So I know this page has revolved around London, The Beatles, and my life abroad,

but I forgot to mention something that came before all of this,
which I guess ties into life in London pretty well too.

I fell in love when I started high school after seeing a Broadway national tour of Rent.
It was the first show I had seen,
as well as the first and only show I had ever been late to.
They wouldn't seat us until after the first scene,
and I watched Roger and Mark jump around and scream about their bills from the jail-bar windows in the lobby.

Once I left the theatre that night, I knew my life had changed.
I had found something that I felt so connected and so passionate about.
I knew it wasn't something that was going to fade away.

When I got into university, I had to start looking into degrees, careers, and future - ugh.
Being that annoyingly ambitious dreamer I so clearly am,
I thought "hey - I love theatre! WHY NOT make a career out of that?
I'm tone deaf and have never acted in my life, but I'm suuuuuuuuure there's a place for me."

Yep. My thoughts always make sense like that.
Just like when I decided to drop everything and make an attempt to move to London.
Logical.

Anyways.
When that idea popped into my head, that was it - I was sold. Theatre was where I was going.
Even if I wasn't exactly sure how to get there.

I started researching internships, regional theatres; anything and everything.
I sent my resume out to just about every name and email I found - basically explaining that
I had never had any involvement within the theatre industry besides as an audience member,
but that they should still give me a chance to work with them.

After a few interviews, I walked into Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati,
and met the incredible Producing Artistic Director, Lynn Meyers.

She asked me about life, how I got to where I was, and where I wanted to go.

Then we got a little in depth about the magic that is theatre, and then she offered me an internship.

Just a simple conversation, and she welcomed me with open arms.

For that, I could never thank her enough.

I did a four month internship with them, realized that it truly was everything I wanted in life,

and then had to leave to go study abroad.

Great timing, huh?

When I got back into the states, I re-emailed Lynn for any recommendations around the city,

and she asked me back for a volunteer House Manager position for their encore production of Next to Normal.

Which was incredible - see for yourself:

1) My parents are here!
An amazing visit from those crazy Floridians has made this week one of the best.
I took them around the country, to a few shows - which you'll probably be seeing posts and pics up here this coming week -
and I also let them stock me up on clothes, groceries, and decorations. I know - how sweet am I?
They are here until Tuesday, and it just makes my heart so happy to have some family in town for a bit!

2) This guy who explained his life to his Grandma as if it is the story from Frozen.

Ahhhh, I just love grandparents so much..

3) Remember Marielle at This Flooded Sky?

Well forget all of that.

It's Elle, at The Lady Errant now, and I'm loving this change.
She's still writing all the relatable random brilliance that you know,

and if you don't know ... then why not??

4) Christmas!
Yes, it may be November,
but Christmas has been creeping into London since September,
and Halloween is over now, so the city has been properly drowned by the holidays
and how can you not love that? IT'S CHRISTMAS.

5) Memphis the Musical.

I saw this show an embarrassingly amount in a very short time,

so I guess this is the time to tell you I'm pretty obsessed with good theatre.

Obsessed as in, almost at my Beatles love level. 

I KNOW - How can you be so sickly obsessed with more than one thing?
I really actually don't know, but I've beaten all the skeptics and here I am...

Anyways,

Memphis takes place in 1950s Memphis, Tennessee,

when blacks and whites weren’t to mix. 

 Main character Huey Calhoun, however, did not see the logic in this and made himself right at home at Delray’s - the underground black Rock and Roll bar.

Finding a passion in this ‘forbidden’ music, was determined to not only get this music heard, but to make a star out of the utterly talented (and little sister to bar owner Delray) Felicia Farrell.

 Then this happens, and that happens, and she finds an interest in him while this is going on over there.

AKA - go see the show and find out what happens for yourself!

Leads Beverley Knight and Killian Donnelly, along with the rest of this phenomenal cast, will not only give you some of the greatest singing you've yet to hear, but give you an evening with a little laughing, a little crying,
and a LOT of dancing.

Trust me

- and by now, you really should be following my recommendations with blind eyes -

you need to see this show.

(Yes I have) 

I was going to write this post up and explain the differences between the UK and US education system,
but Taylor has already done that,
and why would I try and outdo her incredibly awesome and detailed post?
Especially when I wouldn't be able to...


So
Let's just talk about how I chose my study path instead,
and hope that helps some of you..

You all know that I moved to London with the intentions of staying permanently,
and that is exactly what was in my mind while going into this grad school process.

I wanted to make sure I was getting a degree that was to benefit me for the long-term,
both career-wise but also securing a work visa.
Because ummmm, how do you expect me to move forward with a career if I CAN'T GET ONE??


My official masters title is MA Management.
I chose this degree from an expat point of view -
it's a very general course with a wide range of skills offered.
My classes involve Human Resources, Economics, Managing Operations, even Psychology.

By doing these, I'm able to gain a wide range and foundation of the skills necessary for different career paths.
I didn't want to go into something too specific, because my future here is still very open,
along with the fact that I am still young and learning what I like and don't like.
I don't want to rule any industry out because I simply don't know a lot about it.


So by having this degree, I'll be able to interview in many different industries,
and in the case that I do return to the USA,
(I need to make this quick, my anxiety is already rising thinking about this...)
I'll have a Masters Degree from an international university where I was able to gain a global business perspective, as well as learn how to work with different people from all walks of life.


All in all, this will benefit me wherever life takes me.
And let's just hope that it takes me exactly where I already am..

ALSO!

I'm being featured over at Route Bliss today!

Christina has asked me to participate in her Bliss Seekers series,

so you'll find me over there answering a few questions about all things travel.

Check it out HERE!