Life

I'm watching some Current TV and they're showing a documentary about blogging...how's that for the universe telling me to get back on here? I'm blogging to you now between loads of laundry, homework breaks and letter writing. My February has been a bet hectic; I've had a school retreat (a bit more on that later), a fair amount of schoolwork, and, drumroll please!, the opening of my very first high school production!

First, a bit about the retreat. At my high school (a Jesuit institution) we are required to attend this junior year retreat in order to graduate. The retreat, called Search, is top secret and I recieved plenty of "advice" to lead me astray. Reports of trips to the rainforest and suggestions to bring a spatula, bricks, and ten pairs of underwear rained down upon me in the weeks preceeding my departure. All I can say about the experience is that is was unbelievably changing. I feel not like a new person, but an updated version of myself. We're a Jesuit school, but the religious factor is more optional than steamrolled upon your consciousness. I grew closer to classmates I thought I knew and I truly found strength within myself. In order to preserve the clandestine nature of the events, I will refrain from saying more.

Next up on the docket: I am in a play! For the past few months, I've been rehearsing for my first role in a high school production. Thursday night, The Odd Couple opened with me as Cecily Pigeon, a charming albeit flirtatious English woman living with her sister in the same building as Felix and Oscar, the lead roles. I've always loved theater and film, but I've never before had the courage to be in a show. This year, my participation was mandatory as a part of a my Advanced Drama class and I chose to audition for an acting part (rather than backstage). My fear quickly turned into excitement as I began working with some great people and having a blast shaping my character. The show opened Thursday to a fantastic audience and, I'm proud to say, only one momentary panic attack on my part. Performing with others and feeding off the energy of the audience is an incomparable experience. I may not pursue acting as a career but now I know that I have the courage to submit myself to the judgement that comes from performing on stage and that I love the charge that comes from a good performance. We have a second show tonight and a third show Sunday afternoon and I cannot wait!

More to come from me later!

Read. Think. Type. Rock. Act?

-Katie