I finished beauty school, hair school, cos school (whatever you call it) September 11, 2009, about 2 weeks after my scheduled date. Not bad considering what happened during the 10 months I was in school.

You’d be interested to know that on my first day of school my class was around 11. Of those, only 6 of us made it all the way through. Beauty school was much different than college. I dare say it was more difficult in the sense that it was a full time job being there FORTY hours a week in the SAME room with the SAME people for TEN months can wear on a person if ya get my drift. Don’t get me wrong, I made some life long friends and learned about myself as well. I learned about stretching my abilities, I made plenty of mistakes (mostly on my mannequins!), learned more than just about hair, skin and nails. Did you know that zygomatic bone is also known as the cheekbone? I learned that being a peace maker is so much easier than giving my opinion at any given opportunity. I was known in school as just that, and was thankful that was my ‘legacy’ if you will. There was plenty of drama, and hair pulling moments, but just as that – there was always someone there to sweep up my hair after a haircut. sigh. I am proud to announce that I was in the top 3 of my entire school in service volume, retail volume, customer satisfaction and repeat customers. (thanks to all my family and friends!)

I have to say, I didn’t do this on my own. If it wasn’t for the strength that Heavenly Father instilled in me, the love I felt he had for me when I just thought I couldn’t take it anymore. I had amazing support from my entire family, especially Greta, Mom and James. Thanks to Greta for being my VERY first haircut in school, thanks to Mom for always coming to see me in school and thanks to James for his constant encouragement and high fives. I can’t forget my fly girls from church that gave me a chance to get my practice in!!!

I’ll never forget the teachers asking me not to go b/c I “balanced” everything out. Or the mass quantities of kit kats, diet coke, that were consumed in the break room. There are many things that I will try to forget, but I’ll never forget that I did it. Now I just study and PRAY I pass my boards!

This is just the beginning, I am starting from square one. It’s been an exhilarating experience all in the same it’s been draining. I am still on the job hunt which has left me feeling a little displaced at the moment, but I know the right thing will come along eventually…until then, folding childrens clothes will have to due (ugh).

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup. I’m 30, I’ve got the cake to prove it:

In case you can’t read it, it says Happy Dirty 30 O.G. Steph. According to my classmates, I had to “represent” my age. Gotta love it!

So, I had kind of had a weekend long of celebrations. Friday night some AWESOME friends from my ward threw me a surprise party. I loved it! We started off the night with the best, TACO BELL!! When they found out it was my bday, they paid for my dinner. I’m sure it’s the fact that we brought 15 other people to eat there as well. Then we headed out to a childhood pastime of mine, roller skating! let’s just say I had to take a break after almost every song! After that, we headed to sing our hearts out at karaoke. I have to say my favorite was my friend that sang Hammertime with me. We totally should go on tour. We ate delicious chocolate pie!! I loved all the girls that came and thought of me. I love you guys!

It was busy on my actual birthday Saturday too. I had 3 clients at school, the we had a potluck/cake party in our breakroom!!! James came up and surprised me with flowers, he’s so sweet! After school we left to my bro’s house we were to meet up w/ Tony & Greta and my parents – off to dinner so I thought. We drove downtown and I thought, “Oh we’re having a fancy dinner!” or…going to see a movie. I’ll be honest at first I said to myself “We drove all the way downtown to see a movie?” When all of the sudden I look up and see this little marquis that said “Stephanie B-day”…and as I walked in I heard “SURPRISE!” James had rented out this nice little theatre!!! All for us, friends from Cleveland came down (which was my biggest surprise), and friends from Columbus. I felt so loved and was so thankful for awesome friends, wonderful family and an amazing husband. We watched Harry Potter in our own theatre, along with my 3rd birthday cake!

I had an amazing Birthday and am thankful everyone in my life. Here’s to another 30 years!

To Cincinnati for a night. The Occasion? A dear friend I hadn’t seen in over 4 years! We go back to our Ricks College Women Choir days! It was her bday, and was visiting family. So we drove down to Cincy, it was about 1 1/2 away so we met for breakfast on Saturday. It was cool b/c we hadn’t met each other’s husbands. We said goodbye to them and were off to explore. I have to be honest, I was kinda dissapointed in the tourist friendly-ness of downtown. Probably b/c we just used our gps and didn’t plan anything out (including having cash for anything) it was our own fault we didn’t get to explore as much as we wanted to.

The museums that were open, the parking garage was cash ONLY and there were no ATMS in sight and there was literally no street parking! We drove around for a while, and decided we were going to go to the aquarium instead. Nope! It was $8 to park, then $10 a piece for admission. I understand that when you travel, stuff costs $, I’m just used to Cleveland a lot of their stuff is free. Oh well. We got to spend like 3 hours at Ikea and we went to this huge flea market called Cesears Creek. It got a A+++ in people watching and lots of interesting stuff! We stayed over night for $45 at a Holiday Inn, thank you priceline! It was a fun ’staycation’ many more of those to come!

It was sad to say goodbye to some of my favs at school. Obviously the two girls in crowns were the grads. That’s Amber & T w/ my girl Laura. These are some of the girls that have helped me through beauty school! I love you girls congrats!!!! I have 5 more weeks!

I’m a counter. I make lists.

I have 3 weeks left in my 20’s
I have 9 weeks left till I graduate from Beauty School
James has 2ish years till he’s done w/ his undergrad

Everything seems so unattainable in the beginning, but as we’re getting closer it’s more like ok, we can do this.

I will admit, watching others buy their houses, have their babies, go on exotic vacations makes me give and audible “sigh” – (not trying to sound jealous just anxious!) I step back and am overwhelmed for the life Heavenly Father has given me. He gave me an amazing Family and awesome friends and my Best Friend James.

I know that several of my entries have been reflective and often times not upbeat…but I am so excited for what’s to come! What am I going to do with the gifts I’ve been given instead of wishing I had things others do. I’m thankful for reflecting it gives me the kick in my boo-tay I need to say to myself, “stop complaining and start doing!”

So tomorrow I start doing. I have an informal interview with my first salon tomorrow. I’m back on my path for weight loss (I think, lol). I’m on my way to my 30’s and I can’t wait!!!

Last month we were able to help out and attend a wedding for dear friends of ours Andy & Joe. They were married in this cool old barn turned into a perfect venue for a wedding! Our cousins Nick & Sarah came down the night before and we had so much fun just hanging out!

i love love.

A month ago my school had a hair contest. Last minute I decided to enter w/ a fellow classmate Lisa. We were judged on technicality, creativity, and the overall look. I landed 3rd place for “fantasy” (won’t go into that). Our look was ‘Stepford Wife’ – granted our look wasn’t all that creative, I think we pulled it together pretty well. I heart updos.

{Growing old is a question of mind over matter. Provided you don’t mind it really doesn’t matter.}

I’ve got 7 weeks left in my 20’s!!! I can’t believe it, but am already saying I’m 30 – does that make me strange?

So I really want to do something fun for my 30th since it’s been a while since I’ve had a party.

What ideas do you have? What will you do when you turn 30? What did you do? I want to know!