To love what you do*

     Loving what you do day in and day out is so important. Waking up in the morning, and getting ready for work knowing you are going to a job you love makes life easier! 
    In the last 13 years most of my jobs have been jobs I had to do, to pay this bill or that one. I had a few I liked and didn't mind much. I knew that I would not only be an excellent hairstylist, but I knew I would look forward to it day in, and day out. This was so important to me. to have a job I loved and was actually passionate about!! I seriously believe in the saying "things happen for a reason" I went through hardships to finally have the opportunity to go to school for cosmetology! I graduate this Friday and am the happiest I have been in a VERY long time! Now a door has opened with the company Matrix, and this could change my life and be a chance of a lifetime!! I am glad I followed my passion, otherwise I would still be fighting to find out who I really am. Just in this journey I learned so much about me, and I can't wait for my future, its very exciting, I can't wait to start!
    Positive thinking can set your mood and attitude for each day. Having a great attitude will open more doors, and people will be more attracted to you! You can't go wrong with a good spirit!  But finding out what you are passionate about or really enjoy can be a journey for you in itself! Everyone should make time to follow their dreams! 

Precious life.

  This morning was very enjoyable..out to breakfast with my sister who comes home from Connecticut on the weekends.. we laughed, caught up and we were on our way to a store.. there was a fire fighter redirecting traffic, we were a little concerned and made our way back out to the main road where we came upon the reason there was a traffic issue.. an accident. We kept driving minding our business and talked about how we hope everyone was okay.. but when a road is blocked off  like that.. its never a good sign. We went down a quarter of a mile and turned into the store and walked in.We got what we needed and had a nice talk with the customer service lady. My sister and I mentioned how there was an accident... she said that there was a helicopter that landed but didn't take the motorcyclist involved in the reck. The man had been killed right there.. my heart began to ache! I am not sharing this to make anyone feel badly.. but to make people realize how one minute we are all here and the next... we can be taken. I have thought about the gentleman that I don't know.. all day. I don't need to know him, I know he is a person with a family. maybe children, living parents and such.. I just think we all should count our blessings and know that we are lucky to have our loved ones  alive and well. I think sometimes we need to hear stories like this to appreciate things more then we do. Some people need to be more careful while driving and be more cautious. I just think that life is to short and we need to live it to the fullest! 

   I don't want to be someone who just talks about lollie pops and gummy bears all the time... that is not our reality. Things happen for a reason and we should all take a step back, and  truly love life.. hug our loved ones.. take chances and open doors that maybe have been shut but should be opened! Life is a gift! We are here on borrowed time and we all need to live it the way that makes us happiest :) who knows what can happen!! People need to follow their passions and hearts! Living this life can be such a beautiful experience and filled with love! Along the way there will be bumps. pain and heart ache.. but remember that its short lived. Love this life willingly, let go of fear to be yourself, be true to you, and do what is right in the end! I know it is not easy, but you will have no regrets that way!!

   Sorry to share about the gentleman who passed today... I think he was doing something he enjoyed on such a beautiful day... but when things so tragic happen, it can be a wake up call for us.. I guess I want to take something horrible and bring some sort of light to it possibly. I care about life in general its special.. so we need to realize that this life.. is a precious one. Live it, Love it, and Embrace it.

What a DAY :)

   :) Well I had a ball today... last night I went to a costume store with no idea what I wanted to be for Halloween.. I never dress up to a crazy extent. I usually wear a cape and pretty make up if anything at all. Today was different, that is for sure :) Being a women we all like to feel sexy and attractive... but I am very confident in my skin and thought that I should go a route that is expressive of my silly side...so for a party at school we had to dress up for Halloween and there would be a vote who had the best costume. I dressed as an Oompa Loompa and won first place :) I walked into school this morning and no lie.. the WHOLE school was in tears laughing hysterical!! I was excited to see all these great people enjoying my costume!! They really got a kick out of me all of five feet standing there with bright orange make up, white eye brows, a bright green wig, suspenders that were rainbow non the less and these white over sized capri pants... oh.. my socks were pulled all the way up to my capri's!! It was a funny sight to say the LEAST!  Winning first was nice but in my mind all I cared about was bringing happiness to those around me!        
      Driving in the car was quite interesting too... people were also laughing and rolling down their windows saying how great I looked! It was ariot..it was well worth the laughs and smiles! I didn't look sexy but I rather bring laughter to people's lives then look sexy and be stared at.
      This evening after I showered and got back to my everyday look, my friends took me out to dinner and a movie to celebrate my 29th birthday which was yesterday! It was really nice to spend time with them and catch up :)
      I have been so thrilled about me being a semi finalist! Everyday I am thinking of new things I can do in the videos! I want to show some of my creativity and have so much fun with it. I want it to be entertaining, but also informative about me to let you know who I am and what I am all about :)
     Well till tomorrow.. which is going to be a busy day working on my videos and all that jazz!! I can't wait!!! :)

My style!

  I am all about learning, being open minded, and well rounded! Having different life experiences and trying to make the best choices in life are very important to me! I must say though I celebrate life too.. actually everyday!! Being a cheerful, animated and bubbly person is who I am and what I display to those who know me or meet me for the first time!! Being this way is me and always has been.. I make people feel very comfortable, and that is something I value! Who wants to feel that dreaded uninvited tension in a room... NO ONE! I think having a warm smile and a friendly and  INVITING approach is the way to be! I have to admit though I have a silly side!! I LOVE to make people laugh!!! I think laughter really sets the mood too!! It creates memories and bonds people! I myself laugh every single day no matter what!!! 
  I make it a goal to impact people that I meet once.. or remain close to in a positive way! I always ask those who know me well or employers for constructive criticism so I can be aware of anything I need to work on! I am constantly working on bettering myself! That has been a goal of mine and I feel as though we all are a "work in progress" lol I just want to be the best I can be and it takes people you meet in passing, grow close to or your acquaintances that can do little things to make you realize something significant  or small to work on about yourself!! I think a lot of people are always so quick to be hard on others rather then looking in the mirror and starting and "finishing" there... which I don't think there is an end nor would I want one!! Its nice to feel me grow as a person, and be a stronger women! Knowledge is power and learning about oneself is a good place to start!!! Life lessons are endless and learning from our mistakes and applying what we learn is so crucial to make positive steps in the right direction!! I think sharing my personal experiences  is a wonderful tool to help others as well!  

  My best friend Shannon..                                                             is young, vibrant and we have A LOT of FUN together! If someone were to ask her about me.. I believe she would say.. that I am by far VERY unique  lol she would emphasize that with her tone of voice and facial expression (smiling and wide eyed) LOL she would then say... I am.. funny, intellectual, ambitious, creative, I have a big heart....and is sometimes to polite... if there is such a thing.. lol I have heard her say all of these things in talks we have had just in the past months.. as I tell her what a great person she is along with a list of positive and awesome qualities she carries! She has truly been a wonderful support to me and we have an absolute ball together :) I cherish my friends and trust them! I am lucky to have the people in my life that I do!! 
   I am answering questions from the semi finalist list and I am excited about answering the question "what it means to me being a hairdresser?" In all seriousness I have been doing hair since I can remember!!!! I discovered it was a passion of mine a long time ago and knew it was "my thing." To do hair is a way of expression of my creativity, I constantly have this creative energy, I am able to unleash that energy when working on hair of all types! I am so very passionate about hair, and make up! It brings me so much joy, happiness and love in what I do!!! I am blessed to be able to make it my career and look forward to being a sponge and LEARNING so MUCH more!!!!! 

    Being apart of Spread the Love would bring me the most joy that I have EVER felt in my life!!!  Honestly, I am a person who gets excited when the smallest things happen lol so this for me would be beyond my wildest dreams!!! For instance... when I opened the email saying CONGRATULATIONS!! you are a SEMI FINALIST!!!!! I nearly fell over in my chair, and almost died of a heart attack from the shock and over whelming excitement!!! LOL.... My mother saw me and just laughed hysterical asking "what happened Katie.. what is it???" she asked... she had never seen me that way lol!!! The smallest things in life brings me genuine joy.. so for something as spread the love.. I honestly would be elated, and soak it all up, and tell EVERYONE I know ALL  ABOUT IT!!! I would LOVE to be chosen because I have so much love and passion for this industry!! Matrix is awesome and I would be HONORED to be apart of anything that has to do with their company!!!! This is something I would NEVER take for granted! I have ALWAYS wanted to TRAVEL!!!!! I have been dreaming about traveling in this industry!! This is perfect and what I have been wishing for!!! I can't express how thankful I am to be a semi finalist and have these wonderful hopes to be chosen! My passion and love for being a hairstylist is something that is such a part of me and I want to continue on sharing my excitement and experiences with as many people as I possibly can!!!
   
   
   
   

In my own words.. on ME!

     I am a very exuberant, energetic and outgoing extrovert that loves life!  I have so much I want to share but I will keep it to a minimum.... lol! I want you to know who I am and what I am all about!  I want to share so much with you!!
      At school I noticed this pile of colorful postcards laying on a counter... I walked over and noticed it was about a contest through a company that has awesome products, and a reputation to match! I read on and I felt excited and started showing all of my peers and asking teachers about it! They could see how excited I was and everyone told me to apply!!! I could not wait to get home and do just that! I tried to get my friends at school to apply too, but they all were unable to leave for six months if chosen, but they all encouraged me and said it would be a perfect opportunity for someone with my personality, talent and love for this industry! I think at that point I was nothing but positive and thought about how I could travel with an amazing company and learn more then I could imagine!! To get a chance to meet amazing people and soak up as much information as possible about Matrix and tell everyone ALL about it!!  I have no problem going up to people, making new friends and spreading the love!!!  
   I am a vibrant women who has always dreamed of doing something pretty amazing... I  often lay in bed at night, and shut my eyes with visions of me traveling and seeing different places and meeting new people! I have envisioned being a successful hairstylist and knowing the best in the business!! Being apart of it all!! I don't want to be a dim light in this industry, I have so much love and passion, I just want to do so much with it!! When I do anything I put my whole self in to it!!  I think if you have a passion for something embark on that path and see where it takes you!! 
    Creativity is  such a beautiful thing.. isn't it?!!? I think it puts a unique spin on things when a bunch of creative people work together on a project!! Its fascinating! I find that I am most creative at all different times of the day!! The smallest things I see, touch or hear can inspire me to come up with something original or to add a twist of my own creativity into something!! I love to surround myself with people that have a lot of  positive energy, being in that environment I seem to become more creative as well!! 
      I love artistry in so many different forms!! I love photography and do it as  a hobby!! I find beauty in so many things!!  I get teased for pointing out gorgeous scenic views or when the sky is bright blue! I think the simple things in life are pretty amazing! I don't take anything for granted!! I just want to throw myself into what makes me feel the most passionate! I have been through a lot in the last 11 years and through my life experiences thus far... I believe it makes someone appreciate life in general so much more. I am glad I went through what I went through to get to where I am today... if I hadn't I don't think I would look at life the same way... people ask me the same question all the time... "Katie, how are you so happy first thing in the morning??" lol I say I am high off of LIFE! I love life! I actually always have.. but I think I appreciate life in a different way then I did just from 10 years ago!! To get a chance to travel and put myself into something I love and am truly passionate about.. would be more then I could ever ask for! I have so much to offer and just want the chance!!  
     I used to be a competitive figure skater, my childhood, and teen years were lived at the rink! I loved it!! I was able to express a lot of my creativity through my skating!! I would choreograph some of my programs, which I loved, some of the movements I would do with my body to match the music would feel perfect and just right! Now as I am doing hair and make up its the same "right"  feeling I get when I do certain cuts, colors, and styling! Its like wow.. that looks beautiful! I get this rush of accomplishment and I am proud like I was when I was  a figure skater!! I coach skating here and there... but I know that I am on the path that fits me best as I have grown up and learned so much about me!! The beauty industry is where I belong and I am going to embrace it with all of me!