Have I mentioned that Hamlet is my favorite Shakespeare tragedy, and possibly favorite Shakespeare play overall?
I think this would make an awesome skit:
Happy Friday, folks!
Friday, November 19
Wednesday, November 17
Happy Talk: November Tybbling
- Did everyone else love Gwyneth Paltrow on Glee? Her character was totally like Jack Black's in School of Rock. And now I want to watch School of Rock and Shallow Hal. Plus, it just makes me happy that she sang a song from School House Rock:
- We rescheduled our vacation. Phew! I'm a-goin' here next month:
(I took this photo during my cruise in January)
- This is probably not the costume I'll be wearing for 1940s Radio Hour, but I still felt ridiculously pretty on Saturday when we took photos!
From left to right: Rossy, Larissa, Nichole, and me.
- Oh goodness, I adore these women! Larissa, Nichole and I went shopping together on Saturday. Then Rossy and I saw Little Women at the Empress. It was a fun day; I needed some time out with just the girls!
- I'm going to Disneyland for New Year's. 'Nuff said.
- I'm going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I tomorrow night with my best friend and her other favorite people. And I have a scar sticker and glasses. 'Nuff said.
- Last Monday, I came into work and found something new on my messy desk:
- Jordyn sent me an invitation to participate in the Give and Get program last weekend, so I shopped at the GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic and a few other stores for 30% off, and 5% percent went to Teach for America. I bought two pairs of pants, my mom hemmed them, and I am wearing the new chords tomorrow. BEST OF ALL: I bought the best knee-length trench coat; I've wanted one for so long! Yay for new, flattering clothes! (Next time, I'll try to remember to share the invitation...)
- My nieces on Sunday were wearing striped sweaters, brightly-colored tights, diaper covers, and moon boots. They had worn skirts earlier in the day but ditched them at some point. There are few things as adorable as two little girls running around like superheroes in training!
- I might get Friday off from rehearsal... let's all keep our fingers crossed that tomorrow's rehearsal goes really, really well!
- Three of my brothers and one of my sisters-in-law called me tonight and left me a message from the Korean Memorial in Washington D.C. I'm jealous they were all there without me, but I love that they called! I am so excited to see them next month!
- And now this song is totally stuck in my head. Sorry if it's caught in yours too!
Tuesday, November 16
Never mind
Just got an e-mail from Carnival. They cancelled my cruise. I want to be glad they're taking ample time to fix the ship, and it's not like this happens all the time.
But it was my vacation.
I am so depressed right now.
Excuse me while I call my mom and let her know. Hopefully we can figure something else out in time.
**Update: I just talked with my dad and he already has a few ideas for alternate vacations. He even joked, "This could be the best thing that ever happened to us." I had to laugh. He knew I was upset and was doing what he could to cheer me up. I sure do love that man.
But it was my vacation.
I am so depressed right now.
Excuse me while I call my mom and let her know. Hopefully we can figure something else out in time.
**Update: I just talked with my dad and he already has a few ideas for alternate vacations. He even joked, "This could be the best thing that ever happened to us." I had to laugh. He knew I was upset and was doing what he could to cheer me up. I sure do love that man.
Sunday, November 14
Please don't cancel our trip!
Have you heard about the Carnival Splendor, the ship that caught on fire and took 3 days to limp home while the passengers dealt with cold food and no bathrooms? (If you haven't, click here.)
Yeah, that's the ship my family's supposed to cruise on next month.
I sure hope they fix it in time. It will be really difficult trying to plan something else in time.
I have really been looking forward to the big vacation!!!!!
Boo :(
Yeah, that's the ship my family's supposed to cruise on next month.
I sure hope they fix it in time. It will be really difficult trying to plan something else in time.
I have really been looking forward to the big vacation!!!!!
Boo :(
Validation, A.K.A. Thoughts on Esteem
I believe that it's possible to be aware of our own strengths and good qualities, and to give ourselves permission to be proud of them. Everyone is unique. Everyone is beautiful. And everyone deserves to feel that they are wonderful and not feel guilty or embarrassed about it.
I don't think "pride" is the acknowledgment that we are terrific; I think pride is treating others like they aren't. If that's true, we need to be better about being our own form of awesome.
Example 1: Self-Esteem
In college, I often said things like "I am so dumb" or "I'm such a loser." I was usually joking, but my roommate commented one day that some part of me must have believed what I was saying. She said that every time I said something mean about myself I hurt my self-esteem. She challenged me to stop using those negative phrases and promised that if I did I would be a much happier person. She was right! You would not believe how much happier I was. I started to believe the nice things I said, and I learned to like myself. It's an ongoing battle to remind myself of the things I like, but to this day I am grateful that my roommate recognized my need to be kind to myself and gave me permission to do so.
Sometimes we are so busy trying to be humble and build other people up that we feel we have to tear ourselves down. But each of us has something to offer. We deserve to feel good about ourselves and should not be shy about it when the situation is appropriate. Just because we are terrific, it doesn't mean that our terrific-ness detracts from anyone else.
There isn't a whole lot lately that I feel is in my control. The one I can control is my perception of myself. There are many days when I still feel like the scrawny, frizzy-haired, flat-chested, emotional, fearful, lonely 12 year old I once was. So, I work at it. I continually strive to focus on the things I do well, rather than those I don't do so well. I might not have a gym membership, but I am vigilant about eating fruits and vegetables. I may not vacuum very often, but I always make my bed. I might not know how to play my nephew's video games, but I am pretty good at Go Fish! It's a daily struggle, and one that will likely never end since my infinite mistakes imply I still have a lot to learn. It's a worthy struggle, though.
I'm the only person I'm going to live with for my entire life. It's common sense to want to like that person. If I indulge in self-torture, I'll never be happy no matter how wonderful everything else is. Let alone, I'll probably miss out on a lot of wonderful stuff. I don't want that!
If any of you women still need permission to feel good about yourself (or even if you don't) read this awesome post from the Single Dad Laughing blog. It's so good to hear a man say that women have worth and that he wants to help us recognize it! Do many men around us have any idea how much that affirmation means to us women while the rest of the world seems to be telling us we're just not good enough? Do many women offer the same kind of affirmation and appreciation for them?
Example 2: Spreading Esteem
At church on Sunday, I was talking to two ladies and made a reference to how awesome we are. The girls started laughing delightedly. I responded with, "What? We are darn good looking. I'm looking at you right now and I know what I look like!" I think they were surprised that I said it so matter-of-fact. But the statement was completely true. My favorite part is that although they laughed neither of them rejected the compliment. They just enjoyed it!
While we're at it, it doesn't hurt to share with other people what wonderful qualities they have.
Can you imagine if everyone in the world complimented one person a day?
Even better, can you imagine if the complimented person chose to believe what was said? I hate, hate, hate it when I compliment someone and they don't accept it. Don't imply that I am somehow mistaken; then I just regret my attempt to acknowledge your individual awesomeness! Let me take pleasure in seeing that my honest, unsolicited compliment made you happy! Someone else recognized how great you are! You're not alone! Instead of saying, "You're too nice" and brushing it off, say "Thanks! I needed that today!" and bask in the feel-goodness.
And if you feel so inclined, you can even compliment me back. Don't feel compelled to -- that's not why I give compliments. I do it because I sincerely believe that you are beautiful and I want to make sure you know I notice.
Please forgive me though if you do compliment me and I say something like, "I know!"
Example 3: Mutual Esteem
My best friend in High School was involved in a lot of the same activities I was... and she always seemed to be just a little bit better at them. When I won the "Best Supporting Actress" award during the Regional Drama competition, she won "Best Actress." When we auditioned for Madrigals together -- the elite singing group at our school -- she got in and I didn't. She was a star athlete, she was third in our academic class of 363 people (I have no idea what my ranking was), she was ambitious, she was taller and more slender, her hair grew faster, and she had no fears about making friends in new situations. She was a poised, intelligent, talented Amazon.
She was also my biggest fan!
She was always the first to find me at lunch, invite me to her house, come to my numerous plays, laugh with me at my silly dating stories, and tell me how cute my haircut was. She saw me as a talented, darling, smart, gorgeous, funny, brave, thoughtful, positive person... attributes I didn't always see in myself. How could I feel inferior for any length of time when she seemed to think I was as wonderful as I thought she was?
Okay, I'm not perfect; it killed me that she was in Madrigals and I wasn't, and I still wish that she were the fatter of the two of us, but there's not much I can do about the former, and I'm learning to accept the latter. Sometimes it takes an effort to focus on what I do well rather than what she does better.
We have similar interests, but we are not the same. Instead, we are friends who love and support each other and have for the last 16 years. Isn't it great?
We build each other up. It doesn't diminish either of us in any way to feel happy for the other. I am proud of my friend's accomplishments, and am always thrilled when she feels the same for me.
Based on hers and several other friendships, I've decided that whenever I encounter a woman who intimidates me, I need to become her friend. That way, I can stop being jealous that she seems to have so much that I don't, and instead celebrate her successes with her. Someday I will successfully learn to be happy for those women anyway, but for now it's enough just to summon the courage to talk to awe-inspiring strangers... and remind myself that I am just as awesome in my way (so easy to forget)! After all, my girl friends are seriously amazing. I am grateful every day for the way their experiences and talents and endless support enrich my life!
I am also extremely proud of my male friends. They totally rock!! I can't believe that I have the honor to know them and I and thankful for their influence on my life (but I'm not quite ready to apply the "let's be friends" method to strange men who intimidate me... that's a completely different ballgame).
I'll say it again: It does not diminish us to recognize and celebrate the wonderful people around us.
In conclusion, here's a short film called Validation. It reminds me of the time I went to the movies, asked for a validation (meaning a parking validation) and the worker said, "Your hair is so pretty!" It made my whole day. I don't remember what movie I saw, but I remember how good that unexpectly sincere compliment made me feel!
You, reader, are wonderful and you are unique. Go and be your wonderful self. Don't apologize and don't hold back!
Love,
Miss Megan
I don't think "pride" is the acknowledgment that we are terrific; I think pride is treating others like they aren't. If that's true, we need to be better about being our own form of awesome.
Example 1: Self-Esteem
In college, I often said things like "I am so dumb" or "I'm such a loser." I was usually joking, but my roommate commented one day that some part of me must have believed what I was saying. She said that every time I said something mean about myself I hurt my self-esteem. She challenged me to stop using those negative phrases and promised that if I did I would be a much happier person. She was right! You would not believe how much happier I was. I started to believe the nice things I said, and I learned to like myself. It's an ongoing battle to remind myself of the things I like, but to this day I am grateful that my roommate recognized my need to be kind to myself and gave me permission to do so.
Sometimes we are so busy trying to be humble and build other people up that we feel we have to tear ourselves down. But each of us has something to offer. We deserve to feel good about ourselves and should not be shy about it when the situation is appropriate. Just because we are terrific, it doesn't mean that our terrific-ness detracts from anyone else.
There isn't a whole lot lately that I feel is in my control. The one I can control is my perception of myself. There are many days when I still feel like the scrawny, frizzy-haired, flat-chested, emotional, fearful, lonely 12 year old I once was. So, I work at it. I continually strive to focus on the things I do well, rather than those I don't do so well. I might not have a gym membership, but I am vigilant about eating fruits and vegetables. I may not vacuum very often, but I always make my bed. I might not know how to play my nephew's video games, but I am pretty good at Go Fish! It's a daily struggle, and one that will likely never end since my infinite mistakes imply I still have a lot to learn. It's a worthy struggle, though.
I'm the only person I'm going to live with for my entire life. It's common sense to want to like that person. If I indulge in self-torture, I'll never be happy no matter how wonderful everything else is. Let alone, I'll probably miss out on a lot of wonderful stuff. I don't want that!
If any of you women still need permission to feel good about yourself (or even if you don't) read this awesome post from the Single Dad Laughing blog. It's so good to hear a man say that women have worth and that he wants to help us recognize it! Do many men around us have any idea how much that affirmation means to us women while the rest of the world seems to be telling us we're just not good enough? Do many women offer the same kind of affirmation and appreciation for them?
Example 2: Spreading Esteem
At church on Sunday, I was talking to two ladies and made a reference to how awesome we are. The girls started laughing delightedly. I responded with, "What? We are darn good looking. I'm looking at you right now and I know what I look like!" I think they were surprised that I said it so matter-of-fact. But the statement was completely true. My favorite part is that although they laughed neither of them rejected the compliment. They just enjoyed it!
While we're at it, it doesn't hurt to share with other people what wonderful qualities they have.
Can you imagine if everyone in the world complimented one person a day?
Even better, can you imagine if the complimented person chose to believe what was said? I hate, hate, hate it when I compliment someone and they don't accept it. Don't imply that I am somehow mistaken; then I just regret my attempt to acknowledge your individual awesomeness! Let me take pleasure in seeing that my honest, unsolicited compliment made you happy! Someone else recognized how great you are! You're not alone! Instead of saying, "You're too nice" and brushing it off, say "Thanks! I needed that today!" and bask in the feel-goodness.
And if you feel so inclined, you can even compliment me back. Don't feel compelled to -- that's not why I give compliments. I do it because I sincerely believe that you are beautiful and I want to make sure you know I notice.
Please forgive me though if you do compliment me and I say something like, "I know!"
Example 3: Mutual Esteem
My best friend in High School was involved in a lot of the same activities I was... and she always seemed to be just a little bit better at them. When I won the "Best Supporting Actress" award during the Regional Drama competition, she won "Best Actress." When we auditioned for Madrigals together -- the elite singing group at our school -- she got in and I didn't. She was a star athlete, she was third in our academic class of 363 people (I have no idea what my ranking was), she was ambitious, she was taller and more slender, her hair grew faster, and she had no fears about making friends in new situations. She was a poised, intelligent, talented Amazon.
She was also my biggest fan!
She was always the first to find me at lunch, invite me to her house, come to my numerous plays, laugh with me at my silly dating stories, and tell me how cute my haircut was. She saw me as a talented, darling, smart, gorgeous, funny, brave, thoughtful, positive person... attributes I didn't always see in myself. How could I feel inferior for any length of time when she seemed to think I was as wonderful as I thought she was?
Okay, I'm not perfect; it killed me that she was in Madrigals and I wasn't, and I still wish that she were the fatter of the two of us, but there's not much I can do about the former, and I'm learning to accept the latter. Sometimes it takes an effort to focus on what I do well rather than what she does better.
We have similar interests, but we are not the same. Instead, we are friends who love and support each other and have for the last 16 years. Isn't it great?
We build each other up. It doesn't diminish either of us in any way to feel happy for the other. I am proud of my friend's accomplishments, and am always thrilled when she feels the same for me.
Based on hers and several other friendships, I've decided that whenever I encounter a woman who intimidates me, I need to become her friend. That way, I can stop being jealous that she seems to have so much that I don't, and instead celebrate her successes with her. Someday I will successfully learn to be happy for those women anyway, but for now it's enough just to summon the courage to talk to awe-inspiring strangers... and remind myself that I am just as awesome in my way (so easy to forget)! After all, my girl friends are seriously amazing. I am grateful every day for the way their experiences and talents and endless support enrich my life!
I am also extremely proud of my male friends. They totally rock!! I can't believe that I have the honor to know them and I and thankful for their influence on my life (but I'm not quite ready to apply the "let's be friends" method to strange men who intimidate me... that's a completely different ballgame).
I'll say it again: It does not diminish us to recognize and celebrate the wonderful people around us.
In conclusion, here's a short film called Validation. It reminds me of the time I went to the movies, asked for a validation (meaning a parking validation) and the worker said, "Your hair is so pretty!" It made my whole day. I don't remember what movie I saw, but I remember how good that unexpectly sincere compliment made me feel!
You, reader, are wonderful and you are unique. Go and be your wonderful self. Don't apologize and don't hold back!
Love,
Miss Megan
Wednesday, November 10
Singin' Soprano!
I'm naturally a soprano, but there are so many sopranos (in addition to lazy mezzos and altos and small children) in the musical theatre world that if there is an alto option, I'll generally sing the harmony. This can be an advantage when auditioning *cough*Hale Centre Theatre*cough*, but it does take its toll; extended alto is hard on my voice. Even if I can sing the low notes it doesn't always mean I should.
So: Hooray!! In 1940s Radio Hour my character is a soprano! Not just a soprano -- the soprano! There are two other girls who flip between soprano and mezzo, but I always sing the soprano. I admit, it's a little difficult adjusting to singing the melody all the time -- I love singing harmony and at this point I pick it out almost instinctively. I'm really not sure I could sing the melody for anything from Kiss Me Kate, and although I am a little sad about that fact, I am proud that it means that I learned my second alto part so well! However, it feels wonderful to flex my soprano muscles! I'm loud, I'm gaining confidence, and I'm grateful.
Last night we had a music rehearsal for Radio Hour. I sing in quite a few numbers, I have one where I'm the "featured" soloist, and then an actual solo -- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -- at the very end. I was singing through the songs wondering if friends and family would enjoy it. If they're coming just to see me... well, I'm not one of the more colorful characters in the show. I mostly sit back and listen to conversations. One of my Seven Brides friends who is also in this show joked that it's not as big a part as Milly was, and she's right. I love my character and I'm learning a lot about acting, but I don't want people to be disappointed, you know?
Great, now I sound like I think I'm the only person worth going to the show to see, and that is definitely NOT TRUE! I love watching the others and seeing what they're doing. Plus, they are perfectly cast to sing their songs. I am really grateful I went to that pick-up audition and that I get to work with them. It's pretty cool to do a musical where there are scenes that do more than just introduce the next song. The beginning and ending "scenes" are bascially just 10-20 minutes of us getting to be our characters with no musical interruption. My castmates are actual actors as well as singers, and they shine!
But I digress, we were singing the songs in the order we'll sing them during the actual show, and I was worrying about whether people would like the show, and whether we'd be ready to open in three weeks, and where the devil some of the cast members were. Like I said, my solo comes at the very end of the radio show, so I had plenty of time to fret. But it finally came time for my solo, which happens to be my very favorite song in the show (and I get to sing it!!!!!!!!).
I killed it. Seriously. It felt SO GOOD to sing like that! We picked an arrangement in a higher key than comes in the score (because I was struggling with the low notes) and since I know the song pretty well and I know Cheryl the accompanist so well I could just sing and not worry about anything else. It was so fun! When I finished, Cheryl and I were both smiling as big as we could. I could tell she'd had as much fun as I had. I wish I got to sing like that all the time -- I'd forgotten that I had it in me! I feel so grateful that my big solo is a song I love and sing well. It would be awful to have to sing one that I feel uncomfortable with in any way. Been there. Done that. I wish my songs in Seven Brides had been soprano so they could have been that much fun -- at least there were plenty in that show and my most awkward song was the very first one!
And to my fears I thought, "Well, I think my friends will think the show worth it, if I sing my song just like that."
I'm still smiling!
Everyone else seemed content to move onto the next song -- Harli's been known to say "I don't worry about you" -- but since they all got to sing through their solos twice, I insisted on a second time, too. Honestly, the second attempt wasn't as good. It was pretty good, but it wasn't the same. I was too busy thinking about how well the first time had gone and thinking "Wow! I am so talented! Totally worth the price of a ticket!" But I'm glad I did it anyway. I will take all the practice I can get.
Tonight we're putting the whole show together. This means that some cast members will be hearing the solos for the first time (there's one song even I've never heard, and I've been to all of the music rehearsals). It's going to be rough, but I'm excited! I love to sing! I'm so glad I'm doing this show!
And now back to my regularly scheduled humility...
So: Hooray!! In 1940s Radio Hour my character is a soprano! Not just a soprano -- the soprano! There are two other girls who flip between soprano and mezzo, but I always sing the soprano. I admit, it's a little difficult adjusting to singing the melody all the time -- I love singing harmony and at this point I pick it out almost instinctively. I'm really not sure I could sing the melody for anything from Kiss Me Kate, and although I am a little sad about that fact, I am proud that it means that I learned my second alto part so well! However, it feels wonderful to flex my soprano muscles! I'm loud, I'm gaining confidence, and I'm grateful.
Last night we had a music rehearsal for Radio Hour. I sing in quite a few numbers, I have one where I'm the "featured" soloist, and then an actual solo -- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -- at the very end. I was singing through the songs wondering if friends and family would enjoy it. If they're coming just to see me... well, I'm not one of the more colorful characters in the show. I mostly sit back and listen to conversations. One of my Seven Brides friends who is also in this show joked that it's not as big a part as Milly was, and she's right. I love my character and I'm learning a lot about acting, but I don't want people to be disappointed, you know?
Great, now I sound like I think I'm the only person worth going to the show to see, and that is definitely NOT TRUE! I love watching the others and seeing what they're doing. Plus, they are perfectly cast to sing their songs. I am really grateful I went to that pick-up audition and that I get to work with them. It's pretty cool to do a musical where there are scenes that do more than just introduce the next song. The beginning and ending "scenes" are bascially just 10-20 minutes of us getting to be our characters with no musical interruption. My castmates are actual actors as well as singers, and they shine!
But I digress, we were singing the songs in the order we'll sing them during the actual show, and I was worrying about whether people would like the show, and whether we'd be ready to open in three weeks, and where the devil some of the cast members were. Like I said, my solo comes at the very end of the radio show, so I had plenty of time to fret. But it finally came time for my solo, which happens to be my very favorite song in the show (and I get to sing it!!!!!!!!).
I killed it. Seriously. It felt SO GOOD to sing like that! We picked an arrangement in a higher key than comes in the score (because I was struggling with the low notes) and since I know the song pretty well and I know Cheryl the accompanist so well I could just sing and not worry about anything else. It was so fun! When I finished, Cheryl and I were both smiling as big as we could. I could tell she'd had as much fun as I had. I wish I got to sing like that all the time -- I'd forgotten that I had it in me! I feel so grateful that my big solo is a song I love and sing well. It would be awful to have to sing one that I feel uncomfortable with in any way. Been there. Done that. I wish my songs in Seven Brides had been soprano so they could have been that much fun -- at least there were plenty in that show and my most awkward song was the very first one!
And to my fears I thought, "Well, I think my friends will think the show worth it, if I sing my song just like that."
I'm still smiling!
Everyone else seemed content to move onto the next song -- Harli's been known to say "I don't worry about you" -- but since they all got to sing through their solos twice, I insisted on a second time, too. Honestly, the second attempt wasn't as good. It was pretty good, but it wasn't the same. I was too busy thinking about how well the first time had gone and thinking "Wow! I am so talented! Totally worth the price of a ticket!" But I'm glad I did it anyway. I will take all the practice I can get.
Tonight we're putting the whole show together. This means that some cast members will be hearing the solos for the first time (there's one song even I've never heard, and I've been to all of the music rehearsals). It's going to be rough, but I'm excited! I love to sing! I'm so glad I'm doing this show!
And now back to my regularly scheduled humility...
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