TADA!

            My usual MO for the summer is to plot really ridiculous plans; not because I think they’ll actually work out, but because they’re fun to imagine (i.e. The Hot Air Balloon experiment of last summer… not even close to enough funds to consider actually trying to build my own hot air balloon, but I learned a lot and had fun planning and designing, so it was ok).

            This summer, I’m still going to do those kinds of things, but with the addition of setting some actual realistic and achievable goals. Here’s what I’ve got as of the last day of school:

1. Learn to cartwheel (figured this one out about a week ago, thanks Kelsey Rispin)
2. Learn to juggle (I mean I can sort of juggle but it’s sloppy and bad-looking)
3. Learn to ride my bike without holding on to the handlebars
4. Bust out my the unicycle my mom got in college from the basement, pump up the tire, and learn to ride it
5. Learn more monolugues so I have more to fall back on
6. Worry less
7. YouTube all of the shows happening next year so I have a really good idea of what’s going on, whether I’m on the stage or behind it
8. If I’m feeling ambitious (and haven’t killed myself yet with the first two cycling escapades), learn to juggle and ride the unicycle at the same time – because that’d just be cool

I think that’s all. If I think of more later I will add them and I’ll be sure to post more later how things are progressing (especially in regards to the unicycle because I imagine that’s going to result in some really amusing stories).

Have a good summer everybody!

Hello everyone!

Well, it’s June.  The summer season has started.  And with that, many of us are working various jobs to afford the things we want.  For me, the thing I want the most is the ability to go back to school without taking out immense loan monies.  So here’s my summer work schedule:

• Working at Alto Cucinas- a high class restaurant in Erie
• Assistant Administrative Director for the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre camp
• Low Brass instructor/Marching instructor for my old HS marching band
• Various jobs around my home town
• Music instructor for Ted Sharon’s Playground summer theatre program
• Assistant director for a children’s show in Erie.

Along with all my work, I have some things to be working on for next semester already:

• I was selected to be the director for PAC’s production of Company.  Time to start conceptualizing.
• I will be working with Eliza Meunch on publicity next semester.

• Find audition pieces for Kiss Me, Kate, Electra, Fuddy Meers (which I cannot be cast in due to Company), and Charlotte’s Web (same situation as Fuddy Meers).

Within this busy schedule, I’m also having a hard time readjusting to being home.  This past year, Fredonia has become my home and in the last semester especially I became very close with my roommate, my class, and my faculty.  It’s a truly wonderful feeling to be able to knock on the door of one of my professor’s with a question and end up having a full conversation with them.  I also miss being able to walk down the hallway to hang out with my friends.

This brings me to question where home is for me.  It’s said that “Home is where your heart is.”  Well, where is home if you aren’t entirely sure?  I have my mother and sister here in McKean who I love dearly.  But my sister will be moving to Iowa to start her new life as a doctor of osteopathic medicine in a few days.  At Fredonia, I have the friends who have become my family.  In McKean, I have a house where I’ve lived for 20 years.  In Fredonia, there is always a couch or bed in some dorm or house that I can stay.  I know that when I graduate, I will not be returning to Erie.  I’m not sure where I’ll go yet, but it won’t be here.  I also know I won’t be staying at Fredonia.

I’m, therefore, forced to say that “home” lies with those you care about.  And for me, that “home” is scattered across the eastern coast.  I suppose this is how the seniors will feel for quite some time.  But it’s certainly hard to swallow right now.

But until August, I will have to make the best of my time here.  So, I’ll just chin up and work, waiting for my time to get back.  I hope the rest of you are all having a lovely summer.  I’ll check back with some news about my camp in the month to come.

KAB