Well, I'm officially in love with the "City of Love." The tempo/rhythm of this city is so calm and relaxing. What a nice getaway after a month of intense training is a hustle and bustle city. Love Moscow, but this is a nice change.
Well, yesterday we all woke up, made some breakfast, chatted, told stories, and figured out what we would do for the day. The decision was to go to the Musee de Louvre. We also decided to walk there because it only looked like it was a mile down, which is nothing compared to all the walking we did in Moscow. Plus, we wanted to see a little more of Paris on the way. So, we walked. It was strange because I felt like I knew where I was going, where I was heading, and the streets are strange and curve all different ways. Somehow I became the leader, which is fine. It's just weird how natural I feel here; I feel so comfortable.
On the way, we saw everything you'd expect to see in Paris, the apartments with the balconies and flowers, the little restaurants, bakeries, small streets, one way streets, beautiful churches. We stopped into some of the little shops. Then it began to rain. Pretty hard. The funny thing about it is that it didn't really even phase us. We had umbrellas. At one point, Sarah and I were waiting on a corner by a canal we had to cross, for everyone else, and I look across the canal and go "Hey, Sarah, look to your right. There's Notre Dame." And there it was. Out of nowhere, we just happened to run into it. It's so cool how that can happen and how we just ran into one of the famous churches. It's so magnificent and such a sight to see. So beautiful and so gigantic.
We continued on and on the way we saw the intersection that Princess Diana had her car accident at...well, not the tunnel, but above the tunnel. That was surreal.
We went further and finally arrive at the gigantic Louvre. We walked through to the other side and there were the pyramids everyone knows about. It was so weird to actually see them in real life because you hear about them so often and see pictures and here I am standing right in front of them. We entered the museum and began our 8 hour adventure around this large and enticing museum. Here's a small rundown of the things I saw: The Mona Lisa (which is a lot smaller than I thought it'd be), Venus de Milo, Victorie de Samthonique (might have that last part wrong), paintings of Michaelangelo, Donatello, mummies, the coffin thing that mummies get placed into, Egyptian/Greek/Roman artifacts, Greek Vases, Roman Vases, Napoleon's Apartments, Greek/Italian sculptures, paintings from all over Europe. The list is extensive. So much to take in in such a small amount of time. After 6pm, it's free, so we're going to try to come back a couple times after 6 when we're not doing something else, just to check out some more. Beth said she saw Commedia masks, which I would LOVE to see.
On our way back to the apartment, we crossed the canal with people just having picnics - wine, beer, noodles, baguettes - I'm totally doing this before I leave. We went down a side street instead of the main street on the way home and passed some break dancers, little bars and clubs, restuarants. The city was so alive and so lit up and it was so late. We stopped at Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore that Hemingway and others used to come to to chill at. A tiny quaint bookstore loaded with old, old books. It was pretty neat to see. I looked straight ahead while Sarah and I were waiting outside for Beth and Cathy to finish shopping and again, there was Notre Dame - all lit up. What a sight to see at night as well. (P.S. I forgot to mention, you can pretty much see the Eiffel Tower from everywhere as long as there's some open space - from the Lovre windows, the bridges, etc.) We continued walking and stopped at this wine store. The guy began talking to Beth and I outside because we weren't getting anything and he was telling us we need to stay up and out all night one night in Paris when the moon is out. Then at 5am when the cafes open, grab a coffee and watch the sunrise. That is how you truly experience Paris. So, one night, we're definitely going to do that. I'm pretty excited.
We got home and were all exhausted. I made some dinner (GNOCCI!), we each had a glass of wine, and then off to bed we went. First day around Paris was a success and an amazing time.
Today, we're going to get ready and head off to the Catacombs and then over to visit the Eiffel Tower to see it while it's daylight, eat some dinner, then see wait to see it all lit up, as well. Another long, but cool day.
Have a good day!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bonjour
Well. I'm in Paris. What a night/day yesterday. Well, he headed off to the airport around 3:30am. Everyone was in a different state - happy, sad, tired, confused, drunk, everything. So that was obviously interesting. We got to the airport earlier than they would let us in, so we had a little bit of sitting around to do. Then they said that everyone's bags had to be 23kilos (50 lbs.) so everyone was frantically going through their bags throwing stuff in other people's so that it wouldn't be too heavy. On the way home, if it's over, I'm just paying whatever it is. lol. I was fine though because I have two bags already.
So, I get on the plane and pass out. Woke up later and the clouds were so heavy it looked like snow. You couldn't see anything underneath. Aboveit was the bright blue sky. Really quite amazing. Of course I took a picture.
We landed and had to find Beth's mom and sister. The airport in Paris is really not that easy to navigate, but we made it. Then we found a cab and took it to our apartment. It's in the 6th district, beautiful. There's a main bathroom which is big, a master bedroom and bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, a yellow dining room and kitchen, a living room with blue furniture and peach walls and another bedroom with two twin beds. The streets outside are so nice also. Nice apartment buildings, little stores, random fountains. What you would expect Paris to be I guess.
Kennikki and I went to a little restaurant for lunch across the street while we were waiting for the others so we could go grocery shopping because we were STARVING! so, we got chicken and fries. ha ha. (Kennikki: "We have to get french fries. we're in FRANCE!" yea, she's a dork just like me.) It was cool because I was able to read the french menu. It's been a while since I've taken french, and I only took two years, but its cool to see what's coming back. We went to the grocery store which was laid out weird. They had a downstairs too, which is where you checked out. To get your cart downstairs, carts had their own escalator that grabbed onto their wheels. so crazy. Then you had to pay 3 cents for bags. lame but it's all good.
We came back and Kennikki and I went to get a phone card because everyone else didn't feel like going they just wanted to chill. So we walked and picked random streets. Found a McDonalds, Starbucks, an amazing smelling bakery. Met some really nice people. It's so interesting because, yes, people are rude here I guess but everyone seems like angels after leaving Moscow lol. The few people we stopped and talked to were really friendly and wanted to help us out and to talk to us. Such a nice atmoshere here.
It was definitely sort of a culture shock to be here because within a two hour span we're in a different country with a different language, new streets, and new everything. Its like the first 2 days in Moscow where you have to learn everything all over again. It'll be ok though. The pace here is a little slower...amongst the walkers. The driving is insane, there's no lanes!!! But people aren't speeding past you as you walk, knocking your shoulders, they're just chillin enjoying life. I really like that.
So, Kennikki and I got back and I fell asleep; it's 5pm. I woke up at midnight - took out my contacts and went back to sleep. I woke up at 7:40am this morning. That's a ton of sleep, but I was exhausted. Mom can attest for me because I sounded like crap on the phone yesterday. ha ha.
Anyway, right now it's a little gray outside, so hopefully it'll turn around and be as beautiful as it was yesterday. I'm off to take a shower and get ready for the day. Have a great one! Love and miss you all. A bientot!
So, I get on the plane and pass out. Woke up later and the clouds were so heavy it looked like snow. You couldn't see anything underneath. Aboveit was the bright blue sky. Really quite amazing. Of course I took a picture.
We landed and had to find Beth's mom and sister. The airport in Paris is really not that easy to navigate, but we made it. Then we found a cab and took it to our apartment. It's in the 6th district, beautiful. There's a main bathroom which is big, a master bedroom and bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, a yellow dining room and kitchen, a living room with blue furniture and peach walls and another bedroom with two twin beds. The streets outside are so nice also. Nice apartment buildings, little stores, random fountains. What you would expect Paris to be I guess.
Kennikki and I went to a little restaurant for lunch across the street while we were waiting for the others so we could go grocery shopping because we were STARVING! so, we got chicken and fries. ha ha. (Kennikki: "We have to get french fries. we're in FRANCE!" yea, she's a dork just like me.) It was cool because I was able to read the french menu. It's been a while since I've taken french, and I only took two years, but its cool to see what's coming back. We went to the grocery store which was laid out weird. They had a downstairs too, which is where you checked out. To get your cart downstairs, carts had their own escalator that grabbed onto their wheels. so crazy. Then you had to pay 3 cents for bags. lame but it's all good.
We came back and Kennikki and I went to get a phone card because everyone else didn't feel like going they just wanted to chill. So we walked and picked random streets. Found a McDonalds, Starbucks, an amazing smelling bakery. Met some really nice people. It's so interesting because, yes, people are rude here I guess but everyone seems like angels after leaving Moscow lol. The few people we stopped and talked to were really friendly and wanted to help us out and to talk to us. Such a nice atmoshere here.
It was definitely sort of a culture shock to be here because within a two hour span we're in a different country with a different language, new streets, and new everything. Its like the first 2 days in Moscow where you have to learn everything all over again. It'll be ok though. The pace here is a little slower...amongst the walkers. The driving is insane, there's no lanes!!! But people aren't speeding past you as you walk, knocking your shoulders, they're just chillin enjoying life. I really like that.
So, Kennikki and I got back and I fell asleep; it's 5pm. I woke up at midnight - took out my contacts and went back to sleep. I woke up at 7:40am this morning. That's a ton of sleep, but I was exhausted. Mom can attest for me because I sounded like crap on the phone yesterday. ha ha.
Anyway, right now it's a little gray outside, so hopefully it'll turn around and be as beautiful as it was yesterday. I'm off to take a shower and get ready for the day. Have a great one! Love and miss you all. A bientot!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Goodbye Moscow.
Well, tonight I had the perfect goodbye to Moscow. Kennikki, Beth, Mo, Dave, and I went to my pond. We sat there and listened to music, looked at the stars, the water, and had a half an hour before the dorm closed. It was beautiful and amazing. We each then stood at the water's edge and said our last words to Moscow and did a curtain call. It was such an amazing moment, and one I think I'll hold dear forever. The look of my friends, the water, the moon, the stars, the clouds, the buildings, the trees. Such a vivid picture emblazened in my mind. Perfect.
This morning we went to the most beautiful cemetary I've ever been to. We saw Anton Chekhov's grave, Nemirovich-Dachenko's, and Stanislavsky's. It was definitely really cool and I'm glad we were able to go. Afterward, Beth, Ted, Mo, and I went to eat. We went to this place called Temple Bar, which I think is amazing because that is the name of the hole in the wall bar in Detroit by the Masonic Temple that we go to. It's cool that we went to it, but a lot nicer of a version, in Moscow. P.S. When you order a salad, it's like shredded beets, not the green lettuce we get home. FYI. I got a salad and chicken in marinara. Chicken = good. Salad = disgusting.
Matt, Beth, Mo, and I went to the Banya after. The Banya is like a spa. Apparently, it's the thing you do in Moscow. There's this sauna, which is sooooo hot and wonderful. In it, you take these birch sticks/leaves and whack yourself with them. It doesn't hurt, it's actually very relaxing. You soak them in water and they wrap around you and loosen up. It feels so good on your muscles in the sauna. Then you go outside of it and there's a cord you can pull for a bucket of water to dump on you to cool you off, or you can go into a tub of cold water. There's also a pool there to swim in and cool off in which was so cool. I felt like I was an Emporer or something because of how magnificent this place was. In the pool there were white columns surrounding it, a fountain which squirted into the pool, a skylight which was all stained glass, and black and reddish marble on the walls. I felt like I was royalty. Matt and I repeated this maybe four times. So worth it, and a nice reward for ourselves after a crazy month. I seriousl felt high afterward. The girls had a good time, too. They ended up getting body mud masks, though, which they enjoyed.
Afterward, I headed over to Red Square and got my last looks at Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral. I saw a park to the side of it and went in. There was this really cool horse fountain, and a little canal with statues in it of fairytales. I'm so glad I was able to go here one last time and while the sun was setting. I got some great pictures. I really wish you could be here to enjoy it with me.
In Russia, it's custom to give gifts. Well, as I had said earlier, I gave the Wayne State bracelets to our favorite Russians - Polina and Sasha. Today, they gave me this little tiny book with dolphins on the front and seashells and it's in Russian. On the front of it, it says Good Luck. It was just really cool that they thought to give it to me. Also, that they saw this and thought of me because dolphins are my favorite animals and I obviously love the beach. I'm going to miss them.
So, in a couple hours we leave for Paris. Moscow was great, but it's time to move on. Thank you for everything. Bonjour Paris.
Well, I need to finish packing. Have a good night. Love you all.
This morning we went to the most beautiful cemetary I've ever been to. We saw Anton Chekhov's grave, Nemirovich-Dachenko's, and Stanislavsky's. It was definitely really cool and I'm glad we were able to go. Afterward, Beth, Ted, Mo, and I went to eat. We went to this place called Temple Bar, which I think is amazing because that is the name of the hole in the wall bar in Detroit by the Masonic Temple that we go to. It's cool that we went to it, but a lot nicer of a version, in Moscow. P.S. When you order a salad, it's like shredded beets, not the green lettuce we get home. FYI. I got a salad and chicken in marinara. Chicken = good. Salad = disgusting.
Matt, Beth, Mo, and I went to the Banya after. The Banya is like a spa. Apparently, it's the thing you do in Moscow. There's this sauna, which is sooooo hot and wonderful. In it, you take these birch sticks/leaves and whack yourself with them. It doesn't hurt, it's actually very relaxing. You soak them in water and they wrap around you and loosen up. It feels so good on your muscles in the sauna. Then you go outside of it and there's a cord you can pull for a bucket of water to dump on you to cool you off, or you can go into a tub of cold water. There's also a pool there to swim in and cool off in which was so cool. I felt like I was an Emporer or something because of how magnificent this place was. In the pool there were white columns surrounding it, a fountain which squirted into the pool, a skylight which was all stained glass, and black and reddish marble on the walls. I felt like I was royalty. Matt and I repeated this maybe four times. So worth it, and a nice reward for ourselves after a crazy month. I seriousl felt high afterward. The girls had a good time, too. They ended up getting body mud masks, though, which they enjoyed.
Afterward, I headed over to Red Square and got my last looks at Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral. I saw a park to the side of it and went in. There was this really cool horse fountain, and a little canal with statues in it of fairytales. I'm so glad I was able to go here one last time and while the sun was setting. I got some great pictures. I really wish you could be here to enjoy it with me.
In Russia, it's custom to give gifts. Well, as I had said earlier, I gave the Wayne State bracelets to our favorite Russians - Polina and Sasha. Today, they gave me this little tiny book with dolphins on the front and seashells and it's in Russian. On the front of it, it says Good Luck. It was just really cool that they thought to give it to me. Also, that they saw this and thought of me because dolphins are my favorite animals and I obviously love the beach. I'm going to miss them.
So, in a couple hours we leave for Paris. Moscow was great, but it's time to move on. Thank you for everything. Bonjour Paris.
Well, I need to finish packing. Have a good night. Love you all.
Speciba Moscow.
Speciba = Thank you in Russian. That's the only word I can really think of saying right now in response to us leaving late late this evening (3:30am). Moscow has given me so much, I wish I could give something back. But, maybe I have and I just haven't realized it. I'm sure I've affected or made an impact on someone's life here. It's a beautiful thing. I feel like I've become a different person...well, maybe not different, but definitely more mature, more grown up, more intelligent, more independent, more artistic, more creative, more me. And I love that. Something about this place sparks every sense in you and makes you completely aware of every emotion, every detail, every smell, touch, and sight. Everything. I'ver said this before, but experience has been more than I could have ever hoped for.
Today is my final day in Moscow as I've said. Last night we had our last group meeting/pot luck. We ate gorsche (sp?), drank some chamaigne, made some toasts to each other, and hung out all night. Polina and Sasha (our favorite Russians from the MXAT) came downstairs and hung out with us. I gave them each a Wayne State Green Bracelet (I've been giving those out to my Russians, Nicole. Thank you.) and they absolutely loved it. It's so nice how a simple gift can really make someone feel. In Russia, it's their culture to give small gifts or tokens or whatever. Nice. I got Mariana a necklace from the market we were at yesterday that she absolutely loves. it was to thank her for being such an amazing second mother to us all this month.
Yesterday we went to Stanislavsky's old apartment which is now a museum. Beautiful apartment which was built in thr 1700's with painting on the ceiling and everything. Aunt Jenny - you and my dad will really appreciate the architecture and old historic buildings I've been taking pictures of. Oh, and the paintings that I've taken pictures of too. Amazing. Anyway, so we were there and it was really fascinating to see where he first put on performances, where he wrote "To the Actor." Really cool.
We went to this market afterward where you bargain them for prices and everything. I was really good at it because I was serious and wouldn't budge and would begin to walk away and they'd bring it down more...I got one guy to go from 2000 rubles to 800 rubles for something. ha ha. So cool. That was fun and I got some really cool stuff.
After that we went and saw this horrible play. It was so bad. Most of us left at intermission and everyone else trickled out during the second act. Out of 24 people in our group, by the end of the show there was only 4. ha ha. It was that bad. They had no connection to what they were saying, no understanding, no energy, they were just saying lines, no feeling, inner motivation, no radiation with each other. It was very superficial. Oh well.
Anyway, sorry this is kind of short, but we have to head out. We're going to a cemetary to see Stanislavsky's grave. Then Beth, Kennikki, Mo, and I are going to head over to Red Square and try to get into the Kremlin and Lenin's tomb possibly. Then we want to head over to our favorite pond. Love it.
Have a good day! Maybe I'll update again today, maybe IO'll update in Paris. Love you all!
Today is my final day in Moscow as I've said. Last night we had our last group meeting/pot luck. We ate gorsche (sp?), drank some chamaigne, made some toasts to each other, and hung out all night. Polina and Sasha (our favorite Russians from the MXAT) came downstairs and hung out with us. I gave them each a Wayne State Green Bracelet (I've been giving those out to my Russians, Nicole. Thank you.) and they absolutely loved it. It's so nice how a simple gift can really make someone feel. In Russia, it's their culture to give small gifts or tokens or whatever. Nice. I got Mariana a necklace from the market we were at yesterday that she absolutely loves. it was to thank her for being such an amazing second mother to us all this month.
Yesterday we went to Stanislavsky's old apartment which is now a museum. Beautiful apartment which was built in thr 1700's with painting on the ceiling and everything. Aunt Jenny - you and my dad will really appreciate the architecture and old historic buildings I've been taking pictures of. Oh, and the paintings that I've taken pictures of too. Amazing. Anyway, so we were there and it was really fascinating to see where he first put on performances, where he wrote "To the Actor." Really cool.
We went to this market afterward where you bargain them for prices and everything. I was really good at it because I was serious and wouldn't budge and would begin to walk away and they'd bring it down more...I got one guy to go from 2000 rubles to 800 rubles for something. ha ha. So cool. That was fun and I got some really cool stuff.
After that we went and saw this horrible play. It was so bad. Most of us left at intermission and everyone else trickled out during the second act. Out of 24 people in our group, by the end of the show there was only 4. ha ha. It was that bad. They had no connection to what they were saying, no understanding, no energy, they were just saying lines, no feeling, inner motivation, no radiation with each other. It was very superficial. Oh well.
Anyway, sorry this is kind of short, but we have to head out. We're going to a cemetary to see Stanislavsky's grave. Then Beth, Kennikki, Mo, and I are going to head over to Red Square and try to get into the Kremlin and Lenin's tomb possibly. Then we want to head over to our favorite pond. Love it.
Have a good day! Maybe I'll update again today, maybe IO'll update in Paris. Love you all!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Last Day Part 2
Well, as I said previously, today was the last day. Beth and I started off by going to our favorite park on the way to school and sitting by the fountain, just relaxing. We listened to couple of songs that were kind of meaningful for the moment and Russia also. We then continued onto our last walk to school down Traveskya.
Our first class today was movement. We did a new exercise called the sheep. One person is laying on their back on the floor. The other crouches over them on all fours, hands in between legs. The person on the floor wraps around the person that's crouching and then person that's crouching lifts knees and starts walking. An extension of this is the flying sheep where you stand and the perosn on the floor ends up arching their back and looking their flying and the other walking with them like this. We had evaluations also. Vladimir said I had good flexibility, hard worker, I can push myself even further. Also, I'm great with balancing weight and being a good partner. rock on.
Acting. My evaulation was that I'm always in a good mood. lol. First thing he said. Then he asked if I'm from the South because I have this Mediterranean/Carribean feel to me. The temperment I have is free going and relaxing. Everyone laughed at that because, as you know, i'm obsesses with the beach. So, it's funny that I give off those feelings. I just need to work on my specificity and detail, which I knew. Sweet.
We had the farewell party afterward and had champaigne, crackers, cheese, and grapes. We also gave the gifts to the instructors. We recieved a certificate saying we completed our work there and everything. We had some music on and Marianna (our mother for the month) grabbed me to dance with me. Back story: She's very honest and blunt...because she's Russian. Anyway, she whispers in my ear "Thank you. Thank you. You're perfect. You're great with movement, with dance, with talent. You have it all. Don't stop yourself. Don't ever stop. Keep going. You're going places. You have everything you need. You're perfect." That meant a lot to me because she doesn't say something if she doesn't mean it, or she won't say it all or will knock you for it. ha. It really touched me.
It's so crazy that today was our last day of classes. Time really flew by. Can't even tell you where this past month went, but man am I a different person. First off, I eat scrambld eggs for breakfast every morning. ha ha. I need to start the day off wioth a good breakfast since it's such a long day.
Anyway, we're all going to a club I guess soon so I'm peacing out. Tomorrow, we're going to the Stanislavski museum, the market, and then a show. whoo. Have a good night!
Our first class today was movement. We did a new exercise called the sheep. One person is laying on their back on the floor. The other crouches over them on all fours, hands in between legs. The person on the floor wraps around the person that's crouching and then person that's crouching lifts knees and starts walking. An extension of this is the flying sheep where you stand and the perosn on the floor ends up arching their back and looking their flying and the other walking with them like this. We had evaluations also. Vladimir said I had good flexibility, hard worker, I can push myself even further. Also, I'm great with balancing weight and being a good partner. rock on.
Acting. My evaulation was that I'm always in a good mood. lol. First thing he said. Then he asked if I'm from the South because I have this Mediterranean/Carribean feel to me. The temperment I have is free going and relaxing. Everyone laughed at that because, as you know, i'm obsesses with the beach. So, it's funny that I give off those feelings. I just need to work on my specificity and detail, which I knew. Sweet.
We had the farewell party afterward and had champaigne, crackers, cheese, and grapes. We also gave the gifts to the instructors. We recieved a certificate saying we completed our work there and everything. We had some music on and Marianna (our mother for the month) grabbed me to dance with me. Back story: She's very honest and blunt...because she's Russian. Anyway, she whispers in my ear "Thank you. Thank you. You're perfect. You're great with movement, with dance, with talent. You have it all. Don't stop yourself. Don't ever stop. Keep going. You're going places. You have everything you need. You're perfect." That meant a lot to me because she doesn't say something if she doesn't mean it, or she won't say it all or will knock you for it. ha. It really touched me.
It's so crazy that today was our last day of classes. Time really flew by. Can't even tell you where this past month went, but man am I a different person. First off, I eat scrambld eggs for breakfast every morning. ha ha. I need to start the day off wioth a good breakfast since it's such a long day.
Anyway, we're all going to a club I guess soon so I'm peacing out. Tomorrow, we're going to the Stanislavski museum, the market, and then a show. whoo. Have a good night!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Last Day
Well, today is the last day of classes. It's crazy to think a month went by so fast. Every acting class we start off by sharing observations, impressions of being here wither it's theatre, cultural, people we see, events that occur, things we do after class, whatever. Yesterday, I really looked at everyone around the room. We've grown into one emsemble, one company. Oleay was saying that what we have is rare - to take two completely seperate groups (Wayne State and Univ. of Windsor) and throw them together without knowing each other, and in the end, not know the different between the two because it's so interconnected and one. I thought that was really cool. Everyone talked about how much they've changed and grown up as individuals and artists.
Yesterday we had our last chekhov class. It was so sad. We leared a Russian melody that is supposed to give us good luck, I'll sing it to you when I get home, it's pretty - like a lullaby. Mischa commended us on our hard work and said that our teachers have taught us well because we've opened ourselves, used our imagination, and were free and willing to try new things. What an amazing class. I'me so luck to have had Mischa, as well as James Luse, teach me.
In acting, our etude was kind of sprung off of my individual one from the day before. We were at Konstantin's funeral, and we had told the priest it was an accident, not a suicide. Medvedenko comes out and says that it was not an accident, but instead a suicide and we were hiding it. The priest says he will not conitnue the service because it is against the religion to hold a service for a man who committed suicide. Holy change of atmosphere! ha. The comments afterward was that it was so compelling and real when we were standing around the dead body and going up to it and touching it (it's under a sheet), that they completely forgot that there was supposed to be an event. Our imagination was being used so well, and we were completely invested in every moment, so when the event happened, it through everyone for a loop because they forgot that there was supposed to be one. Oleeay commended us on that also, that we were able to have the audience live with us at the moment so well they weren't thinking about anything else. It was a great etude. Awesome.
We saw The Seagull last night. It was alright. First show I think I can say that for while being here, everything, as you know, has been described as amazing or incredible or whatever. This show was just very slow in pace and didn't keep mine, or many of the people in my group's, attention. Some of the roles were cast too old, I think also. Oh well. I'm glad I saw it. Maybe I built myself up too much for it because I was excited to see it. Meh.
Funny story, today I went to change and put my belt on. When I got here, I was on the first notch. Today, I'm able to do the fourth notch. If I was still in the weight loss competition right now, I think I could be in the lead. ha ha. I don't know, we don't have a scale. And who knows, I may gain it all back in Paris with wine and croissants. ha ha :)
Anyway, I'm off to my last walk to school with Beth and Kennikki, last movement class, last acting class, and our graduation/final party. It's so surreal, I don't even know how to grasp onto it. Incredible.
Oh! Two nights ago, we were in really good moods, kinda hyper, so Beth, Mo, Alex, and I got dressed in disguise and went to the other side of the third floor (the canadian wing as we call it) and pranked them. ha ha. We were all stealthy and put a garbage can in front of one of the rooms, and then saranwrapped the fridge. HILARIOUS. nothing harmful, just funny. I mean, who saran wraps a fridge? Mo and tiff are from the canadian side, but they were all about it too. In the morning, the canadians thought it was hilarious and were just a little confused. so funny. they enjoyed it. Thought you'd find that funny too. :)
Love you all. Off to class!
Yesterday we had our last chekhov class. It was so sad. We leared a Russian melody that is supposed to give us good luck, I'll sing it to you when I get home, it's pretty - like a lullaby. Mischa commended us on our hard work and said that our teachers have taught us well because we've opened ourselves, used our imagination, and were free and willing to try new things. What an amazing class. I'me so luck to have had Mischa, as well as James Luse, teach me.
In acting, our etude was kind of sprung off of my individual one from the day before. We were at Konstantin's funeral, and we had told the priest it was an accident, not a suicide. Medvedenko comes out and says that it was not an accident, but instead a suicide and we were hiding it. The priest says he will not conitnue the service because it is against the religion to hold a service for a man who committed suicide. Holy change of atmosphere! ha. The comments afterward was that it was so compelling and real when we were standing around the dead body and going up to it and touching it (it's under a sheet), that they completely forgot that there was supposed to be an event. Our imagination was being used so well, and we were completely invested in every moment, so when the event happened, it through everyone for a loop because they forgot that there was supposed to be one. Oleeay commended us on that also, that we were able to have the audience live with us at the moment so well they weren't thinking about anything else. It was a great etude. Awesome.
We saw The Seagull last night. It was alright. First show I think I can say that for while being here, everything, as you know, has been described as amazing or incredible or whatever. This show was just very slow in pace and didn't keep mine, or many of the people in my group's, attention. Some of the roles were cast too old, I think also. Oh well. I'm glad I saw it. Maybe I built myself up too much for it because I was excited to see it. Meh.
Funny story, today I went to change and put my belt on. When I got here, I was on the first notch. Today, I'm able to do the fourth notch. If I was still in the weight loss competition right now, I think I could be in the lead. ha ha. I don't know, we don't have a scale. And who knows, I may gain it all back in Paris with wine and croissants. ha ha :)
Anyway, I'm off to my last walk to school with Beth and Kennikki, last movement class, last acting class, and our graduation/final party. It's so surreal, I don't even know how to grasp onto it. Incredible.
Oh! Two nights ago, we were in really good moods, kinda hyper, so Beth, Mo, Alex, and I got dressed in disguise and went to the other side of the third floor (the canadian wing as we call it) and pranked them. ha ha. We were all stealthy and put a garbage can in front of one of the rooms, and then saranwrapped the fridge. HILARIOUS. nothing harmful, just funny. I mean, who saran wraps a fridge? Mo and tiff are from the canadian side, but they were all about it too. In the morning, the canadians thought it was hilarious and were just a little confused. so funny. they enjoyed it. Thought you'd find that funny too. :)
Love you all. Off to class!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Oh, Moscow.
First off, thank you to whoever reads these. I was looking back at posts, and I write a lot. I hope it's intereting.
This morning we had a joint movement class with the other group. We did all of the same exercise, but with 24 people instead of 12, and in an hour and a half. Everything was compacted. It's so exciting to see the results I am getting everytime I go into class. We go every other day, but I'm still improving so much within that day off, without consciously doing anything. It's crazy, but so cool and exciting. You're going to freak when you see me do some of this stuff. Movement went really well. Our final exam/final class is Saturday.
Next, we had the final singing class with both groups combined. We began with a warm up and then jumped right into the showcase. Everyone performed the song they have been working on throughout the month. Some songs were divided into three people to work on, or two people. The would split the verses and make it a duet or whatever, and some had solos. I sang the song "For You, For Me, Forever More." It was definitely the best I had sang it thus far. At one point I grabbed Marina, the vocal instructor, and we swayed and danced to it. It was a lot of fun. I was really impressed with everyone that sang today. So many people improved immensely. I know I've learnd a bit about myself and singing, as well.
Acting was cool. So, I did my individual Chekhov etude from The Seagull today. I did the scene at the end of Act IV where Konstantin is offstage and shoots himself. I knew it was risky and could be a complete failure, but i wanted to explore idea of him going in to kill himself, deciding not to, and then the irony of the gun going off and killing him by accident. Etudes are a great means to explore and discover and possibly uncover answers and developments in stories or in characters. I began be rushing in because Nina had just told me she didn't love me. I ran to the drawer, pulled out the gun, sat at the table, held it to my my jaw, closed my eyes really tight. I opened them and saw out the window the lake. I put the gun down and walked towards the window. The lake calmed me and I decided not to kill myself. I went back to the table, grabbed the gun and went to put it in the drawer when it went off and shot myself in the stomach. I slowly died.
Some of the comments were that it was comedic...it is comedic. The irony of him going to kill himself, deciding not to, and then it going off by accident. It makes sense because he tried to kill himself in Act I, but didn't succeed there either. I wanted to explore this because all it says at the end of the play is that he shoots himself. I thought it left it open ended. He could have shot himself, but still been ok, but everyone assumes he dies. That was another route I was going to take; what if he didn't die? So interesting and so analytical. The etude ended up not being a failure and also not being a success, but I don't regret doing it. I was told it was one of my strongest performances, it was truthful, it raised even more questions because it is very possible that this would happen but no one ever thinks of it, and my imagination was flowing and creating beautiful images - work of a true artist. That stuff meant a lot to me because it was just me going out on a whim and trying something that irked me to go further into it.
Tonight we went to the Russian Circus. I asked Mariana if it is a respected profession because it isn't exactly looked up to in America. She said that Russians are obsessed with the circus. They love it and the performers; it's such a part of Russian tradition. There was this crazy contortionist woman would have her feet by her ears and used them as hands, it was weird, but interesting. Acribatic people in the air barely hanging by anything which was scary, poodles doing dog tricks, a couple clowns, dancing on horses. What I really noticed was how much insane gymnastics was used during almost all of the acts. The whole show was conducted in a theatrical aspect from the lights to the sets to the costumes, the intervals, the storyline. It was in a stationary theatre of its own, also, and was built in like 1886. The circus was very different from anything we've seen, but very interesting to see.
Tomorrow night we're going to see The Seagull. I'm so excited because we've spent so much time discussing it, performing etudes from it, analyzing it, finding questions and searching for answers about it. It's going to be great.
I, again, am exhausted. So, I am off to bed. Have a good evening/day. Whatever it is. :) See you all in 15ish days. PEACE
This morning we had a joint movement class with the other group. We did all of the same exercise, but with 24 people instead of 12, and in an hour and a half. Everything was compacted. It's so exciting to see the results I am getting everytime I go into class. We go every other day, but I'm still improving so much within that day off, without consciously doing anything. It's crazy, but so cool and exciting. You're going to freak when you see me do some of this stuff. Movement went really well. Our final exam/final class is Saturday.
Next, we had the final singing class with both groups combined. We began with a warm up and then jumped right into the showcase. Everyone performed the song they have been working on throughout the month. Some songs were divided into three people to work on, or two people. The would split the verses and make it a duet or whatever, and some had solos. I sang the song "For You, For Me, Forever More." It was definitely the best I had sang it thus far. At one point I grabbed Marina, the vocal instructor, and we swayed and danced to it. It was a lot of fun. I was really impressed with everyone that sang today. So many people improved immensely. I know I've learnd a bit about myself and singing, as well.
Acting was cool. So, I did my individual Chekhov etude from The Seagull today. I did the scene at the end of Act IV where Konstantin is offstage and shoots himself. I knew it was risky and could be a complete failure, but i wanted to explore idea of him going in to kill himself, deciding not to, and then the irony of the gun going off and killing him by accident. Etudes are a great means to explore and discover and possibly uncover answers and developments in stories or in characters. I began be rushing in because Nina had just told me she didn't love me. I ran to the drawer, pulled out the gun, sat at the table, held it to my my jaw, closed my eyes really tight. I opened them and saw out the window the lake. I put the gun down and walked towards the window. The lake calmed me and I decided not to kill myself. I went back to the table, grabbed the gun and went to put it in the drawer when it went off and shot myself in the stomach. I slowly died.
Some of the comments were that it was comedic...it is comedic. The irony of him going to kill himself, deciding not to, and then it going off by accident. It makes sense because he tried to kill himself in Act I, but didn't succeed there either. I wanted to explore this because all it says at the end of the play is that he shoots himself. I thought it left it open ended. He could have shot himself, but still been ok, but everyone assumes he dies. That was another route I was going to take; what if he didn't die? So interesting and so analytical. The etude ended up not being a failure and also not being a success, but I don't regret doing it. I was told it was one of my strongest performances, it was truthful, it raised even more questions because it is very possible that this would happen but no one ever thinks of it, and my imagination was flowing and creating beautiful images - work of a true artist. That stuff meant a lot to me because it was just me going out on a whim and trying something that irked me to go further into it.
Tonight we went to the Russian Circus. I asked Mariana if it is a respected profession because it isn't exactly looked up to in America. She said that Russians are obsessed with the circus. They love it and the performers; it's such a part of Russian tradition. There was this crazy contortionist woman would have her feet by her ears and used them as hands, it was weird, but interesting. Acribatic people in the air barely hanging by anything which was scary, poodles doing dog tricks, a couple clowns, dancing on horses. What I really noticed was how much insane gymnastics was used during almost all of the acts. The whole show was conducted in a theatrical aspect from the lights to the sets to the costumes, the intervals, the storyline. It was in a stationary theatre of its own, also, and was built in like 1886. The circus was very different from anything we've seen, but very interesting to see.
Tomorrow night we're going to see The Seagull. I'm so excited because we've spent so much time discussing it, performing etudes from it, analyzing it, finding questions and searching for answers about it. It's going to be great.
I, again, am exhausted. So, I am off to bed. Have a good evening/day. Whatever it is. :) See you all in 15ish days. PEACE
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