Casted!

I recently auditioned for a role in "The Christmas without the Angel" a Christmas production that will be put on by one of our local community theatres Act1Scene1.  When I first was first told of the auditions and what show it was, I was very confused because I had never heard of the show and when I got home and looked it up on the internet I could not seem to find anything about it.  This made me especially anxious about the auditions because I knew I could get a synopsis then.  So, here is a little synopsis from the back of the scrip for any of you who like are anything like me and have never heard of it.

Millionaire Jonathan Bingsley suddenly has his mansion and life turned upside down when a social worker friend asks him to take in six young children for the holidays.  It's just a "temporary" measure until the children, who have lost their parents and home in a tragic fire, can be placed permanently.  To add to the confusion, Jonathan's interfering sister shows up, bringing along her lazy son and his family.  Jonathan's only relief from all the stress is the thought of his only daughter, Cynthia, who is coming home for the first time since her mother's (his wife's) tragic death a year ago.

A witty mix of comedy and poignancy make this one of the most affecting Christmas plays ever.

I play Samantha, one of the six young children, I was so excited to get cast and then to find out what a wonderful cast we have just makes it all the more fun.

Think Before You Speak

"No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thoughts are viscous."  -Henry Adams

          We may say hurtful things when we are mad, even things that we don't mean, but once they are said they can't be taken back.  Therefore we should always think about what we say before we say it even if we are upset or mad.  We also may not always say the nice things we feel toward other's. If we did tell other's how thankful we are and how much we love and care for them, more often not only would we make them feel good about themselves but we should also feel good about making someone else feel so good.  So, next time someone does something nice for you be sure to tell them Thank You and when someone upsets you think hard before letting cruel words come out of your mouth.

"Oliver"

Greetings internet world, my name is Natashia and I am a theatre person.  Theatre is what I enjoy doing from acting to building sets to working as part of the stage crew.  This past summer of 2012 I was in the production of "Oliver the Musical"  and I played the role of Charlotte, the undertakers daughter I am pictured above as I enter the stage during one of my favorite scene's, screaming with fear.  This is the first time I have ever had a solo scream in a show and I loved every bit of it. 

          "Oliver" was the mark of the beginning of my sixth year of doing theatre.  I began in this exact same theatre with my first show "Peter Pan" and have loved it ever since.  In case you have never heard of "Oliver" here is a little summary.  I would suggest reading the book instead of this summary because it gives everything away without the action.

Oliver Twist is a young boy who lives in a workhouse with other orphaned boys. When Oliver disrupts a meal by asking for more, he is sold to a local undertaker and his family (that's me). They treat Oliver horribly and make him sleep under the coffins. Oliver escapes and runs off to Paddington Green, where he quickly befriends another young boy, the Artful Dodger. Dodger takes him to his home, an academy for orphans who learn how to be pick-pockets run by a kind, yet slightly sinister, old gentleman named Fagin. Oliver is also introduced to Nancy Sikes, a lovable young woman, and Bet, Nancy's best friend. When Oliver goes on his first pick-pocketing job, he is caught by the police. The man that Oliver thieved, Mr. Brownlow, learns of Oliver's sad past and brings him into his own home. Meanwhile, Nancy's husband (the villainous Bill Sikes) worries that Oliver will tell Mr. Brownlow and the police where the thieves live. He forces Nancy and Bet to snatch Oliver from Mr. Brownlow's house and take him back to Fagin's. Nancy does everything her husband tells her to but plans on secretly taking Oliver back to Mr. Brownlow. Before she can do so, Bill finds out of his wife's plans, and murders her. He then goes after Oliver, but is shot and killed. Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather, return safely home.

          Now that you know the story I leave you with a picture of me with Dana Howard who played Nancy, as well as the commercial that was made for this particular show.

Moody Gardens

Since me and my two younger sisters are homeschooled (see home school section of this blog for further info) we get to do fun field trips that are often also valued family time.  Recently, we got to go to Moody Gardens to visit the Aquarium and Rainforest pyramids.

          We really enjoyed getting to see all the different types of animals and where they live.  Especially the penguins in the aquarium and the monkeys in the rainforest.  While we were there enjoying ourselves we were able to learn interesting facts about all the cool animals and get pretty up close and personal with some of them to.  This up close business came in the rainforest because it is mostly true rainforest with no glass walls restricting the wondrous creatures from walking right up to you to say hello. Although there were often times in the Aquarium the underwater creatures would get very close to the glass, especially the seals, and it would feel like you could reach out and touch them.  Speaking of the seals they were very amusing, it was like they knew they had an audience so it was time to turn on the charm and do a bit of showing off and that is exactly what they did.  They would swim out of sight to the far end of the tank and then come racing back dive deep and do a flip and a twist to come back up, this causing their bodies to often rub up against the glass we were watching through.  Occasionally, people who weren't paying close attention, me , would turn around and get quite a scare when they all of a sudden see a large seal head aimed right at them just for it to dive in the other direction right before getting to the glass.

All in all Moody Gardens was a great place to visit and have some fun as a family.  We can't wait to go back again sometime soon.

Schooling at Home

        I am a home schooled high schooler and this is my freshman year, which I am already thoroughly enjoying.  My mom teaches my subjects, well kind of, she more like gives me the assignments and I do them but if I don't understand them she is the one I go to.  Therefore, she is technically called my teacher.  There are some thing's home schoolers cannot do at home this is why I am taking a Biology Lab and Writing Lab on Friday mornings with other home schooled high schoolers.  I am also taking a Web Design Course from Allie Howard a Lamar State College Instructor.  This blog is part of my Web Design class.  I have wanted a blog for quite some time and this has been a great way to get one.

At the end of this year I will have eight credits.  Listed below are our course selections and descriptions by my mom.
 

English I

      Literature - Basically this is all novel reading with study questions, vocabulary, and a literary analysis paper.  The topic for each paper will differ throughout the year to include such topics as character analysis, tone,  narration,  conflict resolution,  parody, internal conflict, humor, plot, and theme.  Our hope is to get to as many of these as time will allow, this will depend greatly on the time it takes to read each of our novel selections.
     Writing - Natashia will also be taking a writing lab outside of her literature studies which will focus on such topics as keyword outlines, summarizing, journaling with Proverbs, essay writing, building grammar and structural editing, and SAT prompts.

Algebra II
     For this we are using Saxon Algebra 2 which will mean a full credit of Algebra 2 and a half credit of Geometry, if she gets through the entire book this year.

Biology
     We are using Apologia Exploring Biology Through Creation.  I will handle all the book work to include study guides and test.  She will be taking a Biology lab outside of home which will incorporate all of the labs she needs for the class.

World Geography
     This is probably the class Natashia is enjoying the best.  I am using World Cultures and Geography lesson plans I found at Harmony Art Mom.  It is a study of a different country each week with lots of map activities, art, world religions studies, and tons of notebooking pages.

French I
     This is all done with Rosetta Stone.  She has started with level  one and will continue through completing each level  for a full credit each year throughout high school.

Web Design
     This class is taught by a family friend and this blog is the result of all the learning she has done thus far.  I will be watching to see the blog blossom as she learns all the ins and outs of creating a wonderful website.

Physical  Education
     Currently Natashia is taking three dance classes: ballet, jazz, and clogging.  To insure this generates a full credit I am tracking her hours each week and have no doubt once we get through recital next June she will have all the hours she needs.

Theatre I
     This class is a little tricky because it involves some activities I generate as well as her involvement with our local theatres.  I am having her learn a monologue, prose and poetry piece each quarter as well as write a screen play for the Joseph Narratives this first semester.  We will be working on developing characters from prompts given and I hope to have prepare a skit with her twin sisters this holiday season.  In the spring she is scheduled to assistant direct a show and we hope she will have the opportunity to perform in a show before the end of the school year.


        I really enjoy all of my subjects and here are a few reasons why.  French is really enjoyable because I love being able to learn a different language and share what I am learning with my family, especially my little sisters.  I am learning so many facts in World Geography and Biology. In Geography I am always discovering places I would love to visit and in Biology I have found some locations that I would prefer to avoid due to bacteria and other substances.  While in Web Design, I have found that the things I have been learning can be used with all kinds of other things I do.  Literature has sparked quite an interest in reading, even though I used to think I hated to read.  Now, I can't wait to curl up with a good book in the evenings.  Algebra II, well although this started as Geometry which threw us for a loop I am now off to a wonderful restart and doing well.  Last but truly not least is Theatre, this is sometimes hard depending on what is happening at our local community theatres but we still do activities from a text book or just do some fun memorization no matter what I'm doing as long as it's theatre related I am a Happy Gal.

            Now I leave you with an "Au ver." (French, meaning: Good Bye).

Adventures of a Red Head

           Hello, my name is Natashia and I am the daughter to the most loving and caring parents in the world.  I also have four sibling three sisters, one older and two younger (they are twins) and one brother, oldest of all.  We may not always get along perfectly but we are still a family.  A family is important in all parts of life they are the ones who are always there for you and will always be there when you need them.

         Now a little more about myself and my interest. I am a high school home schooler and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  My high interest at this time are my schooling of course and theatre. My theatre I don't mean going see new movies that are still playing in theater's, I am speaking of live on stage community theatre productions.  I love being up on that stage and even being part of the crew backstage or operating the lights/sound.  I just enjoy it so much I will often get over excited to hear of an auditions notice for an upcoming show, but the biggest thrill is when waiting for that phone call after auditions for them to tell you what part you have been cast in.  Now I do have to admit that my favorite part of theatre is acting on stage during the performances, it is as if my life as Natashia just stop's I become someone else for the duration of the production.  Even though I do enjoy getting to be someone else for a bit it also helps me realize that I wouldn't change anything about my life and who I am ever.

          Even when I am working on a theatre show I still always work hard to make sure I stay on top of my studies and get to spend lots of time with my family because they are very important to me, especially my family.