RaNdOm!

I am having a hard time coming up with something to blog about tonight, so I think I'm just going to talk. First of all, today I was once again reminded how difficult group work is. While I really enjoy working with others, when 25 people are all trying to communicate their ideas and all 25 truly believe they are right, it can be very difficult. Of course, I am sometimes one of those 25 that think they are absolutely right, but that is part of what is hard-going along with others ideas and letting go of your own sometimes. Next, the little girl I discussed in an earlier post will be coming home tomorrow and I cannot express how amazed I am. She is so strong and has overcome so many obstacles, at some points against all odds. Still, she remains so positive and is truly a lesson to us all. Finally, the weather has started getting nice. Even while inside, you can feel the difference. Everyone is happier, the mood is lighter. Gotta love spring:)

 

Photo Credit:http://www.collegefashion.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Spring-Flowers.jpg

Phantom 2012

Today, we had our first rehearsal for this year's musical, The Phantom of the Opera. I cannot express how excited I am to be a part of this cast. I love the theatre in general, so any time I get to spend on the stage is well worth the work. By work, I mean not only all the work that it takes to prepare a show, but more than that, the intense week of auditions, callbacks, and sitting in front of the computer just waiting. It may sound funny, but waiting can be the hardest part. Sure, the auditions are nerve racking, but that period during which everything is out of your control is definately the worst. After it is all over, the only thing to do is sit and wait for somone else to decide your fate. I know that sounds dramatic, but while you are auditioning, that audition is in your hands, your control. However, once you leave that room there is nothing left you can do about it. On the other hand, the most frustrating part of auditioning is definately the nerves. Even though I am expecting them, they can be hard to deal with. On account of nerves, I almost never feel like I was able to perform my best. For me, the nerves are not that extra needed adrenaline, but an overload of it. However, despite this, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the chorus which is all I could've hoped for. These next two months are going to not only be a ton of fun, but a great learning experience that I am sure I will remember forever.

Photo Credit: http://www.ticketdepo.com/theater/images/phantom-of-the-opera3.jpg

A True Fighter

In general, people tend to complain a lot, myself included. However, thanks to a very special nine year old, I plan to make a personal goal not to do so anymore. A family friend has a very rare blood disease called HLH. After many complications she is thankfully on the road to recovery. But, she did not get there without a fight. She is incredibly brave and despite the fact that she has endured more in these past six months than anyone should have to in their entire life, from what I have heard she is still very much her "spunky" self. She continues to be a fighter and teach us all a very important lessons. We all take things as simple as our health, hearing and freedom for granted, we complain about nothing at all-just for the sake of complaining and we turn small problems into a big ordeal. After months of reading about her fight and her strength, I have picked out a few things that I can take away from her courage. First of all, "don't sweat the small stuff". It's cliche, but I like chiches and there is a reason this phrase is used so often. Secondly, put everything in perspective because it is probably not nearly as bad as you think it is. And lastly, "do what you like, like what you do" -JLS.

Photo Credit: http://dineshthakur.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/enjoy-life.jpg

Dystopia

On Friday evening we will be performing Dystopia, this year's student written and directed show. This is the first year this project is taking place and it has been an amazing learning experience. After an amazing two weeks, the show has surprisingly come together. Not that I didn't have faith in everyone, but the final two week period is typically when things are being fine tuned, not begun. Although they are each only one act long, five students got the opportunity to write, cast and direct a show. I am so proud of them all and so impressed at how everything has come out. They have really done an amazing job and we have all had so much fun. Today we did a "fun run" of the show with our extra time and we got the chance to simply let go and make crazy choices that we would otherwise never take in a scene. It was so cool to be able to take crazy risks and make fools out of ourselves. This might usually be hard to do, but when everyone is doing it, some how it is no longer embarrasing. Through this process, I have become closer with a lot of people that I was not friends with before. I have gotten to learn new acting techniques and spend more time doing what I love. I can't wait to see the final product!

There's no place like the CPA!

A Face of Hope

DUMBO

After a long, stressful first semester, I finally had a real weekend off, and by real, I mean no homework, no worrying about finals, just three and a half days to anything I wanted. So, I chose to volunteer for the animal shelter-an activity I love, but often can't find the time to do. I got to take a dog named "Dumbo" to an adoption event and show him off to hopefully aid in finding him a forever home. I have been volunteering for Orphans of the Storm for three years now and each time is it just as rewarding. The second they are on a leash, they can hardly contain themselves; they just know this is their shot. We take them to a store or some type of public place where they can be shown off and people can individually see some of the dogs that otherwise may not be noticed. Not only that, but it is a chance for hours of attention and love that they can't recieve all that often living at the shelter. It is an incredible opportunity not only for them, but for me and it has really added to my passion for animals, a passion I hope to one day persue in some shape or form. These dogs are truly amazing and they are the perfect display of what hope and trust look like. Even after being neglected, harrassed or simply thrown away they will give their unconditional love to anyone who is willing to return it, they will give you all their trust, despite being let down by humans time and time again, and they wait patiently for the day they find a forever home. As far as I'm concerned, we have a lot to learn from them.

Theatrefest 2012!

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to attend the Illinois High School Theatrefest. I was extremely excited and of course I thought it would be fun, but it was more than just fun, it was a really incredible experience. I got to spend fourty-eight hours exploring my passion-musical theater, being with friends and making friends with perfect strangers. There is something amazing about "theatre people". First of all, they are just about the friendliest people on Earth. We made friends everywhere whether just meeting each other around the campus or while washing hands in the bathroom. There was no judgement. Everyone was able to be who they are-be a little weird, but without the weird looks that typically follow. Instead, people offered hugs to complete strangers, danced in public as if there was honestly no one watching, and talked with new friends like the best of old friends. It's like a different world. A world where people can be honest and express themselves in any way they would like. If I had my choice that is the world I would live in, but unfortunately, on Saturday we all had to return to reality. To the real world where if you accidentally say "hi" to someone you don't know you are guaranteed a weird look, not an entusiastic response. Where you can't just ask anyone you meet to tie your shoe (honestly, that happened). It's too bad more people don't get to experience this.

Christmastime in the City

This is one of my favorite times of year for many reasons, one of them being the festive spirit floating around town. The colorful lights, evergreen trees, and other decorations light up the town. The anticipation of their favorite holidays puts everyone in a good mood and the air is crisp and cool. The one thing that could make it better? Snow. Although I agree that after a while the snow gets old, this time of year simply does not feel right without it. I know this sounds cliché and maybe it is, but in choir, we recently sang "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin and I got to thinking; especially here in Chicago, that is exactly what we are known for. Unless it snows soon, this will be the first Christmas in my memory without snow and while by February our only wish is for it to be gone, now that it is not here it comes as a shock. But, I guess that's how it goes, like they say, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone". It's true. Only now that the snow is not here do we cherish and long for it. So, this year when the snow finally arrives, I will be sure to make the best of it: actually play in the snow like I used to as a kid and make sure I engrain in my mind forever the beauty of Chicago in the winter.

Photo credit: http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/27/2756/R9HTD00Z/jamie-wild-main-street-with-christmas-lights-at-night-leavenworth-washington-usa.jpg