Harveys 2017

The new members of Alpha Psi omega, led by Mandy, performed last night. Their parodies were very cute. Their original skit was rather clever, and did a good job of keeping up the "complaining about clues" trend that the past few years have loved so much. Their song was great. Out of this world. I am actually so in love with it. I stand by the opinion that no class has had as great a song as the Chi class' Disney medley. But WOW this is such a close second. It was so good and very sweet and lots of fun and emotional and I'M SO IMPRESSED. I can't express it well enough. Their creativity was beyond measure and their hard work is evident throughout the whole performance. They seem like great additions to our theatre family. And Mandy better know she played a major part in getting them to where they are. She killed the game. And these kids will love their mom forever.

The seniors panicked about their own performance, but it was honestly an amazing time. The three from the Chi class taught everyone else the Disney medley. I'm so happy I was next to my co-stage mama Jess and we could sing along with them while they slayed it. The memories flooded back and the legacy lived on. I could not be prouder of these seniors, and how far they've come. I wasn't surprised that I remembered all the words to the Disney medley, but when the Psi class started singing THEIR parody of Never Gonna Give You Up from 2015, I screamed with excitement and somehow managed to remember all those words, too. My babies grew up, and getting those blasts from the past pulled my heartstrings. Watching them re-do all their shows, FROM WAY BACK IN NAJEE'S TIME, that was something special. They were hilarious and it absolutely killed me how spot on they were. And their final song. So sweet. So genuine. So perfect. I am actually aching, thinking that after last night, I may never see some of these people again. It's a definite possibility and it shatters me into pieces. I love them all so much. There's a million things I feel like I haven't said yet. But I'm proud. They're moving on to much better things. And wherever they end up, they better know I love them and I'm cheering them on and I'll always support them however I can. It was an HONOR to bring these members into the organization. To help give them a family. There were so many great moments in their performance and I don't know if I'll ever stop talking about it. I wish I had a more worthy goodbye for them. But that's me. I'm an emotional time bomb and they've probably had enough of my sappiness.

I cannot believe. I performed last night. I had dreams about being on stage at Harveys. Never did I think it'd happen. I walked into this room SO READY to just watch. I had been a part of Harveys, either performing or hosting, for all four years. Not once did I get to just sit and watch! I was so happy I could just enjoy it with no stress! But when the seniors needed to stall for time, IRA (I cannot believe. I just cannot.) decided to say we should do Christmas Carol. And Joshy was next to him, and Ira said hey you're both here. And enough people heard that somehow, I heard my name and got on a stage. IT FELT WRONG because I'd already said my goodbyes to that stage and I didn't want to take away from anyone else's special night. But the seniors seemed grateful and the audience had fun. I got to perform with my Twin again, which is my favorite thing in the world. I'm surprised we remembered as much as we did. And now the new members know about our insanity. Crazy. Absolutely crazy. I guess we can't ever really say goodbye to this place.

I dressed up. I saw people I love. Everybody slayed. I got nostalgic. I feel a lot of emotions about a lot of parts for a lot of different reasons. But overall, Harveys was something special. I don't ever want to forget last night.

4/12/17

• McDaniel is home
• Time with my Little is absolutely irreplaceable
• Seeing Jess Mies brightens everything
• My Twin is the greatest source of love and fun
• No matter what or when or whatever Torreke and I are just linked
• I could listen to Toni sing for hours
• My Grandlittle is precious and I'm so glad we fit well together
• The new members all have so much promise and potential, and I hope they make the most of their years here because I think they're capable of awesome things
• Seeing my lovely ladies work hard and have fun doing it is such a blessing. I can't express how alive their spirits are and how capable they are of taking on the world.
• Those boys are a hilarious delight and I smile every time I'm around them. I feel like I'm safer with these teddy bears by my side.
• Gabe is absolute sunshine
• Alexa makes me feel warm. It's such a great feeling.
• I feel like I can talk to Jen about anything and she just gets me, which is awesome.
• I'm already an emotional person so me saying "I cried" or "I got emotional" doesn't carry much weight but there was an indescribable feeling in my heart watching everyone sing in their Musical Theatre class. It's a mix of awe and nostalgia and maybe a little longing to exist in a creative space again where people actually WANT to make art 24 hours a day. I just missed these voices. Specifically these voices.
• I've missed Moises
• Time stops on this campus. The outside world doesn't matter. It's just the Hill. I know I am glad to be gone because wow does college drain you and after a while you outgrow it. But it felt like the best possible vacation I could take right now honestly.
• The show is so so so so so so good.
• It's nice to feel loved
• My body has felt strange since I got there. I don't know why. I can't describe it. I feel like Zuko during his metamorphosis, though less extreme on the physical toll. I don't even know exactly what's changing but it just feels like a transition is coming.
• Less than 4 months until Canada

14 Crazy Monkeys

In case you have not kept up with recent news

Alpha Psi Omega has 14 New Members!

Those who make it through the initiation process (aka all of them most likely) will be recorded in our chapter's history as the Alpha Alpha class. I made a lame joke about their weekly meetings being called AA meetings. I keep making lame jokes in this organization and they keep sticking and I am SO SORRY. (Flashbacks to an unending sea of mermaid posts).

This is my first year not running the show after three years of working with some of the best Stage Mommas ever. That won't stop me from welcoming all the new members though. The alumni have all been buzzing. We're super excited about these kids and the pairs and all the fun they're going to have and the magic they will create. It really is such an exciting time and I'm so happy they get to experience it and join our beautiful theatre family. And after doing the job so long, I could go through the whole New Member Education routine in my sleep, so I keep getting hyped up about all the new things they get to do.

I'm mostly excited for Mandy & Nick. I obviously talk to Mandy about it pretty much every day. She's loving this. She's been having such a great time. Most importantly, this job means something to her and she genuinely cares about her babies. I can't begin to tell you how essential that was to me when figuring out who would be Stage Parents for this school year. My heart is singing, knowing that we all made the right choice.

I miss it. I really do. It's the most wonderful job in the world. And, like I told Mandy, it's addicting. It's so weird to not be shopping for door dec supplies and delivering clues and organizing events and sending out meeting minutes and all that. But I'm still so very happy. And I'm grateful that people have been willing to humor me and keep me in the loop. They're indulging my addiction haha. It's okay. I'm not gonna stop them!

The new members find out about their Bigs on March 5th. Until then, it's fun and guessing games! Seriously. This is the most wonderful time of the year.

Out in the Wild

New members received their STUNNING acceptance letters today. It was so amazing to see their joy and hear them talk about all the possibilities. I love each and every one of them. And now they're family.

Day 22: Out & About
Sorry. I don't exactly go anywhere other than the theatre with these goons.

2-21-16

15. NEW. MEMBERS.

Day 21 (late): Message

Welcome to ΑΨΩ

 

1-30-16

Hooray for a final Meet & Greet! It's so nice to spend time with these people, and to finally have a good idea of who is going to join our little family very soon. I look forward to getting all their letters :)

Day 30 (late): Evening

The best way to end the night

Ugly Sweater Board

Oh my goodness was decorating today a TIME. We decorated the understage for Holiday Cabaret, which was a fun time and looks super pretty. And then Jess decided to decorate the Alpha Psi board for Christmas! Except we had no materials and no moneys for materials and no vision for this board. So it was CHAOS. And I cannot tell you how many times the two of us had to retreat to corners because we were laughing so hard. I'm loving people getting in the Christmas spirit. And the best part is the memories you make while you create things together. The board now looks like a super tacky crazy Christmas sweater, and I could not be more in love with it.

10/18/15

My weekend was so super eventful and I got some of the best parts on video. A video I am quite proud of. And apparently so are others, because people are sharing it! I feel honored :)

8-30-15

We had our first Alpha Psi meeting of the year! It's so good to see everyone back in one room again. It's also pretty great to lay out all the stuff that we are going to do in the upcoming months. I'm seriously excited. Here's hoping that this family works together and makes some magic this semester!

Involvement Fair

I have a list of over 30 people. These are people who have expressed interest in either the theatre major, McDaniel College Theatre, or Alpha Psi Omega. Or a combination of the three. I am thrilled to see that there are so many people who want to potentially be a part of our crazy family. Good start. Happy stage momma.

5-10-15

I am a Red vs Blue fan.

I hate goodbyes.

But today was our last meeting in Alpha Psi Omega for the school year. It was kinda hard. I didn't think it would be, until miss "ready to leave-I know exactly how many days until graduation" herself said "I don't want to countdown anymore" with a bright red face and tears in her eyes. She almost got me, that one. I didn't want to cry. It made no sense to cry. Half of the seniors don't have their shop hours done. And I'm going to be here all of exam week so I will definitely see them at some point. But facts are facts. Lyndsay, Matthew, Craig, Sarah, Ashley, Daniel, and Emily are graduating. Adam is transferring. Jehan may transfer. Goodbyes are in order.

So that's what our meeting somehow was today. We said goodbye. It was nice. There were lots of tears. None from me. Not yet. Those will happen some time later this week when I REALLY say goodbye. But I waited patiently. I whined about John Moletress and his useless comments on my paper (yes, I know I haven't included citations. You would too if you had read my email). I got myself organized. I unsuccessfully looked for pizza. And then I spoke to the seniors and thanked them briefly for being in my life. I am glad I got to do so with my regular pale face instead of a red snotty one. We'll see if I maintain that composure by the end of the week. Never, not once, in all my days did I think mister Valentin-Morales would be the one to make me almost cry. But yes. Hugs & love are always really nice.

So I will most likely link this onto the Alpha Psi Omega current cast page on Friday. Because I should. But I'm sentimental now. And I have feelings. And writing them down is important. I swear there's a reason this goes on this blog. Goodbyes are hard. Memories are, in fact, a very nice thing.

Thank you. Forever. Endlessly. For being such beautiful people. For the love and light you have brought into my life. For letting me watch you be amazing, and learn how to maybe be amazing, too. Thank you for many laughs at way too late hours of the night. Thank you for holding me while I cried and for trusting me to do the same for you. Thank you for the ridiculous amounts of support, in and out of Alpha Psi Omega. Thank you for, in the kindest ways possible, correcting me when I was wrong. Thank you for backing me up when I was right. Thank you for letting me into your heart when I know so well that I did not deserve that. Thank you for forgiving me when I wasn't worthy of it. Thank you for showing me kindness, even when you barely knew me. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. Thank you for sharing a stage with me. I don't know if there's much difference with those last two, honestly. But I'm glad I could play a small part in the magnificent and massive adventures you people will have. There's no way a single one of you would not be able to conquer the world. I could write paragraphs about each and every one of you, but we'll just save those for another time. Keep moving forward. Don't forget to flush. Wear sunscreen. Know that I love you. 

Seek a life useful.

Final (Participatory) Elections

Did I make up a word? I dunno. Probably. Moving on!

Alpha Psi Omega had elections today for Executive Board positions and Committee Heads. It took about 2 hours and some change, but we did it. I am pretty proud of the discussions we had and our ability to remain level headed. I am pretty happy about most of the victors from today. They will do splendidly in their positions. I was incredibly nervous today for a multitude of reasons, but the cast voted me in as Stage Mom. I get to be the Stage Manager for this organization for the third and final time. I'm beyond happy about it, and it means the world that so many people feel so confident in my abilities. I shan't let them down :)

Field Day

We ran around a field today! Alpha Psi Omega did. We played soccer and cornhole and tried to fly a kite and blew bubbles and all sorts of fun outdoor stuff. And there were freeze pops and fruit and cheeseballs. And basically I sat around and sunbathed haha. It was wonderful. I so enjoy the company of these people. And it was absolutely gorgeous outside. No tan. But all the fun in the world. This organization is perfect.

Also yay fun pictures.

MAY FIRST IS EVERYTHING

Harvey's happened. The big culminating theatre event of the year happened. And everyone looked SO GOOD! UGH! I love when people dress up. And now we can all kinda chill out. We still have Children's Show & Voting, but this is a celebration of how far we have come in a year as well as all the new things to come for next year. I'm so happy. The Littles did an AMAZING job. I knew the script and I was still rolling in laughter. I am so glad the cast liked it. And paper plates were as fun to present as they were to make. Mine almost made me cry cause it was beautiful. But I digress. I had a blast and could not ask for a better job. I love every single one of these babies and nothing makes me happier than seeing them up on that stage. They earned every bit of their applause.

Also. JESS & I GOT INTO CHOICES! Look for the truest of true soul mates on your McDaniel stage this August. We're gonna have the best freaking time EVER.

Making Harveys Magic

Running the meeting today was actually a lovely part of my day. It was nice to be back on this beautiful campus on such a nice day and see my favorite people. Of course, lots of people were missing today because it's tech weekend. But people still came up to say hi! And those who were there were focused and ready to work. We got a lot of really great ideas out! I cannot wait to put it all up on stage. I am proud of these kids and the awesome work they do. They will take Alpha Psi very far.

4.9.15 - My Happy Place

She told me I could talk about it. If this is too personal for her, then she can tell me and I will remove this post.

A little while ago, my Little started a blog. She made her own version of my Smilation blog. It's really sweet. It has been great to see her find light in every day and work to be more optimistic. I can't tell you how happy she makes me or how much I adore her. thesmallthoughts.blogspot.com is quickly becoming one of my favorite websites. And the post for April 9th, the longer one, just about melted my heart. Because knowing you have made a difference in the life of someone who has also changed you for the better is such a blessing. I think we are both very blessed to have found each other. God knows what He's doing, and sending this girl into my life was a great move. Her post was something I needed to hear. And I won't cry, but I will hold it in my heart always.

Initiation

New members are going through Opening Night tonight! I cannot wait! After tonight they will be official members of Alpha Psi Omega :D

Today Today Today

Tonight I get a little.

Tonight I get a little.

Tonight I get a little.

Tonight I get a little.

Tonight I Get A Little.

Tonight I Get A Little.

Tonight I Get A Little.

TONIGHT I GET A LITTLE. 

TONIGHT I GET A LITTLE.

AHHHH TONIGHT I GET A LITTLE.

Day 1

On Monday, all acceptance letters and first clues were delivered. Watching the babies squirm and get excited and tweet and post statuses and all that jazz. It's so cute. I love it. This is why this job is so rewarding. It's so cute!

Sidenote, I made Najee cry today with my song. Like, the moment when I lose. I'm pretty happy about that. It means I'm doing my job right :3 They like me. They really like me.

The Big Sunday!

To make a long and late story short. We got babies. Alpha Psi Omega has 19 new members. Darlings, the lot of them. I can tell this is going to be a good year. I'm thrilled to work with such a creative team. Also, door decs look awesome!