Who wants to here my hat story? So I have wanted a certain type of hat that is really in style right now for a long time and they had them everywhere. I found one I particularly liked at a stand and the man told me it was 10 pounds. I really didn't want to pay that much so we started going back and forth. Eventually I asked for seven and he said 8. Since I wasn't sure what price others were offering it as I didn't want to settle so I said I would come back. He then got really angry and said no, don't come back. Bye (in a sarcastic angry voice). I felt so bad. I then find out that 10 pounds is the price everyone is offering but no one else is willing to budge! Seriously I even told them someone else was offering 8 but nothing. Dumb on my part, I should have taken the 8 pounds. Everyone learn from my lack of skills.
Along with the over priced hat I bought a blue cotton scarf, a pocket watch necklace, and an amazing sandwich. I found two things that I absolutely love but couldn't afford. The first one was a vintage homemade dress from the 40's that fit me like a glove! It was so cute but 40 pounds is too much. Sad for me. I think I will go back the next free Saturday to see if it is still there so I can get a better price. Then I also found a cameo ring which I actually don't know how much it was but the man at the stand yelled at my roommate for touching one of the rings so I was too scared of him to ask how much. Too bad he doesn't know he lost a customer for being so rude!
Now I am going to go on a rampage about people being mean for no reason. I feel like this happens a lot out here. Part of the culture I guess to not be exceptionally nice to people. I have noticed it a lot at different businesses They are very cold. Today we went to the train station to get tickets to church. The women helping us was so grumpy and eventually shoshed Meisha when she was explaining that she had given us and extra ticket. I was so shocked. It was so uncalled for. Meisha was so nice about it though and just said thank you for your help and have a good day. I just don't know why people feel the need to be rude for no reason.
Okay rampage over, now onto The End of the Rainbow. This is a play on the West End sharing the story of Judy Garland at the end of her life. Oh my word people this was a superb performance. I didn't know a lot about her before but she had an extremely rough life. Since the age of 12 her mother started her on drugs to keep her energized in order to perform. The people in her life including managers, producers, and husbands, continued to shove pills down her throat to keep her performing.
The real beauty in this production came from the actor playing Judy. I have never seen anything like it. This women who at the VERY youngest had to be in her late 40's was insane. One min she would be jumping up and down, then next she would be in a ball sobbing, then she would be crawling on the floor next she would be screaming and throwing things. The power in her voice was astonishing. It was almost like at the end of a roller coaster when your hair is all blown back, that is how I felt after she finished singing. After all the emotional pain of watching her fiancée force her to take pills and perform when she didn't want to she ended the show by singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I was bawling. What a great show. I wish you all could see these shows with me. I certainly am not talented enough to describe accurately how impressive it was.
This is me, after the show.
Today was church. I never start off excited about it because I have to wake up at 6:30 to get ready but once we get there the welcome from everyone is so wonderful. Today I got to go to Young Women's and start serving. The young women are so beautiful. I cannot wait to get to know them. I am so excited to be in Young Women's. I had so many life changing experiences in Young Women's and I hope in some small way I can give that to these girls. Next Sunday I am teaching a lesson on Temple Preparation. I have so many ideas all ready, I can't wait. I then went to the Youth Sunday school because let's be honest, it is cooler than the adult one. The funny part was we were crammed into this little room and I was by far the MINORITY! Seriously, it was kind of weird but I like it.
Then our little group got to speak in sacrament meeting. I loved hearing from my peers. The general theme of all the talks was the comfort the gospel brings. Even though we are in a foreign country, alone, and a little lost, the gospel is always there to ground us. More importantly the savior is always there to comfort us. It was a great meeting filled with the spirit.
As usual we had a fireside tonight with four guest visitors. The visitors were young adult members studying at a Theatre school called Central. Apparently it is one of the biggest school in Europe. They were all great and had wonderful stories but two of them said things that really hit me hard. We will start with Sara. She is a BYU graduate getting her masters. She spoke about what theatre is for her and how she uses that belief about theatre to hold strong to her standards. What really made me think is when she said that she used theatre to explore her testimony. I am still thinking about that statement and how that applies to me. I will let you know when I have developed my feelings on that.
Then we had Spencer. Despite the fact the he was adorable, well dressed, a return missionary with an adorable accent, he loved the gospel and is dedicated to holding onto his standards in this supposed unforgiving industry. He told us his "story" about deciding to study theatre. He made the point that because he knows this is where Heavenly Father wants him to be he will make it possible for him the be there without sacrificing his standards. That is so true! I have faith that my Heavenly Father has a hand in my life and that hand has led me to theatre and that means I should never have to be ashamed for my beliefs. The wonderful thing is a lot of people will learn to accept those beliefs if I just let them. I think I have learned that over the years but never really put it into words. I used to be somewhat ashamed to stand strong and say no, never but as high school went on I decided that my friends should know why I have sleeves on my dresses, wear one piece swim suits, don't drink, or smoke, etc. The wonderful thing is once I did that they respected and supported me in that, because I gave them the opportunity to. It also could be because I had great friends. :)
Wow that took a long and drawn out turn. And now I would like to end on 2 funny signs I saw at the train station today. Enjoy!
"End of the Rainbow" definitely sounds like a show I would love. I'll have to watch out for it here.
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