I can hardly believe I’ve been away from the blog for this long. To my loyal readers, I’m sorry the posting has been this infrequent – that was never my intention. But with all the hustle and bustle and newness of the past week, I honestly forgot that I even had a blog until tonight.
It feels like I have been in Michigan for weeks on end, perhaps months, and not just one week.
It’s kind of amazing what time can do, and odd how quickly you can become accustomed to something foreign, yet in no time, it’s old hat.
I haven’t checked the blog roll of blogs I typically read in at least two weeks. I’m sure I am hundreds of entries behind, but I’m really quite okay with that. I visit FaceBook for a brief pop-in maybe once every other day, and I haven’t missed it. I check my email once or twice a day, though only out of necessity in case something truly important comes though, and to be truthful, I’m really not keen on it. Simply put, I just don’t need, or want, technology out here. I want, obviously, to talk to Ted several times a day (and to see him!). I want, obviously, to keep my parents informed on the latest adventures, and to be reachable to my friends when they need a shoulder or have exciting news to share. But other than that, there’s something about living among trees, cabins, dusty trails, beaches, bikes, and artists that keeps me full and there’s not really any room, time, need, or desire for movies, TV, or the internet. I suppose even if I wanted to be on the social networking sites constantly, I wouldn’t have time.
Here’s a bit of what my days look like:
I wake up at 7 a.m. after a fitful night’s rest. I’m still adjusting to the cabin, the wooden cot with thin crinkly mattress, the sun rising at 5:30 a.m., the heat and stickiness of sleeping with no a/c, and the plethora of spiders that are likely invading the cabin as I type – it’s been an adjustment, but hopefully this phase shall pass so I won’t be sleep deprived for the next five weeks. I take a cold shower (we DO have hot running water in the cabins, but cold is often my preference) because it’s so sticky humid outside, towel off then immediately begin sweating again, get dressed in the all-camp uniform (universally flattering and makes life easy!), walk outside and am instantly covered in a thick layer of dirt, sand, and dust (I should take pictures for proof – it’s seriously uncanny), eat breakfast at the lodge, head to the Miller Theatre to take care of business (camper evaluations, etc.), teach 4 classes in the morning – 2 acting and 2 dance, get lunch with the theatre faculty at the lodge, and teach my contemporary acting minor, followed by an emphasis class (typically musical theatre workshops or choreography) until 4 o’clock. There’s usually something going on in the afternoon before dinner – a scattered workshop or class I need to teach here or there, a performance to give or attend, maybe a camper talent show, a nap, a run on the trail, some choreography or lesson plans, etc. Then there’s dinner, and at night usually something fun – the opera, a dance or music concert, a theatre thing to act in, the beach with friends, a long drive to enjoy pretty scenery, an all-faculty movie night or a wine tasting party, and always hang-outs at various cabins throughout faculty village – which will eventually get even better once it rains again and the campfire ban is lifted. I catch up on some novel reading for a while before bed, then call Ted, and turn in for the night (after I’ve thoroughly checked my cot for spiders). It’s a great mix of work and play. I may not be so crazy about my cabin’s lack of a/c, age or crevices for all the bugs to crawl through, but it’s roomy, rustic and cozy. And I love living in a literal colony or artists and enjoying good theatre and dance (and art and music and more) all day, everyday. I’m simply surrounded by awesome, talented people and beautiful nature, and together that’s a great thing to be a part of! I do however miss Ted and the crays like crazy, and sometimes crave the creature comforts of home. But for a summer theatre gig, this is definitely pretty tops!
I have a million pictures to share, but I’m, frankly, kind of amazed I’ve been online long enough to post this, and I’m kind of unwilling to do much more. I’ll definitely post them all when I get back to Cincy though. I’ve also got lots of great stories to share, but in due time.
I’ll leave you with two gems – a pic of two of my new friends at our girls night on the beach from a few days ago…
…and the theatre faculty’s ever-popular jump shot at The Rose after our Shakespeare showcase. For the record, my costume is way more epic when I’m wearing it correctly…
Gorgeous, right? And you’re welcome for that.
Til next time…
