rest day...

Today was tech rehearsal. It wasn't mandatory for any students in choir, but it was extra credit if you went. I was planning on going, but I haven't been getting any better. In fact, I've been getting worse. My voice is nearly gone now, and it just hurts all over. Today I just stayed in bed and slept or read books.

I'm so glad it's the weekend. Hopefully this will all work out and I'll be able to perform.

Speaking of working out, I need to get my costumes finished. The purple dress my grandma sewed together is too long in the torso, and the blue skirt that Sister Baird did is too long and comes to my ankles. See? Short.

specialty numbers...

Today we had a rehearsal overlap problem. The rehearsal for "America" and the rehearsal for specialty numbers were scheduled at the same time. It was interesting. The first thing that was practiced was the song "Seasons of Love". I can't be in that number because I have a really quick costume change, from preshow to "Grease". I sat and watched for a long time, and then it was time for the specialy numbers to practice.

"Grease" is first on the program after the opening choir number. We finally got everything set on the stage and all of the spacing worked out. Finally. It was kind of frustrating because a couple of people didn't want to be moved or consistently said that they couldn't move two feet fast enough (which they really could, because they did it three times). But it did get worked out, and I think it's going to go all right for the concert. I can't believe it's a week from today all ready.

"America" was scheduled to practice in the foyer of the auditorium during the same time as the specialty numbers, so that was a bit of a problem. Jeremiah wasn't particularly happy with that because there were five people in "Grease" and "America", and then there were boys in specialty numbers right after "Grease". So...it was interesting. I couldn't even dance full out for either number, and I couldn't sing very well because I've still been really sick. Ugh.

Let's hope this works out.

slightly frustrating...

1. People not paying attention during rehearsals, therefore wasting valuable time
2. Rehearsal overlaps
3. Techie-performer clashes (luckily I don't have to worry about it because I'm friends with pretty much every single techie [Thespian Troupe 3490 for the win!!] but still...it's annoying when two groups of friends don't like each other at all [West Side Story, anyone?])
4. The short girls and boys in the "Amereeca" dance being stuck on the back row while the tall girls and boys get put on the front row (most of whom can't even dance as well as the short people)
5. Singers who stand still with no movement whatsoever and the song dies
6. People not showing up to rehearsals that they really did know about but "forgot"
7. Getting sick and getting steadily worse with the concert one week away
8. Being half an hour late to rehearsal because of mentioned illness
9. People not taking costumes seriously
10. Costume that took so much time and so much effort being too long in the torso (short!!)

Among other things. And now I'm going to bed because I really am sick and it's stupid. But at least I'm smiling because:

1. Tiana is an amazing friend
2. Jordan is an amazing friend
3. Paul is an amazing friend and gives really, really good massages. He is my new headache medicine.
4. Lots and lots of people have come up to me to tell me that I'm a good dancer
5. I have a soft, soft, soft bed
6. Mrs. Davis said that I'm doing fantastic on the samba and that she's very pleased with how quickly I've caught up then moved ahead
7. Brad (BYU Young Ballroom Dance Team member) being my partner for the test next Tuesday in Ballroom
8. Kevin agreeing to be my math tutor
9. Andrew's outrageously HIDEOUS colorful shirt with ridiculous patterns all over it that he's wearing for the show because "it's flamboyant and colorful and that's what they wanted for the Sharks" while yelling out "Lawn-da-ree (laundry), ah ha ha!!" during "Amereeca" when we sing about having washing machines. It totally made my day.
10. Being able to sleep in tomorrow despite afternoon rehearsals because there's no school!!

So yeah. Frustrated, but still happy.

UBSCT testing = sleeping in!! wait...

This week is UBSCT testing (Utah Basic Skills Competency Test). It's for sophomores, and you have to pass it to graduate. This means yes, there are occasionally some juniors and seniors involved. I took it my junior year for the first time because 1) I had no idea it was going on, 2) I didn't even go to MVHS most of the time (I was at the alternative high school to catch up on work that I'd missed after getting sick at the start of second term), and 3) I was taking classes at the college that were during the same time as the test.

Anyways, usually people not taking the test get to stay home from school until 10:00 am. People generally go to breakfast or sleep in. No sleeping in for A Cappella students. Yesterday and today were the morning rehearsals for "Seasons of Love". 7:45 am - 10:00 am. Also costume checks for all people involved. Mine are mostly done; one is too long and the other one is...too long. SHORT.

It's been crazy. Loud, boring, crazy, and tiring. It's also been fun, for the most part. I've just been very tired, and kind of really sick. My voice is leaving!! Not a good thing at all. And I'm worried about a lot of stuff, and I'm pretty sure my friend(s) isn't/aren't going to come see the show even though he/they told me that he/they would. *sigh* Oh, well!! I'm finding out that I have a LOT more friends that I thought I did, and they're all pretty wonderful.

Good night, now. :)

some stuff...

The costumes were due today. I only had one to bring; my neighbor did a beautiful job on the "Grease" skirt and it totally fits perfectly. I'm finishing it up the hem and the waist band to make sure it's the right length and stuff, and I kind of know how to do that. So today I took the skirt and the white blouse I found to go with it, feeling overwhelmed and nervous because the other one is just getting started and afraid that I'd be in trouble.

On the contrary, Mrs. Wilde (the costume mistress for the whole show) was very pleased, especially when her daughter told her that I have no experience whatsoever with this (8th grade does not count; we didn't even cut out patterns. They were all ready finished and then my friend helped me do all the rest because I was so confused). She agreed when I said I was taking about 6 inches off of the skirt (yep...I'm short) so it would hit mid-calf, and she loves the idea of wearing a fluffy petticoat underneath (thank you PCT costume closet). She also loved the blouse and asked where I got it so she could tell other girls in choir.

Then I told her about the Anita costume: dark purple with glittery pinkish sparkles all over it, a medium full skirt, and a tie around the waist that makes a big bow in the front. Then there's going to be gold drop earrings, a gold necklace, my hair curled with half up half down (that was her idea; she told me "it's too gorgeous to hide in a bun!! We're keeping it visible, girl!!") and possibly a flower in my hair, like a yellow lily or big white carnation or something. Not red, it'd look funny with the purple fabric.

So, yeah. Mrs. Wilde seems happy, and she said she is really glad that I've taken it so seriously. A lot of people haven't even started looking for costumes, and some of the stuff people have found is way too modern because they didn't do the costume research assignment. I didn't really need to; my family is so into theatre that all of that just seems to come naturally.

*****************

The Anita costume is actually coming along. I cut out the pattern on Tuesday night here at home, then last night my dad and I went to my Nana's house and cut out the fabric with her. Grandpa made us the most wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches ever; I thought I'd mention them because they were really fabulous and made me happy.

Nana and I pinned the pattern pieces onto the fabric together. I started helping with cutting it out, but my scissors are terrible and the fabric was really slippery, so it wasn't working. I sat with Nana and talked about different things; the skiing events that were on the TV, my mom and her brother when they were little (mom was a lot like me; we both started talking when we were about 8 months old. In complete sentences. ??), scriptures, sewing, and the play coming up in the summer at PCT ("Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"). It was kind of cool to just talk with her.

When we got finished, dad and Nana started talking about lots of different things, too. I don't remember much; I was so tired that I was focusing on trying not to fall asleep. We decided to go at about 7:30. On our way, I asked if we could stop by Zach's house so I could just say hi. I miss him so much that it hurts (literally-it's driving me crazy). I didn't think dad would go for it, but he did!!

I only stayed for about 30 seconds on the front porch. Daniel opened the door and jumped on me to give me a hug. Then before I even finished asking if Zach was home, he skidded into the room looking very excited. All of a sudden he became very worried and grabbed me while asking if something was wrong. It kind of made me laugh; I've been told lately that I don't look well at all (wonder why) and apparently he agrees. I gave him the note I wrote just in case he wasn't home, then said good-bye. He looked disappointed, but I told him dad was out in the car and he understood. It was so good to see him, even for a few seconds. I don't know what it is about him, but he just makes me want to keep moving forward.

It was a good thing we stopped. We were almost at the freeway when I felt something poking me and realized I had forgotten to give Nana the zipper, thread, and dress hooks. Haha. Oops. So dad turned around and we went back. I'm glad he wasn't mad at me. That would have been very bad.

Things keep working out. I feel lousy, shattered (still), and exhausted, but things are working out. Seeing my best friend has helped a lot; today was better. Not to mention I only had two classes so I came home and slept for three hours. And I drove Jordan home again today, and talking to him was really great.

Oh, did I tell you how much I hate ballroom? Well...that's getting better, too. One of the boys in my grade, Garrett, taught my class on Tuesday because Mrs. Davis was gone. Several times when there was a partner rotation and I'd end up alone (we have 16 girls in the class and 10 boys), he'd come dance with me. It was very, very helpful. He talked to me after class and told me that when I have a good lead, I do very well "which is kind of how it goes in ballroom, so don't beat yourself up about it."

Today I was talking to him again, and he was thinking out loud about ways that he could maybe help me. Then, out of nowhere, he jumped up and yelled "Oh! I am so blindfolding you next time!!" Then he explained why: when I was dancing with him I realized that I kept fighting his lead. I was just doing it subconsciously, and even though I'd figured it out I couldn't stop. Garrett said he wants to try having me dance without being able to see so I have to rely on a lead. That is going to be nerve wracking.

It's been interesting this week. Overall I'd rate it as a 2 out of 10 the way I feel, but the way things are going? Probably an 8 out of 10.

lack of motivation much?

So it's almost the end of the year, and I haven't posted in almost a month. Reasons?

1. Lack of motivation
2. Too sad to write anything down
3. Too busy
4. Too much Facebook
5. Avoiding writing anything down
6. Basically lack of motivation

Stupid reasons. All true. Woo hoo.

It's been very cold here, and very, very dark. I was so excited for the winter solstice, because that means the days start getting longer. That means more light! But...then it stopped being cloudy and overcast, so less light was being reflected from the clouds...and it just feels darker and darker. Joyness.

Let's cast a little light on the situation by listing some good things that happened. Just for me, but you can join in if you'd like.

1. First ever performance with A Cappella Choir at the library. It was amazing! The percussionists (aka Jason, who pretty much outdoes everyone else) were the best.

2. Hanging out with Zach, Noelle, and Daniel (Zach's little brother).

3. New sneakers (which I really did NOT want to get because then you have to break them in and they feel funny, but my old ones had holes in them [but they were comfy!!] and mom made me get new ones) that are my new favorites. :)

4. Passing my Meteorology and Communications finals (a total miracle-I ended up with an A in Communications and a B in Meteorology).

5. 120% on a math test. O.o My teacher said that's the highest score she's ever given, because I didn't miss a single question and got all of the bonus questions right. Apparently I'm the only one in the class that has raised their grade rather than dropped it this term (yeah, 98% last term to 100% this term...big jump indeed. lol).

6. December Christmas concert with A Cappella, Concert Choir, and Ariosa. The whole thing was a total success (after the concert...not so much. bad night).

7. Thanksgiving at Nana's house was not too bad...boring and no pumpkin pie (wtheck?!). Could have been worse though. At least this year we didn't get forced to watch The Twilight Zone. :P Lol. That was awful!

8. Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" again for a basketball game. It was a total shock, but they couldn't find anyone else to do it and since I in choir 3rd period, Mrs. Millard asked me to. Apparently I did a great job, because parents of students and the coaches of the other team talked to me about it. Oh, and the boys on the opposing team kept watching me. Awkward, but fun (did I just say that? haha...:P lol).

9. I asked my friend Tyler to Preference! And he said yes. :) The dance is the same day as my birthday!!

10. Seeing Tony at the Christmas concert! It was amazing!

11. Not being ignored by Jason. Finally. :P He's so weird. Lol.

12. Making new friends in choir, aka Deborah (with our twin turtle necklaces) mostly. I love that girl!

13. Quitting my job at the Scout Shop. Good thing, too. I was so done.

14. Making the cut for "West Side Story" dancers! I tried out for everything the Seasons of Love Concert in February, and I'm going to be one of the dancers in the "Amereeca" section of the "West Side Story" number. !!!YAY!!! I'm also a pre-show character. I'll help escort people to their seats and generally make a fool of myself to make people laugh. Terrified about that bit, but...we'll see.

15. Accidentally seeing Mrs. Mathews comment on my "Somebody to Love" audition for the solo. One word, underlined. "WOW." That totally made my life right there. Even though I probably didn't get the part (I didn't check the final list-it wasn't posted when my classes were done and I didn't want to hang around the school for two hours waiting. I just went home and started Christmas break two hours early. :) ), it totally was amazing.

16. Dropping off presents at my Oz buddies' homes. At least the ones who I remembered where they lived. Belen and Jaz, the Ewells, and the Heywoods. Meghan went with me, and we also stopped at Noelle's house and Nana's. Sad part? Zach WAS home, and we didn't know, so we didn't say hi! I felt so bad. Still feel bad about it, actually.

17. Christmas at grandma and grandpa's house. We've never done it before, and the reason we went up was kind of not so good (grandpa was in the hospital last week), but it was really great.

All for now. I have to go get ready for the day. I know...almost 1:00 and I'm not dressed. Haha!

happy?

I've been feeling strangely happy ALL day long. It started last night around 10:30, and it hasn't stopped. It's seriously way weird. There's just this happy, bubbly, giggly feeling that won't leave me alone. It's starting to make me mad.

Lol, not really. But I would like to know WHY I feel so...up. Hm...

...possible reasons...

1. I talked to Jason about what we're dressing up as for Sadie's. Can you say...Avatar? :D More details later on.
2. Two choir classes in one day. Heaven.
3. No homework!
4. Pretty much everything on my day's "To Do" list is crossed off.
5. Wonderful (though if i try hard enough it could be a slightly depressing) dream.
6. Taking pictures of my puppy in the backyard.
7. Taking pictures!
8. Chatting with my little "brother", Jaden, and my amazing friend Joi.
   
9. "Betelehemu" rehearsal in choir with Brad. I love having him direct. He's awesome! He's the one I'm doing a duet with in Ariosa. Guess what it is? "Papagena/o". O.o Can you say difficult?
   
10. Kit Kats.
    

I'm thinking it's the Kit Kats. Haha. Lol!

i think something happened...

I think someone was praying for me today. Several things happened to make me think that.

1. Seminary was even more amazing than usual. And I realized that I have a lot of friends in that class. Last term I really didn't; I think that's why I never really wanted to go. This term I feel wanted and welcome.
   
2. I left my Meteorology exam in tears after leaving the last four questions blank. I had no idea what it was talking about. I was seriously on my way home to...well...cry some more. Then I noticed the lyrics of the song playing on the radio. It was my name in the lyrics, and basically saying not to worry and to smile and to remember that people love you. I stopped crying and realized that not only would breaking down cause me to drive off the road but there was no need to. A lot of other people have failed tests before, and they're still happy. It's not the end of the world.
3. Proud owner of an A Cappella choir t-shirt, complete with ACDA on the bottom to show off our convention performance status. So excited!
4. Mrs. Mathews has asked me to "solo" with a couple of other 1st sopranos on the highest notes in one of the numbers. I never thought she'd ask me to do that. It shows great confidence in my abilities. Wow.
   
5. No one was rude or impatient at work today. Everyone treated me really nicely. Even my co-workers gave me some slack. Of course, Paul teased and so did Scott, but it was all in fun. I was glad to kind of relax and just be able to laugh at nothing.
6. My sisters and I didn't fight while doing the dishes. That never, ever, EVER happens. Maybe I should check to see if the moon is blue tonight.
   
7. I understood my math homework. That doesn't make sense. But it did.
8. The secretaries in the Guidance and Administration Offices totally helped me get my Reflections submission ready. They were really helpful, and were so kind. One of them gave me a candy bar because I looked "a little lonely". Aw.
   
9. The car started with no problems, there was hardly any frost on the windows, the day was warm and sunny, and the temperature in the car/at school was perfect.
10. Mom hasn't been mad at me all day.

I really do think there was some extra help today. I always thought it was totally cliche to say "I feel your prayers", but I think it might be true. I think the help came not just from my own prayers and hopes but from outside sources. I'm really grateful for it. It helped me to stay strong when I wanted to collapse.

Oh. And did I mention? He told me that he loves me.

frazzled...

All right. Whoever said learning music was easy lied to me. Italian is hard. Spanish is hard. Nigerian is hard. Latin is hard. German is hard. Let's just throw in some Mandarin Chinese to top it off. Oh, AND get all of the notes right. And sing with the "chuh and the buh and the kuh" *punch* *punch* *punch* (diaphragm) instead of the "laaaaaaaah" *tilt head* (throat). No pop sounds for me; classical! Classical! It's harder than it looks. *sigh*

I'm actually having a great time in all of these new classes. Still, I find myself panicking about all of the different pronunciations and styles of music. Take, for example, the aria I have to sing for Solo Ensembles. All by myself, mind you (I found out today that you have to do that for Ariosa). It's in Italian. The pronunciation isn't too difficult-I just have to remember the silent "g" in "voglio" and "che" is something like "key". Then there's the listening practice (Mrs. Mathews suggested Kathleen Battle or someone like that first, because I have "a light voice") and the 20 minutes a day vocal practice. Then there's the A Cappella music for Christmas and the ACDA Tour to Arizona. Then there's Concert Choir Christmas music, which isn't difficult at all but takes memorizing.

I'll be honest-I am really nervous and frustrated with all of this because it's brand new. After all, I just finished a whole term in school and got used to the schedule. Now it's all mixed up again. BUT despite this, I am freaking LOVING it at the same time. So it's all good, really. Yay.

Speaking of learning things, my sister Meg had an orchestra concert tonight. Let's say that it wasn't completely torturous. The junior high has a new teacher this year, and she's all right, I guess. She teaches at a much, much, MUCH slower pace than the previous two teachers have (i swear the job is cursed; it's like the Defense Against the Dark Arts post in Harry Potter-no teacher lasts more than a year [this is the fourth in four years]), and they're not terrible but not great. She seems to be a good teacher for technique, but doesn't spend a lot of time on performance pieces. Oh, well. I hope Meg's getting something out of it.

Blasted tired. EMR tomorrow morning. Dog is fed, so am I, and my costume is ready in the living room. Homework is all done (i hope) and a choir concert tomorrow for my friend. Pay day tomorrow, too. Dad comes home from his work trip, and I get to talk to the school administration about sitting in on a Collaboration Meeting (teacher stuff) for a Communications assignment. Life is good.

Peace out.



Lol.

what i did today...

I hardly even remember. Let's see...a list perhaps.

• First time ever getting anything less than an "A" in Seminary. I should probably actually GO this term, instead of sleeping in. I hate not being able to sleep. It messes up my whole schedule.
• I've been adopted as an unofficial assistant choir librarian for A Cappella. I like to help; it's fun.
• I have to sing alto on "Worship the King" with Concert Choir instead of 1st Soprano with A Cappella. Rats. No high notes for me.
• IQ test results from Jackman's class-161. I'm told that's good?
• Almost talked to Jason, but kind of sort of ran away without running. I'm so bad at this whole thing.
• Sadie's group is getting HUGE beyond all reason. I really need to learn to say no to people. I can't though. :P
• After school NHS activity was way fun, even though the only thing I did was paint people's faces/hands and have my face painted. Blue swirlies and glitter! Woot!
  
• Bought gas for the car today because I figured it was time to stop ignoring the "Empty" light.
• Made some new friends at the bank. The tellers there are really nice; I see them about every two weeks. I can't remember their names. There are three of them, two blonde and one dark. One guy doesn't talk very much, but has a nice smile. Another talks a lot about everything and has a great laugh, and the last guy always talks to me about school and what I want to do when I get older. I like them. None of the girl tellers talk to me though. It's kind of weird.
  
• Bought a birthday present for Zach. I know it's late, but I had to wait for my pay check. It's from me and my sisters. I think it's pretty much amazing, and it's something he mentioned wanting to get someday. Can you say fedora? :D
• Talked to above person for awhile. I get to see him perform on Friday night with BYU's Young Ambassadors. I'm so excited for him!
  
• Started filling out BYU application. Ugh.
• Watched Field of Dreams with my family. Weird movie.

That's all. Nothing super eventful, but the day as it was.

depressing myself...but some good news...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BFF!!!

Today is the birthday of my amazing, wonderful, adorable BFF. I love you, Zach! You're the best!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today was my first day in A Cappella. Talk about amazing! I was absolutely terrified at the beginning. Mrs. Mathews took my hand when she was talking to me and started to laugh because she could feel me shaking so much. I all ready have a lot of support in this class, though. I had no idea how many friends I have until she "introduced" me as her new soprano (or something like that) and several people clapped/cheered/et cetera. It was frightening but reassuring at the same time.

I need to stop listening to the "West Side Story" music. We're going to be learning it in A Cappella, and I'm not sure of the words and tune of some of the songs so I'm practicing on my own. I was all ready depressed and tired before, but now I alternate from being somewhat composed to breaking down in tears in front of my computer. I can't figure out what's wrong with me.

Oh, wait. If I think about it hard enough, I believe I can put a finger on part of the problem. Before 7:00 it had been over a week since I'd seen or spoken to my friend. Dear, dear friend. I miss him so much. It's kind of terrifying that being away from someone does this to me. It happens with my family sometimes, too. It's never been like this with a friend though. Gah.

Anyways, it's his birthday today. I finally got up the courage to call him to wish him a happy day. My sisters, mom, and I sang to him through the phone, and he seemed to enjoy it. It made him laugh, at least, and when I teased him about how he laughed because it was so horrible he said, "No! Not horrible! Completely unexpected! I hear 'Is this Zach?' and I'm just about to say how happy I am to hear from you and then 'Hold on a sec...' and then BAM! I'm being serenaded through the phone! Awesome!"

See why I miss him? He's really fantastic. I told him about choir, and he seems really excited. His concert is this Friday, and my family is going. Yay!

"West Side Story" was depressing before I met my friend. Now it's even worse, because I *spoiler alert for this who have not seen this play/movie* imagine him playing Tony like he did last school year, and the character dies! Human hose pipe. :P

I'm putting on Linkin Park. 'Night.

haaaaaaaalelujuah....haaaaaaaaleluujah... :D

I am now OFFICIALLY a member of Ariosa at my high school. YAY!!! I transferred in today and start on Tuesday morning. I got my schedule all fixed up with my other teachers. Once again things have been shuffled, tossed out, added in, and in generally screwed up so much that my counselors can't figure out how I can remember my skadeewompas schedule.

Karmel and Jackman (Mrs. Clay and Mr. Jackman, or Rod, or Toad [he teaches Health Science {which i love} and she is the Distance Education facilitator, aka Jackman's brain]) were totally fine with me staying enrolled in 2nd period but showing up when I can. I remember what Karmel told me. "I've been watching you for the past two and a half years, Georgie, and I tell you what it's time you had some fun for once. No more being a grown-up before you're 18. Join the high school!" Then Jackman, "You're my best student. I'll cut you all the slack you need."

Shhhh! Don't tell, especially those of you who go to my school. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but it made me feel so amazing and trusted and loved that I wanted to share. I'm just about to burst with happiness; I gotta get it out somewhere!

Speaking of which...

Here's the news that I was DYING to share with you last night but didn't, just in case it fell through. I. Am. A.

*drum roll please*

Member of A Cappella Choir!!!

(imagine a chorus of 'hallelujahs' in the background as i scream and jump up and down in sheer giddiness and joy)

just as a side note, how many of you when you read the beginning of the announcement thought of something along the lines of, i dunno. some horrible or strange revelation about myself or something. lol. maybe it's just my twisted mind. now i've made you ALL think of something awful. haha!!! :D

Oh, gosh. I am so, so, so, so, so, so, so...et cetera, EXCITED!!! I can hardly stand it! One of the girls in my class (oh, gosh, it's MY class now, too!!!) sent me the homework assignment for a new song we're learning. I was so relieved when I found out they haven't started it yet; it's way difficult but so beautiful it's worth it. I can't wait until Monday morning so I can start singing with them! And, you know who you are fellow choir student. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of your support, help, patience, and tough love when I was afraid or ready to give up. I wouldn't be doing this without you. YOU ROCK!!!

It seems that the majority of my posts have been about choir and music of late. Maybe I should rename this blog "The Music Stand". We shall see.

Now off to bed. On a low note (baha), I have the ACT test aGAIN tomorrow. I hate that thing. But on a high note (tis the music stand now), or the + side as they say, I know I'm going to do well on it. Another good thing-Health Science final today. Score = 98/100. Sweet. I'm so happy. This term has been fantastic. 1 down, 3 to go!!!