Week 2, Home #2!

Hello all! Another week has flown by and it was amazing! We are now in full show mode which means for most of our 8-5 day we are singing or dancing.  But there's still plenty of time for fun!  So far, we have learned a majority of the full cast vocals and they are so cool! For those of you who don't really know what a UWP show is like, it's not like theatre, but more like a rock concert from around the world.  I've never felt more comfortable singing than I have in the past 2 weeks.  It's pretty simple and the altos sing low, which is even better for this tenor-singing girl!

On Tuesday afternoon, we had this group thing called Viva Las Vegas which was not what it sounds like! Yes, there was a live blues band and card games, but the catch was that we had to play this card game in complete silence and when you moved tables, the rules switched, but you couldn't talk about it! It was very frusterating for some, and amusing for others.  It was to show us how to communicate when language couldn't be used and it also showed how people reacted in situations where things were different and they couldn't get clarification on it.  It was a very interesting lesson!

Wednesday had to be one of our busiest days so far! not only were we doing song and dance, but we took the official cast picture! It was crazy! But I bet it turned out great, and if I get a digital copy, I will be sure to post it.  Then that night we had what is called a Culture Jam.  It was where different people from their countries gave a little "presentation" if you will of the various cultures in different ways.  Norway did a speech presentation, Japan sung a traditional song, Mexico told us a ton of fun facts.  I helped with the planning of the US and we did a mash up of songs and showed the stereotypical American Dream.  It was kinda difficult working with about 30 of us, but it was so much fun! You can (hopefully) check it out here!  Below are some pictures as well!

Yup, USA was  BIG group

We didn't have enough guys, so a few girls pulled it off!
 

Mexico!

Belgium explained how the languages worked!

                                                         
Friday we went on our first group Community Impact (CI as we call it, and I hope you remember that, because I will be using it a lot!) My group of about 60 people went to the Florida Baptist Children's Home.  They offer a home for children who don't have one.  But they live in a family environment with approx 6 brothers and sisters and a mom and dad.  It seems like a good group.  We got the pleasure of weeding and raking the grounds and clipping the hedges.  The hedge clipping was the best.  We also sorted through a ton of food donations.  We did a lot and made the grounds work a lot easier for the keepers.  Since they were pretty easy tasks, I was able to really talk with the little group I was working with which happened to be 3 2nd semester students and 1 first.  I really got to know them and also was able to get some advice and learn about what to expect.  Like I said, friendship is so easy here, and I couldn't be happier.

Then Friday night I was moved into a new host home because Rod and Jan were going to see their daughter for her Birthday.  I was sad to leave them, but excited for a new experience! I am now with a single woman, Peggy who has 5 grown sons.  She is hilarious and very sweet.  My roommate is Montana from Canada and she is fantastic! She and I are so similar, so it's great.  She loves One Direction too, so it's a good fit :) Yesterday our host mom dropped us off at Universal Studios (she wasn't very interested in coming, but really wanted us to go!) and we were off to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  (Another reason why I like Montana, she loves HP!) It was quite magical.  It was also the perfect way for us to get to know eachother.  Throw two people in a strange amazing new place together for a day, it's bound to happen.  And not only was there HP in this park, but there was a Marvel comics section, a classic comic section and a Dr. Suess section! We went on every roller coaster and even on an adorable Cat in the Hat ride! Our favorites were the amazing Harry Potter interactive one through the castle and the 3D Spiderman one! We were pooped by the end of the day, but it was SO worth it!

Hogwarts!

Montana and I in front of Hogwarts

 Matching beds!

Spiderman 

Hogsmead

Sunday, was very relaxing.  We went to see Les Mis the movie for our host mom who had yet to see it and then out to dinner.  We also did a bit of shopping.

I'm so happy right now! But it's all thanks to all of you! So thanks thanks thanks!

Staging Week 1

Oh my goodness! This week has been a whirlwind.  But I think I can finally say, I am in Up With People! Let's see, what happened this week?  Well, there has been a ton of dancing and singing, so every night we all go home pretty tuckered out.  But they have to move fast.  At the beginning of the week we did something like an audition, but more of just introducing our skill levels.  I thought it was fun and not pressuring at all.  But after that it was go, go, GO! We have had a bunch of various workshops and seminars to get us ready for everything UWP is going to throw at us! I feel like I've already learned so much and it's hard to think back because a week feels like a month!  Already I've made quite a few friends and I feel like I've received more hugs and kisses in the past week than I had in the last 8 months! It's fantastic. On friday night this lovely miss Amy was on Wheel of Fortune! if you want to read more, check out her blog here.  It was so much fun! There were somewhere around 20 or 30 of us crammed into her wonderful host family's living room cheering to WOF! It was a great time just to talk and to get to know people.

 The dancing and singing portion leaves not room for time to be worried or insecure or else you will miss something! You just try your best and keep going! The dance instructors Ken and Miguel are fantastic at taking it slow enough and will answer any question.  I can't believe how much I've learned, and already I feel like my body is getting in better shape!  As for vocals, I've never felt better about them! It's not as strict of styling as in highschool with musicals and choir, but much more like just singing with a group of friends or rocking out in the car.  The music is amazing as well! I will let you all know when it's available on ITunes and you can go get it :) Better yet, come see the show!

 My host family just keeps getting better.  Every night we are laughing around an amazing meal cooked by Jan, and yet I'm still getting to bed at a pretty reasonable time! I also decided to be Betty Crocker this week and I made my Margarita Pie and the awesome pumpkin cookies I made a lot this holiday season.  I think I've figured out what I want to make for my families on the road!

The family eating my pie (they loved it! Jan asked for the recipe!)

This whole experience has been amazing so far, and I think a huge part of it is everyone just wanting the friendships and really making an effort.  I can't wait for what next week has in store!

Random cast pictures happen often.  If someone pulls out a camera, people come running!

Everybody's Here!

Hooray! As of yesterday, all but about 19 cast members arrived! The other study abroad students and I were super excited like kids on Christmas morning! But first, we got to do what UWP calls a Community Impact (CI).  We went to a place called Lighthouse Ministries.  They are not only a Thrift store, but also a place that helps recovering addicts through God.  It's a really powerful ministry.  We all had the task of taking down Christmas decorations.  It was crazy! Something like 6 trees and around 50 strands of lights.  It was also weird.  Almost all of us are from the mid-west, so we are used to snow, or atleast cold with Christmas, so we all kept commentating when taking lights off of tropical plants.  Amilee and I, 2 of the shortest there, tackled many of the trees, even one that was probably around 8ft.  We felt awesome! It really was a fun day and a good way of getting our feet wet in the service part of this journey.  Check out some photos of us having a good time in the midst of lights, blow up things, and trees!

In front of Lighthouse                                                                                  Not even half of the lights!

Amy and Mackenzie having fun putting away costumes

Amilee and I deflating some gifts

 To get lights in boxes, Tara had to sit.  Abbey labeled.  Frank photobombed 

Boxing up some trees                                                    We had to have a little bit of fun 

                                                                                imitating princesses in their home state

Getting back to everyone arriving.  It was kind of overwhelming, but really great! I met SO many people and learned so much about them! A funny thing is, there's about 10 Coloradoans, so everytime one of us introduced ourselves, everyone would just say "You too?!" or "Another one?" So we are taking over! (Most states/countries only have about 1-3 students except Mexico and Belgium.) I can't wait to get to know people even better! But things already felt pretty natural because of facebook :)  Also, Anna and I got a 3rd roommate! Rachel from Bermuda.  I found that funny because my family hosted a Bermudian last Jan.  Here's some pictures of my first family!

Today is our day off, so expect to hear about it soon! Much love!

Anna and Rachel

Lakeland FL Week 1

Hello all! So after a terrible start to the week of having a mysterious stomach bug a lot like food poisoning, I have already had some pretty great adventures!

First, let me tell you about where I'm at.  Our "home base" is Florida Southern College.  It's a beautiful college located right next to one of the many Lakes in the town (hence the city's name).  The people are nice and  the weather is so much better than snow! Anyways, my class is now getting into swing and we have been learning all about what it will be like on the road! Sounds crazy, but I'm sure I can do it.  But in between all that, me and my new found friends have had some down time to adventure!

First we took a tour around the campus....

 Then we took a 3 mile walk around the lake and saw an alligator! How crazy is that?! We were all VERY excited

Next, the family that has opened their homes and hearts for the next three of my five weeks in Lakeland.  Rob and Jan.  They are very kind and very social! Fun to talk to.  Rob is from New Zealand and Jan is from Canada.  They are more "international" than my roommate and I! Speaking of, Anna is 27 and from Seattle, WA.  She is one of the Promotional Reps for the road, so that means she's setting up the cities that we travel to.  Thank goodness for them! Going back to my host parents.  Today Rob told me a bunch of New Zealand history, and it's really interesting! The food is also amazing! Jan really has a touch in the kitchen.  She was also wonderful when I was sick.  I couldn't have asked for a better situation for such a sucky one.  I haven't taken photos with my whole host family yet, but when I do, I will put them up! But we are getting a 3rd roommie on friday, so then we will be complete! So, for now, a picture of my room and their adorable puppy Bella who has teeth "only a mother could love" as Rob says.  

The Arrival

This is it! I'm finally here! So it's not an actual Up With People travel blog! Not just me talking about how I would like to get there.

A little update on getting here: I procrastinated til 2 days before I left to pack, so it was kinda crazy.  I get one suitcase at 50lbs for 6 months and one carry on. Yup, that is all  my stuff for the next 6 months! and I even have 3 pounds to spare! yay!   So, not my favorite days or my best planning moments either.  But I got everything together, and at 4am this morning we left for the airport and after some teary goodbyes,  I departed at 7am.  I was lucky enough to be able to fly with 2 other girls from CO so we had fun getting to know each other.  The ride seemed really long, but Tara and I watched a movie and I made a hat! So it was semi-productive.

 (Amy on the left, Tara on the right)

 

After we landed, We met fellow Wisconsin member Misa, and Amy Misa and I were the first off to Lakeland! (Celebratory packing photo below) Even though it's a little dreary, I like the weather, and it seems like a quaint town.  I don't know much about my host parents yet, but I know that I will tell you much more as I learn! Right now she is a great cook, he is really funny, and their home is beautiful.  On Sunday I will be getting a roommate named Anna, but that's all I know about her! Can't wait to meet her either, and this weekend, besides class 9-12 tomorrow we get off to spend with our families! So, there should be more about the weekend and such next week after all the rest of the cast comes on Friday.  I can't wait to meet everyone! I'm ready to make some friends :)

That's all I have for now, but I hope you check back soon!

Love, Mal