#apprenticeship

Es: algo dentro de mi me dijo, como se verian Sm5 y Smg6 del Au Apprenticeship si hubieran estado desde antes y hubieran estado en los WOTFIs =3???

Soooo the lady who volunteered to provide flowers this week for the altar at the church I work for brought actual freakin' datura flowers and told us a little about them. Everyone there apparently calls them moonflowers. I've really only heard them called datura, jimsonweed, thornapple, or devils trumpet, so the name moonflower was super cool to learn! (my name is Luna, so I might be a little biased there)

Anyways, I politely asked her if I could take some home to show my partner. She said yes and picked out the "best ones", i.e., the ones that had bloomed the least, since they apparently don't last super long after they fully bloom. She sent me home with several partially opened and unopened flowers. I kept telling her how excited I was to see these in person, and that I was planning a tattoo based around these flowers because they're prominent in one of my favorite fictional stories. She seemed excited that I was so excited over her flowers, and she said that she'd bring me seeds next week!

They really don't like light very much, or heat. They got more perky once I put them in my bedroom with the doors and windows closed (away from pets), and a fan blowing in the room. Kinda neat!

(Bliss-curious folk and FC5 addicts can jump off here, lol)

I really wanted to jump on here to share the flowers (I'm excited about trying to grow them!) but I've been super M.I.A on here because of my apprenticeship. It's been chugging along, although putting so much time, effort, and money into all of it has left me pretty exhausted most days, and our wallets lighter than normal (and we already weren't very well off!). HOWEVER...

It's finally starting to pay off. I got to start transitioning onto human skin, and I'm starting to feel very optimistic.

The video below is the tattoo I did on my brother. It was originally going to be three of four little butterflies like this one, but halfway through this one we had the idea of changing things up and making them bigger as they sort of "fly up" and wrap around the back of his arm. My brother has Multiple Sclerosis, of which the awareness color is orange and their symbol is a butterfly, so we'll also be adding orange into these later on.

Let me know if the song sounds familiar 😂

and I passed with a good grade for the exam overall yayyyy

I am so happy I am finally done and my apprenticeship is over

This section is dedicated to the "Death-Care Professionals" of the community—those already licensed, those currently in the "prep room," and the students working toward the threshold.

🏛️ The Path to Licensure

Becoming a funeral professional is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve archived the essential steps to help you navigate the journey:

The Academic Phase: Choosing the right mortuary science program (ABFSE accreditation guide).

The Board Exams (NBE): Resources for studying for the Arts and Sciences exams without losing your mind.

The Apprenticeship: How to find a mentor, what to ask during your first interview at a firm, and the "unspoken rules" of the first six months.

Licensure by State: A growing directory of state-specific requirements (US/International).

🛠️ Industry Tools & Reviews

We test the gear so you don't have to waste your apprentice wages.

Restorative Art Kits: Deep dives into waxes, cosmetics, and feature-setting tools.

Software for the Modern Firm: Comparing case management systems (from cloud-based apps to traditional legacy software).

The "Funeral Director's Uniform": * The Shoe Guide: Our community-voted list of the best footwear for standing 12 hours on marble floors.

The Suit Guide: Durable, professional fabrics that hold up in the prep room and the chapel.

🧠 The Mental Toll & Longevity

This industry has a high burnout rate. We believe in "sustaining the server."

Compassion Fatigue: How to tell when you've reached your limit and how to recharge.

The "Off-Call" Life: Strategies for maintaining a personal life while tied to a pager.

Peer Support: Connect with other "Across the River" pros who understand the unique dark humor and heavy heart of this work.