Showing posts with label update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label update. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Adventures in Spain (pt. 1) //

11:27:00 PM
Did I promise weekly blog posts while in Spain?
Yes, of course I did.
Did I succeed in doing so?
Not exactly, but we're not going to count how many days late this update is/how much I suck. I'm back now and really, that's all that matters, isn't it?Surprisingly, this trip I had an outline and a plan for how to set up this blog post, but it required a lot of writing and a lot of photos, and honestly I just didn't feel like sitting down and doing that, because I'm a human being and sometimes I don't have as much motivation as I should. I decided to set this post up much like the one I did last year while describing my NSLC experience, where I wrote a slightly-more-than-brief paragraph for each day I was there. However, this time I have to write for about 18 days, so I'm splitting this up into two posts. The next one should be up September 2, so mark your calendars!

And I guess that pretty much covers it all. So, without further ado, here comes the Spain blogging experience:

Sunday, August 14: I hopped on the plane at BOS with a dream in my cardigan… then flew for 6 hours to Dublin where I had a 9 hour layover. I traveled with 2 of my friends, and one of these friends has family in Dublin. So we met up with them and had breakfast, then went on a bus tour for the day. Despite my exhaustion, I tried to keep my eyes peeled open long enough to see each brick building with its rooftop garden, and to become immersed in a rich history that was not my own. Time flew by, and before I knew it I woke up to find myself on the roof of a bus, my friend Emma telling me it was time to leave. We traveled back to the airport, then proceeded to take another 2 hour flight from Dublin to Madrid. Since our flight out of Boston was very late at night, somewhere along the way, it had become Monday morning. //


Monday, August 15: I started the week in a brand new place. Needless to say, I was incredibly exhausted and smelled disgusting. I'd gone almost a full day just sweating, without access to a shower, and surrounded by cheap airline food. The 6-hour time difference between Boston and Madrid was brutal. After running a 17-hour day, turns out it was only like, 4 pm. The family am staying with live in Zaragoza, which is about 4 hours away from Madrid. If we were heading straight home like my friends and their host families were, I probably would have died. Luckily, my hosts had rented an apartment in Madrid where we would stay until Friday. As soon as we got there, we ate some dinner (in Spain they eat around 10 pm. The first few days two weeks, this was incredibly difficult for me, because my family eats wicked early, even for the US. I was waiting legit 5 hours past my dinner time to eat). And then I crashed, sadly with the knowledge that I'd have to get up early the next morning with jet lag slowly eating away at my soul. //

Tuesday, August 16: The first day in Madrid was magical, despite the fact that my insides still felt like death and that my brain was not fully functioning due to my immense sleep deprivation. We visited El Palacio Real, and Almudena Cathedral on this first day. Basically, there are no palaces in the United States, and Cathedrals are present, but are rarely to the same size and caliber as those in Europe. These sights were absolutely amazing and completely breathtaking. Colors of gold and royal blues danced along the walls and ceilings; tapestries in every color elegantly hugged the spaces between doorways and windows; lengthy hallways and grand staircases made me feel like I was a Disney princess. If only I had been allowed to take photos! My words could never live up to the way it actually feels to walk through the rooms; filled with art and culture and a rich history; becoming part of something so unfamiliar yet so amazing. Of course, even while internationally traveling, I succumb to capitalism and the fast fashion industry. We visited Gran Via, and there was a huge H&M set up in what used to be a beautiful hotel, and a Primark that was 4 stories tall. //
















Wednesday, August 17: The beauty of Madrid continued to expose itself, as this day we went to the palace in Aranjuez. Much like El Palacio Real, shades of gold and blue covered the whole palace, and it was larger than any place I'd ever been. However, this one was slightly smaller and more simple than the extravagance of El Palacio Real. Again, we weren't allowed to take photos, which really bothers me (because I think art, culture, and history are some of the most important things for humans to share with one another. Some people will never have the opportunity to visit these famous sites, and I do really believe that photos and videos and other mediums should be available to them.) One of my favorite aspects of the palace in Aranjuez was a large room where they had a glass case filled with gowns that the royal family of Spain had worn. These were some of the most beautiful and intricate pieces of clothing I had ever seen. Long trains and silver sequins lined high lacy necklines and tight waists. So. Gorgeous. Later this day, we also went on a tour bus, much like the one in Dublin. The city was dark, with the exception of lights bleeding into the sky from tall buildings. It was so refreshing to travel around a new place, with cool air whipping across my face. Of course, I was still super jet-lagged, and crashed the moment we stepped foot back in the apartment. //



Thursday, August 18:. I felt a bittersweet sadness as I approached the last full day in Madrid. Elena, her mom, and her aunt took me to El Reina Sofia, a modern art museum in the heart of Madrid. They told me that there was an abundance of Goya art in the museum, much to my pleasure. The smell of clean wood and ancient paintings flared up into my nostrils. White walls surrounded me on all sides. Black ribbons stood closely around each painting, forbidding anyone from touching the art of getting a bit too close. It reminded me of home, in a way, and spending countless hours at the Museum of Fine Arts. Getting lost in artist's minds and in the glances of other people. Becoming a part of history and the world as we know it. One of the most amazing pieces of art to see was Guernica, by Goya. It depicts the terror and confusion of wartime in Spain, and is one of the most well known pieces of modern art. Seeing it was such a cool experience and I'm upset because I wasn't allowed to take any photos of the classic work. There was plenty of other art to fall in love with, and seeing such a familiar atmosphere filled with a different language and culture felt amazing. //
Friday, August 19: Compared to most days, this was uneventful, but still meaningful to me. This morning was time to leave Madrid, and head to Zaragoza. We first stopped for lunch, and then headed to the bus station. Pretty lowkey, except the bus station had a little pond filled with turtles. It was smelly, like reptile skin and poop, but a nice touch to a usually dismal area. The journey began, and I was on my way to integrate with a family and society. I was about to be welcomed into a home; community; neighborhood. No longer was I to be a tourist, but a part of the family. I had never been more excited. //

Saturday, August 20: Full immersion into the life and culture of Zaragoza occurred this day. I was able to meet up with some of Elena's friends, and we all went shopping in the shopping center downtown. There was a mix of restaurants, locally owned shops and chain stores. I had about 0 self-controls, and ended up spending 30€, which isn't that bad but this was only my 6th day abroad and knew that I was on a tight budget. (I bought an Urban Decay Vice lipstick; is 10/10 would recommend). I went a little bit touristy when visiting La Magdalena-- a beautiful cathedral located in Zaragoza. I wasn't supposed to be taking photos, but I got away with some beautiful photos of art, architecture, and culture. //

Sunday, August 21: Zaragoza proved itself to be just as lovely as Madrid. This day we visited Aljafería, another palace. The thing that set this palace apart from others was that in ancient times, it was used by Islamic rulers who took over Spain. It has middle eastern inspired design elements and looks so different than the other elaborate palaces I'd seen. Outside, walls were lined with vines and overflowing green gardens. Intricate details were carved into the walls and moldings along the ceiling. The architecture was unlike anything I had seen before, and served as a source of creative and artistic inspiration. I could see the shapes and colors of Aljafería as long dresses draped over models, and after leaving I went back home and began sketching beautiful designs. //


















Monday, August 22: The most beautiful things in life are found in nature, not manmade creations. Vast cityscapes formed from architectural genius and the hands of so many working as one are something magnificent, but not quite like walking underneath a waterfall; becoming one with the Earth. Connecting in a spiritual way with something so much larger than you could ever be. On this day, I ventured up a mountain to Monestario de Piedro, and lowkey I cried a lot. The views of a clear waterfall sparkling down over jagged rocks, the sounds of its pounding entirely engulfing you. Rainbows forming along the walls of a cave, formed from the reflection of the sunlight through a stream. This was one of the first days I felt at ease. I want to live inside a cave beneath a raging waterfall, and every morning when the sunrises I can dance through rainbows while small droplets force their way onto my skin through cracks in the ceiling. //








Tuesday, August 23:
Materialism has a way of sneaking itself back into my daily life. I didn't do much today, other than shop, shop, eat, and shop. Elena took me to her favorite shopping mall El Puerto Venecia, and I somehow managed to spend about 250€ on clothes. My mom called me later and yelled at me for spending so much, but at least my back to school wardrobe will be cute af ?? It's alright though. I've also been writing and updating the blog, so there's been some level of productivity today.  //

Saturday, May 14, 2016

I'm On YouTube Now (For The Third Time) //

8:13:00 PM
So, as of four days ago, I am officially back on YouTube! I made a channel about 3 or 4 years ago, and it was not good, like, at all. I just needed to stop. Now, fortunately I have deleted that channel, so visions of my 12 year old self won't be coming back to haunt me. //

Then, 2 (ish) years ago, I made a new channel that I intended to update regularly, and post quality videos (which, as you can probably guess, didn't work out all too well.) That channel has 7 or 8 videos, but I'm only proud of about 2 of them. Partially, my content wasn't very good, and partially I just had a really low quality camera. So, all videos on that account have been privated.

For Christmas 2014, I got a Canon Rebel t3i (well technically I got it in November, but it was an early Christmas gift nonetheless.) I told myself that as soon as I had a nice camera, I'd upload nice videos on a consistent basis. So, I started up a channel with my best friend Izzy, which we use regularly (You can check that out here!) //

As of a couple days ago though, I have my own personal channel up, which I figured I would connect with this blog in a way. Just like I post a random variety of things I love on here, I'll be posting a random assortment of things I love on my YouTube channel as well. Music, fashion, dance, photography, random trips-- whatever really. I already have 2 videos posted, including the promo to my spring collection (which went on the runway on Thursday, May 12), and one is a new summer/festival lookbook.

So yea I hope y'all check that out here; I look forward to sharing with you guys on a new medium. Thanks for reading this long compilation of words, I hope I didn't bore you too much today! .xx



Monday, May 09, 2016

Silver Linings (Spring 2016) //

11:22:00 PM
Before this post gets underway, I would like to apologize in advance for my recent absence on blogger. I really don't have a valid reason for it; all I can say is that I have been super busy lately, with the fashion show coming up in just 2 days! In honor of the hard work I've put in, I decided to post this brief promo video that I filmed for this collection. Please enjoy it! //



Silver Lining (n): an expression emphasizing the hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation

This collection features evening wear for sad princesses. After all, being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be. Society judges your every move, and everyday is centered around a series of rules and regulations. There is hope, princess. You make your own fairytale. Make life beautiful with the Silver Linings collection. //

I got the inspiration for this collection from castles, fountains, sculptures, and other architecture associated with royalty. The whole theme was "sad princesses;" focusing on the societal pressures put on young girls in society, while drawing the parallel to the rules and expectations put on those in royal families. However, there is still hope even in the darkest of situations, and I wanted this collection to be able to tell the stories of girls overcoming their struggles and oppression. Hence, the "silver linings" (each garment literally has silver lining on the inside), but also the idea of looking for the beacon of hope even in the most difficult of situations, and holding onto it.

I kept the color palette for this collection in the cool colors, to create the moody atmosphere. However, all of the fabrics are very light and flowy, which maintain a very feminine look. Additionally, the floral overlays and patterns created throughout the garment add another layer of texture and femininity, gaining influence from the multi-layered skirts, corsets, and underwear in the Victorian era; worn especially by royal families. //
 

Monday, March 21, 2016

A Brief Update //

11:53:00 AM


Good Morning!~

So, today I am realizing that my last post on this blog was February 28, which was about 3 weeks ago; things have been busy. I recently finished performing in a production of Guys & Dolls, so tech week (and even the couple of weeks before that) were insanely busy. I've had quite a few ideas that I have been meaning to post, but the busyness this time of year, I haven't really had the chance to put them up.

Beyond that, nothing really bad (or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, nothing really exciting) has been happening as of late. I am still alive and well, and today is the first day of spring (YAY), so my mood and availability should both be significantly increased. Prom is coming up, and I have a fashion show for my Spring 2016 mini-collection coming up, so I will be aggressively finishing up my garments for that, and this summer I will be doing costume design for a production of Oliver, and I may work on a Fall 2016 collection as well.

Needless to say, I have a lot of creative projects happening at the moment, so there will be a lot more posts coming your way in the near future! I just wanted to let you all know what's up and to reassure you that I am, indeed, still alive. //

xoxo,
~em

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Save The Wollaston Theater! //

9:47:00 PM
Last night, I went to my first ever rally. It wasn't for any particularly big issue, like LGBTQIA rights or race relations or free college tuition, but nonetheless, it was a rally for something I am passionate about:

Saving the Wollaston Theater. 

Now, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about (which is probably a vast majority of you), the Wolly Theater is an old movie theater, dating back to 1926, that is in my neighborhood. The precious theater has switched hands and ownership many times, and it is currently under the possession of a private owner, who has made plans to tear it down. He intends to completely demolish the old building, because, he claims, there is no use for it. Nothing is going on inside of it, what's the point of keeping it open? Well, let me tell you why our town needs a local theater and why we need to put it to good use instead of tearing it down. //

Simply put, theatre saves lives (or at least, it saved mine). If I didn't have the performing arts, I'd probably be a very different person than I am today. I wouldn't be confident. I wouldn't be proud. I wouldn't be able to love myself and appreciate all the beauty in life that I do. See, for me (an extroverted but painfully awkward & socially anxious person), theatre is an outlet. It's a way for me to put myself out there without really doing so. When I put on that makeup and that costume, and stand under the bright lights of the stage, I become a character. I am no longer me, but I am this other unique person, with their own thoughts and opinions. I am this new person, and I have the capacity and freedom to be whoever I want. No longer am I limited by the constraints that society has placed on me, or the reputation that I have to uphold for myself. In those moments, Emily Claire Barker does not exist.

I learn from these characters, and as I take on their life, even if it is temporarily, I get to see things through their perspective. I begin to see the world with new morals and values and opinions in my mind. I learn from these characters' pasts, and I apply those lessons to my future. With each role I take on, I become a better person. 

And there is something so magical and liberating about both of these facts. //

However, you don't necessarily have to be a performer to appreciate the fundamentally human need for the performing arts. Have you ever gone to see a film, and left the theater feeling touched? Have you ever seen a character, and watch them grow over the course of a movie, so that by the end, you're so emotionally invested in them that they feel like a friend? Is there a quote, or scene, that will stick with you for the rest of your life, because it's so relatable? 

My guess is yes, you have. Because performance, whether it be live theatre, or action unfolding on the big screen, is a reflection of life. It connects us all. It teaches us all. And this art form is a necessary, fundamental part of being human. //

To some people, the Wollaston Theater may be a small, run-down, empty building that's ready to be torn down, but it's so much more than that. Take a stand for what you believe in, and always feul your passions. Some things are worth fighting for. //



Monday, October 05, 2015

New Adventures (i.e. Zaragoza, Spain) //

10:26:00 PM
Hello lovelies! I know you all probably hate hearing lame excuses (and I mean, I do too), but I'm going to throw a couple out right now. I know I've been inactive on this blog lately, and that is for 3 main reasons.
1- I couldn't upload any photos to make posts, or let alone open the internet to log on to blogger, because my computer wasn't working properly for quite some time, as the startup disk was full and I had to get an external drive and transfer all my files and stuff. *deep exhale*
2- School started up about a month ago, and that means homework and plays and after school classes and science fairs and other projects and just a whole bunch of busy-ness that finding the time to blog has become quite a struggle.
3- I really just haven't felt the motivation to post on here. I love you guys, and I love this blog, don't get me wrong. It's just that I haven't really been feeling it as of late. //

Anyway, now that I've addressed that, I have some exciting news! On October 9, which is in 4 days from now, I will be having a girl from Zaragoza, Spain, come and stay with me for 10 days as part of an exchange program. She will come to school with me for a few days, and I'll get to show her around Boston and share my life and culture with her. I've already started talking to her via Facebook-- her name is Elena and she is basically me in another body and I am sOSO EXCITED TO MEET HER IN 4 DAYS. I AM SCREAMING. CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING?

And, perhaps the best part is that next semester, I'll get to stay with her and her family in Spain for 10 days. Anyone who knows me knows that I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and exploring new cultures. I am my happiest when I am on an adventure of some kind. And I literally cannot wait until this Spain trip happens. This will be the first second trip where I actually get to live in another place, and not just experience from a tourist's point of view. I will actually be immersed in the culture and experience daily life as if I actually lived there. I hope that this is the second trip of many many more to come in the future.

Although preparing for our guest has been a bit of effort, I am so happy and I cannot wait until this amazing experience gets underway. FOUR DAYS GUYS. FOUR. I AM SO EXCITED! //

And with that,  I end this post. I really have nothing meaningful to share here, because, as stated earlier, I haven't really had motivation to post anything here. I just felt like throwing this post together to let y'all know that I am indeed still living and breathing, and to share my excitement! I hope to be more active here, but if I end up failing, I apologize in advance! xoxo //


Saturday, July 18, 2015

My NSLC Experience //

4:52:00 PM
12 days in New York City, 10 of which were spent at the wonderful NSLC (National Student Leadership Conference). Not to be too cliche, but in simple terms, it changed my life. I cannot say enough good things about my experience. I learned so much both about theatre and how to be a better leader in society, and I walked out a completely different person than I was when I first arrived at NSLC 2 weeks ago. There are too many things that I cannot possibly write about them all, but I will try to cover as many as possible in this post. Where do I begin? //

Day 1: I arrived in New York City with my mom and younger sister Abby. We took the bus in, which was pretty alright. We first sought out lunch, and found a cute vegan place that had some good ass tacos. Later that afternoon, we went to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), followed by dinner at a place called Ellen's Stardust Diner, where the waitstaff sings and give some performances as they serve you food (ya know, they're waiting for their big break on Broadway and stuff). The food was mediocre, but it seems like a cool place to work while in college and trying to make money purely off talent. We then went home and I went to bed, because I had gotten up at like, 5:45 am and was super worn out from the long but satisfying day 1 in NYC. //

Day 2: We were able to sleep in a little bit, but needed to be up and out around 9:00 so that we could get breakfast and arrive at the Central Park Zoo around 10:00 and beat the crowds. Breakfast was expensive, but delicious. I got a berry filled crêpe and some coffee. The zoo was quite nice, I mean, as zoos go. Visiting the zoo was something my sister wanted to do, so seeing her happy and taking photos and enjoying her time was nice. Next came one of my favorite parts: shopping in Times Square! (A haul video may or may not be coming your way on the YouTube...) Anyway, I ended up purchasing items at both Uniqlo and Topshop. Immediately after this, we went to a restaurant called Bucca de Beppo for dinner, which has kind-of become a family NYC tradition. I'm pretty sure we've eaten there once every time we go to the city. Finally, we saw the Broadway production of Kinky Boots. Seeing as I love theatre in general, there is never going to be a Broadway show that I don't like. With that being said, Kinky Boots had really good messages, some strong musical numbers (Not My Father's Son), and amazing dancing, but it was not one of my all-time favorites. It was definitely worth going though, and was a good way to end day 2 in NYC. //

Day 3: This was the day I got to go to NSLC! When we first woke up in the morning, my family and I went out for breakfast to a little diner, then went back to the hotel and watched an episode of Law & Order: SVU (the last episode I'd be able to watch for over a week). We then proceeded to walk down to the campus of Fordham University at Lincoln Center. I signed in, went up to my temporary dorm, and began unpacking. I realized I forgot hangers, so my mom had to take me to Bed Bath & Beyond to pick some up. As soon as I was done hanging up my clothes, I went down to a luncheon that was happening for the NSLC and leT ME TELL YOU, it was one of the most terrifying things ever. I walked in, and there in a large room was a bunch of girls already sitting and deeply engrossed in conversation. I recognized a couple of them from a group chat we had been in on Facebook, and they seemed to recognize me, so they all said hi and we made acquaintance, and it ended up being alright. A few of us then hung out in someone's dorm, and then went on a tour of the campus, making things seem a lot less scary. Next, we met in our TA groups, and that's where I met Liv (my TA), and most of the other friends I made in the 10 days. Our first meeting was just a lot of "Hi I'm _______, and here's this interesting fact about me:______."  Liv had us begin this thing called "Why Am I Here," and every day, we'd have to state why we were here at this point in our lives (and I noticed that from day 1 to day 10, I grew as a person, so I'll be writing those in this post.) It was good to be a part of a smaller group, and it made me feel slightly more secure. Finally, we had the "opening ceremony" and dinner, then I went to bed feeling a bit uneasy, but mostly very excited about what was in store during my time at NSLC. ~ I'm here because I got a letter in the mail, and I wanted to see what it was about and experience something new. //

Day 4: We began the day with a ropes course, which I had expected to not enjoy at all. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The course was doable, and I realized I enjoyed the group of people that I was with. In my TA group, there were two people who I found out lived in towns very close to mine, and I realized had a great time getting to know them and everyone else in the group. It didn't feel like we were at the course for very long at all, because I liked the friends I was making. On the downside however, the bus ride to and from was 6 hours in total, which was completely exhausting. Once we got back to Fordham, we basically only had time for one TA meeting and dinner before retreating to our rooms, because it was so late when we returned. I went to bed knowing that there were some pretty amazing things in store, and I was super excited to wake up the next morning. ~ I'm here because now that I know everyone, I'm excited to get our show underway and experience NSLC with cool new friends. //

Day 5: This was only day 3 of my NSLC experience, but it had already proven to be one of the most magical experiences of my life. I was fortunate enough to spend the morning here at the Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), and receive lectures from professionals in the industry. Stage and production managers, directors, playwrights, artistic leaders, and a variety of designers took the time out of their hectic schedules to talk with theatre students about so many different aspects of production. Talking with and listening to these professionals was both a humbling experience, and also one that made me realize this crazy dream is kind-of more possible than I thought. All of these wonderful men and women are normal people, and seeing that was so so amazing. Following this, I was lucky enough to see the incredible Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime which was absolutely phenomenal. I cannot say enough good things about it, and it is quite literally the BEST show I have ever seen. And if that wasn't cool enough in itself, afterward, the actors came back out onto the stage and the members of NSLC were able to have a talkback session in which the actors told us about their experiences with this show and acting in general. Again, the experience was very humbling, but also filled me with so much excitement and hope for the future. All of the cast members are so down-to-Earth, and are just normal people. They get distracted playing with confetti left on the stage and take off their shoes after a long show. Even though I don't personally know any of the professionals, I felt connected to each and every one of them in a special way, and I am more than thankful for the advice and tips that they were able to provide me with. I knew that I had an excellent week in store. ~ I'm here because I want to do theatre for the rest of my life. //

Day 6: We began day 6 with a TA meeting, in which each group was given the scripts of the show we were to perform later that week. My group was given "The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet." Next, we had an acting masterclass with Mark Schneider, which was amazing. I learned so much about acting just by listening to him speak and go over monologues with students. The workshop made it feel like I was in a professional acting setting, which is something that I've never had before, and I'm thankful that I was able to work with an industry professional. Next, we had a meeting with Craig Wroe, who gave a lecture called "Business of the Business," and basically told us what it's really like to live in New York City and make a living as an actor. I had expected him to complain about how awful life is and how poor he is, but I was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Wroe told us to focus on the positives, because it is possible to live out our dreams (despite the fact that there are 89,000 unemployed actors in NYC). His words and overall conduct was inspiring to me. Finally, after dinner, we went to a leadership session in conflict resolution, in which I had to evaluate myself and figure out some not-so-positive traits that I possess. It was a learning and growing experience for all of us on personal levels. Immediately following that, we closed the night with one of my favorite activities of the whole trip, which was called Dyadic Encounter. Here, each person was paired up with someone else, and for me, it was someone who I didn't know very well at all. We were given a paper with questions on it, and we were given 90 minutes to sit down and answer the 24 questions. The cool thing about this, however, was that the open-ended questions led to deeper conversation, and I let some things off my chest to this stranger. These were things I've never really talked about to anyone. And I don't know how it happened. We didn't even get to answer all of the questions, because we had gone off in a completely different conversation and lost track of time just enjoying one another's company. Spilling all my secrets and engaging in deep conversation with someone I hardly know is something I would never do on my own, but the experience was so so incredibly rewarding. I realized that this girl I was talking to had a lot of the same goals, aspirations, fears and failures as I did. It was a profound moment when I realized what it actually means to be human. I learned a lot about this other person, but also a lot more about myself. I know that I may not ever talk to her again, but it's okay, because for that moment, we had a connection, and it was beautiful, and a life-changing moment that I will never forget. ~ I'm here to take initiative and control of my life in order to become who I want to be and do what I want to do. //

Day 7: We were supposed to have a lecture in the morning about designing, modeling, and creating our shows, but unfortunately Mr. James FitzSimmons (our theatre professor for the week and also producer of Hand to God) was sick, so he couldn't make it in. We used that time instead to work in our TA groups and create our show. I was an actor and also part of the costume design team (go figure), so my time was mostly spent reading lines or sketching little Dr. Seuss-esque outfits. We then went to 2 of the 4 TA-taught workshops we would be participating in this week. Mine were "Intro to Playwriting" and "So You Think You Can Dance?" The playwriting class was very interesting to me, because writing (both books and plays), has always  been something I've wanted to do, but I've never really known how to push through and keep working on the story without getting frustrated. This workshop was a neat way to get me introduced to the basics of playwriting and teach me how I can go about turning my ideas into written works. In the dance class, we were given basic choreography to learn, much like we would be given at an audition. It was simple to perform, but still was fun. I've always loved dancing and have been taking dance classes for many years, so being in that class, even if it was just an hour and 15 minutes, made me feel comfortable and at home. Finally, we had a college panel, which was basically when we got to ask our TAs about any and all aspects of college. Although I've put a bit of thought into college (I am after all only a sophomore), I know that next year I'll actually have to start looking and applying places, so I feel as though this panel was very beneficial. After, we had another TA meeting in which we worked on our show, ate food, and sang songs. It was a fun and lighthearted way to end the night. ~ I'm here because I'm excited to create my own show and work on the areas of theatre that I have not done before. //

Day 8: The first thing I thought when I woke up was, "Holy shit, we have free time today!" because, as you may have been able to gather from reading this post, free time came far and in-between. After breakfast, we went to a short 45-minute long TA meeting, in which we just checked in on our progress. We then boarded a bus and headed into Greenwich Village, which is absolutely gorgeous! I took a lot of pictures during free time (which you can see on my instagram), found a cute little bakery where I got some macarons, and went shopping. Free time was over at 2 pm, and we headed into the a theater to see an Off-Broadway show called The Flick. Personally, I thought the show was really really amazing, even though it didn't have the typical over-the-top and intense style of Broadway. The show only had 4 characters (and one character had a total of 6 minutes of stage time), and it was "real." As an audience member, you feel as though you're just watching normal people go about their daily routines, and interact with other people. The emotions seem raw and real, and to an audience member, it makes you a bit uncomfortable, as if you've walked in to an awkward moment and are violating privacy. With every character, there is a time when you love them, and a time when you hate them. There is no "hero" of the story, but rather a bunch of humans who play different parts in each other's lives. Needless to say, I was very moved by the show, and the ending really left me with a lot to think about (as you can see, it's even difficult for me to form coherent sentences about the show). It was amazing and I highly recommend. After the show, we boarded the bus again and returned to Fordham. We had a movie night and watched Footloose, but I had a wicked bad head ache and was so exhausted that I left early to get to bed. It was a great day. ~ I'm here to have profound moments that I feel move me. //


Day 9: Thankfully when I woke up, my headache from the night before had disappeared. Immediately after breakfast we had our 3rd TA-taught workshop of the 4. The one I went to was called "Auditioning 101." I remember that the workshop started out with an instrumental piece being played, and we all had to just walk around the room and zone out. We retreated into our own worlds as the TA gave us a scenario to place ourselves in. It was quite relaxing, and I found it so amazing that by listening to a song and imagining, I could, like, physically feel the heat of the sun on my back, or cold water on my toes as I stepped into a stream. I retreated into my own world, and knew that nobody else was there in that world, and that I could be whoever I wanted. This technique is great for "becoming" a character, or stepping into their life and situation for a while. After this, we did some energy and focus-building warm-ups that are great to do before an audition. Finally, we went over small things that you can do to prepare yourself for an audition, and how to feel confident walking into the room. Despite the fact that I have auditioned for different projects at many different times, the workshop was a good reminder and confidence builder for future auditions. Next, we had a management/casting panel with professionals in the industry, which I didn't like as much as some of the other panels. I think the reason for this is because I was totally exhausted and was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Even so, this panel of people gave us information on how to get managers and agents, told us what things are necessary for an acting career, and made it very clear that headshots are important. The panel was helpful and had a lot of insider information that is beneficial to anyone who wants to make it in the acting business. Later, we had a leadership series, which was called "Commitment in Action." The room was set up so that there was a "runway" of tape, and chairs on either side of it. Our job was to walk through the tape lines in a creative way, and we had to use the same method from start to finish. We had to commit to it. Following this, we had to fill out little "agreements," stating what kind of leader we aspire to be. We then had to get a witness to sign it; someone who would hold us accountable for the promise we made. I felt like the commitment exercise was not only beneficial to my growth as a leader and human in society, but also to my growth as a performer. I know that I have to commit to this job, and commit to my choices. If acting is not my passion, I shouldn't do it. Commitment is key, in everything. Finally, to close off the night we had a karaoke night, which was fun (but again, I left early to take my shower before my roomate/suitemates got back). ~ I'm here because I absolutely love what I'm doing. //

Day 10: Much like day 9, this day began with the last TA-taught workshop. This one was called "Acting, Movement, & the Ensemble." This workshop had a lot to do with making choices based on other people's actions. We had to really feel each other out and take energy from one another, which is always important when on stage. The exercises in this workshop were really good at getting us all connected and teaching us how we can interact and become one with each other. Next, we went to the acting panel, which I think was my favorite panel to attend, because I am most interested in being an actor. Basically, we talked with wonderful performers who have been in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and other productions around New York, and they just told us about the daily life of an actor. They informed us of an actors hectic and ever-changing schedules, as well as how they can transition into and out of character, manage 8 shows a week, stay inspired, and make enough money to pay rent. There wasn't really one specific topic we talked about. The actors simply told us true facts about living as an actor, and it was once again a humbling experience to listen to these normal people talk about this life that they worked so hard to create for themselves. I see that it is possible to live out my crazy dream if I work hard enough. Lunch came next, and then we had a Shakespeare Forum, in which we learned how to read, understand, and begin to act out Shakespeare's work. While I enjoyed this, it seemed very similar to what we learned in English class last year (which isn't bad at all, just a bit redundant). It was still a good experience though. Finally, we walked down to Times Square, and had a  few hours of free time, which I spent shopping and getting pizza, before we saw On The Town. Compared to the other two shows we had seen, On The Town was lacking in moral value, and there wasn't really anything to take from it. However, it was a big showstopping Broadway production, and I thoroughly enjoyed the singing, dancing, and half-naked men on stage. If you're in to huge productions and the "classic Broadway musical" feel, this show is definitely one for you. After the show, we got back on the bus, returned to Fordham, and went to bed. ~ I'm here to experience deep moments and reshape my entire way of thinking in order to follow my dreams and live my life. //

Day 11: I remember thinking, "This is it." This was the last full day I was going to be able to spend here. Right after breakfast, we had our final rehearsals of our show. The pressure was on. After lunch, it was time to present our concepts and designs to our peers, our TAs, and Mr. FitzSimmons. It wasn't anything too exciting if I'm being completely honest. After that, we all performed our shows for one another, and though I always enjoy performing, I wasn't really a fan of the Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, so, like, it was just alright. I really enjoyed watching the other groups, and it was cool to see what everyone else had been working on throughout the week. We then had dinner, and then our final leadership series, called "What I Discovered." Just as the title says, in this session people were able to stand up and share what they had discovered during their 10 days at NSLC. There was a lot of crying and hugging and it made me really sad because it wasn't really until that moment that I realized I'd be leaving tomorrow. There were so many different emotions in the room, ranging from contentment and gratefulness to fear and vulnerability. Thankfully, the tears and extreme emotions didn't last for long! The final event of the night was the "NSLC Tonie Awards," followed by a dance/social/Tonie afterparty thing. We all got to get dressed up and drink sparkling cider from plastic champagne glasses and win awards for the shows we did. My design team and I won an award for our costuming, and the lightning designer, sound designer, and set designer won awards too. It was quite magical, even though it wasn't the real Tonys, it felt wonderful to have your work and creative vision recognized by others. The social was fun, and I danced a lot. Which was weird, because usually at informal dances I'm an awkward lump who just sits in the corner and eats food. I think that my willingness to just get up and let lose was just a small example of how NSLC changed my life, and gave me so much more confidence in myself in just 10 days. ~ I'm here because this is our last full day together, and I want to make the most of it and put on a great show with the people I love. //

Day 12: I think compared to the rest of my time at NSLC, this day was both the easiest and the hardest, for different reasons. It was the easiest in that we only attended the Closing Ceremony and a final TA meeting, and then we could go home. It was a low-key and not busy day, so in that sense it was easy. I was looking forward to home, and knew that I would be going to a familiar place, which felt easier than when I had first arrived at NSLC.  However, it was the hardest day because I had also grown familiar with Fordham University, and had created a second family with all of the wonderful people I had lived with for 10 days. There was a lot of crying and nostalgic memories, which I was not expecting would happen back on day 1. If you had told me I would grow so attached to these people and make best friends in just 10 days, I'd tell you that you are completely out of your mind. Yet that's what happened, and it was hard to leave. One of the last things Liv said to us was, "If you miss people, it means that you're living your own life, and that's a good thing."Those are words I'll never forget. Seeing and experiencing the world and all it has to offer sometimes means leaving the people you love, but it's okay to go live your life. You don't have to say goodbye; just see you later.  ~ I'm here because now, I don't want to leave. I've made some amazing friends while here, and learned that it's okay to love who I am and accept challenges that come my way. I have been changed for good, and I don't want this to end. //

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Busy Busy Bee //

2:21:00 PM
*insert That's so Raven vocal riff* Yup, that's me.
It's Sunday after what was quite possibly the longst week of my life. I am completely worn out and exhausted. It seems as though I can go months without having anything to do, then all of a sudden all activities are scheduled in a 6-day time period. 
•Last Sunday, my family and I were in Maine, and I was so relaxed and happy to be spending time with those I love and remembering those we've lost. 
•On Monday, we travelled home from Maine in a 4-hour long car ride. I did a lot of schoolwork and such, but I was able to ho to bed at a decent hour.
•Tuesday, I had a fashion show at the State House, which meant missing all my classes for the day. Following my return, I had rehearsal for Once Upon a Mattress til about 6 pm. I completed some work, and finished a project, causing me to be in bed at 11 pm. 
•Wednesday, I had to sing at a community breakfast, making me miss my study period (meaning i had to do all work the prior night, and miss my chior class to makeup a history test) I had lots of makeup work,seeing  as I had missed classes on Tuesday. I had double the tests, double the homework, and double the amount of things to rehearse for the other show I'm in, Black Comedy. Basically, I was in bed at 1 am. (Plus I was already exhausted from the day before, so this was just bad) 
•Then Thursday came, and it was hard to even keep my eyeballs open. I thought about taking a day off, but I realized that with the amount of things I have going on, I can't afford to just miss days. I had  classes all day, except period 10, in which I had to leave biology early to perform Once Upon a Mattress. Then I had to rehearse Black Comedy til about 7:15. Immediately after, I drove over to my sister's school to see her choir concert. She wanted milkshakes after, so her and I (being a good sister) went to Friendly's. I got home at about 8 pm, and proceeded to do homework til about 11:45 pm. (also, all day Thursday I thought it was Friday) 
•Finally, Friday came. It was actually quite relaxing, because after school, I only had a 30 minute rehearsal (so that seniors could get to prom), and then ate Chipotle, and then went to my pal's house for her Sweet 16. Of course it was fun, but parties=getting home at 1 am. So naturally, I was exhausted when ai had to wake up at 8 am to work on...
•...Saturday. I woke up, and did stage makeup in the morning for my matineé show. I then babysat from 10-12:15 (with said makeup on), and immediately after, I performed Once Upon A Mattress, came home and began homeworking (because for some reason, I had quite a bit this weekend.) I stayed up til 11 by my own accord (wicked bad idea-- but obviously I had to watch Law & Order: SVU for like 3 hours.) 
•Now it's Sunday, and I went out for breakfast early, then went to church, then went out flower/herb shopping, then took my cat for a walk outside, and am now here blogging. I know there's work to be done later, but I need a break to sit back and relax, look at all the new flowers & herbs, and listen to some Zeppelin on le record player. This week has been long, but I feel productive. It's worth it. Sometimes you need to feel the pain to also feelthe gain, ya know? 
Anywho, thanks for listening to this rant, and if there's one thing to learn from this, kewp your head up and always focus on the positives. If you don't have to struggle, it's not even worth it. Life isn't going to be delivered to you on a silver platter, but it's too short to focus on the bad little things. Just focus on the beauty in situations. xoxo

Sunday, January 25, 2015

And I Don't Even Live in New York //

11:30:00 PM
Shocker, I know, but it is true. I don't actually live in New York. As a matter of fact, I live in Boston, Massachusetts, which is definitely not NYC. 

Now, this is the part where you, lucky reader, ask yourself, "How on earth does this girl have a blog dedicated to living in New York City if she doesn't live in New York City?" and if I'm being completely honest, I have absolutely no idea. I love NYC more than anything (except maybe my family and friends and cats and organic vanilla iced coffee with soymilk), and so in my mind, Manhattan is my home, and I attempt to emulate that magical NYC aesthetic everyday. //

With that out of the way, I should probably introduce myself. My name is Emily, but I often go by Milla (which is sometimes elongated to 'Milla Tortilla.') I am turning 16 in exactly four weeks, but I either act like I'm 26 or 6. There is honestly no in between, so you never really know what you're going to get when we hang out (and I apologize in advance if you get the 6-year-old version of me). I am into fashion, filmmaking, photography, theatre, art, music, literature, religion, and overall healthy lifestyle habits.

Originally, this entire blog was going to be dedicated to fashion and beauty, after a couple of my friends told me that I should start up a "indie-boho" fashion blog. While that within itself sounded like a pretty sick idea, I felt torn between many things. I am a girl of passions, and I can never just 'like' something. I must always love things, and for that very reason, I decided that I couldn't just focus on fashion. I had to also talk about the other passions and loves that make me happy. The easiest way to do this (of course), is to just talk about anything and everything and call it a lifestyle blog. //

That, my dear readers, is what we have here. Just like the city I love so much, my soul is constantly overflowing with excitement; it never sleeps. So come join me on my many adventures, and we'll have a grand old time living and loving life in our own bohemia.
       "Welcome to New York. It's been waiting for you." -Taylor Swift

~ fashion, food, art, travel, & adventure ~

Contact

milla.barker.99@gmail.com