The last day of January 2010: CHETA

CHETAs (L to R): Lisa, Stacey, Gary, & Debbie

I'm a CHETA girl.

No, not of the singing group variety.

Over the past two years, I have had the great pleasure of getting to know an amazing group of fellow East grads who shared my love for theater during their high school years. Thanks to Lisa's creation of a group called CHETA (Cherry Hill East Theater Alumni), I've had the fortune to get to know this gang much better. The group has established a great support system, meets monthly for social gatherings, and are there for each other in good times and not-so-good ones.

I'm truly blessed to be a part of this community.

1/30/10: Snow

The view from my porch

It's freezing today. Bitter, bitter cold out there. ella and I woke up late and went out for our trip to the field around noon. It was frigid. As she has hair rather than fur, and she had no coat on, she was eager to get her business done quickly. I was grateful for that, as I was without gloves or a scarf. She has spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping on the bed. The snowy bitterness outside coupled with the warmth of inside has made for a rather lazy Saturday afternoon for these two gals.

We're in an extreme weather warning which runs through 4 am. It's supposed to continue to snow until 9 or 10 PM at least. We're only due for "a dusting to an inch," whatever that means.

Off to see Rent tonight with some friends. I'll get to help raise awareness and funds for the South Jersey AIDS Coalition AND enjoy the show. I'm volunteering to sell refreshments and the proceeds go to the ACSNJ! I was at callbacks with most of the cast, and I can say from that experience that it should be a great production. How we gonna pay?!...

The hills are alive...Friday, 1/29/10

Sound of Music on DVD

It has been ten years since I last performed in a musical on stage. TEN YEARS. In October, I went out for the Road Company's production of RENT, and got called back but didn't make it.

Last Sunday, undiscouraged, I returned to the theater to give it another shot, this time for The Sound of Music. Lo and behold, I got called back again, and this time I made it! I have been cast as Baroness Elsa Schraeder. I think it's the perfect role to help me "get my feet wet" again.

Went out to get the movie tonight so I can watch it, and see just how high-felutant I'll need to pretend to be!

Rehearsals begin on Monday, and I'm ecstatic!

[Just to be thorough, I'll list the info here FYI. The play runs from April 16-May 1. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. (http://www.roadcompany.com).]

Thursday, January 28: Chocolate Attack

An enigma wrapped in a riddle

Another adventure with food today. NEW Chocolate Cheerios. Please explain to me how eating these "may reduce the risk of heart disease." What's next?

Jan. 27, 2010: Big Apple Circus!

It's the Circus!

A police car intervened and stopped traffic on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike today. Only after coming to a stand-still did I notice that I'd been driving next to this truck! How cool!

Tues. Jan 26, 2010: Post-Birthday Celebrations

Desserts!

Mike's birthday was yesterday, and since I didn't get to see him, we celebrated tonight. On the left is the gourmet dessert his roommate got him, and on the right is the humble, yet awesome cupcake I brought him from McMillians. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!

Mon. Jan. 25: Rain Rain Go Away

My rain boots are not highly

fashionable, but highly valuable.

It poured today. Almost all day. From 2:00-4:00, it stopped. I was able to take a wet, sunny, little stroll around 3:00. That was nice. But...then back to more rain. Emergency vehicles blocked off roads left and right this afternoon and evening, as downed wires wreaked havoc on roads and communities. My second Anatomy and Physiology class was cancelled due to power outage at CCC.

Lady ella Beatrix (my dog) isn't a big fan of these days either. She doesn't mind the rain that much--understand she'd rather be dry than wet any day--but she just loves being outside. And when the function-over-fashion rain boots come out, she knows she's not getting the extended version of her walk in the field of my complex, or bookoo out-of-doors time at her grandmom and grandpop's house.