the make-up apprentice

posted Wednesday, Feb 22, 12:08am

February 21, 2006 - the first lesson for my make-up diploma. Went into the school and was immediately greeted with, "girl, which one are you?" by a strikingly attired man in his thirties, with a yellow top and matching yellow bandana tied around his neck. He had an interesting hairstyle: short at the side like a regular man's cut, but with a longer top that he tied into a mini ponytail on top of his head. His bangs are uneven, with shorter mini bangs overlapped by longer bangs at interval. Interesting, I thought. I recognised him as the principal of the school, and our instructor. Exciting. I thought to myself. This is going to be an interesting 6 months.
Peter Angel Warneck, chinese, has much experience in the make-up and entertainment industry, friends with eminent hairstylist David Gan, and very obviously gay. He's one of those characters whom you either love or hate. Outspoken, humorous, easy-going, talkative, judgmental, bitchy beyond belief, and proud of it. Unbelievable. I have a feeling that I'm going to like him very much.

Even though it was supposed to be a mere orientation, Peter did not waste a second telling us about the course module, his expectations, etiquette and ethics as aspiring make up artists, his experiences and so on. All this while wildly flailing his arms in illustrating his points.

I looked around the class and had a feeling that this was going to be a mainly chinese-speaking community. I wasn't far from such conjecture. Pretty much everyone seemed to be more comfortable conversing in Mandarin, which I have absolutely no problem with. The only problem was the very fact that they immediately switched to English when speaking to me. Once again, I am seen as one who can't speak Chinese. How ironic. To think I spent 12 years of my life in Chinese schools, taking Chinese as a first language. I felt like telling them: I write better than I speak. But I can speak Mandarin!!! Sigh.

Anyway, it looks like this course is going to be a rather demanding but exciting one. I'm so thrilled by the prospect of learning new knowledge and refining my existing skills. Have purchased half of the make up kit I need. Amounted to a big bag of things worth over 700 dollars. I'm looking forward to next week's lesson.

Mom told me that I should not be looking for a job so soon and that I should concentrate on doing the things I like, such as completing (and acing) this course, and taking up something else like sewing or something. I'm tempted by her suggestion. Sounds like my kind of life. Yet, I'm also unwilling to sacrifice potentially good career opportunities that might come along. So...que sera sera.

For the moment, I'll concentrate on being a make up apprentice.