What a busy two days!

Yesterday I was scheduled to have SET first and then have REP after lunch, starting work at 2. I arrived at 1 and sat with Lewis from Tom's formation for a while and then went to Character 1 which is where they tell you what you're doing for the day, and I was told I wasn't need until REP at six because there weren't any ACC's for extra sets! While I was at Character 1 I saw my name on a list to go and see a woman called Alexandre, so I went to her office with Lewis but she wasn't in. Tom and some other guys from his formation were waiting too so because we had a few hours we decided to go around the park for a while. We went on the Tower of Terror (which was even better a second time through!) and also Aerosmith which was AMAZING! I sat at the very front with Tom and it was so quick it was incredible!

When we got back to Simba building we went to see if Alexandre was in and she was and what she wanted us to do was to fill out a form about contract extensions etc. I said possibly next summer but I don't think I'll ask when my contract is finished. We shall see.

After that we went back to the break room until REP time but when we got to the rehearsal studio we were told to come back at 7! So I had 5 hours of nothing but got paid for it! When we finally went in to the studio, most of us were learning Tigger for the DOUD parade and 2 others were learning Eeyore. Of all the people learning it, I was the ONLY girl! Which really surprised me but I think it's because I'm so tall. My shift finished at 10pm so I was very tired by the end of REP. There's alot of running around but it's good fun.

Today, I started at 10 and after nearly oversleeping and missing the bus (I managed to get ready for work in 10/15 minutes!!) I clocked in and went to Character 1 to find out that instead of doing SET in the morning as on my schedule, I was doing REP for Maleficent! A girl I met through Tom and his formation called Laura was also doing it so I knew someone and then after that there was just a girl called Stephanie. Because Malef. is harnessed onto the float at all times, her choreography is very arm-y and back-y. Which wasn't good for me but I pushed through. It's quite difficult to remember when you've only got arms to move and you have to fill the time. When I saw the parade for the first time I though it was improvised, but every single thing is choreographed! It was tough but fun. After learning it we performed it one by one in front of Suzanne the team leader and she approved all 3 of us which is good! Although I won't get to go out on parade to approve until I've done a set as Malef. and I can't do that until I have my coloured contacts and my appointment with the optician until the 7th October. Same goes for Evil Queen too.

After lunch which I had with Stephanie and Laura, we went back to the studio for a quick practice and then Laura and I started to learn Evil Queen with Suzanne again. A girl called Tammy was learning with us so it was another trio. Queen was easier choreographically to learn, because she's a Queen she's very refined and doesn't move her body much, whereas Malef. is very crazy and insane! What was VERY difficult though was learning 2 different routines, but using the same music! Because both characters are on the Villain float, it uses the same track! So it all got very confusing for Laura and me! We learned it quicker but we were interrupted for 45 minutes while there was "mise en place" for the DOUD parade which is a last minute run through of each section before it goes out. Like Malef. REP, we had to perform individually in front of Suzanne and we all got approved again.

I finished at 6 today and Suzanne was taking the advanced tap class that runs every 3rd week 6-7 so I decided to watch it. I didn't bring my tap shoes with me because I didn't think I'd get the chance so I was really pleased to see the notice for the class. I'll have to bring them back when I got home next weekend. I ended up joining in in just my socks anyway, but it was still fun. Because it said advanced and there are lots of people from dance schools, I thought it would be really difficult but it was quite easy for me. I definitely think I'll go to it regularly (provided my shifts let me).

I've got the day off tomorrow so I'm looking forward to relaxing my muscles after the tough arm work out today doing Malef. It's funny to think that this time next week it will be the evening of Sarah's wedding and I'll be home seeing lots of people again. I'm so excited I really can't wait. Hopefully the days leading up to it will fly by but so because I'm having fun and not wishing it away. I'm really enjoying it here, but I do miss lots of people.

Update soon

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