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.
