An Evening With Julie Andrews*

*highly original heading, right? 

You know when you get that itch to get out of town? Be it for a vacay or a Sunday drive through the mountains - it just has to be scratched! 
Since Sam & I began dating, we usually spend a few weeks each year travelling; exploring a new city or relaxing on a sunny beach or catching up with far flung friends. Whatever it is, it scratches that itch pretty damn good - enough to leave us feeling inspired, motivated & fulfilled for the other 350 days of the year. 
Unfortunately, last year was a crazily expensive time (car troubles plus animal illness plus every white good & appliance dying = not much left in the kitty!) so we abandoned all plans for a visit to Sydneytown, & ever since, I have had an insatiable itch. The kind I was convinced could only be satisfied with a romantic Parisian holiday or an adventure in Japan. 
Turns out all I we needed was a night away in a tiny apartment overlooking the Brisbane River...& meeting Julie Andrews, well that's the cherry on top!


It all began a couple of months ago, when Sam discovered her most beloved childhood actress was traveling to our shores & for one night would be in a Brisbane theatre to share her life story with thousands of her adoring fans. She hinted at the wonder of this occasion & for once, I clued on without any further prompting.
Phone calls were made, credit cards charged & plan put into action. I kept my lips sealed (believe me, this is difficult with such an exciting event!) knowing that I had succeeded in what may be the greatest birthday gift ever*! 
I had almost forgotten about it all, when I received the call from an insanely excited wife that an unexpected package had landed on our door step - of course, addressed to her. The cat was out of the bag! We excitedly booked our apartment, made plans for a furbaby-sitter & daydreamed of our weekend away. 
Before we knew it, the day was upon us - we packed an overnight case, jumped in the car & sang our way down the mountainside to the bright & bustling city.  

The next 24 hours were a whirlwind of activities - moments of relaxation mixed with an intense intake of atmosphere & culture of the beautiful city. We took a late afternoon walk through Queen Street, marvelled at the vast view from our apartment, enjoyed breakfast in bed as the sun rose then a brunch of Max Brenner before walking along the winding river back to our diggs. Oh, & you know, revelled in An Evening With Julie Andrews!
  
*I am not sure how to top this one...& I fear it's a steady downward spiral from here!

Last, but certainly not least... Whilst I was sitting in the 'nose-bleeds', Sam was spoilt* to VIP seats, delicious treats, & a one-on-one meeting with the divine Julie Andrews...

*Big thanks to our family who made this very special Birthday treat possible!! You are incredible! xx

The Exploration Project: Fortitude Valley

My mind is still trying to unpack and process the events of the past 3 weeks, leaving me somewhat speechless - So, I will let these images tell the story.

On My Mind: Career in the Arts

Where has the last 2 weeks gone?!! I woke up this morning, and realized that it was the weekend...only, I feel as if I'm two weeks behind! How can this be! Time is passing me by and I'm just holding on.

The last fortnight has been IN-SANE! I couldn't have possibly been prepared for the incredible opportunity I have been blessed with, and the experiences along the way.
Let me start a few months back:

For the past 8 or so months I have been working on a project in line with my Creative Arts degree. The first half of the year has been spent exploring the creative arts industry and researching the myriad of possible avenues of employment (including what I want to do and what I can/should do in order to live), and then trying to apply this all to my life, in some sort of way. I have interviewed industry professionals, studied practitioners and artists, asked question upon question, and spent sleepless nights dreaming of the life I could create for myself, and my family, if I'm committed to it all.

Well, cut to the beginning of August, I'm back at uni, sitting in my supervisors office - in tears - trying to figure out what I'm going to study this semester, and all of a sudden, he pipes up with
"You should really be applying for a secondment with a theatre company."
I almost fell off my chair. Besides not knowing what the fuck a secondment was (I do now, thanks to Google!) I knew it was going to be something outside of my comfort zone. After another hour of tears, deep breathing and a pep-talk, I was on my way home to research, plan, freak out and figure out the who/what/where of this crazy idea. I began with email an email to a director who I had met during an interview I conducted, months prior. I was so sure I wouldn't get a reply*, and spent another couple of weeks stressing over how I was to explain to my supervisor why I would be doing another boring-as-hell research paper...again.

Fortunately, I wouldn't get the easy way out, and a couple of weeks ago, I found an email in my inbox, accepting my proposal of a limited secondment with the Judith Wright Centre of Creative Arts in Brisbane! I remember the rush of emotions during those first few moments after reading the words "...we would be happy to proceed with a secondment for you." I was jumping up and down on the bed, running around the house laughing and cheering, all while Sam sat bewildered in bed. I guess I just couldn't believe that they would agree to me, an inexperienced student, coming into their workplace and shadowing their employees. I went through the many emotions throughout the next couple of weeks, from absolute joy to an overwhelming fear of failing, and potentially screwing up my future career ventures. It was only by the support from Sam, and my supervisor, I was able to pull myself together and make this into one of the most amazing things I have experienced to date.

So, this Monday passed I traveled 2 hours down the mountain to Brisbane, feeling like I was going to be ill and nervously deep breathing**, yet once I walked into the JWCoCA building, I felt at ease. I knew why I was there, and I believed I deserved to be there - and it has been one of the most wonderful weeks of my life. I have been welcomed with open arms (invisible, business-like arms) and am learning more than I would have just staring at a textbook or sitting in a lecture. I have a renewed passion for the arts and am beginning to find my place within this industry.

I can't wait to share more with you in the coming weeks, and I will be more present than I have been, now that I'm getting into this new routine. I have so many photographs and stories to share from my normal, not-as-exciting-as-all-this life.
 

*Not because I thought they'd be rude enough to not reply, but that I'm really nothing special at all. Agreeing to host a student without business experience, lives 130km away and during the busiest time of the year, is a big task. I am so grateful and blessed to be in this position!
**People in public must think I'm crazy (or in labor) when I do this, as it's often combined with an overly sweaty brow and pained facial expressions.