You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine

Disney Dreams Coming True

2008-04-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who still read this, which I doubt anyone still does, I have some exciting news!

I have been accepted into the Disney College Program as a Character Performer. This could mean as a Character signer, a parade performer, or a show performer. I will find out what role I get to play in about 2 weeks. I will be working in Disney World from June 18-January 3...ish. I can't wait!!!!!!!! I will get paid for this as well as being able to take college classes for credit. I will get free admission to the parks, discounts on several food places, hotels, and merchandise. Family and friends get in for a discount. So come visit me!!!!!!

Music and Romance

2008-02-03T00:10:00.000-08:00

I had a spectacular time at Music and Romance! What a blast!!! I'm soooo glad I was forced to go. That's right, I was forced. I worked part of the night for Delta Omicron. The rest of the night involved lots of picture taking, socializing, and some dancing. I loved watchign people dance. This really makes me want to go swing dancing....and learn how to. Rilley says he'll teach me. I hope so, cus then we'll be the swing dancing duo of amazingness!

I also got the last book in the Twilight Trilogy. I can't wait to read it!

The Last Five Years

2008-01-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

You know....this show relates a lot to what I'm feeling right now. Interesting....

Graduating Early

2007-12-11T23:08:00.000-08:00

Well ladies and gents, I'm graduating early. Hopefully, I'll be able to graduate at the end of next year.

My plan?
~Graduate with a BA in Music and a Minor in Dance
~Get my Masters in Public Relations somewhere closer to home

Academically, I can graduate early, but musically might be a bit of a challenge. I think I have everything covered...minus the junior recital I'm required to do...but since I just came up with this plan, I'm not that far along with the details yet. I know that it'll be pretty rough getting a recital time, but I think I can do it. Instead of doing a junior and senior recital (which I'd really like to do), I'll probably just do a combined recital....so like half of a recital to myself instead of 1/4 and then 1/2. However, I'd also like to do my own recital...like a whole hour of just me...but that probably won't happen. I guess we'll see when I get back to school what goes down :)

New Haircut?

2007-12-11T01:45:00.000-08:00

For the past....long time....I've wanted to get my hair cut and dyed. Well, I finally got the "ok" and now I'm not so sure I want to do it. I don't want it too short....but shorter than it is right now....just for a change. And I also want to dye it brown-ish. Why? Well, I was a brunette once...I want to see what it's like again. And not to mention. maybe Disney would consider casting me as Belle if they saw me with brown hair :) I don't know. We'll see what happens.

In dance news, I'm teaching on Thursday. I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be teaching two classes of center work for Company II and III. Today, I worked on my emotionally attached piece. So far I like it. However, since I'm dancing it right now, I can't see if I really like it. It feels right, so I guess that means it's good. I don't know who to use and when to perform it. But once it's done, we'll cross that bridge. I kind of want to teach it to a jazz class. That way, I can look at it and watch who gives it the emotion I'm looking for. I know who I'd want to use back at school, but since I'm not there right now, I want to use someone here.

Tomorrow, Christa and I are having a brunch date at the Ruby Tuesday's Elizabeth works at. I can't wait!

It's Been A While

2007-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Lots has happened since I last posted here.

1) Nathan and I are no longer a couple. We're still friends, but not an item. It's been 2 weeks since we broke up and I think I'm handling it pretty well. No one has died anyway...yet...haha.

2) My choir at school went on a tour of Ohio. Michigan, and Toronto, Canada. I had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I got so sick that I lost my voice for most of it....so I didn't get to sing my solo very often. But that's ok. I got to sing it at the places I really wanted to....Canada and at school....and a few other places along the way. I was the lost and found person, so I made sure no one left anything behind. Definitely a good job for me....don't you think?

3) I'm going on a road trip next weekend to Washington. I'm picking up Ryan from Walla Walla and we're driving to Spokane to see Amber and Megan. We'll be spending the night there before we drive home. I can't wait!

4) I finally found a song for my emotionally attached piece I'm creating. The subject? The Break up. The song? Dreaming with a Broken Heart by John Mayer. I heard it on the radio and knew it was the song. I plan on going to the studio a lot this week to choreograph it. I'm not quite sure what I want to do yet....though I think it'll mainly be a solo, with a guy entering sometimes.

5) On Thursday, I'm working for the studio. I'm teaching Company II and III. I'm really excited!

That's about all I can remember right now. So far, Break has been pretty crazy.

Thought for the day

2007-10-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

Why is it that food always seems to be the source of gathering? That is, why does it seem that people always use food as a way to hang out?A great example is this evening: my friend Kelsey and I went to Steak 'N Shake this evening because 1) I needed to eat something at it was the only place open, 2) she had never been there before, and 3) we wanted to hang out. If food is not the gathering place, then food seems to be present wherever the hanging out is occurring. It makes me wonder why food is such an important gathering point. It seems to me that we can't seem to gather without food...why is that? I'm not saying that I'm complaining.....I love food. But I just find it interesting...

Oh food and your weird ways....

Lots of Love.

New York, New York

2007-10-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

Day 1

After getting up, packing, eating, and printing off lots of things, I finally was ready to go to the airport. I left with plenty of time to spare, since it was a holiday weekend and I knew the airport was going to be packed. My first trouble spot came when I had to park in the expensive parking lot. Granted, it wasn't that much more expensive, but still....it was more than I paid for last weekend. Anywho, I arrived at the airport and walked straight to my gate. So much for the airport being packed. I found out that my flight needed bumpers, so I volunteered to do so as long as they could still get me to NYC by 7:00 at the latest. Well, they could, so I almost bumped. However, I found out that the flight I was originally taking didn't actually need bumpers and that it would not be delayed as previously thought. So I ended up taking the flight I was going to in the first place. Once we reached JFK, we waited in the taxi lane for forever because another plane was still at the gate we were supposed to be at. So we waited and waited. Finally, we were let go. I had an hour and a half to get to my show. What show you ask? Mary Poppins! Good news= I made it in time. Bad news= I had McDonald's for dinner....yuck. While at the show, I saw my first transvestite. Very interesting....The show was amazing. I loved it. Ashley Brown was a wonderful Mary Poppins. The dancing was really neat. I admit, I got a little teary-eyed at the end. The plan for meeting up with Maren was to meet somewhere after the show. Since we weren't going to meet until about 11:30, I went to the stage door and got some autographs and took some pictures. Be jealous; I got Ashley Brown's picture and signature :) After a while, I got a call from Maren saying she was on the same street I was. Since neither of us knew what the other looked like, we knew it would be fun to try and guess who we were. Lucky for us, we spotted each other right away...the only two talking on cellphones. After formally introducing ourselves, we walked to Port Authority, where we hopped on a bus that took us to Maren's house. While on the bus, we got into a mini accident. Somehow our bus and the bus behind us ended up hitting eachother. The bus behind us pulled up next to our bus and the drivers started to argue. Cars, of course, were honking madly behind us. Oh New York....

Since it was Maren's friend's friend's birthday, she asked if I wanted to go to a party for a few minutes....mainly so she could make an appearance. I said sure, so I went to my first "drunk party". I put that in quotes because the people were drunk, but not so much that they were loud and obnoxious. I was offered a drink (alcoholic) but I declined (yay morals!). So yeah. The people were pretty cool. I think I could actually hang around them if I had to....hmmm that didn't sound quit right....but you know what I mean, right? Well, I do anyway. At 1:00am we decided to go home. I ended up sleeping on the couch. It was pretty comfortable.

Day 2

Today I did many firsts. I woke up (not a first, but I still did it), rode the subway by myself, rode a train from Grand Central Station by myself, waited for a ferry for an hour, saw Arrio, took a taxi back to the train station, took the train back to Grand Central Station (GCS), took the Subway to Port Authority, took a bus (the wrong one), and walked to Maren's house. Now to tell you most of my adventures of firsts....

The subway wasn't anything new, really. Mainly, I just had never gone by myself. It was quite a walk, but I didn't want to chance missing my stop so I took the train that went straight to GCS.

Taking the train was a bit scary, but fun as well. I felt kind of special knowing that I was riding out of GCS. Kind of a dream of mine, I guess. So yeah. It was really neat. However, I didn't know what gate to leave from...since it didn't say on my ticket. I asked information and found my gate. I met a lady at Starbucks who was going on the same train. We took the first half of the ride together, before she got off. One stop before mine, I called a taxi to take me to USMA. They said they'd be there, however, they weren't there when I got off the train. So I called them after waiting for 10 minutes. They rudely told me to take the ferry.

Had I known about the ferry, the next hour wouldn't have happened. I missed the ferry by ten minutes (and it only goes back and forth according to the train schedule...so basically every hour.) I didn't know this until way later, so to waste time I called just about everyone I could think of. Finally, Arrio called me and he told me that the ferry was on its way as soon as the Captain came back. Little did I know what awaited me on the ferry.....Arrio! We don't really know if he was supposed to be on the ferry, but no one stopped him, so he greeted me on the ferry instead of on the West Point side. I didn't recognize him at first. He looks good! Definitely a lady killer. Anywho, we walked around a bit and then grabbed some lunch. After lunch we walked around some more. Basically, we walked the whole 5 hours I was there....but we had a fun time. We talked about everything. You know, it felt kind of weird walking next to him while he was in uniform. I guess I just felt out of place. I mean, it was kind of frusterating because he could do cetain things because he was in uniform. Like besides hugging, the only thing he could do was escort me. So no holding hands, piggy back rides, rolling down hills....nothing like that....which of course made me want to do it even more. I really, really wanted a piggy back ride, but no. Also, the only way I could wear his hat was if he was standing still and not moving. I definitely took advantage of the hat wearing when we went off base and had some ice cream. I have a picture to prove it :) After ice cream, we decided to go bowling. He beat me pretty badly, but I don't care. We had a lot of fun. After bowling it was time for me to take the ferry back to the train station. Unfortunately for us, the last ferry took off 10 minutes before we got there. So we called a cab....which didn't pick me up until an hour later (due to some misunderstandings on their part). Arrio had to be back in his room by 7:00, so I was left alone waiting for my taxi....I told him he could leave if he really needed to. I was still on base and in plain sight of the security guy, so if anything happened, he'd see it. I didn't really want to see Arrio go, but of course I didn't want him to get in trouble. So we said our goodbyes and decided that we need to hang out again sometime soon. And since Jetblue flies to JFK a lot with cheap prices from Columbus, I see this as a big possibility :)

The taxi finally came, however I missed the train I had wanted to take. So I waited in a shop until the next one came. Not much happened after that until the bus ride back to Maren's house. I guess there are two sides to Port Authority that have different bus routes but go to the same city. I, of course, took the wrong bus. I took the one that goes in the opposite direction I wanted to go. I didn't know this, however, until we started to head toward the town and away from the river (maren lives really close to the river with a beautiful view of NYC). So I figured I would just get off at 49th St (where I needed to get off anyway). However, the bus didn't stop there, so I stopped at 54th St. instead. I knew I needed to go towards NYC and the river, so I headed in that direction. I made it safely to Maren's house, but I called her and let her know about my adventure. This was when she told me about the different buses....it would have been nice to know this ahead of time, but whatever. It was a nice (and needed) walk.

Now I am at Maren's house. I can believe I audition tomorrow. Wow. What a fun trip this has been. I definitely need some sleep now.

Day 3

I didn't sleep that well...which is unfortunate...but oh well. I woke up, packed quickly, and headed out for my audition. I was going to take the "cheap" bus, but I didn't want to be late, so I took the bus that cost 55 cents more. This bus took me to Port Authority (where I needed to go) however it was a different spot than the bus yesterday. So I was a little turned around. I made it out to the street, after getting a Jamba Juice (yeah, they have them in NYC). I met a girl on the elevator to the studio I was auditioning at. She was going to the same audition. In the end, I was dancer 18, didn't get a call back, but the girl I met on the elevator did (and she used my hair tie too). Yet again, I helped someone get a callback (even though this was a very small gesture). Maybe someone should do something for me...and then maybe I'll get a job? Anywho, my singing auditions went pretty well. I was number 1 (though the dancers who were called back got to go infront of me....so I was then number 4 instead of number 1). I sang "Home" from B and B. For everyone it was an in and out thing...you go in, sing, and go back out. We'll see what happens.

After the auditions, I had a rediculous amount of time before my plane took off....so I attempted to find the Disney Store. I failed....mainly because I didn't want to carry my big bag around the city. Lazy...I know. So I took a cab to the airport. Due to Columbus Day, it took twice as long to get there. However, I got to see parts of NYC I ddin't think I would. So that was pretty cool. Once at the airport, I attempted to get on an earlier flight. Note to self: don't try stand by again unless you want to pay $75. Also, JFK is the worst airport ever. Don't go there unless you apsolutely have to. I waited at the airport for about 5 and a half hours...due to my plane being delayed due to traffic. I guess JFK has lots of traffic problems. However, I finally got on the plane and am now back in the dorm room....about 2 hours after I should hve been. Oh well.

I had a great time this weekend. I will definitely need to check out plane tickets so I can visit Maren and Arrio again!

I can't wait for tomorrow. Elizabeth and Nathan think they will be here tomorrow evening!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!

Lots of Love.

Atlanta Fun

2007-10-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well....it's over. My first Disney audition...I had so much fun. It was basically stress free, even though I didn't get cast. But, you know...I'm ok with that. I went in expecting to have fun and not expecting to get cast, so that's exactly what happened and I'm fine with it. But let me tell you all about my Atlanta adventure.

I called Brooke and asked if she wanted to come with me....mainly because I didn't want to go by myself. After much back and forthness, she was able to come. Yay! So we met at teh airport and then headed for Six Flags. Thta's right....straight from the airport to Six Flags. Crazy? You bet. We only spent 5 hours at the park, but we had so much fun anyway. We went on a stand-up rollercoaster (not as exciting as we thougth it would be), Goliath (the tallest coaster in the Southeast...it was amazing!), Deja Vu (it goes backwards and forwards....fun stuff), Batman (we rode this one in Texas, but it was yellow in Texas), Ninja (kind of rough, but not too bad), Calypso (at least I think that's what it was called....it was really, really rough. Most people came off holding their heads), a smaller kiddy coaster (it had a few surprises though), Mindblaster (a cool coaster), and, my favorite, Superman (you rode the coaster on your stomach....flying like Superman. It was awesome!). We had so much fun. I'm really glad Brooke was able to come. I know I wouldn't have liked Six Flags as much if Brooke hadn't been there. Unfortunately, they closed at 8:00pm so by the time it was time to eat, everything was closed except pizza...not too good for my diet...but what else could I do? So yeah...that was the only "bad" thing. After Six Flags, we headed for the hotel...The Georgian Terrace Hotel. This hotel was amazing. Not only was it a historical landmark, it was huge too! Even though our room was pretty small, it was really nice. Brooke and I were pretty tired from our long day, so we didn't explore much.

The next day, we woke up late, had room service for breakfast, and watched TV. Then we decided to get some essentials (like deodorant....since both of us had traveled with just carry-ons, we couldn't bring any deodorant we had from home...so we bought some at CVS). Then we walked back to the hotel and went swimming and worked out. The pool was really cold, so we did 4 laps and called it good. However, the veiw was amaxing. The pool was on the top of the hotel. We could see all of Atlanta from the pool. After that, we tool a quick shower and ate lunch at an Italian restuarant. While walking back to the hotel, I was called at by some guys driving by in a car. They said they loved me...but really, who doesn't? lol. Yeah, that kind of freaked Brooke out a little...so she decided that she never wanted to leave the hotel again...so we didn't leave the rest of the night....however we didn't have anything else to do out in Atlanta anyway so it worked out well. We had room service for dinner, watched mroe TV, stretched, and went to bed early.

Today, I woke up at 7am, ordered room service for breakfast, adn got ready for the audition. We were out of the hotel and at the theatre by 8am....the auditions weren't supposed to start until 9, but the sign ups started at 8:30. I thought someone would have been there....I was wrong. So Brooke and I went to Starbucks and sat around for a while. At 8:30 we went back to the theatre only to discover that no one was there....a lady was standing outside the doors. She asked us if we were looking for the Disney auditions. We said yes and she said that she was too. She made a phone call and found out that no one would be there until 9:00...so she said I should probably go get some coffee...little did I know this was the casting director. Too bad, right? So Brooke and I went to Starbucks and sat around again. Then we went back to the theatre at 9am and sat around for another hour....I signed up for the audition (the first one!) and stretched some more. And I actually talked to some people. For the audition, we did a ballet combo first...then people were cut...but not me (the numbers went from like 30 to 15)!!!! Then we did a jazz combo. It was really fast...not hard, just fast. I was cut after this, but there were only 8 people left. These people were taped and some acted afterwards. In any case, teh casting director said that we were all amazing dancers and that she wanted us to know that she was trying to fill certain parts, so that is why some of us got cut where I did. I knew they were casting for the bird in Lion King...but darn me being 2 inches too tall. Anywho, I had a lot of fun at that audition. Then Brooke and I ate lunch at Chick-fil-A. We met Marcus there (a guy I talked to at the dance audition). We then headed back for the theatre for my singing audition. I signed up as number 16...I would have gone first, but I didn't get in line in time. So, I waited and waited. I met some new people while in line. We had a lot of fun. I even helped the girl in front of me and behind me with their callbacks. I was not called back, but I still had a fun time helping them....one was auditioning for Dory (she had never seen the musical so she didn't know the song or anything) and the other girl was auditioning for Flora from the Hoop Dee Doo Review (she had never seen the show or heard the song...however it was "Red River Valley"...you know the old American Classic Folk song? Yeah, I knew you'd know it). So I helped her learn it in the short amount of time she had. both girls were very appreciative. And I figured I might as well help since I was down there and I knew Disney like the back of my hand :) After helping, Brooke adn I took a taxi to the airport, where we arrived with no trouble anywhere and at the gate 2 hours early. So we found food and ice cream and then it was about time for Brooke to catch her flight. Lucky for us, Brooke's and my gates were right next to each other. How cool, huh? Yeah. So once Brooke was gone, I sat around for my flight. I called some people to update them on how the audition went and then got on my plane. And now I am back at Otterbein.

Even though I didn't get cast for anything, I still had a blast. I am very thankful for this experience. I know this will help me with my next audition....oh that reminds me, I met someone who will be in New York next weekend...so I'll know someone at the audition! Anywho, I can't wait to go to NYC...and see Arrio. Yeah, that's right. I get to audition for Disney and see Arrio! And spend the night with Cindy Ucker's daughter and 2 Turkish guys she met a month ago when she moved in. It'll be a lot of fun.

For now,it's back to class. I have a lovely quiz on Renaissance Polyphony I need to make up :( However, my choreography project is almost done! Yay!

Lots of Love.

Disney Dreams

2007-09-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

I am sooo excited for 2 weeks from now...and the week after that. Why? Well....

I'M AUDITIONING FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD AND THE CRUISE LINES!!!!!!!

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. I'm really, really excited. At the same time, I'm scared. I know this is going to be an amazing experience. However, what would I do if I actually got a job? I suppose we'll cross that bridge if/when we get there. You may ask how this happened. This whole thing started last night.

I was looking online at auditions (like I do all the time) and I came across a date that actually worked. It was an open call for dancers and singers in Georgia. So, not being impulsive by nature, I jumped at this chance...well, I called Dad and looked at flights to take (which were very cheap) and then jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, I realized after I had booked the flight that I had a choir rehearsal conflict. Luckily, my choir teacher was understanding, so I'm just going to do some make up rehearsals or something. Then today, as I was looking up more audition things with my friend Claire, I noticed that the cruise lines were auditioning in New York at the same time another WDW audition was happening in NY. The WDW audition is only for singers (for B and B and Hoop Dee Doo Review) where the cruise auditions are for singers and dancers. I looked at flights and again....they were pretty cheap. So, I called Dad, checked my calendar and booked a flight to NYC to audition for the cruise lines. I am sooo excited!!! What a whirlwind adventure this is going to be. I can't wait! I might even get to see a Broadway show! (Probably not, but you never know).

Hmmm....I just realized....I'm going to need some lodging in NYC. I wonder if I know anyone....maybe David still lives there? Or maybe I could use Gabby's grandparents? Hmmm...also a place is needed for Georgia. But I think Mom knows people there. Right, well details on this situation to follow.

Now I just need to worry about a resume. Should I do one resume for both (that is have any/all performance experience on one sheet)...or should I have a dancing resume and a singing resume? Hmmm....I've already asked Heather about this....hopefully she'll get back to me soon.

The month of October is going to rock!
-Disney Audition in Georgia October 1
-Disney Audition in NYC October 8
-My birthday October 11
-Nathan and Elizabeth visit OH (leave OR Oct. 7 and arrive....?)
-Dance Concert Audition October 13

What a jampacked month!....and that's only the first half of the month! Wow!

I had rock climbing on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun. I get a free membership and can go whenever I want! I'm going to be in such great shape by the end of the quarter!

Claire and I are going to check out a studio tomorrow so that we can get some ballet/pointe in our systems. I can't wait! I missed ballet sooo much....and I yhaven't done pointe in a long time. How fun!!!!

I think that's about all my excitement for now. Please pray for me. I would love to get a job with Disney...but most of all, pray that I will have a great tiem and learn a lot from this experience.

Lots of Love.

TGIF

2007-09-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's only been a week...ok, not even a week yet. It seems like I've been here forever! I mean, I like it here, but it just seems like I've been here a while. I think this year is going to crawl by.

So I got my computer fixed....only to find out that I need a new ethernet port on my laptop. Booo. Dad's pretty sure I'm not under warrenty anymore so I get to buy a new one. Oh boy. Can't wait.

I got my very first credit card today. At school there was the First Friday Festival, where a bunch of different clubs and stores come to get you to sign up for things and whatnot. Well, Dad has tried to get me to get an account with some bank over here so that I can get money without paying extra from an ATM. With 5/3 Bank, I received a year free and lots of other benefits that I don't remember right off the top of my head, though I do have a brochure somewhere. Anywho, so I have a 5/3 Bank account and a credit card so I can start earning credit. Yay.

I do believe I will be getting a job very soon. I just had a phone interveiw with the head hancho of the phonathon here on campus. She seemed to really like me...and I'm getting a face to face interveiw on Tuesday. She seemed to talk to me like I was already hired....which is cool. So yeah. I'll be making about $8.25 an hour and I have to work at least 3 hours. I signed up for 12 hours...so we'll see how that goes. I'm kind of excited. I'd rather not work at all, but I guess this is a good way to earn money...calling people to support the school. Yep. Me working. I shudder at the thought. lol.

I got a package from Mom today. That was exciting. I knew what was in it, but it was still fun getting mail. However, now I have like a billion HNS's. I don't think I'll need all of them...but I guess we'll see.

I can't wait for tomorrow! Ashley+Mark+Maria+Joe+Me=Party!!!! I'm soooo excited to see them!!

Lots of Love.

Satisfied

2007-09-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

I love helping people. Right now...well, kind of right now, more likea little bit ago, anywho...right now I'm helping a Freshman with her theory homework. It's a great feeling to know something and have someone be greatful for your help. At first, she was a little nervous at having me help, but finally I think she saw that I wasn't that scary...or maybe she was just really desperate...so she allowed me to help. Her name is Sabrina and she is a Music Ed major. She's really nice and easy going. I really enjoy helping her. I hope to do so again...if she asks that is. She lives on my floor, so it'll be easier for me to help her if needed. Yay for being helpful!

Lots of Love.

Decided

2007-09-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

"Trashin' the Camp"
Using chairs
Broadway or Movie? Hmmm...
Who to use?
............
Well at least I have the song and an idea.

Lots of Love.

New Nails

2007-09-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

Basically, everything is going to take a while to get used to....that is for my nails. I really had nothing to do today, s I put on the fake nails I bought yesterday. I haven't had fake nails in a looong time. It'll be fun...I ope. I'm glad I don't have piano. If I did, I wouldn't be able to have nails. Yay for no piano!

I am really excited about rock climbing..oh shoot, I forgot about rock climbing. Oh well. I think I'll be used to my nails by then...hopefully. Haha. Anywho, we climb at this place called Vertical Adventures. We had to pay for the class, but the payment covers equipment and a membership for this quarter. Basically, I get to rock climb whenever I want this quarter. Cool huh? Yeah, I thought so too.

It is amazing how losing weight really makes a difference. It seems like everyone has noticed that I lost weight. Not just dancers, but music majors too. It's soo cool. I think the compliments will definitely help in sticking to the program.

Dance was fun today. We had our modern placements. I went with Tori...there was supposed to be one more person but everyone they called was dancing Monday/Wednesday/Friday, so finally they decided to just have us do the combo. We only had to do it once. It was wonderful. We were both surprised that we did it in the first try and that we only did it once....while everyone else did it twice. So that was pretty exciting. Also, other dancers said I did a great job. I think I'm finally starting to get noticed. Man, that sounds conceded...but you know what I mean.

I'm excited for choreography...minus the part where I don't know what dance I want to do. I have 3 ideas but I don't know which one to use. Do a more emotional contemporary (which is closer to ballet...aka my style) or have a happy hip-hop routine (not my style but I did happy last year)? And with the hip-hop, dance to "Hakuna Matata" or "Trashin' the Camp"? Gaaaahhhh!!! However, the class is small and we all know each other, so I like the class a lot.

I'm going to Godspell on Saturday with Ashley and Mark. I'm really excited about that. I can't wait to see Maria and Joe!!!!

Nathan and Elizabeth leave for their trip either October 6 or 7...and will see Luke's show closing night. I can't wait to see them!!!!

Lots of Love.

The Start of Another Year

2007-09-10T18:49:00.001-07:00

After much buying and moving, I think I'm finally done with my room. Hmmm...I take that back, I probably have something else that I forgot so just in case....I'm not done with my room yet. Right. So...

First day of classes. Not too bad. Ear training/sight singing is going to be fun...haha. Yeah right. More like painful. It is completely different than last year. Oh boy. Yeah, definitely more studying to be done this year. Boo. But good, I guess. I'm taking Beginning Conducting this quarter. It is going to be interesting. First off, Ihate conducting in general. I've had my share of conducting fun in high school and that was quite enough for me. But on a good note, I only have two quarters of it instead of three....go BA!!! I'm really excited for Concert Choir. We are touring Canada...not as exciting as Eurpoe, but whatever. We also are singing at a conference where out of 5 states we were chosen to sing....this is in Michigan. And finally, we are singing Faure's "Requiem"...at least I think it's Faure....it's definitely not Mozart's....and I think he's French....oh why don't I have my concert list handy? Oh well. In any case, we're singing a really cool mass choir peice with the Westerville Symphony.

In other news, I took my computer in to the Geek Squad at Best Buy. It was really slow and not working properly. So I am currently computerless...minus the ones in the basement of my dorm room.

My roommate and I get along great. I love the set-up of our room.

It's really humid here. I had forgotten how hot and humid it gets. It's definitely not as hot as Florida, but it's no Oregon. Oh Oregon, I miss you.

I know this year will be a lot better. I have a lot of friends here. It's a good feeling to come back and actually have people miss you. Yep, this year I will definitely make it. However, this doesn't mean I don't still expect letters, presents, and visits....ahem...Neil, who never vists me but says he will....maybe I'll just have to visit you sometime. We should totally set up something.

I am really looking forward to October. Why? My birthday and Elizabeth and Nathan are visiting Ohio sometime the week of my birthday. How cool is that? I am definitely counting down the days.

Hmmm....I just realized I use "definitely" a lot. Eh, oh well.

This weekend I am going to see Maria in Godspell at LTOB. I can't wait! I'm hopefully going with Ashley and Mark. We'll of course see Joe while we're in Grove City. I miss them sooo much! We are also planning a weekend sleepover/movie night thing. I'm soooo excited!

Well, as much as I would love to continue, I still have a schedule to make, homework to do, and tidying of the room...I told you I wasn't finished yet :)

Lots of Love.

For Kirsten (and whoever else cares that I am updating)

2007-09-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long. I figured that no one was reading these anymore....that and I really haven't had a need to vent or anything for quite some time. I love being home.

Summer has both gone by quickly and drug on. It seems like such a long time ago when I helped with recital. However, it doesn't seem possible that I only have until Saturday to be in Oregon. Why can't there be a happy medium?

Summer was a blast. I had the opportunity to do many things...which I did. I think my favorite part of the summer, however, was the trip to Florida. Brooke and I surprised Mom and Dad for their anniversary. We went to Busch Gardens, Sea World, a Disney Cruise, Disney World, and Universal Studios. I think the cruise was the best part.....mainly because we totally surprised Mom and Dad. They had no idea whatsoever that we were going on a cruise. This trip made me want to work for Disney more than ever. While at the Animal Kingdom, I had a great idea that Ermine and I could learn the Lion King Pas and use it for an audition at Disney. So what did we do as soon as I got back? Learned the Pas of course! We had help from Elizabeth (my teacher) to make it look better and help with lifts we had never done before. Brooke says it looks good. Now we just need to practice a lot and find a time when we can go audition. Hmmm....probably Christmas Break or something. I don't know. In any case, we don't have much time to practice before I leave. And then we still have to remember the dance....yeah, we should tape it soon so we can look back on it in a few months.

Another fun summer thing is.....I've lost 25 pounds. I know what you're thinking...."Crystal doesn't need to lose weight. She doesn't have 25 pounds to lose." Well....I actually did. I feel so much better, healthier, fitter, confident....the list goes on. It's amazing how much difference losing wieght can make. I actually want people to lift me up now....cool huh? I think so.

I'm excited to go back to Ohio so that I can hang out with Maria, Joe, Mark, and Ashley. I suppose taking classes is exciting too.....ok, so I am pretty excited about rock climbing, horse back riding, voice lessons, and concert choir....oh and not having to do piano!!! Don't worry, I'll still play a little, but I'm glad I won't be graded on my abilities.

I think that's about it for now. I will definitely write more while in Ohio. I know I'll need it.
Lots of Love.

I'm Out

2007-06-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

So....I am now out of my dorm room. I never have to live there again.....until September that is. I am sleeping with my aunt and uncle tonight. Then tomorrow we are driving to Otterbein and I'm taking my final, while they play with friends until I'm done. I can't wait for my final to be over! It is theory....boo. I'm sure I'll be fine, but I'd rather it be done with now. Eh, oh well. After my final, we're high-tailing it to the airport so I can leave Ohio at 3:00pm. What a busy day it'll be....until I fly of course. Once in the air, I have a long time to wait. However, I'm getting home sooner than I thought. Instead of 8:45ish, I'm now getting home at 6:45! Yay! I'll be home in time for So You Think You Can Dance! Woohoo!

Overall, this year has been fun. I know I've complained a lot, but it has definitely been good for me. I am really looking forward to next year. My friend Ashley from Fiddler will only be 15 minutes away (yay for moving!), I have new friends to hang out with....thanks to Fiddler and of course school...and I have some fun classes to look forward to (yay horseback riding and rock climbing!). I was also informed that I can go SCUBA diving with my instructor in the fall. That'll be exciting! I guess tiny jellyfish find their way into the place where we dove. Supposedly they are really cool to look at...so yeah, I'm excited!

Speaking of SCUBA....I'm an official diver now! I took my open water test and now I just have to wait for the card! Yay! It was quite interesting taking the test though. I wore a dry suit (or maybe it was a wet suit....I don't remember) and it was very, VERY hard to get on. First off, it was a man's suit, so it didn't fit right anyway. Secondly, I put it on backwards to begin with. The only reason I didn't keep it on backwards is because a nice stranger told me it was on backwards. So I took it off and put it on correctly...though by this time I had 2 blisters on my fingers and I was sweating...so it was even harder to put on. Once it was on, I felt like the little brother in A Christmas Story....you know, the one that is bundled up so much that he can't move. Yep. That was me. I was basically helpless on land. Once I was in the water, the suit was more forgiving. However, the suit also cut off the circulation in my hands...so it was even harder to do things. But I survived....obviously. Now I can go SCUBA diving out in the big blue!

I am sooo excited to be home. It'll be really nice having a 3 month break. Nothing to do but relax....

Lots of Love.

A High School Version of Rent?

2007-06-02T20:46:00.001-07:00

This is a copy of an internet community theatre blog that my friend Brooke found on-line and it made me laugh. I think this might just be an example of going to far.
Here is the reprint:
RE: The possible creation of a Rent: High School Edition..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

After the success of Les Mis: Schools Edition, and all of the Broadway Junior Musical versions, ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />MTI is looking at releasing Rent: Schools Edition. A workshopping of the schools edition happened just a few weeks ago, and if MTI does decide to publish it, it will most likely be released in the next two years. Apparently the schools edition eliminates the swearing and sexual and drug references.
But am I the only person who - one - can't see why you'd do Rent if you didn't have the drug references (Mimi's character would really become redundant) and - two - am just disturbed at the idea of teenagers doing this show? Don't get me wrong - I love the show. It just seems ... weird and inappropriate to release a schools edition.

What? Rent without drug references or swearing? Okay, here goes . . .
Mark: My bohemian lifestyle causes me angst. Plus, I'm broke.
Roger: Mine also. Plus, I'm not leaving the apartment, because of something in my past which I can't mention in this version.
Tom: Hi, I have returned from Boston, where having an actual job and money made me miss the angst and brokeness of your bohemian lifestyles.
Mark: Hi Coll . . .
Tom: Don't call me that. My first and last name together constitute a drug reference.
Mark: Sorry.
Angel: Hi, I'm a highly sympathetic street musician who is dying from a hangnail.
Roger: Where'd you get all that money?
Angel: By helping an old lady across the street. Let's all go to my Hangnail Support Group.
Roger: My angst is too great. I will stay here. (The others leave)
Mimi: Hi, do you have any C batteries?
Roger: What happened to your candle?
Mimi: No fire in front of the kiddies.
Support Group People: Will I lose my dignity? Of course not.
Roger: Is that a donkey you brought in with you?
Mimi: Yep. They say I have the best ass below Fourteenth Street.
Roger: Think we'll get away with that one?
Mimi: No.
Maureen: The cow jumped over the moon.
Tom: I love you, Maureen.
Angel: I thought you loved me.
Tom: Not in this version.
Angel: Okay, then, I love Joanne.
Joanne: I love you, Angel.
Roger: I love you, Mimi.
Mimi: I love you, Roger.
Mark: I love myself.
Tom: I hate you, Maureen.
Maureen: I hate you, Tom.
Roger: I hate you, Mimi.
Mimi: I hate you, Roger.
Mark: I hate myself.
(Angel dies of his hangnail)
Everybody except Mark: Now that Angel is dead, I love you all again.
Mark: Not me.
(Mimi almost dies of prickly heat)
Mark: Okay, if Mimi's going to almost die, I love you all.
(All hug)
Angel: Hey, guys, I didn't really die either.
All: Yay! (They hug again)
All sing: Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
In which nothing bad happens
not really.
(Curtain.)

8 Days

2007-05-29T20:11:00.001-07:00

Well ladies and gents...only 8 days until my first year of college is complete. What a journey it's been. I've had one heck of a rollercoaster ride. Even though Otterbein is far, far away, I think I'll come back again next year. I'm pretty excited for some of my classes next year. Rock climbing, horse back riding (2 different levels!), and Human Nature in the Christian Tradition. Also, I might be in Concert Choir, which means I get to travel next year to Toronto. Also, I get to continue Choreography. Of course I have my standard music classes, but I'm not really that excited for those ones....mainly because I'm done taking ear training/sight singing and theory....well, I wish I was done anyway.

I'm really looking forward to the summer. Home, friends, Disney World, relaxing. It doesn't get much better than that.

8 days...8 days....

Lots of Love.

Surprise

2007-05-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

I'm coming home May 17-20. I would like to take it easy while I'm here because I have been slightly less than exhausted these past few weeks...both emotionally and physically. I thought I should let you all know, just in case you wanted to swing by and say hi. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed.

Excitement With One Draw Back

2007-04-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

This summer, Brooke and I are taking Mom and Dad to Disney Word for their anniversary!!!!! I'm surprised they actually thought it was a good idea. I mean, I knew they'd think it was sweet, but I didn't really expect them to say go for it. So yeah. We're going to Disney World August 9-19. Brooke and I have something else up our sleeve, but I can't let anyone know what that is....it might slip to Mom and Dad what we're doing. I'll just say that it'll be really exciting!

So what's the one draw back? I'm not coming home until June. I know this is old news, but it's still hard for me to swallow. I'm going to try hard not to fall apart. I know I have the show to look forward to, but when I'm not doing the show or with the cast, I have time to think about things in the dorm. I'm pretty sure I'm sick of being in the dorm. I'm ready to be out. Be home. Be in the familiar. Anywho, I'll have this weekend for fun, next weekend for Mom, and the next weekend for fun. Then after that, only 3 more weekends until I get to come home. Oh boy.

So I'm really excited about Disney World. Basically, I want it to be August just so we can go. However, then I would want it to be the beginning of the summer again, so that I can enjoy home some more.

See you all in 5 and a half weeks.

Lots of Love.

I Will Make It

2007-04-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

So....I'm not coming home until June. Dad and I decided this on Friday. So, I was pretty hysterical that day/night. I cried for about 2 hours. But then I talked to Nathan for like an hour. Also, when I went to LTOB for the show, Joe and Don cheered me up a lot. I am pretty sure that the only way I'll really make it through these next 6 weeks is due to the cast. I love these people! I can't wait to go back this weekend.

Anywho, from crying so much and not getting a lot of sleep, my eyes were really tired and I because sick. My throat hurt, I almost fell asleep driving to the theatre, and I had hot flashes on stage and cold flashes back stage. It was aweful. I didn't get out of the theatre until 1 AM....but that's because we had a reception after the show. Since I didn't want to drive all the way back to Westerville, I ended up sleeping at Maria's house (a girl in the show who lives in Westerville). It was nice. I'll be sleeping there for the next 3 weekends...just so then I won't have to drive back to Westerville at 1 AM Friday and Saturday nights.

Saturday I hung out with David, John, and the Hsus. It was fun. We went on the boat. Kirby's selling it soon, so he wanted to take it out to get the bugs worked out :) Then we drove to the theatre. David and John saw Fiddler. They liked it...so we must have done a good job :) I can't wait until Mom comes to see the show!

Today was fun. Michael woke me up 20 minutes earlier than I wanted to get up...but oh well. Right after church I had to drive straight to the theatre. Today was a really nice day. It was like 80 degrees...which means it was like 115 degrees on stage. But luckily no one fainted. After the performance, Maria and I went to Joe's house. His brother was confirmed today and they had a bunch of food....Joe invited us, we didn't invite ourselves. I had a lot of fun. I can't wait until Friday when we have our movie night!

So that is the latest on me. I know this quarter will be hard, but I have the weekends to look forward to. Also, I have sold out houses to look forward to. That's right; Fiddler is all sold out! Exctied? You bet.

6 and a half weeks...

Lots of Love.

Fiddler Update

2007-04-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

Basically....it is going to be awesome! I'm really excited! What's even more exciting is the fact that we only have 4 shows not sold out....April 28, May 11, and the 2 shows May 12. Exciting, no? Also, we switche back to our original music director. He cancelled all his plans...well excpet one which was uncancellable (is that a word?). Anywho, he'll end up being late to the show, but he'll be there...eventually. I lvoe this cast. They are so much fun. However, I have gotten scolded for spending time in the boys dressing room. You may ask why I'm in there...well, they don't have any changes adn there are so many girls with changes that it is just easier to be in the boysdressing room. They are right across the hall form each other anyway, so it really doesn't matter that much. You may also ask why I was scolded....well, even thoguh I ask if anyone is changing before I go in, I was still asked if I ask before I go in...so i guess scolded isn't the right word. But in any case, maybe I shoudln't hang out with the moys anymore...too bad, because they are a lot of fun :)

In other theatre news, LTOB got almost a $6,000 grant from the Columbus Foundation. I guess usually they get about $2,000, so this is pretty cool. Go us!

That's about it. I'm planning on coming home May 1 and 2....but we'll see what really happens.

Lots of Love.

An Update

2007-04-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, now that I have moved my bed from a loft to a regualr bed on the ground, I'll be able to sleep. Don't get me wrong; the Ambien worked great, but for some reason I could not sleep on my bed, even if I took the Ambein. So I rearranged my room. My desk and bookcase are now by the window. I like the change. It seems like I have more room on the floor too. Funny.

Fiddler is coming along. Having canned music is really rough. So is switching the music director. Instead of the guy who has been with us this whole time we have a new person. Why? Because the original music director can't make it for all for all of the shows. We knew this, but it's still hard to have someone else direct us. The shows are selling out fast. April 20 May 5, and May 6 are sold out and the rest are over 70% full. Of course, it's a small theatre, but still...

I hope to come home May 1 and 2. Why? I miss home a lot and I don't think I can stand being away for a whole 7 and a half more weeks. I already had a horrible Sunday night and I don't want a repeat. Of course, having someone visit me out here wouldn't be awful either ;) Hint, hint...

I'm really excited for my classes next year. My only problem now....rooming. I dont' know a) where I'm living and b) who I'm living with. I had several offers, all of which I guess weren't really offers...more like talkign about but not really serious....or forgotten so I've been replaced. Nice huh? Yeah, I thought so too. As much as I'd like to live in a house or apartment next year, I think sleeping in a dorm room again is better. Why? Well, I'd be on campus, I'd have easy access to a piano (for practice), and I'd be more likely to be around people.

Yesterday, I sang at Thursdays at Battelle. I felt like I did really well...and I guess I did because all fo my friends and my teachers said I was really good. They couldn't stop saying enough about how comfortable I looked and how wonderful I sounded. Yay me! :)

Well, I should do some exercises or something. Maybe work on my choreography project? Yeah...

If I don't see you soon I'll see you in 7 and a half weeks.

Lots of Love.

Spring Quarter: The Beginning

2007-03-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that I only have 9 and a half weeks until I am done with my first year of college. I admit, this first week has been a little rough, but that's how all of my first week backs have been.

Today I went to LTOB and helped with set and paitning. It was fun. I learned that none of the cast really knows my name. They all just call me Chava. That's fine with me. I just found it funny that they didn't know my name to start with. But now they do :) Tomorrow I'm planning on helping again before rehearsal. I loved building. Even though I didn't do much in the way of building, it was fun to take some screws out. Haven't held a drill in a long time. How I miss building set :)

Classes will be fun. I'm really excited about my choreography class. Stella suggested we try movements we're really uncomfortable with. So basically I should try hip-hop. Yeah right. Me and hip-hop. Hmmm. I'll probably do some hip-hop combo for the 8 count thing we're doing for our first project. But for my final project, I think I'll do an "angry" jazz piece. First off, I've never choreographed a jazz piece, let alone a piece to a heavy metal rock song. I'm excited.

Speaking of dance, I am now officially a dance minor. Yay!

For Easter, I'm going to Chicago to meet up with my cousins! I'm really excited about that. I get to see Mark's new baby boy, all of my Hilde relatives, and Chicago! Woohoo!!

I'll see you all in 9 and a half weeks.

Lots of Love.

An Unexpected Surprise

2007-03-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

I got to spend another day at home. My plane was cancelled due to an engine leak. They didn't decide to cancel the flight until an hour and a half after they found the leak. However, they didn't know anything about what caused the leak for about an hour. For those of us with connecting flights, they had people there to assist us. However, many people were in front of me and not so many in front of Mom at the United kiosk. So, I went back through security to Mom. Basically, I would have missed my connection had I taken the flight (at that time we didn't knwo if it was going to be cancelled), so we decided to get another flight out. However, everything was booked, due to Spring Break, so the closest flight available was today, Monday, at 7:30PM. Not only that, but this was the last seat on this plane. The next earliest flight would have been Tuesday night. As much as I would have liked to leave on Tuesday, we figured it would be best to get back to classes. So I'm going back to Otterbein tonight and getting there tomorrow morning. I'm connecting to San Francisco, then to Chicago, and then to Columbus. Fun huh?

I have really enjoyed being home for an extra day. What fun.

Well, back to Otterbein for 10 and a half weeks. See you then.

Lots of Love.

Numb

2007-03-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened in just 18 hours. I won't go into detail, but I really don't feel anything. I feel....empty. I want to just cry. I have several ideas as to why I want to cry, but I don't really have the...strength?...to cry. I wish things had gone differently. I wish I didn't have to go back to college. I wish people didn't have to leave. I wish we all could have left together. That would have made everything better.

Brooke's going to Disneyland with Courtney and Bubba. They're auditioning for a Cruise line...well Brooke isn't, but she's going to Disneyland with them after the audition. Jealous? You bet. But I'm also happy for her. She gets to go have fun. She gets to experience being with other people than just our family. For once, she's leaving me. I get to know how it feels to be left.

Even though I loved having a week and a half of break before everyone else, it still stinks to have to go back when everyone else has a break.

I wish I knew what to feel...what to do. I don't feel like doing anything, watching anything, feeling anything. I'm lost.

Home. How Wonderful.

2007-03-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

I've been home for 7 days already? Wow. It definitely doesn't feel like that. Time really does fly by when you're having fun. I love being home. I find I'm sleeping better, but does that really surprise anyone? lol. No, I didn't think so :)

I found out that I got all A's for Winter Quarter. Yay! Also, I am now in the Choreography class I wanted for Spring. Yay again! This means I now have 15 credits for Spring. Not too bad.

One bad thing about being home: even though I'm sleeping better, I'm not getting to sleep at the time I should. This means that I sleep in later, but I don't go to sleep until late at night/early in the morning...not so good if yo're trying to get good sleep. Eh, oh well. I'll suffer :)

I went into Portland for the first time by myself today. I had a dentist appointment. Oh joy. The dentist was fine and obviously I survived my Portland trip. No, I didn't drive. I rode MAX. But I had no idea where I was supopsed to go. Dad had to draw me a map. I think my summer job will be to know my way around Protland before I leave for Ohio in the fall. Ok, good goal.

For all of you who'd like to hang out before I leave, I fly back at 1:00 PM on Sunday. We should do something before then. The End.

Lots of Love.

Finals: The Winter Way

2007-03-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

So finals are just around the bend...aka tomorrow. I have my INST final. Not too hard though. Only 50 multiple choice questions. Then I have my rehearsal with my accompanist for my jury on Tuesday. Then I have a Theory final on Wednesday. So yeah. Pretty easy...I hope :)

I'm really excited to go home on Wednesday. I only wish I was going home sooner. Oh well. I suppose I should take my Theory final ;)

Today in rehearsal, we did some blocking. I'm nervous as to how well the whole group blocking session is going to go, especially since we didn't get through everything we were supposed to today and there were only the principals there. I mean, the guy playing Fyedka didn't even get to act. I barely got to say anything. And we spent forever and a day on the scenes with Motel...well, Perchik took forever too. Boy. I think we're going to schedule another blocking rehearsal. I mean, we have to. Otherwise, I have no idea how we're going to know where we're supposed to be. All I have to say is....Thank you Sil for doing things the way you do.

3 days...3 days...

Lots of Love.

First Read Thru

2007-03-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

Well, Fiddler is now underway. I was surprised by some of the casting, but I know it'll all work out well. We have a lot of work to do. We're going to start with singing. Basically, in two weeks we need to be off book for songs. Not hard for me, especially since I'm only singing like 3 songs. The one I really need to know is Matchmaker. Other than that, it is all chorus numbers for me. Not hard at all.

This week is dance juries. I'm excited. I've never done them before. Basically, we go in, we dance, and we get a grade for the class. Also, I'm getting ready for my voice jury. I have to practice with my accompanist still, but his sheet hasn't gone up yet, so it's not my fault. I'm ready for my voice jury. No problem.

I'm really excited to come home! Only a week and a half!!!!! This quarter has flown by, though it has had its fair share of slow times. I've figured out that after Fiddler os over, I'm only in school for 3 more weeks. Crazy? Definitely.

Lots of Love.

Fiddler on the Roof

2007-02-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

So.....I'M IN!!!!!!!!! They asked me to play Chava. I'm really, really excited! Not only am I young, but I'm the youngest one who sings "Matchmaker." I'm also the one who marries the Christian/Russian and is disowned by her father. I get to be really emotional. I'm sooooo excited!!!!! The music director called me and asked if I would play Chava and when I said yes he told me that they had a really hard time deciding which daughter I was going to play. They knew I was going to play one of them, it was just a matter of which daughter they needed me to play more. So dancing took over...though I still get to sing, but not have a singing solo as I would if I had been Hodel. But I'm fine with Chava because I get to basically cry on stage. I get to yell at my father. I get to be yelled at by my father. I get to marry outside of my religion, therefor being disowned by my father. My favorite....I'm not an old/snobby/rich person! The list goes on...

In other news, I am almost a certified scuba diver. All that is left is the open water exam. We won't get to that until it is warmer...aka like late May/early June. But all of us passed the written and pool exams. So yeah. The instructors said that we were their favorite class so far. They think it was becasue of the number of kids and that we made things easy because we caught on quickly. I can't wait to become certified!

So now that I'm in Fiddler, rehearsals are going to be fun. I get to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back every Sunday-Thursday from 7-10 PM...ok so I won't have to be there all the time, but a lot of it since I am a principal. I think I'll definitely make-up all of the driving time I didn't do these past 2 quarters. I'll definitely get a lot of miles in. And eat up a lot of money buying gas. Oh yay.But hey, I'll be really good at pumping my own gas so when I come home I'll be really confused :)

You should all buy plane tickets and fly out to see me. Performances are April 20-May 12...Friday/Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Be there or feel the wrath of Crystal!!!! Ok, you won't feel my wrath because I like you too much, but I'd love to see you!

13 days.....

Lots of Love.

I'm Going to Do A Little Fiddling For A While

2007-02-25T21:05:00.000-08:00

I got a call-back for Fiddler!!! I'm really excited. Even though the auditions took forever (7-11:15 and other adults still going), I had a lot of fun. First the kids sang, danced, and acted. Then they went to the adults. We sang, then learned a dance combo, and then acted. I sang "You Don't Know This Man" and everyone loved it. No joke. The dancing wasn't too hard. Actually, it wasn't ahrd at all. I ended up helping some peopl with the moves before they went on in groups. For the acting, I read Hodel. She's the one who sings "Far from the Home I Love." After that, they let the "teens" go...aka those who read for Hodel. However, first 5 of us were told to come back on Tuesday for the call-backs. I was one of the 5...obviously since I stated at the beginning I got a call-back. Anywho, now I have to prepare "Far from the Home I Love" and "Matchmaker." I can't wait! Also, I am already in the show. How do I know? Well, they're going to have a ballet sequence during one of Tevye's songs and they wanted to confirm that I had formal dance training. So yeah. I'm in the show. Now I just have to get approval from the Music Department. If they say no, I'm not going to be too happy, especially if I get a good part. But I'm sure they'll say yes...especially if I get a good part. Man am I excited! And hungry. I think I'll eat something.

Lots of Love.

Columbus Zoo

2007-02-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Today Anastasia, her friend Caroline, and I went to the Columbus Zoo. It was a lot of fun, even though a lot of the animals were inside because it was really cold out. My favorite animals were the apes. They were really energetic. We watched them for probably a good 15 minutes. Basically we froze while watching, but they were so funny that we didn't notice how cold we were until we were ready to leave. We had a lot of fun. Though we decided that we should come back in the spring when all the animals are out.

Wish me luck. I'm auditioning for Fiddler tomorrow!

18 days...

Lots of Love.

No Hello? I think I'll do a little Fiddling instead

2007-02-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

So I dind't make the Hello, Dolly cast. But in all honesty, I'm fine with it. Sure I'm disappointed, but I've had a whole week to prepare myself for actually looking at the cast list (as it came up today). So I'm fine. Actually, I'm really excited and happy I didn't get in. Why? Well, I am going to audition for Fiddler on the Roof. Where? The Little Theatre Off Broadway in Grove City. It's a community theatre. I'm really excited for this. Past shows have been The Crucible, The Man Who Came to Dinner, You Can't Take It With You...looking a little familiar? :) This season they are doing shows such as Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Curious Savage. Cool huh? Like I've said, I'm really excited.

I have one more issue. I think I'm going to switch to a BM instead of staying a BA. What's the issue? Well, it's a lot harder to be a dance minor with a BM. Also, a BM is really focused on opera performance whereas a BA is more classical but you can do more musical theatre than you can if you were a BM. However, grad school people look for the BM's and will take them over BA's. I know in the long run it all comes down to talent. But if I want to get into any shows here (and operas are looking the best so far as in Dolly only 4 music majors got in and all of them are better dancers than me and the rest were theatre majors of some kind), I should be a BM so that I can get into the operas. Sure I can get in with just a bA, but I'll have more of a chance if I'm a BM because opera is what the BM's focus on. So yeah. If they let me, I think I'll switch. What do you think?

19 days til Spring Break!!!!

Lots of Love.

Sleep...who needs it?

2007-02-20T19:29:00.000-08:00

You know what's worse than not getting any sleep? Getting 45 minutes of it before you have to go to class. That was my night last night. I was in bed by 1:00AM and didn't get to sleep until about 7:15. Ok, maybe I had like 20 minute naps here and there...but I surly don't remember going to sleep. I ended up sleeping on the floor and slept pretty well. However, I only got 45 mintues of sleep before my alarm clock went off. Also during the night, I had a window "war" with Phaedra and Breanne. At about 5:00 I decided to open the window, in hopes to cool down. Unfortunately, about 5:30 Phaedra woke up and closed the window (I was in my bed at this point). I tried to sleep with the window closed, but it didn't work out so well. About 6:30, I opened the window again and moved to the floor. Breanne woke up at 6:50 and closed the window. At that point I was pretty tired, so I didn't bother to re-open it. And I fell asleep at 7:15. At 8:00, I called Mom and Dad to see if I should skip dance and sleep or go to dance and be really tired. Mom's logic: the last time she told me to go to dance when I weas really tired I sprained my ankle. So she didn't tell me to go. Both agreed that sleep was more important, which I was glad of, so I skipped my first class due to sleep. Today was pretty rough. I was exhausted. After my classes, I went to Target and got sleeping pills. So we'll see how tonight goes. I am so sick of not getting sleep. I hope these pills work.

Music Within

2007-02-17T21:22:00.000-08:00

Remember once upon a time ago I posted a blog about a movie my family and I were extras for? Well, I found out that it is complete. I have yet to find out the date of it's release, but it is at least complete. Apparently, it is a film about a real guy who fought in Vietnam. I guess it's really good (from some preview reviews). So yeah. When it comes out, you should all see it so that you can see Mom, Dad, Brooke, and me. It's called "Music Within." The end.

Lots of Love.

Hello, Dolly

2007-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

So I auditioned. It was fun...especially the dance part. We auditioned in character shoes...something I haven't done before. We learned 2 waltz combinations. One was by ourselves and the other was with a partner. The one by ourselves was a kind of fun, free, make fun of ballet waltz...something that was slightly hard for me since I am a ballerina :). But he really just wanted it over exagurated....something I can do. After dancing with partners (I was a boy for most of it because we didn't have enough boys, so we ended up switching partners so that the other girl and I could dance with boys), we did the one by ourselves again. Then he asked to see 5 girls....and I was one of the 5! For my music audition, I sang "Elegance." We only needed to sing a song from Dolly. I slightly wish I would have sung "Ribbons Down My Back" but "Elegance" was more fun and showed more personality. I sang it ok...I mean I could have done better, but they laughed when I was singing, due to the way I was singing it and my epressions, not because I was bad. However, I didn't really prepare to read anything because I thought he'd tell me what to read, so I didn't end up reading. But I'm ok with that because I'm fine with just being in the chorus...which I'm pretty sure I'm in due to the dance audition and they asked what part I sang in choir. So yeah. I had fun. I surprisingly wasn't nervous at all. I went in there thinking, "Alright, let's do this thing." It was a lot of fun. I really like the director. We basically had a conversation before I sang. I was really open and conversational. Not my normal self when auditioning for places/things I'm not used to. I felt kind of like I was auditioning for Sil again...you know, a no pressure kind of thing because it's just Sil. Interesting huh? I guess that's a good feeling to have though. Call backs will be posted tonight for tomorrow. I know I didn't get called back to read, but I'm not sure if they'll call back dancers. So we'll see. In any case, I had fun.

Tonight I'm going to "High School Musical." My friend Pam's high school is putting it on. It'll be interesting :)

Nine West

2007-02-16T20:06:00.000-08:00

So today Breanne, Alex, and I went to Polaris to do some relaxing and shopping. It was great. I ended up getting a pair of boots at Nine West. Originally, they were like $70...but I got them for $20! Woot!

Tomorrow I'm auditioning for Hello, Dolly. I'm really excited. I am singing "You Don't Know This Man" from Parade for my 16 bar ballad and either "How Lovely to Be a Woman" from By By Birdie or "Without You" from My Fair Lady for my 32 bar upbeat song. I'm not sure which one I'm going to sing, so tomorrow during my 15 minute session with Harriet, I'll ask. I have both prepared so I'll be good to go on which ever one I choose. As for the character I am auditioning for....I don't really care. I'm preparing Mrs. Malloy, but I have at least sung through all of them just in case they ask me to sing a different song as well. I can't wait to dance tomorrow! 10:30 AM. Weee!

Lots of Love.

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who haven't seen my new haircut...here is a picture. Ok, so I cut it during Winter Break, but still...that's pretty new right?

Anywho, it has been a pretty good day....ok a really good day. No school, snow, movie marathon, no homework...fun times.

Also, Happy Birthday Oregon!

Today's movie marathon included: The Scorpion King, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and Spaceballs. All good movies.

The downside: all mail was halted due to the weather...so no mail for me :(

Oh well. It was a really fun day.

Lots of Love.

Snowing Hard

2007-02-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

It is snowing a lot here in Westerville, Ohio. My INST class is cancelled due to the weather...actually, all my classes were cancelled today due to the weather. This means I really didn't have to get up. But I did. And I went to my dance class, only to find out it was cancelled. Then I sat in a practice room for 2 hours, waiting for my voice lesson. Harriet tried to come, but didn't make it before 12:00 (the end of my lesson), so I went to get some lunch. Here was where I found out about classes being cancelled. It's cool that classes are cancelled, but I wish I could have had a voice lesson. I'm trying out for Hello Dolly on Saturday and even though I can choose what songs I want to sing, I wanted Harriet's oppinion on where I should start and whatnot. Oh well.

I suppose I could try to go back to sleep...but I'm not really that tired. I was at 11:00, but now I'm not.

I think Dad did something to my computer. I can't check my MSN email on it. I can use the internet, check my Otterbein email, and whatnot, but I can't check my MSN email. It's really frusterating because if I want to check it, I have to go to a computer elsewhere. He doesn't knwo what's wrong, and I don't know what's wrong, so I can't fix it. And I can't take my computer in to the IT guys (school's technicians) because of the snow, so I'm stuck right now checking on a school computer. Boo.

In a way I'm glad I didn't have voice lessons....mainly because I wasn't feeling well at all. I am sick. I ended up going to bed at 10:30, waking up at 12:30 and then falling back asleep until 8:00. I had a huge headache and my wole body was cold, except for my face, which was warm. This morning was bad. I was stuffy, had a headache again, and I was extremely tired. However, now I'm just fine...well I'm not tired and I don't have a huge headache. I think the sleep helped. Hopefully, I'll get good sleep tonight.

That's about it from this end. Anyone want to join me in playing in the snow?

Lots of Love.

A Fabulous Weekend

2007-02-11T22:21:00.000-08:00

I loved being home. It was wonderful, amazing, glorious, spectacular. My only regret is not being able to spend time with more of my friends. This is why i am looking forward to Spring Break. My plan is to schedule times/days with people I want to hang out with. Because it doesn't always work out when I just go with the flow (as was this weekend...kind of).

Kirsten, I really want to spend time with you. I feel aweful that we didn't get more time. This is why I hate just going home on weekends. So most definitely we are hanging out during Spring Break...you pick the day and I'll confirm. Hey, you want to go to a dance team competition? I would love for you to come.

Much Ado About Nothing was amazing. Oh my gosh. I loved it. And, surprisingly, I understood what was going on. Yay! Everyone was hilarious. If you haven't seen the show, SEE IT!!!!!

Juat a heads up....in 1 month I will be on Spring Break. Look for me in Hillsboro.

Lots of Love.

Tomorrow!!!!

2007-02-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Guess who's coming home tomorrow? ME!!!!! I'm soooo excited! I can't wait!

Is it bad that I slightly hope that the weather won't let me come back here for a few more days? I mean, you know, they can't land the planes here due to the weather so, oh darn I have to stay home a few more days. Is it bad? Naw, I don't think so :)

1 day!!!!!!

Lots of Love.

Update

2007-02-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

So I am now not accompanying Bobby. Why? I'm apparently not allowed. I asked my voice teacher abouit it today. She said that I am not allowed because they have specific professional accompanists play for the juries. And even if he didn't use a provided accompanist, they'd still deduct $15 dollars from his account. So it is to his benfit to have a professional, especially since he's paying for it anyway. However, she said that he should check with his teacher. This takes off a lot of stress. I'll still practice so that I can play with him when he practices, but I now don't have to worry about screwing up the jury part. Yay.

It snowed today...a lot. It was wonderful. I lvoed it...well minus the fact that about half of the performers didn't make it to the performance due to the snow. And we probably would have had an even bigger audience....but it was pretty big as it was. However, the snow better not get in the way of me flying home. If I don't fly out when I'm supposed to on Thursday, heads will roll. So, Columbus and Cincinnati....you ready to fly?

The concert went well. A few times we got off, or didn't sing, but we came baqck in went we found where we were supposed to be. It was well received too. So yeah. Now we have choir practices once a week. Yay!!

2 days....2 days...

Lots of Love.

Need An Accompanist?

2007-02-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me...though Bobby just did. And what did I say? Yes. Why? Who knows. Oh wait...I know. He didn't take no for an answer. He kept insisting that it would be good for me...especially since I have never accompanied before. I wish that it wasn't for a jury, but it is. Bobby's playing the violin and I am playing piano. Ahhhh!!!! Can we say sucker? Yep. That's me. You know, I think also I said yes because I am looking for something different to do. So why not accompany, right? Yeah...I jsut hope I don't choke. Well, if all else fails I can just play the bass notes. And I have 5 weeks to practice. The peice is in C Major, not very hard, and Bobby gave me permission to not play all of the notes (especially the treble notes). So I know I'll be alright. This just means I can't be a lazy bum when it comes to piano. Now I actually have to practice piano. Oh well. I will not make a fool of myself. I will do well. I will not disappoint Bobby or myself. So bring it. I'm ready for a challenge.

4 days...

Lots of Love.

Bowling

2007-02-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Last night was a free bowling night for Otterbein students. It was a lot of fun. I bowled with Anastasia and a bunch of OCF people. It was great. Yesterday was also this guy named Chad's birthday. He was a lot of fun to be around. He reminded me a lot of David Henning. Anyway, I didn't bowl very well. I think I had the worst score all 3 games...however the last game I did manage to get astrike, so that was cool.

It's really cold and windy here. It's supposes to be in the negatives all week. Hopefully it won't be that cold, but who knows. All I know is, if I get snowed in here and can't get home at the time I'm supposed to, Columbus won't want me there anymore. They will do whatever it takes to get me home :)

5 days...

Lots of Love.

Giving Blood Can Wear You Out

2007-01-30T19:22:00.000-08:00

Actually, I think it was all of the sugar I had after giving blood that is making me really sleepy. Believe me, I ate a lot of sugary things. And of course I've been drinking a lot of water too. Overall, I enjoyed my giving blood time. I think I'll do it again. The guy who took my blood was named John. He was hilarious. I know he made giving blood a lot better, though I wasn't nervous to begin with. He asked which arm I wanted to use and when I said whichever one woud be easier to find a vein, he looked at me and then at my arm and hesitated before he said left. However, once my arm had been squeezed and I squeezed on the fish (our squeezing thing) he felt for my vein and drew a face. Then he said to me, "Feel his nose, just feel his nose." So I did....my vein was huge!!!! I mean HUGE! I have Mom to thank for that. Thanks Mom! After giving blood, I got a very large Rice Krispy Treat. It was glorious.

9 days...

Lots of Love.

Fun Times

2007-01-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

Musical Theatre was a blast. After mass confusion as to what room we were supposed to be in and a quick warm-up, we had a mock audition. We did a dance that we had learned last week, of course running through it a few times, and then auditioned. We did it 3 times before she pulled people out for call-backs. I was one of about 8 to get called back! Go me! However, from the 8 of us she was choosing only a few, so we danced again for her. Unfortunately, we don't know the results...and probably won't ever find out. I had a good time though. It was a really fun dance.

In piano we played Ode to Joy group style. My group was awesome. We played it at bascially the speed of light. And then my teacher had us lower it by 1/2 and then raise it by 1/2. That was pretty ruff, but fun at the same time.

I'm giving blood tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm giving it during a class. I thought I had scheduled the time 30 minutes after my class was done, but I forgot that the class is almost 2 hours...not 1 hour. Oh well. I probably won't miss much...and anything I do miss I can get at dinner.

I can't believe I am at mid-terms already. Crazy! My mid-terms aren't too hard, but I can't believe I am half way through Winter Quarter. Weird.

10 days...

Lots of Love.

Really Sore! And Almost Drown

2007-01-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

Today in jazz, Sue came over and pushed me down over my legs. We were stretching forward over our legs and I was going as far as I could by myself. So she came over and pushed on my back and made my chest go past my knees (and my legs were together too). Basically, I'm going to hate moving tomorrow.

Yesterday in scuba we actually put on the gear and did drills. It was pretty fun, though really, really cold. During one of the drills (this is underwater of course), we were supposed to throw our regulator (the breathing thing) away from us and then retrieve it in two different ways. Well, my gauges and my regulator were on the same side, so instead of retrieving my regulator I kept grabbing my gauge. And since we are always supposed to breath (exhale while regulator is out of mouth) I basically ran out of air both times we did the drill. I grabbed my regulator just in time, but it wasn't too pleasant almost drowning. You may ask why I didn't just surface...well, we were sitting on the bottm of a 10 foot deep pool. So surfacing was kind of out of the question. Don't worry, the instructors wouldn't let me drown. Other than that, scuba was a blast. I'm really looking forward to the net time we put on the gear. I really enjoy scubaing. Weee!!!

So only 2 weeks until I come home!!!!! And what surprise awaits? Nathan's hair cut. I've seen pictures, but those are nothing like the real thing. I'm really excited to see his new hair. From what I've seen, I love it.

Lots of Love.

Snow!!!!

2007-01-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

I love rolling down hills with snow on them. Good, good times.

So, it snowed today...if you didn't get that. I woke up to a winter wonderland. And I drove in it too. And obviously survived.

At Kirby's church I taught the Christian song. It was fun watching the kids attempt to spell out Christian really fast. The girl that was supposed to sing with Kirby didn't make it due to the snow, so I filled in. I really liked singing with Kirby. I'm not such a fan of the church service, but I really, really like singing for the kids.

After church, I went back to the dorm to see a childrens opera. Before the opera, I made a snow angel. It was glorious. The opera was cute. They put in Agony from Into the Woods...I don't really know why, other than to give the guys something else to sing. The opera was called Eloise. It would be fun to do.

Other big news: I did my own laundry today...like in the dorm. It was pretty exctiting.

18 days until I come home!!

Lots of Love.

Feeling Good

2007-01-20T00:17:00.000-08:00

I am giving blood on January 30th. I've never given blood before. I'm excited. Yhe only thing I'm disappointed about is that my first time won't be with my dad...like I had wanted. But I know if I don't do it now, I won't do it for a while. So yeah. Go me!

I went to a free movie night tonight with Katey, Nathan, adn Breanne. We saw Night in the Museum. Good movie. I ended up winning a poster. It is of The Breakup. Never seen it.

Kirsten is a Stargate freak. Who would have thought? Tonight, she, Pam, and I had a Stargate marathon...well they were having the marathon, I was watching until I went to the free movie night. We watched season 2. I missed Stargate.

Guess what? Less than 3 weeks til I come home!!

Lots of Love.

Riding a Bike

2007-01-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't ridden a bike in years. It was a lot of fun. Today, my uncle and two of his boys and I went bike riding...well my uncle ran, but the rest of us rode bikes. It was really cold outside and by the time we were done my hands were frozen to the point of burning once inside the house, but it was fun anyway. I should ride bikes more often.

This weekend I went to my aunt and uncle's house. I had a wonderful time. We celebrated Maggie's 1st birthday. I was introduced to some pretty fun computer games. I went to a rollerskating party. I was attakced by 3 little boys most of the weekend. I played ping-pong. I got no homework done. I got my car fixed. I ate pizza almost the entire time. And I worked out for like an hour and a half every night. I didn't even know I had gone that long. Crazy.

Lots of Love.

Don't Walk Outside In the Dark Alone

2007-01-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

I am sick and tired of this. Who is thie guy? Or maybe it's who are these people? This is the third robbery at weapon point. During break, two different incidents happened. Both were at gun point. And both happened to females going to DK (aka my dorm). Now, just tonight, there has been another robbery...this time at knife point, however still to a female and still going to my dorm. What is it with these people? I wonder if these things keep happening what will happen. Will security guards just be all around? Will they close the school like they almost did in Harry Potter (not likely, but wishful thinking...lol)? Oh boy. So I guess I won't be going anywhere at night anymore. However, what I carry on me wouldn't do the guy much good. I have my keys, my cell phone, and my cardinal card. No money. No credit cards. And that's what's really important to robbers. Money. I definitely don't feel safe...not at all. Well at least at night I don't. I wonder why the sudden break out of robberies. I mean, nothing happened last quarter. Why suddenly now? Hmmm...

Lots of Love.

Studio Class

2007-01-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

Modern was a lot of fun today. I loved the dance we did.

I'm singing this song called "How Did I Lose You?" from the muscial Myths and Hyms. It's really cool. It's a jazz waltz. I'm thinking, "Why didn't I know about this song for Jazz Cabaret? Michelle, you should check it out. You might like it. I had a studio class today. I sang Sommi Dei. It went alright. Could have done better. But I guess I acted really well. Yay!

According to Dad, my voice has gotten a lot more mature. I don't knwo if that's Harriet's doing or if I naturally am getting more mature or if it's a combo of both. I mean, I'm not learning anything new from Harriet, but I'm being reminded of things I need to concentrate on. Is that helping me? Yeah, I guess so.

Tomorrow is ballet. I can't wait. I love ballet. Have I ever mentioned that? lol.

Well dinner is approaching. I need food.

Sore? Oh Yes

2007-01-05T22:38:00.000-08:00

I really liked my ballet class. It was pretty easy, but easy isn't always a bad thing. The whole class was barre (not my favorite, but what can you do?). We danced to celtic music. It worked pretty well too. I'll of course miss my classical ballet music, but celtic music will be fun. At one point, the teacher came over to correct me (for she had done so to everyone else); however, all she could do was look at me and say, "Good. Good." And what can I say to that? "Yeah. That's right. I'm a ballet fiend!" We did a really interesting stretch. I know I'm going to be really sore tomorrow. I'm looking forward to taking classes. I wish it was Monday already....just so I can dance.

What's on my list of exciting things to do tomorrow? Homework, homework, and more homework. Woopee. What's even better is that it's all for one class...the INST class I signed up for late. I'm 25 pages behind the rest of the class. But at least the book is interesting. I now know how to make a mummy. Cool huh?

I got my car today. Hooray!

Lots of Love.

Dance Classes Found Out

2007-01-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

I found out what levels I'm in for the dance classes. I'm in intermediate/advanced for all of them. I'm ok with that. I mean, sure I would have loved to be in advanced ballet, but this way I can become better and move up instead of already being in the highest class and have no where to go. Also, advanced has a lot of people in it. Hopefully, this means that I can get more corrections than I would have if I was in advanced. Instead of tap, we're having a musical theatre class. And I think to myself...self...where's Bubba when I need him? I guess I'll have to survive musical theatre without him.

While in Billings, I learned a new game. It's called "Telepictionary". It's sooooo much fun. If you want to know how to play, ask Brooke or one of my family members...not me because it'll take too long to explain by typing. BUt it is a really fun game. I hope to play it when I come home.

Well, I have ballet soon. I should be moving along.

Lots of Love.

Looking Forward to Dance Classes

2007-01-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well, at least ballet. Today's audition went really well. It wasn't too hard, but I still worked up a sweat (the usual when auditioning no matter how hard the class was). Near the end of the class, the teachers split us up into 3 groups (there were only 12 that needed to audition). I could sense that they were grouping for Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, and Advanced. I was put into the last group (or the possible advanced group). When we split into 2's, I was in the last group of 2's. Also near the end of the class, a teacher walked over to me and asked what grade I was in. I said a Freshman/Sophomore (because I have enough credits to be a Sophomore but it's my first time in college). The teacher said, "I thought so" in that tine that is slightly amazed that one is at the level one is for one's grade. All I can say to that is, "Thank you Elizabeth for helping me have wonderful ballet skills". Of course, I don't know what level I'm in yet. We won't find out until Thursday Evening/Friday morning. But I think I have a good chance of being in Advanced, at least technique wise. Eh, we'll find out. And of course I'll let you all know :) Tomorrow we have the Jazz audition. I'm excited!

So today, almost all of my teachers decided to give us homework. How lame. I also finally have my schedule figured out. I am taking the INST class I was taking in the Spring now and taking another class in the Spring instead. Hopefully, I'll get a Sophomore INST class out of the way. That'd be nice. Or maybe another required class...hmmm.

Scuba was interesting. We watched a bunch of videos, to get them out of the way so that we can play next week. We also had to fill out forms. I almost didn't get to scuba at all. The forms were health record things. Since I had some health problems as a little girl, I naturally marked "yes" to the corresponding questions. I guess what the teachers really wanted to know was if I had had any health problems recently...well why didn't they say that? Oh well. At least I still get to scuba. This class can get me certified! I'm pretty excited about that. I hope I do get certified. Then I'd be a scuba diving fiend!

Ouch, I'm sore. Oh ballet and your wild ways. :)

Lots of Love.

Session 2: Winter Quarter

2007-01-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I started my second quarter as a college student. What have I done so far? Not slept, went to a dance class only to find out that it was a placement class so only if I wanted to move up a level did I need to be there, and went to my voice lessons. Lessons went well. I enjoy Harriet's teaching. I might end up dropping my theatre class. We're hanging lights and whatnot for a show and I will be out of town one of the weekends the show is performing. I guess that for every absence your grade is lowered...period. Also, I'm thinking that even though I'm interested in lights, I don't know that much about them (or don't remember much) and this class doesn't sound like a intro course. Man, am I confused. Also, I am probably going to add another class. My Tuesdays are pretty bare and my credits aren't that high. So I might take care of a few PE classes or maybe some elective music classes or maybe a sophomore INST class. We'll see.

I really miss home...a lot. I miss my friends, feel guilty for not seeing people I wanted to see in the 2 days I was at home (though I was extrememly busy in the 2 days I was home so it wasn't my fault I didn't get to see people I wanted to), I feel sick, scratch that...I know I'm sick. I wish I had more to do today. Then maybe I'd feel better about being here.

So I just got an email from the theatre suspervisor for the class. I have to drop it or suffer an automatic failure...or just not come home (which is not an option). So after all that hard work trying to get into the class, I have to drop it. Boo.

Tomorrow is ballet placement. I'm excited. I hope I'll be placed well. Thursday is jazz. I can't wait for that either. Then Friday we start dancing. Yay for ballet.

Lots of Love.

I'm Back...for 2 days

2006-12-30T00:17:00.000-08:00

Back from Montana. I had a great time with my cousins. We played a game called Telepictionary. It was sooo much fun. I am definitely going to play it with my friends here and back at Otterbein. Yesterday, it snowed in BIllings. When we arrived there was no snow, so this was pretty cool. And the roads weren't too bad on the way home either. We figured it took us about 16 hours driving both ways. We could have come home faster, but Dad insisted on stopping to eat dinner at a sit-down restaurant...aka Denny's.

Brooke and I are getting at least 10 inches cut tomorrow. I'm excited! My hair is going to be short! Hasn't been in quite some time.

Happy Birthday to Elizabeth! Today (the 30th) she is 21! Wow. She's old :)

I hope to see many people in the 2 days I have left. We'll see what happens.

Going Away

2006-12-26T03:55:00.000-08:00

Well, we're leaving for Montana today. I won't be back until late Friday night.

For Christmas, I got new, really soft PJ's. They feel so good! I also got the complete first season of I Dream of Jeannie. I can't wait to watch it. Of course there were more things I received, but I won't list everything. I am really excited to watch some of the movies we got. And I was given boots!!! I've wanted a pair of boots for a while. They're really cool.

I'm looking forward for the time with the cousins. I'm also looking forward to being back here. Have fun in Oregon without me. Do lots of fun things. I'll see you in 4 days.

The Best Birthday/Christmas Present Ever

2006-12-24T02:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ryan, Kirsten, and Nathan, my 19th birthday wasn't so bad after all. Today, they made a tape that is somewhat hard to describe in order to give it its full credit. I'm just going to say that you'd have to know a lot of the theatre inside jokes to truly appreciate this masterpiece. It is hilarious. On top of this amazing video, I was treated with coming home to a house full of decorations. How was this possible? Nathan took me out to dinner while Kirsten and Ryan partied up my house. I guess these guiys had always known they were going to make me a video, but they didn't know when they were going to get it done. So it is my Birthday/Christmas present. Oh man was it a good day. Thank you, Ryan, Nathan, and Kirsten.

Ho Hum

2006-12-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

I wish I wouldn't get so upset over silly little things. I wish...but what's the use of wishing? The only way anything is going to change is if I do so. Blah. I hate change, but I hate getting upset over dumb little unthoughtout things that others do. I hate getting upset over trips I don't really want to go on, but I know I have to in order to not feel guilty. I hate getting upset over other people being upset. I hate...gosh, here I go ranting over something else. I quit.

I went to see Betsy in Nutcracker. She did marvelous, as usual. I love watching her dance.

So, I realized today that I only have 4 days left here. Friday, Saturday and the next Saturday and Sunday. That sucks a lot. Why so few days? Because Sunday and Monday are Christmas times and should be spent with family doing family things (and I'd feel guilty visiting unless our families were doing something together), Tuesday through Friday I'm traveling with family to Montana to visit reletives, and Monday I leave back to Ohio at 11:45 AM. I don't really want to go back. I need more time here. You know, I think this next quarter will start off harder than last quarter did.

Brooke and I are planning on getting our hair cut before I leave. We're going to cut at least 10 inches off and give those inches to Locks of Love. So my hair is going to be pretty darn short when those 10 inches come off. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I know though that I'm going to miss my long hair a lot. But I'm excited to give my hair away and do something useful with it.

Sometimes You Look Back and Wonder When Your Sister Grew Up

2006-12-09T02:13:00.000-08:00

Lunch with Charlotte and Scott was fun. I'm so glad I got to see them before Charlotte flies off to New Orleans for 9 days.

On my walk with Sophi today, we went into a neighborhood filled with cats. They were everywhere. Note to self: don't go back into that neighborhood.

I can't beleive Brooke is in high school. It was so weird going ot the basketball game and sitting with the adults and watching her dance. I had to pay to get in (bummer!)...and not only just pay, but as an adult no less. So yes, I watched my sister dance, but I had to pay the adult price. Lame. They should either let alumni in for free or go back to when they let family members of Hillsboro School District workers in for free as well as the workers themselves. On a good note, the dnace team danced wonderfully. And Brooke says she can't do hip-hop....ha!

Tomorrow I'm going to watch Brooke compete in the Woodburn Competition. You should come too! 2:00.

Life

2006-12-07T00:33:00.000-08:00

Life...why must you be so complicated? Gah.

Part of me thinks that I would be happier had I taken a year off.

Walking with Sophi=Good.

Number 3 (in respinse to my previous post)

2006-12-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

I am in the Nutcracker. I am the Mother Angel. You should all come see me!

My foot is doing better...I think. Well, it's not hurting in any case.

Lots of Love.

Break

2006-11-29T00:29:00.000-08:00

Wonderful...for the most part. A few drops, but that is to be expected.

Irritation: Due to my stupid forgetful brain, I received a B in my voice lessons instead of an A. Dumb, dumb, dumb!!!!

Nutcracker: Going well. Running over for tech is normal, but not aways a blast. Dress rehearsals tomorrow and Thursday.

I'm done with my ankle being bad. I'm ready for it to be healed. Today at the doctor's, she said that I shouldn't dance for about 2 months and my ankle won't be fully healed for about 6 months. What have I to say to that? Basically...I'm going to take dance classes anyway. I'll just take it easy and make sure my ankle is wrapped. I'm not going to lie though, I was pretty bummed that she told me not to dance for another 2 months. So why am I defying her wishes? 1) the physical therapist at Otterbein said I could start to dance during break, 2) I'm a dancer. It's what I do. I sacrifice my comfort in order to dance. 3) I can't say just yet, but I'll let you know number 3 later.

Who's ready for a snow day? Me!!! I'm not even in school and I"m ready for one.

I have loved seeing people whom I haven't seen in a while. Like all of my drama geeks. And Sil. And Lynn and Heather.

Come see Nutcracker!!! It'll be really good!

Lots of Love.

Home

2006-11-23T04:06:00.000-08:00

Wonderful, glorious home. How much I have missed thee.

I cannot say how weird it feels to know that I'm here for more than just a weekend. It's almost like I'm vacationing to Oregon for 6 weeks and then going back home to Ohio. That was weird to type, but it kind of feels like that.

There is so much for me to do while I'm here. I can't even believe how much there is. Sadly, I know these 6 weeks are going to fly by. I mean, sure, right now it seems like I have forever, but after Nutcracker, there are only a few more weeks before I leave again. Ok....stop focusing on the going back part, Crystal.

The flights here went smoothly...that is, I was able to make my connection perfectly and I was dropped off with plenty of time to spare.

I think clouds are fascinating. I love being in an airplane, looking at the different shapes the clouds make. I love flying by a thunderstorm and seeing the lightening in the clouds and the humungous virtical shape the thunderhead makes.

I read all of Ella Enchanted today. Yes, all of it in one day. Not too surprising though, I guess, since I was on a plane for about 8 hours. Though, we did have Pirates: Dead Man's Chest to keep us occupied while on the first flight, so not much reading got done on that flight.

Just to let you all know, I got home about 11:00 PM. So why am I up so late/early? I was at Nathan's house dropping some of Elizabeth's things off and visiting and when I got back, I simply wasn't tired. So I watched some dance tapes and now am posting.

It is wonderful being in the same time zone as everyone else I usually talk to on the phone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Quarter One: Complete

2006-11-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

Wow. I can't believe it. I have been away at college and survived...for the most part. Sure I had a few down moments, but those are bound to happen, right? I have learned a lot about myself in these few months. I can indeed survive being so far away for so long. I look forward to what lies ahead next quarter. I'll miss the people in my classes....but hopefully I'll have a lot of them in other classes coming in the winter.

My finals went well today. I think I'll have all A's....maybe a B in Intro. But you know...not bad for my first college experience. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect grade wise when coming here. I was prepared for anything and everything.

I am so thankful for the experiences I've had here. I know this quarter will always stick with me...for more reasons than just being my first quarter. I'll miss the people I've met here, but I can't wait to see all of my family and friends back home! Speaking of which....

I come home TODAY!!!!!! Yippee!!!

Lots of Love.

Sitting in Elizabeth's Room...Cus That's Where I Am

2006-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth excalims, "Yay packing!" I would have to agree. Packing is what I did most of the day today. Packing means going home. As much as I enjoyed my first quarter of college, I can't wait to be home. Be with the people I love. Be near the familiar.

My experience here has been good. I have had hard times, good times, wonderful times, gloomy times, awful times, glorious times. My classes haven't been too challenging, but I'm fine with that. Mostly, they have been review, but what do you expect from beginning music classes? I have loved seeing new films. Loved seeing old movies. Loved the people in my classes. Disliked the people in my classes. Laughed with the people in my classes.

I look forward to next quarter. Seeing familiar faces. Laughing with some of the same people in the same classes we took last quarter (only now the class is a bit harder).

I can't wait to come home. Dance again. Sing with my family. Play Hand and Foot. Play ERS. Yes, even play Kings in the Corner.

2 days...2days...

Lots of Love.

I Think a Few of My Brain Cells Just Died

2006-11-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

I just saw Borat. Don't ever need to see it again. I'm sure some of you would think it's hilarious, but as for me...I'm fine with never seeing it again. So why'd I see it if it was "so wonderful"? We couldn't decide on a movie to see (either Saw 3, Stranger than Fiction, or Borat)...so we decided that Borat was our compromise movie. Oh Borat.

By the way, the "we" means Breanne, Robby, Rachel, Nathan (not mine because he's a long ways away), and me.

I went to a senior recital this evening. It was pretty good. I liked a lot of the songs. However, it was basically all classical music. This made me decide that at my senior recital I'm going to have a classical first half and a musical theatre second half. I don't care if I'm not a muscial theatre major...I'm going to have musical theatre as my second half. So there! :)

As of now.... 3 days...3 days...

Lots of Love.

What a Weekend So Far...

2006-11-18T15:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I slept in today...until 1:30!!! It was glorious. Unfortunately, my dreams dealt with some dinosaurs running through my house (that happened to be a mansion). These dinos were chasing after me, trying to get something I was holding that was very valuable. It was somewhat intense, but not that scary either.

Last night was awesome. I spent a good deal of time with Elizabeth. We ate ice cream and walked around in the freezing cold night. Wonderful.

Today I slipped and fell in the Cardinal's Nest. I guess the floor was slippery, so when I turned around, my foot came out from under me and I fell on my bad foot. Luckily, I was wearing my brace. It hurt a lot for a while, but the pain is gone now. It wasn't that humiliating either....only because there was basically no one in the room.

Tomorrow I'm going to church with my grandma again. And then out to lunch.
Tomorrow I'm going to study for my Intro and Theory finals...at least that's my plan. Maybe that'll be Monday's adventure....hmmm...we'll see.

4 days....4 days...

Lots of Love.

Wonderful

2006-11-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Today has been wonderful. Sight-singing went really well. 50/50!!
Physical Therapy was good. I have homework for break.

I wish you felt better.

Opera workshop was good. I sang well.
I danced a bit. It hurt, yet again, but not as much as last time. Oh silly pressure on my ankle.

6 days...6 days...

Lots of Love.

A Good Day

2006-11-15T21:21:00.000-08:00

Yes. Today has been a good day.

I woke up pretty refreshed.
Classes went well.
My counciling session was awesome.
I did releves on pointe...even on just my left foot. (It hurt, but I did it!)
I fell over backwards off my chair. Unfortunately, no one was there to laugh with me.
I watched 100 Greatest Red Carpet Moments on VH1. Very interesting.
I was able to sing!!!
I found the info I needed for my song sheet that is due tomorrow.
It rained hard. I walked in it like it was nothing. Granted I had my big fluffy coat on, but I refrained from using an umbrella.
I'm going to take my piano final on Friday instead of Monday.

Tomorrow=part 1 of sight-singing final...eeek!
Tomorrow=physical therapy....I'm going to ice my foot this time.
Tomorrow=more jumping on my foot...and more releves on pointe.

7 days...7 days...

Lots of Love.

A Change in the Room

2006-11-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

Previously, me mattress has been on the floor, due to my ankle. Today, Phaedra and I moved it back to the loft. I think this will be good for my ankle. Now it has to work harder than it has for a while.

Today in physical therapy I jumped on my foot. It wasn't anything too difficult. Just jumping onto 2 feet from a short distance from the ground and doing 180 tours from a small second. After class I danced a bit in my room. It wasn't anything big...especially since my room is only so big. But I did a few dances from Nutcracker (since the CD is now on my computer!) It hurt a bit to do sote's and basically plie in general, but I know I'll be better by break. I am determined to dance at the studio when I come home!

Sight-singing on Thursday. I'm kind of nervous. I know I'll be ok though. Oh sight-singing.

8 days...8 days...

Lots of Love.

My First Ever College Choir Concert

2006-11-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

Overall, it went pretty well. All of the choirs sounded good...well at least I think the ones I was in sounded good. I don't really know since I was singing :) It went better than I thought it would. This does not mean I had doubts in the choirs...oh no...but in my own performance. For you see, this morning/afternoon/evening I had about a 7 note range. I mean I could sing to a high A but there was no color, vibrato or anything. It was just a note...and not a very loud/pretty one at that. However, once the concert came, I was able to sing much better. Still not to the leve I normally am at, but a lot better than before. It was a packed church this evening. People were standing against the walls. Crazy!!

I forgot to mention that on Thursday I heard a countertenor sing. He's really good. For those of you who don't know, a countertenor is someone who sings only in falsetto...or whose voice hasn't and won't drop. Basically he is a man soprano. And like I said, this guy was really good.

So basically this whole weekend I have walked around without my brace. It has been tough at times, but I have survived. Also, most of this time was in flipflops. I think I'll be able to dance soon! Hooray!!!!!

10 days...10 days...

Lots of Love.

The Best and Worst 28 Hours of My Life...thus far

2006-11-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

I have had a pretty interesting past 28 hours. I'll start with yesterday.

I woke up at 8:30 AM to get to my class by 9:30. Class lasted until 10:50. From here I went to the B 'n B to visit with Nathan, Joel, and Eizabeth. Once there, we talked for quite some time with a lady named Kathrine. She has a nephew who goes to Otterbein...Josh (we're in a lot of the same classes). So she asked me to tell Josh a story that would totally freak him out. The story related to his personal life, but she didn't want him to know that I had met her, so I told it from my point of view to see his reaction. The story went like this:

When I was little, my aunt loved to hold me. When it was time to be given back to my mom, my aunt would say, "Here you go...back to Aunt Deanne" because my aunt couldn't grasp that my mom was in fact a mom.

Josh was so freaked out by this story that he got up, left the room, and came back in...demanding to know if I was at the restaurant that he and his aunt had been at the night before (talking about this very subject). I wish I could describe his reactions. They were priceless.

After the talk with Katherine (before telling Josh the story), Elizabeth, Nathan, Joel, and I went to Elizabeth's house to pack a few suitcases for Nathan and Joel to take home. We went to Panera Bread for lunch. Then it was time for me to go to piano. Right before piano was when I told Josh the story. Piano class lasted a short 30 minutes...glorious. I then went back to the B 'n B to take Nathan and Joel to Graeter's (Elizabeth was in class). Shortly after we got there, Elizabeth was able to join us. Several minutes later it was time for me to go to voice lessons.

Voice went well. I was able to catch on to my new song pretty well. And I spoke the French. I also got a new song in German. Woohoo!

After voice, I zipped to Target to get a tape for the camera. After buying a tape, I found out that it was the wrong one. So I dashed back in and bought the right one. From here, I scurried to Panera Bread to join Nathan, Joel, and their relatives for a quick dinner. Then it was off the the theatre to be an usher.

The performance went really well. Ah Elizabeth, how you make me smile :)

After the performance, Alexis, Crystal, Nathan, Joel, Elizabeth, and I went to Hounddog's Pizza. Really good pizza. After that, we went back to the B 'n B to split our separate ways...Elizabeth with Alexiz and Crystal....Joel, Nathan, and me together. Joel went to sleep at the B 'n B while Nathan and I went on a walk. About 3:00 we decided it was time to sleep. Here is where the trouble starts.

We drove my car back to the B 'n B and left the battery on with some air blowing. We were in my car for about 10 minutes when the battery suddenly died. Try as we might, we could not get it to start. So we decided to wake up early and get someone to jump start it for us. As we walked back to my dorm (where I would sleep...Nathan was being nice and walking me there...what a gentleman), I called Mom to see about calling AAA...for the number I had didn't work. So she called and gave us a number. Wd called AAA and walked back to my car to wait for the toe truck. I realize by now you might be a bit confused as to why we walked back and and forth from my dorm so many times, but I'm too tired to explain everything. So we waited for the truck by my car. 45 minutes later, the truck came. The guy was really nice. He said it was probably just a weak battery. He suggested going to Wal-Mart to get a new battery installed. So about 5:00 the guy finished and we left for Wal-Mart.

Unfortunetly, the car place didn't open until 8:00 (Nathan had to leave for the airport by 7:00). So we headed back to the B 'n B. It was about 5:30 when we headed back, so we decided to get some breakfast at Bob Evans. It didn't open until 6:00, but we figured we could wait. Breakfast was good. I had some coffee to keep me awake. At 7:00, we headed to the B 'n B, picked up Joel, and went to the airport.

I dropped Joel and Nathan off and went to my first ever parking garage experience. It was amazing. I found Joel and Nathan and we got some more coffee. After about 20 minutes, Joel and Nathan left for their gate.

From here, I ventured to Wal-Mart to get my battery changed. I arrived at 8:30 and was told I would get my car in for about an hour and a half. I figured that was fine, since I had no where else to go anyway. So I talked to Mom (to calm me down), bought some pop-tats and flat black shoes (so I wouldn't have to walk around in heels at the concert this Sunday), and got some pictures sent from Mom and Dad. 3 hours late, I left Wal-Mart for my dorm room. It was pooring down rain when I went outside. I was in flip-flops, PJ's and a sweater. Not really rain material. Once at my dorm, I took a HOT shower and now am here, typing this post.

God must be looking out for me. Everytime I'm in car trouble, somone is always with me. Dad with the flat tire and running out of gas; Aunty Bette with a flat tire; Nathan with a dead battery.

Let me tell you, had Nathan not been with me, the whole thing would have been a lot worse. I would probably have been in hysterics. Why? Because I wouldn't know what to do. I would be totally lost. And having someone with me helped me keep calm. Sure I teared up, but Nathan kept me from crying a lot. He was there to take my mind off of what was going on too. Thank goodness for Nathan!

So now I am going to take a very long nap. Oh sleep....how I miss thee.

11 days...11 days...

Lots of Love.

Yippee!!

2006-11-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

Nathan and Joel arrived safe and sound. The place they're staying at is really cool. I think I want to stay at a bed 'n breakfast sometime. I can't wait til tomorrow!!

Today went pretty well. I ate breakfast for the first time in the Cardinal's Nest. It was pretty good. Surprising for a cafeteria, huh?

So my newest countdown is for my arrival back home. This quarter has gone by pretty quickly. Hmm...I use "pretty" a lot. Eh, oh well.

13 days...13 days...

Lots of Love.

Pretty Good Day

2006-11-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Besides waking up extremely tired, even with a good 8 hours of sleep, today has been good. The sight singing test I thought I had done poorly actually went pretty well. I got a 96! Yay! I found out that I don't have my INST class on Friday. My professor has a movie review with the UN. His film should be coming out on DVD soon. Not having INST means...more time with Nathan, Joel, and Elizabeth! Speaking of them....

1 day!!! 1 day!!!

I can't wait!

I got my song from Faust today. It is called Faites-lui mes aveux. It's an upbeat, fun song. I like those kinds :)

I got the DT DVD!!!! It was funny. I love my dad :)

You know what? In 2 weeks I'm coming home for break! Man, time flies.

Lots of Love.

Good Day

2006-11-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

Yes. Today has been a good day.

Physical therapy went well. Shelly wasn't there, but that's ok. The only bummer was that the inside of my ankle hurt more than it has in a while. This was during physical therapy. But the ice helped a lot.

I had no theory homework. Yay!

In studio class, I sang Si, tra i ceppi. I did pretty good....well it felt good and everyone else said it was good, so I figure, it must have been good. Yesterday at voice I got a new song...finally. This song is from Faust. I don't know if it has an actual name....probably does. I like this song. I can't wait to sing it!

2 days...2 days...

Lots of Love.

Today

2006-11-05T15:46:00.000-08:00

Good Times with Elizabeth
~Panera Bread
~Cold Stone
~Sitting in the parking lot
~Talking
~Laughing
~Hugging
~Smiling

Church:
~Good sermon: God answers our prayers, not always how we'd like Him to, the answers are: yes, no, not now; God din't put us on Earth to be at ease, we're here to be challenged and become stronger, if everything was easy why would we live and how would we learn?
~Friendly pastors
~Welcoming attitude

Talking to Aunty Bette=really good

4 days...4 days...

Lots of Love.

The Symphony

2006-11-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Sitting with my program open, pen in hand, ready to take notes for a paper I have to write. Not knowing what to expect. Maybe a ballet will form in my head. Maybe not. Maybe I'll be extremely bored. Myabe I'll love it.

The lights dim.

The music starts. Not a ballet do I see, but I enjoy the music anyway. Instead, my eyes are directed towards the conductor. A little Asain man, no bigger than 5 foot. He's really into the music. Jumping around, thrusting his fist in the air, moving his body to the beat of the music; he is very entertaining.

The second peice starts after a grand piano is put on stage. The pianist is huge compared to the small Asain man. The second peice is not that pleasing to the ear. It is very complex, especially for the pianist. Once it is over, the pianist plays an encore piece.

This peice would make a great ballet solo. Too bad I don't know what it is.

Intermission.

The third piece. Much more pleasing. A possible ballet. Once again my eyes are glued to the conductor. This time he reminds me of Mickey Mouse in Fantasia.

Overall, I enjoyed my time at the symphony. Would I go again? Yes, I think so.

Jennifer and Kelly came today. I spent time with them just before I had to leave for the symphony. I love Jennifer. Kelly was realy cool too!

Lots of Love.

Tartuffe

2006-11-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Hilarious. I encourage all of you to see it at some point in your life. It is so witty. It was awesome. Not to mention, Elizabeth was wonderful in it too. Man, she is an amazing actress.

Phone conversations with Michelle really brighten my day. I can't wait to see her!!!

Today in Turning Points we watched a flim my professor wrote when he just started writing screenplays. Unfortunately he could get the subtitles on, so we watched it in Hindi with him commentating. We only watched like 15 minutes of the film. But what I saw was pretty good. We're going to watch the newest one when it comes out on DVD. He's never shown a film of his before to a class, but it fit in with the war theme of the other movies we were watching this week.

What are my amazing weekend plans? Well, I am going to a symphony tomorrow night (required for a class). I'm looking forward to it. Working out at the gym (haven't done so in a while thanks to my foot). Writing a concert review on the symphony. Doing laundry? Hmmm. Possibly. And above all.....sleeping!!

6 days....Thursday come faster!!!!

Lots of Love.

Wynona Rider and your wild ways

2006-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

I had a very interesting dream. It didn't last long, for I only had about an hour to dream before my alarm went off. Anywho, I was watching a scene from the movie Little Women. I don't remember what scene it was (I think I made it up), only that Beth, Jo, Amy, and Meg were in it. Beth, Amy, and Meg were leaving a little cottage, Jo still in the cottage. I was behind Jo. Jo was crying too. She ran outside to catch up with her sisters, only as she ran out I suddenly became Jo. And it turned to the present day....meaning cars and everything, though people were still dressed in the movies clothes and some were riding in carriages. I saw my sisters leaving in a carriage as another carriage passed. In this carriage, 2 older ladies were talking about me, saying things like "That Jo March, she'll never get married." I cried. I started to walk around, tears streaming down my face. As I walked, I looked up at the sky. There were clouds that ooked slightly thunderous, but not bad. However, I remembered what my dad had told me (this ebing my real dad...Tim)...a tornado is at the edge/cliff of the cloud (or something like that). Where I was standing was definitely at the edge. And I thought, "Oh shoot. I have to get under cover." So I looked around in search of shelter. As I did so, I also looked up at the clouds. Suddenly, the cloud right above me started to swirl. It went faster and faster. I thought, "No! This can't be happening. I prayed that a tornado would never come!" And what do you know, a tornado hit the ground near me. However, it was far enough away that I could still find shelter. I knew a house would be best, but the closest thing to me was a red mini van. I tried to run to it, but I couldn't. You know in those dreams where you run as fast as you can, but you just don't get anywhere? Yeah, that was me. So I tried and tried to get to the van. Finally, I succeeded. I looked in the direction of the tornado. It was coming closer, zipping from left to right at unimaginable speeds. I thought, "It's not that close. I can make it to the cottage. The cottage isn't as good as a basement, but it's better than the van." So I headed towards the cottage. However, once again I couldn't run. I ended up hopping on one foot most of the time, trying to get in the direction I needed. I woke up breathing heavily.

What do you suppose this dream means? I have no clue.

Also, I'm having slight difficulty in remembering what is real and what are my dreams. I say this because I had a conversation with Nathan early this morning. I went to bed, but I remember waking up at 6:30 and appologizing to my roommates for the phone call. However, neither rememeber me saying anything of the sort. They don't even remember the phone call.

Hmmm....maybe I'm going insane.

I need sleep.

Lots of Love.

The Sleeping Beauty

2006-11-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

I love this ballet. I watched it today. I would love to do it sometime. I was thinking of how NVDC could do it, even with the billions of little kids. It is do-able. Man would this ballet be fun.

In regards to the title as well....I wish I could sleep better. I may be a beauty, but I'm not sleeping. I don't really knwo why either. Well, I mean I am sleeping, but I guess not well. I woke up this morning really tired. I almost slept through my alarm. And I got 7 hours of sleep too. Oh sleep. How I wish we were on better terms.

I have physical therapy tomorrow. I hope all goes well...like it did on Tuesday. My foot was pretty sore this morning. But I suppose that's good...right?

Only 8 days until Nathan and Joel come! Those 8 days can't come sooner.

Lots of Love.

The Weekend

2006-10-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

What an interesting weekend I had. I loved being home. Seeing family and friends. It was great.

The one acts were amazing. Everyone did a marvelous job. Charlotte said it felt weird not being onstage. I don't think it felt weird. To me, it seemed like the drama 3 kids were putting on a show for the drama 4 kids. You know? Anywho, the one acts were really good.

The lock-in was fun. I got a total of 45 minutes of sleep. Don't worry, I slept on the plane back to Columbus.

I walked without my crutch for the whole weekend. I brought it with me, but I didn't use it. Yay!

Oh the drama. I will not even try to explain the drama that occured this weekend. All I am going to say is that it was a very stressful weekend because I was caught in the middle of this drama without even fully knowing what was going on. I still don't know everything, nor will anyone know everything. It was a difficult weekend, but I'm glad I came when I did.

Only 2 weeks until Nathan and Joel come....well I guess it's technically like a week and a 3/4. I can't wait to see them!!

3 1/2 weeks....3 1/2 weeks...

Lots of Love.

Hooray!!

2006-10-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

Officially...well from my time zone anyway....I am coming home today!!! I am soooo excited. You have no idea. Oh man. I can't wait!

Today was a pretty good day. I had physical therapy. It wasn't too bad. However, we tried some things that I couldn't do...like stand on my bad foot and put the other one in passe. It hurt soo bad to stand on my bad foot. I mean, with a brace it's ok, but without it...forget it. So that was somewhat depressing....ok it was pretty sad, but I know I'll get better quickly, so I'm hopeful that on Tuesday I'll be ble to stand on my bad foot with no brace. As for the crutches...well I am allowed to use them when needed. Basically only when my foot is killing me. So I am bringing one crutch home with me. I'd bring both, but I only need one to relieve my foot, so why bring the other when it will just be a burden?

We had a test in theory today. I think I did ok.

Tomorrow I have a piano test, which I'll be done with in like the first 10 minutes. So I'll get to leave class early. Woopee! I also have a test in Intro to Music. I'm not looking forward to this one, but at least I get it over with in the morning. Sight singing is with another class because my professor has a doctor's appointment, so no stress there. And my INST class (turning points) is in the Library...learning how to get documents and whatnot from other libraries, yet another stessfree class. So tomorrow doens't look that bad. Oh and did I mention that I COME HOME? AHhhhhhhh!!!! I'm soooo excited!!!!!!!!

You should all some to my church's lock in. You don't have to spend the night, though it'd be cool if you did. It's Halloween based and there'll be food and games. Arrio and Brooke are putting it together...or had the idea for it...or something like that. Anywho, come and see me!

Today...Today!!!!!!

Lots of Love.

Frustration

2006-10-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

I really hate computers. I was frusterated because I couldn't use my blog or AIM...though now I can do both. But my computer just now let me know that the entry I just tried to post failed...so now I have to write it all over again. Grrr....

Anyway...

I saw the freshman theatre class put on scenes from the common book. The scenes were really good. The first was a scene with a bunch of lines from the book created into monologues, some overlapping. It was cool. The next was a pantomime. The third was different peoples' perspectives of the life of the dancer. The guy who played the dancer was actually really good. He did like 6 pirouettes, making them look effortless.

I talked with Elizabeth today for like 30 minutes. Good times.

I walked around alomst the entire day without using my cutches. When I did need them, I only used one. So yeah. I'm getting better! Yay!

I got my robe from Aunty Bette today!

2 days...2 days...

Lots of Love.

Almost there

2006-10-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that it snowed yesterday morning. It wasn't bad...but there were definitely flakes. Snow in October? Hmmm...

I found out about the Opera. I didn't make it, but I'm fine with that. The freshmen that did make it were mostly first sopranos. There were a few real altos...and since I'm not either a first soprano or a real alto and there were a bunch of realy good upperclassmen, I didn't really expect to make it anyway. And there is always the musical and the opera next year.

I had my physical therapy today. It was interesting. My ankle has definitely improved. My range of motion isn't that bad....so that's good. And I'm probably getting rid of the crutches by Friday. She was going to have me off of them today...but I was limping without them. I can walk without the crutches pretty well if I have my brace and shoe on. But no shoes and brace=limping. We'll see how I am on Thursday...aka my next appointment. Unfortunately, I have to get up early for a 9:30 AM appointment. Oh well. At least I'm getting better!

3 days...3 days...

Lots of Love.

Opera Auditions

2006-10-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today was pretty good. I just came back from opera auditions. I think I did pretty wel. I sang my good old standard Chi Voul La Zingarella. It was fun. I hope I get a part. It'll be fun to be in an opera...boy I never thought I'd say that. lol.

My ankle is getting better. It isn't nearly as black/blue/purple as it was. So that's good. Also, I walked on it for the good part of this evening. Of course I didn't put a lot of pressure on it, but I still walked on it. And it didn't hurt either. I think that's a good thing...right? Tomorrow, I have a physical therapy appointment at 2:00. Wish me luck!

4 days...4 days....

Lots of Love.

Auditions Tomorrow

2006-10-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

Opera auditions tomorrow. I'm not really that nervous...yet. It's a 3 minute max audition. We sing one song and that's it. I hope I get into one of the one acts. If I don't...well that's just one less thing I have to stress about. But it would be fun to be in one of the shows. Both are comedies. That's about all I've got on that.

My foot is better. I think not walking on it for a little longer is working well. I walked on it a little today and it felt much better than the first time I did. I know I'll be able to dance by the time I get home in November.

I have a paper due next Monday that I wrote already. Woohoo!ow I just need to edit...but that shouldn't take too long.

Our common book author is here this week. Today was a concert that had songs from the book we read. Tomorrow the author is talking about his book and his life. On Wednesday, the frosh theatre kids are putting on a series of one acts dealing with the common book. My INST class gets to see those. I can't wait to see them.

So...Nightmare on Elm Street....it was cheesy? Yes.
Scary? Not really.
Will I have nightmares anyway? Probably.
Why'd I watch it? It was a floor movie night.

4 days...4 days!!!!!

Lots of Love.

Dance Concert

2006-10-21T01:44:00.000-07:00

I guess in the winter Otterbein has a dance concert. Auditions are tomorrow. Bummer. I really dislike having a bum foot. However, it is getting better. My toes are now a slight shade of purple and my ankle is pinkish-purple. Unfortunately, more swelling seems to be appearing above my ankle...but that part of my leg doesn't hurt, so that's good...I guess.

Tomorrow, Aunt Mary-Jo and family are picking me up. We're celebrating Grandma Starkey's (their grandma) 80th birthday. I can't wait to see them!

Congratulations to all the cast of Much Ado. However, I only know who 2 people are because Nathan refuses to tell me the rest. So, please let me know what the results are.

I saw The Departed tonight. It was free movie night...hence the reason I'm up so late. It was an interesting movie. Not one I'd reccommend for the family. If you liked Boondock Saints, you'll like this one.

6 days....6 days...

Lots of Love.

Choir Concert

2006-10-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

You know what I dislike? Rude people. I had a choir concet tonight. It wasn't too big. I mean, we were the guests. We sang at Westerville South High School's choir concert. We sang in the gym. You'd think people would be respectful, especially since the gym is very exposed. You can see eveything and everyone. But no....some family was completely rude throughout the entire concert. They were talking out loud. And then tried to shush each other. But to no avail, for they talked some more anyway. Then some of their kids, who were singing, came to sit with them after they were done singing. The kids started talking too. And they'd get up in the middle of the songs and walk around the bleachers. Then their friends joined them in walking and talking. Boy was it hard to focus on the concert.

However, the concert went prety well. It was really weird seeing the high schoolers sing. They looked so little. I mean, I suppose I look little to the college seniors, but I mean these kids looked like they should be in middle school. Now that I think of it, I guess Hilhi's students look the same...well minus the seniors. You guys don't look so little :)

We sang well. So that's a plus. There was this violinist who won state or something twice. He was really good. The symphony was good too. The only bummer...me being on crutches. But oh well.

I walked on my foot today for almost the whole day. Sometimes it would start to hurt so I used only my right leg, but I atleast was able to walk on it...with crutches of course. I have a physical therapy appointment on Tuesday. It'll be fun...I hope.

8 days...8 days....

Lots of Love.

More Info on My Ankle

2006-10-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

So I was able to go to the doctor's today. However, it took forever for me to get out of there. I ended up missing my piano class because of it....oh well. Anywho, I am now allowed to put as much pressure as I want on my foot. I have an air cast thing. However, I don't think I'm going to put much weight on it for a while. Probably just up and down stairs. Along with this sling/cast thing I can now wear my other tennis shoe. Hooray! My foot is still beautiful colors, but it's getting better. I also get to have physical therapy 1-2 times a week for 3-4 weeks....it all depends on how bad the person says my foot is. I guess therapy will start like Friday or something. I'm going to the place tomorrow to set up my appointments.

9 days! I can't wait.

Lots of Love.

Oh Ankle

2006-10-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

I was able to sort out my problem with my voice lessons for the weekend I come home. Instead of a Friday and Saturday lesson, I'll have a lesson on the 6th and 19th of November. Yay!

I'm even more excited about coming home because I found out that the one acts are going on that weekend! So I actually do get to see you all perform. I can't wait.

Tomorrow I find out how many more weeks/days/months/years I have to be on crutches. My toes are even more black and blue...but I think that's a good thing...drainage fromthe ankle....hopefully? Eh...I don't know. Mom thinks I'll have to be on crutches for more than 3 weeks. I'd show you all pictures but I don't know how to put them on my blog...and besides, they're not that pretty anyway.

This weekend I am having dinner with the Starkey's (my mom's sister's family). They're visiting my uncle's mother in Columbus. I'm really excited to see them!

Lots of Love.

Excitement Coming Soon

2006-10-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

Before I get to the title, I would just like to say that I have another Pas completed and ready for testing. This one is to Switchfoot's Only Hope....you know, the song from A Walk to Remember....Switchfoot sang it before Mandy Moore did, but I know I didn't hear it until the movie. Anyway, I'm excited to try it out. Of course, this means my foot must get better in order for me to do so, so....foot, heal faster!!!!

In reguards to my foot, it is getting better. My ankle itches every so often...which is always a good sing when it comes to an injury. However, now my toes are black and blue too....I didn't do anything to them and they don't hurt...they're just black and blue. Eh, oh well.

So....what excitement is coming soon? Well, Nathan comes in 4 weeks. But before that....

I am coming home on the 27th of October at 11:13 PM and staying until the 29th. I'm leaving at 10:00 PM the 29th and not getting back to Columbus until 8:49 AM the next day.....just in time for my class to start. On the 28th, my church is having a Halloween party that I will be attending. You should too. It'll be a great time to hang out. Hopefully my foot will be cured by then. So yeah...that's my really exciting news. I hope to see you all at the party! I'll fill you in on more of those details...or better yet, ask Brooke or Arrio....they know more than I do :)

This weekend was fun. Michael's team won their game. I basically crawled everywhere because it was a lot easier than using my crutches or hopping. It was great. Sadly, Elizabeth wasn't able to join us. There will be a time when she will though, I know it.

Lots of Love.

I'm Sooo Excited....despite not having too hot of a day

2006-10-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

I am really excited!!!!!!

I got a package from Susan Todd today. There were lots of reallly neat things inside. I got a CD with senior pics of Ermine and Nathan as well as pics from Nathan's surprise party. However, no video was present, so Ermine, it looks like you owe me some mail :)

I am going to my aunt's this weekend. Tomorrow, I'm going to Michael's (cousin) football game. Then I don't know what. Sunday, after church, Elizabeth is going to join us for the festivities...whatever they may be. That evening, Elizabeth and I are going to drive back to Otterbein in time for Elizabeth's rehearsal. I can't wait!!!

So why the bad day? Like in previoius posts, I'm trying to stay positive.

However, I am really excited!

Lots of Love.

Taking a Shower with Only One Usable Leg is Almost Impossible

2006-10-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

Why almost? Well because I did it. It was pretty hard to do, but I did it. I think my shower was about 20 minutes longer than it would have been had I had both my legs working, but I was able to shower. And everyone rejoyced. Ready...Go! Rejoyce!

I;m not going to lie. I want to come home. I want to come home sooo bad. I know, I know, only 6 weeks. This week hasn't been so hot though. I've been trying to post only the positive, but having a bum foot can really dampen your spirits.

My sight singing test went well. I passed with flying colors.

It's really cold here. It's supposed to ice tonight. Hopefully it won't still be there by the time I have to go out. Otherwise I don't know how I'm going to get anywhere.

Lots of Love.

Funny Isn't It?

2006-10-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Funny isn't it how one person can make you smile so much that all your problems seem to go away? Gosh I love Elizabeth.

I just opened my presents from my family. I got a lot of books...some are: the Spamalot score, 101 Best Broadway shows, and the Newberry Award Winner for this year. I also got a really nice scarf. You ready for one that you all should be jealous of?

Nathan's hat. If you don't know which one I'm talking about, you're missing out. It's the best hat in the world. Not only was it previously Elizabeth's hat, but it's the hat that everyone at school would steal from Nathan because it was just that cool. Yes ladies and gentlemen, be jealous. Be very very jealous.

Lots of Love.

19th Birthday...something I'll remember

2006-10-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why today was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Many, many reasons. It's sad too because it should have been a happy day. Everything should have gone well. However, to spare you all my troubles, I will try to just focus on the positive.

I was awaken by my phone this morning at 8:00. Aunty Bette called to wish me a Happy Birthday. Doing the math, that means it was 5:00 her time. I love you, Aunty.

My foot didn't hurt too badly today....well except for the time when I fell down and hit it on the floor. It was pretty funny actually. Why? Because I had just almost fallen because my left crutch had just come out from under me. However, I caught myself the first time. So yeah, I fell over. Luckily, I didn't hit it too hard.

We had yet another tornado warning. When will the madness stop?

Breanne and I went out to dinner at an Italian place. It was really good. Afterwards we went to Cold Stone. Also really good.

I got my paper back from my Turning Points teacher (the screenwriter). I got an A. The only thing I had to work on was being more specific in one of teh examples I gave. Other than that, I did really well. Thank you, Miss Denny.

I made my first "I want to come home" call. I suppose it was a good day to make it though. Oh well. I'm not going to come home any time soon. Well, unless you want to say 6 weeks. Then I suppose that doesn't seem too long.

Lots of Love.

Broken or Sprained...

2006-10-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have good news...it isn't broken. Well, I think that's good news. I suppose it would heal better/faster if it was broken, but this means I can take a shower without worrying about getting my cast wet.

Lots of Love.

I'm Broken

2006-10-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title rings true. I am broken....well badly sprained as of right now. I'm not sure if it is a fracture or just a really, really bad sprain. In any case, I hurt and now I can't dance for at least 3 weeks.

What happened? Well in modern we were split-leaping. And as usual, I landed on my left foot wrong. I heard a pop, but I've heard pops before. However, this was really painful. I couldn't put pressure on it at all. And within seconds of hurting it, my foot was swollen to the size of a baseball. No joke. It was huge...well it still is. Anywho, after sitting in class for about 20 minutes with ice and Advil working their wonders, I got up to go to the Health Center. My friend Kayla piggy-bakced me there. I felt bad though because she is a lot smaller than me. Oh well...we got there.

After spending and hour and a half crying in the Health Center, Debbie came to pick me up. We went to the doctors to get my foot X-rayed. When we got there, the people were on a lunch break...go figure. So we did the same. An hour later we came back and X-rayed my foot.

The bottom line is: call from the doctor today=broken foot....no call today=really bad sprain

I'm really enjoying how I now have to hooble up 40 stairs to get to my dorm room and down 40 stairs to go anywhere. What ever happened to elevators? Good thing the classroom buildings have them.

Perks to having a sprained/broken foot:
-having an excuse to be late to class
-building awesome arm muscles
-strengthening my right leg...though i wish it were my left
-having people do stuff for me
-not having to stand in the 4th row in chorale

My list for reasons why it sucks to have a bum foot could go on for pages and pages...so I'll leave that list out.

Well...that's about it. I am assuming that it is just a really bad sprain...at least that's what the doctor thinks it is. If so, I should be able to atleast walk on it in 3 weeks. This means I can dance again by the time I come home.

Why is everything happening at once? WHY??????

Tomorrow is my 19th Birthday!!! What am I doing? No clue....probably a mid-term or two. Hey, that rhyms.

Lots of Love.