Recklessness

It’s fairly warm here, even in the nighttime. In Birmingham, I typically sleep with a comforter and two blankets, but in Charleston, I sleep with my ceiling fan on.

Last week, I laid in bed after finishing my finals and realized how much stress I was under during the semester. After finals, I literally sunk into my mattress. My muscles actually relaxed.

Now, I’ve been home for almost a week and I’m sleeping over eight hours a night. I’m eating healthfully (rather than eating fast food after midnight once rehearsal ends) and exercising. I went to zumba class today. 

It’s nice to be home. 

Today, I went with several members of my voice studio to the Children’s Learning Center in Birmingham. We sang Christmas carols and Weston dressed as Santa Claus. 

This is what Dr. Villaverde and I picked for next semester.

Italian Arias

1. “Star Vicino” - Anonymous

2. “Nina” - Anonymous

English Art Songs

1. “Heavenly Grass” - Paul Bowles

2. “The Daises” - Samuel Barber

3. “Someone To Watch Over Me” - George Gershwin

Musical Theatre

1. “Whispering” - Spring Awakening, Duncan Sheik 

2. “Stranger to the Rain” - Children of Eden, Stephen Schwartz 

We’re going to pick a German piece too.

I’m studying for my Cultural Perspectives exam in Starbucks with Lauren, Tatum, Jules and Nicole. It’s a funny picture actually. We’re spread across the coffee shop at different tables, all consumed by various text books or the Spark Notes website. I finished a zen tea and I’m feeling pretty good. Let me tell you something about Buddhism (no, I’m not converting - I’m studying). 

In Buddhism, there are four noble truths.

1. Suffering exists (a real downer). 

2. There is a cause for suffering (this class).

3. There is an end to suffering (Christmas Break).

4. In order to end suffering, one must follow the Eight Fold Path.

Here’s the Eight Fold Path.

1. Right Mindfulness

2. Right Effort, Promoting Good Thoughts

3. Right Livelihood

4. Right Thinking

5. Right Speech

6. Right Consciousness (Through Meditation)

7. Wisdom, Discernment

8. Following the Five Precepts

There you have it, folks. Shall we continue to Islam? I know you’re beyond eager to learn. Keep in mind I’m writing this without my notes. It simply comes from the recesses of my mind (score). 

There are Five Pillars of the Islam faith.

1. Faith in the One God and Muhammad As His Prophet

2. Prayer (Five Daily)

3. The Giving of Alms to the Poor

4. Fasting During Ramadan

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

This is the last religion. I promise.

There are three branches of Judaism.

1. Orthodox: They believe that both the written and oral Torahs are of divine origin (they are the exact Word of God).

2. Conservative: They recognize the divine origin of the Torah and Talmud, but acknowledge the human elements within both.

3. Reform: All written laws are the product of Man’s hand.

Isn’t this wonderfully exciting?

We spent a solid thirty minutes in the dressing room beforehand. We did several acting warmups. We walked backstage as the first play began and moved our table and chairs onto the revolve. The Harrison Theatre has a revolving stage, and each play’s set occupied half. Once one finished, the stage revolved to reveal the next. We sat there, in our chairs, listening to the voices of the other actors. We smiled occasionally, partially from excitement and partially because this show makes me laugh uncontrollably. Suddenly, the stage turned without warning. I found this unbelievably funny. I laughed, but quickly stifled it as the stage approached the audience and we found ourselves in the ridiculously bright spotlight. I had never performed in Harrison Theatre, and there was something exciting within that - or the fact that this was my first college role. 

He said the first line, “Excuse me, is this chair taken?”.

It flowed effortlessly until I forgot a blocking cue. I played it differently. It was fine. 

Several minutes later, Weston grabbed my coffee cup from the table, traced his finger around the rim, and licked it. Keep in mind this wasn’t planned. It was one of those experiences where the audience interacts and the stage is so comfortable that you throw in some extra gestures for kicks. However, I was so entirely surprised that I couldn’t contain myself. I laughed. I laughed, unplanned, for the first time onstage. 

Hopefully, the audience didn’t notice. I’m sure they didn’t. I’m sure they were watching Weston. 

It was a great show. I miss it already.

White Christmas ended last weekend. We performed “Sure Thing” last night.

I can breathe now. 

Last night, Lauren and I went to Zydeco. 

Today, I had breakfast with my big, Heather, at OHOP. Then, I saw the Nutcracker with Jules, Claire, and Caroline. My ballet teacher performed the coffee variation. Then we made dinner and I rehearsed for my piano proficiency exam.

I also heard some good news. I was chosen for all-star cast and Weston received best actor for “Sure Thing”.

It’s been a wonderful weekend. 

I’m writing a review of Birmingham Southern’s production of Spring Awakening, and it’s going absolutely nowhere. I’m far too involved in my coloring book. I’m also making paper snowflakes out of my German Lied research paper.

I’ve also had an epiphany concerning my Christmas list: I want a keyboard because I’m a loser. Music theory will be so much easier. I also want the first season of The Big Bang Theory on dvd.

Here’s a photo of a joyous hamster.

I should probably go to bed.