Ciao

So, I’ve decided on a mandatory return to Italy very soon. There is so much more of this country I want to see. I would love to stay in Florence for more than 6 hours, and see the northern cities of Milan and Venice. My day in Florence was absolutely amazing. I climbed the 463 steps to the top of the duomo, the tallest building in the city, which happens to be the most ornate church I have ever been in. I bought some Italian leather and silk in the city market, and I had a fantastic salmon pasta for lunch. Oh, and the statue of David is quite impressive too.

My journeys in Italy have come to an end. Bittersweet. This country is absolutely amazing, and I would love to bring that special someone back here someday to share it with. Italy is such a country for lovers. Screw Virginia. On the other hand, I cannot wait to be home tomorrow night with my friends who I have missed dearly.

A good night’s sleep and 14 hours of flying are all that stand between me and being back in North Carolina.

Can we have Italian MTV in the United States?

So I was supposed to go to Naples for the day today, but TrenItalia decided to screw me out of a ticket this morning when their trains broke down. So instead, I wondered around Rome, yet again, even though it’s Monday, and all the museums act like Chickfila on a Sunday. I did get to watch the Italian dignitaries on the Spanish steps deliver a memorial speech in memory of the 20th anniversary of the Berlin wall coming down.

I also discovered that the bakery across the street makes kickass tiramisu...which I have had 2 pieces of today. On the other end of the culinary spectrum, I had the nastiest meal so far in my trip. If only I knew the Italian word for tuna, I would not have settled for a pizza with cold, canned tuna, spicy mozzerella, and spinach. Let’s hope my last day in this country tomorrow is filled with better culinary choices than that.

The highlight of my day? Watching 2 hours of Italian MTV. And when I say Italian MTV, I mean American MTV dubbed in Italian. Cheesy, over-acted Italian. Paris Hilton had the voice of an energetic Donatella Versace, and all of Daddy’s Girls were obviously not black. I will miss watching this before my mid-afternoon naps.

Tomorrow, I am going to Florence with the family, then finally going home to be with my family of friends in Raleigh on Wednesday. Encouragement is still greatly appreciated to keep my spirits up through the next few days.

1 week from now, I’ll be in New York apartment hunting. YES.

I realized why I like Rome. Their favorite color is purple.

Today has been a day of ups and downs. The weather has been rainy, my mood has been down. On the upside, Amanda came into town today. We had a fun day “rome”ing around Rome (bahaha I made a funny), and she treated me to a wonderful lunch at a charming restaurant down a back alley that we stumbled upon. And...I had a nutella crepe. Heaven. on. Earth. This needs no further description.

The food in Italy is incomparable to anywhere I’ve ever been. Tonight I had a veal and mushroom dish topped with eggplant and goat cheese. Wowzers. I would get so fat if I had to eat the food they eat every day. On top of that, it is often expected to consume a 4 course meal every day. And by course, I mean meal in itself. For instance, one meal I had gnocchi as my first course, roasted beef in white wine for my second course, salad for my third course, and a fruit bowl for my last course. How do these people do this every day!?

I’ve decided tomorrow I will go off on my own to Naples. It is only a 2 hour train ride, and I have quite frankly seen enough of Rome in the past 4 days. Tuesday I will be in Florence, and Wednesday, I will be home. Back with my friends.

A new world lies across the ocean...

Homesick

Today I have really started missing everyone back in the US. My close friends have become the most important part of my life in the past few months, and to be away is surprisingly hard. You guys are the thing that keep me going every day. I love you guys more than I can say, and for that reason I cannot wait to be back in the US next week.

I am by no means complaining that I am in Italy though. Today was beautiful, perfect weather. I walked around the Vatican for hours this morning, and after miles of walking, I found myself sitting in the Sistine Chapel, neck crooked for close to an hour just admiring the impeccable work of Michelangelo. These are the moments I live for.

My other goal in my independent exploration of Rome today was to get completely lost on purpose. I wondered aimlessly down narrow streets, stumbling upon the occasional open-air market amidst overpriced clothing stores. I had the best gelato I have ever had, probably because I got a buzz off of the extreme amount of rum in the tiramisu flavored

treat.

This evening my family went to bed rather early, so yet again I went on an exploration of Rome. I so badly want to go out to the bars, but either they turn out to be creepy leather bars or bars with hidden darkrooms (and we all know what they use those for...).

Why is it that everyone in this city (aside from the occasional redneck American tourists) is so pretty and they all dress like they are in Vogue? I think Americans need to learn this concept, that every moment in public is an opportunity for fashion. But, yet again, I need that kind of fashion nonsense in my life to keep me entertained.

Tomorrow, I am hanging out with Amanda Bitler! Yay for friends that study abroad. 3 more days in this country, then making the trek back home where each of you should expect the biggest embrace ever. I MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

So I stumbled upon the Apostle Paul today...

So the whole thing I said about Rome not being the prettiest place I’ve been...I lied. Apparently yesterday I was just missing the good stuff. We got up early this morning to go on a private guided car tour of Rome, and it was SO worth the early wakeup call. I saw all the major cool things in Rome...the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, etc. But man, so much about today surprised me.

First off, Michelangelo designed so much in this city. I discovered his statue of Moses (one of his 3 famous statues) in a church, as well as these amazing steps that lead up to Rome’s capital hill. The statue of Moses fascinated me with its creepy horns and overall massiveness, but something else in that same church took my attention away. Amidst portraits and altars honoring saints, and right in the middle? The grim reaper. Yes. A lit up altar, framing a terrible image of the grim reaper. Is this the catholic church reminding themselves that there are demons? Very peculiar.

In one of the basilicas today, I also stumbled upon the grave of the apostle Paul. WHAT?! It was so casually matter-of-fact that they had the remains of Paul, along with the chains he was bound in the last years of his life. So. Amazing. It intrigues me that people live and walk among these artifacts every day, taking them for granted like its just another Starbucks on the corner (of which they have none, actually).

One of my last jaw dropping moments of the day was a pretty big oversight on my part. Guess who I forgot lived in Rome? Good old Julius Caesar. Suddenly I found myself standing at these steps, and realizing I was looking at the very spot where Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March. These are the moments I cherish the most.

Tonight I was able to catch a show at a local theatre, a sort of variety show that I had no expectation going in to. Although I understand little Italian, the show was quite hilarious and reminded me of old American variety hours on television, full of singing, dancing, and comedy routines. They did bits from the musicals Cabaret, Chicago, and Moulin Rouge, but added quite a nice touch to them. Imagine Lady Marmalade and the Cell Block Tango as a dance techno remixes, complete with modern dance interpretation. It was probably my favorite part of the show. That and the Italian eye candy...oh boy.

Lastly, my one major accomplishment today? Aside from spending way too much on Italian clothes? I carried a full conversation in Italian with the ticket agent at the theatre, understood everything she said, and I think I had her convinced I was fluent. VICTORY!

3 more days in Rome, 1 day in Florence, 5 days in Raleigh, then I’m home. New York City. Times are NOT shitty.

So I stumbled upon the Apostle Paul today...

So the whole thing I said about Rome not being the prettiest place I’ve been...I lied. Apparently yesterday I was just missing the good stuff. We got up early this morning to go on a private guided car tour of Rome, and it was SO worth the early wakeup call. I saw all the major cool things in Rome...the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, etc. But man, so much about today surprised me.

First off, Michelangelo designed so much in this city. I discovered his statue of Moses (one of his 3 famous statues) in a church, as well as these amazing steps that lead up to Rome’s capital hill. The statue of Moses fascinated me with its creepy horns and overall massiveness, but something else in that same church took my attention away. Amidst portraits and altars honoring saints, and right in the middle? The grim reaper. Yes. A lit up altar, framing a terrible image of the grim reaper. Is this the catholic church reminding themselves that there are demons? Very peculiar.

In one of the basilicas today, I also stumbled upon the grave of the apostle Paul. WHAT?! It was so casually matter-of-fact that they had the remains of Paul, along with the chains he was bound in the last years of his life. So. Amazing. It intrigues me that people live and walk among these artifacts every day, taking them for granted like its just another Starbucks on the corner (of which they have none, actually).

One of my last jaw dropping moments of the day was a pretty big oversight on my part. Guess who I forgot lived in Rome? Good old Julius Caesar. Suddenly I found myself standing at these steps, and realizing I was looking at the very spot where Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March. These are the moments I cherish the most.

Tonight I was able to catch a show at a local theatre, a sort of variety show that I had no expectation going in to. Although I understand little Italian, the show was quite hilarious and reminded me of old American variety hours on television, full of singing, dancing, and comedy routines. They did bits from the musicals Cabaret, Chicago, and Moulin Rouge, but added quite a nice touch to them. Imagine Lady Marmalade and the Cell Block Tango as a dance techno remixes, complete with modern dance interpretation. It was probably my favorite part of the show. That and the Italian eye candy...oh boy.

Lastly, my one major accomplishment today? Aside from spending way too much on Italian clothes? I carried a full conversation in Italian with the ticket agent at the theatre, understood everything she said, and I think I had her convinced I was fluent. VICTORY!

3 more days in Rome, 1 day in Florence, 5 days in Raleigh, then I’m home. New York City. Times are NOT shitty.

Day 1 in the land of 600,000 scooters

Yes. 600,000 scooters in the city of Rome. Scooter population control anyone?

Anyways.

13 hours of flying, an hour and a half of Italian traffic...and I’m finally in Rome. ROME.

I will first say, that was probably the most amazing flight overseas I have had in a long time. I watched two GREAT movies...500 Days of Summer and Away We Go, I re-read The Laramie Project, AND Delta was so amazing that their in-flight CD selection included Next to Normal...so I may have indulged myself in that a few times through. Did I sleep on this overnight flight? Nope.

Many people who have been here before have told me it is the most beautiful place I will ever see. So far, I beg to differ, although I have not escaped the urban chaos that is Rome. The architecture here, however, is incredible. Every single building has so much character...so much history. To only know what they have seen...the people they have housed...the historical events they have been a part of. I have to keep pinching myself to remind me I’m not in Busch Gardens Williamsburg about to ride Apollo’s Chariot. Everyone, at some point in their life, needs to stand in front of the Colosseum and just tune the world out. Look at those arches and imagine who walked through those same arches hundreds of years ago. Realize the history that happened at that spot...the people that died. Incredible.

On a different note...almost everyone here speaks English. I have not yet encountered any language barrier. I make a valiant effort to use my bare knowledge of Italian, but they never fail respond in English. This is either a courtesy in realizing that I am American, or an epic fail on my part in that my Italian must suck so much that they don’t even give me a chance in their native tongue. The prevalence of English, however, saddens me. The culture here is SO rich, it seems to detract from it when I see English everywhere...and McDonald’s on every corner...but it does make my vacation much easier.

So today? I saw the Fontana di Trevi and the Colosseo. I ate pizza, gnocchi, and gelato. I had espresso and fantastically dry white wine. Let’s do it again tomorrow.

ps - the fashion over here? Wowzers. It is going to take some serious diligence to keep from blowing my entire budget on clothes.

It's been a while

I am going to start doing this a little more, just so people can keep up with me as I am getting ready to go all over the place. So here we go.

Since my last post, I've done several shows...High School Musical 2, The Sound of Music, HAIR, Altar Boyz, West Side Story...and now my theatre career in Raleigh has temporarily come to an end. I am going to NYC 2 weeks from today to find an apartment. I have a comfortable amount of money saved up. I have a few potential jobs in the city already. I have found an amazing roommate. Oh yeah, and I am going to Italy in less than 48 hours.

Here's to an adventurous end to 2009.

4000 miles from home, and I couldn't be happier

Let's start from the beginning of my travels.

A week ago (early Wed morning) I flew to the best city in the world, New York City. During that time I met some great contacts, friends, and just had a blast. The networking from that trip will really help me get going when it's time to move this fall. I saw 8 shows...all which had some sort of redeeming quality if they weren't already AMAZING.

33 Variations: This really appealed to my inner musical geek. Well acted and really kept me engaged. And of course, who can complain about Jane Fonda?

Next to Normal: Still one of my favorites, but the transfer to Broadway lost some really great songs, even though taking them out focused the show more. The Booth Theatre is way too big for it though, it really does not engage the audience like it did Off-Broadway.

West Side Story: I really enjoyed this production, although I feel the Spanish took away alot from the show for me, as I did not know the conversations and the tempos seemed so SLOW in the Spanish songs! Matt Cavenaugh really made the show, and probably should have gotten a Tony nomination. It was great meeting him backstage afterward!

Shrek the Musical: I was so blown away by it! I expected a children's show, which really is what it is, but it's one of those light musicals that you don't need to delve deep into thought to enjoy. It could easily win a Tony.

God of Carnage: AMAZING. All 4 actors. Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden. All deserve Tony Awards!

In the Heights: I finally saw what the hype was all about last year...and I understand why. Excellent choreography and the 4 understudies I saw rocked it out!

The Singing Forest: Craig Lucas is crazy and it shows. This show had some great content, but just needed focus. Jonathan Groff and Olympia Dukakis were especially notable.

HAIR: Oh. My Gosh. FAVORITE SHOW EVER. It had such an energy unlike anything I've ever experienced. Everyone needs to see this show. EVERYONE.

And now, here I am in London, having the best time I've had in a while. Today I walked around and just did the sightseeing thing and went on the London Eye.

However, tonight will remain a highlight of the trip for a long time. It's the small things in life that really make people genuinely happy, and I had one of those moments tonight. More like several hours. I was on the Jack the Ripper tour (which is EXCELLENT by the way), seeing all these happy couples and groups together chatting, while trying not to be the awkward loner. Apparently there was another loner in the group too, so he came over noticing I had something that reminded him of the US. We began chatting and it turns out he is a civilian soldier for New Zealand in town on business. Jonathan turned out to be a really cool guy, probably 21 or 22. We chatted the whole tour and ended up taking the same tube back to our respective places. It is so refreshing to just hang out with a total stranger sometimes. I guess it's that unfamiliarity, a change of pace from what we are use to. It was an unexpected acquaintance, and we will probably never see each other again...but we will both remember that one night in London where we had a great time with someone we never knew before.

That's all for now, 4 more days in Londontown!

Adios Harnett County!

So I should be sleeping right now, but alas I am not. Tomorrow I have to get up at 6 (for the last time!) and go be with middle schoolers at a choir festival for half the day. More importantly though, tomorrow is MOVING day. I cannot tell you how excited I am to return to civilization.

I was thinking earlier today how exactly 3 weeks from now, I will be in the beautiful (well, so I hear) city of Bath, England. Such a contrast from the hectic middle school atmosphere.

Even though I am moving home tomorrow, this is still going to be a busy weekend. I have my last rehearsal with my Saturday students before their showcase (1 week from Sunday!), and I am playing piano for North Carolina Theatre's Sound of Music auditions.

Wow. One hour left of April. School is over. I am a graduate of Campbell University. I don't know what life has in store for me beyond the next few weeks. Life is good.

The travel bug bites and doesn't let go.

Graduation is 2 weeks from today. I finish up my student teaching coming up this week, finishing out my bachelor's degree. Time goes by so quickly.

As I look back on the last 4 years, I realize how I have really found my passion and what I am supposed to do. As a freshman 4 years ago, I thought I wanted to be a piano teacher. That option quickly went away in my mind as I began getting students, so I switched to Music Education. Don't get my wrong, education is great and it is the degree I will graduate with, but that's not where my heart is.

The summer after my freshman year, a small theatre in Smithfield, NC needed an accompanist for Sondheim's Putting It Together. I had had my share of watching and enjoying theatre growing up, but I never even considered it as a career option. As soon as that first painful, demanding rehearsal was over (it is Sondheim, after all...the god of musical theatre), I knew this is what I wanted from life. Beyond that show I began playing for all the productions at Campbell University and at small theatres/high schools. Last summer, before my senior year, I had an opportunity for an internship at North Carolina Theatre on a production of Peter Pan. I am SO grateful for that experience and all the amazing people that came into my life from that moment on. Since then, I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of such a talented, artistic community working alongside and under the direction of some truly amazing and established people in musical theatre. This is where I am supposed to be.

Beyond graduation, I do not know what life has in store. I will be music directing a show in the fall in Raleigh. Me. MUSIC DIRECTOR. I will discuss that more when everything with that has been settled and set in stone. I will continue to work at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory for some summer programs including a production of the amazing musical, Bat Boy, along with continuing to accompany Broadway classes on a regular schedule this fall. Even with all these local opportunities, I feel like I won't be truly where I need to be until I relocate to New York City. My goal is to be moved by the end of 2009.

Speaking of the most amazing city in the world, I will be there coming up immediately after graduation for several days. I cannot wait to see Next to Normal again (which I am currently listening to), along with other shows like Hair, God of Carnage, West Side Story, etc. That city inspires me. It overwhelms me with inspiration. From New York, I will continue my journey over to the great city of London. Yes, England. I will be in England, alone, and even though some people think I am crazy, I look forward to this more than anything just to get away from what I know...to escape familiarity. To be in a culture unknown to me and to just take it in at my own pace.

Even though I am involved neck-deep in such a creative community every day, I feel like my own creativity has been lacking lately. Every day I teach music, I teach vocal techniques, I play piano, I orchestrate, I conduct. None of this requires too much creativity, just knowledge of the music and how it should be performed. I recently had a discussion with my friend about writing a musical, and I have really become serious about it. Even though the first step of picking what it is about has not even been settled, I cannot wait to begin the creative process.

And so life after school begins. Almost.