Yesterday I celebrated a very important day. My half birthday. Every single year I ask my family for a party or presents on my half birthday (Februrary 26), and no one ever takes me seriously. ;) I guess I haven't gotten rid of the childlike anxiousness to be older...for example...Alexander always stresses that he is 4 and a HALF, and he can't wait to be 4 and four-quarters like his friend Luke. No need to be worried, though, because I gave myself a little gift---I finally got my hair fixed from a hair dye mistake--long story--that happened a couple of months ago...it's now trimmed, colored (dark red base) and highlighted! I can't afford high salon prices, but you never know what you're going to get at a place like Great Clips or Hair Cuttery. I decided to go to the Hair Cuttery just a couple of blocks away from Chateau Byron (Primm ladeez apartment) and see what would happen. To my astonishment, I was so very pleased with the hairstylist and her excellence! Great experience.
I haven't been as busy as I have been this week since college! Since The Sorcerer opens in just under 2 weeks, we started having rehearsals every evening (excluding Friday and Saturday). As draining as working all day, then rehearsals, it was actually nice rehearsing every evening, because the choreography and music became drilled into me even more. It's really coming together very nicely! I cannot believe that we have a Sitzprobe tomorrow night...and before we know it, we will be rehearsing in Mandel Hall which is our performance venue.
I've been getting very pumped for rehearsals for Phantom! Our music director, Austin, has been excellent in sending us kind e-mails, tracks and the score to practice with, so we can be on top of it when rehearsals come around in 2 weeks.
This week Rebecca returns to Chicago! Her stay was extended due to an interview for an amazing opportunity which will span the month of April in NYC. She interviewed to work with an artist (who worked for Andy Warhol) on a project that will be going in the Met. This artist saw her artwork through a friend of hers and loved her work! She will find out soon if she got the job or not.
More great news: My brother Matthew got accepted into both Florida International University and UNC Greensboro and offered assistantships at both to work on his master's in composition. He is waiting to hear back from a couple of more schools before he decides.
The news of my sister, brother, and my getting into shows are just incredible to me. Life seemed to come to a halt after our dad passed away almost 2.5 years ago. Our whole family just felt like we were floating through life...unsure of what to do...nothing was really happening...and it was quite discouraging. Now, the Primms are beginning to go places. It feels amazing. We still have to work on significant others though...;) it's pretty sad that the only one in our family who has a love is the youngest, Jonathan... haha.
Quote of the week from nannying:
Alexander: "I don't like school. All of the kids are mean to me. They all swear at me."
Me: "They do? That's not nice at all. I'm so sorry. What do they say?"
Alexander: "They all swear at me. They say, "I SWEAR!"
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
It's mellltttiiing!
This week we had beautiful weather here in Chicago. A couple of days this week you were able to go outside without being a bundled up marshmallow---even able to go outside with just a sweater on! You could definitely feel everyone's spirits were much lighter and see many more smiles. Now with most of the giant snow piles gone, there's more street parking and more sidewalk space. Yess. Next week is supposed to be much cooler, but I'm very thankful for the bit of relief we had this week.
I had the strangest feeling on Sunday evening. As I was driving home on Lakeshore drive after rehearsal, I was getting closer to downtown, and I started thinking about life here and how blessed I am. I gazed over the buildings, glanced over to the lake, and the feeling of "home" came over me. I feel so content about living here...I know this is where I need to be...in spite of missing my family. Wherever they are will always be my HOME home, but this my life home right now. It's a nice feeling.
I had lots of fun baking valentines brownies and cookies for friends, and I was super excited to bring valentines cookies to our rehearsal on Monday. During rehearsal, I realized that I had left them in the car, but I wasn't one bit disappointed to be bringing a plate of cookies home.. ;) I received two lovely surprises in the mail for Vday--sweet cards from my mom and aunt!
I cannot believe that there's only 3 weeks left until our performances of "The Sorcerer"! Time has been slipping away. Tomorrow afternoon we have a "stumble-through" of the entire show. Hopefully it goes decently!
My roommate Jacquie (who is renting out Becca's room while she is away) and I stopped by Petsmart during our running errands time today, and I was set on bringing a pet home. We took a look at the adorable lizards, birds, and hamsters, but my heart melted when we made it over to the adoption room with the cages of kitties. There was a fluffy orange and white cat that looked and acted exactly like our darling cat Toddley that passed away 2 years ago from cancer. I was so set on adopting him, but Becca reminded me that she's allergic to cats....sigh....so I bought a fish! :) I named him Fauré after the French mélodie composer who I love so much. Fauré seems pretty happy in his new home. His vase is sitting on the window sill looking over the neighborhood.
A daily conversation that cracks me up each time:
After picking Alexander up from school....
Me: "What did you learn today? Did you learn anything cool?"
Alexander: "I didn't learn anything. I already know everything."
I had the strangest feeling on Sunday evening. As I was driving home on Lakeshore drive after rehearsal, I was getting closer to downtown, and I started thinking about life here and how blessed I am. I gazed over the buildings, glanced over to the lake, and the feeling of "home" came over me. I feel so content about living here...I know this is where I need to be...in spite of missing my family. Wherever they are will always be my HOME home, but this my life home right now. It's a nice feeling.
I had lots of fun baking valentines brownies and cookies for friends, and I was super excited to bring valentines cookies to our rehearsal on Monday. During rehearsal, I realized that I had left them in the car, but I wasn't one bit disappointed to be bringing a plate of cookies home.. ;) I received two lovely surprises in the mail for Vday--sweet cards from my mom and aunt!
I cannot believe that there's only 3 weeks left until our performances of "The Sorcerer"! Time has been slipping away. Tomorrow afternoon we have a "stumble-through" of the entire show. Hopefully it goes decently!
My roommate Jacquie (who is renting out Becca's room while she is away) and I stopped by Petsmart during our running errands time today, and I was set on bringing a pet home. We took a look at the adorable lizards, birds, and hamsters, but my heart melted when we made it over to the adoption room with the cages of kitties. There was a fluffy orange and white cat that looked and acted exactly like our darling cat Toddley that passed away 2 years ago from cancer. I was so set on adopting him, but Becca reminded me that she's allergic to cats....sigh....so I bought a fish! :) I named him Fauré after the French mélodie composer who I love so much. Fauré seems pretty happy in his new home. His vase is sitting on the window sill looking over the neighborhood.
A daily conversation that cracks me up each time:
After picking Alexander up from school....
Me: "What did you learn today? Did you learn anything cool?"
Alexander: "I didn't learn anything. I already know everything."
Friday, February 11, 2011
"The Phantom of the Opera is here inside my mind...."
[Edited since posting...previous paragraphs removed]
My "day job" has been fantastic. Last Friday, I felt so special to get to witness Sofia's first really long moments of walking. I turned on the Toddler radio station on Pandora, and had basically a toddler dance party which involved jumping, bouncing, clapping, and walking in a circle. I have a video to document her cuteness. Since then, she has gotten even more confident in her walking. Today I took them to look at fish at the pet store, and it was the first time she didn't want me to hold her in a public place. She walked around to each of the tanks and cages of furry pets.
During our time in the car when dropping off/picking up Alexander from school, I discovered Chicago's classical music station, and I decided that's what will be our majority of music listening. I want them to appreciate classical music :). This week was the first week Alexander has actually loved listening to it. When opera comes on, he tries to figure out what is happening and describes the scene to me. Of course it's completely different than the real scene, but I'm so proud of his growing imagination. He likes my translations of the libretto, too. ;)
We began staging "The Sorcerer" this week! It's coming to life. In one of the scenes a few of us ladies will be "sprites" that are working for the sorcerer. Karla, who is also in the chorus, is helping with choreography in the show, and she began teaching us movements for the sprite scene. It's soooo much fun. It's more of a modern dance feel to the scene which enables us to be creepier. I'm happy she believed in me enough to pick me to be in the scene in spite of my lack of dance experience.
Remember that record snow storm we had a week and a half ago? I wasn't able to dig my car out for a few days, so I took the bus to work. I had ridiculous adventures (I guess you could call them that), trying to get home with the bus problems due to the storm. One night while waiting for the bus with my friend Eric (also in Sorcerer and was in the Mikado last year) after rehearsal, I thought I was going to freeze and become a snow lady. It supposed to be -25 degrees that evening, and thankfully it wasn't that cold, but it wasn't above 0 degrees that's for sure. We told stories, and attempted to have fun in the snow to keep our minds off of it.
It hit me that THIS is the month we hear that Chicago people just want to die, because the cold and snow just needs to end in their minds. I have to admit that I can see that, but I think it's beautiful when it snows. Definitely can't wait for summer, though. ;)
My "day job" has been fantastic. Last Friday, I felt so special to get to witness Sofia's first really long moments of walking. I turned on the Toddler radio station on Pandora, and had basically a toddler dance party which involved jumping, bouncing, clapping, and walking in a circle. I have a video to document her cuteness. Since then, she has gotten even more confident in her walking. Today I took them to look at fish at the pet store, and it was the first time she didn't want me to hold her in a public place. She walked around to each of the tanks and cages of furry pets.
During our time in the car when dropping off/picking up Alexander from school, I discovered Chicago's classical music station, and I decided that's what will be our majority of music listening. I want them to appreciate classical music :). This week was the first week Alexander has actually loved listening to it. When opera comes on, he tries to figure out what is happening and describes the scene to me. Of course it's completely different than the real scene, but I'm so proud of his growing imagination. He likes my translations of the libretto, too. ;)
We began staging "The Sorcerer" this week! It's coming to life. In one of the scenes a few of us ladies will be "sprites" that are working for the sorcerer. Karla, who is also in the chorus, is helping with choreography in the show, and she began teaching us movements for the sprite scene. It's soooo much fun. It's more of a modern dance feel to the scene which enables us to be creepier. I'm happy she believed in me enough to pick me to be in the scene in spite of my lack of dance experience.
Remember that record snow storm we had a week and a half ago? I wasn't able to dig my car out for a few days, so I took the bus to work. I had ridiculous adventures (I guess you could call them that), trying to get home with the bus problems due to the storm. One night while waiting for the bus with my friend Eric (also in Sorcerer and was in the Mikado last year) after rehearsal, I thought I was going to freeze and become a snow lady. It supposed to be -25 degrees that evening, and thankfully it wasn't that cold, but it wasn't above 0 degrees that's for sure. We told stories, and attempted to have fun in the snow to keep our minds off of it.
It hit me that THIS is the month we hear that Chicago people just want to die, because the cold and snow just needs to end in their minds. I have to admit that I can see that, but I think it's beautiful when it snows. Definitely can't wait for summer, though. ;)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ah, the stage.
Boy, it’s good to be back in rehearsals. Life feels semi-normal now…. ;)
Last Sunday was the grand introduction day in which we met most everyone involved, were told the ideas for the aspects of the show (scenery, costumes..), and began rehearsing our music. There are a lot of new people in the cast, but a good amount of people that were in The Mikado last year. It was such a pleasant feeling not being nervous about the first rehearsal. I knew people (and was EXCITED to see them again). I knew the location. “I got dis….” is what I thought as I almost skipped into the building.
Marty Swisher (brilliant lady!) has been working with the chorus on our music and diction this past week and a half. Thrisa, our amazing director, has really great plans, and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life when we begin the staging process in the near future. Our music director, Tim Semanik, has been working with the principals, and the chorus got to meet and work with him Sunday.
One of the many things I’m really happy about the show is that each of us gets to be our own character—even the chorus members which will be townspeople. We won’t be grouped like the
School girls’ chorus” in The Mikado. Thrisa really pumped each of us up about this aspect. My character is Aline’s best friend. Aline is a principal role, she is engaged to Alexis, and the show revolves a lot around both of them. I’ll withhold the rest of the details so people will come see the show… ;). It’s already been fun brainstorming on developing our characters.
School girls’ chorus” in The Mikado. Thrisa really pumped each of us up about this aspect. My character is Aline’s best friend. Aline is a principal role, she is engaged to Alexis, and the show revolves a lot around both of them. I’ll withhold the rest of the details so people will come see the show… ;). It’s already been fun brainstorming on developing our characters.
“The Sorcerer” has a lot of really beautiful moments. I didn’t know the music at all before auditioning for the show, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. It’s different than the other Gilbert and Sullivan shows I’ve seen, but there are some of the same elements, of course.
I’ve been a nanny officially for two weeks! It’s truly such an enjoyable employment. I’ve learned A LOT so far. It doesn’t even feel like I’m working (except for when I have to wake up early) I’ve loved getting to know the kids and the family, coloring, taking library trips, playing pirates or astronauts, and trying to think of more ways to keep them entertained and help them grow. In the middle of last week, I asked my sister (who has LOTS of baby, preschool, education experience) for help since she had way more knowledge in this field. Her most helpful words were saying that the key was to develop their imagination. I’ve realized that in order to take care of kids, you have to know how to improvise!
I'm incredibly blessed to be working for this family. They are really such great parents and children.
I'm sure there will be photos of this record storm...
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