Throroughly Modern Milie

It's amazing where you find your life at. Did I ever think in a million years that I would be living in Provo and choreographing for a Middle School Musical? The answer would be no, in case you didn't know. My friend Jess is a Theatre teacher and asked me to choreograph for their annual musical. I wanted to say no after all. . .

1. I felt a little overwhelmed with school and work and didn't know how much time I could dedicate to this.
2. I had never even been in a musical, not to mention choreograph for one
3. 12-13 year-olds? Yeah, that's a time period I would never choose to go back to. . .

Don't worry, I returned. :)

And it was a great experience! Well, there are a few students that I wanted to strangle countless times, but I have been so impressed with how far the kids have come! After all, I was incredibly worried after auditions. There were many kids that struggled, and I mean really struggled. . .Getting them to walk on beat was a challenge.

There's only one more performance left, but I am still amazed with the work the kids have done! I couldn't have asked for more. I still think to myself "Wow, Jess and I just put on a musical!" What a perfect pair we make. I can't hold a pitch and Jess has two left feet. I won't even mention the fact that I still have never seen the musical but now feel that I don't need to. . .I mean really, do I want to tear my work down? I think not. . .Ha, ha. I will see the show eventually. I've heard that the movie with Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore is quite excellent.

Well here is a quick preview of two of my favorite numbers from the show. Once again, they aren't perfect but the kids worked so hard and it really came together and progressed from where the kids started at. Sorry for the bad camera shots. I was directing lights and trying to do many things at once. (Yeah, now I know I really should have taken a lights class in college. I never thought I would be on the backstage of performances). :)




The girls especially loved this one! I could tell because they actually practiced it. I choreographed a part, then came back the next day and it was practically perfect. Maybe it's the title "Forget About the Boy!" Yeah, really who needs them?! "STICK IT TO THE MAN!" Haha.




Did I mention that our lead for Millie is phenomenal! Yeah, she's 13 and beyond talented and super cool! We really think she should audition for American Idol.

There's one more performance left on Monday night 2/28/11. Come bring your family, date, or friends for a fun night. Really, I wouldn't invite people if it wasn't a good show, but it really is! It starts at 6:30 at Dixon Middle School in Provo. Costs are $2 or $5 for families.

You will love it, I promise!

A Dear Letter

Dear Readers,

Okay, okay. I may have a slight obsession with a particular music artist. I do admit she is odd, crazy, a little sketch, and might create her lyrics while being stoned. . .none the less, I really want to see her in concert. What a coincidence that she will be in SLC on March 19. The problem. . .

1. Her show has been sold out for months
2. Ironically, none of my friends want to see her

Well, I've solved #1. I've found tickets on KSL for around $100. Yes, I know this is super expensive, but I've heard her concert is completely insane and I'm willing to splurge for one concert.

#2 is still a problem. So I'm asking for help. Anyone want to see Lady Gaga? Anyone, anyone? I would completely throw in dinner, and let's be honest, it's me and we would have a fun time. So, if you are interested please let me know and I'll figure out the ticket issue.

Sincerely,

A Semi-Ultra Fan

You Frickin' Weirdo!

I have always been one to state that I am not normal, and have never been. (I've just learned to be okay with this fact). I know you are thinking right now that I am overreacting and I promise I'm not throwing a pity-party for myself. I'm not going to lie, some things I hated about myself growing up. . .and sometimes still struggle with. As I have grown older and wiser, (sometimes), I have learned to accept myself and been able to laugh off weird comments.

I can still remember all of the hurtful "tall" comments that people said when I was young and remember how I took them so seriously. I think that's why I still think I am morbidly tall. (And I made up the classification so you can't change the word). :) Here's some examples.

• Picture being a 14-year old girl and being in a ballet class. You complete an exercise incorrectly (in a small form). The instructor tells you that "you grew those long things, learn to control them!"
  
• Picture being in elementary school and your mom wanting to buy you "boys jeans" because you were too tall for the girl ones.
• Picture dancing with your older brother and him saying "Wow! This is like dancing with a man." It wasn't because I had two left feet either. More along the lines of dancing eye-to-eye.
• A college statistics professor singling me out in class stating that I am taller than 98% of the female population my age.
  
• 36 inch inseam since you were 16. 'Nough said!
• The famous question at every super market cash out stand. . ."So do you play Basketball?"
  

I always hated hearing people say, "You are so tall! You could be a model!" In my mind it always seemed like people didn't know what to say and were fishing for a compliment to give. Models=Tall Women, thus, the fake compliment was said. I realize now, that this was a misconception in my mind, but at the time it was difficult to understand this.

I promise that I am not fishing for compliments and am fairly comfortable with who I am, but I really do think that there are so many ironic/weird things about me.

1. Morbidly tallness. (pretty evident)
2. Obnoxiously small lips. (yep, they hardly cease to exist)
3. Abnormally large teeth with a tiny mouth. (The orthodontist couldn't fit the mold-fitter into my mouth. 6 teeth pulled later, braces were put on).
   
4. Long second toe. (Peep-toed shoes look slightly awkward on me).
5. Orangutan arms! (Yep, my arms are longer than most men).
6. Midget thumbs! 8 years of piano lessons and not understanding why I was so bad at it. It would help if reaching an octave wasn't so difficult due to the "shortness" of my thumb.
   

Okay, I have a new one. I've always thought that I had abnormally straight hair. Yes, I am the one who gets out of the shower, puts every root boost/volumizing hair product in, and flips hair upside down to blow dry. When I'm complete, my hair is already perfectly straight. (Straight as if someone had already used a straightener on it). I was the one at prom, who purposefully had my hair done in up-do's without any curl present because I knew the curls would fall out before the dance even started. I would exclaim to people that my hair was obnoxiously straight and it wouldn't hold any curl and most didn't believe me. A few hours ago, I asked my roommate (who happens to be a great hair stylist) if she would curl my hair like she does hers. (I always hope that maybe I just don't know how to curl it correctly). She stated yes and said she would show me how to do it correctly stating it wasn't very hard. She started out very zealous but soon zealousness approached to irritation. Frustration came upon her face as she realized that getting curl to hold would be difficult. My favorite line was when she said "You Frickin' Weirdo" to a handful of my hair. YES! SHE ACCEPTS THAT MY HAIR IS OBNOXIOUSLY STRAIGHT! She was able to get some curl in it, but realized that it would be flat very soon. Completely cracked me up!

Thank you weird quirks about me!

Alright,I realize that everyone has things that about themselves that they don't entirely love. That's a part of life and learning to accept/love yourself with all it's flaws. I'm completely okay with the fact that these traits make myself me and I've learned to accept them.

Although, I am set on the fact that in my next life, my perfectly restored self will be 5'2! I can't wait! In the mean time, I'll laugh about all of my weird characteristics. :)