These past three days I have been on a quest to go buy bread from the store. I am failing miserably at it. Meant to go today but, well... festivities came first.
I love St. Patrick's Day. On Sunday, Trafalgar's Square had a big party (the same place Chinese New Years was), so I slapped on my new sunglasses (yes I'm still immensely proud of them), and went down to party. It was pretty intense, I thought there had been a large crowd at Chinese New Years, I was mistaken. There were a ton of people, most of them genuinely Irish, too. They do that bit differently in England, very little emphasis on heritage since either you're a foreigner or you're a Brit (this is a simplification and generalization, but still you get the point). I can't tell people I'm Czech or Scottish, they just tell me I'm American. Anyways, the street in the square was soaked in beer (non I'm proud to saw was mine), and there was good music. Actually I looked down at one point, and saw a pineapple on the ground. I was still contemplating its existence, when a man ran up and snatched going, (in an Irish accent) "ooh my pineapple!" Still not fully sure what that was about. Anyways, it was interesting being in England, what with all the cultural/historical tensions between the England and Ireland; especially recently with a reprise of violence in Northern Ireland.
We got let out of rehearsal early today, and took full advantage of it. The Earl of Camden, a little pub a few blocks away from school was doing two for one pints of Guinness, so we thought that'd be a good time. We ended up staying until about eight thirty, and had a blast eating and drinking and carrying on. (And in some cases oggling the very lovely looking men). At one point I found myself polkaing with this girl Deniyah (sp?), and in general we were just killing ourselves laughing. My friend David tried to steal a pint glass (klepto...), but he dropped it on the way out, and it shattered. I call that karma. Anyways, a very lovely St. Patrick's Day. Hope yours was the same.
edit: I think my neighborhood may be feeling slightly threatened by all this Irish Pride going on. There has been blasting Indian music and numerous car horns going off.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Spring Break Part II: Prague
...Or, Would You Like Beer With That? (lol, kidding, but still...)
Prague was amazing, but a very surreal experience. To start with, when my plane touched down in Ruzyne Airport, the entire flight started applauding. Not really sure why, though I suppose it was fairly foggy. A smooth landing is always appreciated. I then hopped into a shuttle (tried to take the bus like a real person, but had no coins to do so) and drove into the heart of the city.
Prague is beautiful. Like Rome, (and the majority of the large cities worldwide like our own near and dear M/SP), it's built on the banks of a river. But unlike Rome, it's has a different...flavor to it I suppose. Whereas Rome seems very warm and done up in burnt reds, dusty whites, and fiery oranges, Prague is more woodsy, a deep brown feel. Which is funny, because I'm pretty sure the majority of the buildings were pastel... But it's more a feeling I got from walking around. The buildings are gorgeous, with very elaborate rooftops.
The hostel I stayed at, Hostel Emma, was great. I really liked it. My room was very cheery (a nice contrast to the sky outside), almost comically so; the walls were yellow, orange and white, my bed was orange with a yellow bedspread. When I come in, there's a lady lying on the bed across from me who tells me she's from "Aus." Only, I hear "Oz" and stare at her for a good couple of seconds before I figured it out. Anyway, she was very nice, and she and two other Australian guys went out for drinks later that night. Rani (the girl), was quite the chatterbox. Apparently, she had been traveling for almost eight years straight. We had a really good time talking, comparing the US and Australia, and our experiences in the UK. When I lost my camera briefly (it was in the restaurant that didn't open until 11 am...), she recommended I handle the situation the "Aussie Way": remain calm and trust that it will work itself out somehow. Ended up working I spose, since I found the camera again.
The rest of Thursday, after that little adventure was mostly spent in the Prague Castle, Hrad Praha, that overlooks the rest of the city up on a hill. It's a really beautiful bunch of buildings, only my being gunho about learning about Czech culture tried to read every plaque placed before my nose... my brain is still spinning ever so slightly. There are a lot of Patron Saints to keep track of. That night I went to the Old Town to see the Astronomical Clock- this huge clock that tracks the sun, moon, and stars, and at the hour does a little song and saint parade performance. Even though it was cold, I opted to eat outside, and long with the huge portion of meat and dumplings and cabbage I was given, I tried some warm wine, which was a pretty interesting and fairly tasty experience. Steam was just pouring out of my mouth as breath mixed with the cold from outside. Got pretty lost trying to find my way home– the streets of Prague make little to no sense. They twist a bunch, and will just stop abruptly where a different one cuts through it. This makes the majority of shortcuts become loops. The little narrow streets make for fun wandering though.
Friday was an exceedingly busy day, I walked from about nine am to eight that night. I will give you the basic highlights. This Japanese girl named Nami and I checked out the Jewish Museum, which was pretty cool- they have a cemetery that dates back to medieval times. On our way there, we discovered the Pissing Statue. Keep an eye out on facebook, I will try to post it soon, all I can say is it's exactly what it sounds like, and is hilarious. That afternoon I visited the Wallenstien Gardens. I was just sort of wandering through, when suddenly three peacocks came running. Peacocks run funny, incidentally. I had just gotten over my shock when I came face to face with a huge white male peacock in full plume. It was pretty surreal. And to top it off, upon leaving, I met mormons! Two guys from the States, we had a nice long chat. I later took a tram up to Zizkov and Vinohrady, more working class residential neighborhoods, just to see what the non touristy world looks like. I then walked home and basically rolled into bed.
I did a lot of walking on my trip, which I really enjoyed. It was nice to just wander around and take in a new city, making little discoveries. I now know six phrases in Czech, too, I'm quite proud of myself.
Prague was amazing, but a very surreal experience. To start with, when my plane touched down in Ruzyne Airport, the entire flight started applauding. Not really sure why, though I suppose it was fairly foggy. A smooth landing is always appreciated. I then hopped into a shuttle (tried to take the bus like a real person, but had no coins to do so) and drove into the heart of the city.
Prague is beautiful. Like Rome, (and the majority of the large cities worldwide like our own near and dear M/SP), it's built on the banks of a river. But unlike Rome, it's has a different...flavor to it I suppose. Whereas Rome seems very warm and done up in burnt reds, dusty whites, and fiery oranges, Prague is more woodsy, a deep brown feel. Which is funny, because I'm pretty sure the majority of the buildings were pastel... But it's more a feeling I got from walking around. The buildings are gorgeous, with very elaborate rooftops.
The hostel I stayed at, Hostel Emma, was great. I really liked it. My room was very cheery (a nice contrast to the sky outside), almost comically so; the walls were yellow, orange and white, my bed was orange with a yellow bedspread. When I come in, there's a lady lying on the bed across from me who tells me she's from "Aus." Only, I hear "Oz" and stare at her for a good couple of seconds before I figured it out. Anyway, she was very nice, and she and two other Australian guys went out for drinks later that night. Rani (the girl), was quite the chatterbox. Apparently, she had been traveling for almost eight years straight. We had a really good time talking, comparing the US and Australia, and our experiences in the UK. When I lost my camera briefly (it was in the restaurant that didn't open until 11 am...), she recommended I handle the situation the "Aussie Way": remain calm and trust that it will work itself out somehow. Ended up working I spose, since I found the camera again.
The rest of Thursday, after that little adventure was mostly spent in the Prague Castle, Hrad Praha, that overlooks the rest of the city up on a hill. It's a really beautiful bunch of buildings, only my being gunho about learning about Czech culture tried to read every plaque placed before my nose... my brain is still spinning ever so slightly. There are a lot of Patron Saints to keep track of. That night I went to the Old Town to see the Astronomical Clock- this huge clock that tracks the sun, moon, and stars, and at the hour does a little song and saint parade performance. Even though it was cold, I opted to eat outside, and long with the huge portion of meat and dumplings and cabbage I was given, I tried some warm wine, which was a pretty interesting and fairly tasty experience. Steam was just pouring out of my mouth as breath mixed with the cold from outside. Got pretty lost trying to find my way home– the streets of Prague make little to no sense. They twist a bunch, and will just stop abruptly where a different one cuts through it. This makes the majority of shortcuts become loops. The little narrow streets make for fun wandering though.
Friday was an exceedingly busy day, I walked from about nine am to eight that night. I will give you the basic highlights. This Japanese girl named Nami and I checked out the Jewish Museum, which was pretty cool- they have a cemetery that dates back to medieval times. On our way there, we discovered the Pissing Statue. Keep an eye out on facebook, I will try to post it soon, all I can say is it's exactly what it sounds like, and is hilarious. That afternoon I visited the Wallenstien Gardens. I was just sort of wandering through, when suddenly three peacocks came running. Peacocks run funny, incidentally. I had just gotten over my shock when I came face to face with a huge white male peacock in full plume. It was pretty surreal. And to top it off, upon leaving, I met mormons! Two guys from the States, we had a nice long chat. I later took a tram up to Zizkov and Vinohrady, more working class residential neighborhoods, just to see what the non touristy world looks like. I then walked home and basically rolled into bed.
I did a lot of walking on my trip, which I really enjoyed. It was nice to just wander around and take in a new city, making little discoveries. I now know six phrases in Czech, too, I'm quite proud of myself.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Spring Break Part I: Roma
Alright. I believe the best way to write about my European adventures is to break it up into parts, otherwise I think your eyes would be melting out of your sockets and there would be a nice dent in your mousepad/touchpad from scrolling. That's assuming you'd read it all. In any case, my fingers would fall off. So to save us all...
Part One: Roma!
So in true Jamie fashion, even though I did use my time wisely on Saturday to prepare for the weeklong voyage, I still found myself rushing to Paddington Station to catch the train to the airport. And then almost missing it because the very-helpful-but-not-really- janitor or security officer (they both wear vests...) sold me the wrong ticket. I asked him if he was sure it was the right one three times and he keeps saying yes, "But you can ask the ticket counter if you're not sure." Naturally, I did. And naturally, it was the wrong one. But I got to the airport fine, only the flight was delayed. Shocker.
Ayanthi met me and the airport (yay!), which was nice not only to have someone to catch with on the shuttle train to Rome, but also because my hostel was exceedingly difficult to find. Let's just say numbers increasing in order on a street is not necessary in Rome. We saw the Pantheon that night and did a little window shopping before dinner. We ate at a little restaurant where we were the only people there, so we had a little impromptu photoshoot while we waited for our lasagna. Good times. Finished off the evening with Gelato by the Tervi fountain, which was gorgeous. Would've been nicer though if the sketchy Sri Lankan/Indian vendors would've left us alone. They all wanted to hot on Ayanthi, it got old fast. She snapped at one, "Don't disturb." It was pretty great.
The next day we checked out the Jewish Ghetto and the Synagogue/Museum. It was really cool. I would’ve taken more pictures, but because there was an attack that happened in it recently (sorta I guess... ten years ago now), they have more security measures in place. But it was interesting to learn about how the Jews had to deal with having so many different cultural backgrounds and religious sects all smashed together. Seriously smashed too, the streets we walked down were seriously narrow. Actually, to avoid the obnoxious school groups who went in before us, Ayanthi and I just sat outside for a while on a potted flower trench thing catching up. This may have been the best part of Rome, just sitting with an old friend, swapping stories. She also cooked me dinner that night- another best part of the trip!
I met up with BADA friends David and Anna Tuesday morning because Yanthi had class. We checked out the Vatican. The Vatican is pretty cool, it's a nice and open square with beautiful columns and many statues. St. Peter's Basilica (the huge church in the center), is well, huge. Being in it made me feel very small. The artwork in there is pretty unbelievable. I saw the Pieta statue, which after having seen it in so many history books, was pretty exciting to meet in person. On a sidenote: a large part of the Vatican is made up of red marble, which is now extinct. My guide told me about how there used to be a lot of red marble in the Forum (Ancient Bev. Hills of Rome), but not after the Vatican was built. The Vatican calls this "recycling"...
After seeing the BADA guys off on their way to Florence, I went to the Coliseum. That's pretty incredible. You walk out of the metro station and it's literally right in front of you. Kinda surreal. It's connected to the Forum that I mentioned before, which is a really cool place to explore. It's all these ruins on a beautiful grassy hill. It's like one minute you're admiring the scenery, the next the guide is saying "oh, and here's the oldest temple in Rome..." (incidentally, the original key still works in the lock). And then there's another layer because Mussolini decided he wanted to live there too. Further proof that he was absolutely off his rocker.
I got horribly lost that afternoon trying to find the Piazza de Navarro, but I wound up on the Spanish Steps at sunset, so I must've done something right. That was one gorgeous view. Also, because of my new contacts, I was able to purchase my first pair of sunglasses since I was about five years old. I don't think you understand how cool that was. The shopkeeper definitely didn't. Eating alone that night was a little tricky (something I never like unless I'm reading a good book.) The waiter was like "Why are you all alone?" It was like the relatives asking "but why are you still single?" bah. He got extra points though when I told him I was from Minnesota. He scrunches up his face, and I start trying to explain that it's in the Midwest and then he goes, "...The Vikings!" hah, yes.
I got to see the Vatican Museum before I left on Wednesday morning. No line again, score! Only I totally made up for it in karma points because I got lost again and wandered down some street that everyone and their dog it seemed had used as their bathroom. No joke. But the museum was lovely. I wish they hadn't prohibited people lying on their backs looking up at the Sistine Chapel... I think that would be the best way to experience it. After that, Yanthi and I said our goodbyes over some final gelato (yum- my goodness will I miss that) before I hopped on the train to board the train too... Prague (to be continued...)
To sum up though- Rome was great. It was sunny and lovely and sixty degree weather. It was great seeing all this old history stuff and catching up with Yanthi at the same time. Rome has a quality about it, too, the colors and the...flavor I guess. That's the best way to describe it. It grew on me.
Part One: Roma!
So in true Jamie fashion, even though I did use my time wisely on Saturday to prepare for the weeklong voyage, I still found myself rushing to Paddington Station to catch the train to the airport. And then almost missing it because the very-helpful-but-not-really- janitor or security officer (they both wear vests...) sold me the wrong ticket. I asked him if he was sure it was the right one three times and he keeps saying yes, "But you can ask the ticket counter if you're not sure." Naturally, I did. And naturally, it was the wrong one. But I got to the airport fine, only the flight was delayed. Shocker.
Ayanthi met me and the airport (yay!), which was nice not only to have someone to catch with on the shuttle train to Rome, but also because my hostel was exceedingly difficult to find. Let's just say numbers increasing in order on a street is not necessary in Rome. We saw the Pantheon that night and did a little window shopping before dinner. We ate at a little restaurant where we were the only people there, so we had a little impromptu photoshoot while we waited for our lasagna. Good times. Finished off the evening with Gelato by the Tervi fountain, which was gorgeous. Would've been nicer though if the sketchy Sri Lankan/Indian vendors would've left us alone. They all wanted to hot on Ayanthi, it got old fast. She snapped at one, "Don't disturb." It was pretty great.
The next day we checked out the Jewish Ghetto and the Synagogue/Museum. It was really cool. I would’ve taken more pictures, but because there was an attack that happened in it recently (sorta I guess... ten years ago now), they have more security measures in place. But it was interesting to learn about how the Jews had to deal with having so many different cultural backgrounds and religious sects all smashed together. Seriously smashed too, the streets we walked down were seriously narrow. Actually, to avoid the obnoxious school groups who went in before us, Ayanthi and I just sat outside for a while on a potted flower trench thing catching up. This may have been the best part of Rome, just sitting with an old friend, swapping stories. She also cooked me dinner that night- another best part of the trip!
I met up with BADA friends David and Anna Tuesday morning because Yanthi had class. We checked out the Vatican. The Vatican is pretty cool, it's a nice and open square with beautiful columns and many statues. St. Peter's Basilica (the huge church in the center), is well, huge. Being in it made me feel very small. The artwork in there is pretty unbelievable. I saw the Pieta statue, which after having seen it in so many history books, was pretty exciting to meet in person. On a sidenote: a large part of the Vatican is made up of red marble, which is now extinct. My guide told me about how there used to be a lot of red marble in the Forum (Ancient Bev. Hills of Rome), but not after the Vatican was built. The Vatican calls this "recycling"...
After seeing the BADA guys off on their way to Florence, I went to the Coliseum. That's pretty incredible. You walk out of the metro station and it's literally right in front of you. Kinda surreal. It's connected to the Forum that I mentioned before, which is a really cool place to explore. It's all these ruins on a beautiful grassy hill. It's like one minute you're admiring the scenery, the next the guide is saying "oh, and here's the oldest temple in Rome..." (incidentally, the original key still works in the lock). And then there's another layer because Mussolini decided he wanted to live there too. Further proof that he was absolutely off his rocker.
I got horribly lost that afternoon trying to find the Piazza de Navarro, but I wound up on the Spanish Steps at sunset, so I must've done something right. That was one gorgeous view. Also, because of my new contacts, I was able to purchase my first pair of sunglasses since I was about five years old. I don't think you understand how cool that was. The shopkeeper definitely didn't. Eating alone that night was a little tricky (something I never like unless I'm reading a good book.) The waiter was like "Why are you all alone?" It was like the relatives asking "but why are you still single?" bah. He got extra points though when I told him I was from Minnesota. He scrunches up his face, and I start trying to explain that it's in the Midwest and then he goes, "...The Vikings!" hah, yes.
I got to see the Vatican Museum before I left on Wednesday morning. No line again, score! Only I totally made up for it in karma points because I got lost again and wandered down some street that everyone and their dog it seemed had used as their bathroom. No joke. But the museum was lovely. I wish they hadn't prohibited people lying on their backs looking up at the Sistine Chapel... I think that would be the best way to experience it. After that, Yanthi and I said our goodbyes over some final gelato (yum- my goodness will I miss that) before I hopped on the train to board the train too... Prague (to be continued...)
To sum up though- Rome was great. It was sunny and lovely and sixty degree weather. It was great seeing all this old history stuff and catching up with Yanthi at the same time. Rome has a quality about it, too, the colors and the...flavor I guess. That's the best way to describe it. It grew on me.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Spoons
I'm baaaaaackk!!! What a dizzingly amazing week. Updates to come- I'm still processing it all in my mind, trying to decide whether or not the week actually happened. In the meantime, a little silliness:
My roomate, Lena, often brings her lunch to school and eats it up in the greenroom. One day last week, she felt lazy and didn't want to walk her spoon three floors down to the kitchen when she had finished eating, so she drops it in David's lap, saying "no give backs!" or something to that effect. And so David (a guy in my group, btw), was left with a spoon. Later during a break in Theater History, another girl in my group, Anna comes up looking confused and hands Lena a spoon saying, "David wanted you to have this..."
So that night I go to see a play with David and Noel, called "Fucking Men" (more on this another time...) and we've ordered drinks at the pub beforehand. David reaches into his pocket to pay and pulls out... that's right, a spoon.
So now it's officially on, the spoon war. Only, then we all leave for break. A week in various countries all over Europe. Naturally I forget about it all. Then tonight, there's a knock at the door, and when I answer it, the front desk guy, Tibi (i think??) is there holding a spoon. Only David's in Liverpool, so lord knows how it ended up in our hall. So Lena has decided it's clearly my fault, and now I'm "my own team" in the spoon war. Oh, and she and Anna have started calling me Jaimiqua. It's a new one to say the least...
My roomate, Lena, often brings her lunch to school and eats it up in the greenroom. One day last week, she felt lazy and didn't want to walk her spoon three floors down to the kitchen when she had finished eating, so she drops it in David's lap, saying "no give backs!" or something to that effect. And so David (a guy in my group, btw), was left with a spoon. Later during a break in Theater History, another girl in my group, Anna comes up looking confused and hands Lena a spoon saying, "David wanted you to have this..."
So that night I go to see a play with David and Noel, called "Fucking Men" (more on this another time...) and we've ordered drinks at the pub beforehand. David reaches into his pocket to pay and pulls out... that's right, a spoon.
So now it's officially on, the spoon war. Only, then we all leave for break. A week in various countries all over Europe. Naturally I forget about it all. Then tonight, there's a knock at the door, and when I answer it, the front desk guy, Tibi (i think??) is there holding a spoon. Only David's in Liverpool, so lord knows how it ended up in our hall. So Lena has decided it's clearly my fault, and now I'm "my own team" in the spoon war. Oh, and she and Anna have started calling me Jaimiqua. It's a new one to say the least...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Cadbury eggs ... because it's almost easter, riiiight?
Whoo! I'm officially on spring break! (As we say at BADA, "Spring Break '09, Whoo!" followed by miming flashing someone. Not sure how that got started...)
But yes. My classes are done, which I can't really believe yet. I still expect to have another play to read for Theater History, another monologue for Shakespeare. I still think I'm gonna have to get suited up in my corset for High Comedy, and sweat under a mask in Modern Physical. Not to mention the new moves I would be practicing for Stage Combat.
Finals went mostly well. A little stressful on Tuesday, but it all came together. Botched my Shakespeare scene a bit, and fell apart in Stage Combat, but we all did- our brains are so full we actually cannot function anymore. Apparently this is normal, Natalie just laughed at all of us. She said Noel (my partner) and I really had improved, and that she was proud of us, so yay!
Auditions went pretty well, too. I got cast in A Midsummer Night's Dream for workshop. I should say I was put into- there's no casting yet. Hopefully, I find out who I am by next week. All I know is I need to read the play (again...) over break, and that the director hates the word "faeries." They are henceforth to be known as "Supernatural Beings" which I shortened down mentally into S.B.s (not to be confused with B.S. ...)
And now? Break! In 12 hours I will be on my way to Rome to see the lovely Ayanthi! (and the lovely Italy). I stay for three days and then go to Prague. I'm super excited. Though flying alone really stresses me out. This means though I will not have internet mostly likely for a whole week (I know, right?) So enjoy yourselves without me, I look forward to catching up on your blogs upon my return.
But yes. My classes are done, which I can't really believe yet. I still expect to have another play to read for Theater History, another monologue for Shakespeare. I still think I'm gonna have to get suited up in my corset for High Comedy, and sweat under a mask in Modern Physical. Not to mention the new moves I would be practicing for Stage Combat.
Finals went mostly well. A little stressful on Tuesday, but it all came together. Botched my Shakespeare scene a bit, and fell apart in Stage Combat, but we all did- our brains are so full we actually cannot function anymore. Apparently this is normal, Natalie just laughed at all of us. She said Noel (my partner) and I really had improved, and that she was proud of us, so yay!
Auditions went pretty well, too. I got cast in A Midsummer Night's Dream for workshop. I should say I was put into- there's no casting yet. Hopefully, I find out who I am by next week. All I know is I need to read the play (again...) over break, and that the director hates the word "faeries." They are henceforth to be known as "Supernatural Beings" which I shortened down mentally into S.B.s (not to be confused with B.S. ...)
And now? Break! In 12 hours I will be on my way to Rome to see the lovely Ayanthi! (and the lovely Italy). I stay for three days and then go to Prague. I'm super excited. Though flying alone really stresses me out. This means though I will not have internet mostly likely for a whole week (I know, right?) So enjoy yourselves without me, I look forward to catching up on your blogs upon my return.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Next Stop is... Waterloo
This is "That Post." The one I write when I'm stressed out about what needs to get done. This is my last week of classes, finals time. I know that seems quick to all of you, but consider it's been eight weeks of class 9-5 daily, with very few breaks. I am wiped out. The second half of the semester is a full-out production performed in a professional venue. So this could be considered my Midterms, too, I suppose. Either way I am running out of time.
Tomorrow I perform my Twelfth Night scene for my Shakespeare class, and then present four monologues in my one-on-one tutorial. I also have my last rehearsal for my scene in High Comedy which gets presented on Thursday. At some point, I also need to work on imitating one of my classmates which I present to the rest of the class on Thursday as well. I just got back from seeing a play for my Criticism class (Dancing at Lugnasa, very enjoyable), and then went straight to a group meeting to write our paper for Stage Combat. Group projects are very difficult when people are too tired to work on them. Or when you're the only one who remembers the blocking for the fight. I'm terrified I remembered wrong, and so I'll have single-handedly have fucked up my group.
Everyone's a bit on edge right now, I'm doing a lot of tip-toeing around. I got in the middle of a semi awkward outburst, where one girl was confronting another about how rude she had been to us, "You were really rude to Jamie and to me," while I just sort of stood there looking at my feet because really it hadn't bothered me all that much... and on top of everything I burned my arm while turning off the stove. Ouch.
Ideally I will also have spent some time working on my audition and learning useful phrases in both Czech and Italian, (since I'm going for spring break), but at this point it's a one step at a time. I have some chocolate in the cupboard, I think I'll make it.
Tomorrow I perform my Twelfth Night scene for my Shakespeare class, and then present four monologues in my one-on-one tutorial. I also have my last rehearsal for my scene in High Comedy which gets presented on Thursday. At some point, I also need to work on imitating one of my classmates which I present to the rest of the class on Thursday as well. I just got back from seeing a play for my Criticism class (Dancing at Lugnasa, very enjoyable), and then went straight to a group meeting to write our paper for Stage Combat. Group projects are very difficult when people are too tired to work on them. Or when you're the only one who remembers the blocking for the fight. I'm terrified I remembered wrong, and so I'll have single-handedly have fucked up my group.
Everyone's a bit on edge right now, I'm doing a lot of tip-toeing around. I got in the middle of a semi awkward outburst, where one girl was confronting another about how rude she had been to us, "You were really rude to Jamie and to me," while I just sort of stood there looking at my feet because really it hadn't bothered me all that much... and on top of everything I burned my arm while turning off the stove. Ouch.
Ideally I will also have spent some time working on my audition and learning useful phrases in both Czech and Italian, (since I'm going for spring break), but at this point it's a one step at a time. I have some chocolate in the cupboard, I think I'll make it.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
oui, merci!
Just got home from the airport- Paris was amazing. I can't believe I was only there 36 hours, it felt like so much longer. In fairness, I think some of the surrealness comes from leaving at the crack of dawn to get there, but still, a wonderful whirlwind of a weekend.
After checking in to our hostel, David and Sarah and I separate from Alex, who's off to see a friend of hers for the day. I should mention that Alex is the only one of us who actually speaks French. I've got a handful of phrases, and David learned how to count to ten on the train, so the fact that we got anywhere at all is truly a feat of its own. That said, the majority of the French speak English (if you're nice to them), and are very helpful. Saturday we saw Notre Dame, the Seine, Luxembourg Gardens, and the Eiffel Tower (we walked up 800+stairs to get up there... dios mio!). The night was filled with good food, a dash of alcohol and dancing. Walking out of the club these guys were complimenting me, but I hadn't a clue what they were saying... I also met up with Ben's (one of my oldest friends, basically a brother) dad who I hadn't seen since I was eight. Also very surreal.
This morning was lots of walking around, hot cocoa and croissants, rude waiters (ah well), and the Louvre! (with no line to speak of!). We then wandered down the Champs de Elyseé and saw the Arc du Triumph, which is much bigger in person, (so to speak...). Ended the trip with gelato. On our flight home we remet this nice guy from Arizona (I had taken his picture earlier today at the Mona Lisa). Turns out he's been scattering his mom's ashes around Europe. What a son... the five of us were really amused by a sign in the airport that said "no firearms. no weapons. no endangered species." One feels like there's got to be a story there.
And now I'm home. With only my pictures, beginnings of blisters, and a souvenir to prove this weekend actually happened. Bit of a fairy tale, really. As much as I love London with all its edginess and history, France has its own history, in a more whimsical way. It brings out the dreamer in me. And possibly the fairy princess in me a bit, too. :P
pictures to follow... somehow.
After checking in to our hostel, David and Sarah and I separate from Alex, who's off to see a friend of hers for the day. I should mention that Alex is the only one of us who actually speaks French. I've got a handful of phrases, and David learned how to count to ten on the train, so the fact that we got anywhere at all is truly a feat of its own. That said, the majority of the French speak English (if you're nice to them), and are very helpful. Saturday we saw Notre Dame, the Seine, Luxembourg Gardens, and the Eiffel Tower (we walked up 800+stairs to get up there... dios mio!). The night was filled with good food, a dash of alcohol and dancing. Walking out of the club these guys were complimenting me, but I hadn't a clue what they were saying... I also met up with Ben's (one of my oldest friends, basically a brother) dad who I hadn't seen since I was eight. Also very surreal.
This morning was lots of walking around, hot cocoa and croissants, rude waiters (ah well), and the Louvre! (with no line to speak of!). We then wandered down the Champs de Elyseé and saw the Arc du Triumph, which is much bigger in person, (so to speak...). Ended the trip with gelato. On our flight home we remet this nice guy from Arizona (I had taken his picture earlier today at the Mona Lisa). Turns out he's been scattering his mom's ashes around Europe. What a son... the five of us were really amused by a sign in the airport that said "no firearms. no weapons. no endangered species." One feels like there's got to be a story there.
And now I'm home. With only my pictures, beginnings of blisters, and a souvenir to prove this weekend actually happened. Bit of a fairy tale, really. As much as I love London with all its edginess and history, France has its own history, in a more whimsical way. It brings out the dreamer in me. And possibly the fairy princess in me a bit, too. :P
pictures to follow... somehow.
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