Interesting life.

Talking over coffee with Julie about our travels, our life, New York, made me realize what I have seen in the world. The world is such a beauteous, fascinating, and yet mysterious place. Mysterious in that you know about so much, yet there's so little you actually do know about it; there are so many corners that have never been turned, so many rocks never turned over, so many lands and waters undiscovered. However, the average person knows what things look like because of pictures, television, movies. To actually be there, to see with your own eyes, to touch with your own hands, to smell.

1. I remember the warm feeling of the sands of Waikiki Beach in between my toes. The sensation I felt when floating on a raft in the Pacific and seeing an angel fish floating beneath me in the clear water. The smell of the salty air off the beach. The rubbery texture of a dolphin's skin and the speed in which they carried you through the water while holding onto the dorsal fin. The lightness of the air, silence, and peace so high above the air while parasailing.


2. I remember the smell of bread, dirt, flowers, and everything else in the underground tunnels in Moscow. Every time a specific song comes on, these smells come right back into my nose because I listened to the song everyday while walking down Tverskaya to class. The sound of the buzzing and fast traffic. The fast pace in which the clouds moved. The magnificence of Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral and the feeling of walking on the cobblestone. The natural high after the banya experience. The sight of the last staircase in the MXAT that we had to climb everyday that was so steep and represented the climb you would have to make as an actor.


3. In St. Petersburg, the beautiful palaces, the amazing artwork, the history, the colors of the buildings, the feeling when the bridge opened at midnight over the river. The freshness of the air because there were so many rivers and canals. The extraordinary fountains at the Peterhoff and the gardens that were endless. The feeling of standing in the Baltic Sea in the same spot as the czars themselves looking out into the open water.


4. In Paris, the softness of the baguettes and the extraordinary taste. The sensation I felt while praying in Notre Dame - the whole world went away and it was just me and the ornate and colorful stained glass windows. Looking over the city with the wind in my face at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The thought of "wow, that's a lot smaller than I thought it would be" while staring at the original Mona Lisa. The smell of the fresh air, sounds of the flowing water, and sensation of peace and happiness while sitting at the Seine River.


5. Laying in Central Park on a beautiful day staring into the blue sky with the sun's rays covering me with the bright green grass tickling my feet and legs. The flood of heat when descending the stairs into the subway.


6. The rush of adrenaline that floods your body before the curtain opens. The warmth in which a story is shared through the body and voice. The overwhelming feeling with the sounds of applause, shouts, whistles. The sight of the theatre from the stage. Looking into the house of the Bonstelle Theatre is a feeling unlike any other.


7. The sensation of laughing, smiling so much my cheeks hurt, the familiarity and trust that occurs with friends. I have realized through all of my happenings that I have so many people that I have encountered in my life that I care for so much and that I know care for me. The realization always occurs when you need it most, also.




8. The bear hugs only mom can give, the look dad gives when he's trying to be serious before he bursts out laughing, the dorky laugh Danielle and I share that only happens when we're together, the late night talks Mark and I have, the excitement Nicholas gets when something is really important to him, Cassie's smile, whine, and excitement when you see her. These are sensations incomparable to the sights and sounds of the world I have experiences so far.


I am truly blessed to live the life I lead. By taking the moment for all that it is worth. Living day to day, moment to moment. Appreciating the greatness and story that lies within every thing, person, place. The world is a fascinating piece of matter, as are we all.

Dream. Breathe. Live.

Monday afternoon

Well, it's Monday already. Dang. I went down to the Williamsburg area in Brooklyn at Atlantic Ave. to buy a coat at Burlington. After a while of trying different coats on, I opted for a Guess 3 button peacoat type coat. It's really nice, would fit over my suit, sweatshirt, sweater, whatever. and could look casual or dressy and is warm enough. And, it was a lot cheaper than I thought I'd have to pay. Love the prices there compared to the prices of coats at Macy's.

Yesterday Julie arrived to stay with me until she finds a place. She's going to be apartment searching and job searching/interviewing while staying here. It's so nice to have her here. Positive and fun energy.

Also, after work yesterday, I met up with Hammitt and her friend Kim. We went on the subway to 60th and ate at Serendipity where Hammitt wanted to go because it was in the movie Serendipity. it was this quaint, two story restaurant - painted with pink walls inside, mirrors on the walls. We each had dinner and split their trademark frozen hot chocolate. So good - it kind of tasted like chocolate mousse, but now moussey. I guess it was made out of 7 different chocolates. eh. Very good. Kinda pricey, but somewhere you should go, I think. We traveled back and I left them at a stop to hop onto my train.

It's so interestingto see where life leads you. For example, to see that Julie is now staying with me. IF you would have mentioned two years ago at the pool that sh wouldbe staying with me in my New York apartment, I'd be like,w hat?! But alas, here we are. So cool so nice. It's interesting to see the road God leads on. everything happens for a reason.

I come home in two weeks. I'm pretty excited. I guess Leah told the Starbucks employees and they're excited too. hahaha. That made me laugh because they know I'll be stopping in there. Anyway, gotta head to class. Have a good night. Work tomorrow and then class. :)

It's Friday night.

It's Friday evening. I think I'm staying in tonight. This week has been pretty eventful, so staying in wouldn't be so bad. My friend, Denita, from Wayne State was in NYC on Wednesday. She was a dance major and I met her through our African Dance class as well as being in Black Nativity together and we became really good friends. It was great to see her!

Denita was in town because she was back up dancing for someone and was just in for the night and was uptown. So, we decided to meet at 42nd Street because it was between class for me and the show for her. We took the 7 over to her hotel because we were going to go out. Well, 2:30 rolled around (we didn't arrive at the hotel until 1:15ish because of the subway) and it was kind of late and I had to work the next day. So, we took the hour and a half train ride down to my apartment. We, we didn't really do much except ride subways (haha), but we talked for those 4 hours. It was so nice to catch up and be with a familiar and friendly face from home. Her phone calls have totally kept me sane a few times because she's going through the same stuff in Chicago with job searches, work, finding your "place" and where you belong. In the morning we had eggs and then headed into town - her to catch her flight and me to head to Macy's.

That evening while waiting for Denita because I had arrived a little early, I stopped at the Starbucks at 43rd St. and 8th Ave. Man, was this a good decision. My Starbucks at home is the Mack Ave. one in GPW. They know all about me, give me free drinks, and we've become friends. It's a place that I love to be. I think I may have found my "Mack Ave Starbucks" in NYC at this location. The girl at the register asked if I was in a play, and I responded with no of course. She said "oh, because you look familiar, like an actor." I replied with "Well, maybe you're seeing the future, but I'm not in a play right now." So, we started talking about acting. It turns out, she's from Arizona and moved here a couple of months ago to pursue musical theatre. I asked is she went to Arizona State University where Patrick, my roommate, went and she said no. Apparently, though, she has a friend who is friends with Patrick and before she moved this person had told her that Patrick had just moved here. Crazy small world! What are the chances?! New York surprises me more and more as to how small it really is. So, I went to wait for my drink and he ended up striking up a conversation with me. He just moved here from Russia. So, we talked about Moscow and me studying at the Moscow Art Theatre. He was amazed that I was able to study there because he knows of how prestigious it is to work there. So, I said the couple words I knew in Russian and he laughed and enjoyed it. The girl at the counter told me that anytime I come in, my coffee is free. Sweet. Love it.

Class this week has been good. It was a little more rough on me, and I don't think it has anything to do with class, but everything else in life plus that. I've just been so exhausted because everyday takes so much out of me. Class is physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally draining, yet completely fulfilling in every way. I know it's changing me, not just as an actor, but as a human being. I'm definitely more open in life. I view many things in so many different angles now. I appreciate. I breathe. I live. And that's the key - to live. Because what else are we really doing at any specific moment in time? Living. And if we don't live in that moment, but instead worry about the future or the past that you can't change, you're missing out on the "now" and replacing it with "worry" and it's not worth it. Breathe. Live.

Last night after class, I went up to a bar a down the street from studio with Aole and three other classmates. I was himming and hawing on whether to go because I was tired, but I'm so glad I went. It was a nice way to wind down the week just sitting, talking, and eating. (by the way, they had GREAT fries!) It reminded me of the bar we always went to at Wayne State called Cass Cafe. It was a little dive bar one block from our apartments and we always ended up there. We knew the bartenders, servers, specials, what to get, and you could never go there without seeing someone you knew. This place reminded me very much of Cass. I literally kept looking at the door because I felt like at any moment someone I knew was going to be walking in. Of course, to no surprise, no one else I knew walked in. It was just really cool to know that a place like exists and is not too far away.

I called the fitness club today that I interviewed with last Friday to follow up. The manager I interviewed with wasn't in, but I talked to the other one who I had spoken to previously with setting up an interview. He told me he was sorry no one has gotten back to me yet and that I had an absolutely great interview. The manager really liked me in the interview, and from him just talking to me on the phone, he really liked me and knows I am exactly the type of person they are looking for. So, he is going to check into the status and get things moving if they're not already and then he's going to call me back. That's a good sign, right? Keep your fingers crossed that I'll get it. I absolutely love it there, and it'll be a secure job with a steady pay. Macy's is fine for right now, but it won't cut it. I'm need this lifeguard job. Say your prayers for me. Thanks!

Well, I've spent the past two weeks watching the 14 episodes of Lost from last season. Wow. Crazy. I can't wait until January when they begin Season 5. It just keeps taking so many twists and turns with the plot, and with as many new questions they open, they really do keep answering ones from the past. Love it.

I think that's about it for now...Hammitt will be in town this weekend. Hopefully she'll have time to hang out! Alright, I'm out. Have a wonderful evening.

The apartment

Here are pictures of the apartment. :) Enjoy.



This is looking down my street.


This is the front of my building.


The door to my apartment. :)


My kitchen.


The bathroom.


The common area/kitchen


A view of my room.


Another view of my room.


My room again.


View of the apartment from my room. The room at the end is Patrick's room. There's a nook directly to the left of my door where a couch or table could go. We just haven't gotten anything yet. Once we have money we were going to make it more "homey" or whatever, but right now, we have the necessities and are living comfortably.

It's the middle of the week already.

I cannot believe how fast time flies here. It's honestly like time doesn't exist, or it's in fast forward here, because everyday just shoots on by. Everyone's always said that NY was a fast paced city, and yes it, but maybe they were also referring to the time and not just the fast walking people. It's a fast paced city because the time goes by fast...hmm..interesting.

My friend Melissa from Wayne State, and who also went to Moscow with me, was in town this weekend visiting a friend. She saw a ton of shows, and I had to work. So, after the show on Saturday, I walked from work at 34th and 7th and headed over to 48th and 7th and waited a few minutes for them to get out of "The Seagull" (which is a must see for me by the way. The Seagull is the play that studied and analyzed over and over again in Moscow; I'm sure you remember the stories. So, it's a must see. Plus, I've only heard good things). We began walking and we noticed this beautiful woman, who just so happens to be the lead woman in all thee "The Mummy"' movies with Brendan Fraser. Celebrity sighting! So, that was pretty cool. We ended up walking down 9th Ave. and ended at a little Irish Pub. We hung out there with her friend Julie, caught up, chilled, and headed home. Sunday evening after their show, we went to a place called "The Telephone Bar" in which the design in the front is of three telephone booths and the workers all have british accents. It was cool. it was crazy because I had to take the 6 train there and at one of the stops, Julie and Melissa happened to get on the same train, same car. What are the chances?! I was just supposed to meet them at the bar! haha. That was pretty neat.

Class has began getting even more intense, or maybe it's me getting more intense. Because I've opened up my body, my channels, and energy so much, I've been experiencing so much more. The improvisation of developing and performing characters through different exercises are so free and not forced, which is ultimately what needs to happen all the time. I think I had a spirit visit me the other day in class also, which was insane. I told Per and he said that that he has heard of that before and that when one is so open, they're more receptive to higher energies and sometimes they come down and visit. It was crazy and I felt bipolar, but I knew I wasn't. This guy was so kind. This sounds weird, and I don't know how much of it I would believe either, but it happened to me, so I kind of have to believe it. ha.

Macy's is ok. I mean, it's Macy's. Nothing extraordinary. Still like my co-workers, job is getting better; it's just not right for me. Oh well, I'll stick with it until I have something else obviously. It's funny because my friends that I've told that I work at Macy's and how they're not cool, they tell me stories of their friends who have worked at Macy's and horrible experiences also. I thought it was pretty funny.

Well, tonight Denita is going to be in town to do a dance show somewhere, so I'll get to see her which is awesome. This weekend Hammitt will be here so I'll get to see her which will be sweet. AND, one of my favorite Starbucks employees from the Mack Ave. Starbucks said he will be in town so he's going to give me a call. It should hopefully be a fun weekend.

I come home in 16 days. I'm really excited about that. I miss the suburbs, the grass, the driving, the people, the atmosphere. I love it here in New York, but St. Clair Shores has that something about it. It'll be nice to come home for a weekend. :)

Anyway, I'm off. Havea great day.

"My journey begins today"

That quote is what the coffee cup I drink out of every morning says. Leah got it for me for my birthday before I left. it's my favorite cup. My day is usually a little off if I don't drink a cup of coffee out of it. haha

It's kind of unbelievable how fast time flies by. I can't believe that It's already October 11, I've been in New York for over a month, and in class for 3 weeks already! Where has the time gone? And honestly, the weird thing is that it hasn't seemed like I've been away from home either. Maybe it's because I'm able to use a cell phone, unlike Moscow...not sure, but it's ok. I'll be home in 3 weeks - pretty excited!

Class has been blowing me away with every evening. I know I keep saying that, bu it's so true. I'm learning so much more about myself, about channeling the energies I have with me and inside me, listening and following my body instead of overthinking, and what it really means to have the emotion behind the text. The past four years at Wayne I have building this extremely strong foundation. In Moscow, I built some layers above this foundation. Here in NYC, I'm building even more layers, but also delving into the layers, into the foundation, and sewing up loose ends, making the stitching stronger. I am truly blessed to have followed my instincts and come here because this is where I need to be. This is where I need to start. By the end of this, I will be a change actor and a changed person, and although I can't completely explain to the fullest extent what exactly is happening, because I can't find the words; I know soon enough I will be able to articulate it well enough for anyone to understand. Just know my body is becoming more free, tensions exist less, and I am allowing my acting to go further and to places I didn't know exist. That is an amazing feeling.

Yesterday I went on an interview at a New York fitness club to be a part time lifeguard/receptionist. oh man. This place is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. You walk in the lobby and there is a gigantic chandelier. You take the elevator up to the top floor, I think it was like the 32nd. Floor to ceiling windows in this place, beautiful hard wood floors. There's a room with state of the art ellipticals, treadmills, weight machines overlooking Manhattan, each with a screen to play movies and an ipod dock for your own personal ipod. Along the other side is a smaller pool, one end is 3.6 ft, the other is 4.6 ft. There's a whirlpool in the room also. The walls and ceiling in the poolroom are all glass. The ceiling can open up and the "walls" can slide open to you can be open to the fresh air. This leads onto a patio. Down the hall is a lounge room with beautiful couches, chairs, a tv, fireplace, counter for catering if special events are taking place. Another room has a pool table, poker table, and ping pong table. On the opposite side of the pool is another patio. This patio has canopies with extremely comfortable lounge chairs underneath, patio chairs and tables, and a bar. Oh yeah, and one side of the building overlooks Central Park, and the side with the patio overlooks the Hudson River. Ahhh! So luxurious lavish and beautiful. I had my interview on the rooftop, on the lounge chairs overlooking the Hudson River. No joke, I felt like I was in a movie. it seemed like a dream, it didnt seem real. Here is this kid from St. Clair Shores, who lived in Detroit for the past two years, on the rooftop of this glamorous building. Insane. Hopefully I get the job. I liked the woman who interviewed me, the space, and the people I met. Keep your fingers crossed, then I could possibly leave Macy's. :)

The song "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe and the rubberbands. If you've never heard it, download it. Beautiful song. Itjust came on random on my itunes. How fitting for my life right now. here's are the lyrics:

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain sill soon be gone.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

(Dream big.)
(Dream big.)

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
don't let them know that they have one.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus 2x

NYC story: I was waiting for the J train to pull up at the Broadway junction stop and these two girls are having a heated argument about something. it turns out, it's because of the baby's color, they were debating who the daddy was. The baby was two light to have a black momma and black daddy, so it had to have had a hispanic daddy. There's no way that the momma who says the daddy is the daddy, is really the daddy. It has to be the hispanic guy (who's name they said, but I don't remember. They weren't too happy about it anyway.) The way they were talking was like they were on Jerry Springer or Maury. It was crazy. And that is my fun subway story from Thursday.

Well, today I'm working all day. Then I'm going out with a friend from Macy's. One of my friends from Wayne who also went to Moscow with me is in NYC, so tomorrow I hope to hang out with her because I don't have to work. Wednesday, my friend Denita from Wayne will be in town. So excited to see her. Julie will be staying with me starting Thursday possibly to start interviewing and apartment searching. And Hammitt is supposed to be here this upcoming weekend. So many people, so excited. Anyway, I'm off. Hope home is well!

P.S. I took pictures of my apartment. If you'd like to see, let me know and I'll e-mail them to you, or ask my parents and they can show you. :)

Have a great weekend!

Good Morning

It's a sunny morning as of now in Brooklyn, New York right now. Why I agreed to work an 8 hour shift today is beyond me. haha. Thank goodness last night I was smart to set my alarm a little earlier so that I could chill and not rush this morning. I'm working 9:30-5, hopping on the subway and class 6:30-10. Then I'll be home by 11. Bed. and work tomorrow at 1. Wow. it's already Wednesday. Where does the time go? Really.

In last night's class we worked on a Shakespeare monologue. All of us read the same one from Romeo and Juliet. Aole wasn't so much worried about the text. His focus was on us going into the sensation and feeling we were having at that moment and using it toward the text. It's interesting to see when someone is saying lines whether they are "reading" the lines on the page in their head, coloring it and making it bigger, reciting what they read, or actually putting emotion in it and making a connection. The actor feels it once he is aware of it, and the audience is aware also. We worked on pointing out this and other habits we may have. It was very interesting. We only got through four of us last night and so the other four will go tonight, me being one of them for tonight. I think I may re-read Romeo and Juliet...something to read on the subway. Besides, it's a great play.

It's funny how your friends sort of feel how you are feeling, or send you texts or voicemails at the perfect moments. For example, randomly all the time, I get these from friends from home and they're just so amazing and they just make me stop and think. I'm living this fast paced life here now and there are so many people that I love, that love me at home too. I think about them all the time, even though I can't talk to them all the time, and I know they're thinking about me. But it doesn't make me sad; it kind of lights me up, if that even makes sense. Sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Subway story from last night: Some woman is talking to herself, looks normal, but clearly isn't. She's walking up an down the train saying stuff like thank you blah blah blah, going from one pole to the next. Then I realized I think she's preaching. Then I laughed. She was saying how she loves all of us and so does Jesus, and pointing out everyone and saying thank you for something. Anyway, an older african woman and myself made eye contact and I smiled because it was funny and she just shook her head. About ten seconds later we made eye contact again and started laughing because of this woman. I know that may sound mean, but we weren't being mean. We were just kind of in the state of "are you kidding me right now? I need to get home this is too much for me to handle." lol It was pretty funny.

Anyway. I need to head out. Macy's is calling my name all the way from Manhattan. Friday I have off...maybe I'll go see a show...Anyway. Peace out.

Currently eating ramen noodles.

I'm definitely starting to feel at home here in New York. I pretty know the subways, where to stand to catch the "right car" on a train so when I get off I'm closer to the exit or to the area I need to transfer to another train at. Still not getting used to the fact that I have no control over my transportation and I have to rely on someone else. I need help with that. haha.

Classes are still going extremely well. Tonight we worked with some masks after some movement work. He explained about how we learn all these "rules" for when we're on stage through experience, school, whatever, which blocks the freedom of the body's expression and the actor to allow the body and character the freedom it needs. In this class process, currently we're "throwing out" those rules and using the movement and the masks to allow the bodies to be free. Once we're free, then you add the "rules" in. Our bodies weren't designed to repeat the same thing over and over again, and on stage, you have to relive the same moments sometimes up to 8 times a week, fresh and new each time. To do this, the body must have the freedom. I liked the way he put this because it makes complete sense and the process isn't rushed at all. It allows for the understanding of the freedom of the body and the union between the mind, body, and creativity.

This weekend I went out. Whoo! Friday night I met up with my friend Matt at a bar in Greenwich Village because it was his friend's birthday. Met some new people, some a couple I knew. I got Patrick to come up after work too, so that was cool. That was a lot of fun. Then, Matt, Scott, and I left and walked 8 blocks to meet up with my friend Taylor who was at a karaoke bar for one of his friend's birthdays. Saw a few other people I had met during spring break last year and was so excited to see them. We had a drink there, talked, caught up, and headed home. Patrick and I didn't have to wait too long for the train, but we decided to take the L instead of the J because it was right around the block from this place and maybe 8 blocks from the stop to our apartment once in Brooklyn.

Saturday I worked. Such a slow day! Man it was killer. I was so glad to leave. I headed downtown to the village again because it was one my friends from the conservatory's birthday. Random, but crazy sidenote: I get off the subway and I hear "FRANK! how are you?!" I turn around and there's one of the guys I work with. What are the chances? I know maybe 15 people in New York and he's one of them and I randomly see him! How crazy?! It just kind of boggled my mind. New York really isn't as big as you think. Anyway, so, I stopped and grabbed some pizza because I was starving. They have all of these little pizza places in between the bars, probably for the drunk people, but hey, why not?! And it's soooo good! It's the huge slices that you have to fold in half to eat, so greasy, so good. Anyway, got to the bar and met Meg's friends and some of my classmates were there. There's only 8 of us in class (I don't know if I've ever mentioned that, small class, only 8.) and only 2 couldn't make it, so that was awesome that we all came. Aole, one of our instructors, also came. We had soooo much fun and were just crazy and dancing and having an amazing time. Unfortunately the time came for me to leave because I had to work Sunday morning. It's so weird because we're all so close and I feel like I've known them for so long, but it's only been two weeks so far. It's crazy, but I absolutely love it too.

I met one of my neighbors yesterday also. I don't exactly know where she lives, but I've seen her walk her little chihuahua on my way to work. She's always very pleasant and friendly and says hello with a big smile. So I introduced myself this time. Her name is Cookie and I would say in her late 40's early 50's. So nice.

I can't really think of any crazy New York stories from the past couple days. Sorry. I guess that's a good thing, right? However, FYI - the bums here are more talented than the Detroit bums. Most play a musical instrument such as a sax, guitar drums, or sing. The other day a bum trio came on the subway and sang a song in a 3 part harmony. It was pretty impressive. New York definitely has one up on the bum talent. :)

Anyway, I'm off to bed. Long day today. Have a wonderful evening.

Matt, Patrick, Scott, and I


Chengusoyane, Me, Taylor, Kristina


Some of my Studio 5 people - all being crazy!
Liliana, Aole, Me, Valerie, Jacob, and Meg.

And the days go on...

It's interesting. Life, that is. And in so many instances you sit there and wonder why God gives you so many obstacles to overcome and hurdles to jump over. I mean, I guess they really do make you a stronger individual, they just suck at the time. ha. I'm mentioning this because every day has been a trying a day for me. However, at the end of the day all I can I do is look back and see what I've accomplished - which is something. I've realized, yes, goals are extremely important, the future is important. Rent will be due, bills will need to be payed, but you can do as much as you can do. Breathing, living in the present moment instead of worrying about everything so much before you know it, you're missing everything that's happening right now. I know this isn't a new revelation or anything like that, but it's something that I have had to think about the past few days.

Macy's. My co-workers are great. The company - not the greatest to work for. They didn't really explain my pay, so I thought I was getting something different than I am. Found this out yesterday. Freaked, talked to the manager, freaked, then realized it will all be ok. Keep the faith. Thank goodness I have mom back at home to be my rock. I just need to bust my butt to sell and I should be ok for now. :)

Class has been absolutely amazing this week. Aole came back from Australia, so we've had him the past couple of days. He's been working in breathing with us, which is great. We've been doing tremoring, which is what we worked on at Wayne State with Michael Barnes. Tremoring is putting your body into positions to allow the breath to flow freely through the lungs and send more oxygen through the blood, as well as awaken the body. It can be strenuous the first few times you do it because they're hard positions to hold, but it's so rewarding and freeing at the end. You're breath is more relaxed, muscles are un-tensed, and your voice is more centered, as well. It was great to re-awaken my body to something I haven't done in a year.

Tonight, we had Raina again and we focused first with partners. We closed our eyes and had to make a duet of rhythm and sounds with each other. No one is leading, no one is following. You're in tune with the other person and their energy so that you're forming one collective conscious to make a rhythmical pattern insync. It's great and fun. This helps to free the body of an inhibitions and actively listening to your scene partner, which can clearly translate to the stage. Next, we had to go up and do a solo. Eyes closed, then the second time, eyes either opened or closed. You just had to vocalize a rhythm or feeling or whatever, but not thinking about it, just going with wherever it takes you, kind of like improvisation. It's fascinating because the images that come to your mind that lead you to sing or hum or a certain way is so interesting. For example, my first image was of Taylor, Leah's baby, and I was humming a lullaby, then there was an image of a forest and then just fire, and I was making louder beats with a "buh" sound and drumming on the floor, then Taylor came back and I was humming a lullaby to close with. Very interesting, very fascinating. This kind of organic imagery and sound is useful on the stage to make the characters alive and believable.

My energy sensory is also getting stronger again. I'm more in tune with picking up energies, people's energies, whatever. I think it's because I'm getting more in tune with my body that this is happening because that's what happened before. It's good. We'll see where it takes me.

I'm finally going out this weekend! haha. One of the friends I've made in the class's birthday is on Saturday and she wants us all to come out and celebrate, so that should be fun. I don't really know what we'll be doing, but I'm sure it'll be cool. Other than that, that's about it. My mom sent me this amazing package filled with boxed of mac and cheese, pop tarts, noodles, ramen, nutri grain bars, you name it, it was in there. AMAZING. Love mail. if you'd like to send mail, I'll give you my address. I love receiving mail. ha. I'm such a nerd.

Sometime soon, I plan on seeing a show, going to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, WTC, Central Park, something New York-y. :) I'll keep you posted. In the mean time, I'll be at work and school. Anyway, I'm out. It's pretty late. Have a wonderful evening.