So, it's been two months since my move back stateside from the Emerald Isle and i'm beginning to settle back into my life here. Getting back to the grind of the everyday; working 7 days a week, classes 5 days a week and homework needing to be done on a nightly basis. Business as usual. Beginning to wonder if Ireland ever really happened to me, or if it was just a really detailed dream.
My acting professor was lecturing about objectives in class the other day. Every actor has to have an objective; in the scene, in the act, in the play, and as a character. In order to get us thinking about what actions our characters would be doing at certain times, why they would behave a certain way, how they would deliver a line and why they would deliver it that way, she posed us with this question: What is your objective when you get up in the morning? We answer, "to get to class". She continues asking the same question... Why?, "to do well in college". Why?, "to get into grad school". Why? "to be successful". Why?, "to be happy". Most all of us answered in unison.
We all have the same super-objectives: to be happy.
But it also made me look at it in a different light. Look at everything we need to do in order to be happy and get where we want to be in life. Look how long it might take to get there. Think about all the people you may have to leave behind or the struggles you'll have to face to get there. It's scary, huh?
Sometimes I wish it were easier in this world to get where you wanna go. But it's not. And this is a harsh reality.
It gives me comfort on some level, though. to know that once I do get to that place I wanna be. I will have worked my ass off for it. And it will be that much sweeter. Achieving the American Dream. So i'll take your blows, i'll take the struggles, the sleepless nights studying and rehearsing, i'll take the rejection after rejection at auditions, i'll take all the hopelessness i've ever felt...and turn it into the most beautiful ending you could imagine.
With this said, I encourage all of you to look into tomorrow, and say "BRING IT".
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Brusselsprouts.
Written in Brussels, Belgium. 6th of October, 2010.
Just landed in Belgium. not sure what to make of it just yet as it's difficult to gauge the vibe of a city from the airport terminal. We are now waiting for our shuttle bus to Brussels city, as we assumed we would be able to purchase our tickets on board like we're used to. However, that was not the case so we are waiting for the next shuttle. The weather is a bit milder than in Ireland, less windy, but still very cloudy. I hope it brightens up.
(later that evening)
So at first I was not a fan of the city and its vibe. It seemed just like any other city in the world with tall buildings and advertisements everywhere. However, as the day progressed and we finally were able to get into the lovely hostel we booked (which looks like a log cabin; with the wooden beams and stairs going up to the door to the room). Even the bathroom is nice, though the shower head is difficult to navigate at first. Once we settled we were able to relax downtown and explore. We step ten steps away from the front door and we are in the middle of the Grand Palace in Brussel's old city. Suddenly I was surrounded by the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen, built in the 1600s. Each building is so ornate that one could literally spend days studying it and still not notice everything. Maybe I'll try to notice everything. Maybe I'll try tomorrow. Also, today I tasted my first Belgium waffle from a street vendor while we watched the local children's drum corps perform on the street. They were incredible...and so was the waffle. before I leave I have to have a waffle with ice cream and chocolate on it. Speaking of chocolate... it is absolutely delicious here. We tried a few different places that gave us free samples. We stuffed ourselves with chocolate.
Written the 7th of October, 2010.
Today was very...full. The entire day. I've literally eaten so much chocolate that I don't know how I'm not in a sugar-induced coma by now. Apart from all the free samples of chocolate, I enjoyed a beautiful hot chocolate (chocolate chaud) at Cafe Tasse and not one Belgian waffle...but two. One for breakfast which consisted of the waffle with fresh bananas and chocolate sauce, the second with orange ice cream and of course, chocolate sauce (of course). I must have been one of the happiest girls in the world because of all the dark chocolate I consumed. It also could have been because of the most amazing architecture I have ever seen.
Walking through the streets of Belgium, especially at night, is an experience everyone should have. The restaurants set up tables outside on the cobblestone reaching out so far you can nearly touch the people sitting across the road at the opposite restaurant from you. Each of the restaurants and cafes have fires in them, warming the entire street. Fresh fish were being sold on the side of the road. There's no need to bundle up as each restaurant has open fires keeping everyone who walks by warm.
The flea market was amazing. Overwhelming, but really very cool. We couldn't even see the whole thing it was so expansive. I got a decorative collector's spoon for my grandmother there for two euro, I think she'll appreciate it. The nightlife in Brussels, from what I saw, was pretty relaxed, it doesn't seem like a very young city, that may be the reason why. This city is more for those who just want to relax and enjoy beautiful buildings, architecture and absolutely delectable chocolate.
Just landed in Belgium. not sure what to make of it just yet as it's difficult to gauge the vibe of a city from the airport terminal. We are now waiting for our shuttle bus to Brussels city, as we assumed we would be able to purchase our tickets on board like we're used to. However, that was not the case so we are waiting for the next shuttle. The weather is a bit milder than in Ireland, less windy, but still very cloudy. I hope it brightens up.
(later that evening)
So at first I was not a fan of the city and its vibe. It seemed just like any other city in the world with tall buildings and advertisements everywhere. However, as the day progressed and we finally were able to get into the lovely hostel we booked (which looks like a log cabin; with the wooden beams and stairs going up to the door to the room). Even the bathroom is nice, though the shower head is difficult to navigate at first. Once we settled we were able to relax downtown and explore. We step ten steps away from the front door and we are in the middle of the Grand Palace in Brussel's old city. Suddenly I was surrounded by the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen, built in the 1600s. Each building is so ornate that one could literally spend days studying it and still not notice everything. Maybe I'll try to notice everything. Maybe I'll try tomorrow. Also, today I tasted my first Belgium waffle from a street vendor while we watched the local children's drum corps perform on the street. They were incredible...and so was the waffle. before I leave I have to have a waffle with ice cream and chocolate on it. Speaking of chocolate... it is absolutely delicious here. We tried a few different places that gave us free samples. We stuffed ourselves with chocolate.
Written the 7th of October, 2010.
Today was very...full. The entire day. I've literally eaten so much chocolate that I don't know how I'm not in a sugar-induced coma by now. Apart from all the free samples of chocolate, I enjoyed a beautiful hot chocolate (chocolate chaud) at Cafe Tasse and not one Belgian waffle...but two. One for breakfast which consisted of the waffle with fresh bananas and chocolate sauce, the second with orange ice cream and of course, chocolate sauce (of course). I must have been one of the happiest girls in the world because of all the dark chocolate I consumed. It also could have been because of the most amazing architecture I have ever seen.
Walking through the streets of Belgium, especially at night, is an experience everyone should have. The restaurants set up tables outside on the cobblestone reaching out so far you can nearly touch the people sitting across the road at the opposite restaurant from you. Each of the restaurants and cafes have fires in them, warming the entire street. Fresh fish were being sold on the side of the road. There's no need to bundle up as each restaurant has open fires keeping everyone who walks by warm.
The flea market was amazing. Overwhelming, but really very cool. We couldn't even see the whole thing it was so expansive. I got a decorative collector's spoon for my grandmother there for two euro, I think she'll appreciate it. The nightlife in Brussels, from what I saw, was pretty relaxed, it doesn't seem like a very young city, that may be the reason why. This city is more for those who just want to relax and enjoy beautiful buildings, architecture and absolutely delectable chocolate.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Trad on the Prom
This is a collection of some of the most talented Irish dancers and musicians on one stage, I really wouldn't be able to give them justice, so instead, I'll show you...
Amazingness
Unfortunately they didn't allow any photography so i do not have any photos from the event I attended in Salthill for you.
I saw these guys my third week in Ireland and fell in love with the Uilleann pipes (pronounced: illin), and after researching a bit about the instrument, came across this magic man, Seamus Ennis. Puts the bagpipes to shame, sorry Scotland.
Amazingness
Unfortunately they didn't allow any photography so i do not have any photos from the event I attended in Salthill for you.
I saw these guys my third week in Ireland and fell in love with the Uilleann pipes (pronounced: illin), and after researching a bit about the instrument, came across this magic man, Seamus Ennis. Puts the bagpipes to shame, sorry Scotland.
Rocky Road to Dublin!
(Though t'wasn't too rocky because of the new motorway...)
Written in Dublin, Ireland on October 2, 2010.
The feel is a lot like home, like Boston, in some parts. The city is large enough, but has a smaller feel. Like Boston, you can pretty much walk anywhere (though this is not advisable during certain hours of the night). Stayed at the Harding Hotel, which is close to everything; the Temple Bar District, St. Patrick's Cathedral (Naomh Padraig) and lots of great shopping places. Noteworthy visits included St. Stephen's Park (which did, in fact, make an appearance in Leap Year...which is not real life by the way. Also, the Guinness Factory is worth a visit if you don't think you'll be back to the city, at least to see the panoramic view of the entire city, which is beautiful on a clear day. Heed this advice...go to the top first to get your "free" pint of the dark stuff before you do the tour, you'll avoid the crowds and be able to get a nice seat by the windows of the bar. The Temple Bar District was something I didn't get to fully experience, but it's supposed to hold the oldest bar in Ireland.
One thing I've noticed about life here is that people aren't necessarily concerned about time or heavy planning. I felt like I was a "go-with-the-flow" type of person before I came here. Now I've really seen the light, for lack of a better term! More like things are beginning to click in my mind. Why rush? Why plan out every second of your life when almost nothing goes as planned anyway? Obviously, some things require planning, but there's no need to plan every event that happens. You can't plan for allll the awesome-ness life has in store!
The unexpected is almost always better anyway. A friend here is really helping me figure this out. Whether it's good, bad, or anything, everything happens for a reason.I can already feel the difference in myself, I can't wait to see how I change and grow.
I've begun taking the Irish language but haven't yet gotten it to stick, so we'll see how this goes!
Here are some pics from My trip to Dublin!:
Guinness Is Good For You.
View of the City from the Sky Bar in the factory.
Bulmers...brewed in Tipperary, loved in my heart.
Dublinia, medieval Dublin.
An alley off Grafton St. (the main street in the city center)
Irish band playing on Grafton St.
Michaela in St. Stephen's Park!
Worst Question Ever...
"How was Ireland?"
...How am I supposed to answer that? After four incredible months in a country that I came to love, with people that became my family, I always come up short with an answer to that question.
Then again, how were you guys really supposed to know anything about my trip when I hardly posted anything?
In my defense, I don't regret one moment that I spent over in the Emerald Isle, and I'm glad I didn't waste those moments in front of a computer. Instead, I brought along a journal with me, and wrote most of my would-be-blog-entries in that; on flights to and from various countries, during a quiet moment at home in front of the telly, or during some lectures...
Regardless, I do have things to tell you. And if you're willing to listen, I'd be happy to show and tell (if it doesn't bother you that all this happened over the course of a few months ago).
...How am I supposed to answer that? After four incredible months in a country that I came to love, with people that became my family, I always come up short with an answer to that question.
Then again, how were you guys really supposed to know anything about my trip when I hardly posted anything?
In my defense, I don't regret one moment that I spent over in the Emerald Isle, and I'm glad I didn't waste those moments in front of a computer. Instead, I brought along a journal with me, and wrote most of my would-be-blog-entries in that; on flights to and from various countries, during a quiet moment at home in front of the telly, or during some lectures...
Regardless, I do have things to tell you. And if you're willing to listen, I'd be happy to show and tell (if it doesn't bother you that all this happened over the course of a few months ago).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)