Wow

My emotions are on such a roller coaster right now but I'll just say one thing.

Shannon got her first kiss.

Can't say with who (not quite ready to divulge that information. because there is a 70% chance it is going NO where) but this is big.

WE DID IT

We survived. We opened SERA. 2 of the hardest months of my life and we still have 2 more days (plus today). But I've certainly learned a lot about myself. I've changed too...but I think it's for the better :)

I have a 4.0 for the first time in my life.

I'm standing up for myself as well as for others.

I am finally able to see my dreams begin to come true.

I have my first paid stage management gig. I can finally call myself a professional. Scary? You bet. Amazing? Even more so.

I've seen myself grow as a stage manager even more. It's not easy but it's worth it in the end.

I've found my independence growing still and I love that.

I've been reminded on a daily basis that everything happens for a reason and I truly have such a blessed life. Things happen that we don't like. You can't predict when something will go wrong. But you have to trust that it will all work out.

My mentors are beyond fabulous. Linda, Michael, Sam...Yeah I'm pretty lucky.

And I just have to trust that it's all going to be okay. It will all be okay.

AH

We're going into tech week soon. In fact, I'm going into the first of three separate and consecutive tech weeks. When my head explodes...I apologize.

SERA (SMC) opens in 10 days. Same Time, Next Year (DAE) opens in 18. The dance show (SMC) opens in 24. Dear resume, you'd better be super awesome by the time I finish.

Finally

HAIR CUT TOMORROW

Well it's technically tomorrow

So

HAIR CUT TODAY

Hmm...I'm tired so I'll make this post brief:

Andrew has a hurt back, Danielle spent half of last night in the emergency room with him and is now taking care of him. He's doing better luckily.

I'm realllly wanting another cat right now. It's bad. I can't do anything about it yet though.

Dinner with dad tonight. That was great.

I have school on Monday? Crap

I made cookies that didn't die. This is pretty epic for me considering nearly all the cookies I've ever made have died.

Miss Taylor Mariah got into college! Congrats Tay, I'm proud of you.

And Happy Birthday Candace Brekka!

Senior Portrait

I recently came across the viewbook of my senior portraits. I thought this had been lost in the craziness that surrounded my senior year but apparently mom was smart about keeping it safe. So many memories from that year and I almost feel like I'm reliving it given the amount of time I've spent at Catalina the past few days. All of my ring week memories are coming back to me and it's incredible to watch a whole new generation experience it. These girls were freshmen when I left, just forming their Catalina memories for the first time, and now suddenly they're having their own ring week and my girls somehow grew up and became seniors in the amount of time since I graduated. It's weird that while I still feel immensely connected to Catalina and that I will most likely end up working there, I still feel like it's right to have graduated as much as I protested against this feeling while it was happening. I can now offer advice and wisdom that was foreign to me as a student and have insight on events that would have disrupted my world in a large way back in my high school days. It's weird and special how this school changes you and although you may never feel quite as comfortable on the campus again, you know that a part of you will always belong. These halls still feel as familiar to me now as they did when I was rushing from class to class, hoping my homework was finished and praying for an early dismissal. My memories of the plays in the PAC, the spontaneity yet consistently of assembly, and the joy that surrounded every Shakespeare festival and Ecco/Accent concert, and anticipation of spirit days are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. While they also feel like they are part of my distant past, they are very defining of who I am today. These memories never quite leave you. And as much as you try to explain to others what it means to have gone to Catalina, words never seem to fully express the camaraderie and spirit one experiences as a Catalina girl. I can say that I have been changed by this school and my love and devotion to its academic and artistic excellence has never wavered. Many can attest to this fact considering I have become 'the alum who never left', consistently returning month after month to say hello to former teachers and greet the classmates who were babies when I left but are suddenly so close to adulthood it makes my heart jump. I feel as if I will always be visiting and always finding some excuse to wrap myself in the warmth and joy that is the Catalina spirit. And as our alma mater says, "Catalina, may your spirit last forever. Live within our hearts and breathe new life into each endeavor". This is a philosophy that follows us all around. Whether we acknowledge it or not, it pokes at our conscience and has a tendency to perk up whenever we attempt to take on a new challenge or make an important decision. It's something that graduates with you--not that you graduate from.

I Fail?

Haha so I have been seriously lacking on my posts for the past two months. Hopefully this will spark my inspiration to write more.

1. Christmas: Amazing per usual. Great time with family, absolutely wonderful break. All I could have asked for.

2. Jan Term: Oh my gosh, Rip Van Winkle. My first true experience with being in a musical (I do not fully count the times Mr. Thompson threw me into three musicals while I was still running back stage/SMing). It was just as much fun as I thought it would be. I was extremely grateful that I had plenty of tech experience before being in actor because I already understood how everything worked which made learning lines and blocking and props a lot more important to me and also made it easier for me to remember it all. We performed 10 times in 4 days and had such a good time. Thank to Danielle and Molly for being an AMAZING stage management team :)

3. Lent is approaching. For the first time ever I am participating. Giving up sweets (minus cereals) and unhealthy food during the week (sunday-thursday nights) and limiting on the weekends. Also exercising more soon.

4. Sera auditions are next week. Super excited. Super ready for this.

5. Money, scholarships, and college are still the biggest in my life. Any advice, help, words of wisdom you can offer I will gladly accept.

6. Some of you know Greg, the technical director at Catalina. He recently had a heart attack and is recovering but off work for two months. This terrifies me and I am constantly praying that he will be okay. So far so good.

7. Currently home for Jan Term break. Spending half my time at Catalina, per usual. I swear I'm meant to end up there. Watch me, I'll be working there within the next 3 years.

IT SNOWED

It actually snowed in Moraga. REAL SNOW. Not "intense hailing". Oh no, this is a actual real life snow. And it's beyond amazing. The entire campus is outside having snowball fights, singing christmas songs, and dancing around. Our whole suite was together for the first time in awhile. And it really does feel magical!! I haven't seen the snow in about 8 years and I'd never seen it fall. So happy right now :)