I'll always be a Midwest Girl...

We only have 3 more rehearsals left before we head out to the ship!:

Saturday- rehearsal

Sunday-off

Monday-rehearsal, review 2 shows for the office

Tuesday-rehearsal, review other 2 shows for the office

Wednesday-day off to paaaaack!

Thursday-fly to Seattle, WA at 8:30am

Friday-board the ship around 7am, and rehearse, go to meetings, costume fittings, train for the ship, maybe eat, rehearse, perform mini opener show, and rehearse some more until 4am (hopefully we end sooner than that...)

It feels like I've been in LA forever, but it also feels like I just got here to start rehearsals. And thinking about the ship is a little overwhelming, but hopefully I'll survive the first two weeks of putting the shows up!

A group of us went to Disneyland last Saturday, and it was AWESOME. I even went on lots of big kid rides, which is impressive for me since I'm afraid of heights! I bought a very colorful and exciting Disney coffee mug, so be jealous.

We also took a day trip to Vegas with two other casts that are rehearsing at the studios right now. We saw a Matt Dusk show, and had to be the pretty people in the audience while they filmed the performance for PBS. It was pretty fun; he sings big band music, and did a lot of Frank Sinatra songs and such. I was 7 years old the last time I was in Vegas, so I took this opportunity to gamble. I wasn't too risky, and just put $5 in a penny slot machine and lost it in about 15 minutes or so. But now I can say I have gambled, wahoo! The 4 hour bus ride back from Vegas at 1am was...by far one of the most horrifically hilarious experiences in my life, but that's a story you'll have to ask me in person.

Overall, I do enjoy the non-humidity of California weather, but that can also be taxing for a singer. And LA is alright...it's just soooo spread out. It takes forever to get anywhere. And I'm not that in love with driving, anyway. I definitely like other parts of California better, but I am by no means a "California Girl," so don't start calling me that! I miss the layout of Chicago a lot. I miss the convenience of the el and buses, and just being able to walk to tons of places. I didn't realize how much I've come to love and adapt to city life. I guess that will make living in New York easier when that eventually happens.

Welp, that's all my excitement for now! We'll be sailing in Alaska for the month of September, so that's where I'll be for my birthday, which is in less than a month! Hope we don't hit any glaciers...bwaha

transitions

It's funny, for some reason the post-high school "me" didn't think much past the transition from high school to college. While in college, I used the word "home" to describe both Chicago and my parent's house in Indiana. Even though I moved to a new place every school year, I steadily came to think of of Chicago as my place of residence, a place where I belonged. Then I graduated, and technically I had the opportunity to go anywhere...it's both an awesome and a scary sense of freedom. Anyway, it's just kind of interesting to think that now that I'm temporarily in LA, I'm split between 3 cities instead of 2. And then I'll be on a ship for 9 months. And even after that I won't be settled down somewhere right away. Ohhh the life of a performer. :)

I find myself extremely happy here, working for a great company, working with great coaches/choreographers/etc, and living with a wonderful group of castmates. We have already bonded in both distressing and hysterical experiences...so many moments of belly-aching laughter. I'm definitely looking forward to spending these next 10 months with them, as well as exploring some beautiful parts of the West Coast!

However, I also definitely find myself wishing I could see a familiar face from "home" (anywhere and everywhere that applies) more than once in a blue moon. And I miss seeing my CCPA class every day! Good old Roosevelt University and the silly drama and gossip...but I do miss it and the people.

Blah blah blah, it's all a part of growing up! I'm really enjoying my time here, and I'm so excited about performing some fun shows and not paying rent for a place! I'm also glad the weekend is basically here. Probably gonna try to get some more pool time! OH, and it's payday Friday! AND next weekend is Disneyland!!! We shall see if I get the courage to go on any rides besides ones designed for children... :)

work!

Wow, I have internet again! Who knows how long it will last. So this past weekend I went out on the town all afternoon with my lovely friend Ryan, who was an RA with me in college. It's nice to know someone else here in LA. He picked me up last Saturday and we went to Griffith Park to see the Hollywood sign. We also went into the observatory and explored around a bit. Next we drove to get food at In 'n Out burger, because it was very important that I have that experience. We drove through Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Malibu. The scenery was great, with all the hills/mountains and crazy cool houses within mountains (kinda scary!). We went to Zuma beach and watched the waves for a while, and also enjoyed some people-watching. Throughout all of our car rides we heard Katy Perry's song "California Girls" ("gurls," whatever) at least 4 times on the radio, as well as some other songs about California. The radio must take much pride in its state.

This past week seemed to last forever, but we learned the full blocking to 2 shows already! It's a lot to remember, but that's what post rehearsal is for I guess. That and the hot tub (which has been lukewarm lately, unacceptable!). Also, it gets quite chilly here at night. I was not prepared for this, but I guess I'm getting used to it now. Loving the cast, and excited for another weekend! Gonna lay out by the pool, maybe go out to West Hollywood, and obviously watch How I Met Your Mother. I do miss my family and friends, especially with the time difference and the internet issues. Bye all!!