Lacey, Washington

Lacey, Washington 

March 25th- March 31st

Theme of the week: Gratitude

2 Full Shows, 1 Acoustic Promo

Dave and Diana Gibson

Juliette (Belgium)

3-25-19 Monday 

It's travel day!!!! This was the longest bus ride I have ever had since traveling in Up with People. It was 15 hours straight of sitting on the bus. Andree sat next to me for the first part of the day, and then he went to the back of the bus. I had the seat to myself and I really enjoyed the space and alone time. I watched Netflix, listened to music, read my journal, and slept. It was needed down time. When we finally arrived in Washington, I got to see the PR's Tylene and Hidde!!! I was excited to be hosted with one of my good friends from the cast. My new host family is awesome. My host mom is a fantastic cook!!! This is going to be a great week!!!!!

 3-26-19 Tuesday

Today was my first day being an Education Intern. I started by being a crew leader for a community action site called Chinook. This was a middle school with ALOT of diversity within the student body. A group of us went to individual classrooms and lead workshops that made the students think about their community, leadership, and diversity. One thing that stood out to me from the day was when a white student answered this question... "Is your school perceived negatively or positively in your community?" He said that it was viewed negatively because "it's kinda ghetto." He immediately shut down and stopped talking because he was afraid of what other people would say if he continued. He was the only white boy in the entire class and he was definitely in the minority. I just think it is so interesting how the times have truly changed and that it's harder to be a white, christian, male in this society. Then we went to Cider Mill and Farm to pick up tree branches, play with animals, clean enclosures, and hold bunnies. At the end of the day we got fresh apple fritters and cider. I almost cried when I ate the fritter because it was sooooo good. Then we had PA time to learn the acoustic medley in Spanish!! When we got home, Juliette and I had a really deep conversation with Diana and Dave. It was nice to hear their opinions about a lot of things.

3-27-19 Wednesday

In the morning, I worked at Chinook middle school again doing Take a Stand workshops. I don't especially love working with this age group all day for three days straight, but it's learning how to be flexible. Then I went back to the facility and had three hours of free time. I called Ivy, Yaz, LaRyssa, Uriel, and Justice from last semester. It made me really miss my last cast a lot. Then we did a education workshop where we talked about "Bad Apples." It showed how possible it is for one persons negative energy to bring down an entire group. I learned that individuals are more powerful than large groups. Ellen (From Minnesota) picked one person to be an actor for each group. Then she gave the cast a task, but the actors had to become the bad apples. I was chosen to act, and I laid down, played on my phone, discouraged every idea, and complained the entire time on purpose. The people in my group were really annoyed but then eventually gave up and started complaining with me. This happened in a lot of groups, and I thought it was a very interesting simulation. Then the host families came for a spaghetti dinner and there was a short acoustic performance. When I got home, my host mom and I sat at the piano and sang hymns together. It was really nice!

3-28-19 Thursday
Today was the third and final day at Chinook Middle School. Ellen, the curriculum manager, came to watch and give feedback for our school workshops. We did revive civility and realized that it wasn't too engaging for middle schoolers. We tweaked the lesson and sparked ideas for next semester. After, we walked to South Sound Reading Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that gives 56,000 books out to students who don't have the ability to buy books. We took inventory and sorted all their books. Being crew leader today was especially difficult because the information about the two CA's was unclear. Also, my group members were being a little disrespectful. I had a moment and needed to be reminded why I was actually here. Then we had MEXICO PREP!!! They talked us through flight plans, culture, and expectations. I am so excited to get out of this country. At night, our neighbors hosted a bonfire/party with the people in the area. We have over 15 cast members being hosted all on the same street. They made hamburgers and set up a bat midden set. It was a great night where I got to feel like a normal person hanging out with my friends. That doesn't happen often, and I really appreciated it.

3-29-19 Friday 2-30-19 Saturday
Double Show Day!! Our show venue was pretty nice. It was a theater with three balconies. Kirk and Ann came to see the show! My host family this week has been truly amazing. They are one of my favorites so far. These are the first show days of my Education Internship. Sara and I planned the workshop for reflection time. We put up papers around the black box with prompts for each city in the U.S. Then everyone wrote what they were grateful for to tie it into our theme of the week. We also had our first check in to talk about goals for the internship. I am really excited to be her intern and grow in my leadership and public speaking skills. Before the second show, this guy named Henri came up to me and played into an inside joke between me and my host dad from Sacramento. They traveled together with Jeanna's parents. Both shows were very successful. Then we had to take inventory of all our strike equipment for Mexico. We are moving it all into one truck. I got home and went straight to bed.

3-31-19 Sunday
Host Family Day!!! Juliette and I slept in so late. We definitely needed the rest before a country transition. We went for a two mile run and then we worked out afterwards as well. It was nice to exercise again. In the morning, I started packing for Mexico and getting rid of winter clothes. It's about to increase in temperature, and I need to get mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared. I got my suitcase under 50lbs!! I have never been more excited to get out of the country. I think going to Mexico will bring the cast closer together because it will humble everyone. I am just so excited!! Diane and Dave took us to Tolmie State Park in the afternoon. There was a fresh/salt water lake that connected to the Pacific Ocean. We hiked for a little while and enjoyed the day. Diane made a delicious Italian dish called Gnocchi. Then host drop off was at 7:00pm. We have a red eye flight to Mexico!!

---> MEXICO!

Sacramento, California

Sacramento, California

March 18th-March 25th

Theme of the week- Homelessness

Dale and Jen Shaver

2 Full Shows, 1 Acoustic Promo

Hosted Alone

3-18-19 Monday

Travel Day!! Today we had a 10 hour bus ride from Las Vegas to Sacramento. I sat next Katie Barns on the bus and realized how much I loved her. Dad dropped me off early in the morning, and it was a pretty hard goodbye once again. I slept and finally watched Bohemian Rhapsody on my computer. We arrived in California and got to see Hayden and Ya at the Boys and Girls Club. I met my host family and they had a big sign waiting for me. I am hosted alone this week, and I am very grateful. After 13 roommates, its really nice to have my own bed, bathroom, fridge, and piano!! We went out for sushi the first night and then I went to bed early.

3-19-19 Tuesday
Today I had a manual labor CA at Orangevale Food Bank. A group of 8 of us worked outside all day digging a 5 inch deep hole. This non-profit organization wants to build a patio for low-income clients. We had shovels to loosen up the gravel and get it out of the way. The mixture between rocks and clay made it really challenging to dig the hole. We all got extremely tired by the end of they day. Then we had a homelessness simulation at the end of the day. We got more education about housing for the homeless like section 8 vouchers. Dale picked me up and we went to Chipotle. We ate at home, watched Jeopardy, and face timed Jeanna. Dale and Jeanna's parents traveled together.

 

3-20-19 Wednesday

Today started off with a leadership roundtable with local business owners in Sacramento. They came in, shared their life experiences, and gave us advice for our lives. Then an Alumni who was a previous Vocal Instructor/Show Manager in Up with People gave a vocal workshop. I learned a lot by seeing what exercise she used to get someone to use different techniques. I took a lot of notes that I will be bringing to Camp Up with People this summer. I am really excited to bring in new ideas and become the best vocal instructor. For CA, we worked with the children from the Boys and Girls Club. We had four stations set up with 10 minute rotations of activities for kids. The little ones really enjoyed everything. When we got middle school ages kids, they were not engaged and very disrespectful. I knew that I couldn't force them into participating because they have so many hard things going on in their life and this club is meant for them to have a safe escape. However, I could not believe how rude some of the kids acted. It made my heart break to even think about the home lives they come from. Then Dale and Jennifer took me out for Chinese food. We were the last ones to leave the restaurant. 

3-21-19 Thursday

The acoustic group performed on the steps of the California State Capital to promote the show. It was a great turnout because we had a big audience. ABC 10 showed up to get footage of us, and I got to do my first Up with People interview. We performed many times up and down the streets around the capital building. Promo days are always so much fun because we can relax, sing, explore, and hang out with amazing people. Our sponsor this week is named Dave Smith. He owns 37 Taco Bell's in California. Needless to say, he is loaded. Dave opened up his huge house to the entire cast and alumni for a party. We had four limo's pick us up from our facility and bring us to his house. The party was really fun!!! They catered sushi for so many people to eat! It was a great night. 

3-22-19 Friday
It's Show Day!!! The cast drove down to Modesto for the day to perform in the show. It was great to be reunited with the rest of the cast for the day. During rehearsal, Jeanna and Ezrah surprised!! In staging they made me believe that they couldn't come because they didn't have a car, but it was all a part of the plan. Justice from South Dakota also came to visit the cast. It was so great to see all three of them. Before the show, there was a classy VIP reception where our sponsors and beneficiaries collaborated. My assistantship of Hospitality is almost over after this week. The show was in a beautiful theater that our sponsor bought for us. We aren't performing in a gym anymore. Isac, Kaede, and I got to do our small presentation for the alumni reception. Again, there was a lot of people who played significant roles in our program. Dale drove down to the show and went to the alumni reception. Then we drove back and when I walked through the door, Jeanna and Ezrah were sitting on the couch!! They had organized this surprise with my host family for the past two weeks. My host dad and Jeanna's parents traveled together. They talked to the PR's and made sure I was hosted with them so that they could surprise me. They spent the night and will be here until Monday. There were so many clues that I didn't pick up on. I am sooooooo happy to see them.

 

2-23-19 Saturday

Host Family Day!!! Jeanna, Ezrah, Momo, and I went for brunch at the Mimosa House. Then we walked around Downtown Sacramento. We went to a park and just laid in the sun for a while. I am so grateful to have them here and just be normal for a day. For dinner, we met up with Kendall and Sarah and went to a bar and restaurant. They all traveled together a year ago, and it was a little reunion for them as well. It made me appreciate the special connections made in Up with People. We went to a popular desert place and just talked. We shared horror stories and amazing memories from our time on the road. I really loved just hanging out in Old Sacramento all day.

3-24-19 Sunday
Show Day in Sacramento!!!! This show venue seated 2,100 people. It was the most gorgeous theater I have ever performed in during Up with People. Today is the last day of my Hospitality Assistantship with Alicen. There was a big VIP and Alumni reception before and after the show. I got to spend time with Ezrah and Jeanna throughout the day while working with the band, the Crew Leaders, and the Hospitality assistants. We had superstrike, and it only took us 1 hour and 5 minutes to take the whole set down! It was the first show day in a while where I felt consistently happy throughout the day!

--->>> Washington... 

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas

March 11th- March 17th

Theme of the week: LGTBQIA+

Claire LeFevre

1 Full Show, 1 School Show, 1 Acoustic Promo

Aaron (Colorado), Michael (Belgium), Angelis (Bermuda), Fiona (Maine), Grace (Arizona), Ivy (Texas), Leah (Pennsylvania), Leo (France), Nasya (Bermuda), Patrick (Wisconsin), Spencer (Colorado), Wouty (Belgium)

3-11-19 Monday

Travel Day!!! The cast had a 10 hour bus ride through Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. The drive was gorgeous with all the canyons, hills, and mountains out the window. I sat next to Anna on the bus and I really got to connect with her! We stopped twice along the way to stretch and then finally arrived at the Desert Oasis High School. I got to see Jai Yu when we arrived as well!!! The school marching band and cheerleading squad welcomed us off the bus. I saw my allocation card and had a mini heart attack... I have 13 roommates this week. The acoustic group has a performance before hours and then a crew has to stay up late to set up the stage. This poor lady has to take care of 13 people the entire week. It is truly insane, but also one of those experiences I'll never forget. Getting all of us and our luggage home took 3 different cars. Then we went to In and Out Burgers where she had to spend a fortune for all of us to eat. When we got home, we saw air mattresses laid out all over the house along with twin/queen/king beds. There is only one shower for all of us to use so we started assigning 5 minute time slots for showers at night and in the morning. This is absolutely insane, but at least it's with some of my closest friends.

 

3-12-19 Tuesday
Today I had workshops at David Cox Elementary School. We did personal flags and WAMWAO for two classrooms of Kingergarten and Third Grade. Then Isac, Tzvi, Virginie, Toto, Sophie, and Nadine went for a walk outside and it was beautiful weather. We walked past palm trees with the sun on our faces!! It was a nice change of pace. At night, we went to a Rock of Ages concert. Leah's Uncle got our huge allocation free tickets to see a live band playing classic 80's music. Spencer, Grace, Leah, and I were in the front VIP row jammin!! The band gave Up with People a shout out at the end of their performance and we went crazy. Then we got to see Hard Rock Casino, and a little bit of the Las Vegas strip!! It was an epic night.

3-13-19 Wednesday
 Today I volunteered at a food bank called three square. This center is massive and feeds over 200,000 families around the area of Las Vegas. I sacked potatoes, carrots, and apples into little bags that get sent home with kids at school who don't have secure meals at home. I worked with Frank all day and really got closer to him. Then we had a quest speaker come for the LGTBQ hot topic and I skipped it to got for a walk with people who share my view points. We talked for a long time, and it was really nice to not feel alone in my beliefs. Nasya shared with the cast that he is going home tomorrow. Luckily he is my roommate this week so I could properly say goodbye to him. At night, we all sang while Spencer played the guitar and enjoyed our time together.

3-14-19 Thursday

Today was an extremely long day. The acoustic group woke up before hours to share a presentation at the rotary club. It was inspiring to have everyone appreciate the Up with People program so much. We shared our stories and left them encouraged. Then we performed at three old folks home and each place we went, the people were so excited and supportive. We had free time for the rest of the CA day so we drove to the Vegas Sign and took pictures. We all wanted to go to a thrift store, so we shopped and bought cheap clothes. After the cast meeting, a group of 30 had to do a late night set-up at the Desert Oasis High School. One host family was having a massive pool party, but we couldn't go because our allocation. I finally learned how to set up the lights on the stage! When Clare picked us up, we went drove through the Las Vegas Strip!

3-15-19 Friday

Today we had a school show for almost 2,200 high school students. Their reactions of the songs in the crowd were awesome and they encouraged us to perform our best. This show venue is not the best because we have two full rows of bleachers on each side of the stage. The cast had a community discovery in Mandalay Bay. We got a private tour of a rehearsal for the Michael Jackson One Cirque de Soleil. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could only get through Up with People. Then Clare brought the mob to the strip and we went on Roller Coasters in New York New York. Then we went to Bellagio and I introduced Kip to my roommates. It was really fun to be downtown Vegas and see what it was like. The water show at the Bellagio was stunning. We went to an M&M store and then crashed when we went home. 

3-16-19 Saturday
Show Day!!!! In the morning, I was practicing with the band and we started jamming to classic rock songs from the 80's. After lunch, I was a section leader for the sopranos to teach the Mexican Medley. The cast needs a lot more practice with it, but we will get there soon enough. Today God showed up in my life more than ever before. All week, I was really disappointed that my entire family was going to be at a show where I wasn't singing anything. Then, Julia got sick and couldn't sing as Hope. Leah pulled Gabbie as the back up and had her practicing. I saw an opportunity to play hope for the show that my family was coming to, and I jumped on it. Leah was on board and helped me make it happen. During rehearsal Gabbie sang all the hope moments, so I thought that she was going to do it in the show, but then they ran Keep Hope Alive twice so I could sing it. The show team decided that I could sing Hope because they needed someone who was 100 percent ready to fill in for Julia. Momo talked to me and reviewed all the new blocking for Hope. I was a little stressed because I had never done the blocking for hope, the transitions from piano to hope moments, and the new rundown. But, I really wanted to prove that I could make it all work together smoothly. Momo also told me that this was probably the only time that I will be able to play Hope for the rest of the semester. I can't believe that the one time Julia got sick was the show that 14 family members were in the audience. God is truly so good. I cried out of happiness and excitement. During front of house, I got to see my family for the first time since Christmas and it was really nice. They were guests in green room and then got seats in the house. I hadn't told them that I was actually singing, so when I opened the show, they were surprised. It felt so good to be singing, playing a big role in the show, and being a part of the band all in one show. I was nailing every new blocking, and especially the end of Keep Hope Alive. This new cast has never actually heard me sing and their reactions were priceless. My friends from last semester kept coming up to me and telling me how much they missed me signing. It was really reassuring to hear amazing compliments from everyone. Most of all, it felt amazing to be back, even if it was just for one show. All of the struggling in staging all paid off in this very show. This show mattered the most because my family was there, and I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to sing and play! I am so glad that I auditioned for the band, and also had the opportunity to prove myself this semester. After the show, I went up to Todd, Jenny, Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Dad and they were all crying. This was the moment were I had a overwhelming sense of peace, accomplishment, and pride. They were all really impacted by the message and it was amazing to have all their support. Then I went to the Hotel with my family on the strip of Las Vegas. It was an emotionally challenging day, but also so rewarding.

3-17-19 Sunday
Host Family Day!! Today I got to wake up in a hotel with my real family surrounding me!! We went to the hot tub first thing in the morning. Then the family drove to the Hoover Dam. It was really interesting, and I was glad to check that off the bucket list. We continued driving all the way to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Another thing to check off! There was a Sky Walk where we could walk on glass over the deep canyon. We got to hike, visit look outs, and take many pictures. It was quality family time spent in the car ride, and the outdoors. When we got back to our hotel, we decided to go to Fremont Street for St. Patricks Day! There were interesting sights and smells forsure... Tali was a bit traumatized. We got dinner at a Chinese place and then went back to the hotel. I am sad that the time was so short, but I will see them all again in June!

Off to California!!