Finally Something Good

Well, this past week has been a doozy. Even though we had a day off from school on Monday, this week has gone by extremely slow.

Monday included fun times at Chuck E Cheese (about the only thing that went well until Saturday), running on an hour and a half of sleep, and a 6 hour dance team practice. Ok, dance team wasn't too bad, but the last 3 hours took their own sweet time. The first three were great. They sped on by. It was hard to believe we had been there for 3 hours already. But then the last three decided to hang around a while. That was frusterating.

Tuesday was school. And although it wasn't horrible, I was still suffering from lack of sleep. So I ended up sleeping through 2 classes....physics and history....both of which had subs and we weren't doing anything in them. After school was the first blocking practice for Crucible, however, I was not needed this day. I stayed anyway and slept and ate Subway.

Wednesday was ok.....it wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible. In english, we corrected our quotes for our essay. My quotes stunk, as did my topic sentences and thesis statement. I took a test in physics, which I know I failed because I had no idea what we were doing in that class unless I had someone to talk to to help me talk out the problems. We had a sub in drama and we got some cards taken away. But I got them back because the sub was nice like that. Dance team went ok. We got stuff done and I helped Heather create a word on the ground.

Thursday was the worst day ever. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Ok, I take that back....everything that could have gone wrong from lunch on went wrong (besides correcting a body paragraph in english 1st period,whcih made me sad). Sil yelled at me and even though she said she didn't balame me...she really did (enough said on that one. If you'd like to know, I'll tell you in person), a result from Sil's yelling was that the play ananlysis is due Monday instead of in like 3 or 4 or 5 weeks. I cried the rest of the day because of Sil....ok Sil plus other things, but mainly Sil. At play practice, I finally got to act. However, cards got me in trouble yet again. Linda is starting a rule where the guys and girls cannot play with eachother when they aren't on stage...this is to increase the separation so that the characters can seem more rea and easier to play. Dance team danced at a game. Before the game Heather talked about how someone had talked really loud about Century's team and said a lot of bad stuff about them and that the coach and another team member heard that person. I felt guilty because it might have been me....though we wen're talking that loud and we were saying good things about Century's team too. As for teh dance itself....it went well. I was irritated though because I wanted to stay and watch the game, but instead I ran to the studio to try and catch the end of RCB so that I could perform on Saturday. I got to RCB in time to dance one dance. I find out that I can't do a solo because I won't be able to be at practice exactly on time because I have Solo/Ensemble on that day and would be 30 minutes late max. Really the only reason for me going to the performnac eon Saturday is to perform a solo and the dance I had choreographed because I don't know the other ones too well. They probably look better without me in them anyway. So that made me irritated. And then that night I had a mental break down and a long talk with my parents.

Friday was ok. I felt not as bad...but that was because the group of us who got in trouble with Sil appologized and even thoguh the play analysis is still due Monday, I feel better knowing I appologized. I just wrote in past and present tense...all in one sentence. And that's fine. Anywho, voice lessons went ok. Pretty much everything that day was just ok.

Saturday came around and it went from chaos to relaxation adn the part where something good finally happened. I woke up bright and early for Solo/Ensemble. Picked up Nathan, Matt, and Mark. Drove to Jesuit. Listened to CHrista. Sang with Encore. Sang my solo (I felt like crap singing it, but it sounded good so say the spectators and the camera). Went to lunch. Almost died driving (ok not really, but I wasn't the best driver at lunch). Sang with Starlights. Drove to the studio. Performed. Didn't do too bad. Drove back to Jesuit to check the scores but as a detour met Kirsten, Nathan, matt, and Vicki at Starbucks (it took a while to find which Fred Meyers they were talking about). Drove to Jesuit to check the scores for reals. Found out I got a 1+!!!! Waited around forever and all eternity to find out Christa's scores and if either of us were going to State. After a long wait...I find out I am going to State and am 1st in Districts! Drive back to my house where Christa is watchign Anastasia and Charlotte was there too. After watching the whole show, Christa, Kirsten, Arrio, Ryan, Nathan, and I pile into my car and we head to Theatre in the Grove to see Noises Off. As I go to drop people off, we find TV highway has been blocked off on a stretch of road due to an accident. Interesting. I make it home safely.

That leaves today. Arrio and his family were supposed to come to the 8:30 service, but don't. They don't even come to Sunday School. Well, instead they came to the 10:30 service. So I went to church twice. Then, I had a Black Elk Speaks play analysis party at my house. We talked about ideas for our play analysis. It was most helpful. Then people left. And I was alone and working on the play analysis and my Denny essay. Well bith my play analysis and my essay are crap, but oh well. I'm sure Sill will let us fix them, since she doesn't want us to fail our IB tests. And the Denny paper isn't due until Tuesday. It is just the rough draft due tomorrow.

Well....that is it. Good night. I am so glad that the week came to a peaceful end.

The Music Within = I'm Exhausted

Remember that movie gig I told you about? Well, it went well...I guess. I don't have anything to compare it with, so I don't really know if it went well or not. At first I was still in that "I don't want to be here" mood. But after getting into hair/make-up and wardrobe, I was better. It was fun for a while being dressed as a hippie. Soon though, I became tired of sitting and doing nothing. We got to the place at 6:30 PM and didn't start filming until like 10:30. When we started filming, we stood outside in the freezing cold for like 2 hours. It was harsh. I think we all got a touch of hypothermia. Anywho, after freezing to death, we broke for lunch. That's right, lunch. Since we were paid extras, we got a 30 minute break for lunch and they gave us food....a quizzno's sub, a cookie, and chips. After lunch, we filmed more outside frozenness. This scene was filmed for about 2 more hours and then finally we moved on. We sat and waited for the director to get ready to film the inside portion of the movie. I fell asleep a couple of times, but that's fine. Then, once the director was ready to shoot, a few of us were chosen to go. I was one of the few. However, my "big debut" didn't come until more people came into view....this girl form Southridge and I were "featured" in a shot. The leads were behind us saying their lines while the camera was not focusing on us but was in front of us......so my head was in the shot. Then Ruth (the Southridge girl) and I were placed in a specific spot to be "featured again".....though I don't know if it was really to be featured or if they were worried about continuity errors. In any case, I like the last part of the evening...I guess it was early morning by then...so I liked the morning part of it. We didn't get done filming until 5 AM.

We got home at 6:00 AM...all popsicles. I didn't end up going to bed until 7:00 AM.

After an hour and a half of sleep, Nathan and I went to Chuck E Cheese before I went to a 6 hour practice. You may ask why we didn't just go after dance team. Well, I needed to get some excitement into me before I learned a lot and danced and had more excitement for learning and dancing (I don't think that really made sense...and that's fine). So we went to Chuck E Cheese and had a grand old time. Even though I like the old one better, this new place wasn't horrible. However, it didn't have my favorite game...the crocodile one. But that's ok. I still had fun.

I went to dance team practice from 12:30 to 6:00. We stopped at 6 because it started to snow and the snow turned into ice. What was interesting was that it really didn't ice. I mean, I didn't see any and the roads weren't slippery. But oh well. I think Heather was more tired and possibly irritated than really thinking it was really icy....but who knows...maybe it was icy in some places. In any case, I was able to go home earlier.

And by home I mean I went to visit Charlotte at Coffee Rush. That was fun.

So today I fell asleep in 2 classes. My lack of sleep really hurt me. However, in those 2 classes, we had subs and we weren't doing anything. It was nice. I needed that sleep. We also had Crucible practice today...well I should say that Amber, Nathan, and Charlotte had practice...I did not. It wasn't my day today. I don't have practice until Thursday. That's sad, but I think it was probably a good thing that I didn't need to practice today because I was so out of it.

Anywho, now I need tog et going on my English and Physics. I have a test in Physics tomorrow that I am going to fail. I wish we didn't have a test tomorrow. Oh well. Good night everyone.

Help Me Out

It could be the fact that right now my life is whizzing by, or maybe it's the fact that too much is happening.....

In short, I feel depressed. I don't want to do anything but sit and eat. Ok, I lied already. I want to hang out with friends. I want to be with friends. I don't want to do homework, I don't want to dance, I don't want to go to Dance Team, I don't want to go to school, I don't want to do this movie thing that Mom, Dad, and me are doing and are going to be gone most likely from 6:30 PM-6:00 AM, I don't want to worry about whether or not my audition for Otterbein was enough, I don't want to worry about college auditions in general, I don't want to sing, I don't want to go to voice lessons, I don't want to write an essay for English, I don't want to study for a test in Physics, I don't want to worry about grades in general...I just want to sit, eat, and hang out.

I know this feeling is probably more Senioritis than it is depression, but it sure feels like depression (not that I've had it). I need to get away. I need to pull a Charlotte....go to the beach. I was really tempted to do so today, but then the thought about the movie thing came into my head. As the time to leave looms nearer, I become more and more unwilling to go. I don't want to stay up until 6:00 AM to be in a movie where I'll probably not be seen anyway, or not be needed but have to stay anyway, just in case. If I were there with other people than just my mom and dad, things might be different. But Brooke isn't coming because it is really late for her to stay up and we wouldn't be in the same spot anyway. Not that Mom and Dad aren't fun...it's just that Brooke and I share a lot of inside jokes and I feel more comfortable goofy off with her than I do with my parents. I'd invite anyone who reads this to come along for the shoot, but I don't think they need any more extras. And besides, the paid extras (18 and older) aren't where the volunteer extras (17 and under) are. So I wouldn't see any of you anyway.

In case you are wondering, I didn't go skating as I had planned. This si due mainly to my current state of depression (or Senioritis) and the fact that my sister had 2 friends come and I had a grand total of zero. Not that I don't enjoy my sister's friends...but her friends and I don't get along nearly as well as Brooke gets along with you guys. So now I am at home, wishing I was anywhere but here and about to do homework.

Sad news on the Chuck E Cheese front....it opens at 10:00...not 9:00. This means one whole hour is cut. That makes me really sad. Darn you dance team and having to practice for 6 hours!!!! Ok, also bad job on the Chuck E Cheese web site for lying to me. But yeah.....I'm not looking forward to a 6 hour practice. But I guess it's better than having a Saturday practice...right?

I need a hug.

There is some good news....I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Gieco. Sorry, couldn't resist. Anywho....OUAM DVDs are being made. It is the night of February 10th. If you feel that you would like a different night, we can make another night for you, however, it won't be nearly as fancy as the 10th. I've seen part of it, and it's pretty cool. We have the 2 camera effect going on.

I feel better...but I still would rather be anywhere but here. I need to go to the Happiest Place on Earth.

La Ti Da Ti Da

Notice: Tomorrow my family is going ice skating and anyone who would like to come may come. However, Mom, Dad, and I will have to leave early because we need to be downtown to be extras by 4:30. So long story short, I won't be skating very long and you will be stuck with my sister and her friends. But if you would like to go ice skating, you are more than welcome to come. We are meeting at the Valley Ice Arena at 1:15. If we have 10 people, the cost is $6. Let me know if you would like to come along. Oh, and if you don't want to be left with my sister and her friends (I don't blame you), we will be going skating some other time when I can stay longer.

I went to dance today for the first time in a long time. It was nice. I haven't been to a Saturday class in a while. Sadly, Bubba wasn't there, so Musical Theatre wasn't nearly as fun. But oh well. I still had fun anyway.

After classes, I went to Petco to walk and play with dogs. However, by the time I got there, the dogs had been adopted and some cats were the only ones left. Well left for adoption that is. Two dogs were there, but they were adopted so I didn't get to say anything about them to try and get someone to buy them. That's ok though. It was a good experience.

From there, I went to a movie with my family. We saw The Pink Panther. It was cute, funny, and entertaining. While at the theatre, I was asked questions about a preview for "Over the Hedge". Also, I was asked about my movie watching, what actors out of a list had I heard of, out of the ones I had heard of what I thought about them, and other questions. It was interesting.

Well, I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Good night!

The Sound of.....

A group of us went to see Century's performance of "The Sound of Music". Let me just say that my favorite part was definitely the kick line of Nuns in "Maria". A little out of context wouldn't you say? Anywho, Melissa (Maria) did a very nice job. She and Jordan (Rolf) were my favorite characters....not just because I know them. Ok, the Nazis were pretty cool too. The set was amazing, as usual. On a side note....I found out that the guy that does the set design for Century is a good friend of Bill's (the director) and so Century gets their sets planned for free. However, if we were to ask this guy to do our sets, it would cost us $2000....actually it'd cost any high school $2000. However, if a professional company were to ask, it definitely wouldn't cost $2000. Why does this guy do this?.....so that only Century can benefit from his excellent stage designs. But you know what? We don't need him. We do just fine by ourselves. Ok, back to what I was talking about earlier...which was what? Hmmm......oh, right, the show. It wasn't horrible, which was good. However, I felt like singing along a lot. Could that be because I am a freak and love this show? Probably. The songs went very fast. They were over and done with before you knew they were singing. And they also added dialogue and cut songs and dialogue. And they made it like the movie. But it was still enjoyable.

After the show, I had an after party at my house. Christa, Nathan, Kirsten, Arrio, Charlotte, and Amber joined me at my house for this festivity. We watchde our version of "The Sound of Music", cuddled, watched part of "Oklahoma", and cuddled some more. And speaking of musicals, one of these days, we are going to have a musicla watching day where all we watch is musicals...so as to educate those people who have not seen many musicals. I'm soooo excited!

Jennifer comes home very shortly!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!I can't wait!

Well, I am extremely tired. So I will have to say good night for now.

The First Crucible Reading

As the title states, it was the first Crucible reading. Quite exciting if you ask me. Even though I felt that I didn't read my best (but who does at a first read through?), I felt a connection with the guy playing John Proctor. Taht's a good sign, right? I mean, most of the time when I was reading my lines, I felt in the zone...like I was actually there, performing. I hope that means something good. I really wish we could finish reading the play tomorrow, but alas, we don't have another practice until next Tuesday. Sad!

In other news, I think Valentine's Day is overrated. Why do I think this? Well, not only is it a depressing day for those people who are single, but it always seems to be overdone. I don't know. I just don't think we need one day to show our sweetheart how much we apprecaite them. If we really do appreciate them, we should show this everyday. I'm not saying that buying your boyfriend/girlfriend chocolate and presents and whatnot is a bad thing....but it always seems to be too much; too overdone; people try too hard. And then, when people see other people walking around with lots of things from their sweetheart, that person either feels obligated to buy more for his/her sweety or he/she feels more depressed because he/she does not have a sweety. Anywho....I think Valentine's Day is overdone and overrated.....though I won't say no to chocolate and a reason to not do school work. However, we could celebrate Oregon's birthday instead. I think I will.....Happy Birthday Oregon!

On that happy note.....I wish it were Monday for the fact that I finally get to go to Chuck-E-Cheese's. I am going right before dance team. I can't wait! Is it bad that I am getting excited over a place meant for 10 year olds? Naw....

Well that's about it from here.

Tigard, Closing Night, Drama Nazi

This morning, I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock, which read 6:10 AM. The Tigard competition was today. It was long, tiring, and fun. Long: we stayed until about 6:00 (at which time the muscial people had to leave). Tiring: I was exhausted just from getting up this morning so I was never fully awake. Dancing state called sleep to its side. Fun: to pass the time away, we played ERS. Of course, I won...well I would have won had Heather not stopped us so that we could practice our dance. First round was ok. I didn't do as well as I could have, but oh well. It's over and done with. I found out later that Century and Westveiw got 1st and 2nd, while Pendleton and Hilhi didn't place (we only awarded 2 places due to the size of the grouping. I hope this will get us to work harder.

From Tigard, the musical people booked it to Hilhi. We made it with time to spare and so Ermine and I practiced our Pas and taped it in lighting that would allow us to see it on the TV. The Pas went beautifully. I am sooo excited to see it.

Tonight was my last muscial as a highschooler. Even though I would have prefered it to be perfect, meaning I wouldn't have to yell at people to shut up, it went well. I do't think tonight was my best night, but it wasn't horrible. However, I did have to yell at the poop faces again...this time I lost it.What was nice about me losing it was that the 2 trouble-makers didn't cause traffic and problems anymore. It's kind of depressing to realize that this is your last show. I am sad, mainly because of the people I most likely won't see again. However, it does feel good to get "Oooo I Fell so Good" as our warmup. That was fun. I don't even know how to describe what I feel, besides tired. It kind of doesn't seem like the musical is over. But it is...because The Crucible run through starts on Tuesday. I'm soooo excited!!!!!

The cast party was at my house. It actually didn't turn out too bad. We attempted to watch in the show and somewhat succeeded. It got a little noisy at times, but for the most part, people really did want to see the tape.

Well that's about it for today. Good night all.

The Crucible!!!!!!!

Well ladies and gents.....after much stressing and whatnot....the cast list is now officially posted. It stands thus:

Betty Parris-Marki Ashby
Reverand Parris-Nathan Daniels
Tituba-Charlotte Smith
Abigail Williams-Amber Kraft
Susanna Wallcott-Katie Armstrong
Mrs. Ann Putnam-Emma Larkins
Thomas Putnam-Corey Harris
Mercy Lewis-Christina Parson
Mary Warren-Maia Koczy
John Proctor-Jacob Mott
Rebecca Nurse-Miriam McSpadden
Giles Corey-Dustin Snyder
Reverand John Hale-Jacob Hoffman
Elizabeth Proctor-Crystal Carlisle (ME!!!!)
Francis Nurse-Jason Fillo
Ezekiel Cheever-Ryan Lum
John Willard-Mitchel Kleier
Judge Hathorne-Josh Bateman
Deputy Governor Danforth-Tim Carlisle
Sarah Good-Cari Jonah
Martha Corey's Voice-Theresa Warrington
Afflicted Girls- Katie Hortenstine, Kirsten Kamna, Brandie Link, Ali Sims, Kelly MacKenzie, Isabel Sokol-Oxman, Theresa Warrington

As you probably can see, there are some people you probably don't know and/or don't recongnize to be students. That is because Linda casted 3 adults in the show. The actors playing John Proctor, John Hale, and Danforth are all adults. If you are worried for my sake, you needent be....John Proctor is 21. I am sooooooo excited! I can't wait until Tuesday when we have our first read through. Woo hooooo!!!!!! It'll be fun performing in my last show with my dad...however, I think I might be a little too harsh for him to handle.....which could cause some tension...but hopefully people won't be dumb and I'll be able to be nice for once instead of being the Drama Nazi.

Well that's it for now. I need to get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long, stressful day. Dance team competition and a show. Can't wait.

Ready or Not, Here I Come

Chicago was fun. After having no sleep on Monday night (it was totally my fault), Mom and I headed to the airport at 4:30 AM to catch our 6:30 AM flight. We arrived in Chicago at 1:00 PM Chicago time, got to our hotel, and slept until my cousin and his wife picked us up for dinner and Wicked. Wicked was...interesting. Not that it wasn't good...but I liked it a lot better the first time I saw it...probably because it was the first time. However, we got to see 2 different Elphaba's. The first one wasn't my favorite. I liked her voice better than the second one. The second one was a better actress and had better chemistry with Glinda, but her voice was flat a lot and had really weird, fast vibrato...not unlike someone I know. And the volume seemed to be really soft and the tempo on some things was really slow, while other times it was really fast. Wow...this sounds really negative. Hmmmm.....I still liked the show. The costumes were just as good. I liked Glinda a lot. I liked the dancing. I had forgotten some songs were in the show that aren't on the CD, so those were fun to hear. My cousin (Mark) and his wife (Sarah) loved the show. So that was good.

Now for the part you all want to hear....college auditions.

Emerson: It was ok. It wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible. There was an accompanist, who was a good sight reader...but not a good follower. I gave him a tempo and he sped it up (I was singing my ballad, which went faster than I had wanted it to go) and he didn't read the markings in the actually book that say when to speed up, slow down, etc. But it was nice to have a live accompanist. I sang decently and acted ok. But of course, I am my own worst critic, so I'll never say I did fabulous. After a group of us sang, we had the dance audition. It was a joke. Seriously. It was the easiest thing I've done in a long time. The best part was that there was only one other girl who thought the same. Of course, we were both dancers, but still........everyone else had a harder time picking it up. And we didn't do anything that tricky. The hardest thing we did was a passe hit (I'll be happy to show you the routine if you'd like). At the end, the guy asked us what level of ballet and jazz we would put ourselves in....advanced was not an option. Well, I put myself in intermediate for both jazz and ballet.....some of the people put themselves in intermediate jazz but beginning ballet.....and I thought to myself, "Are you kidding me?" Now I know it isn't my place to judge people, but from what I saw of the dancing.....no one in there except for me and the other dancer should have said intermediate anything. Anywho.....I really don't care if I get accepted there or not. It's not one of my top choices.

Otterbein: Definitely a better audition. I sang better (even though I couldn't do the whole of both my songs......16 measures of the ballad and 32 of the up beat). I don't necessarily think I acted better...but I didn't do worse. They were really nice. Man...I really want to go there!!!! While waiting to audition, there was this guy who was totally freaking out. He was pacing back and forth and making a big scene about being really nervous....even though he wasn't trying to make a scene. He was really, really nervous. I think I found him hilarious because he was the exact opposite of me. I'm not saying I wasn't nervous...because I was.....however, I was just not as antsy.

It snowed while we waited for the shuttle to the airport. It was fun. I love snow. I think I was the only one who was really excited it was snowing. Everyone else ran for cover and whatnot. I danced around yelling, "It's snowing!" It was sweet.

Well, that's about it. I have to get some sleep. We perform for the little kids tomorrow. And since I got no sleep and am still recovering, I need all the sleep I can get. Good night all.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...again

Tomorrow I leave at 4:30 AM from my house to go to the airport to fly to Chicago for auditions for Emerson and Otterbein. Well, tomorrow I am not auditioning, but on Wednesday I am. Tomorrow I am seeing Wicked for the 3rd time!!!!!! And I get to spend at least 6 hours in Chicago doing nothing but a) sleeping, b) practicing my monologue/songs, c) spending time with my cousin Mark and his wife Sarah, d) doing homework, or e) watching the Disney Channel, if the hotel has it. Wednesday will be hectic...so I'd appreciate all of your prayers. I have a 9:00 AM audition for Emerson, then a 1:00 audition for Otterbein, and then we catch a plane home and hopefully make it before 8:30 AM Thursday morning (the musical is performing for the kids). Stressful? I think so.

Well I should get some sleep, since I have to get up in a few hours. Good night all.

A Long Long Weekend

Friday was opening night. It wasn't too bad. I was pleased. The audience wasn't too big, but it was responsive. Everything ran pretty smotth. Nathan and Arrio got "Man to Man Talk" pretty close to perfect. Arrio had awesome facials...as usual. That's pretty much it for Friday.

Saturday was chaos. I woke up early to pick up Nathan, Kirsten, Dustin, and Cory and we carpooled over to regionals. Good news: Christina gets to go to state!!!!! Bad news: Nathan and I do not. Oh well. It was fun anyway. As for my monologues....I did pretty well on them...concidering I hadn't timed them or really performed them for anyone. Slacker, I know......but in reality, I dind't want to do monologues. I just did it because I kenw I'd be auditioning with a monologue, so I decided to get some feed back before I leave for Chicago. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Only a few more days before I see Wicked! for a third time! And it's coming to Portland next fall. Weeeeee!!!!!!! Anyway.....my song went...eh. It wasn't great and it wasn't horrible. The fire alarm went off in the middle of a round. That was fun....not. It was freezing out side....rainy and windy.

After running around like a chicken with my head cut off......we went to school to get ready for the play. Tonight my energy level was down...but it wasn't too bad. Even though the audience was pretty slow in the beginning, they warmed up by Act 2. We ended up getting a standing ovation. Go figure.

Well, that's about it for tonight. I hope you all have a good night's rest so that you'll be fresh early tomorrow morning so you can have a nice journey home.......I should be shot for that.