Good things always come.
Posted by tymeless at 02:33 PM on February 6, 2012.
My voice is finally back! And I'm not coughing like crazy anymore, but I'm still taking the prescribed medication that the EENT gave me last week. I was in a crazy, unproductive rut when I'm at home, so even though I was "sentenced" to vocal rest, I was still excited to go back to work in CCP, even if it meant that I had to use my voice.
On the first day of my week's worth of vocal rest, I got a text from Anna, asking me if I wanted to be an assistant stage manager for some production, as her boyfriend Acey's already one of the 2 ASMs. I asked what show it was, and for the schedule, and as it turned out, it was Hendri's production of Children's Letters to God! I've been hearing about this since December, and they're doing a few shows in Cebu and Dumaguete. I said I wanted to, but I needed to know about the entire schedule. After my text exchange with Anna, I found Hendri online on Facebook, and he talked it out with me. Considering it was a good project with great timing on my part, I accepted the job. Plus it has the perks of working with people I love and/or wanted to work with, plus I get to travel to Cebu again!
Hendri had told me to contact Dingdong, who's the stage manager for this production. I was told that I could pick up the script from him at Onstage during Next Fall's closing weekend. I ended up going there yesterday, it's closing show. I wasn't really planning on watching the play; I just wanted to pick up the script, then head over to CCP to meet up with Carlo and Micah, as Carlo's in Manila this weekend to watch Eyeball and Mamma Mia. I ended up staying because Dingdong said that he'll give me the script during intermission, hahaha.
Next Fall was pretty good. It tackled a gay couple's issues about their differences, most especially in religion. They were witty, they were sincere, they made me laugh and even cry at the end. It even highlighted a play that I did as a workshop recital (Thornton Wilder's Our Town), so I felt nostalgic as well. Overall, I was so glad I got to watch it during their closing show, so super thanks to Dingdong for that.
After the show, I headed over to CCP to meet up with Carlo, Micah and hopefully even EmJ. Eyeball's Set A had been over for about an hour when I arrived, but I found Jelson at the Little Theater lobby. As I was still waiting for Carlo and company, Jelson invited me to join him and some others (Pam, Erick, Tad, Riki and Lao) at Jollibee for dinner. I went along with him, even though I had already eaten during the cab ride from Makati to CCP. So I ended up sitting there with them, then we started walking to Starbucks. On our way to Starbucks, we even stopped at one of the tiangge stalls and looked at some toys, when some little kid took Jelson's hand, thinking he was holding his dad's hand. Hahaha, it amused us for a bit until the poor kid got shocked when he realized that Jelson wasn't his dad.
After settling at a table in Starbucks, Micah appeared, and I got a text from Carlo at the same time. I joined the siblings instead at a different table after getting our drinks, and EmJ had appeared as well to say hi for a bit. Chatted for a while until they decided to head over to the Main Theater, so I bid my goodbyes to the TP crowd. Riki had even asked if I was watching Mamma Mia with them, and I simply quipped that I might hang around in case there would be a freebie.
Said hello to Tin (who was working the entire floor selling souvenir programs and CDs) in the Main Theater lobby, and we talked and joked around until we heard the 5-minute chimes go off. When the crowd had dispersed, I hung around a bit by the merchandise booth with Tin, Noeme, Chewy and the others there.
While they were on break, Sir Ernie had appeared, and asked who wanted to watch. Of course, I had to smile and said that I'd want to. He rummaged through his bag and gave me an orchestra ticket! Super thank you, Sir Ernie! It was on row V (second to the last row), and I had missed a couple of song numbers, but I didn't care. I was about to watch Mamma Mia! The usher then informed me that I would be seated in the nearest available seat, and I can transfer to my own seat by intermission, but I didn't mind. Heck, of course I didn't mind, because the ushers led me farther down... to the 4th row of the orchestra! Woohoo! I got to see the show way up close! I was all smiles the entire time. And when intermission rolled around, I left the theater for a while, and when no one still hadn't claimed that seat, I stayed instead of going far back to my actual seat, hahaha!
Watching the show, I remembered why I fell in love with musical theater. The songs, the dancing, the heart and passion of the actors as they performed. And because I grew up singing to ABBA's songs as a kid (imagine a 6-year-old me singing to "Chiquitita" and "Fernando" at least once a day whenever my parents played it on the stereo), I enjoyed all of the songs. I wanted to sing and dance along with all of them. Everyone in the cast, from the leads to the chorus, were A-mazing. I loved their energy. I'm so grateful that I got to watch it, and super up close!
I love how things always turn up pretty well after a lousy rut. And I'm truly grateful for things like that.
Here's a random thought while I was watching the show last night. I remember a time when I was pretty happy and content with my life. Never mind that I didn't have a significant other, and I wasn't bothered by the fact that I didn't have a boyfriend, not even dating anyone. I was perfectly content with the way things were going then. I want to go back to that disposition. I can't wait. I know this is blind optimism, but I don't care. Unconventional happiness, good vibes are still good vibes.
Here goes another week of this.
Posted by tymeless at 03:45 PM on February 1, 2012.
I was supposed to be back working in the office yesterday. That didn't really happen.
I was already set to go to work, unfortunately, I couldn't sleep the night before. I don't know whether it was in the tea I drank the day before or the cheesecake, but I couldn't sleep. I ended up just surfing the net before I had to get ready for work. I just decided to catch up on my sleep after my shift, and maybe catch at least a half hour of sleep in the lounge once I get to the office.
Unfortunately, I was still coughing like crazy when I tried to sleep in the lounge. No sleep at all. Ended up having breakfast with Tin and catching up, then it was time to clock in. It was crazy. One hour of calls, and I was still coughing after every one of them, causing me to pause after every call I had, costing me so much idle time. I was caught pausing before saying anything during my actual calls, as I was being monitored almost the whole time (because I didn't come in to work for quite a long while). I ended up going to the clinic, and I was advised by the doctor to just go home and not work that day, and consult an EENT doctor.
I was told to go to the place where we had our first physical checkup, because the doctor in the clinic had said that there was no EENT available in Patient First that morning. I decided to take a risk and check out Patient First. If there's no EENT, I'll either just wait until the afternoon, maybe doze off in the lounge for a while, or ask for a schedule of doctors, before I head on over to Makati Med.
Fortunately, I found out in Patient First that an EENT was coming in by mid-morning. So I just sat there in the waiting area until the doctor arrived.
During the first part of the consultation, the doctor was taking out some stuff from his bag, and I noticed this apparatus nearest to me on the table, and attached to a tube was this sort of appendage with a light. I had no idea what it was for, but I found out real soon. After the initial consultation, and checking the back of my tongue, the doctor wanted to check my throat to see what was wrong, why my voice was still hoarse and why I still had this darn cough. He sprayed some lidocaine on my tongue, causing it to numb, then stuck that long apparatus with the light thing down my throat and asked me to say the letter E. It felt pretty weird having a numb tongue and having that thing down my throat. Ew.
So anyway, I was given more medication, and one more week of vocal rest. Darn it, I won't be earning anything again in the office for another week. Oh no. And I have 2 shows this weekend. Hopefully I'll rest well while I'm not working, and minimal talking during the shows.
But so far, after a day of medication, I feel much better. Can't wait until this one week sentence is over.
Vocal rest, day 3. On old children's books.
Posted by tymeless at 08:29 PM on January 27, 2012.
I had opted to just stay home during my 3-day period of vocal rest. Any attempt to go out would tempt me to speak, so I chose to be a bum.
I was already bored out of my mind yesterday afternoon, when I remembered this dream I had a couple of nights ago, of my re-reading some of my old children's storybooks. I even remembered the story ("The Old Lady's Bedroom") that I was reading because of its distinct imagery.
Then I realized, I missed those pretty stories. I have huge imagination when it came to those stories that I've read before.
So on a whim, I went to our little library that housed our old collection of various encyclopedias (yes, we were nerds as kids), and picked out a few books from the Collier's Junior Classics. Hardbound books in different bright colors, each settling on a particular theme (kids' poetry, fantasy stories, stories based on holidays, mythology, American classic tales, etc.)
Favorites among the ones I read again yesterday were:
Magic In The Air
In Your Own Backyard
- A Friend in Need
- The Yellow Shop
- The Hundred Dresses
- The Girl in Pink
Harvest of Holidays
- The Valentine Box
- The Country Bunny and The Little Gold Shoes
- The Blue-Nosed Witch
- The Water Nixie
- The Library Lady
- Rufus M
- Miss Flora McFlimsey's Christmas Eve
It was so great to visit these stories again. As a kid, every time I read them, part of me can somehow relate to one of the characters. Like Princess Irene in "The Old Lady's Bedroom" because of her curiosity towards little things and finding out what was behind strange doors. Or the girl in "The Valentine Box" because she was quite a wallflower. Plus the there's also the thrill the girls have about every trip to the library in "The Library Lady" because, believe it or not, I love going to the library (and was even in the Library Club for a year back in grade school).
I also loved the different illustrations for every story. Some of the stories had been illustrated with ink and pen, but my favorites were the watercolored ones (especially in "The Hundred Dresses" and in "Miss Flora McFlimsey's Christmas Eve"). Man, I suddenly miss painting in watercolor. I really should try getting back to that when I have free time.
It's such a delight to read these books again. I missed reading, and I love how it feels just curled up with a good book. Too many technology in the way these days.
In other news, I finally got a massage this afternoon. My mom had called in the lady who used to come in for home services, and Carmen did quite well on my once swollen foot before that it's high time to try out her full body massage. Besides, I know I have huge knots on my shoulders after lugging my huge laptop to rehearsals for over a week. And damn, the massage felt good. The huge knot on my left shoulder was pretty tough and painful, but Carmen worked wonders. It was totally worth it.
So this is my last day of vocal rest. I was actually thinking about taking a volunteer shift at the office tomorrow morning, but I don't want to push it just yet. Maybe I'll give my voice another day to rest. And yes, I guess that means I won't be auditioning for Cinemalaya tomorrow. But hey, it's the weekend, anyway.
On vocal rest.
Posted by tymeless at 03:37 PM on January 26, 2012.
After 2 weeks of not going to my morning part-time job to focus on our Eyeball set, I went back to work last Tuesday, only to find myself losing my voice by the hour as I barreled through my calls. I had a migraine last Saturday until Sunday, and also caught a cold and cough from someone (I think it was one of our actors) in the process. By the time my Tuesday morning shift had ended, I had a full-blown cough and only half of what remained of my voice.
I rested my voice by the time I got home in the afternoon (though I mingled a bit in the CCP Main Theater lobby before the first Mamma Mia! show began), and hoped that my voice would be better by the next morning.
Wednesday morning, I discovered that my voice was worse, so before even starting my shift, I headed to the clinic, and the doctor gave me a clinic pass and some prescription medicine, and ordered me to 3 days of strict vocal rest. My goodness, looks like I won't be earning any money this month.
The last time I was on vocal rest was last year, when I was juggling both my part-time job and 3 school events, plus an acting workshop in the evenings. I didn't really follow the 3-day vocal rest period, as I needed to speak up during the workshop class, plus I was the stage manager for an event that happened on the day I was sent home from work, so it took a long while to recover. This time I'm following the rule to a T. I was told by the doctor that the ideal time for vocal rest was for 7 days, but 3 days would be enough already.
It's only the second day today, and I'm already bored. I used my phone, notepads and gestures here at home (it's harder to communicate with my dog, though), and just a while ago, I got hungry and had a craving for McDonald's. Going outside the village would mean speaking to a tricycle driver and the cashier at McDo (though I once used my phone to tell them my order during last year's vocal rest). Thank goodness for online delivery.
I also had to decline an offer to watch Rivalry's press preview tonight. As much as I'd want to, once again, commuting would mean speaking, plus I know that when I'm with friends, I WILL end up speaking, even just for a bit. I'd rather not risk temptation.
By the way, I just had to add this. While I was in the CCP Main Theater lobby the other day, I ran into one of my former professors in lighting design. I came up to him and said hi. Thank goodness he somewhat remembered me, and he asked how I was, what I've been up to. Then he said that we should keep in touch in case he needed someone to work at his events as stage manager. Oh, thank you, Sir! And this was the guy who gave me one of my memorable OJTs in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which was a pretty good experience and my first time ever to use a headset, as he wanted each of us to really learn the ropes.
So now that I'm done sending out a few emails, now what am I gonna do?
And you, dear reader of this blog, how are you? I'd like to hear from you, so please leave comments and make this temporarily mute girl happy.
Eyeball Set B's opening weekend, plus Katy Perry's concert.
Posted by tymeless at 02:35 PM on January 23, 2012.
I haven't blogged in two weeks! And the whole time I haven't been blogging, I've just been busy with rehearsals for our set (Set B: Isang Araw sa Karnabal and Maliw) for TP's Eyeball.
I took a couple of weeks leave from my part-time job to focus on the show. The work's not really all that heavy, but of course, I don't want to have to stress myself out just because I lack sleep. Thank goodness this prod isn't as crazy and hectic as my last one, and I love the people involved. I even got to watch Set A during their first weekend. And even better, I managed to do Zumba a few times before our rehearsals officially started, as I brought my laptop practically every day to rehearsals.
Anyway, when I watched Set A during their Saturday show, I have to admit that I liked Doc Resureccion when it was still staged in Batute. Back in Batute, you can actually feel and somewhat think that you can smell the stench of Boy Pogi's place. It didn't feel the same when they moved it to the Little Theater. Anyway, I still have to commend the performances of most of the actors in this particular set, especially the 2 leads of Doc. Tita Sherry (who also plays Mommy in Maliw) was also refreshing to watch as Mang. Pam was hilarious as the Babae in Oberpas, but I have yet to watch Minay (who alternates with Rayna) as the Tindera. I heard that she was awesome and pretty natural.
Our set opened this past Friday without a hitch. I was so glad about that. By Saturday night, while I was having dinner with Nikki after our evening show, I was beginning to feel a little off. By Sunday morning, I had a little migraine, but I didn't want it to spoil my day. Thank goodness we pulled an entire weekend of shows pretty well.
Sometime in the past week, during one evening rehearsal, my phone started ringing, and the number that registered was a landline. Considering I was still in rehearsal, I didn't answer the call. When I got home late that night, my mom said that someone from my office had called, telling me that I won tickets to Katy Perry's concert on Sunday (yesterday). Anyway, to be perfectly honest, I'm not really a fan of concerts, because I hate crowds and hearing crazy high-pitched-screaming girls. But heck, I haven't been to a concert in years, and Katy Perry seems like a big deal, so I decided to go for it, even though we had to strike all our stuff from the theater.
I gave Tin the 2nd ticket to the concert, and we just decided to meet up at MOA because she was coming all the way from Nuvali. Cellphone reception was crazy as I got closer to the concert venue. All my messages started to lag, so I had to rely on phone calls, until eventually, I couldn't reach people who were already inside the venue due to the crazy network connections. Thank goodness Tin had decided that we meet somewhere that wasn't too close to the venue, otherwise we wouldn't have seen each other. Grabbed dinner at Yoshinoya (because there was a super duper long wait list at Bon Chon) then just hung out at the fringes of the concert venue because we knew that the show will start about an hour late. After attempting to go inside the venue once then having our tickets stamped, we ended up just outside, just taking photos and videos of our craziness and even befriended an adorable 3-month-old Siberian Husky puppy named Kiara.
When people inside the venue started cheering, we went back inside. False alarm. Nothing was happening yet. We decided to just stay inside and entertain ourselves with the tweets that were being projected on the screen. Haha, we alternately read them out loud with feelings.
Then show began at around 10pm, and we had positioned ourselves near one of the big screens because we couldn't really get a good view of the entire stage, what with the taller (and more fanatic) kids and all. Unfortunately we ended up standing in front of 2 crazy girls who would relentlessly scream in our ears. Even though I glanced at them a couple of times, I overheard one of them say "Pakialam ba ng iba?" Oh dear, maswerte na lang siya na maganda ang mood ko that night, otherwise I would've pushed her back and under the scaffolding where the projector was. What was funny was that when she overheard Tin's Nikki Minaj joke, they laughed along and shared the joke as well. For that, my visions of retaliation lessened. Instead of discreetly pushing her back to the scaffolds, I silently let a deadly one out in her direction.
Anyway, Katy Perry herself was awesome, gorgeous and awesome! I love her performance, her costumes, and especially that quick change sequence. The boy-kissing felt kind of off, because the guy seemed to look so full of himself (no offense to anyone who knows him, it just looked that way to me).
The concert was only about an hour and a half long, but watching and hearing Katy Perry live was totally worth it. By the time we got out of the venue, it took a long while before we managed to contact people again. Tin finally managed to get hold of her cousins, while I ended up meeting with Erik and a couple of his friends.
Now I get a day of rest. Finally. Then back to work early tomorrow morning.
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