This last week has been exceptionally busy, but I am in heaven. I have been studying, dog sitting, and working of course. I had another round of baby boards this week, which were a breeze. I am down to less then a week for my test and I am popping out of my seams because I just can’t wait to pass my exam and to be licensed.

I have stayed busy doing manicures in my home on non-paying clients just so I can get some practice. I have two full sets in the next week to give me something to do, and I have been playing with gel on my fake fingers for fun. I am trying to get a willing model to let me do a full set of gel nails, but I have had no takers so far. Gel was the only thing I didn’t get to do in school. I even did silk wrap sets in school and we had no one come in for gels. My feelers have been out on Facebook for a model because I want the experience.

My husband has been forcing me to study when I have no interest. He quizzes me on flash cards and has helped me add to the stack of cards things I need to know. This is what I get for marrying a teacher, but at least he is a good resource for good studying habits! The part I am most concerned with at this point is all the things in the State Board Rules and Regulations. I have to know that backwards and forwards. I know that I can only be quizzed on so many different things with 100 questions, but I don’t know which 100 questions I will get out of literally 1,000s. One of the girls in my class goes to boards two days before I do, one of them has the same day as I do but our written exams are at different times. I can’t wait to see how Yvette does and to hear what was on her written. I will likely have a lot of the same questions on my written that she will get.

I have been looking into continuing education classes for nails during this spring and summer, CosmoProf has some really great classes, and according to Young Nails’ website, they have some classes that are going to be held near me as well. I would also like to take another massage class to get my education hours up for that license, the last class I took was 28 hours of reflexology, but that was several years ago. I adore doing reflexology and my clients love it too, that was easily one of the best classes I ever took. I am definitely planning to go the Skin and Body Show in San Jose this summer. It’s a great show and I love taking the classes there.

On a personal note it has been super foggy in Sacramento and it’s starting to get me. The best part about California is that when the weather sucks in the valley all you have to do is head to the coast for sunshine and 70-degree weather. My husband and I have planned a three-night stay in Fort Bragg later in February to get some of that beautiful coastal weather in our systems — that and I want to celebrate my hard work and spend some time with him before baseball season starts! My husband is the head varsity football coach at a local high school and he also coaches JV baseball; he stays very busy as well.

I will keep everyone posted on how my week goes next week. The next time I post I will be a licensed manicurist in the state of California!

The above photo is of my study set up, using my massage table as a desk of course!

— Karyn