BWW Blog: Busy Bee at QC

Hello, its me Lea. Back again for another look at what goes on in my life at Queens College. This week has been crazy as we had a whole week of rehearsals because very soon we will be getting to tech rehearsals/ finish line. Queens College had their club fair on Valentine's Day/ Ash Wednesday. As I'm writing this blog, it is snowing and I'm hoping its not going to be hard to get to school on Monday which is technically a day off due to the holiday but not for us Middletown folk. We have late evening rehearsals.

Queens College had their club fair for all the clubs and organizations where they try to recruit new members. Since it's the Spring semester and colder weather, we had the fair in the ballroom of our student union building. In the Fall semester with warmer weather, we have it on our quad outdoors. I helped out at the Filipino club (or FLIGHT Crew) table and also got to see some friends at The Theatre Guild table. I also took the initiative to walk around to see the other clubs on campus out of curiosity. Curiosity never killed the cat did it? You know the saying how New York City is a melting pot of cultures? The student life at Queens College is definitely a melting pot of many organizations and clubs. Cultural clubs, academic clubs, Greek organizations, social clubs, music clubs, special interest clubs, study abroad, opportunities on campus, college newspaper, theatre clubs and so many more.

The club fair also happened to land on Valentine's day. My valentine met up with me and surprised me with the sweetest things: a magnet painted by him (he is an artist who is studying art here at Queens College), a rose, a mason jar filled with pink M&M's and the biggest surprise that made me tear up and scream with happiness: Red Velvet Oreos! I can't believe they are exist. PS - They are really good. This guy definitely knows the way to a girl's heart --sweets. I have a soft spot in my heart for red velvet cake. I just wish I had red velvet hot chocolate from Martha's bakery to go with the Oreos.

All this week, we are gearing up for our first time running Middletown in front of our production crew. This is known as our designer run Saturday. Little things have to be tweaked here and there as it's a work in progress. Our posters are now up all over the school and tickets went on sale. We are spreading word about this through social media. I texted friends and family who do not have social media to get their tickets asap because of limited seating due to our theatre space's size. A thing that I learned is that as a cast member of a college show you get a pair of comp tickets. All of that is new to me. The only problem is to figure out what day to get tickets for. As I write this blog which is Sunday, we have 11 more days until we open. WHAT THE WHAT?! At this point I can't believe its going to be here soon. Seeing the poster in the hallway where my dance class is and in other places around the campus, its starting to feel real at this point. All of us cast members are having a ball laughing together, taking advice, and being supportive.

Speaking of college, I do want to share something. For anyone who is reading this and getting ready to start college or any year in college, if you are struggling in a course, do not be afraid to ask the professor for help. I will admit I am struggling in my journalism class and emailed my professor to set up an appointment. They happened to be away from campus so my mom and I traveled to his place of work in a major network organization. My biggest fear was trying to understand the work and trying to understand the programs that are being used. The ultimate big fear (well next to roller coasters): speaking to new people and that includes interviewing.

Ok I know what you are thinking. You are a drama student you should be comfortable talking. You act on stage. Well its different. I have a hard time talking to new people and it can be hard when you want to meet people but you are apprehensive of what other people will think of you. I sit on the floor in the hallway to avoid being stared at. I got comfortable with the people in my cast, and the close friends I have on campus. I text and call my friends who attend different schools or have jobs and I miss them and plan to hang when we are free. When I try to talk to new people, I get so nervous, I do not know what to say. There is a word for it: Social Anxiety. I pushed myself this week, to talk to other clubs to see what their clubs are like. I talked to and became friendly with a girl in my contemporary theater class.

Anyway, back to the topic of classes. I told my professor why I asked for help in this class and he completely understood. I have support from my professor and my mom to help me get through this hard class. I have asked for help from my professors all throughout my college career whether in class, before class, after class, office hours or in person. They will take time to help you understand the material, and help you if you are struggling. They want to see you succeed. Don't wait around to get help until the last minute.

I'm finishing my assignment and as much as it terrifies me, it looks like it could work.

This is only step one.

"Its kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney.