Thank goodness that's over!

So...let's talk about my day, ok?

I woke up at O'God Thirty in the morning, took my shower, got my hair done, and then forgot my makeup so I couldn't finish getting myself ready. I drove by myself three and a half hours in the dark, getting slightly lost to get some gas when I was just a hop, skip and a jump from Greensboro. Thankfully, I made it to the convention center just fine and in time to see each of the opening categories walk the runway.

I was uncharacteristically quiet the entire morning, spending time breathing deeply and trying to not let my nerves get to me. It came time to head to the holding area where we were placed at our table. A ridiculous amount of time later, our time began and I spent the next 45 minutes doing my final nail art design while the judges walked around hovering and nodding. It was easy to ignore them. It was not easy to ignore the people walking around taking pictures while we were working and getting close to our work and giving praise that I had to thank them for.

Thankfully, I finished my design with 5 minutes to spare, which was just enough to set up a professional looking presentation and put some simple jewelry on the mannequin hands. Which was almost all in vane because we ended up walking with our hands to the judging table.

Two or so hours later, it was time to call the winners of all the categories. All in all, my school wracked up. Especially with the big trophy that was given out due to the number of contestants per schools. My friend Marisa got 1st in female haircut and style, which she was super excited about. As for me...I GOT A TROPHY!

But not just ANY trophy...

FIRST PLACE, KIDS!! HECK YEAH!

I can't even BEGIN to tell you guys how tickled I am about this. I got a trophy that is as big as my head! For reals! It's as tall as my head. Which is pretty crazy. And you guys, seriously. The only trophies I've ever gotten in my life were "Good job kid, you played this sport!" trophies and one in 1988 that I won in a costume contest at a bank dressing in a Minnie Mouse costume that my mom made. And now I have a First Place trophy! In a category that I've become seriously interested in.

Yeah. That's right. I won first place.

The final nail design.

DETAILS!

I totally started crying from surprise and happiness at one point. Seriously, I'm so tickled. As I was leaving the venue to get to my car, the male judge (Who looked like he was trying to be David Bowie) stopped me and told me that my design was wonderful and very wearable. It was a pretty surreal moment. On the 3 and a half hour drive back home I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that it was true. I had one first place with a design I came up with on my own.

That trophy is mine and I totally deserve it!