Monday, March 1, 2010

Opening night: Less than 2 weeks away.

The cast of the Mikado has successfully completed 2 full run-throughs of the show! Tonight we will rehearse with the chamber orchestra in a recital hall which will bring even more exciting emotions to each one of us. It's been fantastic observing and participating in the rehearsals, seeing the improvements, and how well the show is coming together. This past week, our costume designer flew in from NYC, and has been attending the rehearsals. The costumes are going to be incredible. They will be a twist of traditional Japanese costumes with a modern/artsy flair. She let us try out the gorgeous parasols, fans, and shoes. We can't use them any more until tech week so that we don't mess them up--which is a good thing at least for me...something wretched would happen to mine, I'm sure. As the blocking has continued, I now get to dance (more like a mini-spin) very briefly with the Mikado as he is singing his solo! We also have a tiny bit more choreography in a fun scene. Thankfully everything is sticking to my brain, and I don't really doubt whether or not I'll remember the choreography and blocking.
My family and some friends will be attending the show, and I'm thrilled to see them all! I get to show them my little knowledge that I've gained so far of the city!

A random thought from today: I absolutely love how my family can be so far away, yet so close. An example would be how my sister called me up just to ask what size of a particular item at the store that she should buy. We randomly call each other and ask simple questions/advice on such things. It's great :).

This past week, we began training for Jamba Juice/Auntie Anne's! I originally thought that I was going to be trained for Jamba Juice, but Monday came, and they had decided to put me on Auntie Anne's for the first couple of months then they will cross train me and others on Jamba Juice. At first it was a disappointment, but when I heard all of the noise on the other side and realized how much they have to learn from their complex menu before the opening day...I was very content! . The pretzel perfect Auntie Anne's employees weren't banging our heads up against the walls. A plus is that we all work well as a team! Our trainer Vikki was so much fun. On the first day of training, we learned how to master the art of rolling the dough and doing a special hand twist to make the pretzels look beautiful. My rolling wasn't going so well, and our manager asked, "Rachelyn do you do any baking or cooking at home?" I shyly replied, "Not really..." and she said, "Well, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and you just might be our great cashier!" I laughed and laughed at this. Of course. The ladies Primm aren't exactly known for our cooking abilities. Thankfully I have improved so that I have been able to have more variety in my job duties. Something we all learned very quickly: BEWARE of the 600 degree oven when you are the baker. I already have at least 2 battle wounds.
It's very amusing watching customers walk by the store. Especially when you greet them, and you know that they saw you, but they are refusing to look. The other kinds are those that walk by and they are looking at the menu or the fresh hot pretzels being put into the warmer, and you know that they are drooling inside and highly contemplating whether or not to purchase one. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
When I'm sitting during my lunch break gazing out the window at Navy Pier, I always keep my eyes fixed on the yachts that are used during the spring/summer months for dinner cruises. I have such lovely memories of going on a dinner cruise with my sister and a friend around NYC, and of course my longing to go on a bahama/carribean cruise (or in fact anywhere) again with my family grows. Speaking of lunch---Thursday the 25th was the day that we had our grand opening. Due to the chinese restaurant across the way was quite appealing, and it looked like it needed a customer, I decided to go there for lunch. The guy prepared everything, took it to the register, then proceeded to hand me my order saying, "Don't worry about it for today." I was shocked--not really knowing why. He then said, "It's your first day on the job, right? Don't worry about it for today." I thanked him, reassured him that I will give them more business, and happily went on my way, because I just got a free lunch!!
You know what? I've been hoping to become sick of the pretzels, so that I won't want to buy them on my lunch break, but each time I work, the smell haunts me. I don't think I have the ability to get sick of food from working with it.

One day after work, I was "freshening up" in the restroom before my Willis Tower skydeck gift shop 2nd interview/job offer. There was a little boy near the sink who looked about 2 years old, possibly closer to 3, that noticed what was in the girl's hand next to me, and he said, "Is that an iphone or an itouch? My Daddy has an iphone." .........................How in the world did that tiny kid even know how to speak that many words let alone know that there is an iphone and itouch out there?

So, as you may have gathered, I had a job offer for the Willis tower skydeck gift shop! I am now a part-time employee (which equals 2 part-time jobs), and I'll begin training Thursday. I'm super excited...mainly to get a cool ID badge that allows special access. :)

Loneliness and making friends was a topic that I touched on in my last post. Things are starting to brighten! Getting to know fellow co-workers, making acquaintances at Moody Church, talking more with the cast members, hanging out with Josh (who I had the interested meeting story about), my friend John and his fiance inviting me over to watch the Olympics one night, getting a beautiful card in the mail from my friend Jimmy, e-mails from friends I haven't heard from in a while, and more have been such blessings. I still need to follow my goal of meeting one new person a day!

This past Sunday morning I attended Moody Church again. The service was once again refreshing. Afterwards, I met with a lady with the SALT (20's-30's) Bible study class and guy from the Crossroads (college/grad students) class. They were incredibly kind, and they spoke with me some about each class and the church. I decided to try the Crossroads Bible Study class, because I assumed that they would be closer to my age. I walked into the room, looked around, and observed that the kids looked like high-schoolers! They must have all been freshman. It was fine, though due to just enjoying being there. I'm looking foward to visiting the SALT class next week! Hopefully it will be more suitable. I'm also looking into joining the choir! There have just been conflicts with their rehearsals, because of the Mikado rehearsals, but maybe in the future.
It's been interesting how pumped I am to go to church each week and strive listen attentively during the service/Bible study. Oh, how much students at BJU take for granted the Word being fed to them each day! I was one of them, although I tried to not be.

This weekend I have a big audition for Court Theatre! This theatre is what I recently saw a production at which was called "The Year of Magical Thinking". The auditions are their non-equity general auditions for musical theatre. I'm sure that the only way I even got one was through a friend who is the house manager of the theatre, so he knows people to talk to. So exciting!!

On a different note:


As the time has been approaching March 2, I've been so prayerful for my family and reflective on the beautiful memories of my Dad. He would have turned 54 on March 2nd. I still have to remind myself that he is gone, as do most people who lose a loved one. My mind has a hard time accepting that we won't ever see him again on this earth. He isn't just on a long trip. There are still so many things that I want to tell him, experience with him, and get his advice on. As rough as it is and will continue to be, I'm so thankful that he is experiencing our Heavenly Father's glory and splendor, and that we will join him someday. Truly, "Oh, what a day that will be!"

TLE




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