London Horizon Expanding

I know, I know, I should be blogging more... Well you might be thinking that.  I have been thinking in the back of my head the last 2 weeks, that I should start blogging my adventures before it gets to be December..

Anyway, a lot has happened since I last wrote. First of all, like at home I am now babysitting, or as they put it in London, "child minding." Two of the jobs I got because they were clients of my Dad! 

The first family consists of a five year old girl and a ten year old boy! They live in West Hampstead, which is super close to my school! The first time I sat for them we watched, " Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe" which reminded me of when I put that production with my cousins! To get to the point, I really like these kids, and they are both are intelligent and creative! I am hoping to maybe even try to be a guest drama teacher at their school. They go to a private international school! 

The second family, has a little girl, that will be 2 years old in June. They live off Kings Cross, near the water! The one fat that cracks me up about this kid, is that she looked at my toy Peter Pan, and kept saying: " Daddy? Daddy!" Her mom observed this and told her husband on the phone: " How do you feel about your daughter thinking you look like Peter Pan?" I then responded with: " I have a Peter Pan costume, I think if I wore it.. that might confuse her more..." Another British term I am learning, which I sort of new already, instead of stroller, it's called a pram. 

The third family, lives off Angel Station, and has a 7 month old boy, named Henry! I don't know how this happens, but little baby boys always end up popping up in my life! I am starting to sit for him tomorrow! 

So another big piece of news, is that I started my first placement!  Half of my education at Central is interning at Theatre Companies in London. It is at the Little Angel Theatre, in Islington. It's specifically a a puppet theatre. There mission statement is:

The Little Angel Theatre is committed to working with children, young people, adults and families, both through schools, at the theatre and in the local community.

  We are developing innovative projects to improve access to our work, offer opportunities for participation, and stimulate learning and creativity for all using puppetry.

I will be there Tuesday 7-10 pm, Thursdays 11-6 pm, and Saturday's 9-1:15 pm. 

I am continuing to explore London. I am really loving North London in general, the East and West Sides! 

I was at Brick Lane today, a huge market with tons of ethnic food and clothes! I bought a cute shirt with a map on it.... I have this thing about maps. I also got a chicken satay wrap and amazing fried doughnuts.

In terms of school, we are still getting a better idea of what Applied Theatre looks like, and what our year looks like. More and more I realise that I think I would be interested in being a drama specialist within a school system, or for at least sometime in my career.  I also might totally change my mind and realise I would like to work for a theatre company. I know that my Mom has passed me the "teaching gene" and my Dad the "creative director" gene which I need to use!!! I also am really excited but unsure about our third term of school. We have 4 terms... In our third term we have a lot of options of what we can do. We can take 2 courses at school, do a placement at a company, and/or conduct a project in London or really anywhere in the world. But.... to get funding to do a project say in China, your plan of actions has to be approved by this Board. I instinctively thought I want to work in orphanages somewhere in the word.. I don't know where or what exactly I will do with drama, but that's what I want to do. So my next step is to really wrap my brain around that..

Lastly, I have started to see some theatre in London!  I saw the production " Lost in Found" at the Polka Theatre, which is based off the children's book by Oliver Jeffers.  Even though this play was geared towards 3-5 year olds, it brought me to tears. And I don't cry about everything!!! It defiantly was this moment of, this is what I want to do... Bring theatre to children and let them experience it and interact with it.

Polka Theatre

South Kensington Area 

 In front of the Globe 

My new friend Kevin! 

 One of favorite places to browse antiques and vintage clothes. 

Classmate and friend Alyssa!

And lastly, lastly.. I have realised that I am already missing In & Out and I actually really miss Berkeley!!! I also miss my talks with Dena in the kitchen at random hours of the day...

Cheers, I miss you dearly... I know it sound cheesy but it's true!

Finally Started School

Wow, the day has finally come. The reason why I am actually here in London, has arrived. So I met my whole MA Applied Theatre Group. It is a very lovely and diverse group. There are a large amount of them from the UK. There were also people from; Hong Kong, Japan, etc. What got me really excited was seeing the woman I actually interviewed with in San Francisco at the school!! It felt like I was seeing a long lost friend. Her name is Jamie and she's actually from Utah. We got a overview of our program, got officially registered,  got your picture taken for our very down school badges,  and learned about using the school portal etc.

At this time I feel excited but but scared about my program. The mind blowing fact about my masters is that I really have control of how much I want to get out of it. For example we get to have placements with professional theatre groups. We get to decide ( within reason) how many times a week we want to be at the theatre company and how much involvement we went to have directly there. My biggest fear is, how do I use my gifts and previous experience, HERE AND NOW in London.

I know that this year is going to go fast and I will regret it if I don't just go for it! I need to remember that I am here for a reason and I have a gift with children and theatre, and be proud and smart about it!

I was also talking to my roommate Carrie, and I have to figure out what kind of life style/ schedule works for me. If I feel like I am getting really overwhelmed in our area and school, then maybe I need to take a afternoon to go explore other parts of London.

 I am looking forward to making new friendships in my program and pushing myself academically and artistically.

I would love to hear from you all, through snail mail. Hint Hint.  If you still don't have my address let me know!

My school! 

 Me of front of the Palace gates. 

Had a formal tea time at a hotel

My first to the Palace....

I would pray for me still adjusting to school and my life here away from my home.  Oh some positive and random thoughts, my new favourite shows over here are " Gavin and Stacey" and "Downton Abbey."  The first is a great romantic comedy and the latter is sort of like Gosford Park, but with Maggie Smith. I also found this amazing book in a second hand bookstore, that has different stories, poems, excerpts about the different Tube stations/lines, it's so cool! Any who I love you all!!!!!