It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Who knew that it would be creeping up on us so quicky?

So, I think I have a lot to say.....bare with me.

Firstly.....Christmas for a Cause.

On Sunday Dec. 21st, it was snowing like mad here in the Tri-Cities. And I mean like mad. I think it only stopped once or twice for about 1/2 hr each if that.

As most of you know....the show that my friend and I put on...Christmas for a Cause, was planned for this day.

Because of the snow, our cast got into quite a heated debate on whether "the show must go on!" or not. Now, I pretty much live by this statement. To have others in the cast disagree with this was a real toll on my emotions. I wanted the show to go on, no matter how many people were in the audience. I understood where the other people were coming from, seeing as the roads were treacherous, but I knew that people would bare them to see our show. To just go to the church and say "Sorry, you drove all this way in this weather, and we're not going to do a show" just did not seem right in my head.

Anyways, in the end, we ended up doing the show with the hopes that at least it would be a good dress rehearsal for us. In the end, around 60 people came, and we raised $601.40!! How amazing is that!! And even better news is.....we get to do it AGAIN!! The church graciously offered their space to us for one more run for those who could not make it because of the snow! SOOO....if you didn't make it.....come this time!! Here are the new details:

WHAT: Christmas for a Cause
WHERE: Eagle Ridge United Church, on Glen Dr.
WHEN: December 28th, 8pm
HOW MUCH: Suggested Minimum Donation of $10

Just pray that it doesn't snow!!

I just felt so blessed to know that some of my friends and family still came out to support UGM! (Thanks Josh, I know you had a rotten day, and I'm sorry you had to walk/bus in the cold, wet snow, but you are AMAZING!)


In other news.....hmm.....well, I'm not feeling 100% today. I have a tummy ache and I feel light-headed. Maybe it's because I know Santa is coming to my house tomorrow night!!

Also, I got my grades back from school......I got 2 B+'s and a C+!! And that's good for me!! So YEAH!

I think that's about it!! I hope you guys have a safe and Happy Christmas!! God Bless!

No More!! Please No More!!

Ok. I'm ALMOST at the finish line for all this school stuff. But it still seems SO FAR AWAY!


You know when you KNOW you should be doing something, but instead you do something else? You do ANYTHING to avoid that one task you SHOULD be doing? That's me right now.

I have to write one more paper for this semester (even though classes are over). It's due Monday, so I have time to write it, but I really want to finish it before the weekend so it's one more thing off my back. But I just CANNOT focus on it. I'm surprised I've even gotten onto the 2nd page of it.


My goal was to finish it TODAY (because I'm heading up to campus tomorrow for a study session, so I wanted to drop it off then and not worry about it). But the way things are going I doubt my goal will be reached. I just keep on getting distracted with other things (like blogger for instance...hahahha.) Or maybe I just need a small break from it so I can refocus? I don't know.

Once this paper is over I have 2 more exams to study for and then FINITO school year 2008. I cannot WAIT til my last exam.

Then it's CFC!!

What's CFC, you ask?



Christmas for a Cause!! And I think you should come!!

It's a performance that me and my friend Joel began last year. All proceeds go to the Union Gospel Mission!!

It's December 21 at 8pm. At Eagle Ridge United Church in Coquitlam. TRY TO MAKE IT OUT!! You're not only supporting me and my friends, but you're helping the homeless during Christmas time.



WOW. I'm pretty sure this blog makes NO sense. Meh.

What else.....oh! Lindbjerg's Simply Christmas is DONE AND OVER WITH! I'm actually happy it was earlier this year, that way my December is more free. It was a really fun show.

UMMMMMMMMMMMM.

I think that's all. Once I have more time I'll blog more.

Back to this DEATH paper!



Tootle Tip!

Definitley time for another BLOG

HELLOOOOOOO.....? ANYONE THERE......?????

Apparently the blogging world has come to a halt.

NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!!!!


SoooOoOOoOOoOOoO...........

Hello out there! How are we all doing?! I am doing just FABULOUS as I just finished my LAST midterm of the semester today!! Now all I have left are 2 quizzes, a paper, a presentation, and 2 FINALS. And then finito, baby! I'm done for 2008!

Onto more exciting stuff.....I WAS A PUMPKIN FOR HALLOWEEN. I know you are alllllll jealous. It's just a matter of life. Everyone is jealous of Amanda. (Just Kidding...)

Isn't it pretty sweet? That's my boyfriend. He was Indiana Jones (and he had a brown leather jacket, but FORGOT to wear it in this pic.....oh well...)

I went to my friend's costume party...it was quite fun!! There was dancing and singing, and chatting. It was nice to see friends that I haven't seen in awhile!!

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WOW. I thought I had WAY more to say.....but apparently I don't. LAME.

I guess that's all for now - take THAT blogger!!!

Tootle Tip!

I NEED A BREAK!

Ok, I have been studying for about 4 hours STRAIGHT!!! This is insane!

I hate having to study for midterms, because in reality, I forget all the information I learned by the end of the semester. Right now I've written out about 3 chapters of notes, with three more to go! My hand hurts!!

Plus I still have to write out notes from my prof's lecture power point slides. Oh boy. I only have 2 more days to study!! AND on Sat I only have the night to study because I'm out all day, and then Sunday is my little cousins birthday party so there goes some evening studying. Thank goodness that I have an hour in between my classes on Monday so I have an hour of review cramming (the BEST stuff!)

Anyways, just had to take a little break! Phew!!

Back to work!!

Tootle Tip!!

NEWS------paper.

Well! Alot of exciting and funky news to share!

Where to start? WELL firstly is that I made a video for my friend Josh and I think you should check it out!

Go to http://www.youtube.com/theamandaandjoshshow and look up "The Video that Josh Doesn't Know About".

It's really embarrassing on my part but it's pretty sweet!


In other news, I didn't get into A Chorus Line. But it's all good.

Also, I found out my friend is engaged! Congrats to her!!

Umm....lastly.....my boyfriend, Jared, won Weezer's Hootenay Contest, and GETS TO PLAY ONSTAGE WITH THEM TOMORROW NIGHT AT GM PLACE!!

How sweet is that?

Anyways, Josh wanted me to blog. I think that's all I have to say!

Adios!!


OH OH! PS - If you haven't seen August Rush, SEE IT!! SOOOO GOOD!

Tootle Tip!

A Chill but Eventful (and Exciting!) two weeks

Well!

A lot has happened since my last post so I thought I'd do an update (since I've been "slaving" away at homework all day......hahaha)

Hmm....Firstly, we cast Beauty & the Beast (as most of you already know...). I think Linnea and I did a really good job casting. It was extremley hard, but in the end, I think we got it! We started on "Be Our Guest" last Saturday....which is already looking GREAT! And the juniors are just too cute at their part.....they certainly are going to be such a treat in the show!

I also auditioned for "A Chorus Line" last week. I was pretty laid back (although I started getting quite scared after my sister was driving us down there saying..."I'm SO nervous!)

I sang my song alright, not my best but not my worst. However, the director seemed to like me, and I got to do a cold read of the script right there on the spot (and I got to read for one of the roles I was going for!) After was the dance audition......I don't think I've sweat that hard in my life!! (Actually, that's a lie.....in High School Musical I was practically a wet sponge after every show...) ANYWAYS. The dance call was challenging but I tried by best and hardest and just tried to have fun with it! And in the end I got a callback! (Which is a week today...and I'm SO excited!) So pray for me!!

We started auditions for Bugsy Malone with Lindbjerg yesterday, and I was just blown away by some of my students. I have a feeling it's going to be quite hard to cast some roles this year!


Oh! Also I have recently discovered "Skype". If you don't have it, GET IT! It's like a free telephone conversation, but over the computer! And you can have video chats too! A very dear friend of mine from Ottawa and I had a lovely 2 hour conversation a few weeks ago, and it felt like she was in the same room as me!


Other than all that, life is pretty chill! School's been alright so far (as I'm trying not to do papers the night before).

I think that's about it! Told you a lot happened!

Tootle Tip!

How Time Flies! (and How Love is amazing)

I just cannot believe that I'm already in Week 3 of school! Why is it that life since high school has flown by like a bolt of lightning?!

ANND.....I'm 21. WHAT! 21. I'm now officially an "adult" anywhere in the world. How frightening is that!


Anyways, everything has begun! School, teaching......And that's it! Oh! And preparing and getting things organized for Christmas for a Cause, a project that Joel and I put on last year, and are planning to again this year!

Everything is going super well!! Callbacks/Auditions for Xtreme's Beauty & the Beast are almost at a close! We're hoping to cast the show after more callback this Friday.

And today, something dawned on me while talking to my sister about teaching/auditioning people - I actually LOVE all of my students. I was telling her how after everyone had their seperate audition, I would mouth to Linnea "I love them!" or "He/She is just the cutest!" or "What an improvement!" And although some of them may dislike me at times for having to be all "teacherish", I actually feel SO blessed to be able to teach such an amazing group of students.....not only with my Xtreme students, but with my Lindbjerg ones as well.

And when I discover that not all my students from the previous year come back again....I get a little sad! I truly miss the ones who have decided not to come back again this year. But I guess that's life, and God has another plan in store for them.

Anyways, I think that's about all I have to say right now! I'm trying to update my blog whenever I remember, and I am extremeley bored at the moment, which is why I'm writing here! (Hahaha)....



PS! I am now addicted to 3 new TV Shows:

1. The New 90210 (ok...I know....lame.....but actually has good moral points......so far...)
2. Privledged (which is on right after 90210. About a girl wanting to become a writer but ends up getting a job as a tutor for this BIG NAME lady's granddaughters - GOOD acting in it!!!)
3. So You Think You Can Dance Canada (How OBVIOUS is this?!)

WOW! I think that's all NOW......hahaha.......eerrr....

Tootle Tip!!

School Again! School Again! School Again!

It's not as exciting as the students in Anne of Green Gables makes it seem....hahaha.

Well, I've had a math class and an english seminar. I'm not dead....yet.

I'm really nervous/anxious about this Math class though. I haven't taken Math in 5 years. I've been trying to avoid it as much as possible, now I wish I had just gotten it all over with. OH well.

Anyways, I start teaching the homeschool kids on Friday, and I am just SO EXCITED! This year they are doing Beauty & the Beast! OH MY GOODNESS! It's going to be such a challenge and I am SO looking forward to it!

In other news, I'm trying to find a show to audition for! I'm just lacking self-confidence in my talent at the moment, and I think that's why I'm being so stubborn and unmotivated to audition for things. I think I'm scared of the rejection, but HEY, that's showbiz, right?!

Joel and I had our first official meeting for Christmas for a Cause today (YES, we are doing it AGAIN!) I am sooooo excited and I am praying that we are able to get a theatre free of charge! (please pray with me!)

I think that's about all for now! I'm sorry if some of my blogs sound depressing/melodramatic, I just write what comes to my head! I swear I'm not a sad/depressed person! (At least I hope not! :P )

Tootle Tip!

A Bad Person?

Lately I've been contemplating this phrase in my head. But not only that.....A bad friend, a bad girlfriend, a bad anything really.

I don't mean to sound melodramatic and negative, but it's true. I've come across things that I do on a daily basis that aren't the best thing to do. And yet, it seems to normal to me because I've grown accustomed to it.

I'm finding that I always double book plans. Or that I'll cancel plans because I just don't feel like doing them that day. And it's not like I intentionally want to do this, I'm just finding that I don't get in the mood to go to these "plans". And then the people who I make these plans with get mad and defensive (as I would if a friend backed out plans with me).

But why do I do this? Is it pure laziness? Or is it something else?

I think I do it for many reasons. Actually, a few too many to write down in this blog.


For whomever I've hurt, I am deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart. I think I need to find more of who I am and how I want to live life. And right now, I just honestly don't know.


Tootle Tip.

Feel like writing....

I don't know exactly what I want to write, all I know is that I feel like writing. So I guess I'll write whatever comes out!


Well. Over the past few years it has been dawning on me on how much I loathe and depise money. Seriously. Well, actually, I loathe and despise not having as much as I want.

It's not that I want to be a kajillion-aire just for the sake of having the name. I just want enough to be able to afford a house for myself (or even an apartment!) for later on in life so that I'll be able to raise a family.... (and so that I can move out and be able to live life more independently).

But everyone in my generation is kind of....welll......jipped! Housing now is SO expensive, it's surprising how people are able to afford it being payed the wages they are today.

Not that I'm conplaining.....it just seems ridiculous to me.


But I guess that I'm just going to have to know that God will provide for me. I'm just going to have to be patient and wait it out, I guess.



In other news I got my haircut today. It's pretty swell.




I think that's all for now.


Tootle Tip!

I'm Back and FREEEEEE

Well, I've been home from Australia for almost two weeks now. And I WANT TO GO BACK!A World Youth Day "Welcome" in the sky - JUST for us!

Our group carried around these Jesus signs - VERY helpful if any of us lost our way!

Kristin, Alana and I -
two girls I love very dearly and whom I became very close to -
on the beach of Surfer's Paradise!

I had an amazing time there, I learned so much spiritually and Australia in itself was beautiful.

Whenever someone asks me "How was Australia?" I never have a stright answer. The truth is that SO much happened to me over those 2.5 weeks that I don't really know where to start! Overall my mission team was AMAZING - they were all on fire for Christ and we were really supportive of one another. I surely miss them - and I am hoping to keep in touch with them.

Honestly, if you have any specific questions, that would probably be easier for me to answer. All in All - I LOVED IT!

My Lindbjerg summer camp (Alice in Wonderland) is now over. The week went by really fast but I am SO proud of all my students. They made me very proud!!

Now I have the rest of the summer to do what I haven't done in awhile - REST, HAVE FUN, and RELLLAAAXXX! It's the first time in years where I don't have any show to do, where I don't have any work, and where I am as FREE as a bird!

It's going to be a great end of the summer, I think it is exactly what I needed.

Anyways, I think that's all for now.

Tootle Tip!

Ahh! It's Almost Here!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

OH MY GOODNESS! Can you believe, that my spiritual journey begins in only 3 days! I am just so anxious I can barely sleep! I'm just so excited!


Also:

HAPPY CANADA DAY!


I think this will probably be my last blog before I leave, since I'm not bringing my laptop to Aussie land, and because I'm not sure if I will have access to internet.....

So, everyone have a good July, a GREAT canada day, and PLEASE pray for me and my group as we travel to spread the good news of the lord!

Tootle Tip!
(...or as the Aussie's say, G'Day!)

Time for another one!

Hello world!

Well, everything is almost done! Lindbjerg's Year End show is this weekend, and after that I have about two weeks of absolutley NOTHING. Nothing "work" related anyways. I'm really looking forward to it.

Then on July 4th is the start of my World Youth Day Mission! For those of you who don't know, I'm heading to Australia in a few weeks to participate in World Youth Day with about 46 (I think) people from a group I am with called Catholic Christian Outreach. And I am SO looking forward to it! What is World Youth Day, you ask? Well let me tell you!!

As Wikipedia states, World Youth Day is....

a youth oriented Roman Catholic Church promotional event aimed at young people. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, young people are invited without discrimination.[1] World Youth Day is not associated with International Youth Day or any of the international observance days.
World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984. It is celebrated on a diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations. The international level events attract hundreds of thousands of youth from almost every country on the planet. It is a major part of the upsurge in Catholic Youth Work in some countries over recent years; for example, the Director of Catholic Youth Services for England and Wales has said of the event that it would have far-reaching effects, not restricted to those who attended.[2]


I think this is going to be one of the most inspiring events of my ENTIRE like. I know it is going to have a big impact on me. Imagine.....thousands of catholics by my side, feeling the same way I do, being with God and the Holy Spirit. WOW!

Anyways, That's about it for now.

Tootle Tip!

Anticipation

It's funny.

In recent years, I've literally been on a roller coaster of thoughts.

And although this seems normal, and it probably is -- to me it seems unnatural and odd.

And today, I've realized what it is that makes it seem so weird to me.

I constantly have this anticipation in me, waiting for something exciting to happen in my life.
And because exciting things don't happen to me too often, I slump back into my thoughts and start feeling negative feelings, like lonliness, rejection, stupidity, and so on.

And I constantly compare myself to others who get exciting things in their lives constantly, and I become jealous. Inwardly jealous, which is the worse jealousy of all.

And I know why these people get these exciting things. Because they actually try for it and succeed. They're not scared to actually reach for their dreams and goals.

And for some reason, I am. I'm petrified. And I think that's why I am so introverted when it comes to life. I steer clear of situations and events that could potentially ruin me.

Why? Why can't I just go for my dreams?
Because I think I'm prone to thinking unsuccessfully.

April is a busy month!

Hello avid Amanda bloggers, there probably aren't many, if any of you, but that's okay.

Well, classes are over, but I still have one exam left!! And get this -- it's on a Saturday! How lame is that?! Who makes exams on Saturday's!? Ridiculous!

I am also getting ready for two upcoming shows that I have directed/choreographed:
Willy Wonka with the Lindbjerg Academy &
Alice in Wonderland with Xtreme Theatre

I'm really excited for both to be coming together in one whole show!!! They are both happening in May.

Right now I am also in a show called Adventures in Art, which we have a dress rehearsal/tech for tomorrow, and our first show to an audience is Thursday night! The show was written by the very first director who accepted me into community theatre, and it's such a fun and upbeat show!!

Lastly, it was my mom and dad's 25th wedding anniversary last wednesday, so my sister and I are having a little party for them Saturday night. It's going to be super fun. Appie's, music, and a lot of older people drinking! Wahoo!

Anyways, I think that's about it (for now). Got to go study! (And watch Big Brother...hehehe)

Tootle Tip!

Hap-Hap-Happy Easter!

Wow! I cannot believe that it is EASTER already! And that classes end in like 2 more weeks. Life is insane.

Not much to update on. . but let me see what I can squeeze out.

First and foremost. . . I GOT MY HAIRCUT!! It's really short. I'll take some easter pictures and post them up in my next blog.

Also - me and my friend Josh have started our own youtube channel (because we are cool like that) and you should check us out! (That is, if our first video EVER uploads. . . ).

http://www.youtube.com/TheAmandaAndJoshShow


In other news, I still haven't decided what to do in the Fall. Should I go back to school? Should I just quit and start working? Ugh. Life is so complicated.

Anyways, I think that's all for now. Have a blessed Easter!!!

I Just Don't Understand It.

It's official - I suck at auditions.

I don't know what it is. I thought I did really well at my Triple Sensation Audition. I was almost sure I would get a callback.

And of course I didn't.

I don't know why I psyche myself out about these things. I mean, really, it's no huge deal. You win some and you lose some.

It just is a real blow to my confidence (since I already lack this in my life). Honestly, I don't think I've ever really had self-esteem or confidence when it comes to me performing, strangely enough. I never think of myself as good enough.

Maybe that's why my auditions blow. Because I show that I have this lack of confidence.

But who knows, really. Maybe this is just a way of God telling me that I'm not meant to be a performer. And that's a tough thought to actually realize and come to know.

Scary stuff.

See? I told you I'd update!

So, like I said, I'm going to try and keep this up to date. Here it goes!

School is going fine, but I'm actually disliking it a lot. And it's to the point where I just want to finish this semester off and then never ever go to school again. But it sucks because I technically need some sort of degree or something to actually have money. Like, a career. Not some crummy job at Save on Foods for the rest of my life (not that I would work there anyways). So I guess what I'm saying is I'm trying to decide what to do.

Life has been pretty tiring lately. My grandpa was rushed for an emergency surgery on Thursday. He's been in the hospital since. But he seems to be getting better.

Theatre stuff is going. Lindbjerg's Advanced show is opening next week -- come see it! It's playing at The Act in Maple Ridge (and I can't write the show name on here due to rights and whatnot - if you're curious of the show ask me!) I'm in the show, by the way. I'm a pirate and an Indian. (Hope that gave a clue of what the show is!)

I'm auditioning for Triple Sensation on Sunday (yes, I am a dork like that). I'm completley and utterly anxious and nervous already -- I don't think this is good for my heart! Bahaha. Aw well.

I think that's pretty much it.

Tootle Tip!

Helloooooo Blogging World!

It's been awhile.

I sure have missed thee.

I'm okay with people not reading this. It's still something to do for me. (And if others would like to join me on that journey, that it great too.)

Things Up To Date.....Hmmm...

Well, things have ben kind of slowing down for me after a remount of High School Musical at the Bell Center in Surrey. Now I'm concentrating (or trying to) on school. Which I don't like very much, by the way. I'm trying to think of options that I'll actually enjoy.

Anywho, I'm currently co-directing and choreographing Alice in Wonderland for Xtreme Theatre. The kids are an absolute BLAST and they are so talented. The show is really shaping up and I am really proud of the kids.

I'm also assistant directing and assistant choreographing Willy Wonka Jr. for Lindbjerg. That is also wonderful, the show is going to be really cute.

I'm also preparing myself to audition for Triple Sensation. I'm a little nervous/anxious already, and the registration date isn't until March 2nd. Maybe I'm just a keener. I', mostly nervous because I usually blow auditions. Sure I have the odd few which go extremley well, but most of the time my nerves get the best of me and I don't really perform to my fullest. So I'm working hard to work on that.

Also - I'm going to World Youth Day in Australia this summer! I'm so stoked. I'll be going with 46 other members of CCO from Canada. It's going to be an amazing experience and I cannot wait!!!

Anyways, I think that's all for now. Hopefully I'll do more of this blogging business soon.

Tootle Tip.