Okay, so classes start on Monday, but tomorrow is when everything really gets kicked off. Jen and I got a chance to meet my classmates the other night(there are five of us all together), and we made sure that we all had the schedule correct for the weekend. Tomorrow I have orientation from 330p -530p. Saturday the other "first years" and I are going to be taking the MFA Exam at noon. The exam is basically an exit test that all graduate students have to take before they can receive their degrees. However, they like for incoming grad students to take it when they first start so they can get an idea of what the test is going to be like. After the exam, we are all going to meet with the head of the acting program to perform, and work, our audition pieces for the first semester's shows. Sunday, the head of the Directing program is having a party for all the faculty, staff, and grad students. Then, classes start on Monday, of course, and things really start taking off. We have another meeting for all the grad students on Tuesday, where we will all perform our audition pieces again. Then, auditions start on Wednesday and continue through Saturday. So, the next few days should be really exciting as I get to meet and mingle with everyone in the Theatre Department.
I'm a bit anxious about my audition pieces. In the first round of auditions, we get two minutes to perform two contrasting monologues. I have chosen to perform Aaron from "Titus Andronicus" and Benoit Pinglet from "A Little Hotel On the Side". Aaron is definitely a dramatic piece and Pinglet is a comedic monologue. The first semester's shows include "Women's Minyan" by Naomi Reagan, "The Lion in Winter" by James Goldman, "Dearborn Americana" by Christian Krauspe (a recent WIU graduate who won the regional ACTF theatre festival playwriting competition), and a host of studio plays including "Closer" by Patrick Marber(a play that I directed a scene from in one of my undergraduate directing class). Needless to say, there will be lots of shows to see and hopefully take part in, but the focus, of course, will be on classes.
In Other News
Jennifer has started a job at the Catch a Star Learning Center, and is working with babies six weeks to a year old. She works Monday through Friday from 830a to 530p. The school is about two and a half blocks away from our duplex and enrolls kids from babies to five years in preschool. She is enjoying it so far and loves working with the babies. I get a little grossed out, though, when she comes home with her shirt tainted with infant side effects. Actually, Jen has contracted a cold in the last day or so, which I had to blame on the kids(damn carrier monkeys!! - sorry that's one of my catch phrases). Hopefully she will be better in the next couple of days, though. Jen is still going to keep an eye out for other job opportunities while we're here, and we'll see what happens when she starts her grad program next year.
Maggie has adapted to her new home well. We take her for walks around the neighborhood from time to time, and there is a small dog park not too far from the house as well. She's made a handful of friends is always the life of the party. She's still not quite sure what to make of all the sounds at night, though. Macomb is pretty much out in the country, and is surrounded by farms, so we have a lot of insects that Maggie is not used to hearing.
We've also been keeping up with Olympics. Actually we had to take a break tonight, and watch something else. We loved watching the Gymnastics, and were glad to see Shawn Johnson win a gold medal. Of course, the feats of Phelps were awesome to watch, and I caught the exciting beach volleyball match last night. Way to go May and Walsh!! I've been checking in on the Stars' website here and there. Jen and I are still hoping to maybe catch a Blackhawks/Stars game in Chicago, or Blues/Stars game in St. Louis this season, but we'll have to see if the schedules work out. In any case, GO STARS!!!
Stay tuned, though, as there will certainly be more to come.
Love,
Eric & Jen
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Our First Week in Our New Home
Well we've come to the end of our first week here in Macomb. We are pretty well entrenched, and preparing for our first assault when classes begin. Before we get to that, however, let us acquaint you with the events that occurred this first week.
The Move
We got a little worried about how things were going to start off when we called to confirm reservation with Budget Rental Truck, and found out there was not a single car dolly in the metroplex. We had planned to tow Jen's car behind the moving truck, but apparently it wasn't in the cards. After discussing our options, we decided to leave Jen's car (Jessie) behind, and pick her up when we come home for Christmas. So, this first semester should be interesting, with the use of only one vehicle. Fortunately, Macomb is a pretty small town, and we shouldn't have many problems figuring out our schedule.
Having finished packing up late Tuesday evening, August 5, we got up bright and early(well not so bright) Wednesday morning to begin our 14 hour drive to Illinois. Eric and a "relaxed" Maggie took command of the Budget truck that we named Francis, and Jen followed close behind in Eric's truck (Lucille). Fortunately, because of the early start, we hit very little traffic and made excellent time through Oklahoma. We stopped in Springfield for lunch, and then began the second leg of the trip, which seemed to drag a little bit. On more than one occasion a phone call had to be made to give a quick pep talk, and keep us from dozing off. After passing through Hannibal, MO, and crossing a noticeably high Mississippi river, we began the home stretch. We pulled into Macomb at about 6:30pm, and into the driveway of our new home.
We had to introduce ourselves quickly to one of our new neighbors, a local state trooper, and ask him to move his patrol car from our side of the driveway. Eric strategically backed the rental truck down the narrow and steep driveway, and we introduced Maggie to her new backyard. We unloaded a few items from Lucille, and Eric assembled our bed for the first night. We then quickly went to sleep.
After sleeping in a little bit the next morning, we began unpacking Francis. Not long after starting to unpack the truck, one of our neighbors graciously offered to help us with the heavier pieces of furniture. Ironically, he and his wife are also in law enforcement, as he is a criminal justice major at Spoon River College in town, and she is a correctional officer at a nearby facility. After scouting out the town in May, we saw that crime was not a problem in Macomb. Then after meeting our neighbors, we were reassured that we shouldn't have to worry too much. We finished unpacking mid-afternoon, returned the rental truck, and after returning home ordered the typical first meal: Pizza.
Settling In
The next few days were spent putting everything where it goes, and finding homes for all of our things. We have assembled some furniture that we bought from Ikea, and hung up most of the wall decorations. In addition, we have also done some more exploring of Macomb and the outlying areas. During the summer, Macomb is a relatively sleepy little town, but we have already noticed more activities as classes draw nearer. Population signs of Macomb read a little over 20,000, but we have been told half of those are students. Western Illinois University is the main attraction here, and usually the first question we get when we meet someone new is "Are you going to school at Western?" The town has quaint little neighborhoods, with picturesque vintage homes and gardens. The county courthouse lies in a traditional town square, with shops and restaurants surrounding it. There is a park off the square with a playground and gazebo across from which is the train station that has a regular amtrak train to Chicago. There is a Wal-Mart, but we have also taken the time to visit the other less familiar stores, like the Hy-Vee and the Farm King. Both of these have some decent prices, and useful local necessities.
Work and School
Eric is getting excited and anxious about starting this semester, and is beginning to work on his monologues needed for auditions the first week of classes. Before that, however, Eric will have two to three different meetings with classmates, faculty, and staff to outline the first semester. Eric has been assigned as a graduate assistant to DC Wright for the first semester, and will be helping teach the stage combat class.
Jen has been on the job hunt this week, and has looked a few different options. One is working with the Head Start program in town, and another is working with the school district as a program assistant. The Head Start program, however, turned out to be a part time position, which would not work out. She will be applying for the School District position on Monday, and hopefully that will work out. We will keep you posted on her progress in finding a great job here in Macomb.
For now, we continue to get comfortable and acquainted in our new home. Although we miss our family and friends, we continue to thank you for your love and support. We look forward to seeing you soon, and we will continue to keep you updated as we begin this exciting new chapter!
Love,
Eric, Jen, and Maggie
The Move
We got a little worried about how things were going to start off when we called to confirm reservation with Budget Rental Truck, and found out there was not a single car dolly in the metroplex. We had planned to tow Jen's car behind the moving truck, but apparently it wasn't in the cards. After discussing our options, we decided to leave Jen's car (Jessie) behind, and pick her up when we come home for Christmas. So, this first semester should be interesting, with the use of only one vehicle. Fortunately, Macomb is a pretty small town, and we shouldn't have many problems figuring out our schedule.
Having finished packing up late Tuesday evening, August 5, we got up bright and early(well not so bright) Wednesday morning to begin our 14 hour drive to Illinois. Eric and a "relaxed" Maggie took command of the Budget truck that we named Francis, and Jen followed close behind in Eric's truck (Lucille). Fortunately, because of the early start, we hit very little traffic and made excellent time through Oklahoma. We stopped in Springfield for lunch, and then began the second leg of the trip, which seemed to drag a little bit. On more than one occasion a phone call had to be made to give a quick pep talk, and keep us from dozing off. After passing through Hannibal, MO, and crossing a noticeably high Mississippi river, we began the home stretch. We pulled into Macomb at about 6:30pm, and into the driveway of our new home.
We had to introduce ourselves quickly to one of our new neighbors, a local state trooper, and ask him to move his patrol car from our side of the driveway. Eric strategically backed the rental truck down the narrow and steep driveway, and we introduced Maggie to her new backyard. We unloaded a few items from Lucille, and Eric assembled our bed for the first night. We then quickly went to sleep.
After sleeping in a little bit the next morning, we began unpacking Francis. Not long after starting to unpack the truck, one of our neighbors graciously offered to help us with the heavier pieces of furniture. Ironically, he and his wife are also in law enforcement, as he is a criminal justice major at Spoon River College in town, and she is a correctional officer at a nearby facility. After scouting out the town in May, we saw that crime was not a problem in Macomb. Then after meeting our neighbors, we were reassured that we shouldn't have to worry too much. We finished unpacking mid-afternoon, returned the rental truck, and after returning home ordered the typical first meal: Pizza.
Settling In
The next few days were spent putting everything where it goes, and finding homes for all of our things. We have assembled some furniture that we bought from Ikea, and hung up most of the wall decorations. In addition, we have also done some more exploring of Macomb and the outlying areas. During the summer, Macomb is a relatively sleepy little town, but we have already noticed more activities as classes draw nearer. Population signs of Macomb read a little over 20,000, but we have been told half of those are students. Western Illinois University is the main attraction here, and usually the first question we get when we meet someone new is "Are you going to school at Western?" The town has quaint little neighborhoods, with picturesque vintage homes and gardens. The county courthouse lies in a traditional town square, with shops and restaurants surrounding it. There is a park off the square with a playground and gazebo across from which is the train station that has a regular amtrak train to Chicago. There is a Wal-Mart, but we have also taken the time to visit the other less familiar stores, like the Hy-Vee and the Farm King. Both of these have some decent prices, and useful local necessities.
Work and School
Eric is getting excited and anxious about starting this semester, and is beginning to work on his monologues needed for auditions the first week of classes. Before that, however, Eric will have two to three different meetings with classmates, faculty, and staff to outline the first semester. Eric has been assigned as a graduate assistant to DC Wright for the first semester, and will be helping teach the stage combat class.
Jen has been on the job hunt this week, and has looked a few different options. One is working with the Head Start program in town, and another is working with the school district as a program assistant. The Head Start program, however, turned out to be a part time position, which would not work out. She will be applying for the School District position on Monday, and hopefully that will work out. We will keep you posted on her progress in finding a great job here in Macomb.
For now, we continue to get comfortable and acquainted in our new home. Although we miss our family and friends, we continue to thank you for your love and support. We look forward to seeing you soon, and we will continue to keep you updated as we begin this exciting new chapter!
Love,
Eric, Jen, and Maggie
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