I'm not sure I have any profound thoughts for today other than true gratitude. When my body is sore and exhausted, and my mind is reeling from all that's being packed into it in these days leading up to Chicago, the thing that brings me back down is contemplating how very lucky I am to be here in this moment. I am happy to have just seen my family, excited to see them again this next weekend, healthy after a weekend of eating well because my parents were paying (thanks mom and dad! ;) ), and oh so very thankful to be putting on this show with my closest friends. You know, I've had a close connection with the Music Theatre program from day one, and when I went to Los Angeles for Elon in LA between sophomore and junior year I met some of the most wonderful friends from the Communications department. This great big experiment of a show is bringing all of my friends together, blending music theatre and cinema in a way I never thought would happen. I could not be more thankful to be given this opportunity! It feels like the perfect way to sum up my Elon experience. So tonight, I am going to sleep with a grateful heart and a mind inspired by all of the skill and talent I am surrounded by on a daily basis.
Today I started off the day bright and early with a healthy meal I prepared last night! It's so simple and it's a little treat for the morning, it tastes like dessert but it's filling, low calorie, and nutritious....CHIA SEED PUDDING! It's one of those foods that I feel so Los Angeles when I eat it.... as I sit here typing about the nutrition and low cal-ness of this strange seed that barely seems like a food!
All you have to do is stir a few tablespoons of chia seeds into coconut or almond milk! It's really that simple. The seeds soak up the liquid overnight forming a pudding-like consistency, I swear it's magic. I like to use unsweetened vanilla coconut milk so it has the extra flavor, but you can just add some vanilla and honey or agave if you don't have any unsweetened vanilla milk on hand. I also stirred in a little spoonful of my Grammy's homemade raspberry jam to give it that yummy raspberry taste. Raspberries are my absolute favorite food, I could live on them... if only they weren't so darn expensive and didn't come in those minuscule little containers! I added a few banana slices and walnuts on top to make it a little more interesting and fun!
Then for lunch today I had a last meal with my parents before they head back home to Montana! We went to my favorite spot on campus, The Root, which has a ton of healthy and tasty options. Right now they have a seasonal Spring salad with watermelon, feta, roasted chickpeas, and spring radish over a bead of spring greens. I added the chicken to get some filling protein, and their marinade is delicious, I don't know what they do but their chicken is so darn good. It's my first time trying this salad, and I was a little doubtful of putting watermelon on a salad... but it turns out it's so good! I was really sad when the winter salad finally went out of season in April, because I was obsessed with it, but this stood the taste test! I might try to recreate this at home for myself.
Because of the canceled classes last Monday, I finally had my first voice lesson of the 30 Day Challenge!
Today April and I worked on "My Own Best Friend" from Chicago. It was a frustrating day, my tongue tension was really acting up and it was getting in the way pretty badly. We think it might be a result of all the back and neck tension I'm experiencing due to stress and the crazy schedule! Good lord, this girl needs to sleep. I'm glad I have her input with this work on Chicago, she's a Godsend!
Look at April, she looks so beautiful! I, on the other hand, look a little rough in this picture.
And NOW, finally, we have the Daily Practice #13! Almost to the halfway point of the challenge!
Minutes: 30
Repertoire: The Light in the Piazza
Technique Worked: My voice was very tired and weak after my voice lesson, I definitely need to get more rest and hydration in these next few days. I started with the edge warmup and gently worked my head voice again. I wanted to do my power exercises today, but I know when I should listen to my body and not push it!
Musicality Worked: I really wanted to focus on breathing today, specifically where to strategically place breaths to serve the meaning and lyrical nature of the song.
And now it's off to work on Chicago! We're starting the Tech of Act 1 tonight, and this is when things start to get really exciting. I can't wait to see what this show looks like! We started off rehearsal with a promo shoot, and I swear to goodness when someone tells you to "be sexy".... it suddenly becomes impossible to even look ATTRACTIVE. I'm pretty sure I did chicken wing arms about six times and I'm not sure if I was smiling or grimacing! We'll see the results soon enough, I suppose! Either way, it was a blast! We turned on some loud music, turned up the stage lights and it felt like a movie star moment. Oh, what a crazy and beautiful life I live.
I hope you all had as great of a day as I did!
All my love,
Jadi Rae
