Keep Smiling Through

Everyone in our production is amazing. I can't talk about them enough... they are so talented and obviously experienced. And yet, they are so very kind and understanding. It makes drama so much more reachable for me. My nerves are calmed because I know they will love me in spite of any mistakes I make. Even if I do really well, their opinion of me stays the same. I am Naomi. I stay Naomi. I love them. :-)

 Last night was an interesting night. I got nervous about an hour before we even went to the theater, then it passed and I was ok until right before we walked on stage. Even then, I wasn't nearly as nervous as I had been the first night. Lane kept telling me, "you need to panic... Panic before we start so you'll get over it.." but I never really did. I tried. Lol. I honestly did. :-)

My solo is towards the beginning of the first act which I am not crazy about because I'm never quite over my nerves before it comes time for me to sing. Nerves make my voice squeaky! But I'm finding that I can work with what I get, squeaky or smooth and still make it sound plausible. Just as long as I remember my words... Someone commented last night that they could see I was not nearly as frightened last night as I was the night before. This was true. Hehe. I really hope that today will be even better.

Michele's daughter Gillian came up from Regina to help with the stage make-up. When we got home, I was intending to hit bed pretty quick but the hunger pains set in when Michele mentioned she had pizza in the freezer... it turns out that Gillian and I have a favorite food in common. Hehehe.... ;-) So we talked and giggled and munched on deliciously beautiful pizza (we did cook it, FYI) until about 2:20am. And then, we got on FB and made sure all of our friends were as having as great of a time as we were (most of mine were... sleeping is among the best of good times. Lol).

I'm sure I woke up about 9:30 or so this morning but lazily drifted in and out of consciousness until 11. Only in my sickest days did I get up that late. But it's kind of fun and I must say, in between dozings, God and I got some good conversations in. :-) I think the best time to pray is right after we wake up because we've had time to process what has happened the day before... it's not so clouded as it was a few hours ago.

So that is a brief look into my life today. Now, I'd best get something to eat, my hair done and get ready to go to the theater. :-) The performance is at 2 pm today instead of at 7 pm. Your prayers are appreciated. :-)

Speaking of praying for people, some friends of mine have a little guy who needs a lot of prayer right now. (Some serious health issues.) Please lift them up today. :-)

One Down... Two to Go :) :)

The show went very well! My corny jokes, the solo and the dancing were all completed without a hitch. :-) Everyone else did marvelously well too. Amazing what a difference an audience makes! Thank you so much for the prayers. :-)

Tomorrow is another day and another performance. Try to spend another restful day at home.

I am so exhausted. Lol. But when I got home, I immediately dug in the fridge for something to eat... ham sandwich on toast.

Happy. :-)

Tonight "We'll Meet Again"

After a over a month of practices, the first night of the show will be upon us in just a few hours. I feel incredibly excited and just a little more nervous. :-) It has been quite a journey to this point. Each practice was very intense and my character kept getting stuff piled on it! I never intended to land a solo like "White Cliffs of Dover" and I never thought I would be standing joyously on stage telling really, really corny jokes. But I will be tonight, Lord willing... and I am so thankful for all that has happened.

I began typing this post with the intention of asking you to pray I would not make mistakes this evening. But I realized that I was asking for reasons involving pride issues. Lol. So I will ask that if you feel led, please pray I will bless all those whose lives I touch... please pray also that I will glorify God, for I am His.

As I laugh at myself, may the rest of the world laugh with me. :-)

Chattering Feet

Yesterday, we went through the play twice. This is the first time everyone was in uniform. Wow. It made such a difference for me. I really felt like a true 40's honey with sober realities. Actually, come to think of it, maybe that wasn't so much the uniform as the nylons! (I used to hate them... now they're semi-ok. ;-))

It was interesting to watch the other performers do their songs and lines. They were so changed. Being in costume made them slip into character so much more easily. I realized how much I am blessed to be working with and learning from these seasoned veterans of the stage... 

The really interesting part came right away when I sat down to sing my solo. 

Observation #1: I get nervous for no reason. 

Observation #2: I should practice my song more.

Observation #3: It's interesting how your entire body can tremble and it doesn't effect your voice box. (I was shaking so badly, my feet were chattering on the floor.)

Observation #4: People can be so kind. 

The pianist played the opening bars of the song, I opened my mouth to sing... and promptly forgot all the words. We started over and I got two measures into it and for the life of  me couldn't remember this one line... Ironically it was, "I remember well...." No kidding. Lol!

At first I was feeling quite dreadful about it, but not for long. Firstly, I wasn't the only one to forget my words. Secondly, I wasn't the only one who got lost on my solo. The pianist skipped a page and we had to start the chorus again. She apologized but I assured her that she just made me feel better. :-) 

The second practice went much better. I practiced in between the two and when the time came, remembered all the words. I noticed that everyone else remembered their lines well and things went so much more smoothly! Except for that one part, in which someone improvised and caught me off guard... ;-) It was quite amusing. I shall tell you about it later. After the show. ;-) 

There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. --Vicki Baum

I found this quote and thought it interesting. Polka and I suddenly clicked yesterday and I finally realized how much fun it could be. ;-) When I am playing the piano, I feel such a joy... and that is what I suddenly felt. Like there were wings on my feet. :-) 

Teaching went well today! I was really happy with the progress of all of my students. One I was worried about because I didn't seem to be making any progress with her. Finally today I had a glimpse of her thought processes and I believe things will go on much better than they have been. :-)  

Anyway, I am really tired and tomorrow is going to be another big day so I will bid thee adieu and wish pleasant dreams to all.

Thankfulness

(My sister Cilla and I are pals. February 2009)

I am thankful to be loved. 

I am thankful to love. 

I am thankful to be lovable. (Depending on the day. :-))

Thanksgiving is here, once again. I remember blogging past thanksgivings with lists of things to be thankful for and I could do that again. I could. But as I asked a friend the other day, "is there any real originality left in the world?" ;-)

So I thought I would post the top three things I was incredibly grateful for... and as it turns out, they're all about love. Love begins and ends all things; so do I.

My life has taken some interesting turns the past few months. I am being forced to examine my beliefs, my life, my friends, my relationships... ultimately, myself. What do I want from life? My goals? Where do I feel God is leading me? Yesterday, as I was (finally!) admitting something to myself that I had known for a very long time, I was frightened. It seemed like without that one thing to hold on to, especially right now, I would waver and fall. But I realized that I was being forced to turn to God alone for comfort and courage and strength. This is where I should have been all along.

I am thankful for realizations like these. I am thankful for being buffeted by the winds of life and grasping at the only thing I can. He is my rock and fortress, my comfort in time of trouble. He loves me.

What has been happening in my life lately?

Teaching. This you know. But you know not how wonderful it has been! I have ten students and I feel like I'm  seeing progress in almost all of them. Not just in piano playing but confidence in themselves and our relationship as a teacher/student/friend. It is so exciting watching them realize something about music. :-) The more I teach, the more passionate I am. These are the moments I cannot wait for the future to teach me how to be the best piano teacher in the world. ;-)

Michele's kids made it home for Thanksgiving and we have been having a blast. :-) Firstly, we played this amazing game: The Settlers of Catan. Before which I was warned to not mind being annihilated because that was most likely going to be my fate. However, these people took pity on me and between all their brains, I managed to come in third. I think. It's a very complicated game but I liked it...

Yesterday evening, we volunteered at The Happy Nun. Michele and Brie waitressed tables; Gillian and I washed dishes; Aaron and Will did bar/sound/buffing glasses. This restaurant is the most amazing place in the entire world. I kid you not. Owned and run by Don and Shannon  Shakotko, who are friends and amazing people all around. :-) If you're ever in Forget, you simply must check them out. Anyways, we were there until midnight and I didn't get into bed until around 2 am this morning.

Well, I would write more but voice in the kitchen indicate that everyone has shown their face but me. :-) So I will prepare myself for visuals (you probably wouldn't want to lay eyes on me about now... let's just say my appearance indicates a good sleep ;-)). Lol.

Two practices at the theater today as well as my third celebration of the Canadian Thanksgiving. :-) Life is busy as well as good! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

P.S. http://www.happynuncafe.ca/ :-)

Theater... my new role

Director: All right! Now -- I need one of you to take the Colonel's place."

Others: That shouldn't be hard. What does he have to do? Absolutely nothing!

Woman [Me]: I'm good at that!

How is they peg me every time?! Lol. ;-) Oh! You say. That's not true. You do a lot. You keep busy and accomplish much! But have you any idea of the secret desires of my heart?

To sit outside in the sunshine with that special someone (I don't even know his name yet...), a good book and fine chocolate.

So you see, it may have been a lucky guess to assign me that role but... ;-) Hehe.

I love theater.

Teaching, friends, flirting ... and a little seriousness

Yesterday, I taught my first students in Carlyle.

It was a pretty amazing feeling... I have taught before but never for a living. Watching a little girl and her mother walk up the stairs to the house; greeting them at the door; feeling

uncertainty radiate from all three of us; making them smile; listening to my student (!!) playing a song for me; writing in her book what I want her to practice; watching her face when she realizes lessons might be more fun than she thought.

What an awesome responsibility a teacher has. I teach and the student practices what I teach. If I get it wrong... but on the other hand, think of all the joys I can show the student. Think about the music she or he will pass on in turn?

And now we come to friends. Actually, friends and flirting fit into the same topic here because of theater. At camp this year, there was this couple working in the kitchen: David and Shelly S. They're probably old enough to be my grandparents... or possible an uncle and aunt couple. We got to know them quite well and really enjoyed their company. So I was thrilled when David was in the theater production that Michele introduced me to. Talk about fun. ;-)

I am one of the girls who has to flirt with the sailor (David) during a song. They called me up last minute for this part and I'm desperately whispering to David, "how do I flirt?!" and he's grinning like a Cheshire Cat because the situation was so awkward. It was very funny.

So tonight, after

lessons today, I go to theater again and I will have to flirt again. But this time, I think I'll have some bows in my quiver of ideas and I won't be caught off guard. :-)

Fall is definitely here! It's chilly and rainy out. I'm so thankful to have a nice warm house to be in. Now, I must bid you adieu, eat some lunch and prepare myself for my students. Life is good.

That he would grant you, according to the

riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout

all ages, world without end. Amen.

A friend brought these scriptures to mind.. between that and some other happenings in my life, I have been thinking about the way I effect people. God knows *how* I want to effect people but whether I do is a completely different matter. ;-) Please pray for me, if you think of it.