Glamourous vs. Loneliness

Remember those times you wished so badly that you can go into glamorous parties filled with celebs, DJs, fashion designers and magazine editors? How nice it would be to land a job like the one in "The Devil Wears Prada"? Well, I guess that would resemble what I had been through this whole week of trial in the salon, minus the devilish boss because my bosses are really nice people!

We had to close early on Thursday night because our team had to go in to the Hilton Hotel to do hair for VIPs in preparation of the launch of the Fashion TV and the Red Ribbon event. It was exciting the moment I stepped into the makeup and hair room because it were just mirrors with light bulb all around it, just like those you see in celeb dressing rooms. And there were team from Napoleon Perdis and us doing the hair and the make up. Cameras were rolling to film all the actions and to interview my boss and everything was just moving so fast that people just come in and out of the room. We finished at about 7 and that's when I started to help pack up the stuffs and wheel the bags outta the hotel, thinking that finally I'm done for the day. The next thing I know, I was in a BMW, being chauffeured to the Sydney Opera House and people opening the door welcoming you and then being led to the forecourt where the main event was there. Bright lights were all over the place while camera lights were flashing all the way.....and the next thing I realise was that we were walking in the red carpet of the Fashion TV launch....amazing.....the red carpet had crystals laying on both sides of it and it was sparkling by the reflects of the spotlight and camera flashlights....Inside the room were celebs, models, fashion designers, editors......Everybody was greeting everybody with warm smiles, hugs and kisses. I felt kinda lost actually....but how can I ever resist the free flows of cocktails, beers and finger food such as smoked salmon, fresh oysters and lamb shanks which was being served around the room. It was just soooooo damn amazing to be there.....

And, behind all those glamour were the sense of loneliness I felt inside me. I mean I felt really good to be there....but it's kinda lost that I really I can't clique in with the 3 of my colleague who was there. Not only they had their own conversation, they were such a sucker to the point that they wanted me to go and ask the celebs for cigarette....because they themselves were too ashamed to do so. Hell I did NOT do it....a straight NO into their face, man! And the next thing that happened was this colleague of mine kept bumping into me the whole time, causing my Cosmopolitan to keep spilling......it seriously wasn't my fault but because they know each other better than they know me, the other colleague like sarcastically told me to be careful because I was there representing our salon and then...seriously...they just walked off on me......Fuck I felt soooo lost in the middle of all the glamour and flashlights. I left early after that to go home. I had a really good experience that nite but the attitude my colleagues showed me made me felt a bit shitty.

Overall my experience throughout the week was indeed eye-opening! You never know just who might come in to get their hair done...its when you do the shampooing for them and as you chat on that you might realise they are top radio DJs, music producers or models. It's also kinda weird for me coz I really dun know well about these people because I hardly pay attention to aussie celebs.

And the passes the salon always got were cool as well. Only last week they all got free tickets to go to the Beyonce concert at Homebush Bay and the tickets were like the second row from the front! How cool was that!??!?!?!!?
And, during our staff meeting that I realise that our salon had backstage passes to the MTV Music Awards happening this Sunday. Our boss is actually doing Nicole Richie's hair for the night......we just need to let them know if we are interested to go.....but of course I didn't......read on to find out why....

The lost part behind all the glamour...
I really wanted to go to the awards but given that I had worked with them this whole week....I just need a break off my colleagues over the weekend. It's nice and interesting job there but not getting along with my colleague really really makes me feel shitty at times....because they had been working with each other for at least 2 years and with me coming in suddenly and being the only Asian there who doesn't smoke...it seem that we had nothing in common with each other. The way we talk, the subject we discuss, the things we find funny are totally different. I had been having doubts about this job the whole time I was there....it's certainly a rare opportunity that not everyone gets....but the feeling of isolation sometimes comes up so strong that it kinda overcome the excitement you get from the job. I mean it's ok if this is going to be short term...but from what I feel, it's just gonna be a permanent thingy coz it's not only that I am new, but the bond they have is just so strong and I'm so different from them. There are times I kinda feel that I should just start smoking so that I can take ciggie breaks with them and get the chance to talk informally with them or just at least have something in common with them. I know its kinda silly and trust me...I myself felt crazy that I am actually thinking such absurd things! And moreover, with the pay I am getting now, I can barely even cover my living expenses.....how to spend unnecessary money on cigarette when I am bringing in my own lunch so that I can save $$ from eating outside.The thing is, I always felt that way whenever I am halfway through work or during work....but when I reflect back when I get home...it's overall an interesting job that I'd be crazy to let go just because of such silly thing! And, another reason why I am hanging on is also because of my super duper nice boss, David. He is such interesting person that it seem he is the only one I can talk and laugh to without any hesitation or uncomfortable-ness. He definitely knows how to motivate his staffs and really go all the way to make sure we are comfortable. The nite we went to Hilton, even before we started work he already was afraid that we were gonna be hungry that he actually went out to buy us heaps of sushi and upon returning, he realise the hotel only had plain water for us that he went out to buy us not only one choice of softdrink but 3! I mean, how nice was that!!! And today at work, he got us all pizzas in case we were hungry....He is definitely the best boss I had ever had. I seriously respect him for the person he is.

So....the conclusion is...my job is superb, my bosses are super nice....but shitty relationship with colleagues...I guess there's 2 good point compared to the BIG 1 bad point.....so I accepted the job offer last nite and I am now a CONFIRMED FULL TIME there.....I'll give it a go and see how things will unfold for me......till then, I really am starting to feel like the gal in 'The Devil Wears Prada'.....coz I am so unfamiliar with faces and the culture of this different world where smiles might be fake and praises might just be a lie.....

Welcome to the world of fashion and glamour.....