ATOTC Challenge- Week 1 : What is your passion?

 

 

Hello fellow Failistanians!

 

What? You're not familiar with the term? Why it applies to residents of Failistan- a completely fail country which happens to be run by moi and moi's friends. Anyone and everyone is welcome- granted that they fail in at least one aspect of their life.

 

Uhm, I think I'm getting carried away. Fail. #ProudFailistanianMoment

 

So anyway, today's post is inspired by A Tale of Two Century by Rachel Harris.

 

As a member of the Flirt Squad, it is my choice, nay my DUTY to participate in this gruelling challenge. Do not fear for me friends, for I shall make it to the other side... maybe.

 

Yes I'm always this distracted. Sue me.

 

So lets get straight to the point shall we! My passion happens to be the same as Alessandra's! Yep, that's right. I luurve the theatre and I luurve acting.

 

Here's exhibit A... actually its my only exhibit.

 

 

Left to Right:- (i) Peaseblossom: A Midsummer Night's Dream, (ii)(top) Juliet: Romeo and Juliet, (iii)(bottom) Ms. Amelia: A Little Princess, (iv) Rosaline: As You Like It, (v) Billy Bones: Treasure Island.

Just a few of the plays I've been a part of.

Juliet, Ms. Amelia, and Billy Bones even made it to the local newspapers, huh, go figure.

So I've been acting for 6 years now, and its the only thing I haven't given up on yet. Though I am taking a break from it for my last year of high school so I can focus on studies and various other things I signed up for.

Acting is something that came as a total surprise to me. Before the 6th grade I had never even considered it. It was actually my dad who pushed me to go for it.

I remember that it was during the summer break of 2007 that my dad found out that the National School of Drama was holding a workshop close to our house. He talked to me about it and I said no. Just like that. My exact words were "Acting's not my kind of thing." *snort*

After days of my dad unsuccessfully trying to convince me to give it a try, and me throwing tantrums and stomping my foot like the brat I was (still am), we finally came to a truce- I had to attend to workshop for one day and if I still didn't like it, he would let the subject go.

Dreading every moment, I entered the studio and forced my dad to sit there. I didn't care if it made me look like a baby; I was terrified. Imagine my surprise when I find myself totally engaged in theatre games and utterly enjoying myself. I didn't even notice when my dad slipped away! (Yes it was totally like the first day of kindergarten. Don't judge.)

From the next day onwards, I was the one pushing my dad out the door, complaining I was going to be late. I gained so much knowledge that summer, formed great friendships, and somehow even landed the lead role of the original musical created by the students.

I returned the next summer and even dragged my besties along.

I am so grateful my dad didn't give in to my tantrums and forced me to step out of my box. That summer was the start of my recovery. Somewhere along the years prior to that I had become painfully shy and introverted. The idea of going on stage terrified me. Stage fright combined with a few stage mishaps made me give up playing my violin- much to the dismay of my teachers and family.

I can proudly say that while it has been 5 or 6 years since I last picked up my violin, I am no longer scared of performing in front of an audience. In fact I feel the most comfortable on stage, and the larger the audience, the better.

The adrenaline rush that comes with performing is better than anything else I've experienced. Polishing my acting skills has helped me in so many areas of my life. I love giving a presentation in class (I always, ALWAYS wing it), and acting like I genuinely enjoy someone's company, when I don't really, has never been easier. It also helps that stepping out of my box gave me a broader view of life and a better sense of humour.

Does that mean I haven't goofed up on stage? Heck no. From my wig falling off, to a light/sound cue gone wrong, to a wardrobe malfunction, and a line forgotten- I've been there, done that, and got the frigging t-shirt. But I've loved every moment of it. Does that mean that I don't feel stage fright? Um no. I still do. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. But since I've already experienced the-worst-thing-that-could-actually-happen-to-someone-on-stage (no my clothes didn't fall off... neither was there toilet paper stuck to my show) and I've survived, I figure its all good.

Will I be pursuing it professionally? I sure hope so! Though I find I'm not as eager to act on television, as I am to act on stage in front of a live audience, where there's an actual chance of messing up and you also have to make sure that the old lady sitting at the way back can get her ticket's worth.

Now that was about acting. I happen to love a bazillion other things other than acting (I'd go out of my mind if that's all I did). And here's a few-

Exhibit B... yay! I do have another exhibit!

 

Applesauce Jellyroll Cake

 

Chicken Wraps

 

Manicotti

 

Caesar Salad

 

Frittata

 

Oatmeal Applesauce Strawberry Muffins

 

Savory Chicken Crepe

 

Chocolate Cream Cheese Mousse, Chocolate Souffle, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Curry, Fish Curry, and the list goes on and on. Cooking/baking is like meditation for me.

 

 

I also have exhibit C

 

 

Both of these were made 6 years ago. I have slightly improved since then; I'm currently working on a leopard's mug.

 

And lastly Exhibit D... phew

 

(100 ft free fall. That's my friend and I. And you can hear my mom's laughter in the background).

 

Yep, I'm an adrenaline junkie. Zip lining, Rappelling, Rock Climbing, Parasailing, Bungee Jumping, been there, done that! What's up next? Hopefully Paragliding, and maybe even Sky Diving some day!



 

And now... the book that inspired this challenge... ta da...!

 



Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

Rachel Harris
 

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She’s the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. She loves hearing from readers! Find her atwww.RachelHarrisWrites.com.

Rachel and I are like complete besties. We're like this *twines fingers* She just doesn't know it yet. Or maybe she's in denial. *Gasp* Maybe she can even join Failistan... not that she fails in writing, or that any of her books are bad- its more of a friendly gesture...like you know... okay I'm gonna shut up now. This is awkward.

So if you haven't fallen asleep during yet another one of my looong posts, be sure to let me know about YOUR passion!

 

Shubhi

- Current Prime Minister of Failistan