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| The Champion always stand in front of the 1st Runner-up, so I stand behind. :p |
Up on the stage, I was kneeling down busy setting up my kit bag and when I stood up; I took a glance at the main entrance. There, standing right next to the main entrance, someone I never expected to see. It was my father. It was a real shock to me as I didn't expect to see him at the competition venue. He just stand there and without any expressions on his face. All I did was to give him a smile. I reckon that anyone would feel motivated when they have any family members supporting them during a competition. However, I didn't have this kind of feeling in me. I guess it might be due to the reason of both my father and me have not spoken to each other since I joined hairdressing.
Just about this time, the MC announced the start of the competition. When I was preparing to start my haircut, I looked towards the door and I saw my father walking away. He did not stay and watched the competition. There's a sting of sadness in my heart but I knew that I must do my best in order for him to change his opinion on my career.
The music started pounding louder and louder with spotlights flashing around. The adrenaline was awesome. It might be due to the exposure of the last competition that I was feeling totally at ease with no more jelly legs and trembling hands in the Grand Finals. As the time ticking away, I stopped for a while and started to looking around at the rest of the contestants. Oh my God, they all seems so focused at their haircuts and I noticed a few of them were creating outstanding hair.
I was enjoying myself so much in the Grand Finals that I was smiling at anyone that my eyes laid on. Time passed quickly and I finished my haircut within the time frame. As usual, the MC announced that the time was up and we were told to stop our haircut and to leave the stage. The judges did the usual thing and within 20 minutes, we went back up on stage again for our blow-dry segment.
During this Grand Finals, everything seems to go on smoothly and fast. It might be due being more composed and relaxed. We waited for about 45 minutes before we were called back on stage. 10 of us, the finalists for the Man's Cut and Blow-Dry category. I was so nervous as well as excited. I was happy to be in the Grand Finals and at that moment, winning anything did not come into my mind. Over the P.A system, the MC announced: " Dear Contestants, congratulations for being in the Grand Finals. I will announced the names of the 7 contestants who will receive the Finalist award; that's means the remaining 3 contestants standing on stage will be the top 3 winners. "
The sound of drums rolling hit the air................ every one were so excited and there were so much cheering and whistling. In fact, I told myself; it's good enough for me to have come this far in this competition. Each time when the MC announced a contestant name, I am always prepared to be called out but each time it wasn't me. The first 6 names were already called out and both me and my senior were still on the stage. I looked over to my mentor and he flashed a victory sign to us. He knew that our salon will at least win a top 3 award. Over the air, the MC said:" The Last Finalist Award goes to ..(drums rolling)........... Win Cut House................(Drums rolling).............Contestant No........(during this moment, I am prepared and ready to step forward to receive my Finalist Award) Drums continue rolling ........No.2..... Mr Sunny! HUH???????????? It's wasn't me, it's wasn't my name being announced. My senior turned to me and gave me a surprised and unbelief look. He turned away from me , shaking his head and walked forward to collect his Award.
The MC proceed to announced:" and for the 2nd Runner-Up Winner for the Man's Cut and Blow-Dry category goes to.......(drums rolling) .......contestant No..... (Drums rolling).(I am prepared and ready to step forward to receive my award)......... No. 9 ...Mr Daniel Kok from XXXX Salon.. HUH??????? it's wasn't me again?
This time, I saw both my mentor and his brother were throwing punches into the air. They kept flashing victory signs to me and cheering me.
"And now, we have 2 Contestants for the Man's Cut and Blow-Dry category left on stage. Who will be the Winner for this event?" said the MC. There were so much shouting of our names from the crowd. The feeling was beyond description; now I knew how contestants for Miss Universe feel when they were waiting for the winning results.
The MC announced: " And now!..... I will announce the name for the 1st Runner-up of the Man's Cut and Blow-Dry category........(drums rolling)....is.....(Drums rolling)....... [something funny happened in my mind.... during this moment; I was telling to myself.... please don't call my name... I want to be the Champion] Contestant No. 3...... Mr Thomas Foo from Win Cut House. There were loud cheering and I happily walked out to receive my Award despite wanting to be the Champion. The Winner for year 1991 Scissors Award; Man's Cut and Blow-Dry Champion is Mr Andy from Top Cut salon. We took some photos on stage and went on to received interviews from reporters.
All the contestants had gathered together with the judges to receive comments and feedback and I found out that I was penalized for pre-cut as my model's hair was not long enough. I was deducted 5 points from my score and one of the judges told me that such penalty is unwanted and it's a shame to lose out in this way for the Champion position. Nevertheless, I am still happy with the result and it was all luck that got me through so far in this competition.
The next morning, my parents were happy to see my Awards and my father finally talked to me. He told me that he will try his best to support my career and he's proud that I got myself a 1st Runner-up position. However when I told him that I lost due to the penalized points, he gave me a eye piercing look. :p ... I didn't stay in my mentor's salon for a long time after the competition. My seniors made my life there even harder after I won the award and I could not take the verbal abuse anymore and I chose to leave the salon; and from there, I started my adventures on my chosen career.
To all budding hairdressers out there, do not give up easily. The road may be tough, it takes a little bit of luck, good guidance and lots of hard work to succeed; I am sure every one can achieve their dream regardless of any obstacles. Most importantly, is to find yourself the right hair academy or a good mentor
Thank you all for reading my story. I will end it here in Part 9 as I do not want to bore you all any further with my story..:p
Please stay tune to my Blog as I will continue to post articles or any events. Thank you for your support...CHEERS!
