education and manicures
My first mentor teacher surprised me one day after school by informing me that she was leaving immediately to get her nails done. Susette is a wise, midwestern, salt-of-the-earth kind of woman. Not someone whom I’d peg as vain. I was the peon, a student teacher, so I simply smiled and said, “Have fun,” acting as though I were used to people I knew getting their nails done (I wasn’t). Susette’s nails weren’t even long. Isn’t that why people got their nails done, to have them lengthy and flashy? Hers were neither, she would’ve taken out a 5 year old otherwise! It wasn’t until Thanksgiving that I felt close enough to ask Susette about her nail fetish. She simply laughed and replied, “Ha! Several years ago, another teacher and I treated ourselves to manicures every other week. It was a way that forced us to leave once in awhile right after school, and that allowed us pampering after taking care of others day after day.”
I was a student teacher and didn’t have extra income, but later that year, I DID begin to treat myself to the same; a monthly manicure, with “tips”-but not long ones. I enjoyed the idea for awhile, but then it became cumbersome and tedious, plus it kind of hurt! I had all of my tips removed and allowed my real nails to grow back in and have had them short ever since.
A couple years later, however, I learned about pedicures. Now, that’s my teacher indulgence. The foot and leg massage is my favorite part, but I enjoy the heck out of those little tiny designs they paint on too.
I never knew salons and schools went hand in hand, but believe me, I’m a better teacher when my toes are singing a pretty tune!