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....