In the Theater

That's where I am right now. I'm sitting on the carpeted theater steps, my gaze flitting between the computer screen and Romeo and Juliet uttering their obsessive, hormone-filled chants of love on the stage. No, I'm not slacking. There are a handful of us that have some down-time between scenes.

It's actually quite relaxing to just sit in the quiet theater. The whole place looms above you, softly lit. People are sprinkled in different seats across the auditorium, silently working or watching the scenes coming alive on the stage before us. A mixture of cut wood and chair fabric and a distinct theater smell-not an entirely disagreeable scent- wafts through the air. I'm quite at home right now.

It's been a very busy week- not a week to be horsing around, as I predicted in my last post. Lots of homework, lots of commitments, lots of pressure and stress. But it's amazing how relaxed you can feel when you walk into the theater. True, you still have to work, but it's a different type of work. You become someone else, leaving all your worries outside the theater doors. It's like another world- the good kind of other world.

Our theater department says that we don't just put on shows to entertain people. We study theater to study life. That is such a true statement. We've only been working on this play for a few weeks, but already I'm starting to realize what they mean by "understanding life." Through the pages of the play, through your own experience of studying the lines, through getting to know the rest of your company, through even just sitting in a theater seat watching the play come alive before you, you can't help but start to analyze and understand small bits of life.

I can't wait for our play to be shown to the Susquehanna community, and I'll keep you up-to-date on that. But for now, I'll sit in the quiet theater and watch as I and the rest of my company start to understand life a little more. And hopefully when this production finally premieres to SU, the community will also start to understand pieces of life a little more too.

No Time for Horsing Around

You thought I forgot my pledge to keep blogging, didn't you? Well I'm back! Don't worry!

I came back to SU a week ago after a wonderful spring break. It was a pretty busy break, but I loved it! I went back to work for a few days, went back home to Calvary, caught up with a lot of great friends, and did (a little) bit of homework. So yes, it was time well-spent.

I came to SU last Sunday and got all unpacked. This past week has been about settling back in and getting used to the busier schedule. And... it's been busy! It's taken a good week, but I finally got used to the pace at which I have to run. After this weekend- a weekend of being mainly a procrastinator- it's time to get down to business....

To defeat the Huns. 

Anyway, that's what I told my roommate, and that's what I have to stick to. This week, there's no time for horsing around.

Well, maybe enough just to make sure I don't implode.

I hope I can keep up the blog posts this week between running around to classes and practices and clubs. For all those out there in my same shoes right now, just keep it up! We can do this!

We- we can... right?

The 19th Year

That's right, today was the big 1-9. I don't really feel any different- but really who does?- but today was such a wonderful day that I was really thankful for.

It started with being able to serve and attend Calvary's Outdoors Expo, which is always a blast! I got to see so many smiling faces while I face-painted today. It's always such a great feeling when a kid loves what you painted on their face- even if you're not the best artist! After my shift was done I got to eat some Chic-fil-A, see some great friends, and stroll around the expo. Really, after so many weeks of schedules it was awesome not having one today.
My family got me a delicious coconut cake for my birthday- which was absolutely amazing! After celebrating that, my sister and I ended our day with seeing a fun musical at her friend's school. I'm pretty exhausted, but it was a great way to celebrate
!
Honestly, I feel like I say this in every post, but I want to say it again. I feel so truly blessed for the friends and family I have, that they would go out of their way to make my day special. I felt so loved today and I wish there was some way to show my gratitude besides writing it out on a blog, but all I can think of is this and giving plenty of hugs. :)

So thank you everyone- thank you so much!

I guess this is the time when I should reflect on my past year and look ahead towards another one. My year when I was 18 was crammed with stuff- musicals, plays, graduation, college, trips, work, friends, there was a lot. And I'm sure my year as a 19-year-old will look like that as well.
But if I had to take away one big lesson from this past year, it would probably be....

You're always learning.

Sweet, short, and simple. As hectic and exciting and stressful this past year has been, the biggest thing that stood out to me was that. And it's because it's so darn true. The moment you think you've learned enough, you need to learn more still. And the moment you think you have a handle on things, that's when you don't. And even if you're set on a view, you still need to learn about others.
That's what I hope to carry into my 19th year. My friends, my family, my teachers, and God have taught me a lot, and now it's time to learn some more.

But, for now, I need to learn to get off the computer and go to sleep. Maybe I'll finally learn that rule this year....
Eh. Maybe.