[New Favorite Things]

-Big bowls of Malt O'Meal fruity pebbles

-Forum Firesides at the institute building

-James Dean movies (oldish favorite...but rediscovered this weekend)

-Jacket weather

-Letting my hair be natural

-Classical Singing

-Bachelor Pad (Monday nights on ABC)

-Spitfire Grill

[Risks]

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To hope is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.

Chained by their altitudes, they area slave, they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is truly free.

-Author Unknown

[Shelby]

Its official.....the last of my auditions have ended...for now :).

This past week auditions/callbacks took place for the fall musical: The Spitfire Grill. It was a very different experience compared to high school auditions. In high school (usually) lots of people audition and only a few get called back. Here, there were a small amount of people who auditioned (my guess about 35 maybe 40) and I think there was about half the audioners got callbacks. Also, the cast size is the smallest I have ever worked with- 7 roles and 3 ensemble members. This was a very intimidating audition.

Callbacks were grueling- they went for about 3 1/2 hours. We had to sing several songs and read 5-10 scenes depending on the number of roles they were considering you for. I got called back for Percy & Shelby, so I was looking at 4 songs and 10 scenes/monologues. Long story short- I left callbacks exhausted & unsure. Everyone at the callback was really talented so I had no idea where I fit in.

So I've been waiting for an e-mail all weekend...and nothing has come. This morning I had pretty much given up...But I did receive a phone call from the stage manager- I'll be playing the role of Shelby. The show plays Thursday November 11, 2010 through Saturday, November 20, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVzqPnxNLlQ (video of a duet I will sing in the show)

[Research Shows...]

So I have my first paper assignment...I am writing about the unrealistic expectations society has for women & thier appearance. As I have researched this topic more & more, it has begun to take its toll on me.

Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was a size 12? Fat, by todays standards....but one of the most beautiful and remembered women of her time. What happened? How did size 2 become the new goal?

Basically, I am stuck. I don't want to conform to these unrealistic, and to be honest absurd expectations...but I feel like if I don't I'll be "ugly." Whats a girl to do? How can a size 7, curvy girl feel good about herself when the media is projecting these images at her from every angle? For now I remain stuck...more to come when I come to a real conclusion. :)