Well, life is certainly keeping me on my toes. Between Shakespeare Acting Styles, Shakespeare in English, Directing I, and "Our Town" I can't seem to find a spare minute to take a breath. Just this week alone I get to write a paper for my midterms and get to work directing my final play and doing rehearsals.
But, it's tons of fun! I forgot how enjoyable doing a play is, and I think "Our Town" is going to do fantastically. Christine Frezza, the director, has given it a twist that has made it a lot less grim and far more enjoyable (at least for me). My character, Mrs. Soames, even got an upgrade, and she's far more interesting than just your average busybody. If you're interested in seeing it, we open on November 5th at the SUU auditorium. We run that weekend, and then Thurs-Sun of the next week. Means I get to turn 21 while doing the play, which should be... interesting.
As for my paper... Well, I'm not certain what I'm going to write it on. I was tempted to do the importance of language in understanding Shakespeare, but I don't think making my professor angry would be a very good idea.
My play should go well. After I've met with my actors I will give you more information as far as that goes, but it'll be an experience!
Anyway, I should run off and work on all the things I've got to do. Loves to you all!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Shakespeare Divided
So I've come to a conclusion: people don't understand Shakespeare.
Oh, I know a lot of people say that they don't understand Shakespeare, but I think the problem is a lot wider spread than anyone has realized. How did I come to this conclusion? Well, as a Shakespeare major I have to take all kinds of interesting Shakespearean classes from both the English and Theatre departments here at SUU. In the course of this, though, I've realized that many of the people I work with believe that the Bard belongs either to just the English department or just the Theatre department. How screwed up is that?
My favorite part of my major is how integrated the two aspects of Shakespeare have become. In one class I read certain plays, talk about them, and write papers on them. In the other I perform and watch Shakespeare. To me, the line between the two sides has become blurred almost past recognition, and it frustrates me that no one else seems to see how silly it is to have them parted.
Since I got yelled at today by one of my professors about my ideas of integration, I'm simply not going to bother with trying to help SUU make the Bard whole again. They can turn out English majors who know nothing about how to speak Shakespeare for all I care. When I'm a professor, though, I intend to teach a class about Shakespeare. Not Shakespeare from an English perspective, not Shakespeare from a Theatre perspective.
Just Shakespeare.
Oh, I know a lot of people say that they don't understand Shakespeare, but I think the problem is a lot wider spread than anyone has realized. How did I come to this conclusion? Well, as a Shakespeare major I have to take all kinds of interesting Shakespearean classes from both the English and Theatre departments here at SUU. In the course of this, though, I've realized that many of the people I work with believe that the Bard belongs either to just the English department or just the Theatre department. How screwed up is that?
My favorite part of my major is how integrated the two aspects of Shakespeare have become. In one class I read certain plays, talk about them, and write papers on them. In the other I perform and watch Shakespeare. To me, the line between the two sides has become blurred almost past recognition, and it frustrates me that no one else seems to see how silly it is to have them parted.
Since I got yelled at today by one of my professors about my ideas of integration, I'm simply not going to bother with trying to help SUU make the Bard whole again. They can turn out English majors who know nothing about how to speak Shakespeare for all I care. When I'm a professor, though, I intend to teach a class about Shakespeare. Not Shakespeare from an English perspective, not Shakespeare from a Theatre perspective.
Just Shakespeare.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Gnocchi and Gorgeous
So, tonight was fun. After family home evening, Jamie, Kinsey, and I decided to do a G Double Header of the Jackie Chan movie "Gorgeous" and Gnocchi Soup. Talk about an absolutely wonderful night! We got to laugh and eat amazing tasting potato dumplings, not to mention I gained a new appreciation of the interesting realm of Chinese humor.
If you feel inclined, I've included the recipe for Gnocchi soup (the Kirstin variation). Have fun!
Saute in soup pan:
2 T fresh, chopped onions
2 T oil
Add:
1 quart chicken broth (can be watered down if you like)
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
1/2 t lemon juice
Italian seasoning to taste
Bring to a boil, let boil for 3-4 minutes (to soften carrots)
Add:
1 Package Gnocchi (approx. 3 cups)
Pre-cooked chicken (anywhere from 1/2 - 2 cups)
Boil until the Gnocchi float to the top, which should take 2-3 minutes. Then you dish it into a bowl, curl up with a good movie, and enjoy!
~~As a side note, yes I did my usual cleaning today. However, since I really attacked the bathroom it took my well into the afternoon and I didn't get to the kitchen. I was a very, very tired person by the time Jamie got home from classes. Our bathroom smells really nice currently, though, and even glistens in the right light. ^_^
If you feel inclined, I've included the recipe for Gnocchi soup (the Kirstin variation). Have fun!
Saute in soup pan:
2 T fresh, chopped onions
2 T oil
Add:
1 quart chicken broth (can be watered down if you like)
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
1/2 t lemon juice
Italian seasoning to taste
Bring to a boil, let boil for 3-4 minutes (to soften carrots)
Add:
1 Package Gnocchi (approx. 3 cups)
Pre-cooked chicken (anywhere from 1/2 - 2 cups)
Boil until the Gnocchi float to the top, which should take 2-3 minutes. Then you dish it into a bowl, curl up with a good movie, and enjoy!
~~As a side note, yes I did my usual cleaning today. However, since I really attacked the bathroom it took my well into the afternoon and I didn't get to the kitchen. I was a very, very tired person by the time Jamie got home from classes. Our bathroom smells really nice currently, though, and even glistens in the right light. ^_^
Friday, September 18, 2009
Finding Joy
I think, compared to a lot of people, I'm a relatively easy person to please. Many people have told me that I must lead a very exciting life or do a great deal when no one is looking, which just gives me a bit of a laugh. I learned something very important a long time ago: you should always do what you can to be happy, even if it is just a little thing every day. If nothing else, it took my stress levels down because I was no longer trying to be an impressive person.
For me, the ideal day is one that would perhaps seem boring to others. I'm happiest when I can get up, do laundry or sweep and mop, shower, make lunch, get ready for class the next day, spend time reading or writing, talk to friends, make dinner, and enjoy a good movie. Told you it was boring. Actually, in truth, that's my Monday ritual. I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so the other days in my week are falling into a very particular, relaxing sort of schedule. Really, I... just love simplicity. Other people thrive off of the huge adventures, but the stress usually makes it difficult for me to enjoy that sort of thing.
And I will admit that I am not an exciting person. That's not my goal in life. What I am is a relatively happy person who is working on being absolutely joyful. Really, what more could you ask for in life?
For me, the ideal day is one that would perhaps seem boring to others. I'm happiest when I can get up, do laundry or sweep and mop, shower, make lunch, get ready for class the next day, spend time reading or writing, talk to friends, make dinner, and enjoy a good movie. Told you it was boring. Actually, in truth, that's my Monday ritual. I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so the other days in my week are falling into a very particular, relaxing sort of schedule. Really, I... just love simplicity. Other people thrive off of the huge adventures, but the stress usually makes it difficult for me to enjoy that sort of thing.
And I will admit that I am not an exciting person. That's not my goal in life. What I am is a relatively happy person who is working on being absolutely joyful. Really, what more could you ask for in life?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Stress
Honestly, I have to wonder how much more I can take.
If the past six years of emotional and psychological abuse were not enough, now I have to deal with them by going to therapy. It's not so bad, but... it feels a little useless. Sometimes I wonder if my therapist knows what he's doing, but I figure I might as well give it a while longer and see if things improve. If not... Well, I'm just not going to think that far.
Add to that the absolutely awful stress of knowing that, in reality, your future is not really in your control. My school randomly dropped a $600 charge on me today, and the entire matter sent me into such an angst-fit that Kinsey made me pasta-roni to make me feel better (which is saying something, since that's a very heavy comfort food). Money's just.... so frustrating. I could pay it all off at once if I had to, but... financial anxiety is something I can't seem to get rid of. It's something that constantly bothers me: the fear that I won't be able to pay for something. I mean, it really is one of the most awful feelings in the entire world. In my opinion, whoever put us on the monetary track should have been shot. It's just too much stress.
I'm upset, I know that much because my shoulders are so tense you could break iron on them, but I don't know what to do about it. Praying and napping seem like the best options at this point, and I'm just hoping the charge turns out to be a mistake. If not... Well, let's just hope that God provides a way.
If the past six years of emotional and psychological abuse were not enough, now I have to deal with them by going to therapy. It's not so bad, but... it feels a little useless. Sometimes I wonder if my therapist knows what he's doing, but I figure I might as well give it a while longer and see if things improve. If not... Well, I'm just not going to think that far.
Add to that the absolutely awful stress of knowing that, in reality, your future is not really in your control. My school randomly dropped a $600 charge on me today, and the entire matter sent me into such an angst-fit that Kinsey made me pasta-roni to make me feel better (which is saying something, since that's a very heavy comfort food). Money's just.... so frustrating. I could pay it all off at once if I had to, but... financial anxiety is something I can't seem to get rid of. It's something that constantly bothers me: the fear that I won't be able to pay for something. I mean, it really is one of the most awful feelings in the entire world. In my opinion, whoever put us on the monetary track should have been shot. It's just too much stress.
I'm upset, I know that much because my shoulders are so tense you could break iron on them, but I don't know what to do about it. Praying and napping seem like the best options at this point, and I'm just hoping the charge turns out to be a mistake. If not... Well, let's just hope that God provides a way.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
I liiiiiiiive!
So, I said I would write on Tuesday... Here we are on Sunday, and I am at least still alive! Heh, that has to count for something, right?
Well, the week has been an interesting one. Tuesday was extremely busy with a combination of Shakespeare Acting Styles, Shakespeare (English), and Directing I, and I couldn't be happier with it. The classes give me the opportunity to study plays more in depth, and I get to look really smart when I decide to comment. My professors (for the most part) are fantastic, and go out of their way to try to get us all excited about the material. It was kind of funny, but Professor Tvordi (SE) was so excited to have me in her class that she dropped my name no less than six times and kept looking at me through the hour. The rest of the class kept giving me funny looks, but I'm certainly going to try to give them reasonable cause to give me those funny looks. I want to learn as much as I can this semester, if only because it's so directly connected to what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Professor Sham (SAS) came into class and demanded that we all go to the Shakespeare plays that were finishing up this week, which instantly translated to free tickets for the entire class. Hooray! I went to "Henry V" on Tuesday night, "As You Like It" on Wednesday, and finished off the set with "Comedy of Errors." Out of them, "As You Like It" was definitely the best, though "Comedy of Errors" was surprisingly funny... I was impressed. "Henry V", however, was so dull that I fell asleep any time that the lead was not on stage (and even then, it was only a half-of-the-time thing). But, it was a good week. I'm still standing, and I will try to keep on top of my blog.
Well, the week has been an interesting one. Tuesday was extremely busy with a combination of Shakespeare Acting Styles, Shakespeare (English), and Directing I, and I couldn't be happier with it. The classes give me the opportunity to study plays more in depth, and I get to look really smart when I decide to comment. My professors (for the most part) are fantastic, and go out of their way to try to get us all excited about the material. It was kind of funny, but Professor Tvordi (SE) was so excited to have me in her class that she dropped my name no less than six times and kept looking at me through the hour. The rest of the class kept giving me funny looks, but I'm certainly going to try to give them reasonable cause to give me those funny looks. I want to learn as much as I can this semester, if only because it's so directly connected to what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Professor Sham (SAS) came into class and demanded that we all go to the Shakespeare plays that were finishing up this week, which instantly translated to free tickets for the entire class. Hooray! I went to "Henry V" on Tuesday night, "As You Like It" on Wednesday, and finished off the set with "Comedy of Errors." Out of them, "As You Like It" was definitely the best, though "Comedy of Errors" was surprisingly funny... I was impressed. "Henry V", however, was so dull that I fell asleep any time that the lead was not on stage (and even then, it was only a half-of-the-time thing). But, it was a good week. I'm still standing, and I will try to keep on top of my blog.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Nearly Dead but Still Alive
So, the past week has kind of been nightmarish.
Kinsey's summer roommate (one of her friends from junior high) didn't quite get the picture about leaving in the middle of August, which meant we just got her to move out this past Saturday. What did that mean for me? Spending nights trying to not go crazy while Kinsey was at work and I was stuck alone with the girl. Thankfully, she was pretty easy to appease if one ignored the subject of her cats. Oh, those cats... Bella, her properly named angsty female feline, thought it was appropriate to sleep on my bed (and Kierstan let her even when I asked her not to). The apartment also had taken on the distinct reek of cat over the summer... badly cared for cat. So, Jamie, Kinsey and I went on a cleaning frenzy. The carpets were cleaned, the dishes done, the cat litter changed, the floors mopped and swept, the furniture rearranged...while Kierstan watched movies.
I'm glad she's gone.
I've also been having a battle with my classes, since I have to try and balance things out just right. I will be finished with theatre this fall (I only needed seven more credits and I'll have eight), which means I just need to polish off my GEs and two English classes. However, I don't know if I can finish them all off next semester. There's a weird chance that I might not have enough electives to do it, about six or seven credits worth. I think I may use Maymester, if I have to. I just want to be done so I can get on to my Master's honestly.
It also was a hard week because I went to therapy for the first time. All week I've been keeping a list of things that trigger my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it amazes me how it shows up. I can't even look at a certain color of green without my shoulders tensing up, and I had never noticed that until I started to look for it. I've got another appointment tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.
But!
Not everything is doom and gloom. I'm so glad to be back in school that... there aren't words. Summer is a nice chance to take a break, sure, but I've missed the challenge that comes with university. There's nothing like having a Shakespeare double-header, which I get in the form of Shakespeare 4023 and Shakespeare Acting Styles. Tuesdays and Thursdays may kill me (with four classes) but I'm certainly going to have fun with it. If those don't get me, I'm sure Stage Combat might. Holy crap am I out of shape! Doing four laps around a basketball court did not used to be that hard. Luckily, my professor is determined I'm going to succeed and has given me orders to bring big waterbottles to class (I forgot it today).
Also, being with Kinsey and Jamie again is just great. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed them until summer hit. It's been like getting back to business and going somewhere that doesn't haunt me. That, and they are seriously two of the funnest people I know. We're going to be dangerous to our own healths, of this I am certain. I mean, yesterday we made Chicken Mozzarella and pasta for dinner. Can we say yummy?
Anyway, I should probably run. Kinsey wants to go home for lunch, which will probably be leftovers from yesterday. That, or strudel. Maybe... I guess I'll see when we get there.
I'll probably update tomorrow, just to let you know I survived all of my Shakespeare classes. I'm so excited that I may very well hurt myself...
Love you!
Kinsey's summer roommate (one of her friends from junior high) didn't quite get the picture about leaving in the middle of August, which meant we just got her to move out this past Saturday. What did that mean for me? Spending nights trying to not go crazy while Kinsey was at work and I was stuck alone with the girl. Thankfully, she was pretty easy to appease if one ignored the subject of her cats. Oh, those cats... Bella, her properly named angsty female feline, thought it was appropriate to sleep on my bed (and Kierstan let her even when I asked her not to). The apartment also had taken on the distinct reek of cat over the summer... badly cared for cat. So, Jamie, Kinsey and I went on a cleaning frenzy. The carpets were cleaned, the dishes done, the cat litter changed, the floors mopped and swept, the furniture rearranged...while Kierstan watched movies.
I'm glad she's gone.
I've also been having a battle with my classes, since I have to try and balance things out just right. I will be finished with theatre this fall (I only needed seven more credits and I'll have eight), which means I just need to polish off my GEs and two English classes. However, I don't know if I can finish them all off next semester. There's a weird chance that I might not have enough electives to do it, about six or seven credits worth. I think I may use Maymester, if I have to. I just want to be done so I can get on to my Master's honestly.
It also was a hard week because I went to therapy for the first time. All week I've been keeping a list of things that trigger my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it amazes me how it shows up. I can't even look at a certain color of green without my shoulders tensing up, and I had never noticed that until I started to look for it. I've got another appointment tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.
But!
Not everything is doom and gloom. I'm so glad to be back in school that... there aren't words. Summer is a nice chance to take a break, sure, but I've missed the challenge that comes with university. There's nothing like having a Shakespeare double-header, which I get in the form of Shakespeare 4023 and Shakespeare Acting Styles. Tuesdays and Thursdays may kill me (with four classes) but I'm certainly going to have fun with it. If those don't get me, I'm sure Stage Combat might. Holy crap am I out of shape! Doing four laps around a basketball court did not used to be that hard. Luckily, my professor is determined I'm going to succeed and has given me orders to bring big waterbottles to class (I forgot it today).
Also, being with Kinsey and Jamie again is just great. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed them until summer hit. It's been like getting back to business and going somewhere that doesn't haunt me. That, and they are seriously two of the funnest people I know. We're going to be dangerous to our own healths, of this I am certain. I mean, yesterday we made Chicken Mozzarella and pasta for dinner. Can we say yummy?
Anyway, I should probably run. Kinsey wants to go home for lunch, which will probably be leftovers from yesterday. That, or strudel. Maybe... I guess I'll see when we get there.
I'll probably update tomorrow, just to let you know I survived all of my Shakespeare classes. I'm so excited that I may very well hurt myself...
Love you!
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