Now Boarding: Classes & Kappans

I went into spring break without lofty goals or big plans of how I would spend it, yet I am fairly content with how it went!  I slept well, saw the HTB (Hubs-To-Be) almost every day,  did a little studying, shopping, celebrated Easter, etc.  I'm not looking forward to going back to classes, but I'm kind of excited for the final push to have a successful semester.

This week I get to do a bit of traveling and skip an extra day of class.  On Wednesday night I'm leaving with my Phi Theta Kappa chapter for International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  While I doubt I'll enjoy this trip in the same way I did the last, I'm excited as always to see new places.  I'll be staying with my friends and other fellow Kappans at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel (part of the Gaylord resort chain).  In my opinion, the place looks ridiculous!!  But in a good way I suppose. :-p  This year's experience will be enhanced by being a part of the campaign of a friend of mine who is going after an International Officer position.  This may be the last big Phi Theta Kappa event I attend for a long time (or ever, depending on how active I become as an alumnus) so I intend to learn as much as I can, celebrate, and enjoy every minute!

Spring Break [or, Where I Talk About How Great Life Is]

Unfortunately we cannot (as Niki suggested) get married in the "Tree Castle".  Longwood Gardens doesn't allow for contracts for private events to be held on the grounds. :-(  Bummer.  However, I am happy to report I am back on the wedding planning train, as we both feel ready to be and as spring break allows me the luxury to do so.  We've started looking for an apartment in the area (hear of a cheap one?  let me know!) and want to make a decision soon about a venue.  We actually already have a reserved date at a venue, but I'm going to keep the when and wheres of that under wraps for now. ;-)

So, a few other items worth reporting about include...

The interview for Distinguished Graduate went, in my opinion, pretty well.  I could feel from everyone in the interview that I had done well, but I don't have a feeling one way or another about whether I will be their final recommendation.  I sat through a video-taped interview conducted by members of the Student Life staff, communications department faculty, and a member of the college's media team.

In the mean time, I was contacted personally by a college dean on behalf of the president to be the student speaker at a reception for the Baltimore County Council!!!!!  I am extremely honored and excited for the reception, which will be held in a few weeks.

I didn't get cast in any Cockpit shows, and was disappointed about that for a few days.  However, it frees up my summer for wedding planning/the wedding, a possible job search, and for working events at the job I currently have.  It was a good learning experience, even without getting cast.

Not getting cast also further opens the door for opportunities that are presenting themselves after stage managing Spring Awakening.  What an experience that was!!  My crew and cast and I had to overcome challenges I really wasn't expecting, and the result was one of the best shows I've ever been apart of.  Everyone I know who saw it commended it, and feedback I received about my abilities as SM were overwhelmingly positive.  I feel born to do it, even though production and management isn't what I originally pictured myself doing in theatre.  Before the show wrapped the director (who I look up to and had an absolute blast with) asked me to come on board another show he was already working on (and in which many of my SA friends are in).  So in May, I'll be doing props for the current show at Dundalk Community Theatre.  I'm actually going to my first rehearsal tonight to get started on things.

What a life I've been given!  I'm currently very, very content in all things.

Tree Castle

I was reminiscing a bit tonight, and particularly enjoyed this photograph.  This enchanting structure is at Longwood Gardens.  It was one of the many magical things we explored together on the day Nathan proposed.  I remember suggesting that he build one just like it so we could live in our very own castle.  :-)

Finalist!

(This is Part Two of Tassles and Titles)

I'm a finalist for President's Distinguished Graduate!  I have an interview on Friday.  I'm not sure who exactly will be interviewing me or what I will be asked, but I'm excited nonetheless to have made it this far.

I wrote an essay with my application, trying to encapsulate my CCBC experience.  That wasn't completely possible, but I did have this to say:

Pre-Tech Week Post

Trying to balance the show while getting good grades is, as usual, difficult.  It's causing me to neglect other things in my life I'd like to be paying attention too.  If you've read my blog long enough, you know the drill. ;-)

I auditioned for the summer season at Cockpit in Court last weekend, and felt really good about my readings for two plays.  However, I haven't heard anything yet and am getting sad and anxious about it.

My classes are so good this semester, and much harder than I expected.  I feel like I'm being stretched as an intellectual and a performer this semester, and it's great!  I'd like to write a more detailed post sharing about all that...but probably not till after the show, haha.

If you're in the Baltimore area, please come check us out next weekend!!

Small?

I didn't think it could happen, but I'm warming up to the idea of a much smaller, intimate wedding.
 

We'll see.  There's some things left to accomplish outside of wedding planning in my life, and a lot of financial and emotional preparation yet to be done as a couple.

photo cred

I'm just excited I'm marrying my best friend.  A wedding is a lovely and meaningful event, but it's one day in the rest of our lives together.  Deciding whether two or 200 guests will be at the ceremony is just a minor detail, when you really think about it.

Tassles and Titles

I've been nominated to apply for the President's Distinguished Graduate Award at my college!

...and I'm super nervous about it.  So nervous in fact, I'm nervous to even work on the application.  I'm starting it tonight.  I was informed of my nomination a little under two weeks ago, and the application is due in under a month.  The due date is smack in the middle of Spring Awakening's tech week and the finalist interviews would be right after the show closes, so I need to get the majority of it all done now.

I wish I knew why I'm so nervous about the whole process, considering I've become used to being in the public eye of the school's community for my leadership and co-curricular involvement.  I am extremely honored to even be nominated because CCBC has changed my life in so many ways that I'm grateful for.  Leaving with not just my degree but this award and the chance to represent the entire graduating class would be beyond amazing!  Any perspective/prayers/well wishes would be appreciated.

February Woes

Happy February!  The show is going well, wedding planning has slowed, and I already feel behind in all my classes. 

I'm trying to pull an all-nighter so I no longer have to feel behind on everything and surrounded by disorganization all the time.  Every night I do the rehearsal report and try to do homework, but usually feel unmotivated.  Stress of work, school, and engagement has hit Nathan and I pretty hard, and that has been somewhat of a distraction.

Anything worth having is not easily got.  I'll work to stay focused on building healthy relationships, and having a successful graduation semester.