THE LAST DAY ABROAD!

It's finally come to this...my last day of study abroad (hopefully not my last day abroad ever). I appreciate all of you who read my blog or at least tried to keep up with it (Thanks Mom and Nanny and Pop! lol.) I will write at least one more entry tomorrow though.

So enough of the sappy stuff. Let's share my last day in Rome! We got up later than usual because everyone was tired and exhausted starting off the day. We took the city bus to the tour bus. On the tour bus, while we waited 20 minutes for it to depart, we met a couple from New Zealand. We had a long conversation with them, and they were really nice. The guy was excited when Rounette said she was from Charleston because Dave Matthews Band is from there! We went straight to the Vatican so I could see it. I wanted to go through alone, but the line was ridiculously long so they convinced me to take a tour.

I was in a group of about 30. Our tour guide was Elle Woods, no joke. She was peppy, blonde, skinny, loud, smiley, and wearing all pink and purple (including her umbrella which she guided us around with). And guess where she was from? Georgia. I come all the way around the world to get a tour guide from my own state! But she was VERY good. We had to wait in line still to get in, which was annoying, but after about 40 minutes we made it in. We saw some incredible artwork (a lot by Michaelangelo). Some of the highlights were the mask sculptures that once hung in the Theatre of Pompey (the oldest marble theatre I believe) and the theatre Marcellano. They also had a sculpture of a guy wearing a mask believed to be an actor! I don't think other people on the tour quite understood why I took pictures of those things :P Our tour guide also pointed out a statue that looked like Bill Clinton..and it did! In the tapestry room they have one where Jesus's eyes and foot follow you, and another where the way the table is turned changes! The ceiling also looks sculpted, but it is just painted. They were all very cool obstacle illusions.

Our guide talked to us for a long time about the Sistine Chapel. She explained the different pictures and when and how they were painted. It was pretty fascinating, but then we got to it, and I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of dissapointed. I mean, this thing is known everywhere! I expected a huge tall, long ceiling. I mean it was kinda heigh, and kinda long, but not really. Don't get me wrong, it is incredible artwork...I guess all the hype just didn't add up. By this point, the tour that was suppose to take 2 hours, now took 3 and a half. I met up with Nanny and Pop and we did a little bit of shopping and had lunch at a self service place (with a very cute cleaning boy). We went a stop further to a more popular area and did more shopping. I bought souvenirs and I got a plaid hat! I was very excited. By now it was getting late, so it was time to head back.

Now I am back at the hotel safe and sound. The food downstairs is gross, so we are going without dinner tonight. I'm all packed and printed out my ticket. Keep up the prayers that I make it home safely tomorrow! Arrivederci, Rome! Hello, America!

When in Rome, Do as the Roman's Do!

I spent the wonderfully rainy day exploring the ancient city of Rome, and man is it beautiful (and old). We got off to a rather late start, but we managed to figure out the bus system to get into the city (since our hotel is so far outside of it). When we got to the train station, we got off and exchanged money and then had to go about finding an ATM and a bathroom. It sort of took awhile, but at least it was inside.

On the way to find the blue tour bus, we ran into people asking if we wanted to go on a bus. I asked him where the blue one was, and he said he would take us. He was probably in his late 20's early 30's. Really nice guy! He told us the blue one would take 30 minutes to wait on, but the green one only 15. He let us cut the lines to by the tickets from the office and then showed us to where the bus picked up. Before leaving us, he came up to me and said "Enjoy Rome. We love the pretty American girls so keep coming back!" I was very flattered. Apparently his girlfriend was from Canada. We had to wait at the bus stop FOREVER. Pop couldn't sit at the top (plus it was raining) and everyone was getting on there. I was getting kind of antsy since it was already 12, but we finally made it.

Our first stop was the Roman Colosseum. It was incredible. Huge, and so much of it still intact. It was wonderful to see because I had learned a lot about it in theatre history, and I bought the audio tour so that I got some extra details. It was just really amazing. I wanted to go on Palentine hill, but the grandparents couldn't walk up it so I ran over. Climbed up the hill (backwards since I went through the exit), and then found out it was a dead end, so no good view, but I didn't want to leave them waiting too long, so I left. Found out later I was on the hill by the Forum and the other hill was on the opposite side of the Colosseum. Next we stopped at a staircase that Michael Angelo built, which was by an ancient theatre. You couldn't go in because it was just the remains of the shell, but I was absolutely enthralled none the less. I also saw the oldest four sided porch communal area. It was just SO cool to see all the remains everywhere. They city is just so ancient, it feels like going back in history.

Next we went to the Vatican. We got there sort of late in the day, so there was not enough time for me to go in (doing that tomorrow). But we did a lot of window shopping and had lunch at a little sandwich shop. We then hopped on the bus and went to the stop I had been waiting for...the Trevi fountain. Yes, it was very packed, and raining, but I threw a coin in, AND I felt like Lizzie Mcguire! Oh that movie... I also got gelato (Melon flavored since that what Lydian said was the best. And it was good.). Finally we got back on the bus back to the first stop to get on the city bus to go home. We took a quick break in the rooms and ate dinner in the hotel...and man are they SLOW! The food isn't even that good, but it took like an hour to get it with about 4 other people in the whole place.

Well, exploring more of Rome tomorrow (probably the vatican and shopping). It's going to be my last day abroad (well, for awhile). CrAZY It's all coming to an end....

A town covered in volcanic ash...ironic?

Day two in Italy, and still no hot man...that's okay, I'm still looking! Well, correction, there are plenty of good looking men, just none I have talked too. :P

Today we went to Pompeii! It was a three hour drive there and our driver was named Luca. He was pretty funny, and told good stories at the beginning. We got into a little bit of traffic, but we made it there. It was gorgeous! And HUGE! For those of you that don't know, it is a civilization from 79AD that was completely covered in ash from Mount Vesuvius. We saw the Roman baths, the main streets, houses, shops, bakeries, town hall, brothel, and the theatre!! You could walk through and touch almost everything. There was beautiful architecture. We also saw the plasters of the people who were caught in the ash. Some had their hands in the sky or were crouched or hovered. The theatre was also really amazing. They had two- a small one and big one. The acoustics were great, and it was very cool to see how important the theatre was to the town (especially since I missed out on my Greece trip). Our tour guide was great, but we were in a rush the whole time, which was unfortunate. I bought some souvenirs and bargained with the guy really well! He started off wanting to charge me 55 euros for a necklace and earrings and by the end of it he was going to give me a necklace, ring, earrings, and 2 bracelets for 40 euros. I should bargain for a living :P

Our driver was in a rush to get out, so we left and picked up a sandwich at a rest stop on the way home. I slept most of the rest of the way. I'm just tired for some reason! We hung out in the hotel for a couple hours to recooperate, and then we headed out to get some Italian pizza. It was delicious! Different from ours, yes, but thin yummy crust! We also had really great desserts.

Well I am actually going to get some sleep tonight. Finally exploring Rome tomorrow!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way From Florence

We woke up at the crack of dawn! We had breakfast downstairs and then headed out to Florence. My great aunt Rounette got us a private car that was driving us the three hours there. Our drivers name was Constantino, but we just called him Tino. He was super sweet and him and Pop talked a lot about random things the entire car ride.

It was a beautiful ride through the country with lots of little towns on hills and stuff. I was tired, so I dozed in and out, but I very much enjoyed the ride. We stopped at a little gas station and I got some Italian chocolate that was pretty good. When we got to Florence we walked around one of the famous Cathedrals there. Here is the thing about Italy, it looks exactly the way you picture it. The movies are spot on in how Italy looks. There are motorcycles everywhere and lots of little streets and old old buildings. It's a little bit dirtier than I expected, but just very Italy. We drove to the museum academia to see some famous art. Michaelangelo's David is there. I got bored pretty fast, as usual, but we didn't stay long. I bought a picture and a post card and then we headed to a square that had a replica of the statue of David, but one that you could take pictures with. We also got Gelato...and omg, thank goodness I do not live here because that stuff is delicious, and I would eat it ALL the time! We walked up to the old bridge which had a market on it, and then we went to a church. I can't remember the name of it, but a lot of famous people were buried there- Galileo, Dante Alegheri, Machievelli, and Michaelangelo (to name a few). It was beautiful and had a wonderful courtyard. At that point it was time to head back, so Tino took us up top so that we had a wonderful view of the entire city of Florence. He told me to come back with a boy at night and that made it a hundred times better. lol.

On the way home I was exhausted, so I fell asleep. I woke up to a loud "pop". We blew the tire. Luckily we were close to a gas station. I mean, what do you expect if you are traveling with me! Something has to go wrong! Well, we didn't have a spare so we waited for another car to be delivered. It only took about an hour, and we were back on the road! However, about 10 minutes into the ride Tino got a call. He forgot to leave the keys to the other car so it could be driven back. We had to turn around except first we had to drive another 15 minutes to get to an exit to turn around. Tino felt awful! And to make it up to us he told us he would drop us off at dinner and wait for us to take us home. As much as we pleaded with him not to, he felt so bad, he wouldn't allow it any other way. We eventually made it back into Rome at 9 and ate dinner at a local place he suggested. My food was cheese wrapped in beef in a creme sauce. It was delicious. We also got a panacotti for dessert, which I liked. We were wiped by the time we got home. And of course, when we got out of the car, Rounette realized she left her coat at the restaurant. Tino offered to pick it up and leave it in the car for us tomorrow. Ay ay ay...traveling with Lys, always an adventure!

Pompeii tomorrow!

When In Rome...Praise the Lord!

I MADE IT TO ROME! FINALLY!

I got up this morning at 6am and taxied it to the train station. I was there nice and early and I sat around for a little while. About 20 minutes before my train boarded, two girls about my age came and sat down next to me. They were speaking English, so I asked them if they were from the states. They were, and they were studying in London! One actually lived in Camden which is where BADA is, so we got to share lots of good stories. They were suppose to go to Madrid, but now they were on there way to Milan. Boarding the train was a hassle. I couldn't find which car I was suppose to be in, and no one would really help me. I finally found a conductor who said I was at the very front of the train and I better hall ass to get to it on time (well, not in those exact words, but you get the drift). I made it, after dropping my ticket underneath the train and having to climb down and get it (thank goodness the train didn't take off).

I read and slept most of the first train ride to Basel Switzerland. I sat next to a business man and i was in first class, so I got free orange juice. The first ride was from 8:32 to 11:58. I got a pretzel when I got to the Basel station (they took Euros, but they gave me back Franks). I then hopped on another train to Milan at 12:28 to 4:40. The view was gorgeous. I took some pictures of the snow covered mountains and country side. The closer we got to Milan the more it started to look like Barcelona with the spanish roofs and houses in the mountains. I sat a four seater table with 3 other people. The guy next to me did not understand the concept of personal space, so I was pretty much in the aisle the whole time. The train got in late, so I booked it with my huge suitcases to the train to Rome. I made it, but man the blisters on my hands and sweat I produced today! The train ride was from 5:00 till 8:00 and I was at a four person table, but only one other lady was sitting there, so I had room. I continued to read, sleep, and look out the window.

When I got into Rome, I got a taxi. It took him forever to figure out the name of the hotel, but he was very nice. First thing he asked me in the cab was "Obama or Bush?" I was pretty hesitant to answer that one! lol. He drove like a mad man, and it took no time at all except he charged me 35 euros! RIPPED ME OFF! I knew it too, and told him it was high, but at that point I just wanted to be at the hotel, so I gave him no tip, and let him get away with the money. Hope he really needed it. Found Nanny and Pop and Rounette eating dinner in the hotel, so I joined them and just kind of chatted. We are off early in the morning for Florence!!!

Volcanic Adventures Continue...in Paris!

Wow, this really has been a crazy trip, adventure, experience, surreal moment. I am currently in a hotel in Paris living it up on the internet. lol. Let me explain how I got here.

So after my post from yesterday, I spent a little while freaking out about trying to get home. I found no cruises with spaces open for weeks, and everyone in our flat began to freak out, so I decided to leave. There is nothing I can do about the volcano, so either I would stay in London or a way to get out would become clear. Well about this time I found out my grandparents got on a flight to Philly, but of course they weren't getting to Rome, so that was weird. I went out to eat dinner with Lydian. We walked to the other side of the Thames and went a back way so I saw a lot of cute London streets and market areas. We ate at Wagamama's and I got a freaking amazing soup! It was so nice, so we ate outside. By the time we were done though, it was getting cold, we decided to walk along by the river though because it is just so gorgeous. We talked about taking day trips together and such thinking I was going to be in London till at least Saturday. We also got stuck in a DVD store because it had SO many good movies. There were a ton of Shakespeare ones and oldies. I found The Beggar's Opera (which is what Three Penny is based off of) so I bought it! They also had Three Penny, but not in stock. Lydian got a British movie called Peter's Friends. We tubed it back because it was getting cold, and we watched the beginning on Peter's Friends.

It was about this time that I get a call from my mom saying my grandparents are in fact on a plane to Italy, and I needed to get there (since my flight there was definitely cancelled). Mom looked up trains while I got ready for our volcano party...yes we dressed in tribal gear and decorated the boys apartment. They made paper airplanes, and posted V's on all the ways. We painted ourselves with lipstick and eyeliner. We even made a volcano out of the couches, turned up all the heaters so it was hot and covered the lights with orange bags. It was amazing! We spent the night doing tribal dances, and then everyone decided to do a virgin sacrifice (and of course I got picked to be the one sacrificed). Well, about this time I kept running up and downstairs so that I could try and get eurostar and train tickets. I got a ticket to Paris before being bombarded and forced back upstairs. They made me take off my sweater and then all the boys picked me up in the air and walked me into the living room. The set me down on a set of chairs and started dancing and hailing me. Then Micah poured a red vinegar mix on me and the boys basically finger painted with it (it looked like real blood). It was hysterical! I quickly had to run back down stairs, not only to clean up, but check and make sure I had a train ticket to Italy. Well, I didn't, the train was full, but apparently they were sending out more, so you just had to be at the train station to get on it. I also got booked to fly out of Rome back home. So I was leaving in the morning for good! It was weird. I had been thinking I would be there for a week. It was my last day in London. Probably my first true love :) I went back upstairs to say by to everyone...well almost everyone. Still kind of felt unreal. Finished packing and got a small amount of sleep.

This morning I took the tube to school to get my bags and then took a cab to the eurostar station. It was easy getting on that, and when I got to Paris I was told the cab line would be FOREVER, but there was no way I was metroing with all my bags. The line didn't last that long, and the lady behind me liked my bag, so we talked for awhile. She was French, but she knew English well and had two sons. She tried to help me find which train station I should get to to get to Italy. The taxi took awhile to get to the station because it was full of traffic. I finally got to the station and waited in line to get tickets. Well, low and behold no trains to Rome until Monday the 26th, ah hell no! So the lady was actually really patient with me, and finally figured out a way for me to get to Basel to Milan to Rome tomorrow. So she got me a hotel and then I gave her my credit card to pay for the tickets...it declined. So I used my other one...it declined. I told her it wasn't possible! I hadn't used them this month yet! Well we couldn't fax her my dad's or anything, so I just got the first train ticket with cash, and then went on a quest for an atm. I was told to go left out of the station walked a while, asked a hotel, they told me to go back in the opposite direction under a bridge....it was one LONG bridge! I was carrying all my stuff! I had to stop a take a rest about half way through, and these 4 teens came up to me, and asked me if I needed help. I said no, not wanting to be stolen from, but the girl started speaking to me in English, and was like "you need help, where are you going?" One of the guys with her carried my bag, and they helped me find an atm. The girl was the only one who knew english, but she is studying in London in the fall, and they were trapped in France because of the volcano. I was surprised I found nice people in Paris! I hauled all my stuff back to the train station after I withdrew money. I had to stand back in line. The men in front of me were trying to get to Rome too. Apparently there was a train going out at 10, but none of the people knew about it except a guy in red who said you paid on board. I thought about trying it, but it seemed kinda sketch, plus I had booked a hotel. Finally got my other two tickets and headed to the hotel!

It's a nice little hotel. I'm kinda on the outskirts of Paris, but I was like now I can relax after my crazy day, but no, my phone has no minutes on it. So I literally went up and down this huge street to 7 different stores trying to top up, but no one spoke english!!! One guy sort of did and he let me buy a top up card, but it didn't work...sigh...he gave me a refund. By this time I realized I hadn't eaten anything ALL day and it was 6:30. I stopped at a bakery and got a meringue chocolate whip covered thing, and stopped at a panini shop. I am now back at the hotel just chillin out. Reflecting on the crazy day! Mara is here and so is Lauren and Kate, but I have no money to call them. I may go to a cabaret tonight with Mara, but I am so far out, I am worried I won't be able to get back, so I may just stay in for the night.

I'm not gonna lie, I miss London already it hasn't even been a day! France just sucks in comparison. Hopefully the next update will be from Rome. But until then...the saga continues...

And in other news...the volcano is still erupting

Well, you heard it here first...well probably last...the volcano is still erupting and future forecast show no sign of stopping. Yep, I am officially stuck in London. There is a very very very very slim chance I will make it to Italy tomorrow. I spent literally all yesterday morning/afternoon looking up alternate ways to leave the country, but all flights go up and over so no matter how far south I got, it wouldn't help. For the most part the entire program is still here except for a few people who went with parents to Paris or other places in the UK by bus or train. It's crazy. It may be the most surreal thing ever. Most BADA students are screwing vacationing plans and are just trying to get home.

After freaking out and realizing there really was no alternative route, I decided to meet up with Micah, Maggie, and Logan at Trafalger square for Queen's day (a holiday in Holland). We went to a pub close by and got nachos and just kind of hung out, and then walked home. And of course, got Ben's cookies on the way. I hung out in the boys flat for awhile and Micah made tuna spaghetti for dinner, which was delicious. We went to the pub for a little while with Monica, Trevor, Calder, Ash Mar, and Harrison. I played darts, and yes, we won again! Go girls! The rest of the night we just kind of hung out in the flat and watched the year longs video they made in their film class. It was pretty funny. We got tired fast though, and decided to get some sleep since we are all just really stressed about flying.

This morning we woke up early and went to church at Westminster, which was cool, and refreshing. We walked there and back through the park (and by we I mean Micah, Alina, Maggie, and Logan). It is a gorgeous day outside and hot! We came back early afternoon and made more pasta for lunch and watched this British TV show called Spaced. It was pretty funny. They are just such poor quality and really sarcastic. Now I am in the process of booking a cruise as soon as I find out that my grandparents can't get to Italy. And people thought I was joking when I said I might need to boat home...we will know soon enough! More updates soon....now it is a waiting game that gets scarier and scarier and more and more unreal. I want to get home!! Clicking my heels three times....

And then a volcano erupted...

So we have an amazing show, we have an amazing cast, an amazing program, and one of the best weeks ever, and then a volcano erupts.

Yes, you heard me correctly. If you don't already know by now a volcano erupted in Iceland and has caused almost all UK airports to close down. This is the lovely news I woke up to on Thursday morning. I didn't think too much of it seeing as my flight to Greece was Saturday, but it was scary none the less. Especially when I found out my grandparents couldn't fly into London! Me and Em went to Costa for lunch and then for old time sake me, Micah, and Lauren went to Ben's cookies! It was great. On the way home Lauren and I went to Primark and I got a plaid shirt and an argyle vest (surprise I know...I may have changed a lot in London, but my style is still the same!) Apparently everyone loved the plaid shirt on me...and how much did I pay, oh right, 3 pounds! That was a good buy!

Post mortem was at the theatre, so I went over with Mara and Emily. Ran did individual meetings, so while we were waiting Zach, Mara, Em, and I got a family value pack at Dallas Chicken. It was hysterical, and we stunk up half the theatre. My meeting with Ran went fabulously! She told us our audition notes mine were "FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN. Wearing blue. Would be a great evil whore. Comical." So that was positive! She said she loved the scene and that it showed me off well, that I was so great at comedy, but I should try doing all other types because I was talented enough. I told her it was my first time discovery my comedy talent and she said, well never mind then! Keep doing that! You have wonderful comedic timing! She said she couldn't see me doing anything else in life, which I thought was great...I told her I really couldn't either.

After that I got to talk to Mick and Jessica for a little bit and then we saw Metamorphosis. I was so proud of all the amazingly talented people in it, but I was not a fan at all of the play. Afterwards we came back to the Landward and had a very epic party. Almost everyone was there and we were just being all loving and crazy and yeah, it was ridiculous!

Friday was kind of when everything fell apart. My grandparents decided to fly straight into Italy on Monday and I found out I couldn't go to Greece (I have wanted to go there for so long, and I fought so hard to get there this trip and ugh it was just awful and upsetting). I waited most of the day to hear the flight was cancelled so in the mean time I went to McDonalds one last time with Em and Mara. Then Em and I went to get pictures in front of Big Ben, and I went to Westminster! There are so many people buried there, and it is gorgeous! Besides queens and kings there is George Chaucer, Ben Johnson, Laurence Oliver, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and other scientist people are less familiar with, but excited me none the less. It was very calming, and I am so glad I made it there. After me and Em made it to Harrods to return some stuff and then we had to rush home and get ready for the BADA party. Most of the professors were there and everyone just kind of ate and mingled. It wasn't the ceremonial end I was looking for, but it was fun none the less. The only time I got a little teary eyed was saying bye the Mick. I left all my bags there, and then came home and discovered that yes my flight was indeed cancelled. So I spent 2 hours freaking out canceling my flight from Greece to Rome, trying to find another flight, trying to call people, and being ultimately just super upset. Finally did all that I could and went upstairs to the "last party". Rania and Guy (another director) came! It was okay. I was really tired and exhausted from the trip crisis and so ultimately wasn't very sad about leaving or anything. Not to mention, out of the 40 of us students only 6 of us actually left today because they were taking trains and buses to near by places. However, Lauren and Zack leaving, so after I said goodbye till tomorrow for most people I spent a lot of time saying by to Zack and then hanging out with Lauren. I kind of refused to leave Lauren's flat, but I finally did and ended up staying up till 4 messing around with flights and facebook.

This morning I have been a lazy bum. Mara left early, which was really hard. I miss her already. I went and bought lunch and put up Three Penny/ last week pictures. Now I really need to go out and embrace the extra days in London...no idea what I am going to do though. Guess you will just have to continue reading to find out! And we all need to be praying hard core that this Volcano STOPS ERUPTING so that I can get to Italy on Monday and home on Saturday!

It's not nice, it's Art, it's not nice!

WEDNESDAY WAS SHOWWWWWW DAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been non stop since then, but I don't want to forget any of it, so here is the update.

Wednesday morning we woke up at like 7:30 cause we had a call at 9. Me and Emily Levitan got coffee at Cafe Nero and stopped at Tesco to pick up all our meals for the day. We got in costume and then finished running through the second half of the show doing technical set things fairly quickly, and then we started a lighting tech. After a few hours we still weren't done, but Rania wanted us to have a break, so they made tech people stand in for us. It was so great/nice. We put on makeup that had a very white base and put our hair in bobs! We also got fake bruises, that apparently looked real because Jesse asked me how on earth I got it. lol.

After lunch was our dress rehearsal. It was our first time using cigarettes, money, and chalk, but we had a little bit of an audience which was nice. It didn't go very well at all! I mean our last few runs had been soooo good, but I think it had to do with all the new elements. Maggie tried to light a cigarette off of mine on top of me (I'm lying on the floor for the whore scene) and of course I got burnt. So that hurt! After the run Rania gave us some technical notes, and then we touched up makeup and hair and had a dinner break. We had a quick warm up with Rania and she quoted Brecht and told us to have fun and that she was proud no matter what (she's like my mom away from home). We then told her to stop talking so that our makeup didn't run :P We did our traditional Banana energy warm up, and we were off!

The audience was packed, the preshow was so fun, and we looked sexy! I got to play around with the audience, and our first half went amazingly! Unfortunately the audience clapped after every song which Ran didn't want, but we covered it well by all clapping too. It was SO fun! I can't even describe how amazing it was having an audience. The second half went just as well. Zach and I danced around for all of the interval, and Smith (my character in the second act) changed a little bit but was still good none the less. We had the time of our life, and it's one of the most fun and challenging shows I have ever done. I cannot believe it is over. I have grown so much as a person and an actor because my confidence level shot up, and my character work increased. The shakespeare teacher for the year longs also came up to me and said that I had a wonderful presence and that I had great comedic timing. He said that my characters were all funny and well developed and that I was great a comedic work, which was one of the greatest compliments I have ever gotten. Didn't even know the man and he talked to me for a good 3 minutes, and not just saying "good job" but why it was good. It was really wonderful. Guy (another director) also came up to me and told me how funny I was, so that was really reassuring!

After the show Rania and the cast went to a pub next to the theatre for a little bit. Then Ran wanted to take us to a club called Mango cause it was open late, so we get further outside the city, and then discover that it is closed! So we went to a bar called Hootenannies which was full of Jamaicans. We sat outside and just sort of chatted because Rania wanted all the gossip. It was great! We tried to head home around 1:30am on a bus. We waited in the cold for awhile and finally we saw the bus we needed coming. We got so excited!! And then...it drove right past us! It was hysterical how excited we got and how big of a let down it was. We kept walking and got McDonalds and waited at a different bus stop. FINALLY a bus came! Thank goodness cause I had been in heels all day, and I couldn't handle my feet any longer. I slept well that night needless to say!

Okay, well the description of yesterday I am going to put in a separate blog because it was just as eventful, but not as positive! But yes, the play was wonderful, definitely one of the best experiences of my life...I can't believe it has to end!!!!!!!......Or does it?

We'll Swing This Joint you Bet!!!

It's all come down to this...tomorrow is opening and closing night! We have worked SO hard on this show, and it's going to be amazing! We have so much fun doing it, and we are all just ready to perform!

Last night was AMAZING! Rania lives in such a cute flat! We had champagne and whatever else we brought and ordered pizza. We played the essence game, the Roxanne drinking game, chit chatted, and watched Grease 2!! Only a few of us stayed till the end (including me), so we didn't get home till 2:30. Rania came into rehearsal hung over today, which was hysterical, but she said better today than Wednesday!

This morning I went to Costa of course! Only a few days left with my amazing vanilla latte! We started the morning by running act 2, but in different styles. It was like an improv game where she would call out sci fi, rom com, western, porn, jerry springer, horror etc. It was absolutely hysterical, and really fun to do! Then we ran all the transitions (well imaginary transitions because we didn't have the set pieces, but it was still very useful). For lunch I went to Palmers with Zach, Ashley, and Jesse. After lunch we had a run through of the show sans props. It went SO well. We just have a wonderful time! Just gotta hope all the set transitions go smoothly tomorrow. We got out kinda late, but we grabbed dinner at Prett and headed to the theatre!

I saw Mick in the lobby, and he talked about how I tagged him in a photo on facebook as "The only professor I have ever professed my love too" and he said he hoped people didn't take that the wrong way. lol. I also saw Sheila who remembered me, and told me I looked really good, so that was great! We saw the Plague tonight, and they all did a really wonderful job! It was great to see the space being used. I think it will make us better prepared for tomorrow. We had to move the Plague's set and after that we headed home! Now I have painted my nails and showered, so I am off to bed! 9am call tomorrow! WHOAH! Let the crazy day begin!

One short week in London City

5 days left....5...where does the time go?

Yesterday was tech! The theatre we are working at is pretty nice and tech went really fast, which never happens. However, we only made it half way through our show doing transitions. We had to change around a lot of blocking, so I am just hoping we remember it all! It flew by though! Every time we had a problem and needed to stop we yelled "cooter" Oh Rania! We also had wine afterwards. My hair is going to be pinned up so it looks like it is in a bob and we get to wear a lot of makeup...best costumes ever! After tech Zach, Em, and I went to McDonalds for a late dinner because we were starving! Then I came home and packed...I'm pretty much done. It's crazy how fast those four months went. But at least packing is done so I can just hang for the next few days.

This morning we started rehearsal at 11. We had a sing through of all the songs and then Zach, Em, and I went to thai food. After lunch we came back and worked on the final scene of the play a bit, and then did a line through of the first act lying on the floor with our eyes closed. It was a nice relaxing day, but pretty helpful. She did make us sing the chorus part individually though at one point cause it was never loud enough, and I panicked. I had a mini anxiety attack and literally got so nervous that I couldn't get my heart to settle down for like 10 minutes. It was weird...I mean I know I get nervous singing in front of people, but I guess it was just I was not prepared and it was a hard part. I don't know. I also realized this morning that I bruised two of my fingers I guess from the stage combat, so that's pretty painful, but I got surgical tape!

I got home from rehearsal, ate a sandwich from prett, and now the whole cast is going to Rania's house to do a drunk run through and eat pizza! Best cast and director ever! :)

McGreenwich

Yesterday was one of the best days I have had in London and for no reason in particular, but that we just spent the whole day laughing and being crazy.

Ashley, her friend Eric, Emily, Zach, and I set out on an adventure to go to Greenwich. We ended up stopping at Borough Market first to get food. There were free samples everywhere and Eric, Em, and Zach got bratwurst and me and Ashley got lamb sandwiches. They were delicious! On the way to the boat we got ice cream cones! Ashley and her friend decided to go to the Tate instead, but we got on a boat on the Thames river! It was really fun, and I'm glad I took it before we left. When we got to Greenwich we were enthralled by the green grass (and how warm and sunny it was outside), so we definitely had a photo shoot on the grass...we took way more pictures than necessary, but it was so fun! We got a little crazy and started taking pictures by random objects too. Then we went to the market in Greewich and bought a cheesecake brownie, then pirogues, then chocolate covered pineapple, and then coke! I have never eaten so much in my life. We kept joking "Okay, time for McDonalds now"!

Then we started to walk around the parks there that were beautiful. Emily desperately wanted to find the Prime meridian, which we finally did after climbing a huge hill! It gave us a lovely view and we continued to walk, climb trees, and try to find Roman Ruins which we never did. We also found an Honest Sausage in the park! Eventually we walked out of the park and stumbled upon a circus and donkeys...I know this sounds like I'm telling a story, but it's true!

We bused it back into the city because Em was going to see Hair and me and Zach wanted to see a show. We tried calling to see the new play Porn the Musical, but it was soled out. We walked to the Legally Blonde stage door, but only expensive tickets were left, so we tried to see Private Lives, but it was sold out, so we got back on the tube and went to the Old Vic (Kevin Spacey's theatre) and saw The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. It was really good and reminded me a lot of LaBute. When we got out, we were hungry again so we went to Wagamama's. It's a chinese restaurant that I wanted to try before I left! It was really good! We tried to take the bus back, but none of them were stopping so eventually we tubed it back. It was a really fun day, but we were exhausted!

Today we have another long day full of tech, but at least it's with the best cast ever!!!!

Love Never Dies

This last week has been wonderful! I am hardly ever online hence the lack of posts because I am trying to soak up every last minute in this city with my wonderful cast! So let's catch you up!

Wednesday we had a run of the show in the morning and went to Whole Foods for lunch. Our run went okay. It wasn't the best we could do, but we are getting more and more comfortable every time. In the afternoon we went over trouble spots and songs. Wednesday night I finished by Jodi Picoult book called Handle with Care. It was such an amazing book, until the end! Luckily Hillary came down to visit and cheered me up. We just kind of hung out and talked for a few hours because we were both having roommate issues. I'm getting so much closer to all the year longs, of course now that I have a week left.

Thursday was a really fun rehearsal! We had one amazing run in the morning. We had almost all the props and set pieces which made it so much more real. We also wrote on ourselves when we are the map with eyeliner (which, shockingly, does not come off!). Thursday was quiche day, so a ton of us went to Nonna's, which is a deli where lots of famous people go and eat! We didn't see any though. It was absolutely beautiful outside and warm! The second half of the day we went outside in shorts and t-shirts I might add and did an exercise that had absolutely nothing to do with Three Penny. Rania said we deserved time to play and relax because we are working so hard (yes, we have the coolest director). Basically the exercise consisted in us having to create tribes and form a ritual about an object (ours was a fork). Then we had to as a tribe represent birth, an orgy, marriage, and public death. Last we got to combine all these things and make costumes and props out of newspaper. Ian came and watched, which was slightly awkward, but SO fun! All the other casts were pretty jealous :) After we had costumes fittings!! I am wearing a white silky/lacy cami with high waisted light pink shorts. I'm also wearing a black bra underneath and black thigh highs! As a Berlin person I get trousers and suspenders. I came back after rehearsal and hung out with Lauren and Alina since I never see them (also to avoid being in the apartment alone since Emily and Mara went to dinner with one of their professors), and I miss them. I had a great time catching up with them, and Micah came and joined too which was great! Then we decided to go to the pub. Jesse, Maggie, Kate, Hillary, Lydian, Mara, and Nick ended up coming too! We hung out for a bit and then we played darts girls vs. boys. It started as me, Maggie, Lauren, against Micah, Jesse, and Nick...and guess who got a bulls eye....ME! And we won! It was pretty amazing! Jesse and Lauren came back to hang out with us in our tiny little room for a bit before we decided we all needed some sleep!

Friday was also pretty great. In the morning Rania gave us a sentimental speech (which she says is the first of me, and I swear if she keeps it up I will be crying everyday next week!). Then she thought it would be fun to do some improvs of events that happened before our play started, so we went out to the park and did them since it was another gorgeous day! I have some wonderful pictures I will put up later, but they were pretty hysterical, and definitely helpful with our character work...even though the people walking past were very confused. The whole cast went to the Honest Sausage for lunch. Our cast works so well together and we all love the show (we really lucked out compared to the other shows). After lunch we went back to do a run...which was a shit show. It went awful because it was our first time in costume and we lost all concentration. It started when at one point in the play I through a fork offstage, well on this day it happened to go flying straight into a cardboard sign hanging from a clothes rack offstage...guess it was all that darts practice! Anyway Rania lost it, Libby lost it, and none of us onstage could keep it together. We literally stopped for like a minute just in a fit of pure laughter. It went downhill from there, but Rania didn't seem too mad. Not to mention we didn't even get through the whole show before they started having to take all our set and costumes away to move it to the theatre. We went outside to give notes and then we headed to the pub with Rania, Libby, and Sean! It started as just our cast, but then the other casts joined. It was so fun to just hang with everyone. Zach (the year long who plays Mac) wanted to go to see a play, as did I, so we went to see Love Never Dies (the phantom of the opera sequel). We got to the theatre like 5 minutes before it started, and a guy gave us a free ticket which was awesome! So we just bought another ticket and split the price. It was as awful as everyone though. Some of the music was really good and the technical aspects were amazing, but Christine sucked and the story line was pretty awful and didn't really match up with Phantom at all. But I was glad I saw it none the less. Hope they do a lot of work on it before it goes to Broadway! Zach and I just joked about it the whole ride home. When I got back to the Landward I went to hang out in the boys flat with a bunch of people. I kind of room hopped after that till I decided it was time for bed!

And now it is Saturday and another beautifully gorgeous day outside so Emily, Zach, and I are headed to Greenwich! More on that later! EXACTLY one week left in London!!! NOOOOOOO I don't wanna leave yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is the Asparagus Tender?

Well compared to my wonderful weekend this blog is going to be boring and short, but here goes!

This morning I had my traditional Costa coffee on the way to a rehearsal, which I was a little too exhausted for. We worked on Act 3 scene 9 the entire morning, which was nice because we pretty much completely reblocked it. It looks good though! For lunch we went to Whole Foods and I bought sushi and then we had a picnic outside in the courtyard because it was actually fairly warm and sunny today. When we went back in to rehearsal Rania let us practice outside for out run through of act 3, which was great! I also got to play with the designers baby today who is soooo adorable! After that we just worked through notes from our run through on Friday. It took a little longer than expected, but it was fun. We are prone to goofing around recently. In fact, today at one point Mac is suppose to pull me around cause I have him attached to a rope and he pulled me at an angle and I tripped and fell flat on my face, which was hysterical because it was totally something my character would do (this happened offstage).

Mara, Allison, and I decided to go to the National and get tickets for Habit of Art, and after waiting there for 45 minutes for standby tickets found out they only had two left at 20 pounds each, so we left and went to pizza express for dinner. It was good food, and nice to get out of the flat, though I wish we had seen a show! There is not much time left! 8 days till my show!!!

You've got the cross, now bring on Jesus!

IRELAND ADVENTURES COMPLETE! The Best Nontraditional Easter ever! SOOO many updates: Prepare yourself!

Let’s start at the beginning of the adventure on Friday. It was Good Friday and the city was desolate! Easter is such a bigger deal abroad. There were businesses closed down and hardly anyone on the streets. I wish it was like that in the US! Lucy who works at BADA brought in hot cross buns and chocolate eggs for us! In rehearsal we finished almost all of Act 3 (except the last scene which is the one I have the most lines in) because Zach who plays Mac, main guy character, was getting a rash checked out, and we needed him. Turns out he has shingles, which is just awful for him. At the end of the day Zach came in, and we did an almost entire run through (minus that last scene) with the set and costume designer there. It went pretty well I thought except that we were all pretty exhausted from the week. And then I embarked on my Ireland adventure….

Got to the airport really early so I grabbed Prett and a Cadbury egg mcflurry. Finally figured out which gate was mine and waited in line only to find out that I had to get my passport checked out, and so I had 20 minutes to go back through everything and get it checked and go back through security. So I head to information, wait 10 minutes for this lady to show me where to go because she is saying Happy Easter to all her coworkers. She walks me and another lady through all these backdoors to get our passports checked, which we do. So then I start running back towards security. Get to security, and I can’t go back through with my old boarding pass and apparently though my passport has been checked, they did not stamp it, so after they were very bitchy to me, I am told to go to the Ryanair check in. There is no one there! By this time I am in tears because my flight closes in 5 minutes and I can’t get anywhere. I see the other lady that had to get her passport checked at another counter, and we get them to reopen the Ryanair counter. They give us new boarding passes and check our passports again. So I hall ass back to security, with a small hope I will still make my flight. Of course I go off in security because I have metal on my bra, and I have to wait for the woman to finish checking someone else before she gets to me. I run over to get my stuff, and the security guy says, “I need to run a liquid test” and I respond, “just keep the liquids they are not that important. I’m LATE!” But he insists it will only take a minute. I huff and puff and wait, and then take off like a fool running as fast I can through a really freakin long airport. I reach the gate barely breathing, but I make it. Needless to say, not the best way to start off my trip. Also fun fact about Ryanair…they sell smokeless cigarettes on board. Weird… and if you land on time they say. “Duh duh duh duh! Your flight has arrived on time!”

I took a taxi from the airport, and the guy was really friendly. He kept trying to ask me questions about London and studying abroad, but I didn’t understand half of what he was saying because he had such a thick accent, but I appreciated his kindness anyway. Got to the hostel and just kind of hung out and talked to Heather, Ameila, Stephen, and Jordan all from Miami’s campus in Luxembourg. We were also sharing the room with a grandpa named Patty who was visiting family, and he was really cute. He kept thinking we were from Idaho in potato country despite the fact that we said Ohio like 5 times.

Saturday in Dublin! We woke up fairly early and headed to St. Stephens Park. We stopped at Bagel factory on the way, which was delicious! The park was absolutely gorgeous and it started out nice and sunny too. Then we went to Trinity College to see the Book of Kell and one of the oldest libraries (same one where they filmed Star Wars!). Also found out that a ton of famous playwrights grew up in Ireland- Wilde, Shaw, and Beckett! After taking lots of pictures on campus we went to a market near Temple Bar because Jordan heard they had the best orange juice ever, which they definitely did! I also had a delicious barbeque sandwich that had all sorts of stuff on it. Really really darn good food! After stuffing our bellies, we headed to the Guiness factory. It was huge! And I am now a certified pourer of the perfect pint. We also got to drink the pints we poured…I had a sip; decided it was the most disgusting drink I had ever tasted, and gave the rest away. We also went to the top of the warehouse where we could see all around Dublin. We were exhausted after spending a while there, so we came back and took a two hour nap before dinner. We went to a traditional Irish pub that had some delicious food. Then we headed to church because our tour on Sunday left too early for us to go to Easter service. We went to Christ Church, which we thought was protestant. The service started in the crypt of the church, and we lit candles. When we got to the communion part we knew something was up because they were doing the cross and drinking out of a cup of wine, but it was Easter and I wanted to take communion, so we went up! When in another country, try everything! Found out after the 1 hour and 45 minute service that it was Episcopal, which would explain why the Catholics were confused and the Protestants were confused, but nonetheless it was nice that we got to church. After church we went to a restaurant called Eddie Rockets (exactly like Johnny Rockets) and got delicious brownie sundaes. Then we went to a bar and played cards and just kind of chilled out. Also discovered that I really like Bulmer’s pear cider. Tastes like candy!

Happy Easter! Sunday was one of the best days ever. We got up early to get on a tour of Wicklow, which is the countryside of Ireland. Because of recent snowfall we had to go a different route, which also took us by the coast. There were 16 people on our tour, and our tour guide was incredible and absolutely hysterical. The kind of guy you would love to be our grandfather. His name was Ed, and he knew EVERYTHING! Some of the stories he would tell were absolutely wonderful. We got out along the beach, and we saw seals in the water! Eventually we worked our way up into the mountains full of sheep, goats, and deer. Probably the most breathtaking sights I have ever seen. Absolutely serene. If you ever get the chance to go to Ireland, DO! We got to take pictures at the bridge from P.S I Love You (definitely a highlight of the tour), and we saw where they filmed Brave heart and Saving Private Ryan. We stopped at a little town for lunch, and then headed to a monastery from 900AD where Saint Kevin lived and taught apparently he helped in brining the Christian religion to Ireland. Ed took us all around the grave sight there and told us stories. One of the funnies things he said was when he was showing us a tomb stone and what it meant and he goes, “You got the cross, now bring on Jesus!” Oh Ed! He told us how to walk through a wooded path and said he would meet us on the other side. After hiking the 20 minutes he called us and said that he couldn’t get to the other side, so we had to hike back. It was gorgeous so it didn’t matter too much, it was just cold!!! After this we headed back to town because it was about 5:00. I wanted to stay awake for the scenic ride back, but I could hardly keep my eyes open! We went souvenir shopping when we got back, and then headed to dinner at this nice steak restaurant we found for cheap! It was Easter after all. I got Bailey’s coffee, which was delicious, and I tried Irish coffee, which was gross. We went back to the flat and just kind of hung out before going out to a bar. We didn’t stay there two long before 3 guys came up and started hitting on Jordan (yes, Jordan is a straight boy). It was kind of awkward, but funny! After awhile we got tired so all of us but Jordan headed back especially cause I had to get up early!

Finally brining me to today! Woke up early for my flight. Stephen was flying today too, so we took the bus together, and got to the airport with enough time to eat breakfast (and of course I remember to get my passport checked first this time!). However, it wouldn’t be a flight without something going wrong. They lined us up, and then had us wait standing up for 45 more minutes, but eventually we took off! And I was reading a Jodi Picoult book so I didn’t mind too much. Made it back to my flat and was really excited to see Emily and Mara. It was nice to be missed! I was excited to be back in London because I love it here, but it was hard to leave such a wonderful weekend! Went to McDonalds with the girls and opened my Easter package from the family, that was filled with tons of wonderful stuff! I think I made some people jealous :P But I was really excited!!! Now I am resting and preparing for another week!

THE APOCALYPSE

I know what you are all thinking...did Lys die? The answer is no, but all hell did break loose in good ole London! The reason I have not written a blog in 3 days is because the internet went out in the entire West End of London for 2 entire days! ATM's didn't work, credit card machines failed at businesses, phone lines were broke, and tons of businesses got out early. It was ridiculous!!! We thought perhaps the apocalypse was occurring. We also all quickly learned that living without internet is awful!!!! But I survived!!

So now to update you on all the happenings that have happened this week!

So Tuesday was Emily's birthday, so we got to celebrate in rehearsal! We worked on the entire Act 1. It looks SOOO good! And everyone was in such a better mood. Probably because we spent 2 and a half hours of the morning having individual meetings with Rania just so she could check in with all of us, which was basically just time to chat about life. But we were still productive the second part of the day :) Also we have to start wearing heels all the time in rehearsal...OMG, they kill! My feet hurt so bad every day!!! That night we went to a club to celebrate Emily's and Mara's birthday. I was super tired though, so I just kinda sat at a table and chatted, but we had a nice time. Oh also, found out the word for band aids is "plaster" in british and that we pronounce Renaissance differently. Rania proceeded to make fun of Americans by saying this exact sentence "you put your band aids on your Renaissance cooters" in a New York accent. It was hysterical!!

Wednesday was Mara's birthday, which we also celebrated in rehearsal! We ran Act 1 and then started blocking Act 2. Rania started calling me Alyssa, which I told her was weird and made me feel like I was in trouble, and because she likes shortening peoples names she know calls me Al. I kinda like it. She also calls people Fanny Adams or diddums when she can't remember their names fast enough. It's hysterical. At the end of Act 1 there are mini fight scenes, and David is my partner. Well today, we got to use blood packets!!! So I bit down on this capsule before Im suppose to bang my head on the ground, and my mouth was covered in blood! It was SOOO cool! I went to the bathroom to clean up afterwards and 2 people from the other cast were like "Oh my God are you okay?" ahhhhhh soo fun!!! When we got to the whore scene in Act 2 she decided we would do a naked rehearsal, so she kicked the boys out and all the girls slipped into lingerie (including her because she said she would never ask her actors to do something she would not) and we ran that scene. It was a lot of fun and very hysterical. At the end of it though, we were in such crazy moods, we didn't get much else done. And we got out semi early, which was great! I came home and tried to write my theatre history paper which was basically just me writing down ideas and quotes from the book (yeah no internet! But I definitely am using that as an excuse for no sources...). Then I got sick of some of my flat mates who are getting on my last nerve, so I went to visit Lauren and Alina. I ended up talking with Ashley Marie and Lydian as well for about two hours. It was really wonderful. I miss them!!!

Which finally brings me to today which was also wonderful! It's so nice just working on a show and not having to take classes, but still learning! We finished working through act 2 and into act 3. It's a slow process, but everything is looking so great. Rania told us today that during breaks all the directors talk about the students that are getting on their nerves and they wish they could trade and Rania said she felt like a bitch saying she loved everyone in her cast :) It's true, we definitely have the best cast and the best show! We did a lingerie rehearsal again, except this time with the boys, many of which had to be in their boxers. It went really well though!! Rania has been really fun recently and very brutally honest, which is always really funny even when she is being strict. We wanted to play an April Fools joke on her, but we didn't get to the song that we planned on doing (we were going to insert dont stop believing instead) that or switch rooms with another cast, but they all started at different times today. Anyway we made it through the first scene of act 3, and we are doing the rest tomorrow and then doing a run of the show!! And then I am going to DUBLIN with Heather and other Miami people!!!!! YEAH! Soooo excited!

Well now I REALLY REALLY have to go write this paper so it is not complete crap and I am not up all night! But I won't have internet till Monday I don't think, so expect another LONG blog soon!!!