Crazy Nails Help Build Awareness
I teach people how to present as professionals, making sure that the image they portray is one that supports that goal. As a leader and trainer, I try to set an example in how I dress for work, down to my nails and jewelry I wear.
I used to be a nail-biter. It was not until the summer of 2010 that I stopped that habit. Since October of the same year, I get my nails done every three to four weeks. I typically get a French manicure (clear with white tips), or with a more conservative color, occasionally with a red, though I am uncomfortable with wearing the red for work.
Since I have decided to take some time off, I decided to do something completely wacky (for me), and I found these zebra nail overlays that were on sale for pennies on the dollar. The do-it-yourself kit had an original price of $7.99. They were marked down to $2.96 with an additional 75% off. So, for less than a dollar each, I bought the last of the five of them.
I put them over my conservative, proper nails. It feels a bit weird, but also somewhat freeing, to wear whatever I want. I do not have to adhere to any dress standard for work. I am rather enjoying the zebra print.
I have received more compliments on my nails than I have ever gotten in the five years I have not bitten my nails. It has also been quite the conversation starter, with the zebra being the mascot of those of us with Carcinoid Cancer, and the zebra ribbon the awareness ribbon.
I must admit, however, that it feels a bit "naughty," as if I waging my own mini-rebellion against the rules. I jokingly told a friend of mine, "No one is the boss of me!"
I am due for a manicure this week. I am going to go for something completely opposite of what my manicurist will expect. I can hardly wait to see the look on her face.
I will go for another before returning to work. Sometimes, I wish I felt free enough to express myself all the time, as the younger folks do. But for the next few weeks, I am living with some freedom.
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Do you know the significance of the Zebra Cancer Ribbon? What do you know about Carcinoid Cancer/Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)? You might want to become aware of some facts. You may be like me and many others who have been misdiagnosed with many things--GERD, IBS, Diverticulitis, and more--for decades before the proper diagnosis, now in stage 4.
Please visit and share these links:
http://www.carcinoid.org
http://www.netcancerawareness.org/
"If you don't suspect it, you can't detect it!"
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0850 PDT 14,654 $21.98
346 coins left to 15K Coin Challenge (click for info)
--On target, needing average of 87 coins for next 4 days to meet the goal--
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© Copyright 2015 - Coral Levang. All Rights Reserved
FOPP | CarcinoidCancer | NeuroendocrineTumors | CancerAwareness
Image Credit » Photographed by author
Comments
Feisty56 wrote on August 6, 2015, 11:58 AM
Those are some snazzy nails -- no wonder they garner attention. And how awesome that they are the symbol of carcinoid cancer, giving you an opportunity to increase awareness of the condition. Enjoy these weeks of freedom from the more conservative image that is necessary for your work. : )
CoralLevang wrote on August 6, 2015, 12:07 PM
I really am an enigma. One side is a rather creative, free-spirited person, who bucks the rules. The other is the compliant with a standard set by a higher authority, understanding the need for rules and order. Being this way has either been my curse, or provided me more insight into how others are that are dogmatic in their approaches to life, and given me ways to encourage them to find middle ground.
1sockii wrote on August 6, 2015, 12:10 PM
Ah, I wish I was better at taking care of my nails, but I just can't do it. I do too much work with my hands (cooking, gardening, working with jewelry tools) that if I try to paint them I ruin it in a day's time. I just keep them trimmed as short as possible (with one or two longer nails for opening split rings and otherwise needed for working jewelry.)
deafdiva wrote on August 6, 2015, 12:39 PM
I love your nails and no I did not know the significance of the zebra ribbon! I have never even seen a zebra ribbon!
GemOfAGirl wrote on August 6, 2015, 1:37 PM
I got a gel manicure for my nephew's wedding almost three years ago, and I went with a shade of pink so light, it was barely distinguishable from the skin on my hands. But it got noticed anyway. The reason? I almost NEVER get manicures, and it was the first time in literally YEARS that my cuticles didn't look all ragged and dry. It's the little details, lol.
LoudMan wrote on August 6, 2015, 1:47 PM
Nice nails, you little , you. Nailbiting is one of the hardest habits to break. How did you do it?
wolfgirl569 wrote on August 6, 2015, 1:49 PM
Those are very nice and you could not beat that price. I dont do mine too often but just get them messed up anyways doing chores lol
inertia4 wrote on August 6, 2015, 2:11 PM
Now that is nice. Better than the normal nails I see on women. You should go all out and get designs on them. I have seen some real crazy ones and ones that look like anything you want them to look like. Nail art.
DWDavisRSL wrote on August 6, 2015, 4:20 PM
It's a good thing to let your wild side roar once in a while. The zebra print looks good.
MegL wrote on August 6, 2015, 5:29 PM
Those are really tasteful looking. I have never had a manicure and apart from some experimentation as a teenager, I have never worn nail polish. Makeup doesn't interest me, however, I believe the refusal to wear makeup and my lack of interest / knowledge of fashion may have contributed to my lack of expected promotion when I was in work. Years ago, I heard a radio program about research into women wearing makeup and their advancement in the workplace and these people had found a correlation between the two. So your work with people on professional presentation of the self should be very helpful to them.
Sailorchronos wrote on August 6, 2015, 5:48 PM
Those are really pretty. I know someone who does nails and she's quite good at it. I can't wear false nails or grow my own nails long because they're too brittle. All it takes to split a nail is to catch it on something. :(
Porcospino wrote on August 6, 2015, 6:50 PM
Your nails are pretty. When I worked in home health care I always had short nails and I never used nail polish. Today I still don't use much nail polish.
Paulie wrote on August 7, 2015, 2:31 AM
Your crazy nails look great! Thanks for sharing the link about Nets.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:11 PM
I use a product called "Shellac" by Creative Nail Design. I also work with jewelry tools, cook and clean, and I have only had had them destroyed one time. I do not, however, use my nails as tools, as they are thin without the product. I have a special tool for opening of split rings, which I don't use frequently.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:13 PM
deafdiva If you go to this link, I have included more information about we "zebras." http://personapaper.com/article/33995-zebra-update
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:16 PM
It is in the little details. I have the gel manicure done now for these last five years, 3 to 4 weeks in-between (4 is actually too long for me).
After more than 50 years of nail-biting and my hands being embarrassing, I am willing to do this and put it into my budget.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:26 PM
I started to respond here, LoudMan , but it was so long that I will write and publish an article about it.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:27 PM
I do chores, too. I have gel nails done at the salon about every 3rd or 4th week.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:29 PM
Thank you, Steven. Not working as much, I don't have the income to do them too often as before, so I may need to change my habits. I may have a bit more "fun" with them, once I stop working on contract, whenever tht happens.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:30 PM
Thank you! *rawwwwr*
1CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:32 PM
Ah, yes. I understand fully MegL ! It really is a shame that the double standards are there. Unfortunately, there is that same correlation in some fields for men and their height/build/jawline, etc. Thanks for the compliment.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:33 PM
My natural nail is very thin, and can be rather brittle. I cannot wear acrylic nails, or the press-ons. But the gel manicure has changed my life. Thanks for the compliment.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:34 PM
I decided to try a regular manicure with regular polish not long ago. It did not last long, as I am too hard on my nails. But the gel product works for me. Acrylics do not.
Thank you.
CoralLevang wrote on August 7, 2015, 1:36 PM
Paulie Thanks. I really want for us all to have awareness built. Too many of us take whatever a doctor says as the truth and only truth. Knowledge is power.
MegL wrote on August 7, 2015, 7:08 PM
I couldn't stand the feel of ragged nails and so bit them. Once I got a set of nail clippers and used them, I stopped biting my nails. Probably a form of perfectionism. If I don't have clippers handy when I break a nail or it gets ragged, I still bite it.
wolfgirl569 wrote on August 7, 2015, 7:09 PM
I have never tried gel nails before, I will look into them
PriscillaKing wrote on August 7, 2015, 9:27 PM
Whatever works!
1Paulie wrote on August 7, 2015, 11:42 PM
Yes, knowledge is power and the more we can find out about health the better we will be.
inertia4 wrote on August 8, 2015, 6:46 PM
Well, money is tight all over it seems. I try and spend as little as possible. Although that is nearly impossible when my kids come here. My sone especially always has the, I wants.
deafdiva wrote on August 9, 2015, 1:43 PM
Thanks for the link! I am praying for you guys!
CoralLevang wrote on August 9, 2015, 2:16 PM
Keep sharing links. I also have my blog that I often write or share info about this disease. I several zebras in my following, and I reblog their writings from time-to-time. and THANK you!