School Registration

 Today I FINALLY headed over to school for registration and a brief intro. It was so weird being in that new school situation again. We're all standing around awkwardly waiting to be told what to do. You will be sitting next to someone in an auditorium situation, waiting for further direction, and you sort of look around awkwardly knowing that the person next to you is doing the same. So who speaks first? If we happen to make eye contact, then I will say something. Ugh meeting new people...so not easy. I met a few people but spent most of the morning with an American. Go figure. There are only 35 people in my program and even that will be broken into two and I will end up with about 17 in my class but most of it will be made up of internships.

APPLIED THEATRE

For those of you who don't know I am studying a specific type of theatre called "Applied Theatre." I say educational theatre to make it easier when telling people what I'm studying, but it's a lot more than simply teaching theatre and drama. An example of Applied Theatre would be that of using theatre to educate or to give a voice to an oppressed community. There are countless ways to use this form of theatre. My year will consist of discovering how I can use the power of theatre to educate and in what field I can use this skill. I'm seeking my career that excites me every single day. I have a passion for other fields but this is one of them as well and I'm looking to see where it brings me. I'm looking forward to sharing that journey through my blog with my placements. I'm telling you now that I so desperately want to not only work in a school but on a larger level of working in the educational programming department of the BBC or The Royal Shakespeare Company. I would love to experience the large and small of this field. And that is a little bit of insight into my program.

BARTENDING

I just want to keep updating you on my miserable bartending skills. Last night was the test of the Shandy and the Tops. Again, lemonade here is sort of a lemon lime soda. A Shandy, which I don't is a thing in a America, is a pint of half beer half lemonade. While Tops is a pint of beer with a little lemonade at the top. Well when this group of 20 from a local business came in after work and started ordering Shandies and Tops...I looked at them trying to remember what Matt had taught me. I didn't realize I must have been staring at them for a good 20 seconds trying to recall...looking like an idiot. They totally called me out on it AND criticized my technique of failing to put the lemonade in first. I was SO embarrassed. I've seriously been trying to play this whole bartender thing cool. I'm a total newb. Sort of comical. Oh ya and I also had a bunch of 14 year old boys hitting on me while the receptionist had every ADULT man who walked in giving her their number. I'm so cool.

SAD DAY FOR APPLE

It was a sad today when we found out that Steve Jobs had passed away. He was an incredible innovator and has brought so much to the world of technology. He has actually dominated the technological world and is an amazing business man. My dad taught me a lot about Steve Jobs as a business man and innovator. I spoke to my dad tonight about the loss and I just wanted to quickly end this blog post with an inspirational old commercial Steve created but was never aired that my dad told me to watch. Steve was one of those great people in history that took risks and for that he will always be remembered. Thank you Steve. Signing off from my Apple MacBook Pro. 

First day on the job

Soooo….Saturday night was my first shift as a bartender. Not to mention, my first shift with Matt as my boss. It’s a 5-a-side football complex, but the reception/bar area can be rented out for parties. Last night I was serving a 24^th fancy dress (costume) birthday party. Talk about being thrown in the deep end. I was being trained by Matt but of course everything had a different name. Like everything had a splash of “lemonade” which is basically lemon and lime flavored soda or Sprite. Everything was “vodka lime and soda” or “vodka lemonade lime.” I was essentially learning all new drinks last night. One of the hardest parts was the hearing and understanding. For one, all of my friends will attest to the fact that I DO NOT have good hearing. I’m always asking them to repeat everything five times or saying “WHHHAAAATTT?” I’m so annoying, but I blame my mom’s side of the family. They never hear anything correctly. (Sorry Mom)! So try to imagine: me trying to hear these drink orders over the loud music AND in thick British accents…NO WAY! 

This is the complex where I work. That's Wembley Arena in the background where they hold tons of concert events.

Let’s also discuss how they rarely tip bartenders over here. It’s great for a night out because it’s a great money-saver, however, not so great when you’re the bartender. There were a couple generous (and drunk) men who would continue to leave their change with me as a tip…one in particular had the worst pick-up lines all night but some great tips. I misunderstood one of his drink orders and Matt made me pay four pounds of my tip money to replace it. Sad but I guess I had to learn. At the end of the night I was so excited to show Matt the money I had made in tips. I counted it up to show him and was feeling all proud of myself when he pulls out coins AND paper money all adding up to more tips than I earned! WHAT?! He then casually pulls a slip of paper out of his pocket and says, “Oh ya and I got some guy’s phone number.” So let me get this straight…he got more tips than I AND got a phone number. What gives? Apparently some guy dressed as a Mario Brother was telling him how he has connections and can get him anything he wants…whenever he wants for half the price! Uuuuhhhh what? It’s ok because I experienced one of the best chat up (pick up) lines ever dropped by a sketchy guy in a Jason mask. He told me, “You can’t be bought in a shop…that means you can’t be bought in a shop…because you’re priceless.” Huh? Oh ya because I’m American he had to explain what his crappy chat up meant….obviously. 

Another view of the complex with Wembley Stadium towering above. The short grey and green building on the left under the stadium is where the reception and bar area is located.

Matt and I were there until 2am cleaning up which was exhausting but at least we were together. So there you go, that was my first night as a bartender. Hopefully more adventures to come! I work Tuesday and Wednesday night this week bartending for sweaty, nasty footballers (it’s not what you think ladies).They are crude and ruthless (or at least that’s for who I’m preparing myself) Here goes nothing!

Anyone up for some night football?

London is a sauna!

 
Ok so I don't know what the deal is, but London has been in the 80s every day this week! What is up with that? Isn't it supposed to be cold and rainy? I'm not complaining except for the fact that I've resorted to wearing gym clothes everywhere because I did not pack normal summer clothing. Oh well. Since Matt had the day off yesterday we decided to spend most of the day at Regent's Park. We were cheesy romantic and rented a paddle boat where I stupidly allowed Matt to steer. We basically spent the half hour chasing ducks, geese and swans around the pond. He also paddled into low hanging branches that made perfect contact with my face. Awesome. After eating our packed lunch, we got ice cream and chilled out in the gardens of Regent's Park. It was such a relaxing day!

When we got back Matt made my favorite dish of his: Chicken Risotto. I never had risotto before he made me his specialty dish. He makes it with chicken stock, white wine, chicken, bacon, leeks and onions. We had it with garlic bread and feasted! I can honestly say his risotto is the best! I'm pretty sure nothing can compare! The picture doesn't do it justice because risotto will always be a mushy glob. If only I could give you a taste through this blog you would know! Ignore the picture's presentation as well...nothing special.

Ah today I finally set up a UK bank account. I've been putting it off but I finally did it. Awesome...a place where I can keep all the money I don't have. Super! And finally, tonight I start my first shift as bartender at the 5-aside football complex where Matt is Asst. Manager. Yes, Matt is going to be my boss. I'll let you know how long it takes before he fires me. The complex is called Power League Wembley. Tonight we are hosting a 24th birthday party at the bar with a DJ. I hope they are easy on me! :/ Wish me luck!