Life Is a Cabaret, Old Chum!

Hello everyone! 
Well, it's been a while since I've been on here, nearly a whole moth to be exact! I have missed blogging.
 University has been pretty hectic as of late, mainly due to my Musical Theatre Society's production taking place. For those of you that don't already know, this year at university I have been lucky enough to be the President of our Musical Theatre Society. Each year the society performs twice: an original showcase written by the artistic team in January, and a fully scripted musical in the third term.

This year, our showcase was titled, 'The Phantom of the Musical' and saw the Phantom himself take the audience on a journey of musical delight as he strove to find his perfect leading lady. Featuring songs from Les Miserables, Cabaret, Chicago, Miss Saigon and more, the show was pretty diverse. However, our wonderful Artistic Director wrote an excellent storyline and I'm very proud to say the show was a success!
We performed for three nights to sell out crowds and everybody had a great time. Here are a few snaps of some of my favourite moments:

Myself and some of the boys, they're the best.

Two of my closest friends and I.

Who run the world? GIRLS!

Performing my all time favourite song from a musical with my favourite people. ONE DAY MORE.

Cabaret.

Tiny person, big stage.

Taking our final bow on the final night.

As well as leading and organising a lot of the committee side of things, I was lucky enough to be granted a solo in the show. I sang, 'Life is a Cabaret' (hence the title of the post) and whilst this song proved difficult for me at times, I'm happy with the overall result. Although I've had solo parts before, I've never actually performed completely alone on stage and in character for a whole song; this was something new for me. And I loved it! I really feel like my performing and confidence has improved massively since I joined MTS back in 2012. I know I am by no means the best, but to have people notice an improvement in something I love doing feels great. 

But, more than all of that (and this is where I get soppy, again) I am so very happy to have helped create something that other people loved being in. As I've said before, and am likely to say many times again, MTS means so much to me. The society has become a huge part of my life; a place where I have met many of my best friends and experienced some of my favourite moments of the past few years. To know that other people are gaining a likewise experience from the society too makes me both happy and proud. One of our newest members Suzie, has written a lovely blog post about her experience which you can read HERE. Reading things like this make all the stressing, worrying and late-night last minute organising worth it.

Our university media team came along on the final night and filmed the show for us. You can watch it below. I’ve never been as proud of a show as this.

Performing really does bring people together; we are proof of that. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds; some have performed all their lives whereas for others this is their first experience of stepping onto stage. But, this is all left at the sidelines and in our society, we all come together to create something as a team.  MTS is a crazy, dysfunctional, at times very incestuous family, and I bloody well love it.

There really is no business like show business!

As always, thankyou for reading.

A

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'How do you measure, measure a year?'

My, oh my, 2013 you've been a crazy one haven't you? The year has whizzed by so fast, I'm left reeling as if it's all been a wonderful (okay, mostly wonderful) dream. 
As the festive season draws to a close, I've found myself reflecting on the metaphorical rollercoaster ride 2013 has been. I feel that I've accomplished a lot this year; 2013 has seen me begin many new chapters of my life, as well as improving on others. 

So, what better way to document and share with you my personal highlights of the past twelve months than a big smushy let's-get-overly-emotional-and-talk-about-all-the-good-things-that-have-happened type post!   

University

2013 has seen me complete my First Year at university, and dive headfirst into the stress that is 'Year Two'. I was apprehensive when beginning university as I was still in my home town, living with my family. I didn't move into Halls of Residence, I didn't have flat mates. Therefore, I was forced to put myself out there even more in order to make friends. This scared me for a number of reasons. Was I still going to get a good experience without having as much independance as those students that do move away? What if I couldn't make friends in a lecture because I'd be too busy scribbling down notes? Of course, as always, I was worrying far too much. Luckily, I met lovely people on my course and soon found my feet. 
I know it's super cliched to say but, University has quite frankly changed my life. I've learnt a lot, I've partied a lot, I've laughed a hell of a lot, and I've had a smile on my face an immeasurable amount more than the year before. I'm now a much more confident person; I've had the chance to take many opportunities that never would have arisen had I not stayed in education. I've also met some of the best people and made some very strong friendships that I hope to hold onto for many years to come.
Although it's not always easy, and I'm often up to my eyeballs in essay stress, I know that every moment is helping me to get to where I want to end up. And the fact that I'm getting to have fun alongside that is pretty darn great. 

Musical Theatre Society

Gah, I barely have words to describe how much this society means to me. I remember forcing myself to pluck up the courage to go to the Fresher's Induction back in 2012. I was terrified. And my God am I glad I went. Through it, I've met most of the amazing friends I mentioned above. During 2013, I had the opportunity to perform in two shows during my first year at University; 'Down on the Avenue' - an original showcase in January and 'Grease' the musical in May. I wrote a post about Grease in more detail, which you can view HERE. All of the people I met were so lovely and made me feel so welcome. I love my MTS family! 
At the end of the semester, when Elections for the new Committee arrived, I decided to challenge myself massively and ran for the role of President. Again, I wrote another post about this which you can catch up on HERE. I won the vote, and as of this September I have assumed the role of President. It has been tough at times, but I love it. In January, we will be performing our showcase, 'The Phantom of the Musical', and I cannot wait for people to see the amazingly talented, hard working members we have.
The most rewarding part of the role is knowing that I'm helping to give the new members a place they love as much as I did last year. Seeing them form friendships with people they may not have otherwise met, and hearing how much they are enjoying the whole experience makes all the late nights, endless emails, phone calls, forms, organising and problem solving stress worthwhile. 
I'm aware I sound like some form of deranged proud Mother, but I have a lot of feelings, okay?

Travels

2013 saw two firsts for me in travel. Back in July, my mum, my sister and I went on holiday for a week to Tenerife. This was the first holiday we'd been on just the three of us, and it was nice to take a time out from all things Internet and work (yes, I did just say it was nice to be away from the Internet) and enjoy some quality time together. I documented my time away in a good ol' post which you can view here. 
I also went on my first 'holiday' of sorts without any parental guidance in August. I spent the most amazing few days in London with one of my closest friends. We went to the YouTube gathering 'Summer in the City' and I spent my birthday evening watching my favourite musical Les Miserables live on the West End for the first time. It's safe to say August was very kind to me this year. If you'd like to hear more about my London adventures, I wrote more about them here, here and here. 

Gigs

Although I haven't been to that many gigs in 2013, the ones I have attended have been pretty spectacular. Most prominently McFly's 10th Anniversary gig at the Royal Albert Hall. That night was just incredible. In 2014, I intend on going to more, including 3 McBusted dates which I already have the tickets for. What? My inner 12 year old just couldn't deal with only one, okay? 

Birth of this blog

2013 saw me take the plunge back into blogging, and it's a decision I'm pleased I made. Although I haven't had as much time as I'd have liked to commit to creating more posts, I'm pleased with where I've got to so far. I'm still finding my feet here, but I intend on improving and writing more in 2014. I have a few little ideas brewing away in my mind and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you here, so I hope you plan on sticking around to see them! 

Without wanting to sound too cliched, I've changed and grown a lot this year. I feel like I'm slowly starting to 'find myself' for want of a better phrase, and it feels good. Positivity is the way forward!

What better way to end this post than with a photo montage of my favourite memories?

(It's okay, I cringed too.)

2013, you've been a blast. 2014, you've got a lot to live up to but I look forward to seeing what you have to bring!

For those of you that haven't seen my previous post on New Year's Resolutions for next year, you can view it here.
Alrighty then! I think that just about rounds up my posts for this year. Thankyou for reading, and for following if you have. It means a lot.
See you in January!

A
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Grease Was The Word...

Hey!

As I mentioned in my previous post, last week was show week for me! After months of rehearsals, dealing with quitters, room changes and costume malfunctions we had made it. It was finally time to put on Grease! And what a show it was, I adored every bloody moment of that whole week. We met up for intense rehearsals every day (which mostly ended up with pub grub and a few drinks after, even better) and then on Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May we performed. There is nothing I love more, and that could make me more happy than standing on a stage surrounded by my best friends singing my heart out. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it's a cliche but my God does it feel good. 

So, now I thought I'd share with you all some of the backstage photos so you can take a glimpse into the best part of my world. :) (Seriously, the cheese won't stop until I end this post...)

Cast photo! (I'm donning the purple polka dot skirt which I got for £3 in a charity shop - win!)

'The Casino's' and the one and only Vince Fontaine!

These girls are my best friends in the society, so sad that 3 of them are graduating this year :(

Kenicke working his magic on the ladies...

I'll give you 3 guesses as to the song...

 I had so much fun working with everyone involved and I am so proud to say that against all the odds we pulled it off. In the space of only 5 months, we lost half a committee, had 3 Musical Director's bail on us and had many members of the main cast walk out half way through rather than being committed and working through a tough time. Nobody expected us to even get on stage, let alone pull off the show as well as we did! If I've learnt one thing by doing MTS this year, its to persevere because in the end, your hard work will pay off.

I owe my happiness in the past year to the people you see in the picture below. I've met some of my best friends through this society, and have become a much better person than I was when I began university. I actually believe in myself again. If you have the opportunity to join a club or society which shares a common interest with yourself, I strongly urge you to do it. Although it will be daunting at first, and it can be difficult to put yourself out there, with any luck you will end up feeling the way I do! It's the best. 

I am so excited (yet equally nervous and stressed) to be taking over as President next year. I only hope that we will not come into the same problems we have this year, although I know that if we do, I'll find a way to cope somehow.

But for now, I'm not going to worry about that. Instead I'm going to look back on the amazing memories I have with equally brilliant people and feel grateful and happy for a while! 

Thankyou for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little snippet into my life, I hope to post more about MTS soon!

A

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xxx

Thankyou for the best year ever. I love you all xxxx

Exam, Election, Endings, Excitement!

Hey everyone,

So, first of all I'd just like to apologise for the lack of posts lately. I've been mega busy with a lot of things which I thought I'd share with you now!

I've officially finished my first year of university!!!! What?! I can't believe how fast this year has gone, it feels like yesterday that I nervously clutched onto my bag strap as I stepped into the daunting lecture hall full of strangers. Since that day I have learnt so much about myself (as well as my course too) and I have loved every minute of it. Originally, I wasn't sure if the university in my home town was the place for me, but now I feel like choosing to study here is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've made some amazing friends, and I cannot wait for the next two years!!
During my time at university I have joined a Musical Theatre Society. We put on a showcase in January, and our production of Grease is on in 9 days! I'm so excited and will post about it afterwards! The society is run solely by students of the university, and is where I've met some of my best friends. Each year, elections take place for positions on the committee the next year. I decided to run for President. Normally, presenting something or speaking in front of an audience doesn't phase me, however I was incredibly nervous delivering my pitch. I've never had to do anything like this before, but I knew I had nothing to lose! We found out the results today, and I am so happy to say I got elected!! I can't quite get my head around the fact that people have voted for me, especially when the other girl that ran for the position not only has experience, but also gave a great speech. I'm really looking forward to next year now!

My last exam was this morning meaning I am now revision stress free, yay!! So I will be able to post more frequently now.
Thanks for reading if you have!

A

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