No Thanksgiving for the Weary...

Last week was full of Chekhovian craziness! OK, that's not entirely true but it sounded cool. We really dove right into rehearsing our scenes. We were also ramping up for our numerous assessments that took place this week (more on that next entry!). Nothing too exciting happened on the academic front. I had loads of meetings because, surprisingly enough, I am our MA Acting Year Representative. You are all shocked I am sure. So, I learned a lot about how this school ticks, in fact. And let me tell you, it is a far cry from Muhlenberg College! It's not nearly as organized, and as East 15 is currently interviewing for a new Head of School, it's a tad on the chaotic side. Eh, it'll all work out soon enough.

The depressing part of the week was definitely Thanksgiving Day. As it is not widely celebrated here, OK, not at all, it sure was lonely. I also woke up quite ill with a rough cold and a sty on my left eye. Joyous. I headed to the doctor, got in without having to pay a co pay (that still blows my mind) and came back to sit on my couch, alone, watching "Bewitched," and generally feeling sorry for myself. A friend of mine knew how miserable I was and had everybody at school send me adorable text messages wishing me a speedy recovery and a Happy Thanksgiving. Real friends, I tell you.

On Saturday, I was able to take an all-day workshop with my old acting teacher from Muhlenberg, Devon Allen. She flew over to London for the weekend to teach a class called "The Epic Body" at a place called The Actors Centre. It was fantastic! It was so great to see her and to catch up. I haven't seen her in 7 years and it was a nice touch of home. I learned a lot that day and remembered why she was one of the best teachers I've ever had. Then, my friend Olivia met me and we had dinner in China town and went to see the closing night of Summer and Smoke. I had to do a scene from that in college in Acting 1 with a guy called John Moletress, taught by Devon in fact. It was a proper Mule-y weekend! ;) Man, I love me some Tennessee Williams!

Sunday was a treat. Because I was so bummed about missing Turkey Day, my friends had a makeshift holiday dinner in my honor. We had nothing close to Thanksgiving food but it didn't matter. We had Israeli salad provided by moi, leftovers from Kirsty's brother's 21st birthday bash, including chicken curry, chicken casserole, and chili, as well as a beautiful citrus-tastic dessert made by Russ Hope himself. We DID go around the table saying something that we were thankful for. That was sweet and the general feeling was that we were all thankful to be doing what we have all dreamed about doing, in a great place, with new and incredible friends for life. I must thank Miranda, Olivia, Kirsty, Russ, Mark, and Jenni for making a homesick girl feel more welcome than she's felt in a long time...

Happy Belated Turkey Day y'all! :)