I've slacked off completely...

But I wrote this out and figured I'd post it on here..

They say if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. But I think sometimes life hands you lemonade and you just have to enjoy it.

Not too long ago I came across an agency that posts CV's (résumés) for salons. It was a sketchy looking website and you couldn't even upload a document. Out of boredom (mostly I had been sick and funds were low) I posted my half assed CV, with little hope.

A few days later I got some phone calls from various salons but none of them were even decent salons. I thought, "Well Celina, sketchy website equals sketchy salons, or should I say dodgy" Than I got a phone call from a salon. They asked for an actual CV and I did a mini phone interview.

I didn't think anything of it. But than I was asked to do an actual interview with the manager. I started really researching the salon, its an incredible company. I figured what's the harm in an interview. Which turned into a trait test or technical interview with two models, than a second trait test with two more models. I honestly didn't think I would even get an offer. Regardless of skill level, I'm a government issue. That's right, an immigrant.


I still have to be approved by the UK Border Agency to stay. But that's the next step. I've thought long and hard about this. It's a big change and it's not exactly an easy process. But I can't pass up the opportunity. I've been handed lemonade.

I'm going to miss seeing my regular clients, my friends, and my family, I already do. But i've been offered the chance of a lifetime. I'm the only one in my course from the states who has stayed, and only 2 in the entire course of almost 20 to stay in England. I worked hard to get to London to train here, and now I've been offered a chance to work here, to learn more from some amazing stylists, to try out this city, to challenge myself in a completely new way.

I look forward to the adventure, knowing that I'm risking everything, but I just can't pass it up. A good friend of mine told me, "Life won't wait," and it's true, London won't wait either.

Half way mark

It's crazy to think Monday marks 6 weeks I've been in this course. It's really starting to come together. They've changed up our instructors and the new ones are amazing. Daniel and Jay are both super technical and I love it. If they check your haircut its not just "see here" its "you changed your body position here" or "you've changed the direction of your comb" Little things I'm learning to take into account for. They've given us the basic tools and now they're teaching us to think in a whole new way. I'm absolutely loving it.

I managed to go out on the town last night. I had a client who gave me the name of a gay bar that plays pop and indie. A girl really couldn't ask for more. My house mate Cara and I got all done up (I did the hair and make up duh) and we met up with two of my classmates John and Nicole. We danced our little hearts out (but really until our feet couldn't take our shoe's abuse). As the English would say, "it was brilliant"

Next weekend Cara is taking Julie (other housemate) and I down to Brighton for Gay Pride Weekend. We're going out and getting all dolled up. It's going to be amazing. I will have pictures to post.

Anyways, I leave you with a picture of my drive home in the taxi...It's still weird to think I live in London... The red stripe is a double deck bus. It loses its novelty when it almost makes you late to school...

I had a long weekend

So I went up to Scotland. Unfortuantely the train I hopped on was fully booked with reservations. Meaning, no open seats to the unreserved like me. I decided to stay on board anyways and wait for some people to get off. The train make a good amount of stops so I figured I'd be fine. There was about 5 of us waiting in the cabin entrance so I sat in the same spot I stood in. I knew playing in cardboard boxes as a child attempting to fit in small boxes would one day come in handy. But my skill was really put to the test about an hour later when the only place for me to sit was inside the luggage storage shelving. There were no seats but there was space for luggage. I'm not sure why. But I managed to sleep in a tiny cubbyhole for almost two hours. Here's me and some luggage that's not mine.. It served as a pillow.

I got a seat after that and was fine the rest of the way. I had tons of fun in Scotland, saw Toy Story 3-d, had a BBQ, and I learned why not to mix alcohol.

Than back to school as usual. I had the most amazing instructor today. He's going to be with us for the next 4 weeks. He's incredibly helpful and super positive. I can't say that for all the instructors. I got to do round graduation with a heavy fringe on a Chinese girl.. Here's the result . .


Her fringe isn't crooked, she closed her eyes and raised an eyebrow. She ruined my picture.. Haha

Anyways, a side from my guest today flipping out and launching a formal complaint with the school because an instructor used the same comb to check the cut, everything's been good. I'm really enjoying London. And it's been a good work out, none of my clothes fit me. Too bad I'm broke and can't buy new clothes.

Also I've redone hairtobreakhearts.com. It's just going to be a way to look up prices so I can free lance here in London but I did it myself. Thanks iWeb. It should be working in the next couple of days.

Week Two

I started this week really upset. This course is definitely not easy. Not that I expected nor hoped it to be. Hair has always been something that came to me both easily and naturally. This course so far has reminded me that sometimes I am going to have to work at it. I can't determine if the haircut I did on Tuesday night was partially my own doing or the fact that the guest was a.) chalk full of nuts and b.) would not stop moving. The type of graduated bob that I did was very Sassoon styled but my elevation was off. Granted the client loved her hair and really only another hairstylist studying the cut would have noticed but I knew and that was upsetting.

But yesterday I had an epiphany about the technique and finally seemed to understand where I went a rye. I did another graduated bob with some layers on top and it was so much easier once all the pieces clicked into place. I really feel like I'm being forced to become a better hair cutter in a short amount of time. Which is exactly what I wanted. She needed her color done, I mean colour.


So the weather is going to be warm tomorrow and my house mates set up a sort of kiddy pool. I plan on sitting in it for most of the day and trying my new concoction. I love black current Ribena (juice) I'm going to add it to champagne. I hope its as tasty as I've imagined.

I also found the salon that Adee from Shear Genius 3 owns. It's beautiful. I found some really amazing shops today and to top it all off I had Chipotle. This town is growing on me real quick.

Finished out the week and played tourist

I'm really learning a lot about my skill as a hairstylist. Having to wait to do each section and not being able to move on with out each section being checked meticulously makes you very nervous. Not that I think I did poorly, but it makes you much more careful of your sectioning, your balance from left side to right side, the angle of your elbow, and your body position. Each can affect your cut and they will call you out on it, in front of the guest. It's hard, but well worth it. It's nice having 2 hours to work on a cut, not that I take that full amount. I'm never rushed or worried about another guest, in a few weeks we go to two clients, than three, than four.

This weekend my family arrived in London. I got to play tourist, which I haven't gotten to do. Aside from when I travel anywhere cause I am kind of a tourist. We saw the Victoria and Albert museum, the London Bridge, the Tate Modern, the Natural History*, and walked all over the touristy areas. I had a lot of fun. But I'm so tired. This city wears you out. It may also be the copious amounts of walking that I'm not at all used to. I should have started a strict regiment of cardio prior to moving.. Ehh what are you going to do..

Week two starts at school, lets see how this one goes... Ps kinda wished this was my kit for doing hair
*I didn't really see anything but the dinosaurs at the Natural History museum. It's sort of pale in comparison to Smithsonian. So I didn't move past that area.

I've begun to slack

I wouldn't say really slack, but been less than diligent. I spent the weekend in Scotland to help out a friend who broke his foot. But Monday was my first day of school.

If you've ever see an episode of Japanese television that has been dubbed over in English, than you have an idea of to what my class is similar. There are 8 Japanese students that don't really speak English. So they have a translator. I'm really learning a lot. Down side. Vidal Sassoon hates blow dries. No volume, no round brushes, no real product.. It's a little bit of torture. I did have a nice afternoon with Julie my house mate afterwords. We went to Regent's park and just sat outside.

DAY 2 We were thrown to the wolves. I did a cut on a guest. The instructor had only demonstrated a one length the day before. Luck for me, first guest was a one length. I did well. The educator gave me pretty high marks. There's always room for improvement and I can't blow dry hair without my nozzle and round brush. Awful I tell you. I walked around Westminster and found a park to eat lunch in. I though how very Londoner of me. Until Day 3 when I got lost getting back to class from the park. I should have just stuck to what I know, no new paths.

Miss April left yesterday. I don't have my North American friend to translate me to the house mate. It won't be the same with out her. But all six of us (the 4 house mates, myself, and April who's room I'm staying in) all went out for curry. My first time, and the boys did a wonderful job ordering Celina friendly food. I want more naan.

Today I have no voice from that lovely cough so asking questions on paper to an instructor who's blow drying hair proved to be highly ineffective. If I pushed to have a voice, I sounded like Morse code, every other work came out. Hopefully some rest tonight will resolve that.

Day 4 tomorrow. No more getting lost. And no more weird Italians hitting on me when I'm lost with no voice. At least I was lost in the "good" part of town. The park sits in between a Porsche and Bentley dealership. Oh yeah, it's real fancy. I try to look professional to blend in with the other 4 piece suits, although the arm is kind of a dead give away...

Primark..

I woke up with a little bit of a sore throat today. Two of my housemates had colds when I got here. Not to mention I stayed up with little sleep for like 3 days. It made me sleep in some. But I went to Oxford Circus again this time with housemates, ironically the ones that were sick. I bought my sister a shirt for her birthday even though it's not until November. It was just so darn cute, and I know she will love it.

We went to a store called Primark. It was intense. Imagine the chaos of Forever 21 and Disney combined. Awful. But we did manage to find these awesome glasses.
That's right its both visor and glasses combined. You're very jealous I know. We named ourselves the foreign blondes. I think it could be a band. One girl is Irish and the other is Canadian. So it was fun walking around London town with non-Londoners.

I'm really enjoying everything I've been doing. Although they can't seem to get my drink right at Starbucks. Just saying. I'm off to Scotland tomorrow. A good friend has to have surgery so I'm going to help out. Long train ride tomorrow but I have a good book and an iPad. I should be fine.