As You Like It has a wrestling scene.  For the general safety of the actors, we brought in an ex-professional wrestler to choreograph the scene. The result is fabulous.

Note: No actors were actually hurt in the making of this production. Hence, acting.

The wrestling guy is in mid-throw right here.  He did a hip-throw.  Our hero slammed into the ground like a load of bricks. Again, nobody was actually hurt.

The Henry VIII cast kicked us off the stage for their so-called photoshoot.  So our hero and villain worked out their angst in the forest surrounding the theater, which, by the way, looks like this:

This was before we started tearing it up to transform it into an enchanted forest at midnight.  It’s going to look so amazing!

Today 2 things I thought were impossible became possible today.

(1) I was at Leaf ‘n’ Bean today with mom for breakfast.  In the middle of a realllllly good toasted panini I was staring out the window dreamily when this army dude showed up.

Oh my.

WELL…he stepped out of his car and my jaw dropped.  He was muscular perfection from head to toe.  I swear I have never seen a man ever be a 10 out of 10 in real life (seeing as how Rocky is a 10, it’s kinda hard to beat that).  But anyway, mom was watching me watch him talk on the phone while walking into Leaf ‘n’ Bean.  Apparently my jaw dropped and so did my panini.  MY PANINI DROPPED ONTO MY PLATE DUE TO INVOLUNTARY DISTRACTION.  The man was a Greek god.  Only he was blonde.  And tan.  And he was wearing a uniform, which, come on all you ladies out there, you know that’s a major turn-on!  Mom watched me have this mental breakdown due to this man’s amazing muscularity.  I giggled.  I could not stop laughing!  I was trying to find something that was wrong with him BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. NOTHING I TELL YOU!  So I giggled and turned bright pink like an idiot and then went back to eating my panini.  Meanwhile, he walked in, and I can honestly tell you he was beeping on my radar.  I knew where he was at all times while I pretended not to watch him.  It was the strangest sensation.  My taste buds were saying, “Yum! Toasted panini!” but my mind screamed “All systems shut down!  We have a hunk within range!”  While mom and I ran errands this afternoon, I had this goofy smile plastered on my face.  I had seen a 10 out of 10.  I giggled like a complete moron.  WHO THE HECK HAVE I BECOME?!  Within my entire social circle, I can say that I would be the last person out of all my friends to have reacted like that.  But I did.

This was a strange morning.

(2) On more level-headed terms, I have discovered the impossible in the fashion industry.  I found that the skateboard company, Element, has developed a new vision.  It has formed a new department (Element Eden) that, get this, promotes self-esteem in girls, modesty, and original creative vision for struggling artists.  It seems that Element has joined the ranks with Dove to give back to its consumers and the communities it serves.  As for me, a complete skeptic of big business and all its intentions, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised.  Finally, a company not strutting by the motto, “It’s not personal.  It’s business.”  Really, they could not have begun this marketing at a better time.  Girls are being pressured now more than ever to look a certain way, to be a certain person instead of seeing themselves as enough.  Girls are so self-conscious today because of the insane pressure the media, the fashion industry, and their fellow guy peers are instilling in them.  All we (and I say we because I am part of the age group being targeted for this) hear is that the size 2 is now the size 8 and size 0 is now the size 2.  Because we are hearing and seeing this from seemingly everyone, all it takes is one voice to say something different to get our attention.  All we need is someone to emphasize individuality instead of mass marketing schemes.  And if 2 companies have already discovered this, and are willing to change the current, then I see no reason why this won’t catch on in the future.  If we ever want to see change in this country, we must captivate the attention of our young adults.  If we can manage small steps now, then we will be that much closer to starting a revolution that could change our youths’ attitudes forever.  Let’s make it a wildfire.

Everyone, I have an announcement to make.

I PASSED MY CHEMISTRY REGENTS!

Yup! A 67% never felt so good.  All I can say is that my passing was definitely a miracle.  There were so many questions I had never seen before on the other practice tests I had taken…there was so much I couldn’t remember!  But it’s over. IT’S OVER! My last science requirement is finally complete!

Actually, one of my friends was talking to her teacher about the test, and he said that it was the hardest chemistry exam he had ever seen in 17 years.  And I got through it!  That was one long haul, that’s for sure.  Now, I can enjoy my summer in peace and revel in utter happiness without any chemistry shadowing my days.

I knocked on the cottage door impatiently while attempting to huddle inside the door frame.  Everything was gray and misty as it often is during a gale at the cape.  The waves on the ocean were fighting against each other raucously as the rain shot down in torrents.

This was not the day to walk to Mrs. McKettry’s cottage.

“Oh! Hello there, dearie! Get out of that there rain!”

Torrents of rain dribbled onto her waxed floor by the front door while I danced around on her floor mat pulling off my shoes.  I took my time putting my parka on an old brass rung while I looked around.  Nothing much had changed since last time I was at her cottage.  The walls were still a deep wallpapered hunter green; the kitchen lights had that inviting yellow luster summoning me down the hall.

“I’ll bring the tea into the living room, yes?”  She asked as she retreated to the distant kitchen stove.

“I’ll be right there!”

“Take your time, honey dear. I have to pull some biscuits from the oven.”

The hallway was dim, but it was a cheery dim.  Tons of old photographs lined the walls, trophies of Mrs. McKettry’s past.  There she was, a blue-eyed beauty of 16, going to her first dance with a date.  She had the kind of elegance I always imagined of a fairy princess.  The next picture was of her and a tall man, midswing on a tire swing in someone’s backyard.  He was pushing her and she had her head cocked back in full laughter.  I always liked that picture.  That was Mr. McKettry.  He was on-leave from the navy that year, I remember her telling me.  They were inseparable from the start.  Several other pictures dictated their lives, pictures of her reading books to their children under a tree, pictures of Christmases past, pictures of baby grandchildren.  Their home was full of happy memories and golden sunshine.  I think that’s why I always admired her cottage.

“Tea’s ready, Cat.”

“Okay.”

I’m Catherine.  Cat for short.  I used to beat up anyone who called me Catherine when I was young.  See, I was named after my great-aunt, and I never really liked her.  She always seemed to think I liked all the little sweaters and knee socks and stuff she knitted.  It was annoying.  I pretended for her so I wouldn’t hurt her feelings.  And her house smelled funny.  Kinda old and musty, like she hadn’t laughed in 30 years.  It was nothing like Mrs. McKettry’s home.

I wandered into the living room.  The fireplace had that wonderful country vintage look of old cracked paint and dried flowers in classic vases.  The fire was a lovely gold contrast to the ranting gray of the outdoors.  Mrs. McKettry settled herself in a plush chair next to the fire.  I ran a finger across all the old books she had on her packed bookshelves.  Stories of the great operas, Shakespeare, fairytales, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short works, the many lives of Caesar, Charlemagne, and the Crusades.  I had the world at my fingertips, both real and imaginary.  An old piano sat in a darkened corner near the window.  I knew the music would be Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Rain pattered on the roof.  I sat down next to my dear old friend.

“Anything change since you were here last?”

“Only me.”

“Ah.  Time has a way of doing that, no?”

“Yeah.  You know, I used to hate that a lot when I was little.  I never really noticed the passage of time, but when I did, it felt terrible.  I’d get this awful nauseous feeling in my stomach, and I found it hard to breathe.”

“You were a remarkable child.”

“Was I?”

“Most children just go with it, you know.  You…” Mrs. McKettry paused to sip her tea. “You relished being a child.  Not everyone does that.”

“Hm.” I blew on my tea.

“And have you found being an adult is just as terrible as you thought it would be?”

“You know what? No.  It’s not so bad.  I had a great childhood.  It would be wrong for me to try to extend it any further than it already has.  My dream is to give that great time to other children.”

“Yes.  Do it.  You know what I’ve noticed?  Childhood is the one time in our lives where dreams are our realities.  Everything is new and perfect to us, and we have no cares in the world because our parents will make everything okay.  That’s the joy of innocence.”

I thought on that for a while.  We both stared into the fire and watched as the flames told their stories.

“What made you realize adulthood isn’t quite a terror?” Mrs. McKettry had a twinkle in her eye.

“Well, I guess I realized this is where I can make my dreams come true.  I’ll have to work hard for a while, like everyone.  I don’t want anything handed to me on a silver platter.  But I figure that if I can manage to be responsible now, the rewards will be endless.  Optimism.  That’s what I’ve learned from this whole growing up thing.”

“Good.  Honey, I believe God taught you that one.  Optimism is a rare commodity in this day and age.  You’ll never be truly disappointed with that.  There’s always something new to learn from mistakes, yes?  And that’s the way life is.  Not everything is smooth sailing and rainbows.  You have to get your hands dirty sometimes.”

“Mmm.” The tea was nice and strong.  I felt myself melting into my chair.  Rain continued to batter the roof for what felt like hours.  The flames gave way to soft glimmering of charcoal.  Soon I heard a faint pattering of small droplets being shed from trees over the cottage roof.  Several sunrays managed to escape the clouds.  In my dreams-or was it real?-I saw streaks of gold and rose hit the ocean water.  All was calm and smooth and the air was sweet from that pure summer rain.

Suddenly I felt a jolt.  I jumped up and glanced at the old Victorian clock.

“5:00! Oh my gosh!”

“Something wrong, Cat?”

“I lost track of time again!”

Mrs. McKettry laughed.  “You have a gift for that, for sure.”

“I’ll see you soon!”

“Bye, girlie.  Send my love to your folks.”

I have my chemistry regents tomorrow.  It needs to be done already.  I have struggled with it all year, and I cannot think of a better way to officially stick it to the science department and shout, “See?! I’m through with your stupid formulas! Just give me my freakin credits!”  After this year, I’ll be done with science, hopefully for good.  Sheesh.  I cannot even begin to say how doing chemistry this year has been one painful gauntlet run.  I am passing tomorrow.  There is no other alternative.

So Chemistry?  Meet me in the cafeteria tomorrow at 11:45.  It’s going down, son.

I had a perfect night last week.  I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.

Around 7ish, my two friends, Rachel and Megan, treated me to an evening at Java’s downtown.  It was lovely.  While slurping on our “Chocolate Sitches,” Megan and I solved the world’s problems while Rachel stared adoringly at her chocolate mousse.  We sat outside to enjoy the classy atmosphere, and what a lucky bunch we were, ’cause some 20-somethings sat down with a couple of guitars and some spoons to play old Beatles songs.

Amongst beautiful buildings, a gorgeous sunset, and a “modern” statue (apparently it was supposed to be a pharoah), we talked about Europe, college, and how stupid guys are.  The best part was, I didn’t really have a curfew.  So as Megan took us to Family Video, we had a deep discussion on the way about Christianity, ministering to friends, and how we’ve grown in our walk with Christ.  Then we went back to Megan’s to watch P.S. I Love You. It was great, like aloe on a sunburn.

Sometime this month we’re going to see Pride and Prejudice on stage.  I’m excited!

This afternoon has been one of deep thinking.  Asking if mom was comfortable being with grandma everyday.  Discovering that home with grandma was where she wanted to be.  Finding that, until this year, I have never known what real and absolute Love was, and once it was revealed to me, it was almost too vivid for my mind to understand.  My heart knew it well, but it made me realize why we are imperfect.  Why it was meant to be that human mortals must be so incomplete: to discover Who completes us.  And His grace really is sufficient for us.  I know that now.

Wondering about the uncanny connection between dying stars and grandma’s leukemia.  She was once bright and full of light, energy.  Hope.  She too was a young girl with all the desires and dreams that I drift on now, but she has lived her life, and she has seen her kids have kids, and those kids have kids.  She has known joy so complete, has loved with all her heart, has somehow obtained the strength to worry about things she can’t control for another day.  As she matured, her light grew brighter.  And now, as it wavers and dims, she is saying, “see you later” with a couple of air kisses and a wink.  There is not a day that meanders by that I don’t marvel at grandma’s strength.  It is truely God given.  Soon her light will go out, but no matter, because the place she goes before us all is a place that needs no stars, no sun, no moon for light.  There is One who shines brighter than we could ever imagine.  And His light will never go out.

Realizing that as much as we enjoy the beauty of life, death must be appreciated as well.  There is no sting to it left, there is no bite.  God has revealed it to be a remarkable, breathtaking experience.  When that last breath is breathed, and our souls reach for the Hand that made us…when that faint line between our world and the next is crossed…when all that has made us incomplete is left behind.  When life goes on, but in our hearts we still hold a spot for that loved one.  When we ask, “Why?” and discover His promise to us all over again, when we can “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Then the world turns, and we blink, and the years rush by.  Pain, joy, suffering, love, peace, and hope.  We will know them all.  And yet that which was made to break us can only make us stronger.  What is the Valley of the Shadow?  Is it not a blessing in disguise?  A blessing to show us new things about ourselves that we never thought possible?

I am young and ignorant, but I do know this: this summer will be one that I have never known before.  On this bridge that I have already crossed, that I’m still crossing…the final bridge between childhood and adulthood.  It hasn’t been easy, and I haven’t expected it to be, but what are challenges that weren’t meant to teach us all something?

There are days when I get ancy and melancholy all at once, and I have to leave the house to walk by myself to think things through.  There are still more when I go into my room and close the door, appreciating a quiet time with myself and God.  Often times, I tend to get lost in my own world at school, watching my peers focus on themselves instead of caring for others.  That was the first thing I noticed since discovering grandma’s sickness.  Even when there are so many who are hurting and begging for acceptence, so many kids in my school cast them aside, or use them for the front of their jokes.  Few and far between are the times I will ever hear laughter that has not come from belittling another.  And, as I watch the self-absorbed girls around me in my Spanish class, I marvel at their consistency for disrespect.  I wonder about their lives, their relationships with their parents, what made them this way.  One morning I was full of teenage angst, and my mom and I had a heated discussion on the way to my school.  I felt so terrible throughout the day, I texted an apology.  I had no right to think of myself before her or anyone else.  Especially not now.

And so I get up in the morning and prepare myself for another long day at school.  Somehow, God has given me the grace and the strength to finish strong.  Sometimes I feel as though I am outside of myself, but that is to be expected right now.  I will fight the good fight, and finish the race, keeping my eyes on that prize.

I’ve been promising myself that I would grow out my hair, but with summer coming, I just plain don’t feel like it anymore.  I’m all set for sunshine, blue skies, and short hair!

What do you guys think about this new hairstyle?

I realize that her hair is thin and fine, but I thought that maybe I could get the same look if I got a loose perm.

If anyone has any other ideas, shout them out before Tuesday!

It’s done. The musical is done.

There is something so terribly wrong with this picture.

The production was fantastic. It was quite possibly the best that my high school has ever put on in many years. The voices, the acting, the lights…oh man! That was a show to see! I had so much fun backstage playing pranks on my stage manager and plotting with the crew. We actually almost duct taped a Crew Member Who Shall Remain Unnamed to a table and poured ice down his pants. He thought he was some great prankster. Trust me, he wasn’t. His ideas were dumb and missed the funny line by a mile. We never got to prank him because he pretty much ran away from the school after our failed attempt at capturing him.

Oh, and I got a very fancy, very fun headset. I could hear everything the stage manager was saying to people all over the auditorium over his mic. And there were quite a few times that I almost burst out laughing because he and someone else backstage were going at it.

But this…this beats all. Apparently it’s tradition that after the last performance, all the guy actors do a Boxer Run. They all strip down to their boxers and run around the halls in school. Luckily, we captured this moment for your enjoyment. *psst! The Boxer Run from last year’s production is also on YouTube, and has much better quality. The girl that runs past played Dorothy from our Wiz production, and the Tinman is her brother.*

Anyone see There Will Be Blood? I haven’t, but this is pretty funny.