Happy Boxing Day

Take it all down, Christmas is


over
But do not despair, but rather be glad
We had a good year, now let's have another
Remembering all the good times that we had
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
But Christmas, it makes way for spring
Though hearts of man are bitter in weather
As cold as the snow that falls from above
But just for one day we all came together
We showed the whole world that we know how to love
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
But Christmas, it makes way for spring
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
Christmas, it makes way for spring
Oh remember that Christmas, it makes way for spring!

(boxing day - RelientK - deck the halls and break your fists)


- Posted from emikel's iPhone -

let the festivities begin! - Part one

Elissa Sundet - Self Portrait - Painting
I found a photograph of this on another floor and kind of laughed when I found the fountain itself. I took a picture on my iPhone and showed it to my dad, "YOU"RE AN ARTIST!" he said ;)

Antonio Campelli - Self Portrait - Painting

Elissa Sundet - Painting

This one appears small in the photo, but in reality it probably was the same length as both my arms, fingertip to fingertip. The picture does not do it justice.

Eye make up that Bella and I played with :)

I sit here writing to you as a freshly graduated cosmetology student. Last Friday, December 17, 2010 I clocked out for the last time at 12:30. It was most certainly a bittersweet day for me. Leaving the school wasn't too bad, but leaving the people - my fellow students and teachers - I came close to shedding a few tears, but I was scolded by the woman who had done my make up that I wasn't allowed to cry until after I had taken it off. It's hard to believe that my year of education is over already! It seemed to drag sometimes, but as I look back on it I just can't believe how fast it went by.

I had a job interview right after school so I hopped in the car with my parents and headed off to Gugliotti's Salon and Spa in Rocky hill. This was the second time I had applied and interviewed with them and I wasn't sure what to expect. One of my classmates was sure that I would get the job saying, "Isn't it just perfect? You finished school and got a job on the same day!" I told her not to say that because I didn't get the job yet. My first interview was around 30 minutes so we figured I could be dropped off and my parents would be able to go do some shopping or something. They were very surprised when I called them 10-15 minutes later with excellent news. When I stepped into the office the first thing that the woman asked me was, "Did Carmelo talk to you today?" I was puzzled...

She then proceeded to tell me that they normally higher people who are still in school just because you start as a receptionist and that gives the employee some time to acclimate to the salon, but if I was willing to be a receptionist even though I was done with school, for the time being, they would love to have me. The job was mine, if I wanted it...which I did ;) I go in sometime this week to talk over details and such.

After the "interview" I was treated to a tasty lunch at Wood 'n Tap. Thanks mom and dad!

My best friend was waiting for me when I got home, ready to jump on me and make me a "cosmetologist pancake". We then proceeded to have coffee and play with make-up - because that's what we do :)

That night I went to the MCC art show where a few friends of mine had some of their pieces on display and I was in total awe at the artistry that came from their hands. Particularly the self portraits of my friends Elissa and Tony that they did for their painting class.

Soon after I got home, one of our friends showed up for a hair appointment. I went to sleep that night quite happy with my situation, and glad that I wouldn't have to wake up at 6:45 for school the next morning. I would, however, still have to get up and do hair and makeup for a photo shoot, vintage style....

Visitor Rebuilt Goes Acoustic

Thursday, December 2, 2010.

Cornerstone Christian School held a benefit concert to raise support for the Senior Class Trip this coming spring. Paint the Shore, Lost Radio, Visitor Rebuilt and a couple others graced us with their presence and good music. I went to support the my very talented friends and my brother who is a senior at CCS.

Leave it to James to find not only a Santa hat, but a plethora of other floppy-eared hats as well.

Fan Posters...

**********

The bassist - Harrison - wasn't present as he had his own concert at UConn to attend, so the guys went acoustic. It sounded amazing! And when they've got their own full length album I would love it if they had some of their acoustic stuff on there. :)

*************

There was a strange rabbit that showed up and hung out on stage with the guys for a while. I don't know if I've ever seen anything creepier.

I have a video of the guys playing while the bunny sat there creepily, but my computer and my phone are just not cooperating with each other and it won't load, I'll keep trying.

*************

Afterwords, Nathan, Jimmy, and James were playing around(they secretly are creed...?)



Of course as soon as I start recording they decide to stop.

Don't Worry, 'Bout A Thing...

This past week I had a service day and decided to try something other than the regular blow dry, or curls. What did we do? Dreads. Yes, you read that right, dreads, as in dreadlocks, like Bob Marley...but not as gross. After about 3 hours of teasing and twisting and teasing and waxing and teasing and waxing some more, my head was covered in teeny-tiny little dreadlocks. I only left them in for a day for fear of them deciding to become a permanent fixture upon my head. People asked me why I wasn't going to keep them in, "they totally fit you!" I was told through out the day. "You're a chameleon," one of my teachers told me. "You've had so many different styles on your head and you've rocked them all, you seem to be able to make anything work."

Well, why didn't I keep them? As my teacher said, I'm a "chameleon", I change my hair way too much style and color wise to hold onto dreads. I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment!(!!!!) That, and the only way to get rid of them(once they've been on your head for a while and have 'matured' - yes dreads go through a time of maturity - is to shave your head, and that is the last thing I want to do to my poor head of thick locks.)

Anyways, I think I got the dreadlock fever out of my system...for now...
And now I shall share with you my great joy and love of this fantastic and unique style in pictures:

This was just after I took out box braids...they were my 'almost - dreads'

This amazes me!

Attend the Tale of Sweenella Todd...

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. He served a dark and avengeful God!

What happened then, well that's the play,and he wouldn't want us to give it away... "

Saturday night our YG had one of it's events. A large and exaggerated version of the classic game CLUE, where the church was the game board, and the youth were the players. The Leadership Core got to play the house staff, and I was more than happy to be appointed the position of Sweenella Todd, personal Hair and Complexion consultant to the murdered couple...and granddaughter of the Demon Barber himself, Sweeney Todd.

Note: Yes my real grandfather was a Barber, but he was most certainly not a demon Barber...actually he was a pastor, so...yeah. Pretty sure there was no killing going on in his shop...

I was very excited to play this role, and laughed when I found out that my murder weapon was a pair of - get this - safety scissors!!! (And, yes, I was the murderess.)

Seeing as I adore musicals, and enjoy all things pertaining to hair, it would make sense that I would have a fascination with Sweeney Todd.

For just a little taste I suggest you watch this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd

I later went to bed, to tired to shower, and awoke to this....which was nearly as scary.

I laugh in the face of 'danger'! Hahahaha!

"The count down begins at zero..."

That's right my friends, the State Board countdown has ended. Last Saturday, 11/13, I woke up earlier than my normal Saturday earliness and ventured to UHart with my mother. There I met with the 100 other cosmetology students waiting to take the boards. We were the first wave of Board takers that day, waiting for 8:00 to come so we could start. I wasn't really nervous that morning, more excited, and anxious for it to be over. Most of my nerves came out the day before when I pretty much had a breakdown in my theory room and was told to put all my flashcards and study papers away and just relax.

Of course sleep was really just a bad joke. It's not like I really thought of the test I would be taking the next morning. Actually, I was thinking of cutting techniques and color designs and people I could do them on...which was random.

I was pleased to find that not only was I joined by 4 other students from IIC, but 2 or 3 from our plainville branch. Seeing familiar faces puts me in a calmer place. At 8:00 we all sat down and waited for the last few stragglers to find their way in. At about a quarter after we opened our booklets and started to fill in all the little bubbles.

My heart was racing as I examined what I was facing, random facts and questions running through my brain as I tried to remember all my studying from the past 6 weeks. I looked down at the first two pages, each page had only four questions each. Ok, that's not too overwhelming. I read the first question and a smile appeared on my face. I know that!!!

I continued on through the test pausing for only two or three of the questions. Before we had started, one of the proctors had explained how the test was to be filled out, how it was graded, yada-yada-yada. The same sort of spiel that they give before any sort of multiple choice test. They had explained that we had two whole hours to finish, and they would set a timer to go off every hour. "By the time the first alarm rings, you should be on at least question 44. This way you are about half way done."

'Hurried' isn't the word I would use to describe my pace. I made it through the questions very quickly, not rushing. I was able to read the question and have the answer already in my head before I looked at my options. A grin graced my face all throughout the period I was there, a few chuckles even escaped my lips -the proctors probably thought I was crazy, or on drugs...

I had made it to question #1o1 and glanced at my neighbor sitting to the right of me, some dude I'd never seen before. There he sat, leaning over his test, clenching his pencil....staring...

My eyes followed his unwavering gaze, right to question #45.

I looked back at my test.

102.

103.

104...

105.

SEE YA DUDE!

I glanced quickly at all my little bubbles, making sure I had filled them all in, got up and brought my sheets to the front of the room where I handed them in and signed out. I was done!!! and before the first timer went off, before 9:00. I walked out of the room, smiling that I was the third one finished, but only by a minute or two.

The next hour was spent finding our way back to school...we got lost in Hartford...all parts. Then got stuck in the drivethru in a DD just down the road from my school...

My teachers laughed at me when I told them how simple the test had been. "I don't know why I was so worried yesterday!" They know I'm OCD about tests.

Now I wait. I've been told that the results should come on Tuesday or Wednesday. DUNDUNdun...

State of boardom

When I got my state board study sheets four weeks ago I was excited. Excited and overwhelmed. Well, when I got those first three packets I thought I was overwhelmed...little did I know...

A few days ago I got the FINAL state board worksheet, 197 questions. I've finally filled them all out, now onto notecards.

I now have 2 weeks to go, and I'm starting to freak out. My days are filled with worksheets and notecards, sitting for 6hours in a back theory room. And let me tell you, this is excruciating for someone who needs to be doing creative things with their hands nearly 24/7 to be happy.

My teachers told me that if I got bored I was allowed to go on the floor and do practicals, but I never did. Why? Because this scares me. I've just been handed a great deal of information to study, and despite what others tell me (that the test is easy, I'll be fine, "I didn't even study!") I've got it in my head that I have to know this stuff inside out and backwards. At this point I may actually be my own worst enemy. Hyping this up inside my head into an almost do-or-die situation. No one from my school has ever taken the state boards and not passed. The pressure is on, but it really shouldn't be...
Oh my, oh my. The count down begins. Saturday, November 13, 2010. 12 more days...


- Posted from emikel's iPhone -

there IS cake!

Thursday we celebrated my little sister E's 12th birthday. She is such a joy to have, especially as my one and only sister. We share many similar traits, especially physical, but it always amazes me that we can be so similar and yet completely different! She is soooo much more of a girly-girl than I ever was (or ever will be, probably), she's a home body - loves to stay home, be alone in her room, totally content with not doing anything. I go a little crazy when I'm at home without something to do, or not surrounded by people.

I discovered that she makes a very amusing face when she has her picture taken....

So of course Oli and I mimicked her...

Then we decided to take one of our famous 'awkward family pictures' with all of us making the face...(this is us in preparations. We were laughing too hard.)

And of course, when we all pose with her 'face' she doesn't do it!!!! OH E!

(and yes, I am wearing 3D glasses with the lenses punched out, I do that sometimes.)

who says blondes have more fun?

Today I had the pleasure of coloring my friend Sarah's lovely hair. Her mother is a very gifted professional photographer, and I was over their house one afternoon practicing a vintagey pin-up-esque hairstyle on her youngest daughter for themed shoot we were scheduling when the topic of coloring hair came up. (To see her work, and the results of the shoot we worked on together click here:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhalliewestcott.com%2F&h=c488c , http://networkedblogs.com/91rMH)

We went back and forth discussing different color options, which got me pretty excited. If you know me, then you know that working with color is one of my favorite things to do. We finally decided on some colors...and here are the results of today's fun... :)

Color. Me. Happy. :D

reflection on updos

I love hair. Obviously. I don't think there are many aspects of hair that I don't like. So much creativity goes into everything that is done. One of my favorite ways of expressing creativity - apart from color - is updos...(updo-ing?)

Thursday was my sister's birthday, as well as my service day. We decided to go out to see Jason Castro at Mohegan Sun that night to celebrate. He's really awesome, by the way, but that's another blog post for another day. Anyways...because it was my service day, and because we were going out to a concert, I decided it would be cool to get a funky updo. So after lunch I asked Morgan, a highly gifted individual, if she would do something cool with my quirky locks, and this is what she came up with. Freakin. Awesome.

Sorry if all the pics seem to be from one angle/side...I had a fascination with the braids. :)

Having lots of different tones in my hair, as well as really randomly placed, chunky blond bits made for a fun canvas to work with. I was totally psyched with the results.

On Wednesday we had a halloween updo competition. Now, I really don't know what a 'halloween-updo' looks like, and honestly, I didn't really care. I did, however, have an updo in mind. There had been an idea - a vision, if you will - rolling around in my brain for a couple of days so I decided to play around with that idea instead of doing...holloweeny stuff...

And here we have my dear Barbara Blonde, modelling this trial-run updo.

Trippy Hippies

If you know me, then you know that along with my love of pirates I also have a love and fascination with hippies and gypsies. I can try to explain, but I really don't know if I can, why this is so cool to me.

Let's start with road trips.
I love them. Since I was in the womb we would be making long trips to see family, starting out in CT and ending in PA, VA, OH, or NY.
Most of the time it was Pennsylvania we were heading for,[photo sent to me by Bella, was hanging on the wall of a little joint called "the cosmic omelet]

a little town located deep in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, called Wellsboro where we'd meet up with my mom's family who also came from miles around to hang out in this cool, round house in a clearing. We'd have huge family dinners while, like, 20 grand kids ran around in the clearing and in the woods, with 'swords and guns', swimming in the lake and camping out in Hillscreek state park, or taking a walk up the dirt road to...well, nowhere imparticular.


Next we can move to cars.
I like cars. They're fun to drive, they get you places, they get you away from places, they present you with a cozy place to hang out with your friends for an hour or so on your way to the beach and back, and most of them have a stereo to blast music with. Since I was little I've always admired the way classic cars look. Now, I can't tell you what on earth is under the hood and all the hoosie-what's-its that make it work, but I appreciate the way they look...
Someday, I want this to be my car.



[This photo belongs to
mPascalj's photostream (2,321) ]

And sure, why not, I'll live at the beach on the weekends. Totally fine with that ;) Yup, a classy VW camper van. I'll drive across the country, and stop along the way to visit relatives and their showers...perhaps I'll be a traveling hairdresser? ;) But in all seriousness, I do dream of someday traveling europe and doing hair for something. Whether it be avant garde fashion shows, or theatre groups or whatever.

Then we get to music, cause you can't live your life and not have music.
Music makes me happy, pretty much no matter what genre it is. Variety is probably the best one word to sum it all up in. Classic to contemporary, acoustic to metal, trippy to worship....yeah. But as much as I love some of the more contemporary bands that I grew up with, I have a special place in my heart for some not-so-contemporary bands that I grew up listening to, courtesy of mi papa.
Bands like The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Don McLean, Simon and Garfunkel...and along came ACDC, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Guns and Roses...you get the picture. I definitely inherited my love of music(and the benefits of liking a large variety) from my dad. The only time I can crank the volume and rock out, is either when I'm home/driving alone, or with him. He's pretty awesome that way. One of the permanent fixtures in my van is going to be an acoustic guitar - maybe I can hook up an amp or something in the van and I can bring my electric too. But what fun would it be to have a big van, some rocking tunes, and an instrument or two and be all by yourself? So, somewhere along the way I'll have to convince my friends to come along with me sometimes :)

Yup. So that's a little bit about me and my fascination for *trippy hippie life. Emily Michael, gypsypiratehippiechick.

*DISCLAIMER - As far as the Trippy factor goes, I so do not endorse drug use. The only drugs I encourage are COFFEE, life, music, and creativity, four of God's greatest gifts to man. I've got a good enough imagination to go through life and enjoy it to the wackiest, and fullest extent without shoving crap up my nose and stabbing needles in my arms. Thanks very much.

The Swashbooklers

For those of you who doubted that piracy and love of literature ran in my family... ;)

paper bag skits

Saturday, September 25, 2010...Cape Cod.

On the last night of our YG's fall retreat to Cape Cod we do something called "Paper Bag Skits" where we are given a genre, a list of props that MUST be used, and are set free into small groups to see what sort of theatrical creativeness we can jam into 5 minutes or less. Mostly we find a basic plot line, and improv the rest...we're pretty big on improv.

Normally I load all these on FB, but it is giving me grief today, so I thought I'd share a little of our fun with you her in the land of Blogs... enjoy :)

what do you do with a drunken sailor?

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot, Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

As all of you should know, yesterday - September 19 - was National Talk Like A Pirate day. One of my most favoritest days of the whole year...arrrrgh!

My interest in piracy began at a young age. I had a love for swords, the ocean, worn out clothes, adventures, hammocks, and floppy hats, not to mention root beer.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

The first time I met Bella, I didn't realize she was a pirate like me. It was upon our reunion that we discovered that one similarity. We had a plan. Live on a boat, find us a couple buccaneers and have us a double wedding on my tennis court...

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We kindle and char, inflame and ignite, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. We burn up the city, we're really a fright, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

...we still have yet to find ourselves some pirate menfolk...

We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Well, we did find some pirate menfolk, many in fact, while the two of us were perambulating in our Pirate garb, at the CT Renaissance fair...but they were...really bad eggs...

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads, Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Favorite Movies and Books:
Pirates of the Carribean..ALL. THREE.
Treasure Island - with the muppets :)
Peter Pan...
and The Goonies, cause that's a classic.

I wanted to share a couple of my favorite children's books with you as well.Pirate Girl, By Cornelia Funke , cracks me up every time. It's about this awesome girl named Molly, who get's captured by unsuspecting pirates, and is saved by the notorious Barberous Bertha.

And there's this one, about a wee lad who helps blundering pirates who are not very good at map reading skills, and how he runs away with them to live a pirate's life...
...because, you want to celebrate piracy, and I know you do, you need to be able to talk like one, savvy?

http://www.piratetreasure.org/pirate-phrases.htm

And I shall leave you with a wonderful poem on this wonderfl subject:

Captain Hook must remember

Not to scratch his toes.

Captain Hook must watch out

And never pick his nose.

Captain Hook must be gentle

When he shakes your hand.

Captain Hook must be careful

Openin' sardine cans

And playing tag and puring tea

And turnin' pages of his book.

Lots of folks I'm glad I aint -

But mostly Captain Hook!

Shel Silverstein.

thinking on these things...

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News."

Romans 10:15

Some Sonnets

By none other than my favorite elizabethan author...





- Posted from emikel's iPhone -