October 8, 2009
Well both topics are so exciting, I just don't know what to start on first! *wink*
My love affair. I've begun a love affair. Several weeks, even months, things have been leading up to this- enevitable- passion, but it's officially begun today.
Whats funny (not in the "Ha ha" sense of the word, but as in "curious") is that it's a love affair much like one I had many years ago (over 10yrs. certainly), and it's quite unique and unlike those I've had inbetween.
Today, I fell very much in love with acting, as a process and an art. (Don't hate me for teasing you) It's something to master, and I am so bored with a world full of novices at many things and in want of masters of just one thing... I'm bored with myself! But this program is so wonderful, it's making me think of my business in new fresh ways and giving me something challenging and worthy to strive for.
I'm privileged to share my freshly discovered love with seven other, wonderful, people. The 2 boys and other 6 girls in my MA acting program are so committed to doing the work it takes to really grow this year- without cutting corners and without self deprecation and limits- and they feed and inspire me in my journey. There is not an ounce of competition with each other amongst any of us. Everyone approaches their work with their full heart and mind and attention- without embarassment or "shrinking" back from fear or trying to stay "cool". We've created a safe environment for all of us to fail and play and explore- assured of having support no matter what our outcomes from day to day. And to watch my fellow classmates work is inspiring!
Today we watched .... I must acknowledge how thankful I am. I am so so so unbelievably and incredibly thankful to be here- with these circumstances and at this time in my life. Ok.
Today we the remaining personal private moments, 1st Objective, exercises. Lara's was one that was incredibly moving- because her entire exercise was for the sake of someone else. Her Action was to make a present for her friend, Liv. Her objective was to cheer her up. And her 3 activities were: 1. to write her a letter 2. to make her tea and slice her fav. cake. 3. to make a poster collage. At stake, was Liv's happiness. It was really simple, and yet very beautiful and moving to watch Lara sit on the floor and cut and paste photos of her friend and herself. Even Terry Fender, our teacher, was v. moved.
Things I learned (or learned again!) in watching my classmates today:
- to let things matter. We're always told in life to chill out and not take things too seriously, but things, especially in a scene, are v. v. important!
- Prep. is best when it uses things which evoke sense memory, like scents, feels, and sounds (music, or perfume, for ex.)
- Presence is not some mystical thing. Presence is being able to take charge of the space, inhabiting it and owning it.
- ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT! We must all get really specific with vivid images and "make friends" with the set design.
I have so much work to do this weekend- mainly consisting of 19th Century Russia research (Uncle Vanya) and memorizing Lady Anne's monologue from Richard III. I feel overwhelmed.
I miss Lieke and Josefine. I don't see how I'll be able to see them this weekend with everything I need to accomplish. Next weekend, however, is Lieke's final weekend in that fantastic "castle" of hers (the family is moving), so we will certainly be having a final scary movie/ sleepover. Did I mention I am spending Easter with them, in the Netherlands?!? Amstradam... I am so excited!
Finally, for the soup. Since I see my money rapidly running out and I am desperatly tryingto save something so I will be able to travel and see some of this country, as well as maybe Scottland, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, I have decided to make soup my standard fare for dinner during the week. It is cheap (about 64-86 pence a can) and easy and quick to make. Also, there are flavors I've never even heard of before, which I am eager to try. The quality is far superior to that of Campbells or Progresso back home (which I can hardly stomach!). Tonight, it was British Potato, Leek and Kentish Soup. While it is delicious, it is also so rich in flavor and cream based, and after a 1/4 of the can, I felt too ill to finish the rest. My fav. part about it were the leeks.
I'm rushing off to jazz- my extra classes are every Thursday night. I would rather be taking tap.
With Love,
Juliana
Sunday 11 October 2009
Wednesday 7 October 2009
12. "Can you even dye my eyes to match my gown?...Jolly good town!"
September 27, 2009
11:07pm
I adore The Wizard of OZ- with all my heart. It's hands down my favorite movie, and if I ever say it isn't it will only be because I'm "self-protecting" from melancholy feelings resulting from obsessing over the wonderful memories I have from doing the show twice- and how much I miss it!
I had a sleepover with my au pair friends, Lieke and Josefina, last night. We stayed at Lieke's house because it is almost as big and beautiful as a castle- built roughly 100yrs. ago and designed to look even older that that! I would LOVE to live in this house, have children and an au pair of my own... but at over 5,000 pounds/month, it's not looking likely in my near future. Wow.
Lieke and I met up at 7pm. She made a traditional Dutch dinner for me- which was delicious! "Hete bliksem" (translated to "Hot Lightning" in English!) is one of the many Dutch meals where all 3 dishes are smashed into one. This particular dish contains apples, potatos and minced meat- a combination which may or may not sound appealing to you, but trust me... it's phenomenal! It doesn't need anything more than a little pepper (cooked into it), it's cheap and easy to make... it serves several... and I must learn how to make it. For dessert, which was even better, we had ultra thin dutch pancakes (v. like crepes!)
.... Eventually, it was time to get into our pjs and walk to meet Josefina half way- since she lives about a 20min walk from Lieke, and at 11pm it's very dark and a little scary (still safe, just those old English houses can really creep you out!) Lieke and I looked ridiculous in our pajamas (mine are red and white pinstripes and satin!) and sweatshirts (with hoods!) and boots. We couldnt help but giggle at ourselves almost the entire time. Of all crazy things, we ran into 2 young guys heading to town for a drink, and... it must have been REEEAAALLY dark!!!... they asked us for directions... and then for our phone numbers! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? We looked ridiculous, and this made us laugh even harder for the rest of our walk!
We watched a scary movie when we got back, and then we were up til 3am chatting (as girly sleepovers can go!). The next morning was phenomenal. We watched The Wizard of OZ while we ate breakfast. In addition to it being one of my favorite movies and a lovely thing for an enjoyable, lazy Sunday afternoon, Josefina had never seen it! Watching it for the first time with someone who has no idea what it's about (or even that Somewhere Over the Rainbow is from this movie!) is magical. She was like a child- completely wide eyed and awestruck by it's magic. She audibly gasped at the Wicked Witch and cried when Dorothy leaves OZ... laughed at the lion... it was SO enjoyable watching her take it all in. I have a special love for it to begin with, so I ended up crying along with her (and more than she was crying!) at the end. Beautiful film.
We spent the rest of Sunday journeying along the river Thames to Daptunes Wharf- where we had full cream ice cream (stem ginger is divine!) and enjoying the sunshine. We also happened to discover an area called "Woodbridge Meadows" on the way back- where there are intricate wood carvings of animals and faces carved into trees. We had fun exploring it and took several pictures!
I'm off. I have so much to prepare for school! My aplogies for the abrupt ending to this entry.
With Love,
Juliana
11:07pm
I adore The Wizard of OZ- with all my heart. It's hands down my favorite movie, and if I ever say it isn't it will only be because I'm "self-protecting" from melancholy feelings resulting from obsessing over the wonderful memories I have from doing the show twice- and how much I miss it!
I had a sleepover with my au pair friends, Lieke and Josefina, last night. We stayed at Lieke's house because it is almost as big and beautiful as a castle- built roughly 100yrs. ago and designed to look even older that that! I would LOVE to live in this house, have children and an au pair of my own... but at over 5,000 pounds/month, it's not looking likely in my near future. Wow.
Lieke and I met up at 7pm. She made a traditional Dutch dinner for me- which was delicious! "Hete bliksem" (translated to "Hot Lightning" in English!) is one of the many Dutch meals where all 3 dishes are smashed into one. This particular dish contains apples, potatos and minced meat- a combination which may or may not sound appealing to you, but trust me... it's phenomenal! It doesn't need anything more than a little pepper (cooked into it), it's cheap and easy to make... it serves several... and I must learn how to make it. For dessert, which was even better, we had ultra thin dutch pancakes (v. like crepes!)
.... Eventually, it was time to get into our pjs and walk to meet Josefina half way- since she lives about a 20min walk from Lieke, and at 11pm it's very dark and a little scary (still safe, just those old English houses can really creep you out!) Lieke and I looked ridiculous in our pajamas (mine are red and white pinstripes and satin!) and sweatshirts (with hoods!) and boots. We couldnt help but giggle at ourselves almost the entire time. Of all crazy things, we ran into 2 young guys heading to town for a drink, and... it must have been REEEAAALLY dark!!!... they asked us for directions... and then for our phone numbers! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? We looked ridiculous, and this made us laugh even harder for the rest of our walk!
We watched a scary movie when we got back, and then we were up til 3am chatting (as girly sleepovers can go!). The next morning was phenomenal. We watched The Wizard of OZ while we ate breakfast. In addition to it being one of my favorite movies and a lovely thing for an enjoyable, lazy Sunday afternoon, Josefina had never seen it! Watching it for the first time with someone who has no idea what it's about (or even that Somewhere Over the Rainbow is from this movie!) is magical. She was like a child- completely wide eyed and awestruck by it's magic. She audibly gasped at the Wicked Witch and cried when Dorothy leaves OZ... laughed at the lion... it was SO enjoyable watching her take it all in. I have a special love for it to begin with, so I ended up crying along with her (and more than she was crying!) at the end. Beautiful film.
We spent the rest of Sunday journeying along the river Thames to Daptunes Wharf- where we had full cream ice cream (stem ginger is divine!) and enjoying the sunshine. We also happened to discover an area called "Woodbridge Meadows" on the way back- where there are intricate wood carvings of animals and faces carved into trees. We had fun exploring it and took several pictures!
I'm off. I have so much to prepare for school! My aplogies for the abrupt ending to this entry.
With Love,
Juliana
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