I really enjoy feeding off of other people's motivation and inspiration. But I didn't want to read it. I was being lazy, because I knew once I started it, I would want to start being nice. Being nice takes a lot of effort. And what I have learned from this book so far is that being nice is definitely not easy. At least not for me. The first few pages describe the characteristics of "mean" people. Guess what? I am guilty of all those bad traits... in one way or another. I will actually have to "unlearn" all of my not nice behaviors that I have been practicing for my entire life.
When I decided I wanted to be go into the hair industry, especially Paul Mitchell, I quickly realized I was going to have to change my ways. (I think that graduation and growing up a little but also made me a little more self aware of my "unattractive" personality) I think that a lot of the shocked reactions I received when I told people about my career choice had to do with my bland, not nice personality. I even got, "If someone asks you to do something to their hair that you don't want to do, or you don't like... you are going to look at them like they are stupid and tell them 'no'". That's a complete exaggeration, but that's the way people see me (or hopefully SAW me because I don't want to viewed like that anymore).
In high school I was never liked. At first it was because I was shy. I was a new student in 8th grade and I didn't know anyone. I wasn't confident enough to be outgoing, introduce myself or be the first to say hello, so people thought I was a bitch. Then the word got around that I was this "Holy Girl who is a prude and thinks that she is better than everyone else...". I even got the nickname, the "Anti-Christ", and I still to this day don't know why. Then to top it off I started dating a guy that a lot of the girls liked at one point or another and I "stole him" and "changed" him. Eventually I put up a defensive barrier. People were talkin shit, and I wasn't gunna have it. To make a long story short, my high school memories are not any to be proud of. I was not nice, nor did I try to be. In a way I have regrets. I wish I would have got to know the quiet kids, or the ones that nobody talked to. I wish I wouldn't have defended people that were not worth defending, and defended the ones that did deserved it. I wish I would have been able to tell the difference. I wish I wouldn't have worried about things that should have just been let go. I wish I wouldn't have gossiped or said mean things. There are many things I wish I would have done differently, but I guess the old saying is true. You learn from your mistakes.
But back to the book. I will tell you, with a lot of shame, that for a short second I decided I wouldn't blog about this book. My selfishness didn't want to share the overwhelmingly amazing advice and information that Be Nice (Or Else!) has to offer. I wanted it all to myself. That's my inner "not niceness" shining through (Yeah, I know, I've got a long way to go). To counteract that mean thought, I am going to share my book with whoever wants it (after I am done with it). I am actually going to advertise it, like I do with Twilight : ), and recommend it to people, in a nice way of course.
There was a part in the 15 pages that I read that actually made me teary eyed. It was a story about John Paul Dejoria. Winn begins to explain how John Paul is always nice, no matter what the situation. He tells a story about how John Paul has a phone call conversation with the President of the United States, and then has one with a Halloween costume seamstress. He speaks to both with the same degree of unconditional niceness. The story is told a lot better in the book. It really touched me. I hope that someday I can be genuinely nice, not faking it whatsoever.
I'm trying, and at least I have come to realize that I need some work. That's the first step, right? It is not going to be easy, but this book is going to help me. It will be my "Book of Nice" (like The Book of Life, get it? haha).
About an hour ago I began reading the book I have been putting off for a while. Be Nice (Or Else!), by Winn Claybaugh. They give it to all of the students at Paul Mitchell Schools, and Be Nice (Or Else!) is basically their theme. I have been so excited to begin reading it, because I knew I would love it. I have recently discovered I really enjoy feeding off of other people's motivation and inspiration. But I didn't want to read it. I was being lazy, because I knew once I started it, I would want to start being nice. Being nice takes a lot of effort. And what I have learned from this book so far is that being nice is definitely not easy. At least not for me. The first few pages describe the characteristics of "mean" people. Guess what? I am guilty of all those bad traits... in one way or another. I will actually have to "unlearn" all of my not nice behaviors that I have been practicing for my entire life.
When I decided I wanted to be go into the hair industry, especially Paul Mitchell, I quickly realized I was going to have to change my ways. (I think that graduation and growing up a little but also made me a little more self aware of my "unattractive" personality) I think that a lot of the shocked reactions I received when I told people about my career choice had to do with my bland, not nice personality. I even got, "If someone asks you to do something to their hair that you don't want to do, or you don't like... you are going to look at them like they are stupid and tell them 'no'". That's a complete exaggeration, but that's the way people see me (or hopefully SAW me because I don't want to viewed like that anymore).
In high school I was never liked. At first it was because I was shy. I was a new student in 8th grade and I didn't know anyone. I wasn't confident enough to be outgoing, introduce myself or be the first to say hello, so people thought I was a bitch. Then the word got around that I was this "Holy Girl who is a prude and thinks that she is better than everyone else...". I even got the nickname, the "Anti-Christ", and I still to this day don't know why. Then to top it off I started dating a guy that a lot of the girls liked at one point or another and I "stole him" and "changed" him. Eventually I put up a defensive barrier. People were talkin shit, and I wasn't gunna have it. To make a long story short, my high school memories are not any to be proud of. I was not nice, nor did I try to be. In a way I have regrets. I wish I would have got to know the quiet kids, or the ones that nobody talked to. I wish I wouldn't have defended people that were not worth defending, and defended the ones that did deserved it. I wish I would have been able to tell the difference. I wish I wouldn't have worried about things that should have just been let go. I wish I wouldn't have gossiped or said mean things. There are many things I wish I would have done differently, but I guess the old saying is true. You learn from your mistakes.
But back to the book. I will tell you, with a lot of shame, that for a short second I decided I wouldn't blog about this book. My selfishness didn't want to share the overwhelmingly amazing advice and information that Be Nice (Or Else!) has to offer. I wanted it all to myself. That's my inner "not niceness" shining through (Yeah, I know, I've got a long way to go). To counteract that mean thought, I am going to share my book with whoever wants it (after I am done with it). I am actually going to advertise it, like I do with Twilight : ), and recommend it to people, in a nice way of course.
There was a part in the 15 pages that I read that actually made me teary eyed. It was a story about John Paul Dejoria. Winn begins to explain how John Paul is always nice, no matter what the situation. He tells a story about how John Paul has a phone call conversation with the President of the United States, and then has one with a Halloween costume seamstress. He speaks to both with the same degree of unconditional niceness. The story is told a lot better in the book. It really touched me. I hope that someday I can be genuinely nice, not faking it whatsoever.
I'm trying, and at least I have come to realize that I need some work. That's the first step, right? It is not going to be easy, but this book is going to help me. It will be my "Book of Nice" (like The Book of Life, get it? haha).
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sudden Burst of Thought
Okay so I'm at work right now and really need to be working but I have these thoughts that I need to right down before I forget.
Soooo I was driving to work and I was observing all of the things around me. People sitting outside of their run down apartment buildings, houses that I wouldn't be caught dead hanging around after dark, closed down dingy store fronts, grungy people walking down the sidewalks... and I am thinking to myself, "Why do people settle for this? Why would anyone want to live here, or live this way?"(I don't mean to sound like a stuck up bitch when I say that. That's not my intention at all.) I couldn't help but wonder, do they ever feel like they could do better? Or do they not know any different? Or do they just feel like they can't do any better? I mean, c'mon, they must watch TV and see all the other better places to reside and all the more glamorous ways to live. Why do they seem perfectly content with this low middle class way of life? Are they content? Then I started to think... maybe this way of life is better than what they started out with. Maybe they were brought up even worse (I'm not saying that its like really gross here or anything, but it's not really nice either). Then I thought that maybe this is their version of "glamorous". Maybe this is what they want. Maybe they enjoy where they are, and they are thankful for what they have. I just can't figure it out. And what about the people who simply settle for working at a fast food restaurant for the rest of their lives...making minimum wage, barely paying the bills? Or the people who just don't give a shit about school and don't make any effort to learn? Aren't they worried that the rest of their life might suck if they don't get the ball rolling and try a little harder, trying to get more than they already have, trying to make their average life better? I feel like I am always wanting and striving for something better than I have, when I have it a lot better than so many others. Is that wrong of me to want more? In one way I say no, I have a right to work hard and get what I want... but on the other hand I feel like I am being really greedy. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I couldn't have asked for it any better. God dealt me a great hand and I truly am grateful. I just feel like if the opportunities are there, take them! I feel like so many people have the ability to be something great, do something better, live a more "glamorous" life if they all just believed in themselves and tried a little harder. Don't settle. Don't live by the standards that the rest of society has set. Dream big. Be what your heart wants you to be and never doubt yourself.
Soooo I was driving to work and I was observing all of the things around me. People sitting outside of their run down apartment buildings, houses that I wouldn't be caught dead hanging around after dark, closed down dingy store fronts, grungy people walking down the sidewalks... and I am thinking to myself, "Why do people settle for this? Why would anyone want to live here, or live this way?"(I don't mean to sound like a stuck up bitch when I say that. That's not my intention at all.) I couldn't help but wonder, do they ever feel like they could do better? Or do they not know any different? Or do they just feel like they can't do any better? I mean, c'mon, they must watch TV and see all the other better places to reside and all the more glamorous ways to live. Why do they seem perfectly content with this low middle class way of life? Are they content? Then I started to think... maybe this way of life is better than what they started out with. Maybe they were brought up even worse (I'm not saying that its like really gross here or anything, but it's not really nice either). Then I thought that maybe this is their version of "glamorous". Maybe this is what they want. Maybe they enjoy where they are, and they are thankful for what they have. I just can't figure it out. And what about the people who simply settle for working at a fast food restaurant for the rest of their lives...making minimum wage, barely paying the bills? Or the people who just don't give a shit about school and don't make any effort to learn? Aren't they worried that the rest of their life might suck if they don't get the ball rolling and try a little harder, trying to get more than they already have, trying to make their average life better? I feel like I am always wanting and striving for something better than I have, when I have it a lot better than so many others. Is that wrong of me to want more? In one way I say no, I have a right to work hard and get what I want... but on the other hand I feel like I am being really greedy. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I couldn't have asked for it any better. God dealt me a great hand and I truly am grateful. I just feel like if the opportunities are there, take them! I feel like so many people have the ability to be something great, do something better, live a more "glamorous" life if they all just believed in themselves and tried a little harder. Don't settle. Don't live by the standards that the rest of society has set. Dream big. Be what your heart wants you to be and never doubt yourself.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week One is Complete!
I just want to start off by saying that I am soooo happy that I decided to follow my heart! This school is everything that I expected it to be, and more. I even enjoy reading the 900+ page text book (Miladay's Standard Cosmetology). I have read the first two chapters and they are right up my alley. It is very motivational and I totally agree with everything it says. Examples: "Motivation is the ignition for success. Self-management is the fuel that will keep you going on the long ride to your destination." "You can have all the talent in the world and still not be successful if your talent is not fueled by the passion for your work that will sustain you over the course of your career." "If you are to succeed in life and in your work, you need a sense of purpose and reason for being." (The first two chapters are on Opportunities and Life Skills). I really can't wait to start reading Winn Claybaugh's Be Nice (or Else)! "When you start being nice, everyone wins!" -Winn Claybaugh
At the end of every school day I leave feeling confident and happy. Isn't that great? Even if I didn't do something right, or master a certain technique, I know that I will get it eventually...because 1) that's just how good that school is and 2) I have the determination to go home and practice and figure it out myself.
Another thing I have discovered this week is the beauty of YouTube. If I don't get something right away, or I want to get ahead for the next class I simply YouTube it! YouTube has people like Johnny LaVoy (stylist for Ford Models) who are really awesome at teaching you different styles and techniques.
I am loving life right now. I will soon be starting at a Paul Mitchell focus salon, which I am really excited about. I have got in contact with someone I hope I will eventually be assisting with in NY. I feel like I have an artist inside me waiting to escape and go wild. I am so eager to learn and be taught so many different things. I have to keep reminding myself not to get too excited and not plan too far ahead because unexpected shit called life always eventually ends up happening and messes things up (But that's okay...life is supposed to happen...Where would we be without it?) I was reading in my text book that in order to be successful you should always have a Game Plan. Long term and Short term goals. This may be the only thing that I have read so far that I don't fully agree with. Short term goals are fine, I think almost everyone has them and they are a part of life. But as far as having a "Big Plan" for life...I don't know. I just feel like maybe we don't have the right to say we know where we want to be so many years down the road. So many different things could pop up between now and then. Hell, I could be dead by then...or the world could have a Hair loss epidemic and there would be no need for my skills in this industry. Who knows. In a way I kinda feel like you gotta leave your long term plans in the hands of God. I mean, obviously my Game Plan right now is to be this big, well known stylist making tons of money, traveling the world and having a great family life. But things may change, and my desires might change. I just don't want to get too far ahead... ya know?
Anyways, I'm happy and eager and waiting to get this show on the road ; )
At the end of every school day I leave feeling confident and happy. Isn't that great? Even if I didn't do something right, or master a certain technique, I know that I will get it eventually...because 1) that's just how good that school is and 2) I have the determination to go home and practice and figure it out myself.
Another thing I have discovered this week is the beauty of YouTube. If I don't get something right away, or I want to get ahead for the next class I simply YouTube it! YouTube has people like Johnny LaVoy (stylist for Ford Models) who are really awesome at teaching you different styles and techniques.
I am loving life right now. I will soon be starting at a Paul Mitchell focus salon, which I am really excited about. I have got in contact with someone I hope I will eventually be assisting with in NY. I feel like I have an artist inside me waiting to escape and go wild. I am so eager to learn and be taught so many different things. I have to keep reminding myself not to get too excited and not plan too far ahead because unexpected shit called life always eventually ends up happening and messes things up (But that's okay...life is supposed to happen...Where would we be without it?) I was reading in my text book that in order to be successful you should always have a Game Plan. Long term and Short term goals. This may be the only thing that I have read so far that I don't fully agree with. Short term goals are fine, I think almost everyone has them and they are a part of life. But as far as having a "Big Plan" for life...I don't know. I just feel like maybe we don't have the right to say we know where we want to be so many years down the road. So many different things could pop up between now and then. Hell, I could be dead by then...or the world could have a Hair loss epidemic and there would be no need for my skills in this industry. Who knows. In a way I kinda feel like you gotta leave your long term plans in the hands of God. I mean, obviously my Game Plan right now is to be this big, well known stylist making tons of money, traveling the world and having a great family life. But things may change, and my desires might change. I just don't want to get too far ahead... ya know?
Anyways, I'm happy and eager and waiting to get this show on the road ; )
Thursday, September 10, 2009
In response to my last post...
Look what I figured out how to do! Woo hoo! Little did I know, there are two different types of french braids. One is called the "invisible" braid and the other is called the "inverted" or "dutch" braid (what cornrows are). This is my inverted braid! When I was practicing last night, I was unaware there was two different ways to french braid and I was combining the two.
Anyways, day 3 was good! We did braiding and finger waves. Braiding is fun, and everyone knows I love a good braid : ) We even learned how to do fishtail braids, which look like they are really hard to do, but its actually very simple. Finger waves actually suck. I suck at doing them, but like the french braid...I'll get it, and then I will post a picture on here of my victory! For those of you who don't know what a finger wave is, its a 1920s style where there are actual waves plastered down to the head with tons of gel. It is really tricky to master at first. A lot of celebs have been sporting a softer version on the red carpet and things like that. I think they look awesome so beware my friends, I may be needing volunteer guinea pigs!
Like I said, day 3 was lots of fun, and day 4 should be too! We are doing pin curls along with other things I can't recall at the moment. I am familiar with pin curls so I should be good at doing those.
My little words of wisdom for the day:
I love what I am doing.
Do you really look forward to going to school ? Can you say that you are actually learning things, hands on, every day, that you will use in your career? And most importantly, Are you learning about something that you love? I hope your answer is "yes".
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Its all just the beginning
{I am tired and I don't feel like writing but I will so I don't forget my thoughts on my first couple of days}
Okay so I started school Tuesday. I will say that it was really good but very overwhelming. All of the "core" students (there are 19 of us by the way, ranging from ages 17 to 20) got our Paul Mitchell kits. It was kinda like Christmas... I got so much fun stuff. Straightener, blow dryer, curling iron, clips, capes, brushes, combs, mirror, manikin heads, shears etc. (All the essentials). I felt like an idiot because we had to unwrap and put all of our new, cool stuff in this little silver box. I was thinkin to myself, "I have no clue where this all goes and its not gunna fit". Thankfully one of the girls there helped me out. Anyways... today and yesterdays focus was basically on learning the Paul Mitchell "Culture". They are very focused on discovering what type of learner you are. (Kinesthetic, Visual, etc). They also focus on always being positive and leaving negativity at the door. Every morning we start out by having a "pow wow" where we discuss our victories, upcoming events, and do a warm up to wake everyone up.
We take all out notes with colorful scented markers on big sheets of paper using bubble charts and things like that. Music is always playing and they have a box of goodies (squishy putty, tops, fruit snacks, pipe cleaners, bendy animals etc) to play with at every desk. They definitely do things differently there. It is going to take some getting used to. But its fun and I am still excited : )
Little Side Note: I am feeling a little down tonight. I have discovered I can't braid cornrows! I used to be able to and I don't know what happened! Like what the hell?? Oh well. I will get it eventually.
Okay so I started school Tuesday. I will say that it was really good but very overwhelming. All of the "core" students (there are 19 of us by the way, ranging from ages 17 to 20) got our Paul Mitchell kits. It was kinda like Christmas... I got so much fun stuff. Straightener, blow dryer, curling iron, clips, capes, brushes, combs, mirror, manikin heads, shears etc. (All the essentials). I felt like an idiot because we had to unwrap and put all of our new, cool stuff in this little silver box. I was thinkin to myself, "I have no clue where this all goes and its not gunna fit". Thankfully one of the girls there helped me out. Anyways... today and yesterdays focus was basically on learning the Paul Mitchell "Culture". They are very focused on discovering what type of learner you are. (Kinesthetic, Visual, etc). They also focus on always being positive and leaving negativity at the door. Every morning we start out by having a "pow wow" where we discuss our victories, upcoming events, and do a warm up to wake everyone up.
We take all out notes with colorful scented markers on big sheets of paper using bubble charts and things like that. Music is always playing and they have a box of goodies (squishy putty, tops, fruit snacks, pipe cleaners, bendy animals etc) to play with at every desk. They definitely do things differently there. It is going to take some getting used to. But its fun and I am still excited : )
Little Side Note: I am feeling a little down tonight. I have discovered I can't braid cornrows! I used to be able to and I don't know what happened! Like what the hell?? Oh well. I will get it eventually.
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