This Picture

 

This picture right here, is why I can't wait to go back to school:

Thats me, backstage at last fall's dramatic production.  The gentleman lifting me is one of my faculty members.  And this is a candid - because this is how we behave backstage.  All of us.  All the time.  

I want to go back to school, because the opportunities are amazing: above, we're all in costume for a performance of "Medea," one of the oldest - arguably the oldest - intact plays from the Western world.  The richness of the material we get to explore is wonderful.  And the "we," is wonderful as well.  In this picture there is a faculty member, a Sophomore Dance Major, and a Freshman Theatre Major and a Freshman Musical Theatre Major.  

But I want to go back because for the silliest, flimsiest, most frivolous reason of all.  Because it's fun.  Yes, I take lots of challenging classes and work very hard and rehearse everyday of the week.  I juggle multiple jobs, and a long distance relationship, and mounds of homework.  But I get to have fun while I'm at it.  

Lots and lots and lots of fun.  I miss all of my "college," friends, and even some of my Professors.  So while I'm quite sad my summer is wrapping up and goodbyes are in the works, I'm excited that my semester is soon beginning and "hellos," are around the corner.  

I have to go begin to pack (an arduous task I assure you).  But I've just stumbled across this photo, so I think I'll be able to do it with a smile.

Since Last I Wrote You:

I've been very very busy.  Isn't that always the case?  There was the weekend spent meeting Boyfriend's extended family, several days full of lobster, Apples to Apples (I'd never played!  It was so much fun!  Why had no one told me of this?), laughing, baked goods, and praying I'd remembered everyone's name/how they were related.

There was the panic when I realized how soon I go back to school.  Which is wonderful - I miss all of my amazing, ridiculous, talented, funny, and passionate friends.  I am ready for the push of gaining new knowledge, the challenge of mastering a new subject/class/task.  I miss my boss - I know, ridiculous right?  But you guys have never met him!  Awesome is an understatement.  I'm excited to live with a dear friend, in a tiny little school-provided apartment of our own, furnished with nothing but inventiveness and enthusiasm.  I'm ready to dance everyday, to have access to the (brand new!!!!) gym, to start the rehearsal process, meet the new faculty, try my hand again at choreographing, etc. etc. et. al.

But.  There is always a but, isn't there?  Goodbyes.  Long-distance.  No pets - no garden.  Homework.  Packing.  My Lord in heaven, the packing. . .

I've also been working - a full time job is, well, a full time job after all!  And what a job.  Kids and trampolines, emails and apples.  Waking up early and coming home with Goldfish-orange fingers, sunscreen scented skin, and grass stained jeans. 

Boyfriend & I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary.  We staid in and ate junk food and cuddled the dogs and watched movies.  It rained, and I was fighting a cold, so we had tea.  The best word I can thin of is "content."  With the moment, the relationship, the long-term future (because the short-term has some speed bumps ahead, sigh).

Oh, and he bought me a new camera.  To replace the one that was broken on my flight to Trinidad in the spring. 

So, since last I wrote, friends, I've been quite busy.  How about you?