Lately: Autumn 2023 Edition

I was inspired by Olivia to do another Lately post. They are always enjoyable to write, and I am home from work with a cold right now, and feel like being distracted by pleasantries.

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Note: please overlook the fact this is an autumn edition, even though we are a few days off winter here in Australia, as I write... ;) 

WATCHING...

• Gilmore Girls Season 5 (I know, I know, I said no more, and then I found season 5 at the Bookfest for a few dollars and missed it so much I caved in.)
• Julia & Julie (because I just finished "My Life in France"... I wanted MORE - it was too short lived :'()
• The Batman trilogy (one of my friends who is crazy passionate about film hosted them all in a cinema (which he used to work at) so we could watch it all together on the big screen
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (I've heard of the musical and wanted to see what the movie was all about... aside from seeing Michael Caine before he had gray hair, I apparently hadn't been missing out on too much)

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READING...

• "My Life in France" by Julia Child (delicious to read, even though I've never done French cooking)
• "It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover (one of my work colleagues leant it to me saying I must read it... definitely not the style I usually prefer. That one paired with "A Thousand Boys Kisses"... I don't think I need any more romance for the rest of the year)
• "Ben-Hur" by Lew Wallace (wish me luck. There's a reason the list ends here.)

CONSUMING...

• Chai lattes and chai tea (one of the few teas I ENJOY)
• Coffee, always 
• Pumpkin soup (my mum makes a mean pumpkin soup, and it's quite often the highlight of my winter - that and minestrone)
• Cinnamon rolls (a lady from our home group made them for us last week and I have decided I have a new favourite food)

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SINGING...

• The Tuck Everlasting musical (because, rehearsals, and also outside of rehearsals they are just permanently engraved into my brain)
• "Mister Snow" from Carousel and "Who Needs Love" from Ever After the musical (both of which I'm prepping for an upcoming audition... also please tell me you HAVE listened to the delightful entertainment that is Ever After the musical?!)
• "I Can Do Better Than That" from The Last 5 Years because it's FUN (and yeah I did rewrite some lyrics ;))

ENJOYING...

• Learning to swing dance! I went to a 1940s costume swing dance party and it was a blast. An absolute blast, I tell you. I want to go back to that chaotic era of red lipstick and swishy skirts and energetic dancing. 
• Cuddling our pet hare, who was adopted into our family just before Christmas, last year. He is much like a cat in personality, and can often be seen in someone's lap or hiding behind our couch, snoozing.
• Leading worship for my local church. I only recently started this year, and have only been able to do it a couple times, but it's honestly been such a blessing. I'm often just backing or singing harmony, but I have lead a few times as well. Singing worship songs with a small band and leading a room full of people in praising the name of Jesus... it gives me many thrills.

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LISTENING TO...

• That Sounds Fun podcast (it never fails to brighten my day)
• Tuck Everlasting soundtrack... over and over (and now trying to avoid it as much as possible)
• Michael Buble & Frank Sinatra radio on Spotify (I choose this as our waiting room music at work because I love it and it makes me happy)
• Caity Gyorgy (I've just discovered her! I love how she makes up lyrics to otherwise instrumental jazz songs, it's so clever. I am in awe.) 

WORKING ON...

• Running our new head office at work (eeekk I feel like I'm now a combination of sales rep and manager and real estate agent and HR)
• My mix belt. Always. *sigh*
• Getting off-book with my understudy lines (it's way harder as an understudy... :/)

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DAYDREAMING OF...

• Travelling internationally... especially to Italy.
• All the different careers I could pursue, while simultaneously staying in my current job (I've always done this; I'm so indecisive - some days I'm like, "I was made to be a counsellor", or "I should definitely pursue paramedicine", or "I could be a support worker" or "maybe I should do retail?")
• The day when I get to play a lead role in a musical... someday, some day. :D

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What have you been up to, lately?

I'm In Another Musical!

 Yeehaw!

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I'm finally in another show! (I say finally. It's been, like, 6 months, haha.) But after taking a couple rejections on the chin, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to do another show! (Especially when the audition was probably the worst I'd ever done. I had prepared exactly what they said to in the audition pack, but when we arrived and they had some people away sick, they advised they'd jump straight to callbacks and proceeded to do absolutely nothing in the audition pack. I didn't even KNOW the first song that we had to sing! I suspect my eyes may have been bulging with stress.)

And I know what you're thinking. Another show, Gabby? So that means you're going to drop off the face of the earth for another 6 months? To which I reply, "the show season is only 3 months this time! :D" 

But no, I'm hoping to still keep up somewhat during this busy season. Fortunately, rehearsals are only twice a week, and slightly less demanding than Mamma Mia! was, so I think it's more do-able.

But the question that I'm sure is at the fore-front of everyone's minds...

... which show?!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the answer.

... TUCK EVERLASTING!

Me ^^

Almost everyone I tell ^^

Potentially you ^^

So apparently, a lot of people don't know it. That's fair. We are doing the Queensland premiere of it in Australia, and the musical is fairly new. It was first a book, then a movie (starring Alexis Bledel, for any Gilmore Girl fans), and then premiered as a musical in Atlanta, Georgia in 2015, opening on Broadway in 2016 (starring Andrew Keenan-Bolger as the lead male, for any Newsies fans!). (If you're true Newsies fans, you will probably already know this musical, because you will have madly researched the entire careers of all the casts. ;P) It's pretty sad, because this is one of those stories where they developed the show over 6 years and it closed after 39 performances (still better than Bonnie & Clyde  :'(), even though it received positive reviews! (This fact also makes it difficult to source good quality photos of the production. Rude.)

Rough plot: a story of a family who drink water from a magical spring and become immortal. When they encounter a young girl who lives in their rural town, she becomes friends with one of the sons (Crutchieee) who soon offers her the secret to everlasting life. She then has to decide if she wants to join her new friends in immortality, or continue living out her normal life. The themes are of family, loss, friendship, and love.

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The show is almost like a children's story, a fairytale, so it can take a little getting used to the plot. But once you've gotten past the fountain of youth, it's quite a moving story. They cover some heavy topics, but in a gentle, beautiful way. The ending of the show is a 12 minute ballet, portraying a time lapse of the little girl's life. 

One of the things I love about the show is THE MUSIC! It's so beautiful. It has a whimsical folk-type feel to it, with a few jazzier, swing songs (mostly for the villain, hehe). It almost gives Frozen vibes, with the "day-na-na" in the background. (If you know, you know.)

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Another reason I was keen to be in it, was because three of my siblings are also in it! My older sister is playing a supporting lead role - Betsy, the mother of the little girl Winnie Foster. I play Betsy understudy, and a featured ensemble. My little sister is playing in ensemble and Toad (a vital character, and one of the biggest cast-to-audience jokes), and my little brother is also a featured ensemble. It's been a lot of fun so far, and we're only a few weeks into rehearsals! 

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So if I do get a bit quiet on here, I haven't been kidnapped by aliens. Most likely, if I'm not at work or driving, I'll be running lines, practicing choreo, or going over my harmonies and "day-na-na's" with the score. ;)

I may wrap up this post here, but I'll leave one little gem with you. If you are a Newsies fan, or a theatre fan, or just intrigued by this musical, I highly encourage you to check out the backstage at Broadway vlogs that Andrew Keenan-Bolger did when it opened on Broadway. 

Let me know if you would like to hear more about the rehearsal process! And tell me about what exciting things have been happening in your life!

30 Songs Tag

Somehow I wrote this post back in December of 2020 and never published it. I'm sorry that a post about musicals and music never lived to see the light of day, so today I will change that. 

I present to you the 30 Songs Tag, 2 years overdue (but who's counting?):

I have lost count of how many songs tags I've read, but I never grow sick of them. So therefore I will add to the innumerable collection out there on the interwebs with my own version of the 30 Songs Tag. ;) These questions I found on Rachel's post where she filled out the tag using all songs from movies scores. I'm just going to be using a mix-mash of pop, Christian, musicals and whatever else takes my fancy. We'll see where this leads. ;)

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1. Your Favorite Song?

I could no sooner choose between pizza and chocolate, but let's just go with my current favourite song to listen to, which would be "So Will I" by Ben Platt. He has such a beautiful voice and the words are magical and soothing. Also on the list would be "Live Like You're Loved" by Hawk Nelson and "I'll Never Let Go of Your Hand" by Don Francisco.

2. Your Least-Favorite Song?

Maybe all of Taylor Swift's Reputation album? ;) I also reeeally don't like "Last Christmas" by Wham!. *shudders* Sorry to anyone who loves those, but I just... can't.

3. A Song That Makes You Happy? 

"Learn To Do It" from Anastasia always makes me so happy!! Also "Humble & Kind" by Tim McGraw!

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4. A Song That Makes You Sad? 

"When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2, sung by Sarah McLachlan.

5. A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty?

Um?? I'm just going to go with a "guilty pleasure" kind of song... and even then I'm strugglin'. :P Maybe "Sucker" by the Jonas Brothers? I love jamming to it in the car, even though I'm not necessarily a huge Jonas Brothers fan.

6. A Song That You Often Get Stuck in Your Head? 

"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" quite often gets stuck in my head, and I find myself singing it at the randomest times, haha.

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7. A Song That Reminds You of Someone? 

"You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman reminds me of my little brother as he sung it in one of the plays I wrote and we performed, and it was the first song performed in a play of ours. And he did so well. :')

8. A Song That Reminds You of Someplace? 

Basically any classical music like Beethoven, Bach or Mozart reminds me of our old house as my mother used to have classical music playing ALL the time at home... let's just say we got a thorough classical music education. ;)

9. A Song That Reminds You of a Certain Event? 

I'm not sure if I'd call it an "event" but "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective reminds me of one of my favourite family holidays that we had where that was basically our anthem we played it so much. Also the song "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel reminds me of my cousin's wedding where the groom & bridal party sang it to the bride and I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to hear that song again without picturing that event. xD

10. A Song You Know All the Words to? 

*insert the Les Miserables & Newsies cast recordings*

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11. A Song You Could Dance to? 

"A Friend Like Me" from Aladdin honestly makes me want to dance EVERY time I hear it, haha. Especially the boppy Will Smith version.

12. A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep? 

"God is All Around Us" by Twila Paris is from a lullaby CD that my little sister and I used to listen to every night, and it genuinely makes me relax and feel sleepy when I hear it. The entire Bedtime Prayers album of hers is amazing if you ever need a soothing, lullaby album. Highly recommend! Her voice is gorgeous.

13. A Song From Your Favorite Band? 

My current favourite band is probably "Love and the Outcome" and one of my favourite songs of theirs is "Falling into Place". It really speaks into a season in your life where you feel like nothing is going right and you're struggling to see God's hand in it all. 

14. A Song From A Band You Hate? 

I can't think of any off the top of my head, but it would probably be some hardcore metal rock band. :P

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15. A Song Nobody Would Expect You to Love? 

Maybe "International Harvester" by Craig Morgan? I don't crazy love country music but that one's fun!

16. A Song That Describes You? 

"Dream" by Priscilla Ahn describes me in some ways, although I'm definitely not that gentle and quiet. ;)

17. An Underrated Song More People Should Love? 

"Hold on Forever" by Rob Thomas. How is it not more popular? It's so fun!!

18. A Song That You Hear Often on the Radio?

"Never Seen the Rain" by Tones & I and I will admit I've gotten to the point that I will now turn the radio off because I've heard it too much. :P

19. A Song You Wish You Heard on the Radio?

Musical songs! I would like to make a petition for them to form a musical theatre station on the radio in Australia, please! A radio station EXPRESSLY for musicals and songs from musicals. That would be amazing.

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20. A Song You Listen to When You're Happy?

"Drops in the Ocean" by Hawk Nelson and "You've Got This" by Love & the Outcome would be two of many. :D

21. A Song You Listen to When You're Sad?

"In Case You Don't Live Forever" by Ben Platt... or maybe "Two" by Sleeping at Last.

22. A Song You Listen To When You're Angry? 

I rarely think to listen to music when I'm angry, to be honest. :P Maybe "If You Hadn't But You Did" sung by Kristen Chenoweth, haha? Or Michael Buble singing "Cry Me a River"? Probably just some song where the person singing it is angry and I can crankily mime along to it. xD 

23. A Song You Want to Play at Your Wedding?

I honestly never know how to answer this one! I feel like there is a song I love that would be perfect but I can't think of what that would be? I know I'd love to sing a duet with my husband (in this imaginary wedding ;)) if he was happy to, but I don't have a particular song in mind. I've always liked the idea of walking down the aisle to the "Who Is She" song from Cinderella, and doing the same First Dance that they did at the ball. :D

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24. A Song You Want to Play at Your Funeral?

Okay, this is even more odd... I have absolutely no idea. :P How Great Thou Art?

25. A Song That Makes You Laugh?

"Taylor the Latte Boy" by Kristen Chenoweth. Ohh, she cracks me up. xD

26. A Song That You Can Play? 

I am currently learning "All of Me" by Jon Schmidt on the piano? I can play it fluently, but still getting it polished and up to speed. 

27. A Song You Wish You Could Play? 

Hmm... I'm not sure about which piano song I'm going to tackle yet, but I can tell you I really wish I could SING "The Girl in 14G" by Kristen Chenoweth! That's my end goal for singing lessons currently. ;D Would also love to be able to sing "Love Never Dies" from Love Never Dies (the musical).

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28. A Song From Your Childhood? 

"Remember the Lord" by Colin Buchanan. Any other Aussie Christian kids out there haha?!

29. Your Favorite Duet? 

I have so many! I love "For Good" from Wicked, "The Prayer" (especially sung by Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion), "In a Crowd of Thousands" from Anastasia, "10 Minutes Ago" from Cinderella, "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman... I have a thing for duets. ;)

30. Your Favorite Song at this Time Last Year?

Great question! Probably "Grow as We Go" by Ben Platt.

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There you have it! Do you see any favourites on this list? Were you surprised about any of these choices? 

The Hands and Feet of Jesus

If you were here for my recent post explaining my absence, you may remember how I mentioned an incident that took place last year. I'm here to talk a bit more about that, and some important lessons I learnt from it. 

It was early 2022, and here in Australia, we still had some major after-effects from the mess that Covid had left behind. (And I'm not referring to anything to do with illness; I'm talking government power and mandates that prohibited one from freedoms that Australians used to enjoy.) 

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To set the scene, I need to go back another year. At the end of Anne of Green Gables, in 2021, the theatre company were excited at the success of that production and were debating which show to choose next. I decided to submit a suggestion, in case they thought it was a good fit. My favourite story, only in a tie with Anne of Green Gables, is Little Women, and my sisters and I had recently discovered the musical of it. It was perfect! (Also perfect because there is a mystery in most community theatres - the lack of males interested in theatre and the over-abundance of young, female performers.) After a long wait for license approval, the theatre company announced that the next show was going to be... Little Women the Musical! (This was after they hadn't done a musical for around a decade or so.) We were thrilled! Even our beloved directors were returning just for this show! And yet, like a curse, on that same day they announced the show, the government announced restrictions for certain Australian individuals who did not choose to have a particular injection. All forms of entertainment, including theatre, was out of bounds, and those particular people were banned from all such places. That included myself and my family. This was just in the lead up to Christmas, and to my 21st birthday; I couldn't even go out to celebrate in the way I had been hoping. That was a heavy time, and I regret to say more tears than laughter took place over that holiday season. 

With the start of 2022, the auditions, casting and rehearsals took place for Little Women, as planned... without us. And then, several months later, the government decided to roll back the mandates. But the show was already cast and underway. We were faced with the decision; did we want to help out back stage for this show we had dreamed of being in, or were we too hurt from the experience to be a part of the show that we had originally suggested and been so excited for?

It didn't even take us a day to decide; we knew that once the mandates were rolled back, we would be chasing every opportunity that went our way. So one of my sisters and myself (and later two other of our siblings) volunteered our time to be part of the tech/crew for this show. My sister was taught the lighting board, and I chose the spotlight. To be honest, I mostly chose the spotlight for the symbolism is was to me. A lot of prayer went into that season of waiting, and I knew there was a lesson (or two) to learn here. I wanted God to give me the grace and humility to celebrate and champion others, even if I couldn't myself participate. And I knew there was a beauty to shining the spotlight - literally - on others, even while I was desperately aching to be a part of it.

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I remember there was one phrase that kept running over and over in my mind, during that season. And it was: "God, in this moment, how can I be like Jesus? Like His hands, like His feet?" It's a powerful question. You can't just "make" yourself have a servant heart, or will yourself into humility. It was a continual prayer for grace, for knowing what grace would look like in that moment. The image of God washing his disciples' feet kept playing in my mind. It helped my heart know where to look. So I shone the spotlight on those performers who were carrying out the story on stage in front of me; the story I had known and loved all my life. I worked with my sister to mic all the main performers, and help change the batteries and ensure they were all running smoothly. From being the lead performer in the last show, to literally buttoning up another actor's dress and helping them with their mic, I knew God was working in my heart, and teaching me a lesson. (So be careful what you pray for, friends! If you pray for more grace and humility, God is listening. ;) But He answers in such beautiful, powerful ways.)

I will also add, you may think it was an easy transition for us to help with tech, and everything worked out sweetly for us. But real life often doesn't pan out in such a linear way. We had some unpleasant experiences during that time, and there was some drama happening behind our backs that really hurt. I did cry on multiple occasions, wondering how different things could have been, and what I could have experienced if things had worked out the way I'd dreamed. But ultimately, I kept repeating that same prayer over and over, "what does it look like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this moment?". And He graciously, patiently, showed me.

And you know what? It's actually really hard to throw a pity-party for yourself when you are celebrating your friends' successes and are genuinely happy to see them do so well! So make sure you cheer on your friends and the people who deserve the applause - it not only encourages them, it actually helps you, too. 

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On top of the lesson in humility and grace, there were several others that I learnt during that season. It was a great reminder of doing the best with whatever you are given. I told myself I would be the best spot-lighter there ever was! (No joke, I legit was so determined, haha. I had a lot of notes about the best/most artistic choices for each scene. I wanted to discover how to add more beauty and depth to the show, in ways I'd never thought of before.) I realized how much work went into the background things, so that next time I got up onstage as a performer, I could appreciate all of the tech and crew who were working so hard to let me shine onstage. 

So I challenge you. Anyone, but especially the person who is struggling with the experience of rejection and frustration (a common occurrence when you're trying to worm your way into theatre!). Don't let yourself sit in disappointment and frustration. Use that fire within you to push you forward. Challenge yourself by learning a new skill, try a fresh perspective (which I did by literally watching the show from a different perspective!), and don't let bitterness ruin your ability to appreciate beauty, and encourage others. It may not be the easiest path, but the most important lessons are never the easiest ones. We always have a choice. Choose to celebrate others. Choose to not be controlled by the bitterness or sadness that threatens, but move towards patience and hope. Choose to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

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New Years Tag {2020}

Hello friends!

This tag has been going around for years, and I for one have always loved reading them. Ever since 2017, I've filled out this tag and enjoyed going back and comparing my answers and seeing how far I've come! 2020 being the year it was, I did try to get creative and keep the answers interesting as far as possible, since I obviously wasn't able to get up to as much as I'd hoped. I also cut out some questions for privacy reasons, in case you're wondering why some are missing. Enjoy! :)

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What did you do in 2020 that you've never done before?

I took tap dance lessons, I bought my own car, and I started working full time hours.

Did you keep your New Year Resolutions and will you make a new one?

In a manner of speaking, yes, but it was not how I envisioned it to be. My resolution for 2020 was to be brave and do all the things that I had previously been too scared/unable to do. I did do a few things that fit that bill (drive in the city, get a new job, be more independent), but I definitely did not get some of the opportunities I'd hoped for. My new resolution for 2021 is to just be more intentional with my time, especially in boundaries and making time for rest. (If I were to pick a word for the year, it'd be peace.)

Did anyone close to you give birth?

No one specifically close to me, no.

Did anyone close to you die?

A sweet friend of mine passed away from a freak accident. I was not particularly close to her, but it was a dreadful shock and I will miss her dearly.

What countries/states did you visit?

Haha. Ha. Alas, only New South Wales (Australia), but we can be thankful I even got that far. ;)

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What would you like in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?

A chance to join the community theatre, seeing musicals live, and way better decision making skills.

What date will remained etched upon your memory?

Um... maybe 02/09/2020 - the day I started my new job?

Did you move house?

Heck no. Didn't even rearrange my room. :P

Which was the best month?

Well, I can tell you which is WASN'T, ha! January and February were both lighthearted and lovely, and December also never disappoints (and I got more sleep, so that's a plus.)

What was your biggest achievement?

I guess getting my new job (and sticking at it while it was hard-going)? Also, honestly just making it through this year and still being able to smile because at one stage there I thought that was impossible to do either.

What was your biggest failure?

Falling into very negative thoughts during lockdown, not trusting God when I couldn't see a way, and terrible methods of handling conflict.

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Did you experience any illness of injury?

I bypassed most illnesses and injuries, but I also came a long way in my gut health and discovered I was lactose intolerant and also had silent reflux. What fun (but good to know). 

What was the best thing you bought?

Dance lessons! No regrets. Also my car, I guess.

Where did most of your money go?

Into savings! But also to my car and dance lessons.

What did you get really, really excited about?

Seeing Wicked live. (What did I get really, really sad about? Not being able to see Wicked live. Thanks, Covid.) I was REALLY excited for Christmas this year, because I was dying for some positivity and familiarity to lift my spirits.

What was the best concert you went to?

 *cries* I didn't get to go to any. But out of the virtual ones I attended - "The Hang (NY)'s Christmas concert" (which I found through Instagram... Corey Cott was a guest singer, and Laura Osnes gave a little speech too :)). Also, the play/musical  called "Robbery Gone Wrong" my little siblings and I put on (that I wrote) was pretty good too. ;D

Look at 'em cuties.
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What is a song/album the reminds you of 2020?

Hmm... maybe "Blessings" by Laura Story? It seemed to really fit with what I was going through during 2020. 

Are you happier or sadder?

I'd be lying if I said I was happier. There was a part of my crazy, carefree self that got lost when the harder times hit and it never came back. But God is still good, and there is still joy to be found.

Are you thinner or fatter?

Ahem. :P My, these questions don't hold back. I honestly think I'm exactly the same, although perhaps musclier, haha.

Richer or poorer?

Probably slightly richer, but the car took a nice chunk out, haha. ;)

What do you wish you had done more of?

Telling people I needed help, taking for photos of people for the memories, and encouraging others.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Stressing, over-thinking, and wasting time on my phone. (Some days I want to chuck that thing.)

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What was your greatest musical discovery?

"For King and Country", "Lauren Daigle" and "Sleeping at Last". Also, the musical "Love Never Dies". I didn't listen to much new music, though, which is something I need to rectify!

How did you spend your Christmas?

First at home with immediate family, exchanging gifts, then at my great aunt's with the extended family, playing games, swimming in the neighbours' pool (or in my case, swinging in the hammock), eating lots of food, playing carols and at night, watching "White Christmas" while eating dinner.

How did you spend New Years?

On New Year's Eve I went to a friend's house with another friend and my sisters for a relaxed night of games and food, and on New Years Day I did Laserforce with a big group of friends and then went back to their house to chill and learn some modern Jive dancing!

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

Centrelink, when I was on hold for 14 hours. Grr.

What was the best book you read?

"Love Does" by Bob Goff, "Heartless" by Marissa Meyer, "Rhythms of Renewal" by Rebekah Lyons, "Live" by Sadie Robertson Huff and "Bread and Wine" by Shauna Niequist... to name a few. :D

Did you fall in love?

Let's just say my answer would disappoint all the romantics out there.

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What was your favourite TV show?

Still "Gilmore Girls" and "White Collar", but you can also add "Ambulance" and "Paramedics" to the list. "The Mandalorian" was pretty good, too.

What did you want and get?

Did I mention dance lessons? ;) Tap dance, specifically. Also a new job outside of Hospitality, more savings, more independence (too much, at times) and a strong desire and dedication for reading the Bible.

What did you want and not get?

An opportunity to be part of a theatre production other than my own, mainly. Also, to see a show or musical live, and to travel.

What was your favourite film?

"Jumunji" (2017), "Love Never Dies" (filmed on stage for the Melbourne cast with Anna O'Bryne), "Hamilton" (2020), "Mamma Mia", "Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again", "Tenet", "Enchanted", "The Grinch" (2018)... again, really need better decision making skills. ;)

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What did you do for your birthday and how old were you?

I turned twenty, and, like the mature adult that I am, I played games with my family and ate pizza and cheesecake and watched "Newsies: the Musical" (filmed on stage).

Describe your personal fashion concept?

Ehh? Practical, pretty and probably three years behind the current fashion trend.

What kept you sane?

Prayer and surrendering everything to God over and over. Endless podcasts, and talking to people about my worries and having them listen.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Um... maybe Jonathon Crombie as Gilbert Blythe? ;)

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Which political issue stirred you the most?

DON'T GET ME STARTED ON POLITICS FOR 2020. To keep it national, the state elections and handling of our Covid restrictions by our premier.

Who did you miss?

Basically everyone during isolation. I missed seeing my family when working really long days.

What was a valuable life lesson you learnt?

No matter what you will walk through in life, God is ALWAYS there beside you and He is enough and He will always be enough.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I would point you back to Laura Story's "Blessings":

"What if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

And what if trials in this life are Your mercies in disguise"

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What were 5 personally significant events of 2020?

1. Working with my cousin for his accountancy business as his personal assistant for a few days. It meant a lot that he asked me, we had quality time together, and having it on my resume was part of what got me a job!
2. The whole Covid ordeal - I did a LOT of heartwork during some of the loneliest, darkest months of my life. It really changed a lot of things for me.
3. Performing "Robbery Gone Wrong" and also completing a 30 Day Singing Challenge on my Instagram, back in March, where I publicly shared my singing online and got so much kind feedback!
4. Getting my new job was very significant as it was something I've been working towards for years and I couldn't believe I actually got the position! Also, getting my own car was pretty cool.
5. Seeing my three other cousins all get married this year was significant to me as I won't see them as much and it also made me feel how very... single... I am. :P

What are 5 things that you want to do in 2020?

1. Be part of my community theatre! Whether that be as part of the cast or even working backstage.
2. See more shows/productions live!
3. Become better at saying no and creating boundaries for myself, even if it means letting opportunities go by in order to take up another.
4. Hold a handstand and do the splits.
5. Take great care of my health, including physical and mental wellbeing.

Who are some people you'd like to know better in 2021?

I'd like to know other theatre fanatics in my local area so that we can have that in common. I'd like to know whoever it is that God puts in my path to know. But above all, Abba, Father, I want to know you in deeper, richer, more intimate ways.

via Pinterest

Let's dive into this year with peace that God is in control of our today and bright hope for tomorrow! 

Spring Bucket List Check-off + Life Update

Hello all my lovely friends! 

Here I am, as promised, to check in and review how well I did with my spring bucket list! I must say, I surprised myself with how much I DID get done, but as you will see, it wasn't all of them. ;) 

Via Pinterest

 - Learn "All of Me" by Jon Schimdt on the piano   I worked quite hard on this one, and can definitely play it fluently, but I'm still perfecting it, which will be a long process, I think. ;)

- Give flowers to a friend (didn't have the opportunity for this one, although I still want to anyhow!)

- Have all/most of my Christmas shopping finished by the time summer/December rolls around  I basically just have a couple little last-minute presents to get and I'm done! I'm so proud of myself, haha.

- Freeze fruit (such as grapes and bananas)  I froze a banana and loved it so much I did it three times! When grapes come into season I'll definitely try them, too. 

- Go for a long bike ride (it was genuinely too hot for this... it's been over 40 degrees the past couple weeks.)

Via Pinterest

- Draw something spring-inspired  I didn't get to actually draw a proper picture for this one, but I did some intricate designs in my bullet journal that were definitely spring-inspired. :) 

- Cloud gaze (I literally tried so hard to do this one but we've literally just had clear blue skies for weeks xD)

- Drink coffee on the patio  This was no doubt the easiest, hehe.

- Dry some flowers (yeah, didn't have time and was also lacking flowers)

- Make ice cream (I did buy gelato twice on our beach trips though, hehe)

Via Pinterest

- Freshen up my blog look  I completed this very early on in spring, and am quite happy with how it is right now. And frankly I don't have the time to re-do it again anyway. *cough*

- Add more cute summery dresses to my wardrobe  Definitely didn't get as many as I'd hoped, but I do have some lovely new things in my summer wardrobe!

- Photograph nature  One afternoon I whipped my camera out in the setting sun and took some snaps. It reminded me of how I would like to get a proper camera someday.

I could have uploaded a pretty flower picture I took, but instead,
to keep it real, here is my little sister's pet goat eating said flowers.

- Learn to braid my hair properly (let's be honest, this will take me at least 10 years)

- Make and decorate cupcakes  I completed this one with my little siblings! :)

- Listen to "The Light in the Piaza" (musical)  I listened to the entire thing over 2 days, and enjoyed it! It wasn't quite as enthralling as I'd anticipated but it was sweet. 

Via Pinterest

And now let's address the elephant in the room... my lack of consistency and presence in the blogosphere of late. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but let's just say, switching from a 16 hour working week to a 38 hour working week has not been a walk in the park for me. And also, I'm silly enough to think I can still keep up with everything else I do (dance lessons, singing lessons, Bible studies, social events etc). I can't begin to explain how much I miss reading and playing the piano and having time to read and write blog posts, but they were just the activities that were left behind in the dust.

December is already here, though, (whaaat) so I will be getting some time off work, which I am Most Excited About. I do hope to catch up on some blog posts then (hopefully even create a little pile of drafts I can publish when life picks up its speed again?) and be less of a Ghost of Christmas Past phantom in the shadows. (Ok, can you tell I'm working on some Phantom songs with my singing teacher and I'm currently still in the operatic mood? ;)) 

So, to sum up my messy 'life update': I am excited to spend a bit more time on here during my Christmas break (in between Christmas baking, playing games with family, wrapping presents and dancing to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas", naturally) and we'll see how it goes from there. I have SO many plans and dreams and ideas for 2021, but I genuinely have no idea which of those shall become a reality or which shall remain my favourite daydreams to ponder while I'm trying to go to sleep at night. If I had my way, I would fulfill all of my aspirations for the new year and would get so busy and burnt out that I would probably delete all social media accounts and hibernate under my pillow for a week, so I'm currently still tweaking what I want to prioritize (which is proving devastatingly difficult). I make no promises as to what will happen with my dear little blog next year, but I always hope for the best, and I have no wish to neglect it so poorly as I have done. But if I have learnt anything this year, it is that my plans do not mean anything if they are not in line with God's. 

It's so lovely to be back and I can't wait to talk to you all again soon! *blows kisses*

Hamilton 2020: a Review

*practices cool stance in front of mirror*

This film was way too epic to not review. ;)

I saw this film last month, so I'm going to be racking my brain on some of the finer details here, but I do remember certain things that stood out to me!

So, I will start by saying I knew the soundtrack, but didn't know it like the back of my hand (like, say for example, Les Miserables ;)). I also don't know my early American history in full detail, nor am I a huge fan of rap music. 

But I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

For days afterwards, my mind was still turning over all the great ideas, punchlines and creative genius that Hamilton was overflowing with. (I even wrote down ideas for my own plays. That's when I know it was a good musical - the overflow of inspiration. ;)) 

So instead of going the direction my brain would normally go, I'm going to categorize this to make the review a little less disjointed.

AWWWW

THE GENIUS OF LIN-MANUAL MIRANDA

Okay, so can we just appreciate how much work Lin-Manuel put into this? He wrote the whole thing AND took the lead role (naturally). The witty lines, the punchy jokes, the well-crafted dialogue... I just appreciated everything. It was one of those musicals where there was so much DEPTH and DETAIL that I could tell he put so much work and heart and effort into it. I could watch and listen to it a dozen times and still be picking up on new things hidden beneath. It is a true gem.

THE CHARACTERS

This is where I'm going to do a quick lil' shout-out to some of my favourite character portrayals in this film. 

Alexander Hamilton - Well, obviously. His drive, his determination, his wits, the speed of his brain... he was very moving to watch. He made me want to fight for what I believed to be right, and know where I stand. Watching him, I felt an urge to value true boldness and strength, because it can move people to do such incredible things. I thought Lin really brought the fierceness to this character in a great way, while showing the softer side at times.

Angelica Schuyler - Wow wow wow this girl is FIRE! I loved how Angelica was not going to be content with anything less than what she thought was right. Her sass, her strength, her loyalty, her love for her sister... this woman was incredible, and "Satisfied" is definitely one of my favourite songs from this show. Renee BROUGHT IT.

The sass pose

Eliza Hamilton - I almost want to cry whenever I think of her. Phillipa brought so much emotion to this character, and I was drawn to her throughout the entire story. While I love "Helpless" and "Burn", her other songs like "That Would Be Enough" and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" moved me even more. The strength and grace of this woman was so inspirational... I actually think I admire Eliza just as much if not more than Hamilton himself. What would he have been without her?

Aaron Burr - Yikes, Leslie was so INTENSE in this role! I loved it! I could rarely take my eyes off of him, he held the stage so well. And "Wait for It" was pretty epic!

Marquis de Lafayette - guys, I have no words. Pretty sure this guy was THE MOST FUN out of everyone!

 

He's so bouncy, haha

He was basically the life of the party! Daveed was absolutely hilarious with his timing, his expression, and his performance, and I couldn't get enough of his time onstage. Also, that guy can rap faster than I've ever heard before. :O

King George - Cause how can you not mention this guy. ;) He was so creepily fantastic and disgusting and annoying and I can't imagine anyone else playing him. (But the spittle thing though? I didn't really need that. :P) Jonathon Groff looked like he had a lot of fun with that role. I even liked the way the show started, with his voicing overhead. So good!

I'm trying REALLY hard to not let this ruin Kristoff

I wish I could go on and talk about John Laurens and George Washington and Peggy etc, but for the sake of time, let me just say that I genuinely admired the whole cast and would probably watch a movie or musical just for the sake of any of them. ;)

THE MUSIC

This musical was long... very long. And what's more, the music was actually fast. I heard that if the music was sung at the average speed of musicals, it would take 6-7 hours. That's how FAST they rap! I must admit that sometimes I wished they could slow down a little, but c'mon, "Guns and Ships" is just so much fun I don't really care that I have no idea what they're saying! xD My particular favourites from this film would be "Alexander Hamilton" (how EPICCC! "We, fought with him. Me, I died for him. Me, I trusted him. Me, I loved him. And me, I was the damn fool that shot him."), "The Schuyler Sisters" (the sass! Somebody cool 'em down!), "That Would Be Enough" (so sweet :')), "Guns and Ships" (because, hello, LAFAYETTE!), "History Has Its Eyes on You" (so haunting!), "Dear Theodosia" (aww, so precious <3)... and I could go on!

I want an epic coat like that, please

THE CHOREOGRAPHY

Okay guys, this needs a shout-out! The choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, also did Bandstand, and his detail and intention behind every little thing is insane. The choreography may not have been happy little tap dance breaks like I am a huge sucker for, but it added a completely different layer to the story and made it even more moving. I watched a couple videos about the detailing of this film, and it was mind-blowing. Did you know that they made the rolling, spinning part of the stage to move anti-clockwise, signifying time was passing? Or how Burr often moves in straight lines on stage to symbolize how he thought and acted, whereas Hamilton moved in circular, wide angles to symbolize his open mind and actions. It was just so clever!

He be flying!

THE ENDING

This was by far my favourite part of the film. The way Lin used the duals to level up the climax, and the timing of everything... it was wonderfully done. I loved seeing "what happens after" and everything Eliza did after the death of her husband. Eliza's lines were truly so powerful, and I was almost in tears during the last part.

"I stop wasting time on tears, 

I live another 50 years, 

It's not enough"

"I ask myself, what would you do if you had more time

The Lord, in his kindness

He gives me what you wanted

He gives me more time"

"And when my time is up

Have I done enough?"

Overall, this film was very long, and I will admit I felt as though there was an insane amount of detail (I sometimes thought "do we really need ALL of these songs??") but because of that, it gave them the ability to take the story deeper. You got to see a lot of people's motivations, desires, and struggles during this story, and it made so much more of an impact. They handle some serious issues and topics in this musical with care, and I appreciated that. I also loved how the cast was very inclusive of race and culture, and broke away from a lot of stereotypes. 

This musical was full of sass, honesty, integrity, sacrifice, love, determination, forgiveness, loyalty, and purpose. It was overflowing with creative ideas, catchy music, and strong stances. It does have some mature themes, and I would not recommend it for younger viewers, but for anyone who loves a good musical, appreciates closer, in-depth looks at history, or strong, complex stories, I would definitely recommend giving it a go!

The genius of that brain

And now I really want to watch it again. ;)

I would love to hear your thoughts on Hamilton! I am fully prepared to discuss this with you in the comment section below! ;)