In the theatre.

I write this from the Theatre sound booth, during performance numero dos of "Twelfth Night." If you've yet to see it, please do - tomorrow at 2pm; next Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm each evening at SCU. It's awesome.

Anyway, from where I sit I can oversee all of the stage and about 98% of the audience below. I can see Best Friends Michelle and Ethan who have come to watch the show - but mostly to support me. This excites me! There is much fun to be had after this. And much essay to write tomorrow.

"Over the Mountain," February/March 2009. I miss being on stage sometimes.

So much.

So much to do. This is both good and bad for me. It means that, on the one hand, I will overwork myself to literal illness - but on the other, I'll get a heck of a lot done.

Eight rounds of photoshoots, plus editing those photos, all in under ten days is a lot to handle. Doing sound for a theatrical production is not too overwhelming in itself, but staying under a freezing cold air conditioning vent for a combined total of over thirty hours in the past week has given me some sort of ear-nose-throat issue that is causing me to miss English class right now, and has just caused me to be a groggy mess for the past few days. Last weekend I was balancing sound and sickness with a seven page paper - this weekend, I have a new seven page paper to write. Lovely! I also have to attend my high school's graduation, do sound at three shows, and I was planning to apply for a summer job. But. Eh. Oh, and I have a scene performance and an audition on Monday.

Okay.

I feel like crap, guys. This post isn't even coherent. It's just a lot of complaining. If you read closely enough, you can probably heaaar the whining.

An oddity.

I drank warm milk from a bottle until I was five years old. I guess this constituted as a sort of milk-overload for my little body, because I detested milk from that point onward. Although I've been able to let go of my absolute hatred for it, I'm still not a huge fan.

In middle school and high school, some of my best friends were great lovers of milk. And it came to me that I am probably unlike most people, in that regard. They were in disbelief. "You don't like milk? What do you drink?" they'd exclaim.

I was chomping on a late snack from a plate of baked goods that Audrey so generously dropped off for me and an intense craving hit me. And I'm not even sure that Ethan knows this, but...

I really, really enjoy chocolate chip cookies with a tall class of
nice
cold
WATER.

Thursday Word: Job 12:7-9.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9.via my flickr.

Headshots, headshots, headshots!

News report from the Theatre Sound Booth! This time I have come bearing jackets for warmth.

I have become the friendly neighborhood headshot photographer at my University. I've had six sessions in the past week and I'll have another tomorrow. Enjoy some of my favorite shots below.

Actors Anna, Joanna, Shanthi, and Cameron. via my flickr.

Blah.

Here's a list of random things that may or may not be of interest to anybody:
1. I've seen both Jinelle and Audrey (although far too briefly) in the past week. Was fab.
2. Ethan took me out to dinner last night. Super great.
3. Today I sat in a cold dark room in the theatre and clicked a button when I was instructed to do so for six hours straight. I will repeat this tomorrow.
4. Nick and Becca liked their engagement photos so much that I am slated to do their wedding photography as well. OHMYGOSH. I am very worried.
5. Headshots are ruling my life recently. Will post soon.
6. I wish I were out right now. I happen to know that Ethan and a slew of his guy friends are out to dinner at Chili's. I am sitting here writing a meaningless list.
7. Homework.

via my flickr.
... Being busy makes me boring.

Thursday Word: Psalm 18:28.

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:28.

via my flickr.

Avoiding studying.

To bring you this.


via my flickr.
Of all the 'artwork' I've created, that is probably one of my favorite pieces. Becca is up top; Nick is below. They were blowing bubbles in honor of their engagement - which, by the by, will come to an end on June 20th of this year. :]

This was one of my busiest weekends.

I had three rounds of photos to take. I have two more later this week. Tech Week for the mainstage production at my University begins Friday - I'm on Run Crew. Faaantastic. I could ramble on forever and ever about how busy I am, but I'd rather leave you with some photos from Saturday.

Two lovely actresses I had the pleasure of meeting this weekend. They are currently gearing up to perform in the very production I am Run Crewin'.

 Eileen, right; Alicia, left... And let me take a moment to say I dislike the fact that the quality is significantly reduced in these.

via my flickr.
Off to do the homework I've yet to do tonight. Can you tell I'm becoming numb to all things academic? :P

Highlights from my Thursday.

- Crystal asking me to come to her birthday party. "Do you know where is my house?"

- Having Crystal be my hairstylist. "I put this here. We make you look very cute, yah?"

- Laughing about this: "You have something here." Crystal pointed to her own shoulder area. "I do?" I asked. "What does it look like?" She sat for a second and said, "It looks like... bones." Oh, that's a collar bone. You have one, too. :]

- Hugs from Leslie, Manuel, Stephanie, and Claudia!

- Leslie starting an art-fest that ended up in fifteen kids drawing me pictures of butterflies that look only vaguely like butterflies.

- A bunch of kindergarteners singing Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina" word for word. Who knew?

- Crystal confiding in me that "In Daddy Yankee's music, there are naked girls... They all love Daddy Yankee. They want to kiss him." Yes, Crissy, Im sure that's exactly what they want to do.

- Always, always being asked, "Will you be here tomorrow?" only to respond with a no. "But I'll be here next week," I say. Their faces light up, and they cheer.

I feel wanted. Not just needed. It's nice. :D

- And, finally, hearing Ethan sing over the phone.

Edit:

- Also "The Office" season finale rockin' my world tonight.

Thursday Word: Psalm 1:1-4.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-4.via my flickr.

Photos from yesterday.

      I'm serious all the time. I'm never funny or weird. Ever.

One of the creepier faces I've seen in my lifetime. :P

Hey. I'm seeing Jinelle in a couple hours. Seeing Audrey in a couple of days. Friends at home at last! Only one month to go... :]

Happy 1 YEAR!! :D

Thanks Grace! You really have made this such a wonderful year. :] See you after class!

~Ethan

Happy One Year, Ethan!

One year ago today, Ethan Jeffrey, dressed in a monkey suit, asked me to go to our end-of-the-year formal with him. Hours later, in our school theatre, he asked me to be his girlfriend. My response? "Are you kidding me?" :P But only because I was so surprised that this wonderful boy liked me just as much as I liked him! We spent two weeks "secretly" dating - sneakily holding hands in public, watching movies together in my living room, and always laughing. Two weeks later, he asked my father for permission to be my boyfriend. Permission granted. First kiss in the park that same night. And voila! Here we are now.

Only because this is our most recent photo together - costume-clad, as we had just finished performing a scene together yesterday. :] I love acting with Ethan - he's so talented and so entertaining!

So Happy One Year, E! It seems like we've been together forever, but it also feels like yesterday - I love how we are learning more and more about each other everyday. :] Thank you for twelve months of happiness and hilarity. You're my favorite. Thank you for being my pride and joy. Ya goose.

Happiness is...

Warm weather, good friends, and...

Occasionally dressing up like a nun. Of course, my shirt and sweater were later buttoned higher, so as to present myself most modestly.

Happy Mother's Day!

Havin' fun. :D This is from years and years ago. We were visiting a lake. :]

My mom is the best. Plain and simple!

Super Saturday!

I have this knack for knowing I have a lot of homework and procrastinating nonetheless.

So yesterday, when I should have been working on my research assignment, my lines, or countless other things. But I was trimming my bangs and putting on bright red lipstick. Yes.

Last night, Ethan, Michelle, and I saw "Songs for a New World," and it was super. Andrew, Ethan's brother, was great! Somewhere along the road, E was informed that he was cast in another friend's directing scene! I'm proud of him. :] Then he and I chowed. I drove home. I should have done homework, but I slept.

And now I should be doing homework. But I'm blogging. So that's my cue to exit. Farewell!

ps: I promise posts with more... content soon. It seems I have trouble balancing between frivolous entries and entries that are too ponderous.

A good week with a great ending.

    

So happy to report that this week went smoothly! My preliminary performances on Monday for some scenes I've worked on for my directin' friends went well (and Ethan looks smashing dressed a la early 1900s!). Also realized that in one of those scenes I am a nun; in another I am a minister's daughter. Coincidence? ha! Anyway. Received a lot of good news grade-wise. On Wednesday I had a nice impromptu breakfast with Kandace, who is not only wise but pretty much the sweetest. :]

Ethan sporting a smashing pair of sunglasses that might belong to yours truly.

Yesterday, when I wasn't busy having a blast with Boyfriend, I endured two rehearsals plus a run-through and performance. Last night Ethan and I performed with a few other amazing kids in our friend Katrina's "Many Names" project. Everyone did superbly well - though of course I have a sort of soft spot for my beau, who I think did faaabulously well. Anyway, congratulations to Katrina for pulling it all off! :]

And also thanks so much to Best Friend Michelle, who showed up to watch us! Afterward, E, Mich, and I headed back to Ethan's room to catch up and laugh. A lot. A LOT. We went to Chili's, I ate badly, and then we all went to our respective homes. I'm reuniting with Mich tonight to watch "Songs for a New World" at my university. Ethan's brother is playing Man 1! Excited.

This next month, I think, is going to fly by. There's so much to do but I think I'm going to enjoy all of it! Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and also marks Best Friend Audrey's return to the west coast. And Best Friend Jinelle returns sometime mid-week. I haven't seen either of those girls in ages and I cannot wait to reunite with them!

ps: did anyone else notice how many Best Friends I mentioned? I guess I'm lucky.

Nothing like kids to boost your self-esteem...

Today, as a gaggle of kindergarten girls fought for my attention (and to hold my hand), Leslie announced "See, Grace, everyone loves you because you look so beautiful!"

This coming from the same six-year old who, with her perfect curls and brown doe eyes, began calling me "Mommy" last week. I said, "Silly, I can't be your mother. I'm only nineteen." Her little mouth dropped, "You're still a girl? I thought you were thirty!" I laughed and she continued, "I'm going to call you Mommy because you're my best friend and I love you."

swoon.

Thursday Word: Isaiah 45:8.

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it." Isaiah 45:8.

via my flickr.

My parents...

Have been married for twenty-six years today. :] I'm allowed to gush about them, yes?

I snapped this when we pulled over en route to my grandma's house sometime in 2006. ;]

Although when they're together my Momma and Daddy sometimes act like two overgrown children, they're hilarious, sweet, and caring overgrown children. They really are the best parents ever! They're perfectly suited and I'm so happy for them. :]

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Can't wait for some free time. :D

via my flickr.
I'm seriously pining for a weekend sans plans so that I can just spend a day in the kitchen. I've recently been crushing on this beautiful Kitchenaid mixer (in Boysenberry?), and I'm so hoping to get my hands on one soon. :] Cupcakes. Brownies. Cookies. Everything!

I also can't wait to get behind the camera again...

BRING IT ON, SUMMER. :D Only five weeks to go!

Crystal clear.

When I heard that one of my classes required a two-hour block of 'volunteer' work each week, I was less than enthused. It seemed unnecessary. It seemed, almost, unfair. But now... I'm so, so thankful for the time I spend at an after-school child care center each Thursday.

Crystal was among the quieter girls I met the first day I attended my pacement. But when she shyly asked me if I would play with her, my heart melted. I watched her as she hung on the monkeybars. She suddenly remarked that her parents are separated. She told me that when they married, they kissed each other - on the cheek, she said, because "kissing on the lips is so gross!"

"Before they were married, I was not here," she said, her feet on the ground. "I did not come out of my mommy’s tummy yet. So I was floating." As if she sensed my confusion, she looked up at me with her big, light brown eyes. “I was floating in the sky, because I was an angel.”

It was the sincerety in her voice that got me. Since then Crystal has run to me whenever I arrive, calling out my name. She showers me with welcoming hugs and grabs me by the hand to lead me around. She doesn't like to share me with others and spends a lot of our time together asking me questions in her little, soft voice. She always compliments my outfit and asks me if she can try on my jewelry - and is always quick to thank me when I let her. She's right - she was an angel, and I think she still is. :]

The point is this: I really love kids... To the point that... Well, I don't want to say to the point that I want to be a teacher. I don't. That's Ethan's thing (and he'll be great at it!!). But I always want children to be in my life - and I'm talking about before I have my own. Maybe children's ministry... I don't know. They are such a blessing. Throughout the Books of Matthew and Luke there is mention of welcoming the kingdom of God like a child. It is a call to recapture that naive childhood wonder and a child's inability - and aversion to - acknowledge differences - between possible and impossible; myth and truth... Maybe I'm getting too deep here.

I just have this perpetual 'itch' - and, at the same time, this air of confusion - to always do something more with my life. There's so much I want to accomplish - so much I even want to try - that I'm sometimes overwhelmed by my ambitions. I think this is a common occurrence. I guess I'm just praying for some sort of guidance in some direction. As much as I love a challenge, I'll be spreading myself all sorts of thin if I don't narrow it down soon.

And as much as I know this... I still want to try it all. I feel like that's the conclusion I always reach. :]

Same old, same old.

I can make friends. Often, however, I feel less than equipped when it comes to maintaining those friendships. I know my friends have their own lives to live, but it hurts to reach out to someone and get little to nothing in return. It feels like this keeps happening: just as it's been resolved with one friend, it happens with another. It's... ironic. And sad.

I haven't always had the best luck with best friends. I hope she won't mind me sharing this, but I recently had a pretty difficult 'situation' with one of my best friends. It's hard to swallow when someone who told you she would always be there for you disappears from your life and denies your attempts to become involved in her life again. There are always reasons for this - I know  -but it doesn't make it sting any less. This person is someone who I feel adds an irreplaceable element to my life, and I hope that she feels similarly, and it sucked to realize that, while I was stuck missing her, she was going on living without me. I confronted her - a couple of times before anything shifted, before I even saw an ounce of recognition of the situation. She told me she understood where I was coming from - that she realized she'd been selfish. She told me that she saw that people took advantage of me... that people manipulated me, took more than they gave... I don't know if that's true or not. But the point is, she said that she had vowed to never be that kind of friend to me. And she fell through. Because life happens. So I forgave her. I always will forgive her. Plus, I realize that I was not entirely blameless. There's plenty of things each of us could have done differently.

I don't know why I allow myself to be subject to debilitating friendships... Although some people may not recognize it, I really do try to keep the peace with everyone. If I could be everyone's friend, I would. I guess I've just learned that allowing people to take advantage of our friendship doesn't always keep them around.

I don't know if I'll keep this entry up simply because I sound like such a whiney baby. I know that I have some great people in my life. I have some friends and family who are always, always there to pick me up when I'm down and I'm more than willing to act the same way for them. And I'm so lucky - so thankful for that.

I don't know the point of this post, other than I really miss the conversation of a person who has suddenly been absent from my life. And I don't know what else to do about it. The end.

I made it out alive.

Homework, meetings, an essay, two midterms, and seven rehearsals later... Success. The busiest week of my college career (all seven months of it) is over. And I'm still breathing.

The next couple of weeks aren't going to be easy, either... But I'm hoping the worst of the academic storm is over.

Things to be excited about: I'm so excited for the performances I'm going to have next week! A couple of scenes and a little show... Also, I have been waiting for the right opportunity to announce my good news: if I goes according to plan, on the weekend of May 17th, I will be shooting engagement photos for a couple from my University. I was referred to them by a fellow photographer friend from school. I am so excited! So excited to exercise my creativity muscles. So excited that I have used the word 'excited' an excessive amount of times.

Anyway, just updating for the sake of updating. Back to catching up on homework!

You ask "Why?" I say, "Why not?" via my flickr.

ps: There is a very special day coming up week after next... :]