My eyelids have a hint of silver in them right now.

So today was the first performance of the alternate cast of Lion. Well, not all of them. Just Franco as Peter and Inaki as Edmund. Heheheheh, for kicks, I brought my camera to the theater so I can keep taking pictures of the cast.

Nyak, when I went to the upstairs dressing rooms where I usually hang out before the show, Dan insisted that I stay a while so he could put some silver makeup on my eyes. I wanted to escape, but he managed to corner me and succeeded. Heheheheh, he did the same thing to Bing last week. But this time, he did it with a catlike tip at the corners, reminding Johann of eye makeup in Joseph the Dreamer. The silver makeup is Johann's, by the way, in case the people might think that we're wasting the makeup provided by Trumpets.

Franco made the biggest boo-boo near the middle of Act One this evening. After his quick change, he was a few seconds late to enter, and Criselle was already pulling him onstage. Instead of grabbing his flashlight, he grabbed his suitcase instead, and left it onstage before he entered Narnia through the wardrobe! A bunch of us were going crazy backstage, figuring out how to strike that darn suitcase. Good thing the tree spirits were there to save the day. ^_^

I'm getting addicted to those yummy mango floats that they sell in the lobby during shows. Last week, Jamie treated me to one after helping him with his makeup. Too bad I didn't get to have any today. I asked them to reserve me two mango floats tomorrow. Yum. ^_^

Chatting with Chinky about what we've been honestly feeling about YFC-CSB lately. We happened to feel the same way. Lucky for her that she already graduated from college.

Enough of that. Don't want to think any negative thoughts. Plus I gotta wash off this silver makeup off. Damn, Dan. You should've picked a color that's more easier to take off.

It's almost 2 in the morning and I'm online. Just needed to check my mail before I rest. I have to be in Meralco again tomorrow by noon. Arg.

Heheheheh, I got a free mango float today from Tito Bonggoy. He gave Bing, Carmen and me one each because he knew how much we loved it. Arg, I'm really getting addicted to them. I was wandering alone around the downstairs dressing rooms when he handed mine. When he said it was for me, I think I sounded like a little kid when I said, "Really? Thanks!" So he just said, "Hey, I'm Father Christmas! I always give gifts." Heeheehee.

I got to wear the headset on stage right for a while during Act Two. I was chatting with Bing and Tinay when I was called by Sir Shax, asking me to take over the headset for a while and make sure the backstage microphone is switched on and off at the right time. Arg, I forgot that just sitting there and wearing the headset while following the script gets old real fast. And you sometimes feel like you're going deaf with that headset on. I felt as if my ears were gonna fall off because of the weight of that darn headset. And I was told that we'll be stationed on either side next week. Arg. I wish I could handle the lapels instead. I may not be able to watch the show from there, but at least I get to talk with the cast.

I gotta get some sleep.

As of yesterday evening, a huge pink teddy bear has moved into my room with me.

Heheheheh, it was from Ari and the twin debutantes, Cha and Che. The twins had their surprise debut party in Subic this weekend, and Ari liked the bear so much that he asked them if he could have it to give to me. So sweet. ^_^

So when I picked it up from school yesterday, I was so shocked to see how big it was. And now Iella (Ari named her) is taking up half the space of my sofa bed when it's folded up.

And I haven't given Cha and Che birthday presents yet. I gotta figure out something.

I'm meeting Ed today! This is actually the first time I'll be seeing him since he arrived in Manila. He owes me a free lunch/dinner to an Italian restaurant, so he's treating me to Bravo Cafe later. Heeheehee.

It's good to be leaving school early for a change. I'm sick of hanging out in the YFC cubicle lately these days. Most of the girls are being downright rude. And they call themselves YFCs.

I gotta go. TECTHE1 class starts in 10 minutes.

Classes were suspended the moment I got dismissed from TECTHE1 class. We spent an hour and a half discussing lighting controls, and after a 15-minute break, we just talked about careers in theater. Sir Jay even asked what each of us wanted in technical theater. I just told him that I like theater, both onstage and off, because it's not something I consider work. So Sir Jay said, "Good for you. Hope you'll go far." Wow, it was very flattering, considering I had the highest midterm grade in his class so far. ^_^

So I met up with Ed today in Festival Mall. Man, he got bigger. Well, not really that fat, just bigger. He said it's because of the bigger servings of food that they have in Canada. Oh well. So anyway, we went to Bravo Cafe to eat. Heheheheh, when we got there, no one else was around so we thought it was closed. I guess hardly anyone eats there. But hey, try their pizzas. They're really paper thin and yummy. We ordered the Mediterranea pizza, which was kinda salty (my mom would kill me), but it was still really good.

Heheheheh, when I went to my room the moment I got home, I saw Iella, seated in my chair, and she was facing the door so she was the first thing I saw when I entered. The crazy things my mom would do when she "checks" my room.

Just had dinner. Wow, it feels really weird to come straight home from school when the sun is still out or just setting.

Our make-up class in TECTHE1 yesterday was held at the Star Theater in Star City, near CCP. I went there with Allie and Kathy, and we met up with Sir Jay inside the theater. When we got there, he first introduced me to Sir Jim, who works with him on the lights. Why did he introduced me first? Sir Jim worked for Trumpets before. He was involved in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe during its first 2 runs. Plus, he was the one who did the lights for my first Playshop showcase. He even recalled that it was held in DLSZ that year, and we did "Magic To Do" as a finale complete with white gloves studded with sequins, and black lights.

Anyway, Sir Jim took us up to the tech booth, where we got to see the real thing about how hard patch and soft patch lighting works. We even got to see some of the kinds of PAR lights, and Sir Jay taught us how to work the follow-spot. Heheheheh, he made us operate it one by one, and it was actually pretty fun. I was pretty wobbly at first, and the part near the center of the whole thing was pretty hot, but I got the hang of it.

Wow, I almost forgot that Sir Shax might be letting me take over the headset in the show tomorrow. Oh no, no more hanging around with the cast when there's nothing to do. I hope he'll rotate the work.

Heheheheh, there's a bazaar in school this week held by one of the school orgs. They're selling stuff from jewelry, bags, notebooks, organizers, to even food. Macy and I had a blast looking around this afternoon. I bought a yellow organizer from there last Tuesday, and Macy bought this sleek black one this afternoon. Actually, she was only after the organizer fillers rather than the cover. I liked the black one, coz there was a wallet feature inside, so Macy let me have the black organizer so I could switch the fillers and she'll have my yellow one. Then I found this pair of silver rings that I wanted to get for Ari and me. Heheheheh, I ended up buying it. ^_^

I wanna watch Lilo & Stitch.

I got home around 20 minutes ago. I got to hitch a ride with Sundee, the photographer, because Dein's sleeping over in Ortigas, and Jamie went out to dinner with his dad (who arrived in Manila yesterday) and Tita Menchu. Good thing I found out that Sundee also lives in the South.

MMMmmm...I just finished a bowl of mango float that I brought home from Meralco. ^_^

Chevy played Peter during the evening show tonight. Wow, I have to say, he's much better than either Franco or Paolo. Even Paolo knows that Chev's better (than Franco, anyway). Everyone was making a fuss out of him being Peter, because he's a really good performer. Plus he already knows the story and played Edmund before. All of us kept trying to catch glimpses of him onstage. Wow, I wish I could perform that well.

Heheheheh, oh yeah, and it was weird to see Paolo in the squirrel and tree spirit costumes. Good thing Chev coached him on how to be a tree spirit during the matinee show. I kept getting confused why the tree spirit with the squirrel make-up got shorter. Heheheheh, and Paolo complained in mock jealousy about how we were all making a fuss about Chevy's performance backstage during the opeing number. And Patrick and I even played a joke on him, passing by the Peter/Edmund dressing room while Paolo and his girlfriend were in there, and we were talking loudly that Chevy was a much better Peter than he is. Good thing he knew we weren't doing it on purpose.

Aw, Carmen got to wear the stage left headset today. I wonder when will Dobi let me have my turn? She asked me during Act 2 about it, and I said that I wanted to.

Hmmm...Bing just broke up with her boyfriend of 3 years. Yikes, no wonder she was acting so down lately. And she said that she hasn't been eating. Eep, depression stage. I've been through that. Don't wanna go through that anymore.

Okie, another weekend over. Time to return to the real world. Well, at least for a few days.

Heheheheh, right now, a script of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is on my bed. I sure hope it's for me to keep. I don't want to use up my money just to photocopy the script for next weekend.

So how on earth did I get a script? I was hanging around behind Dobi at stage right a few minutes before the show started, and she told me that she was going to let me have my turn at the headset next week. She handed me a copy of the script to study, as well as the running list* for stage right. I brought the script and list back to the make-up room and studied them when I wasn't doing anything. It was pretty simple. Stuff like switching the backstage microphone on and off, torching** the actors, and keeping certain hand props. I can't wait.

Patrick made a T-shirt design for the show and wore it last Friday. He gave free shirts to Tito Audie, Tita Menchu and Tita Carla. He had a design for the lion as well as for the witch, and he started taking orders from anyone who wanted it. Heheheheh, I ordered one lion shirt and one witch shirt, but unfortunately he didn't have any black baby tees. Oh well. On the other hand, Joey was taking lion jacket orders. I was dying to get a jacket too, because for this run, it has a while new design, as well as our own names embroidered on them. Despite my envy that the people I was working with were earning money, I wrote my name on the list of jacket orders. Nyak. ^_^

* running list = a list of things that the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager) and/or ASM (Assistant Stage Manager) has to do during the duration of the show.
** torching = lighting the way the actors go backstage

After starting this day out with a low note, everything followed downhill.

When I entered my room the moment I got home, I realized how much comfort a huge pink stuffed bear like Iella could give me at my lowest point. She was the only one who gave me the best hug today. The Bitches let me feel more isolated than ever. At least Macy made me laugh today.

Suddenly I'm not in the mood to do anything. I guess I'll just stay in my room all evening.

I'm in the iNook right now. I haven't gone to the YFC cubicle today, except during university break when no one was around. I left my bag there yesterday because it was too heavy to bring (the only thing I brought home yesterday was my clear case). I didn't go to the prayer meeting today because for some strange reason, I wasn't in the mood to go. Probably because of the people. And the org's pictorial for the yearbook was during today's prayer meeting. I didn't go. I'm not getting the yearbook anyway, so why bother? And most of the Bitches will be there anyway, so I wouldn't want to spoil their moment in the spotlight. Sheesh, vanity.

Arg. When I went to the cubicle to get my bag, I realized that it was missing something. The purple latch that I use to keep the bag zippers together was missing, and when I looked inside, the 2 Parker pens inside my pencil case were gone as well. And to think that my bag was hidden behind the green curtain under the cubicle's counter table. Someone really has been coming there just to steal stuff. It happened before to Marie Vee. A month and a half ago, she left Zard's video camera in there, and when she came back after the weekend, it was gone. Jeez. It was such a relief that I thought about bringing my organizer home instead of leaving it there, because I keep most of my money in it. Good thing both my Parker pens are broken and ran out of ink. Dumb klepto.

Does anyone have a spare LJ code lying around for my friend to use? I'd gladly appreciate it. Just send me an email.

This week's Friday Five.

1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not?
I'm a student/theater apprentice right now, and I'm enjoying both pretty much. The biggest challenge is trying to juggle them both along with the rest of my life, which I haven't figured out yet. Yup, this is my decision, and I'm loving every moment of it.

2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be?
I'd still be in theater, both onstage and off.

3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices?
My mom was a teacher, and my dad was an engineer for an airline. Nope, not really. My career choice is so different from the rest of my family's that they never seem to understand it at all.

4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family?
Sort of. Maybe my love life and my career-in-the-making. My boyfriend is convinced that I always put theater first ahead of him.

5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why?
I have no idea. There really is no easy or hard job, in my opinion, because if you love your work, it's pretty easy, and if it's otherwise, it's tough.

Anyhoo.

So I was stationed at the stage right headset tonight. Plus I still had to do the curtains and the snow. It was OK. Dobi was always there to talk me through everything, from cueing the actors to listening to Sir Edmu's instructions. Arg, next time, I won't wear my glasses when I'm wearing the headset. I enjoyed it even though I was standing the whole time I was there, with the feeling of being in charge at that place.

I'm too tired to think of a subject title.

Whee, I got to be at the headset during the whole matinee show this (yesterday?) afternoon, while Dobi took over my curtains and snow pulling. Only problem was that after the intermission, the power pack dropped to the floor, so I couldn't talk back when Sir Edmu was calling out cues and stuff. Good thing I could still hear everything.

Heeheehee, we have our own thread in PinoyExchange. Goody. Chev and I even want to print it out for the cast and crew to see the comments posted there.

Oh yeah, Patrick brought our shirts today. Whee, I got a yellow Lion shirt and a blue Witch shirt. Hmmm, I didn't know Patrick made a Wardrobe shirt. Oh well, enough spending. I'm saving my money for the jacket.

Tito Bonggoy wandered into the make-up room before the evening show with a Lion pillow that they were selling in the lobby. When I saw it, I said that I thought they looked cute, and I was planning on getting one for myself. Then suddenly Tito Bonggoy handed the pillow to me! Wow, thanks again, Father Christmas!

Arg, starting tomorrow (today?) there'll be two shows on Sundays. Oh no! I need sleep! And I have to be in Meralco tomrorrow by 10 am for a make-up class with Sir Shax. I gotta hit the sack right now.

Oh yeah, before I go, welcome to LJ, !

Currently feeling: tired

I'm supposed to be catching up on my sleep right now, but I can't resist going online to check my mail and stuff.

Ari was in a lousy mood today. He got shot down by one of his teachers when he was defending his paper, so he has this huge feeling that he's going to fail that class and get delayed a year. We were in Liy Ming at noon so I can have lunch (he had lunch while waiting for my DANFORM class to end), and while I was waiting for my food, he told me all about it and ended it by saying that he felt like crying. And then he rested his head on his arms on the table while I held his hands. And then I was surprised to find out that by the way his shoulders were shaking that he was actually crying. I've never seen him cry before. I've always known him to be the stronger one of us, and here he was, crying. I felt like crying myself, but at the same time, I didn't want to so I can comfort him.

Good thing I got to make him smile after that.

I feel as if my head is stuffed with cotton. Yep, I had a feeling yesterday that I'd be sick today. If I had a sore throat the day before, that's a sure sign for me that I'd be sick the next day. So now, I have a sore throat, a cold, and a fever. Arg..

I'll go lie down. I'm not in the mood to write.

I'm just bored.

Had my first final exam today. HISART1. Arg. Miss Dayang insisted on covering everything from the pre-historic era to Gothic. So we all had to dig up our old notes from before our midterms. Waheheheheh, we were all begging her to keep the test an open-notes one, but she didn't want to. We had an open-notes midterm test, and she said that she was disappointed in some of the grades, so she didn't want that to happen again. Arg. I had a pretty high grade on the midterms, and so did most of the people I knew, so who's to blame? The slackers in the back? Jeez. Irresponsible people.

I didn't know that Ari was staying in school late again today, so I waited for him until 6 in the evening. He never said anything, so I left after that. Arg. When I was on my way to the stairs, I ran into Edward. Another arg. The last person I wanted to talk to. Usually he's always off bragging about something. And another reason I've been avoiding him is that he tried to seduce me in his car 2 years ago when I was at my most vulnerable time. But yesterday, he sounded almost human. The first thing he said was that his best friend Mateo misses me already. And that Mat is running his own business now. And when I said that I had to go, he said "Ingat, ha?" ("Take care, OK?")

Yeah, right, as if he had drastic permanent changes.

Oh yeah, before that, I was just walking around the hallways trying to digest the late lunch I had when I found myself in the 4th floor of the Benilde wing. Then I remembered that Menchu's class is on the floor and wing at that time. Waheheheheh, I stood outside the door until she noticed I was there. She looked so serious even if she wasn't doing anything important. When I first spotted her, she was just fiddling with her phone while her students were all huddled in small groups, lost in thought.

Weird, I had a strange craving for Subway sandwiches at lunch today. But since I didn't want to spend too much, I had to settle for a McDonalds cheeseburger instead. Arg, I'm so sick of fast foods. I miss my mom's veggie salads. Hmmm...I wonder if Macy will bring lunch for me tomorrow? Yesterday, she brought a container of pasta and 2 bowls of her special fried rice (yesterday had beef, carrots, and scrambled eggs). She loves cooking for us, and always remembers to bring a separate bowl for me and Me-Anne to share. Nyak, and just now, I remembered that Macy's sleeping over at Kristine's house along with Let so they could prepare for their thesis defense tomorrow. Oh well.

I wonder how my sweetie's doing with his finals?

My phone is pretty quiet today. I haven't received a message from Ari all day. Then when I checked my phone during the intermission break of Lion tonight, he sent me a message through his dad's phone, saying that his phone is missing. I don't know whether someone stole it from his stuff or he just misplaced it. Man, I feel as if I lost my phone too.

It seems that a lot of people got sick this week. Dobi, who told me she wasn't feeling that OK, let me take over the stage right headset during Act One. Since Sir Shax wasn't there that time, she had to fill in for his cue to drop the snow during the Entry to Narnia scene. I didn't realize that she was doing that, and when I realized what was happening, I had flung off the headset and rushed to the curtain ropes for the wardrobe. Good thing I was able to make it in time for the wardrobe to come in. I didn't have time to put on my gloves, but what the heck.

Nyak, then during intermission I had things to worry about. First was Ari's phone, and then my ride home. Tita Menchu wasn't playing the Witch, so I first approached Jamie. He said that he was going to Makati, so I asked Sundee. Nyak, he was going elsewhere as well, so I had to find Dein after the show and ask him how he was going to get home. As it turns out, he was going to a party. Oh well, three strikes and you're out. Then I told Bea, the spinner, about my transpo problem. She started thinking of people who lived in the South area. We asked Jun O, who lives in Paranaque, but then I realized I lived pretty out of the way. Then I saw Chevy, who also had no idea how we were going home. Fortunately we found Alex, who watched the show with her mom, siblings (except Sam) and best friend Jacqui. She gave both of us a ride to ATC.

Time to get some shut-eye. Good night, world.