The Raven to Edgar Allen to POE.

Well, another two weeks breezed by. One week I did a TON of cleaning at Dance Gallery, Jackie's and my own house! My house is now like completely spotless ( practically the first time since we moved in since 1995) and my room is now rearranged, redecorated, and overall just rejuvenated! It's now like my own little haven with pictures of things I love like all around (dance, a few New York City pictures I took myself and a few of my sister's cool posters she bought at college). The other week I spent at a little thing called POE. Pipe Organ Encounter 2009.

Now, going into POE, I was DREADING it. I had a hunch that a certain someone that I really don't care for was going to be there, but lucky me, HE WAS NOT THERE! I can't tell you how relieved I was to find this out. Overall during the week I learned how to play the organ. Before coming here, my mom convinced me (well forced me into coming) but she told me lots of the students will have never played the organ, like me. Much to my surprise, when I got there, I was THE ONLY ONE THERE WHO HAD NEVER PLAYED THE ORGAN. Luckily that did not hamper my friendships, and I made a ton of friends at camp! Braden, Phil, Rebecca, Clara, Hannah, Michaela, Sarah, David, Katie and Catie are just some of my closest friends there. We had TONS of laughs. Like a ridiculous amount. I had no idea organists loved to laugh SOOO much. I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed this hard with people. Playing the organ was a unique experience in it self, but when I look back at this experience, I can tell the thing I'll remember when I'm good and old is not how I learned to play the organ, but the amazing people I met and all the laughter we shared.

John Schwandt and Doug Cleveland improvising on organ to Singin' in the Rain at POE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_rSrxQVqiU

Hannah having a laughing attack during POE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1nr9_el6PU

Whew!

Alice in Wonderland went fabulous! Thanks to all that came (Ahem, MIRANDA!). I had a blast at the two performances, but now I'm glad it's over. Today I helped move TONS of costumes from the Pella building into their new home at Dance Gallery. It was tiring, but lots of fun for 3 hours! (2:30 to 5:30). Now I'm watching the Spring Recital DVD that came on Wednesday (finally!) and I'm enjoying the show! For once I'm actually watching the performance, instead of just being in it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_7Y5pkVagQ Dance Gallery 2009 Lyrical "Colorblind"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_yl3w_Nyzc Dance Gallery 2009 Tap "Puttin on the Ritz"