The Top of the World?

So, I had a really great meeting tonight, with this exceptionally amazing young woman that I am going to be collaborating with this summer on the "movement & meditation" element of Peace Theatre Camp (but more about all of that later!), and at one point we were just chatting (or rather, I was going on and on) about what else we do with our lives, and I was telling her about all my various jobs and projects and volunteer endeavors and she started to get this look in her eyes... This look that kind of made me want to stop rambling on and on with such enthusiasm and gratitude. And when I finally stopped, she paused in a reflective moment, and then commented on how great my life seemed, and how listening to me, it made her realise that there were all sorts of things that she really wanted to do and she feels worried that she is sacrificing those goals too much these days in lieu of social time...

SOCIAL TIME?! I asked incredulously. "Well from the girl who is known among her friends for being too busy to show up for almost everything," I began, "let me just say, social time is indeed very important, and perhaps now I envy you a little for the amount of your life that you seem to presently dedicate to fun time with your friends..." Social time, and friendship time is indeed, very, very important.

Now, that being said, I think I have been able to find a workable balance lately. I'm sure all you blog-readers out there will agree that I do seem to be socialising enough these days - yes? But it bears reiterating that work, and projects, and goals, and all of that, are all really important, but at the end of the road (of life)... what will YOU want to look back on, and re-live, and remember with fondness?

(PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT RIGHT NOW AND ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOURSELF)

So anyhow, I kinda feel on top of the world right now. Maybe it was just a really good day, or maybe some things are really and truly starting to come together in reward for all of my hard work and dedication lately... In any case, I am feelin' good (and of course, THANKFUL) again...

An update on "The (My) Good Life" in brief, is as follows:

- some recent developments have made my move to New York seem closer and more realise-able, or maybe I have just brought that particular goal more into focus as of late... But in any case, there is a possibility that I may be moving there as early as September!!! (Fingers crossed that I get accepted for the internship that I am applying for - or offered some other amazing and/or lucrative theatre-releated job, and that living situations work out... Fingers and toes and ankles and... everything CROSSED!!)

- Peace Theatre Camp is drawing nearer and I am feeling so pumped about it! I am excited to be the Assistant Director to two of my favorite theatre artist/educators (and friends!), as well as the co-leader of the movement and meditation/journalling element with a really amazing girl who might just be one of my new favorite people! Not to mention the fact that Peace Camp is always an amazing experience and I am just so looking forwarding to being back in our little natural "oasis" in the city, with all of the kids and youth that I know (and the ones that I don't know yet), and the other amazing artist guides that I know (and the ones that I don't know yet!), for the first three, sure-to-be-glorious weeks of July! YESSSSS!

- The Toronto FRINGE Theatre Festival is also drawing nearer, which means Tracey and I are getting closer and closer to premiering the also sure-to-be-glorious sequel to The Burning Bush show - Two in the Bush! We start rehearsals later this week, and I have been dilligently working on the choreography for our opening dance number (to my all-time favorite Madonna song - Lucky Star!), which it looks like I will also be dancing in, as well as doing my best to keep all "production-related" balls in the air in my role as artistic producer... And I feel like all of my work is coming to fruitition. I really feel like this is going to be a great production! One of my best acts as producer to date, I feel, is acquiring my "assistant stage manager" - a 19 year old girl that I met through the AMY Project last year, who is just so motivated, and dedicated, and truly fantastic... we are indeed SO lucky to have her on our team! Yay!!!

- It would also appear that all of my (albeit somewhat reluctant and/or resentful) hard work and dedication to my volunteer work for Real Food for Real Kids is starting to pay off... Today I had a meeting with Hope and another workshop facilitator, finalising our educational workshop plans, and it looks like once I'm done with the crazyness of my life in July (Peace Camp for the first three weeks with the FRINGE overlapping and happening during the first two weeks - oh my!) I will be able to return to my "day" (or rather night) job at the restaurant and also do a bunch of educational food/body awareness workshops with little ones at daycares in August - FUN! And I will get paid to do these workshops - BONUS! Also, I have been working closely with a high school student volunteer at RFRK to prepare some grant applications & proposals to get funding for RFRK's Educational Lending Library, and FINALLY, these proposals are ready to go out... Fingers crossed again, for generous funding!!! In any case, I feel great because my "supervisor" at RFRK seems to be feeling really great about all of this, and also really grateful and acknowledging of my efforts... so that makes me feel great too!

- I started riding "Boyfriend" (calm down! I'm referring to Thea's bike that she left in my care for the summer. The bike is named (by Thea) Boyfriend - ahahahaha, awesomeness!), and although it still feels harrowing at times to ride a bike through the city streets of Toronto (don't worry - I wear the helmet religiously!), I am persevering, and it feels good. Both to persevere AND to be active. I've also resumed my morning yoga routine, albeit in a strange sort of way... You see, I was finding it hard to be motivated to do my sun salutations when I wake up in the afternoons, as I do most days now (thanks to the overnight restaurant job). But now, on the days that I work, I do my routine in the mornings when I return home from work and before I go to bed... Kinda backwards, I know, but still, it feels good to be working my body in this way again. Really good. I also started going to Moksha (Hot) Yoga classes again, which is super challenging given my serious aversion to the heat, but I think ultimately good training for me... Both in terms of being able to be more flexible (physically) as a result of the heat relaxing my often incredibly tense muscles and me getting more used to the heat... training that will definnitely be useful this summer at Peace Camp, and in the future if I end up spending any summers in NYC... Phew!

- I have also been watching a lot of romantic comedies lately. And ya know what? I highly recommend this. They are often cheesy, inevitably imperfect, but light and easy to watch (and fall asleep to), and every now and then kind of uplifting and inspiring. My favorite recent rental (and possibly a new addition to my list of favorite movies) is "50 First Dates", starring my all-time favorite actress: Drew Barrymore, and one of my fave males: Adam Sandler. (NOTE: I am also a big fan of "The Wedding Singer"). Other recent romantic comedy watchings include "Music & Lyrics", "Failure to Launch" (both not as bad as I'd heard they were), "Love that Boy" (an indie-canadian film that I own, and LOVE, and highly recommend), "Amelie" (a french one that I also own and also ADORE and also INSIST that you watch, if you haven't already). I also finally got it together and had a long-overdue date with my good friend and former roomate, Reesa, last night and watched MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE... Dirty Dancing, of course! *Sigh*

"I carried a watermelon?!" - my all-time favorite movie line. Who can't relate to that moment?

On that note, I shall sign off. Perhaps find another romantic comedy to watch, and fall asleep to. Or maybe I will do some work before I log off for the night. Or maybe I will check Facebook. Most likely, I will do all of the above.

Until next time my dears...

*NAMASTE*