Senior Status

It has been a wild ride, and I am just 300 hours away from being done with my program, With my junior practical exam next week, I am slated to become a senior as of next Tuesday. A SENIOR!!! It is hard to believe that we are already here.

Of course, there are some awesome perks to being a senior. I am only 5 requirements (all acrylic fills) left to complete my program. Which means, unless there are no students available or I am requested, I am able to sit back and "relax" which translates to studying for my senior exams and state boards.

The downside, of course, is my senior testing. On top of my written testing, which includes Oregon Law, Esthetics, and Nail Diseases and Disorder, I am also responsible for a gamete of practical exams. I will need to show that I can officiant in giving manicures, pedicures, facials, make up application, body waxing and facial waxing via practical testing. (So, if you are wanting and willing in July, I will need a model to help me out with that)

In 300 hours, I will be on my own, and ready to start the process of looking for a job in the real world. Time to be on the look out for a good salon, spa or massage parlor. Wish me luck!!!!

As always, thanks for joining me on my journey!!! ~ S

It's been a while...and sooo much has happened!!

It has been a crazy month!! I have passed all my sophomore testing, written and practicals. I am now considered a junior, when it comes to classes. On top of that, I am about 50 hours away from being halfway done with school. This means that I am not far off in believing I can be done by August (if all gets approved by financial aid). I have little to do for requirements, and a TON of studying in prep for my junior and senior testing. It is CrAzY and amazing at the same time!!!

First, with the junior status: I am currently taking all of my junior classes and tests. I have already completed my junior nails test (93%) and Oregon Law (91%), leaving infection control, facials and career development left for tests. These will come as I finish each class. Which, due to my accelerated program, I am in classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, leaving Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for clients. On top of that, I need to practice for a make-up practical and french tip form practical. These all have to be completed before July, when I will start my senior testing. It seems so far away, but the fact that I feel like I JUST started this journey, I know the time will pass quickly.

My requirements are being checked off quicker than I expected. Most of the items I have left to do, I have less than 5 to complete. The biggest thing I need to do is acrylic fills, which are easy on my fake fingers (those things are SOOO freaking creepy, I will not be missing them when I am done). After my requirements are done, I will be getting extra requirements under my belt, which will look AWESOME on my resume when I get ready to go out into the real world.

So far, it looks like August could REALLY happen. However, I had the bomb dropped on my that, because I am getting federal financial aid, I may not be able to graduate that soon due to how loans and grants are paid out. That is fine, as long as I am prepared for that in advance. And, that means I may just get to take a few weeks vacation and enjoy my summer still. So long as I get a few days with my kids and husband before I go back to work, I will be a happy girl.

I am still rocking out the clients Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. Come join me on the journey one of those nights and I can give you a discount as one of my readers. <3

As always, thanks for joining me on the journey ~S

Sophomore Practicals

I'm so excited to announce that I am done with my sophomore practicals! And, I only have one written test to finish to be completely done with my sophomore testing. Then, on to my junior status.

The time at school has gone by so quickly. I am excited to be done, but a little nervous as well. I will love being able to set my own schedule and have access to more products and classes. However, there will be no teacher standing near by to help answer any questions or assist me with a client. As the day of graduation gets closer and closer, I find my confidence growing.

This journey just keeps getting better and better! Thanks for joining me on it. ~S

Sophomore Status...That Didn't Last Long

I am officially a sophomore at school...and I have already done my sophomore testing for facials. Next month, I will be doing my sophomore testing for nails. At this rate, I will be done with testing by July and able to graduate as soon as my hours are up, which could be as early as mid-August. What an awesome feeling!!!

Tomorrow, our facial product representative will be at school to teach us more about the product and how to do a 4 layer facial. I am excited, as I have a few classmates who come to me for their regular facials and I want to get her advice on what different products I can use to help with their skin issues.

This journey is going by so fast!! Thank you for joining me on it ~S

Moving Right Along

This week is going to be a whirlwind, followed by next week. I have two tests to take, left over from my extra training in facials. One will be my make up practical and my facial written. From there, I will be looking at what requirements I have completed and what requirements I have left to finish, then start working on getting them finished. My goal is to get 2 or more requirements done every day. Ambitious if I end up getting clients daily.

Next week, I have a few things I am going to seek about learning. Eye treatments, more facial machines and nail art are just a few things that I would like to get some focus on. On top of that, I have two product specific training I will be taking next week. The first is at the local beauty supply store, where I will be learning a new nail art product. The second is with our facial cleanser company at the school. This will only help me to better know what products are out there, how to use them and how to help my clients use them to their benefit.

So far, I am still on target to get done with school in early September. This also means that it is time for me to start working one Saturday a month to make sure my hours are where they need to be. It will be an amazingly busy time, but well worth it.

This journey has only just begun! Thank you for joining me on it ~S

What A Week!!!

What an awesome week.

My teacher is on vacation this week, which means that I am on the floor ready for clients. And, so far, it has been SUPER productive. I have gotten many of my requirements done and have been recomennded to many students for different services. Slowly, I am becoming a favorite for some of my fellow classmates for facials and manicures.

On top of getting so much done, I had my second real client. My first client was someone who I am friends with. This client was someone who walked in and got an appointment with me. It was both a gel manicure and pedicure. It was great and she was a ton of fun and super nice.

Slowly, I am gaining my confidence on the floor and being able to work on people with out fear. One step closer in my journey!! Thanks again for joining me ~ S

Just One More Day

Tonight we had out waxing practical and started our make up "training."

The waxing practical was easy. 100%, and done. I am still not a fan of waxing, just because it causes people pain and I always feel like I have to point out the flaws in others in order to do it. However, people love getting waxed and my perfectionism-issues make me good at it. So, bring on your unwanted hair...I'll take it away for you!

Make up training was more about how to wash your brushes and make sure that your make up didn't get contaminated by reusing it on different people. They didn't really teach us much on how to apply it. But, with the power of being a girl and the internet, I am sure that I can find some really good tips, if I have any questions. Tomorrow, we take our practical on that.

After our practical tomorrow, I will OFFICIALLY be done with my back classes. That means, I am going to be on the floor and able to take clients. My schedule is Tuesday through Friday starting at 5:30 (although I can start as early as 3, so if you need an earlier appointment, let me know).\

This is going way faster than I had thought it would. Yikes!!

With that, I am off and running. Thank you for joining me on my journey ~ S