June 7th - 13th

June 7th - 13th

20 days.

Sunday

I couldn't sleep very well because I had trouble breathing (sinus infection at its worst) and got up around 8:30am to text Nia and see when she wanted me to come help her make food and such.  She said to sleep in because her sister and brother in law surprised her late last night and took her out.  I got there a little after 1pm and we sat in the garden behind her flat drinking Pimm's in the sunshine.  Glorious.  It was incredible because it was like the sky cleared its clouds just for her.  It was down pouring in London and then as soon as I got into Brighton it was sunny and beautiful.  When I arrived Nia announced it was "Pimm's-o'clock" so we had about three pitchers of it.  The only other MAVS to make it were Alex and Corin (who brought his girlfriend Zoe and their daughter Maia).  She had a few friends from Guidhall School of Music (stunning musicians) who were great to chat to.  We had some food and Nia blew out her birthday candles just in time because it was getting cold, so we moved inside.  Moments later it was raining.  Nia announced it was "wine-o'clock" and continued to push food at everyone (she made a feast!)  

I stayed after everyone left because Miltos (her fiance) wasn't expected to be home from his performance until around 8pm and I didn't want her to clean up by herself.  As everyone was leaving she announced it was "champagne-o'clock" and yet again more toasting ensued.  After everyone left we listened to the Smiths and washed the dishes.  I adore her.  She's offered for to pay for half my flight to come to her hen party (aka bachelorette party) sometime next spring which would be amazing.  She's also invited me to the wedding in Cyprus, Greece (where Miltos's family lives) :)

  

Train ride to Brighton...

Sunflowers and new music for the birthday girl.

Nia, Maia and Zoe.  Cheers :)

Maia and Nia in the garden looking at the fish in the little pond.

  

Similar curiosity can be seen in Corin, Maia's father :)  Maia watering the plants, wearing Nia's sweater.  Adorable.

  

Graham and Nia.  Maia and Corin.

  

Have your cake and eat it too...

Alex

This was when it was "champagne o'clock" - that's Luke and Ileri in the background.  That's one happily intoxicated birthday girl.  She thought this picture was great, haha.

Monday

I knew as soon as I woke up (no hangover, surprisingly) that going to Brighton yesterday had not been the best thing for my illness.  It certainly helped cheer me up because I've been more and more homesick as the days wind on.  But I was more congested and my throat was sore (alcohol not helping, of course) so I stayed home from school.  I called Kate and she was like, "You sound awful.  Stay home and rest."  Of course when I Skyped home later on Jen called me a slacker for missing class.  I literally spent all day in bed, sitting up only to blow my nose or drink water or take meds.  Awful.  Thomas called later to see how I was and confirmed that I sounded bad, haha.  So bad, in fact, that he suggested we cancel our lesson on Wednesday (the assessed lesson, mind you) and I was told him there was no way we were canceling it again (this would be the third time).  Slept horribly :(

Tuesday

We had a full day workshop with Christina Shewell who's the most clever woman I've ever met.  She didn't have that "voice guru" attitude like many of the visiting lecturers, she just knew her work and was passionate about it.  She's written a massive, brilliant book called Voice in Art and Science.  I was just so impressed with her.  After class I got GBK with Thomas and Colin where we discussed lesson plans, as requested by Thomas.  The man never stops working.  I was just like him before this term.  I'm learning to let go of the need to be doing work all the time.  It's making me feel better about myself actually.  More love and play and acceptance.  

Christina Shewell.

  

Celebrating Nia and Daniele's birthdays.  Blowing out the candles with a nice deep diaphragmatic breath :)

  

Stopping to to smell the flowers - ala Lessac.  Colin made me smell them too and take my picture (I look so miserably ill and pale, no makeup, in Kate's sweater, my scarf and about four layers, with my Radiohead shirt for extra mental comfort, haha)

Wednesday

The Underground strike is getting old.  Everything has tripled in time for travel.  Translation: it took me 3 hours to get to Bexley with Thomas and 3 1/2 on the way back because of rush hour.  Katerina could not make it which meant we had to film it.  This was probably for the best anyway because I was taking a risk with my lesson plan content and also her presence when in assessment mode can be a bit intimidating.  I had to teach new students - 2nd year FdA Musical Theatre students.  They were primarily dancers, whereas the 1st years are primarily singers.  This was a challenge because I was doing an "intro to Catherine Fitzmaurice voice work" and they were a bit fussy about it at times.  My vocal use was awful because I'm still sick, but Thomas (who was filming it) insisted it was fine and that the lesson went very well.  He's getting the tapes made into DVDs and then we'll watch them with Katerina on Monday to get feedback.

Thursday

We had Research Methods with Tara McAllister-Viel in the morning for two hours - lecture style.  I don't dislike her as much as I used to.  I think she really deserves more credit than I give her, but I never liked her practical classes.  When she's conducting lectures/discussions she's great though because she's incredibly academic (PhD in Voice, c'mon).  Maybe I'm partial to her now because she told me that I should be doing my dissertation on stage fright/performance anxiety with Catherine's work rather than Catherine's work with text exploration.  She gave me a huge list of pros and cons, and frankly - the amount of cons for text exploration made me cringe.  I'd need 12 months to write that dissertation for which I only have three months and would much rather write about something I care about.  She reminded us that we should be doing it on something we are happy to spend 24/7 thinking about.  I think about it far more than I think about text.  I actually try not to think about text because it causes anxiety.  Hah.  There's my PhD.  

Someday someone is going to walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else...

Friday

I buckled down and worked on the accent project for about six hours today.  This project is not extensive, but it is tedious.  I've got to write the phonetic transcription out for the German accent and then type it up which granted, sounds easy, but is so very tedious.  There's a key code for every symbol and diacritic...I am very computer savvy but I don't have the energy to learn a whole new system of key codes for the IPA.  Sorry.  This entire paragraph is loaded with voice jargon.  Just venting.  

Got out of my room to hit the gym (it's been a while), shower and do some shopping.  I'm almost done with the phonetic transcription for the accent breakdown that's due on Monday.  Then there are only two more boxes left to tick: Accent Presentation (teaching the accent to 5 or 6 MAVS for 20 minutes) and also the Independent Practical Project (which is on my last day in the UK!)  I've only got 18 days left!  Incredible!  

My parents are in Tennessee for Uncle Bob and Aunt Betsy's 50th anniversary which Tim is at as well.  I'm sad I'm not there.  I would've loved to spend time celebrating with my quirky, lovable family and dancing around crazy with Tim.  There's always 4th of July!  

Saturday

Up with the sun again and wanting to stay in bed, but it was too bright out.  I got up and went to the gym and took a long, lovely shower.  Then I packed a bit (too early?) and went to the library to get this accent project done.  Then I went to the park and read Michael Morgan's dissertation about Fitzmaurice Voicework.  

Got an email from Nia who has to go to the hospital for treatment (this course has taken its toll on a lot of us, but this is extreme and worrisome)...so she's canceled the Wales trip, understandably.  I'm so worried about her; she didn't return my calls or email...

I know the next two weeks will fly by and I will be stunned to leave this place.  I am realizing how much time really has past, looking back at the pictures from Term 1 (as I'm making the Alumni Event DVD).  I took down everything that was on my cork boards:

A year in the life.

  

  

Home (right hand bottom corner) around and back again

The shows I've been Vocal Coach for!

When I got back to my room I worked hard on my Accent Project.  I grabbed dinner at EAT. and came back to do more work.  More packing ensued when I needed a break.  Looking forward to my massage tomorrow!  YES.  And hanging out with Kate :)

Dear Universe,

Thank you thank you thank you.

Always,

me