And...

I'm back!

With these people/students!


Oh how

I LOVE THEM!

MM's
1. University of Utah
2. Theatre Department
3. All these Theatre Majors!

I'm totally going to brag!

As my mom has been 'cleaning' her house for the past little while, she has come across a lot of stuff that I thought was long gone, such as...

DA DA DA
(in a doomslike tone)

my report cards from High School!

Now, my report cards from High School ARE NOT what I am going to brag about.

They didn't have A's on them.
(well, there might have been one or two)

They did however have mmmmmm, let's say C's on them.

They also had several U's
(because I never went to school)

I barely graduated High School because of my U's!

I was SO nervous graduation day that they weren't going to let me walk,
but I guess I did get all of those U's taken care of!
(Thanks Mr. Bowles)


I graduated High School with a 3.0.
That's really not that bad, but I know that I could have done better.

While I was going through this stuff, my mom aplogized to me. She said that she was sorry that she didn't make me try harder.

Well, guess what?

We also came across some of my Elementary School report cards! Pretty much the same thing. Not a lot of A's, but mostly C's.

To this my mom said that she remembers trying to help me in Elementary School and always having to turn me over to dad because I was so damn stubborn (Like one of my own...Teague).

However, if you ask me - and I have a fantastic (yet also selective) memory - I honestly only remember a couple of times that dad (or anybody) helped me with my homework. These aren't really fun memories.

This is what I think:

I think that after raising four crazy as hell boys with crazy personalities, my parents had just kind of given up. By the time I was old enough to have homework, they were done with the whole homework thing, they were done with the whole disciplining thing, they were just done.

Also, not only am I the baby, but I am the only girl. Interpret that as you wish. I think I got away with a lot of stuff that I probably shouldn't have (like not going to school). But generally I was a good kid, so they didn't have to worry much.

I AM IN NO WAY BLAMING MY PARENTS FOR MY POOR GRADES, BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE. I WAS RAISED WELL. IT WAS MY PERSONALITY THAT LED TO POOR GRADES, BAD BEHAVIOR AND CRAPPY ATTITUDE.

By the time I went away to SUU, I seriously had NO CLUE how to actually go to school and participate in class. I had NO CLUE how to study. I had NO CLUE how to do homework effectively. BECAUSE...I never really had to know before that.

Needless to say, SUU didn't last very long. And I didn't get good grades, they were not even close to the 3.0 I graduated High School with.

BUT

I had a GREAT time. The funnest of my life.

Now, to what I want to brag about!

My first semester at the University of Utah my GPA was a 3.67! Yay!

My second semester at the University of Utah my GPA was 3.93! Double Yay!

(just a little side note here, I am full-time - at least 12 hours)

I applied for scholarships in February and had my progress evaluation with the department heads in April. Everything went well. The Theatre Department is pretty much broke, so when I hadn't heard anything about scholarships, I figured that I didn't get one. I was okay with this, because I am only going to be a sophomore in the department next year and I am not in the Actor Training Program, rumor has it that scholarships go to upper class students and ATP students.

So, when I got the mail the other day and there was a letter from the University of Utah Department of Theatre, I was confused as to what it could be, maybe a schedule for the 2010-11 season? Maybe a cast list for one of the shows I auditioned for?

NOPE!

"Dear Karlyn, Congratulations. You have been selected to receive the
Newspace Entertainment Scholarship."

Honestly, the thought of a scholarship didn't even cross my mind.

I'm bragging because, my scholastic history up until fall of 2009, pretty much sucked. Who would have thought that I could do this? Who would have thought that I would go to classes and actively participate (in a positive way)? Who would have thought that I would figure out a way to do my homework? Who would have thought that I would learn how to study effectively? Who would have thought that I could actually get a scholarship? Who would have thought?

Well, I thought I could, but now I know I can.

MM's
1. University of Utah Department of Theatre
2. Knowing that I can
3. Newspace Entertainment Scholarship

A Theatre Major

JUST some of the things I LOVE about being a Theatre Major...

Great Friends
(please don't look at me in this picture, okay, do, but don't judge that look on my face)
This picture was taken at "The Rocky Horror Show!"


Enormous signs
(That apparently STILL don't work)

Epicness
(I SO wish I were in this picture, I had a big cape/cloak thingy on too!)



Obvious LOVE for Karlyn
(I was being tickled)


Prince & Princesses
(Prince Passion and Princess Jordan)


Fairy God Mothers

&

Godfathers
(this picture is epic! Too bad the lighting sucks.)


Getting Ready
(we all help each other)


This
(interpret as you wish)


Goofing off
(again...interpret as you wish)


Access to boobs
(you may not be able to tell, but I am a full C in this picture! Not my usual Almost A!)


Wigs...


And, comfy couches in PAB
(for studying & napping)



MM's
1- All of the above

Learning and Realization

The past few months have been nothing short of C-R-A-Z-Y!!

The craziness started in February when I had to 'crew' (for 'Production lab' class) "The Rocky Horror Show." This was when my family realized the commitment I had made to my education. I was gone All. The. Time. I thought when that show was over, I would be back to a regular school schedule...I must have forgotten that I am a Theatre Major.

I had five classes, four were theatre classes. In each one of those classes, I had projects, projects that went way beyond regular homework time: A Set Design Project, that involved learning a computer program..A Sound Design Project, that involved learning a couple of computer programs and tons of searching...AND in one class - Theatre and Theory - I was in a group of six, we made a movie on Feminism, you may have seen it, it was posted on facebook. This was a fun, but not an easy task, it was VERY time consuming. Luckily we got full credit (we totally deserved it).

On top of being a full-time student, I am a full-time Momma. And as most of you know, that is not the easiest job in the world, the most rewarding?
YES!
Easiest?
NO!
Many days I felt like the worst mother EVER!
Many days I wondered if going to school was really worth it.

I guess what I am trying to say is...I've been busy! However, I have learned more than I ever thought I would. I have realized why there are so many people that seem to be professional students - I LOVE it.

I have made some of the greatest friends EVER (sure, I may be 15 years older than them), they are true friends, they are my family away from my family!

They are with me through the tears - because I'm not at home. They are with me through the sleepless nights - because of crazy projects due. They are with me through the crazy days - because I haven't taken my meds for a week. They are with me through study groups when I lose my mind - because of sleepless nights, no meds and being away from my family.

THANKS GUYS!

Something I have always known, but it's always nice to be reminded.
I LOVE THESE GUYS SO MUCH!


I know that it has been hard on them. Probably harder on them than it has been on me. They are so strong, so supportive, so amazing, so patient.
THEY ARE MY WORLD, THEY ARE MY ROCKS, THEY ARE MY HEART!

M.M.'S
1. My Flamily
2. My Friends
3. School

Jeez!!

I'm feeling Oh So Strange not blogging...

It's not like I haven't taken a break from blogging before, but it's different this time

...it's because I really truly actually have been crazy busy!

This semester, so far, has been

SO fun,

I have learned SO much,

but I have been

SO busy!

SO TIRED!

I have a little free time (literally...a little) I am going to get a few posts done and have them scheduled for the future.

I feel so out of the loop! I checked my reader...

...I have over 200 things to read!!

That is CRAZY!!

So, sorry if I don't comment on your blogs like I usually do, it's not because I don't love you anymore...

It's because I haven't been reading your blogs!

Because I haven't had time!

I WILL read yours, I PROMISE, it just might take awhile, and I probably won't comment because I feel weird commenting on something that happened awhile ago!!

But please, still comment on mine...

Thanks!!!!

MM's
1- School
2- A bed

Just so you know

This semester is going to start getting

CRAZY!

I am going to be

CRAZY BUSY!

I will try to post as much as possible,

but I wanted to give you all a heads up!
Please keep checking,
who knows,
I might surprise you!

And myself.

MM's
1- Crazy projects for school.
2- Tons of reading for schools
3- Awesome professors that give me crazy projects and tons of reading.

Academic Standing

Congratulations!
You have been placed on the Dean's List by earning a 3.5 GPA or better for at least 12 graded credit hours.

That is what I read on my report card.

THAT
is
SO
funny
!

For any of you that know how well I did at SUU (I won't tell you my GPA, because it is a major embarrassment) know how FUNNY this is!

However, I am proud of myself...

I should be.

I worked hard.

MM's
1- Good Grades (really good)
2- University of Utah
3- Awesome Professors

Stage Make-up

Being in the Theatre Department, I get a lot of opportunities

*I get to go to preview night for Pioneer Theatre Company's shows.
*I get student/theatre arts major discounts to University shows.
*I get to do labs, awesome labs, so far,
-I have worked in the Costume closet at PTC
(I even helped with some of the costumes for 'HIS HE DEAD?')
-and I get to help crew The Little Mermaid.
*I am in some of the most amazing classes. It is more fun for me than anything, it doesn't feel like school!
*A week or so ago, my dear friend Yancey and I were make-up models for the stage make-up class. Yancey was done up for Opera and I was done up for Musical Theatre.

I had someone from the class take this picture with my phone, aren't we adorable?


I sent it to Aaron as a text message. His response was

"Homer! You have it set on 'Whore!'"



MM's
1- Amanda - SERIOUSLY AMAZING make-up/hair/wig EXPERT
2- Yancey - an amazing friend
3- Being part of the Theatre Department
4- Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa & Maggie

I mean C'mon!

Really?

Is there that many people that don't flush the toilet?

That there is actually a sign on the back of the stall door to remind you?

I'm sorry, but I find this disturbing.

I use this bathroom at least once a day and every time I close the stall door I am a little caught off guard because I just can't believe it.

They should also put a sign up that says

"Please wash your hands"

MM's
1- This bathroom - it's really old, so it's really cool, it smells like powder soap
2- This building - It's awesome

Is he dead?

If you can,

Go see this!

Seriously...FANTASTIC!

MM's
1- A great professional Theatre close to home
2- Being able to help make some of the costumes (just a little, but still...)
3- Laughing out of my vices!

Little Mermaid

Piper will be in "The Little Mermaid."

Please come.


Here's the link for all the information.

It's the REAL Hans Christian Anderson version, NOT the Disney version.

It's going to be AMAZING.

I will be crewing the show for my production lab.

MM's
1- Piper's talent
2- YTU
3- The REAL story of "The Little Mermaid"

Just so you know

M I D T E R M S ! ! !

stay tuned...

MM's
1- school
2- professors
3- a beautiful campus

Back in the day...

Kindergarten through my one year at SUU, I didn't test or quiz well.

I always did well on class assignments and homework.

And I did well in class
(when I went)

I remember staying up late studying for tests in High School.

I remember studying like it was going out of style!
(Now that, my friends, is a very 90's statement)

No matter how hard I studied,

no matter how prepared I was,

I almost always
BOMBED
the test.

I'm older now, and I thought for sure I had outgrown this test/quiz taking phobia.

Guess what?

I haven't!

Luckily so far it has only been quizzes that don't contribute that much to my grade,

I question my answers constantly

I change my answers way too much

I need to
GO WITH MY FIRST INSTINCT!

tests are coming...

...SOON!

Wish me luck!

MM's
1- That I get to take quizzes/tests
2- Doing well in class & on assignments helps my grade
3- Going to school...it's so fun