Like my fellow London-loving director blogger Mark, I admit to my horrible person-ness and simply will begin this new blog with Hello! I'm sure you all missed me very much, as I have missed you. I realized that I have now given out this blog information on several tours to prospective students, and they might actually listen to me, and then what will happen? They want news!

The most significant thing that I can start out with talking about (and trust me, there are many significant things) is my upcoming GRADUATION. What an awe-some, intimidating word. I've spent three and half years at Trinity casually mentioning it with my friends- "when we graduate, we'll totally backpack around Europe", or "I can't wait for graduation, I'm so sick of Mabee food". But now it's happening. In t-minus 2 months, I'll be walking across that stage in a black cap and gown (a big step up from the high school maroon...even though Trinity is also maroon) and hopefully as much honors bling as I can manage. I'm not going to mention it all yet so as not to jinx anything, but you'll get the run-down when the big day arrives.

I've always been a huge fan of the answer "*shrug* I don't know!" when asked what I will do. Back during happy, confident times in London, I'd answer, theatre artist! But there was a distinct change around mid-January here at school. When asked this, no one nicely replied, "Oh, you have time, you don't need to know!". Instead I just started getting looks and references to Career Services. I did not panic. I had my towel. I was fine. Until about two weeks ago. when I realized that my few options were not going to be enough for someone who holds themselves to the standards that I do. I was waiting for letters from two MFA in Acting programs I auditioned for- at the same URTA auditions Mark and Madi went to, plus working on an application for two jobs at MD Anderson in Houston. I am, as we speak, just about to complete the most important application, which is for an MA in Text and Performance at King's back in London, my dream. And that, my friends, was it. Lots of long shots. And I don't like those odds.

A quick diversion, which happens to be completely related:
As soon as I got off the plane from London over winter break (sheesh, ok, well, that will be another diversion LATER. Failure), I went straight to a program sponsored by Career Services and (I think) Alumni Relations called Making Connections ____ (insert your city name), so, Houston. Over winter breaks, all over the country, alumni host networking events at their homes, restaurants, and hotels. My freshman year suitemate's sister hosted one way out in Seattle. Dressed in my mom's business casual clothing (I didn't pack my own!) and with freshly printed business cards (I felt pretty cool). Houston was hosted at an alumni's home in a beautiful area of town, catered by Pappasitos (the best fajitas in Texas). We had name tags with stickers on them indicating our areas of interest. There was nothing for "arts", so I chose stickers for Communication and Non-Profits. To my great surprise, I actually met many people with alot of advice to share, including a woman who made card games based on movie trivia (my soul-mate) and an ex-English major who blogs, got a creative writing MFA and does technical writing. I walked around a bit and started talking to two men wearing communication dots, who both write, when I noticed the woman next me was named Jen Blake (name changed for this blog). I immediately asked her if she was in a sorority in college, and she just gave me a look and said "You're an Alpha Chi, aren't you". I recognized her name as a former president in 2001- in Alpha Chi we care about past leadership and anyone call tell you the names of former presidents, etc. I told her how I recognized her name, and we chatted for a bit before we were broken up for some announcements. I told her about my experience with grants and development, and she mentioned technical writing is huge and I should learn it. We didn't get to talk again, but I gave her my card.

The next day, I got a phone call- from Jen- telling me that there were two openings in her department at MD Anderson in Scientific Writing, and she already told her boss about me- who wanted me to apply so she could interview me! My application has been submitted since and I am waiting to hear from them. And that, my friends, is why you go to Career Services events, carry around business cards, and always be friendly- you never know what connections you might make along the way.

Several weeks ago, as I mentioned, I freaked out a little, and started searching for and applying to more jobs. There is a Duke TIP program held at Trinity this summer, so I applied for several month-long positions within that. I also applied for a year-long internship program at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, the best regional theatre in the US (in my opinion). I've also sent in applications to several jobs with HBO and Warner Brothers- why not?

As my title indicates, it is now Spring Break. I'm spending most of it here in my apartment in San Antonio, and a few days back home. My parents will be in Hawaii for my whole break and none of my friends have their breaks until the following week, so I'm spending time here relaxing, shopping for theatre, and finishing applications. Hopefully it will be both a productive and restful break. Lots of my friends are on cruises, in Mexico, or skiing. I hope they all have a great time, but this is really more my speed. On a side note, today is my one-year anniversary with Alex, my boyfriend I met in London. Study abroad just keeps giving back :)