Daybook - No. 7

Outside my window...
I'm listening to the sounds of cars on the highway

I am thankful...
For the opportunity over the past few weeks to house-sit for a friend of mine in town - it was nice to feel a bit of independence and experience a little of what it's like to live on your own. 

I am thinking...
About how much life has changed over the past year.

Learning all the time...
This week I have been busking a couple of times, it's lots of fun to talk to people walking by and hear about their experiences.

From the kitchen...
Dinner!

I am creating...
My sketches and compositions have come to a standstill - I have an idea for a couple of pieces of music, though!

I am working on...
Getting my sleep schedule back on track.

I am going...
I'm not going to any specific location, just wherever my life takes me.

I am hoping...
That my university applications process properly.

I am praying...
For my friends and family who are going through tough times.

I am pondering....
Not thinking too deeply at the moment.

I am reading...
I haven't been reading either - I need to get back into that - does anybody have any book suggestions?

I am listening to......
Just the sound of my fan and the highway.

I am hearing...
^ Ditto!

I am struggling...
With getting enough sleep.

Around the house...
My family are relaxing and enjoying the start of the long weekend.

One of my favourite things...
The people who I care about.

A few plans for this week...
This next week I plan to practice clarinet a lot. I have orchestral rehearsal this weekend for the upcoming Jacaranda Prom's concert. It will be heaps of fun! I also go back to my music lesson next week to start the final term of the year.

A little peek at my day...
I caught the bus into town and busked. After, Mum, my sister, and I went for food and drinks in the local shopping centre. When we arrived home, I've started cleaning up the caravan (my new living space - I'm sorting everything out as to where it will go!), and decided I should update my blog. Ta-da!

Sorry I've been absent - blogging hasn't been on my mind at all for a long time.

Certificate of Performance and Other Adventures

Hello lovely blog readers,

I apologize for not updating in so long! One of the reasons blogging has failed to come to my mind is because I have been studying and preparing for my Certificate of Performance on clarinet.

Backtracking to end of last year. I didn't, unfortunately, get into university. One of the reasons was that TAFE did a massive system upgrade, which also resulted in a massive system crash. Because I don't have a High School Certificate, I needed my Diploma I received at TAFE last year to get in to university, as an alternative proof of study. Unfortunately, the system crash meant that my results weren't processed properly. I received my certificate finally at the end of July, and my transcript just last week. Now I am in the process of applying, once again, for universities.

Due to the confusion of whether I was moving or not, I stopped taking lessons at the local conservatorium until a few weeks into the first term. I began lessons again at the end of February. At this point I decided I would take the plunge and attempt to prepare for my Certificate of Performance. My exam was held at the end of July.

I received a B!

I was over the moon with happiness, a B was a higher grade than I expected. I thought that I had taken on more than I could handle with this exam, but I managed to step up to the plate and perform as well as I could.

I also have started another course at TAFE - Certificate IV in Business. It's certainly out of my comfort zone, but I think I will learn many important skills from it. I am certainly looking forward to seeing what this course can offer me!

The Grafton Show

At the beginning of this month, my family and I went to the local show. My Mum had entered quite a few paintings, drawings, scrapbooking pages, and cards. My two younger sisters also entered a few pieces of art. I decided to only enter in two drawings this year.

My first picture here was entered in the 'Novice' section - which is a section for people who have either never entered in the show before, or had never won a prize. Alas, it didn't win, but it was fun to draw, anyway!

This second drawing (again, of a baby) was entered in the portrait section. You can probably imagine my excitement when I saw that it had won something: Second Prize!

My family even had a little write-up about our entries for the local paper. Feel free to read it here:

http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/maher-family-collects-seven-ribbons-at-grafton-agr/2627001/

Unfortunately, on the day of the show, it was raining! We went in the morning, but while we were there it really began to bucket down. After only a short amount of time, we decided to head home (after grabbing a bite to eat, of course). We didn't end up going back, so we didn't try any of the rides that were there. I wouldn't have, anyway, in the rain, but it really was a shame. I felt sorry for the people who had taken all that time and effort to transport food stalls and rides, only to have the weather mess it up.

Even with the rain, however, we had a thoroughly good time browsing through the art, seeing what other peoples' art styles were. We were truly impressed by some of the photography that was entered - there is definitely a lot of artistic talent around Grafton.

Confidence

For a few days over the past week, I have felt like making myself look 'pretty'. This involves putting on a bit of make-up, nice clothes, and putting my hair up. Now, when I say I want to make myself look 'pretty', it's not because I think I look ugly. I just wanted to make myself look and feel nice.

This has gotten me thinking. I do not remember one point in the past few years where I have looked into the mirror and have thought of myself as 'ugly' or 'unattractive'. Not once. I look in the mirror and think that there are other girls prettier than me. Let's face it, we all think that way. And yes, I have my 'imperfections' - we all do. However, I don't think of myself as ugly.

Then I thought: 'Why? So many other people consider themselves unattractive. Why do I have such confidence that I am beautiful?'

Then it hit me.

A few years ago, I, like a lot of other people, would wait for someone to tell me I was beautiful, pretty, amazing, wanted, and fantastic. I had the frame of mind that these things were only true if someone else told me that they were. Then, one day, I got tired of waiting. So, I started telling myself these things. I repeated them over and over until I believed it myself. Now, although I still am shy, insecure, and a generally private person - I do not have an issue with how I look. Yes, I am quite underweight, but that isn't a problem. It's just me.

This is a lot of people's problem: they wait for other people to tell them that they are wanted, beautiful, and valued. The thing is, though, with other people, they are only temporary. Even if you find someone who thinks all of these things of you, chances are they won't say it every day. You won't see them every second of every day. The only person who can tell you these things exactly when you need or want to hear them is yourself. You are the only person who can tell yourself every second until you die. So, why not start now? Keep telling yourself these things, and if other people want to try and make you feel ugly, unworthy, or useless, then that's their fault. It's their loss for not wanting to be friends with such an awesome person as you.

Of course, we should all try to make everyone around us feel beautiful and wanted, but in order to truly feel this ourselves, we need to convince ourselves we are, instead of waiting for someone else to convince us.

Doing this makes us feel a lot more confident. It's how we become confident, I think.

We shouldn't be vain, though. We shouldn't brag about how much more beautiful we are than other people, just because we feel like we are. That is selfish, and a horrible thing to do. We can feel beautiful and valued without being vain: that was always my goal when I began this journey of telling myself these things, and I have realised that I have
achieved it.

The idea of this post came after I began to write up a caption
for this photo on my Instagram.

Goals for 2015

Okay, I know it's nearly the end of January, but better late than never, right?

At the end of last year I had no goals for the new year. No resolutions. I sat back, and thought to myself how 'I couldn't be bothered' with resolutions this year. I mean, they never work out, anyway.

Over the past month, however, I have changed my mind. I will, indeed, try to work on a few things.

First things first, I want to get back into drawing. I have done next to no drawing the past 6 months, and I would rather like to just sit down, pick up a pencil, and draw. I want to improve on my portrait drawings, and also delve into drawing animals, and also with different mediums. I want to start using coloured pencils, and even paints, maybe.
I attended an art workshop about two weeks ago, and painted two pictures: one with watercolour paints, and one with acrylic paints. I was quite pleased with the results!

Watercolour painting

Acrylic painting

Another goal of 2015 is to read more. I didn't read very many books last year, and I would like to change that. Any suggestions of good books for me to read? I am in the process of reading the Divergent series.

I want to cook more. It's been on the back of my mind to bake, and maybe I will, once the weather cools down a little.

2014 was the year of me opening up. I was shut inside of myself for as long as I can remember, and was reluctant to let anyone in. Last year, I opened up, made, and reinforced, some pretty fantastic friendships. This year will be more for figuring out hobbies that I enjoy to do. My biggest goal is to try new things, and figure out what I like. Do I like to draw? Paint? Make things? Scrapbook? Make cards? What TV shows do I like? What movies? Books? What kind of books? Do I like writing? If so, what would I write? All these questions are going through my head, and I hope to be able to find out the answers to them.

Another resolution in my mind is to blog more. But, I have that resolution every year. Let's hope that this year I can actually fulfil it.

Happy New Year!

Daybook - No. 6

Outside my window...
I hear busy sounds of the highway. It's late at night, so not so busy, though!

I am thankful...
That over the past few weeks, I was able to go to Sydney to play with the London Symphony Orchestra, audition for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Elder Conservatorium of Music (in Adelaide) (Bachelor of Music Performance - Classical), and see all my close friends while I was doing it! I'm also thankful for a feature in the local Newspaper! One more thing to be thankful for: I received the 'Student Of The Year' award at my local conservatorium!

I am thinking...
About how I will spend tomorrow - my birthday.

Learning all the time...
I have learnt this week a little bit about baking - I haven't done too much in the past, but tonight and last night had me in the kitchen baking doughnuts and cupcakes!

From the kitchen...
Not too much now, but I did cook some 'Chocolate Mousse Cupcakes' - I'll post the recipe up after this post!

I am creating...
Lately, just wonderful memories.

I am working on...
Trying to stay relaxed more often!

I am going...
To see friends, also to our local Ice Cream store's 5th birthday this week!

I am hoping...
That next year will go smoothly and fantastically!

I am praying...
For the victims of the Sydney Siege - and for the person responsible for it.

I am pondering....
What is meant to be for my future?

I am reading...
Nothing at the moment

I am listening to......
Just the sound of my fan and the highway.

I am hearing...
^ Ditto!

I am struggling...
Not really struggling at the moment: that's something new!

Around the house...
People are asleep

One of my favourite things...
My friends and family!

A few plans for this week...
I have my birthday tomorrow (well.. today, Wednesday) - will visit some friends! Later in the week we will head off to our local ice cream store, as it's their 5th birthday. I also need to finish my Christmas shopping this week!

A little peek at my day...
Today I woke up quite late, and lazed around a little because I didn't feel too well. Then I cooked dinner, washed up dishes, and cooked cupcakes! 

Front page!

The Article!

Also, if you haven't liked my Facebook page yet - click here to go check it out!

Things Have Been Happening!

I'm afraid I have become very slack about my blogging over the past month! How lazy of me!

Admittedly, though, I have been doing a lot of things. I'll give you a quick rundown of my past couple of months!

In July, I went down to South Australia. To Adelaide! I went down for South Australian Music Camp, which went really well. I loved going down, as well, because I saw some of my best friends. It was disappointing that I could only be down for a week, but that's life sometimes!

My next big trip was in August. I went down to Sydney for a workshop with the AOBO (Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra). That was a lot of fun, we had a tour around the opera centre, and played in the Opera House! I learnt quite a lot about the process of putting on an opera, it's quite fascinating!

I also saw some of my close friends, and made more friends while I was there! It was amazing! Again, I was only down for a week, but it seemed like longer, and I saw more people, as I stayed at Campion College, where all my friends are. Also, in Adelaide I only had one full free day, in Sydney I had two, and the workshop days were only half-days.

Last Sunday, I had a big thing happen. I performed a solo-duet, with a soprano, and with an orchestra behind me! We played 'Totem in Corde Langueo' by Franz Schubert.

It went really well, and everybody loved hearing myself and my fellow soloist play/sing!

I also wore a bowtie!

Another thing that happened was that I played in a concert at my local conservatorium. The Sinfonia ensemble, which I am in, played with a guitarist by the name of Bruce Mathiske. It was an awesome, and very educational, experience!

Last thing, I received my result for my Grade 8 AMEB Clarinet exam. I received a B, which I am quite happy with! That's a good result, considering I was sitting the highest numbered grade!

Anywho, that's the major things that have been happening in my musical life!


Have you liked my page on Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/livingacrosstheriver/

Seeing The Worst In People

It astounds me some days how people automatically jump to the worst conclusion (or, at least, a bad one). If someone does something 'nice', it's because of some unsaid horrible reason. People think this especially if we don't particularly like said person. Oh, they gave us a bag of clothes? It's because that person wants to see us walking around in 'their' clothes. No, no, it couldn't be because they had spare clothes, and saw our family as a good family to give clothes to. The just couldn't be doing something nice.

One example: While someone parking a car, the driver the car parked it in a 'no parking spot'. I mean, everyone parks there, so that makes it OK, right? (The answer is no. Just because it's the 'norm', just because 'everyone does it' - this does not mean that it is 'OK' or 'right'. I might come back to this later). As the three people got out of the car, another lady drove past. They had taken the last 'spot' in the car park, and she was driving right past them. She stopped and leaned out her window. "That's a No Parking zone," she told them. The driver got back into thecar and drove to park the car elsewhere. One passenger's and the driver's reaction was; 'Oh, she probably wanted the park herself, and she was just annoyed, so she made it so we couldn't park there.'

Seriously?

We don't know her thoughts or reasons for doing what she did. Maybe she was being spiteful. Maybe she was doing something nice by pointing out that we had parked in a No Parking zone. People don't seem to think about the latter reason. No, they automatically jump to the former.

The thing is, though, that we can't read minds. We don't know what's going on in other people's heads. We don't know if they're doing something to spite us, or doing something to be nice. So what's the point in jumping to conclusions? What's the point in talking about them like that behind their backs, when they just showed some common courtesy? I, quite honestly, don't understand it.



Okay, time to go back to that other point I made up there. The one about it being 'OK' if everyone does it. Yeah, that. It's quite ridiculous, actually. If something is wrong, it's wrong. Simple. It shouldn't matter if 'everyone' is doing it, it shouldn't matter if it's the society 'norm'. If it's wrong, it's wrong, and we shouldn't do it.

Lying is wrong. People lie all the time. This doesn't make it OK. It's still wrong. Everyone knows this.
I believe that abortion is wrong. It's the society 'norm' to think it's 'OK', though. Does this mean that I'm going to waive my view? No. It's still wrong.
Parking in that parking spot is against the law. Everyone does that. It makes it OK? No. It doesn't matter who does it, or for what reason, if it's wrong, it's wrong. Simple. I don't understand why people have to complicate matters so much.

Another point is that, even if you have a good goal, if your means of reaching that goal is wrong, it's still wrong. A positive plus a negative is a negative. When people think of something really nice, something amazing, that they want to do, but the ways they fulfil this vision that they have is not right, then it doesn't really matter, because they're doing wrong things.

What do you think about people seeing the worst in others? What about the things that are considered 'normal' around us, but just aren't right? And about when people try to achieve a good goal, but use wrong means?

I've also created a Facebok page. Like it here! https://www.facebook.com/livingacrosstheriver

Daybook - No. 5

Outside my window...
It's dark. I'm having a late night - I couldn't get into the bathroom to have my shower until midnight, and then I made a cup of tea, and now I'm writing a blog post. I really should go to bed.

I am thankful...
That I was able to spend such a wonderful week in Adelaide recently. I saw some of my closest friends, and had a generally wonderful time - I'm in the middle of typing up more detailed blog posts, which will go up as soon as the photos from my Adelaide week arrive!

I am thinking...
About my upcoming exam, and a student concert which I will be playing in tomorrow.

Learning all the time...
I'm learning more and more that there are a lot more to people than what meets the eye.

From the kitchen...
Nothing right now.. I just had a cup of chai tea!

I am creating...
I've written down the themes to a couple of pieces of music, not sure where they'll go, though!

I am working on...
Staying positive, and thinking happy thoughts. I've found myself subconsciously playing the 'glad' game (from the book Pollyanna), where you find things to be happy about all the time. It's been working like a treat!

I am going...
To mass in the morning, then driving down to a student concert.

I am hoping...
That my ear will be unblocked soon. It's been blocked for over a week - if it stays blocked for much longer, I'll see about getting it checked out. I have a cold right now, so that may be why it's blocked, but I'm not sure.

I am praying...
That everyone's lives turn out wonderfully, and that their choices lead them to happiness.

I am pondering....
What will Sydney be like? How will my exam go?

I am reading...
The Dark is Rising Sequence - Over Sea, Under Stone - by Susan Cooper

I am listening to......
Dad talking to me about a television show.

I am hearing...
The hum of the highway

I am struggling...
With a couple of personal issues in regards to thoughts on relationships.

Around the house...
Everyone is sleeping.

One of my favourite things...
Currently Chai Tea!

A few plans for this week...
TAFE and conservatorium things.

A little peek at my day...
I woke up late, then had a video call with my teacher and did some aural training for my upcoming exam. I then relaxed, played piano, and just generally chillaxed. It was a nice day!

Youtube?

In one of my previous posts, I said I wanted to make a few art tutorials. I've decided that I might start up my Youtube channel, again, to do these, plus other random vlogs and whatnot.

Anyway, here's the link to my Youtube. Feel free to check out my older videos! I hid my first video because it was really quite bad. I edited the channel around a bit: I organised for it to be managed from a Google+ page instead of my personal profile, I edited the layout of the channel, and I made a new 'channel art' picture, as well as updating my profile picture.

Anyway, this is just a really short update.

Have a nice day!

Hurting Others

It has come to my attention that people tend to hurt others. This post is in regards to hurting people's feelings, particularly, not really hurting people physically.

I have noticed, a lot, that people tend to get some sort of satisfaction from hurting others. For example, someone does something to deliberately hurt their 'ex' because they're their 'ex'. Or, Person #1 hurts Person #2 somehow, by their words, or actions, and then Person #2 turns around and hurts Person #1 to 'get even'.

The thing that I don't understand is, how does one acquire satisfaction from it? Is it really satisfying? How can people feel happy by hurting others?

People make comments like, 'Oh, we should definitely tell them this, because that would be funny!'. I don't think that they take into account that they're hurting another person. That this other person is, in fact, a human being, just like them, with a life, thoughts, and feelings. I can't get this out of my head, which is why I try my hardest to not hurt anybody. I know what it's like. It isn't a good feeling.

Now, I'm not saying I've never hurt someone to 'get even'. I tried it once. One and a half years ago. The result? I've had a deep feeling of regret ever since. I think I ruined one of the truest friendships I've ever had. Admittedly, yes, they technically 'took the first move', but I didn't need to respond the way I did. I didn't need to turn around and hurt them back. I can only hope that they know how sorry I am.

Hurting someone back is not something that 'just happens'. It is a conscious decision that we, as humans, make. If you find 'pleasure' in hurting another human beings by your words and/or actions, then I'm afraid that I will never understand you. Please just try to realise that all humans have feelings. All people dislike to be shunned, ignored, thrown insults at, or however else you can hurt someone. Also, remember, that just because you may be hurt, that doesn't give you a good enough excuse to turn around and hurt them. It's just not a good enough excuse.

Before you turn around and hurt someone, think to yourself: "Would I like this to happen to me?" Or, if it's already happened to you, why on Earth would you want to turn around and do the exact same thing back? You know how it felt.

I'm also not saying that these things should just be ignored. No. Try talking about it, and if that doesn't work, take further actions. What I'm trying to say is that it is wrong to try and 'get even' by deliberately hurting another human being.


What are your thoughts on this topic?

Dealing with sadness... I guess?

I was really upset the other day. But this post isn't about why I was upset, thinking back, it's a bit of a stupid reason, anyway, but I guess, when we're upset, we don't think the reasons are stupid at the time. But, this post is about how I dealt with that.

I tried eating, that didn't help (surprisingly!).
I tried reading, couldn't concentrate on the story.
I tried playing games, I couldn't get into them.

What did I end up doing?

I ended up coming up with the most random sayings that I've thought of in a while. A few of them I had come up with in the past, but most of them were just on that day.

I was surprised at how this helped. Actually, in a way I was, but I also wasn't. They made me laugh as I said them, typed them up, and posted them on Facebook.

So, I guess, if you're ever feeling really sad, you could try to make up your own random sayings, forgetting about if they make sense or not!

And yes, eating cake helped with sadness, in the end!

Folding Fitted Sheets

Today, it was my job to completely empty and sort out our cupboard, which is full of sheets. The reason I had to do this was because it was constantly being messed up, due to the it being unorganized and not labled.

As I was doing this job, I realised just how many fitted sheets we own. I also looked at the terribly messy job I had done in regards to folding them. Sighing, I looked at the next fitted sheet in dismay. I really don't like it when I can't fold things neatly.

Then, I popped up my laptop lid, and opened Google. It was now or never. I typed 'How to fold a fitted sheet'.

I clicked on the first Youtube link, and I was so grateful! After that quick tutorial, I find that I can now quickly, and easily, fold fitted sheets neatly. It took me a couple of goes to figure it out completely, but I have now pretty much mastered it! This video really was a lifesaver!

Daybook - No. 4

Outside my window...
Is a beautiful, calm, clear day.

I am thankful...
That my wrist has stopped hurting.

I am thinking...
About tonight

Learning all the time...
This week, I learnt that

From the kitchen...
Nothing right now, but I'll be in there getting breakfast soon!

I am creating...
I'm in the middle of three drawings now, plus three pieces of music.

I am working on...
Not too much, really..

I am going...
To TAFE today, nowhere special planned at the moment!

I am hoping...
That my hand isn't burnt enough to prevent me playing clarinet. I gave myself a pretty painful steam burn last night, while I was cooking dinner.

I am praying...
That people stop using the Catholic sacramants as an 'obligation' or so they get advantages, but realise that they really are important. That when they make the promises at baptism, and when they renew the promises at confirmation, they are supposed to keep them.

I am pondering....
What is the Sydney Opera House like?

I am reading...
'Imogen's Chance' by Paula Vince

I am listening to......
Silence, early morning, beautiful silence.

I am hearing...
The hum of the highway

I am struggling...
With the inability to play music, and the inability to draw now.

Around the house...
People are sleeping. Nobody else has gotten up, yet.

One of my favourite things...
Coffee.

A few plans for this week...
TAFE and conservatorium things.

A little peek at my day...
I woke up early today. I will have breakfast now, and then head into town for TAFE in a couple of hours.

Concert!

Symphonic Wind Orchestra - Photo from the SYO Website.

I was lucky to have the opportunity recently to go and see the Peter Seymour Orchestra and the and the Symphonic Wind Orchestra (two of the Sydney Youth Orchestra's programs) live in concert the other day!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable concert, full of great music! It can be hard to believe that the members of the Orchestra were all highschool age!

The conductors were highly entertaining, as well. I loved how they talked about the pieces they were about to play, giving us a little bit of background for each one. When people do this, it helps me to connect with the piece of music.

I also noticed that the members of the orchestra, themselves, were enjoying themselves. Acting professionally, yes, but enjoying themselves, nonetheless. That, in itself, creates a nice performance.

This was possibly a once-off opportunity, getting tickets for so cheap to see an orchestra! I loved every minute, and I'm hoping I'll be able to see more orchestral performances in the future!

Daybook - No. 3

Outside my window...
I hear busy sounds of the highway.

I am thankful...
That I was able to go and see the Sydney Youth Orchestra perform last night!

I am thinking...
About tonight

Learning all the time...
This week, I was given the opportunity to go through the basics of the fancy mixing desk at TAFE with my fellow classmates. I was their teacher. It was great learning how to teach.

From the kitchen...
Nothing at the moment, should probably organize dinner!

I am creating...
I'm in the middle of four drawings now, plus three pieces of music.

I am working on...
Getting up at a decent time each day (it doesn't always work, though!)

I am going...
To my friend's birthday party tonight!

I am hoping...
That my body will stop being painful. I've strained my right hand, so I can't play piano or clarinet at the moment. I also had a fall the other day, and now it's painful to kneel on my left knee.

I am praying...
That everything turns out fine.

I am pondering....
What will Sydney be like?

I am reading...
'Imogen's Chance' by Paula Vince

I am listening to......
'Love Is An Open Door' from Frozen

I am hearing...
The hum of the highway

I am struggling...
With the inability to play music. Thank goodness I draw with my left hand, otherwise I would feel even more lost!

Around the house...
People are relaxing.

One of my favorite things...
Doughnuts.

A few plans for this week...
Party tonight, then church tomorrow, then sleep!

A little peek at my day...
I woke up very late today. I read some of 'Imogen's Choice' (it's turning out to be quite a good read!), and had a shower. Now I am quickly typing up a blog post before I go out.

I put one of Mum's cast-magnet-things on my
hand in the hope that it will help!

Calamity Jane!

The latest production at the local theatre was 'Calamity Jane'. Although I didn't audition (and didn't have a part at all), I was at nearly every rehearsal. Why? Well, Mum, Dad, and my brother all had parts in the play, and they were my lift home on the nights they had rehearsals, since I have other commitments in town on those days.

Calamity Jane on Stage!

As a result, I was able to watch a play come together from the sidelines, instead of being on the stage. It was quite an interesting experience.

Henry Miller (my Dad)

One day, I was approached and asked to be the stage hand. I said yes straight away. I knew the play completely, pretty much, anyway.

Selfie!

There was only a couple of set changes that the stage  manager and I had to take care of. So that part of it was very easy.

Francis Fryer (my brother)

The main trouble with being a stage person is keeping these rowdy actors in line! (Joking!)

'Wild' Bill Hickock and Flo

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I learnt so much from viewing the play from a different point of view than normal.

Jo (the bar tender), Cowby #10, and Henry Miller
(Mum, my brother, and Dad)

Calamity Jane herself

Katie Brown and Lieutenant Daniel Gilmartin

Susan Miller and Francis Fryer

The production was a hit! It was sold out nearly every night, with several walk-ins as well. The songs were very catchy. I still have all of them going through my head, half a week after the play was finished.

It was an absolutely brilliant play.

Have you ever been involved in a play? Have you ever seen a play? What was it? What's your favourite play?

Eisteddfod

Exactly 1 week ago, I was at my friends house, waiting for another friend to arrive. We had the eisteddfod that night, to perform with the clarinet group, which we are in! We were having a lot of fun, sitting at her kitchen table, eating Tim Tams, and talking.

The clocks began to strike. 4 O'Clock. These clocks were entertaining, there's a lot of clocks in that house, and they all seemed to be set to go off approximately 30 seconds after one another.

At 4.30, our other friend arrived. After grabbing our clarinets, we all headed out to the car. We were about to go! But first, we had to pick up the sister of the friend who had picked us up. Off to the netball courts we went! By the time she was finished her game, it was nearly 5 O'clock. On the way down, we were hoping we weren't on first, since it's an hour's drive, and the session started at 6.

We were nearly there, it was around 5:45pm, when one of my friends received a text. It was from another girl in our clarinet group. "Where are you?", the text said.

Because my friend had no credit, I pulled out my phone to reply. "We'll be there in about ten minutes," I typed. Around five minutes later, I received a reply. "Okay, we're on first." At this point, we all started worrying. We had to get there, set up, warm up (if we had time!), and tune before we could start, and it was nearly 6!

We arrived at the Eisteddfod at 5:58pm. We hurried up the stairs, and headed over to our group. They had rehearsed the piece earlier, since the three of them (and our teacher) had arrived with plenty of time.

We set up our clarinets, but had no time to warm up. After jumping right up on the stage, we tuned. We started a few minutes after 6pm, but we couldn't help that. Fortunately, all of our clarinets were pretty much in tune right from the start!

Our teacher was conducting us. We began to play the piece we had prepared. It is called 'Evil Doctor Craw' by John Barrett.

After we finished, we hopped down. I know I made a couple of mistakes that made me cringe slightly, but nobody else seemed to notice. Or, if they did notice, they didn't mind. I didn't notice many mistakes in the other 4 parts, which was comforting. Our teacher gave us a big thumbs up after we left the stage, and, at that point, I knew we had done well. We won our section.

Three of the members of our group went up later to play a Rondo Trio. And, I must add, they did extremely well.

All in all, it was a brilliant night, full of music and smiles. I wasn't nervous that day, because our previous rehearsal had gone fairly well.

Have you ever entered an Eisteddfod? Were you nervous? How did it go for you?

Daybook - No. 2

Outside my window...
Cars are driving past on the highway. It was raining yesterday and today, so it is very wet, with a huge puddle right outside our house!

I am thankful...
For all my amazing teachers and lecturers at TAFE

I am thinking...
About the play tonight: only one performance of Calamity Jane left!

Learning all the time...
Yesterday I learnt how to edit and 'comp' vocals in Pro Tools. Comp'ing is when you record a few takes of the same vocal line, and then cut them up and take the best bits of each take to paste into the final version. This way, you get the best vocal possible in your songs!


From the kitchen...
My sisters are cleaning the kitchen at the moment.

I am creating...
I've started a couple of drawings. I bought some blending stumps yesterday, and I am testing them out in one of my pictures.

I am working on...
Building a steadier schedule for my week. At the moment everything's happening so fast; a week goes by in just the blink of an eye!

I am going...
To the theatre tonight.

I am hoping...
That the rest of the term goes smoothly.

I am praying...
That my pieces, which I am preparing for my upcoming music exam, will come together nicely.

I am reading...
I'm not currently reading any books, I need to pick one up soon, I think!

I am listening to......
'House Of Cards' by Human Nature.

I am hearing...
My family talking and watching television.


I am struggling...
With fitting everything in. This is why I am trying to set up a stable schedule.

Around the house...
Two of my sisters are cleaning, my brother is probably playing a game, another sister is probably sewing, Mum and Dad are talking and watching television, and my final sister has caught a tummy bug. I'm hoping it doesn't get passed around to the rest of us!

One of my favourite things...
I love playing board games, and I have an eye out on a few I'd like to buy one day!

A few plans for this week...
For the rest of the week: we have the theatre tonight, and then mass on Sunday. I will be seeing my brothers girlfriend tonight at the theatre, and I'm really looking forward to that!

A little peek at my day...
I have had a lazy day today, so far. I awoke at 11am, and then got up at 1pm. I was absolutely knackered after this week. I've listened to some music, and now I'm doing a check of my internet things.