Today I am thinking about and missing these two: my fabulous mother-in-law, Mary, and my adorable, brilliant niece, Miss Sydney Shalom. How CUTE is this photo???? Just sayin'. (Please note that Sydney actually has beautiful blue eyes, but I couldn't figure out how to correct that on this old computer--my new one hasn't come yet. Also, I wish there was a better word for "mother-in-law" that sounded prettier, nicer, warmer--because mine is all of these things and more.)

Well, here we are at the end of week two. I have to say that aside from the dreaded birthday looming a few days away, I am generally feeling pretty good about things. I'm already learning so much about myself as an actor and as a person, and I'm finding the process to be quite moving. The chil'rens are warming up to me and I'm feeling more comfortable speaking up in my classes. I realize I need to get my reading done at least two days beforehand, otherwise I'm timid and a little lost, and I know I need to study harder than everyone else because I'm totally out of practice. I learned that this morning when I took two quizzes at 9am--it's been a loooong time since I took a quiz!

I have a new-found respect for undergraduates, as well--whereas I used to think they were annoying and loud and always trying to run out in front of my car just to piss me off, now I realize that they're sleep-deprived from all the studying and homework and just trying to get all the way across campus and find a chance to pee in the eight minutes they have between classes, for which they'll lose a full letter grade if they're 10 seconds late arriving. I mean, JEEBUS. (I am so lucky that most of my classes are in the same building...and it's STILL hard to find time to pee.)

I have some great teachers this semester. My acting teacher, Meredith Alexander, is thus far just the teacher I've been hoping for. When I auditioned with her a few weeks ago at my callback for Kid Simple (one of our mainstage productions this semester that she's directing--the one role I reeeeeally wanted), I immediately knew I had to study with her. She has this incredible energy and wisdom about her, a warmth to her teaching style, and Meredith does NOT f*** around. I expect that she will be a great force in my life. I can already tell. ...And it only took me two classes to figure out who Meredith reminds me of...my mother-in-law, Mary.

x.