Jamaica Gleaner News - Barbados, miles ahead in education policy - Letters - Tuesday | October 19, 2010

Jamaica Gleaner News - Barbados, miles ahead in education policy - Letters - Tuesday | October 19, 2010

Stay Focused...

It's been a little while since I sat down to write, been a little side-tracked, not in a bad way.  I have been busy working on my book, Bridging the Gap from School to the Set, as well as some other things.  I have also been listening to podcasts from Crystal Wright, EvePearl TV via Ustream, Blogtalkradio with Illusions Cosmetics - love my girls Denise and Jenice. I have been on Blog talk radio with Illusions cosmetics back to back. As a matter of fact, on Monday it was a great session where I enjoyed sharing the time with Sara Seidman Vance, great lady.  I can't get enough knowledge or share enough information 

I am on my own personal path to strengthening me.  Trust me it's an evolving process.  Getting back out in the market place full swing is a little overwhelming, even for me, so I have been taking baby steps, with a giant leap every now and then.  Just like you, I too have to narrow down where I want to go and what I want to do.  It's getting closer and starting to make sense.  I am seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. 

So,  even though I might have side-stepped a little, I am back on track.   

I know that some of you are interested in more personalized classes and career guidance.  I am available via Skype and iChat to speak with you or via email.

So, just know that it is OK to veer off the road every now and then, just as long as you don't loose your path or footing.  Stay focused and get back on track.  Keep on that path until you reach your final destination. 

Keep that energy up

It was a little tough yesterday, students missing or went home because they are not feeling well.  I felt like my class was leaving me, everyone is catching a sore throat, so by the end of the day, they started to get a little sluggish.  Got to keep that energy up.  It's hard but it's also school,  a place to learn so that you can go out into the real world and make that money. 

Today is going to be a great day.  They did hands-on 20's makeup so today we are going to look at the  photos from that and critique the work.  Here we go...

I want my students to be the best critic of their own work.  I want them to instantly notice when the lip liner is crooked or the eyeliner and eyebrows are crooked and placement for period makeup.  Is the blush placed correctly or are the lips shaped to the period or the eyebrows to the period.  Placement, placement...Depending on where you place the blush, or how you shape the lips, the color used, all of those factors determine the period. 

So let's get cracking, off to do some critiquing.

Running late...

Had a wonderful class yesterday, rushing this morning so will write later.  Lots to catch up on.

Mental Sponge or Mental Chamois

My promise to myself is to be sconsistent with my writing on a daily basis.  Challenging as it may be, I have gotten up every morning and done my due dillegence.  I may not have enough time to write as much as I would like to but I write.  These past couple of weeks are tough, I have a lot going on. Nothing new, I always have a lot going on.  I have been teaching for two consecutive weeks, so there is very little down-time.  I am also playing catch up and trying to input all the QuickBooks figures that I lost during my computer crashes.  Yes I am behind, but almost done.  When I came home last night, as much as I wanted to input numbers, I just couldn't.  I couldn't see straight.  Tonight... maybe I will have more energy.  I am not sure, but I will give it a go. 

My students are so excited to learn, that they went home last night to wring out their mental sponges and come back for more today.  It's a bit challenging because a lot of the marketing and script information has to be delivered in lecture format.  There's no way around that.  OK, off to get ready for class.

Slow Down

It's so important for you to always do the research and verify for yourself, especially when you are now starting out in this industry.  Don't take everything as GOSPEL.  A big part of learning is also "truth seeking".  Learn how to question in a "good way".  Be inquisitive, don't be gullible.  Too many students want to skip steps.  They want to be spoon-fed.  They don't take notes, they think that they can recall everything.  So many want to run before they can even crawl.  Slow down...you're going too fast.  You're doing yourself a disservice.  Take the time to learn the basics properly.  Why? Because the basics don't change.  With today's technology, you have to understand what is going on.  If you really want to make it in this industry, there is a lot of work to be done.

Off to a say of script breakdown and understanding.

"Stinkin Thinkin"...

We work in an industry where we transfer energies.  Every time we touch someone's face there is a transfer of energy.  So today I explained to my students the importance of checking "stinkin thinkin" at the door before entering my classroom.  "Stinkin Thinkin" permeates a room faster than gasoline on fire.  It's toxic and can ruin your day.  And worst, it's usually unspoken dialogue.  This is an industry where attitude towards work is more important than physical makeup application.  Trust me,  most people prefer to work with a mediocre artist with a great attitude than an amazingly talented artist with a bad attitude. 

So, note to self...to attain success in this industry I need a likable personality with a great attitude.

I always check my personality and attitude before I even enter the parking lot at school because what happens in my house, stays in my house.  It does not belong in the classroom when I am teaching you. 

So, as a student heading towards being a professional, learn how to keep your life as your own.

What happened the night before does not belong in the classroom...

Repetition...

Yesterday was a very productive day, even though some students complained about about repetition.  Sometimes repetition reinforces the material.  The problem is when students feel they know everything, even though they can't verbalize it, they never want to listen to what they think they have heard before.  When you 26 students in front of you and they all need 1on1, it's challenging...

I look forward to avery exciting day cause my buddy Sher is going to be working with me.  Aren't these students lucky.  Wow.

Yesterday & Male Grooming...

Yesterday was a fantastic class, I love when my students ask lots of questions.  This is also encouragement for me to complete my book, which is so needed in the industry.  I am so excited.  Today we will focus on doing makeup on men.  It's so important to understand how to groom a man properly.

Monday Morning HDTV & The News...

It's Monday morning and I've been up for a while, catching up on back papers and getting reading for my class.  Today I am teaching the basic principles of  HDTV.  I think HDTV is cruel to anyone over the age of 10.  As beautiful as the end results maybe, it is just not forgiving.  I look at the news some nights and I can barely stomach the site of some of the bad makeup.   When are station owners in markets like Miami going to "get it", and realize that anchors are not makeup artists.  It's like me broadcasting the news at night, even though I may do a good job of it, I am not a news anchor.  I am a trained makeup artist.  Well, they are trained journalists, not makeup artists.  So can someone tell these station owners that these local markets need makeup artists and stylists because HDTV shows everything.  It brings the flaws to life.  Don't take my word for it, tune in the the news at night and see for yourself.  Pick a station, any station.  I don't make this stuff up. 

To all my aspiring makeup artists, if you are heavy handed, you may have to rethink you application techniques when doing makeup for HD.  HD is about blending, blending and more blending.  Not like the old analog format, you have no room for flaws and demarcation.  No hard edges.  So blend, blend, blend.  Now you can try some of the many new formulations for HD, but guess what...you still have to blend, blend, blend.

So off I go to class to teach them how to do what.  Blend, Blend, Blend...

Sunday Morning Thoughts...

It's Sunday morning and I feel great because I know that God has a wonderful and productive day in store for me.  As I go about my day I will be thankful for all that I have been given and all the experiences that I have grown from.  I am grateful for all that I am and all that I continue to be.  Amen...

Archenemies...Overwhelm and Procrastinate

As I sit here today, I think about the tasks that I need to accomplish over the next couple of weeks.  I know that this will only happen through prioritzing, so that is my focus for today. 

Prioritize, prioritize...

Yesterday I accomplished four out of the seven things on my To Do List.  This is good.   Today I will  complete the rest.  I am still playing catch-up with my Quick Books.  Thanks to a crashed computer, not once but twice, I almost lost everything.  So I am still reentering numbers.  I realized that I get so overwhelmed with the numbers that instead of entering a little at a time, I have  allowed my archenemies Overwhelm and Procrastinate to lead me in the wrong direction, and entered nothing.  From now on, Overwhelm and Procrastinate are not my friends. Therefore, effective today, October 9, 2010, I will severe all ties to Overwhelm and Procrastinate.

I will use today wisely and input as many numbers as I physically and mentally can without frying my brain. 

So my affirmation for today is:

Today is a beautiful and uplifting day, I am energized and prepared to complete my tasks in Quick Books as well as prepare for my classes that I am teaching next week.

Gregoire is volunteering at the Park, so this gives me more uninterrupted time.  Thank you Lord for the wonderful day that you have provided me.  I will make every moment count productively.

My time is valuable, every moment counts...

Discipline...

Part of my restructuring is maintaining my discipline to write, so whether it is one sentence, a paragraph, or an entire page, I must write daily.  This morning I am off to Miami to do a bride before she gets on a sailing ship to The Bahamas...

The Reinvention continues...your ride might be a donkey cart

Since I've decided to reinvent my self one more time, I've have been reevaluating my life.  No regrets...I played the cards that I have been dealt, even the mistakes, I learned from them.  Would I have changed anything, maybe a few things.  Not what I did, but maybe the order in which I did them.  Unfortunately our cards are not usually dealt that way.

So many of my students constantly ask about my career and how to achieve that same level of success.  I cannot reiterate enough...it's about setting goals, reevaluating them, writing them down, and working with the universe to achieve them.  So many times we ask God for help but we forget to ask for signs to recognize the help when it comes.  So STOP waiting for that Mercedes to give you a ride, your ride may be on a bicycle or a donkey cart, just learn how to recognize your ride and jump on it.  Jump on it...Jump on it...

As I move along this path, I will break down how I am going about my own reinvention.  First I was overwhelmed.  Then I was scared.  Now I am calm and level-headed and I realize that I have to do this for me.  I love makeup, passionate about it, and I am damn good at it. But, I no longer have that desire to be on a set for 75-90 hours a week.  I am ready to pass the baton.  That's right.  It's time to train a whole new generation of makeup artists.  Don't get me wrong, I am still interested in doing certain makeup jobs but not the day-to-day grind of the set.

Years ago the The Tennessean Times referred to me as a "makeup evangelist" because of my innate passion for makeup, and the fashion & entertainment industry.  I love this industry.  I am at the stage of my life where I need to move to the next level for me.  I am passionate about teaching, lecturing, and writing.  I enjoy inspiring and coaching a new generation of artists, so that's my new direction.  Combing inspirational lectures, coaching,  and writing.  Love, love to write, so I am working on a couple of books.  The first is on bridging the gap between school and the set, and the second is a journal on my life as a makeup artist.

This is my start...

...you have to be the entrepreneur of your own destiny.

I am the entrepreneur of my own destiny.

After church... on Twitpic

After church... on Twitpic

The Juggle of Life...today's to do list

Not quite sure what the day has in store for me but I have a To Do List that I need to get through.

• Finish input these statements
• Wash my hair 
• Conference call this evening with Kaplan's School of Graduate Education - Ambassadors & Leaders Inaugural Meeting.  
• Just completed the consent form to participate in a study about Online Teaching. 
• Need to fax that back ASAP.   
• I have also turned into a professional beggar.  As a board member for Dress For Success Miami, part of our responsibility is to help raise funds  for this phenomenal program.  So our big gala is on October 23 at the Epic Hotel Miami.  I have been contacting lots of my friends for items.  So through my bestest friend Robin Siegel, who does Kyra Sedgwick's makeup on The Closer,  I received an autographed script and a poster.  From my dear friends Anna Maria Horsford and Blair Underwood, a necklace and an autographed book respectively. Also from my other girlfriend and fantabulous writer Victoria Christopher Murray, an autographed book of one of her fabulous Christian novels.  
• I also have to prep my makeup for a wedding that I am doing in Miami tomorrow; that means I have to leave home real early to beat the traffic.  Wow...

The juggle of life continues...
I will be teaching all next week and the following week so I have to prep my lessons.  I also have to complete a couple more chapters in my new book -From School to the Set.  Lot's to do.  Some days I wish that I could clone myself and then delegate.

My Long-Shot Moment

Last night I taught a class on "Makeup for Ethnic Skintones".  It was a great class with students who were eager to learn, not just makeup techniques, but more important, how this industry functions. Students who wanted to know how I got started in the industry and how I became successful. I explained that part of my success was due to my long-shot moment, you know, that moment that you take a chance. 

Everyday I thank my youngest brother Ian, a costumer and on-set tailor in Los Angeles.  He spent many years working with The Commodores.  It was on one of his trips with The Commodores that I had my long-shot moment.  The year - 1984 when I took him to the airport.  Back then, you could actually go through security all the way to the gate, almost to the plane door.  Remember that...

Well, we were just hanging with the group waiting for them to board the plane.  I noticed  a lady with green eyes, similar to mine, but I wasn't quite sure who she was.  Well, Ronald from the group introduced me.  He did it in such a nonchalant way,
"Marietta, did you meet Natalie yet?"  Well of course I hadn't. 
He said, "this is Natalie Cole.  Natalie, this is Marietta, Ian's sister".
It was like, oh, "nice to meet you". 

She already knew Ian, so it made the introduction quite comfortable.  We continued chatting for a little while until it was time to board the flight.  We all said our goodbyes and then Natalie said to me "are  you traveling with them?"  I said no that I only came to drop Ian off.  She then asked if I wanted to walk out of the airport with her.  Was I going to say oh no,  not today.  Of course not.  I said sure just as nonchalantly as she asked.  But I am telling you, I was having my own sweatfest inside.  I was so nervous and overwhelmed.  That was Natalie Cole.  Natalie Cole the singer...Nat King Cole's daughter. 

Wow!!! I was having a one-on-one conversation with her.  "OK, OK, enough. Calm yourself down, don't let her see how nervous you are."  This was the conversation taking place in my head.  One little voice kept saying, "you better not say anything to her," and the other voice kept saying "you'll never know unless you try."  Well I shut both voices up and I said "you know...Ms. Cole,"  She said, "call me Natalie."  She was so sweet and gentile. I continued, "if you ever need anyone to do makeup, hair, or wardrobe, I'm available..."  Whew!, I got it out, that wasn't so bad.  To my surprise she said, " I probably will.  I am getting ready to go on tour soon and I probably would need someone.  Can I get your number."  Of course.  There was no Vista Print back then, so I didn't have a card and neither did I have a pen or a piece of paper....no cell phone either...

Note to self...always carry a pen and paper in my pocket book.

So, I did the cardinal sin, I asked her for a pen and a piece of paper to write my number.  She really didn't have any paper.  All she had was an envelope and she ripped the corner, (very small piece of paper), and gave it to me, along with a pen.  I wrote my number and gave it to her.  When she place it in her very large purse, I thought, there is no way she will ever find my number in that Abyss. 

Uhmm...three days later her manger called...

That was my long-shot moment...

...more than a powder puff and a lipstick...

I'm back, my feet are on the ground and I 'm about to hit the pavement running... It's been a while since I've written. I spent last year studying, so between school, teaching, and family, it was a serious juggling act.  School's now over.  I completed classes on July 20th, 2010, a Masters in Higher Education with a concentration in Adult Teaching and Learning.  I graduated with a 4.0 GPA and membership into two honor societies, Alpha Beta Kappa and Golden Key International Honor Society.  My actual ceremony will take place in February 2011 in Miami. I am looking forward to that.  It felt so good when I finally received the actually degree in the mail, it took about eight weeks.  My first thought when I opened it was, for 20K, they could have sent a bigger piece of paper to me.  LOL.  So now let's play catch up...

Summer...
Since Gregoire is getting ready to go off to college next  year we went college shopping this summer.  What a grueling task.  It was too hot.  My hot flashes weren't cooperating, almost passed out with the heat at FSU.  I don't think I 'm quite ready for my son to go off to school.  I 've been processing it in my head.  I guess at some point we have to let them fly the coop.  So now we are in the midst of college applications.  I tell you, for the past year we have been bombarded by mail from colleges all over the US.  Gregoire doesn't even open up the envelopes.  He keeps adding them to this bright orange bin in his room. It's overflowing... I hope he doesn't plan to leave that mess for me to clean up.  All in all, we are just so proud of his accomplishments at such a tender age.

Moving on...
Since my baby is getting ready to leave the nest, it's time for mama bird to reinvent herself once more.  At the young age of 52, I am getting excited about the new me.  So where do I start, that's going to be a separate blog.  Not today.