This entire experience has been a bit crazy, honestly. It seemed like such a spontaneous decision when in actuality, I'd FINALLY listened to that little voice in my spirit that has been whispering to me for the past 18+ years. This time I not only listened but I was obedient and took the plunge.
I was first introduced to the Aveda brand by a close friend (shout out to Fred A.) We journeyed over to the Aveda store located in SoHo because Fred needed to pick up a few things. While I waited, one of the sales staff offered me this...this...tea - and it was the best tasting tea I'd every had!
I purchased some of this tea and was anxious to get home to brew my own portion in the largest coffee mug that I owned (greedy!).
During the years, I'd felt notions (on uncountable occasions actually) that I should attend the Aveda Institute but something always seemed to deter me. It seemed completely illogical for me to even consider being a hair stylist since I truly had zero interest in doing anyones hair; I harbour the same level of impatience and disdain for my own hair. I'm still not totally convinced now that I am being training but my passion lays around making other people look and feel great!
That intense feeling of interest pushed me on numerous occasions to request course catalogs. This occurred as early as 1996 when I was Freelancing and even as recently as 2011 while I was a part of the ginette-ny team. When I joined the Management team over at tenoverten TriBeCa that little voice once again reared its head.
Being at tenoverten triggered daydreams of me owning my own high end nail salons. I began my search to obtain information on which college had a proper Business Management program so that I could make this daydream a reality. My other search entailed expanding on my Marketing knowledge formed from classes at Parsons New School. Today, I can truly say that I did not have the burning desire, that strong inner craving for either of those studies but I pushed forward anyway.
As I searched these options, for unexplainable reasons beyond my limited scope of imagination, EVERY page that I looked at - every search that I searched for, all returned with something Aveda related. This to me was CRAZY.
I am a firm believer that God speaks to you and your spirit guides you to be the best of you; if you listen you can hear and feel this. This day, all signs were pointing to Aveda. I would have cheated myself, yet again, if I ignored this "clear" sign and I felt a burning inner desire that THIS was in fact what I needed to do.
So, I went ahead and contacted Admissions, took a tour, paid my application fee, completed the prerequisite paperworks, received a grant, applied for FA, qualified for FA, yaddi yadda - and started class on Jan 8, 2013.
As I recollect, it's actually quiet amusing to me as I originally downgraded my position at ginette_ny on Jan 11, 2011, WHICH- happens to also be the 2nd Tuesday of the year (classes at Aveda begun on...the 2nd Tues. of the New Year)!
Mystical!
In what seems like a short span of time, I have learned an ample portion about Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Etymology, Esthiology...all to be able to receive my license in Cosmetology. I'm excited.
Four months later, the path that I originally created for myself now had a detour; I am enjoying cutting and colouring hair - but STILL dont see myself as just a Hair Stylist. Thankfully, Cosmetology encompasses a large scope of possibilities. All I know is that I am on the right path...following the yellow brick road to somewhere.
In the grand scheme of things, this experience adds to my Styling experience.
Initially, my concerns and Business model was focussed on tackling client concerns based on issues from the neck down; now my focus is on the neck up. I provide a complete package.
Now regarding my initial interest that was spawned through my tennure over at tenoverten. I know for a fact that I am NOT cut out to be a Nail Technician.
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| manicure courtesy of tenoverten |
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| my first attempt to give a manicure |
La da di. La di da.
