It's a maze this garden, it's a maze of ways . . .

School begins on Tuesday. The question is: will my classrooms be ready? In the style of Mr. Collins from the A&E film of Pride and Prejudice "I say classrooms, for there are a couple." No, I will not launch my writing to brag about a fireplace which cost 800 pounds, shelves in a closet (happy thought indeed), or anything else to praise Lady Catherine DeBourgh.

They had to really change things around this year. All of the high school classes, with the exception of Sciences, are to be held in the church. The new history teacher and I share both the church classroom and my own. She will also be teaching Bible in the Science classroom! I think it'll be okay, just a little odd at first.

I'm completely thrilled at beginning with The Iliad, Medea, Antigone, and The Odyssey for the high school classes. And I do mean thrilled! I'm a tad nervous, since I've never taught them before, but I think it'll be great. They are interesting enough that if they are taught correctly, I think my students will like them as well. YEAH!

Rehearsals for both shows continue on and are fun. I've been working hard on my Alto harmony for Carousel, since I've never done that show before. Plus, it's just more fun to sing that harmony. Last night, the acid test was given, and I think I passed it! Bob had each of us blocked for the the last scene, the graduation ceremony. I'm sitting in the front row with Maria (Julie), Nanette (Nettie), and Taner (who is supposedly my 13 yr old daughter in that scene!). Both Nanette and Maria have very beautiful, strong, almost operatic soprano voices. As we were going through it, I was attempting to concentrate on my harmony (and sing it as loud as possible since we are the minority), Nanette turned and told me I had a beautiful singing voice! YEAH!

I'm loving the people I'm meeting, and having an all around great time. I wonder how it is that people cannot enjoy doing theatre? We're almost always labled "strange" and such, but it's so much fun! We need more guys in both shows, but particularly Carousel. I know it may not be ethical, but I keep thinking it would be amusing to tell all of my high school boys that the grade earned will reflect whether or not they joined the cast. I know I won't, but it would be funny.

This post's title is both representing the quest to make it to my classroom (prepared) for my classes, and how I feel from running everywhere this week. It's been insane, and I haven't felt completely 100% healthy as a result. However, almost everything has now been accomplished and it's ready to go. These lyrics are from the very awesome musical The Secret Garden. It's high on my lists of things to see. I adore the music in it, so it's one of my favorites not yet seen. If you get a chance to see it or hear it, please do! It will not be something you'll regret!

My melody de Paris!

Yesterday, an unusual and lovely thing happened. I found Paris; in the guise of Sacramento! Who knew??????? My mom and I had tickets, as you know, for The Scarlet Pimpernel. This was only part of the French day.

We left early. I had spent the night in Dayton, in Janina's room, since she has since moved back into Manzanita Hall for her sophomore year (and may I just add the largest dorm room I have ever seen in my lifetime!). We stopped by my apartment to drop off my car, and so I could run in and grab my binnoculars. I knew we were sitting in row U, and I'd never been to this theatre. Plus, I cannot afford to get new contacts until I start getting my paychecks from CCS. Therefore, I have reverted back to wearing my glasses from college, which are also a couple of perscriptions old. Wonderful. Anyway, after my apartment, we had to go to Manzanita Hall to give some software to Janina since her computer has crashed. ***Kelsey and Halley--I think you should call her. She could really use some cheering up and support right now.***

We officially began our trip to the California State capitol from the Nevada State Capitol (if you begin where we left my apartment that is) after seeing Nina. We talked the whole way. I love spending time with my mom when it is just the two of us. I hope everyone can reach that point someday, because it is such an awesome thing.

We found the theatre with great ease. We checked out the parking structure right across the street, but thought we might be able to do better. We looked at the parking meters, but eventually found a parking structure where we could park for a $6 flat rate. It was under the Bank of Lodi and next door to the theatre where I saw Thoroughly Modern Millie. We went into the bank in order to use the rest room. We were told by the parking attendant that there would be a guard who could direct us. After going in the elevator up to the bank, we saw no one. We searched and found the bathroom. When leaving, my mom was about to head out the door. I mentioned that since we were possibly the only two people in the bank, we might set off an alarm. Luckily, I spotted three well-dressed people who approached the door and unlocked it with their ID cards! We exited through that door.

We wandered around a bit, and discovered a place called The Melting Pot, a fondue resturant. It didn't open until 4 pm. So, we continued to search for a place to eat lunch. We decided to go to The Melting Pot after the show. We stumbled across a place called Cafe La Bou. It didn't look French inside, but it did look promising. We both had a Spinich Citrus Salad and Frazo Iced Tea Freeze. MMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Both were delicious!!!!!!!! Apparently it's a chain in California, so do try to come across it if you can!

We walked around a bit, and found a wedding which was about to begin in the rose garden of the park where the State Capitol Building is. It looked lavish. A stringed quartet and harpist were entertaining the guests. Everyone was dressed to the nines, moreso than I was used to; even for a wedding. The flower girl was wearing her lavendar dress--which had irridescent wings on the back. I don't know if this fully describes how adorable it was, but trust me, it was charming. We visited the Vietnam Memorial which was there. They had several scenes with men representing various things. My mom saw one and stopped. "He looks like Will. He looks just like Will does, Lynette." Will is my cousin fighting in Iraq.

We walked back to the theatre, and on the way passed the bride sitting in a horse drawn carriage. I wished I could have been at that wedding, since it looked so beautiful. I wondered how many strings had to get pulled in order to have the wedding there.

The show was awesome!!!!!!!!! It was my first experience at a theatre in the round. The set was very simple. The guillotine was set up in the aisle when needed. My favorite scene was where Percy came into the garden where Chauvelin and Marguerite were talking. Brad Little played Percy, and he was such a great fop! I was dying! "How you do creep up on a person! You should wear a bell around your neck. We'll make it black!" Hysterical. By far, the funniest song was "The Creation of Man." With their scarves, walking sticks and outrageous outfits how could it not be? I still loved "The Riddle" the most, though. I think it perfectly sums up each character and where they are at that point in the story. It was funny to me that I could hum most of the songs, yet I couldn't sing the words if I'd wanted to. I didn't realize how much Wildhorn revamped the show when he did.

During the intermission, my mom called The Melting Pot to make reservations for us. Apparently they were booked until 9 pm, but told my mom since it was just the two of us, it would be okay. We had a Yin-Yang (dark and white chocolate) fondue. MMM! It was good! It reminded me of going to the Mona Lisa in Nampa the two times that I did. Fondue is fun and extraordinarily yummy. I had a good time.

And that, my friends was the end of my day of Paris in Sacramento. We came home. My mom should really listen to me when I offer driving directions, because every time we got lost, I was right. However, it didn't take us forever to get back on track, so my frustration didn't rise as much as it would have otherwise. I watched some of the Olympics with Kristen. I wanted to watch some of the new Pride and Prejudice with her, but I couldn't keep my eyes open. I hadn't slept really the night before, so I crashed.

Did you guess the title? It is a little bit harder, since it is not a big musical like many of the others I've used. This is from the song "Melody de Paris" in Phantom, the Maury Yeston version. I was in it in high school, it was fun. Maury Yeston also wrote the musicals Titanic, Nine, and Grand Hotel. Good stuff!

They seek him here, they seek him there . . .

YEAH!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is my one and only true "vacation" of the summer! I got the day off at work, and my mom and I are heading down to Sacramento for the day. Why? Why to seek for the Scarlet Pimpernel, of course! The musical is playing at Music Circus of Sacramento, and we've had tickets since the beginning of the summer. I love Frank Wildhorn's music, yet have never seen any of his shows. This will be my first. :)

Teacher orientation begins on Monday. It looks like Mrs. Merritt (one of our kindergarten teachers) , Mr. Squires (5th grade) and I are the only full-time teaching alumni to return. Wow! I'm excited, though. Mr. Libby's daughter, Ann, will be with us. Let me just say how much fun that girl is! Kristen always says that I remind her of Ann (this being before I met the girl). She is funny, loves musicals, the Rat Pack, reading (majored in Theatre, minored in English, just the opposite of me!), music, and is a redhead! It'll be a blast to teach with her in the upper grades as well!

I'm sad to state that I will not be able to attend any of the Tahoe Shakespeare's productions of Much Ado About Nothing, or As You Like It! Living life on so little money does not allow me to do many of the things I love and long to do. However, I'm budgeting my money so as to make grad school more of a reality in the near future. I think the sacrifice will be worth it.

Oh, and "Go USA!" I love the Olympics! They're so dramatic and entertaining. I've been enthralled, as usual, with the whole ordeal. In Carousel, I have a little girl named Amanda who plays my daughter in the beginning, during "The Carousel Waltz." While we've been rehearsing, she mentioned to me that she had a friend who is in the show, but on vacation. Amanda said "Lynette, when she gets back from Greece, can she be my sister?" I replied, "As long as she tells me all about the Olympics, yes." I believe that Amanda thought I was joking. I remember how much fun I had going to the SLC Olympics during my senior year, and truly wish I had the money to spend in order to go to these. I mean, I got to see the very drunk/happy Hockey team singing "Oh Canada!" after a win, eat at the same time and Wendy's as the German Hockey team, meet Todd Eldredge, stand and cheer with at least 150 other Americans watching one of our teams win a gold, and so much more. It was incredible!

Anyway, I'll let you all know what I think of (to quote more of the song) "That demned, illusive, Pimpernel!" after I've seen it.

Follow your heart

Well Tiff and I had a good time when she was up here. I took her to see Virginia City, and Kristen and I took her to see The Princess Diaries 2. Thoroughly enjoyable film. Fluff, nothing like the books, but still fun. It would've been nice if she could have stayed longer. She seemed to really enjoy this country we call Nevada. We even both took our first old time photograph. Refined ladies in the bar holding a parasol and liquor (me), and a fan and a revolver (Tiffany).

Rehearsals have begun for both shows. I think I'm going to adore these experiences if they continue as the initial week has. I feel very fresh and completely alive when I'm there. Theatre breathes into me a spirit which allows me to feel more independent and free. I don't know that I can fully explain what it does to me, for words do not feel sufficient.

I'm very excited to start school again. I loved teaching more than I thought, and I miss my students. It will feel great to be back in my classroom.

This title is a phrase in the song "Follow Your Heart," from Urinetown. I suppose in a small way, I feel like I am. It feels . . . right. Liberating. Fun.

Oh, and a happy 25th birthday congrats to Kristen and 24th birthday to Esther. I gave Kristen a Glenbrooke basket, which is a series written by Robin Jones Gunn. Fun to read, though it lacks the challenge I usually select when picking my literature. I need a break every now and then and settle solely on fun.

Because I was afraid to speak when I was just a lad . . .

Just pondering on something . . . Kristen has turned me onto (yes, I'm admitting it publicly, with little shame) the reality show Big Brother 5. How sad am I? At any rate, I was dying on Saturday night when I watched the episode. First off--kudos to Nakomis! She did the smartest nomination as the HOH that I've yet seen. Good for her! Playing the game intelligently is so rarely seen.

What I was laughing at was Michael not being able to speak. What they showed was so funny to me! The fact that he tried approximately 45 times to say "Maclintock" (the John Wayne movie) and never could, and later said "Lonesome Dove" was his favorite movie. How funny!

Which got me thinking: what do I say wrong? The word reprise is something I never say correctly. I always say "repreese" as opposed to reprise. Why do I do this? The spelling should tell me something. Another word which I always have to consciously think of as I'm saying is the word chipmunk. When I was a little girl, I always said "chickmunk." I didn't realize this until someone pointed it out to me in about Junior High. If I'm not thinking of the right pronounciation, I definitely say it incorrectly. I suppose we each have our idiosyncrasies. Mine do amuse me.

Tiffany Brush is coming out to visit this week! In early September, Esther Heath may be coming for a visit. Huzzah for wonderful friends!

I'm as busy as a spider spinning daydreams . . .

First things first: I must send special wishes to both my friend Devon and my cousin Jennifer. Devon is now 22 (as of the 31st). HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEV!! I sent a card to your NNU mailbox, since I didn't have your address as of late. I figured they would forward it to wherever you are, so it should be coming soon. My cousin Jennifer recently had her first baby (on the 29th) named Kayla Bethany. I don't know if she knows, but my very first best friend (being 2 at the time) was named Kayla. We're still friends today! Anyway, Jennifer and Kayla are apparently doing very well, and my Brown grandparents have 3 sons, 6 grandaughters, 1 grandson, and 3 great-grandaughters. Hee hee!

So, in regards to this title, I've never seen a spider spin a daydream, as (I'm sure) not many other people have. However, if a spider were to spin a daydream, would it be busy? Well, if I were a spider (yes, this is an abstract stretch, but bear with me here), I imagine these daydreams would be magnificent webs of imagination in no time. I am a self-professed expert daydreamer. If it were an Olympic event, I would certainly be a strong contender for the gold! Back to the point: I'm very busy this week.

I'm actually very excited about this week, as well. Hilltop Community Church (where I faithfully attend because it is very relaxed and stimulating--a wonderful combination of qualities) is having its VBS. I'm helping with the Drama all week. Woo-hoo!

My very first rehearsal for both shows is this week. Let me get a tad sidetracked and just announce to the world that I could live for rehearsals and performing! I am INFATUATED with both of these brilliant uses of time. To the point where once (in middle school) I had an argument with my parents as I often did in those days. It escalated to such a point to where my parents decided to punish me . . . by grounding me for one rehearsal! I was livid! It certainly didn't help that my sister Jessica (who was also in the show) was the one to tell our director why I wasn't present. Apparently, she told him that I couldn't come because of "Family Matters." The whole cast heard, and everyone assumed that I had stayed home to watch that utterly pathetic sitcom! So, she had to further explain. Now, I'm not sure why Chris (the director of the show) had thought that, seeing as I had already been in a show under his direction. He knew I was dedicated to the show and would not skip a chance to rehearse in order to watch any show, let alone a really insipid one! I also have a costume fitting for both shows tomorrow! :)

Some time this week, I need to go talk to Mr. Libby, our principal. While at work, parents of some of my students have reported to me that Mr. Jordan is not returning as planned. I'm more than a little upset about that. This will mean, that not only will I not be able to work with my favorite teacher in the upper grades--the one who (I felt) was my strongest mentor this past year, but I will be the only full-time teacher returning to the upper grades! ACK! I truly hope this doesn't mean that I will be the equivelent of Department Head or something. I don't feel ready for that, nor do I think I will have the sufficient time! I suppose I shouldn't worry about that until the time approaches, but being as busy as a spider spinning daydreams, do I have much choice? Worrying does make a person feel infinitely more stressed and busy.

So, I shall hopefully be able to fall asleep now. I couldn't earlier, and I really don't have much more time to sleep. If not, I'll just read some more from Wicked, which I'm really enjoying. Work is crazy (but I get an extra dollar an hour on Sundays, so that is fine with me), so this just adds to my well stocked log of obligations this week.

Oh, and the title is a lyric from yet another Rodgers and Hammerstein song. It is titled "It Might as Well Be Spring" from State Fair. This was the only one that was a movie first and then a stage show (in the early 1990s. It flopped despite having an amazing cast and the Rodgers and Hammerstein tag attatched to it). This song won them their first Academy Award for best song.