I danced...

today for 45 minutes by myself.

Empowering. lol.

Tonight we have our first read-thru of Sarah and the Secret Cellar at Chaffin's. It should be fun. : )

a relaxing, much-needed hiatus

Today has been so so wonderful. Well, starting from last night really.. I went to bed at a decent time, got up on my own time, having gotten the first full complete's night sleep I've had in a long time, and waking up without an alarm!! I had my phone turned off the majority of the day, which factored into the relaxation. I'm house-sitting for Kim, so my day simply consisted of: exercising, reading, writing, running with Sawtelle, and listening to music(Beethoveen, mostly... except when I decided to listen to Schoenberg, fell asleep, and woke up to the extrenuous sounds of "Pierrot Lunaire" when it reached an incredibly forte moment...ugh). As far as working out goes, now that I HAVE TIME!! YAY!!... I am going to be even more hardcore. lol...

I'm still working on Sophie's Choice. It's a loooong book...good, but long... and I am very a.d.d. when it comes to reading. I am actually reading about 5 different books right now... a few pages of each daily.: As I Lay Dying, a book on African history, Collected Poems of Plath, along with her college journals, a book of poetry by Emily Dickinson... hmm.. oh, and I read some Self magazines today.... I'm kind of a bit of a health nut. I just enjoy being knowledgable in an area that COULD POSSIBLY DECIDE THE LENGTH OF MY LIFE! lol. By the way, the book Fantastic Voyage by Kurzweil is great. So great that it convinced me to take a total of about 12 vitamins daily... sometimes more. I mean, if you can do something to make yourself healthier, why not??

After a beautiful day, I have decided to start scheduling myself "me" days. It really is necessary. And the way that my life is always busy and scheduled... it would be necessary to plan my selfism. That's just the way my life goes. Maybe one day working my butt off will actually pay off!! ha!

A vent

I don't understand why people feel the need to buy cats and dogs. There are so many animals that need homes....that are free (other than shots) at shelters. Why is it that people just have to have the teeny tiny dogs...or the full-bred dogs? When you buy a dog, you are supporting these people that "grow" these dogs. There are way too many dogs without homes to support people breeding dogs unnaturally. Please think about it. All I ask.

Slumdog Millionaire

No wonder the movie won tons of awards. From what I've studied about Mumbai, they really seemed to hit the nail on the head in this depiction of life. It's sad but a lot of the movie reminded me of Honduras-- the conditions, the children having to fend for themselves and fight for their lives. : ( I wish I had magical powers so I could steal all the children away and make their lives better. When I see those children, it makes me want to adopt like fifty kids...or as many as I could take care of. : / Which probably isn't many at the moment...I have tons of love though!!

the times they are a changin'

Went riding with my daddio tonight. It's so weird that I get more freaked out riding on motorcycles than I do jumping out of airplanes? I don't think that will ever make sense to me. However, riding the motorcycle tonight did make me want to go skydiving again. If I weren't so busy with other things, I would sooo become certified so I could go allllll the time.

Spent some time with my grandparents tonight. It's amazing how things can change so much from one generation to the next. Sometimes it seems as if we are all on completely different planets from each other-- which is fine, I guess. I love my family so so so much. I would truly do anything in the world for them. When I talk to some of my friends about their families, they don't seem like they even enjoy spending time with them. I don't get it. I mean, we are completely different and sometimes we butt heads horribly, but that doesn't change the comforting feeling I get when I walk into their house. Let me tell you though-- I really am the odd one out in my family. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but when my papaw asked me who I voted for tonight, I couldn't just lie to him. : /

The Sounds of Smooth Jazz

Up here at WMOT doing the weather and traffic. Going to the Heritage Dance Project tonight at 7:30. You guys should come-- Cannon County Arts Center.

Last night, I hung out with Matt. It's nice to talk with a person who is as passionate as you are about theatre. Theatre is definitely an area that you have to continuously encourage yourself in. It can be such a downer being such a competitive field. You just have to overlook the negativity and keep your head on straight, not letting anything get you down. Encouragement is also nice. Being immersed in theatre is such a wonderful thing and I truly feel that theatre is life-changing... It has such a great impact on so many people's lives. I think that is what keeps me going strong day to day. Seeing it change people is enough to continue.

Thoughts on the Holocaust

Did a reading of Dear Finder last night. Twas wonderful. It's weird that we're doing it at MT this Fall... Not too long ago, I randomly started doing research on the Holocaust. I had this weird overwhelming interest. I think it's because I knew there was more to it than my mind knew about. We are raised with the term just thrown around... like "oh yeah... the Holocaust... Hitler and the Jews... Yeah, I know about that." We become so desensitized and disconnected from the idea. When I started doing research, I definitely learned a bit more than I had bargained for. It's a horrible though that so many people can do such a terrible thing and no one actually stands up to tell them how wrong it is. The Jews reached out to every other country during that time and no one would help them. They were just waiting for another country to do it...and waiting...and waiting... and waiting...

Make-ups, Auditions, and Readings. Oh MY!

I auditioned for the Rep yesterday. I'll know if I get called back or not sometime this week. They are doing Proof and Big River in the Spring, which is when I would be available. I also had a callback with Nashville Children's Theatre the other day for their show "Miss Nelson Is Missing". I won't hear back from them until sometime in early June I believe.

Today I'm soaping out a hairline and doing Queen Elizabeth make-up. Woo! If any of you are interested in coming in and letting me do make-up on you, please let me know. I need as many guinea pigs..errr...victims... err... I just need someone to other than myself to practice on. : )

Tonight we are doing a playreading of Dear Finder at 6pm at Fairview if anyone wants to join! Everyone is welcome!!

Frost Bitten

We're under a frost advisory. In May. Just sayin'.

Yesterday, I did a frozen make-up. Turned out well. I'll post pictures up later. I think I'm going to join the student MAC program that the make-up cosmetics company offers. You get tons of discounts-- something well needed in this field. I am going to try to pursue make-up a bit. I really enjoy it. Not to mention-- It is too much fun!

I have another audition today. Woo!

It is quite interesting being an actor in Nashville. It's a very tight-knit community and semi-hard to break into. So far, though, I have really enjoyed all the wonderful people I've met.

I still don't know what I want to do regarding my career in a year or so-- if I want to stay here for a little while, go to grad school, move to NY... Who knows. I guess only time will tell. Besides- It's fun being spontaneous and not knowing what to expect.

Birdfight

I just saw two birds fighting and it was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

Another audition tomorrow! Fun fun! I'll keep you posted.

Me and some friends are going to be doing a play reading of Deerfinder this Wednesday night at Fairview if anyone wants to join. MTSU will be producing Deerfinder this Fall. It's a show dealing with the Holocaust-- referencing other prejudices as well.

When I think about the Holocaust, it is almost impossible for tears to not flood my eyes. It's so easy to be removed from the idea, but when you truly think about the fact that someone (or people rather) are capable of doing such horrible things, it is heartbreaking. No one deserves to be treated that way-- no matter how much you disagree with the way they are living their lives. No one.

Don't wake me. I plan on sleeping in.

Guten Morgen,

The plan was to sleep in. For some reason, though, I really enjoy mornings....So I didn't. I always think of this picture Kim Neal has at his house. It's this crazy looking lady holding a cup of coffee with a huge grin on her face, and at the bottom it says "Sleep when your dead". lol. There are way too many things that I want to do instead of sleeping--NOT that I don't like sleep. I always try to get 8 hours...just not much more than that.

Today is Nicole's graduation! My best friend! I'm so happy for her. That girl is going to do something with her life, I know! I'm so proud. *tear

I have some ideas for a one-woman show. I think I'm going to start developing that.

Bye!!

Gorgeous Again

I am really getting used to this warm weather. Sigh.

I'm working on developing a character for make-up class. We're going to be creating a short horror film. I would really like to base my character off of the "Elephant Man", or someone with a similiar deformity. Last night, I created a large appendage on my niece Savannah's face. It was great. I'll have to post pics up later. Let me tell ya though-- Even though she said she was up for the challenge... Take my advice: Do not use young ones for long make-up processes. Lol.

Peace.

Update: Sarah and the Secret Cellar

I told you guys I'd update you on the auditions, so here it goes.

I got into Sarah and the Secret Cellar, a children's show written by Nate Eppler and directed by Dietz Osborne, at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Bellevue. I'll be playing the role of "Fake Suzie". She's an imaginary character that is made up in the mind of Sarah. She creates Suzie to say all of the things to Suzie, a girl at school that she doesn't like, that she wants to. I'll keep you posted later on the dates and stuff.

Blue skies smilin' at me

Good morning world,

I have my little niece Summer in my lap at the moment. : )

I said I would post some pictures of the make-ups I've done so far. Here they are: Frazier in Old-Age, an open wound before being applied to the skin, a burn Scar, a bad sunburn with peeling and blisters on only one side, and a frog.

I'll have more up later.

Cold Coffee

I've been spending a lot of time in Nashville this week-- unusual. I think when we get so used to living in the same place for a while it just becomes boring to us. But when I think about it I really do enjoy the city.

I'm reading a book...well, when I have time that is. It's called Sophie's Choice. I've been told there's a movie out based on it with Meryl Streep in it. Heard it's pretty good. I'll watch it when I'm done reading the book. But, so far, the book has been AMAZING. I find it interesting reading books from a male perspective... especially this one. It really gives you insight into the way men think... well, some anyway.

This week I'm going to start on my grad school apps. Still looking into different places. The Central School of Drama at the University of London is my number one choice as of right now. I'm still not quite convinced to go for sure though, but I figure filling out the apps wouldn't hurt. Still have a year to make up my mind...sorta.

Ya know, everyone typically just moves to New York. Not that the idea doesn't sound wonderful, but I just can't quite make up my mind. If I do grad school though, I know for sure that I only want to go part-time...so I still have time to perform. I can't NOT perform. It isn't an option.

This is definitely the week of callbacks and auditions. I'll keep ya posted.

Time to heat up my coffee.

A Beautiful Morning

It is absolutely gorgeous outside today.

I'm about to head to my may-mester class. I'm taking Advanced Make-up techniques with Bev (who is practically HUGE in the make-up field right now--go her! tenure needed? anyone?). The goal of the class is to make a film at the end of the course to put our make-ups on camera. We are doing all sorts of zombie make-ups, wounds, extreme nasty sunburn, you name it! haha. Tons of super exciting things. I will try to post some of the pictures of my work up on here when I am finished.

Last night was way too much fun. I was in Nashville for an audition, so Fraiz met me there afterwards. We went to Sam's sushi and it was the best sushi I've had in my life. We also talked to Sam for a little while. I've decided to write a play with his character in it; he is so animated and quirky. I love it!

Then we met my boy-- Andy Kanies!-- at Cafe Coco and grabbed some coffee. Fun times.

Need to run to class!! : )

A First Statement

Life really is remarkable.

I hit a point recently in my life-- A point where I can look back at my life for the first time in my life and honestly learn something from it.

College really is an experience. I'm almost finished and I feel that I am a completely different from when I started.

I recently returned from Honduras. Me, along with a few other MTSU students, wrote a chldren's musical called "A Better Way", and performed it at different elementary schools and orphanages in and near the city of Comayagua. The children were wonderful; they were well-disciplined, sweet as could be, and incredibly appreciative of everything they had. The majority of the children that we came into contact with were terribly poor and many were not even sure where their next meal would come from, or if they were even to get one at all. The most interesting part, however, is how happy these people were. They didn't have much, some not even a single family member to lean on, yet most were so so happy.

Now that I am back and the witness of many petty arguments and petty spending on unneccessary things, I realize how ridiculously well off most of us are here in the States. Personally, I have the best family and friends in the world, great health, and not a single true worry other than school and work stuff-- things that are incomparable to living to survive.

We met a little old lady in the village of Cane there named Clementina. She is about 80 years old and has dedicated her whole life to the children. She was a professor for many many years. She noticed that many of the children in her classes were falling asleep. She realized the reason was because they weren't getting fed properly, resulting in the children not having any energy to focus on their studies. Clementina decided to start a "Soup Kitchen" in the village in which she, along with her own personal money, accepted donations and provided the children with at least one meal a day. Many years later, Clementina is now retired and the soup kitchen has lost most of its funding. She has been using much of her own retirement pension to buy food for the kitchen, but we all know retirement is not nearly enough. When we arrived in Cane last week, the soup kitchen refrigerator was completely empty and the stove had broken. While we were there, we gave her money to purchase a stove and filled her fridge full of food for the children.

The generosity and dedication that Clementina had was truly inspirational to me. She is a gift to this Earth, and if we had more Clementinas, this world would be a better place.

The point is-- Don't take your life forgranted. You have so much to be thankful for. We life in a "wanting" society--Constantly wanting what we don't have and wanting more than we do. Enough is never enough.

I am planning on going back to Honduras within the next year or so to teach English/do volunteer work at Enlaces, an elementary school in Comayagua. Hermes, the principal and my friend, will provide housing and food, along with monthly pay. I think it is a great opportunity for me, and after being there once, I've realized it is definitely my turn to give back and do more.