Monday, May 4, 2015

The Nail School Chronicle: The Countdown Begins

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Hello Loves.  Its been a few weeks since I wrote a Nail School update.  Honestly, I don't even know what week I'm on now.  Week 21?   Week 22? Yeah, that number doesn't matter anymore.  What matters is the number 4.  Why 4, you ask?  Because that's how many weeks I have left!

I'm sure you're wondering why I skipped a few weeks worth of updates.  Honestly, there hasn't been much to report.  I've been busting my butt to knock out credits and get caught up, so I don't have anything exciting to write about.  Just repetitions, repetitions, repetitions.

So what HAVE I been up to for the past few weeks?  A lot!  I've been focused on cranking out credits left and right, so my work area often looks like this.  I've been working two mannequin hands at a time and making quite a mess.  lol  Pictured below is a set of wraps in progress.  I honestly HATE doing wraps.  They aren't difficult, but they are time consuming and only count for 1 credit for a full set.  Thankfully, I only have two sets left and I'm finished with wrap credits.  I'll be knocking those out ASAP.

Speaking of credits, I managed to make a solid dent in the credits I still need to complete for graduation this past month.  Here's where I stand now.  I'm still very nervous about those mani and pedi credits, but we have two Teacher Appreciations Events for local school teachers this week that will help with the mani credits.  I also added two new sections that I have to complete - Efile (drill) and air brush.  We were shown the Efile demo last week so I can start working on those now, but I still need the airbrush demo before I can start on those.  The real bummer in the chart below is that I'm pretty much finished with sculpt and overlay credits but still need quite a few fill-ins.  Which means I'll be doing more overlays than I actually need to get them finished.  Rats!  I should have started on fill-ins much earlier in the program than I did.  But what is it that they say about hind-sight?  Yeah, its a little late for me, but for the students who are following my adventures, take my advice:  work on those fill-in credits with every sculpt and overlay if you are allowed to do fills on your mannequin hand in your program!

I'm also gearing up for my first mock state board exam today.  We did the prep for it last week and it was really cool the way it was broken down.  Each day we ran through one portion of the practical exam, learning what they are looking for and what mistakes will cost us points.  I feel pretty confident going into my first mock exam.  We have all of our supplies separated into bags by section, so it's a simple as setting up the contents of the bag and performing the service.  The prep and recommended set up really takes a lot of the stress out of it so we can focus on the actual tasks at hand.  I have to get two of these mock exams under my belt before I can graduate.  I was supposed to do the first one last month, but the change in the exam itself by the state board delayed things a bit.  I should have the second a few days before my last day at GCI.  So it's all good.  :)

Moving on...after that disaster french manicure I did for the previous director, I've been working on my freehand french polish application.  I'm getting better.  Still have a lot of room for improvement, but this is a thousand times better than before.  Gah...I hate polish!  Seriously, hate it hate it hate it.  I've been spoiled by my Indies.  I know, ironic.  But gel polish is so much friendlier.  lol  Both of these are over blended tips with acrylic overlays. 

I also finally remembered to take a picture of my most faithful client.  Ms. T comes in for a pedi and full set every few weeks.  She rarely ever gets a fill.  She likes to start fresh.  I love Ms. T to death and she's a very friendly lady.  The down side to that is that she knows and talks to everyone in the school...with her hands.  lol  Needless to stay, trying to sculpt acrylic on moving hands isn't exactly easy.  So the smile lines are a little off on this set.  But, hey, I remembered to take a picture!  Go me!  (Side note:  I didn't shape the thumbs.  I applied the acrylic but the finish filing was done by someone else on those.)

I also had the opportunity to do some pageant nails for my friend's daughter this past Thursday evening.  It was her first pageant and she wore an adorable fuchsia dress with zebra accents.  The color in the photo is way off (cell phone shot), but Couture Mardi Gras was the perfect match for her dress and she was thrilled with the crystal accents on her toes.  Oh, and she got 1st runner up, best smile and most photogenic.  Not bad for her first pageant ever.  :)  I wish I had a photo of her all done up to show you, but considering her age I'll keep it to her fingers and toes.  ;)

Let's jump track for a second.  I am happy to announce that we are finally ok financially.  We settled with the insurance company for Keith's wreck this past week and have the check in hand.  So I'm closing my Go Fund Me account.  Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you who contributed through Go Fund Me or my destash.  I would have never been able to make it this far without your support.  It truly means to world to me to know that I have so many awesome readers out there.  Y'all rock!

Since I don't have a Go Fund Me to share, I'm going to drop the link to another Go Fund Me account.  I received a request from Chris at Nail Mates asking me to share the following.  Her friend's daughter is battling Cystic Fibrosis and they are in desperate need of help.
"I've known Stephanie, mom, and Hunter for a few years now. Hunter has been fighting this horrendous lung disease her entire life. It is unfair that such a little one would be as familiar with hospital beds as her own. She is a fighter in the true sense, but her little body is giving out.  She is currently in ICU at Children's Hospital, she doesn't have time to wait for a transplant. Her parents want to send Hunter to the Dominic Republic for stem cell treatment immediately. There is much promise with this treatment, but they need to fund it prior to Hunter receiving the treatment. The parents also need help staying down there with her through the series of treatments.

PLEASE go into the link below and help in any way you can. In spite of this horrific affliction this beautiful little soul radiates joy and love even in her darkest moments. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated and PLEASE pass this link on to your contact list. Thank you for all consideration. C"

I know stem cell research is a touchy subject with many, but I decided to share Chris's plea because this little girl needs help - more help than I ever needed.  Please visit the link below and read Hunter's story.  In addition to funding, good thoughts and prayers are also very much needed for this precious little girl.


Finally, how about some shots of my mani for this week?  I'm wearing Cuccio Grape to See You with A Star is Born on my ring finger and some double stamping from Cici&Sisi 05 on my middle nail.  I've been dying to wear Grape to See You and A Star is Born since I swatched them a few weeks back, and I'm in love with how this mani turned out.  And yes, I'm sporting nubs.  School has been so freaking hard on my nails lately.  :(
Cuccio Grape to See You with A Star is Born and stamping nail art

Since my hands rarely sport the same polish, I just had to try for a double hand shot of this one. Would you believe my 2 year old helped take this photo?  He actually takes a lot of my pictures thanks to a tripod and a shutter release button.  He loves to push that button.  lol
Cuccio Grape to See You with A Star is Born and stamping nail art

That's all for today.  I'm going to try to squeeze in an extra post this week since I'm a tad behind on my reviews.  So check back throughout the week for my full review of the Revel Nail Dip Powders, Swatches of the new Pink Gellac colors, and a Messy Mansion stamping plate review.  :)

~Michelle

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6 comments:

  1. A quick Google search seems to indicate that they use adult stem cells, which removes the ethical consideration entirely. I'm relieved you're in the clear and can't wait to hear that you're graduating. :). Your mani is super fun. :)

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  2. I am so happy for you and your family that your dreams are coming true! With the heavy worries about the settlement now over, you can take aim at the last tasks you need to achieve to graduate. We want to see you with that certificate and a big smile!

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  3. Michelle, I'm SO proud of you and your family and how you've conducted your self over the past exhausting stressful months. I'm looking forward to the post where you say "I've graduated". ;-)

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  4. I'm so happy for you Michelle, happy that things are starting to even out financially, that you're about to graduate and that you've got amazing skills that you share with all of us. You're a trooper and a great inspiration!

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  5. Yay!! I'm so glad things have turned around financially! Hopefully things are going "smoothly" at school?

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  6. Great news about your settlement! Love seeing your progress

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