Kinerooi, Belgium
May 13th-May 18th
Theme of the week: World Religions
3 Full Shows, 2 School Shows, 1 Acoustic Promo
Els, Steve, Nathan, Aster, Snuf
Nadine (Switzerland/Benin)
5-13-19 Monday
Travel Day!!! Today the cast had a community discovery in Brussels. I was kind of paranoid walking around with my phone. Last time I was here, it got stolen. We went to an awesome vintage thrift store called "Think Twice." I finally bought a jean jacket for my patches that I have collected. Then we went to an Italian restaurant and ate with 15 people. It was a great day in the middle of a beautiful city. When we got to the facility, the major of Kinrooi spoke to the cast and all of our host families. Then I met my family for the week. I have a 14 year old host brother and a 12 year old host sister that reminds me a lot of Tali. I am so lucky to be hosted with them this week. They are extremely hospitable and they make healthy food. My host brother plays the saxophone, and my host sister plays the piano. My host dad has this warm presence to him and I really feel at home here. I am hosted with Nadine. Her mom is from Switzerland and her dad is from Benin, Africa! I am fascinated with her family and the way she was raised. We ate a delicious dinner and watched Netflix with Nathan!
5-16-19 Thursday
We had two school shows in the morning. Since I took a sick day yesterday, I couldn't perform in the show. There were many songs with no piano player, and it actually made a difference in the overall sound. I got to watch the show in the audience, and the first one was so bad that I was actually embarrassed to be a part of UWP. Thankfully, the second one was much better and all hope was restored. We had the stages of loss workshop where we discuss the semester ending and all the emotions that go along with it. I realized that I am in the acceptance phase. I am going to be sad to leave people, the high pace, host families, and new experiences. But, I am so ready to go home and start the rest of my life. I started looking for potential college roommates, and I am getting a little concerned. Since I am a music education major, there are quite a lot of weirdos in the matching site. I know it'll all work out. I really hope that I don't get extremely bored in Fargo. That part of my life is finally starting to hit me, and I am getting a little worried. In the bible study that I am doing with Shawna, we studied Matthew 6:31. This verse talks about not worrying about tomorrow because there is enough to worry about today. God has been very present in my life lately, and he is guiding the direction of my life.
5-17-19 Friday
Show Day!!! The staff tricked us this morning... We were supposed to have a school show, but we finally had CAST APPRECIATION. This is where the staff puts on a two hour show to thank the cast for everything throughout the semester. They sang colorful and created wonderful medleys. They also danced and sang songs in our show that were copied from pop culture. We did an activity where the entire cast sat on the floor with our eyes closed and then a few people would stand up and tap people. For example, "Tap someone who you want to be like." Then you would feel the love others have for you anonymously. The whole vibe of the cast changed. When rehearsal started, I shadowed Momo. I wanted to see what its like to facilitate a rehearsal so I can be prepared for camp. She gave me so many valuable tips. I am so inspired by her and the way she leads. I also had to play piano, rehearse hope, and control graphics. It was a bit chaotic, but I am very grateful for the experience. This show was one of the best times that I have ever sang Keep Hope Alive. It felt so good to be 100% back singing AND performing like before. My host family was in the second row and they did not stop talking about how much they loved the show! Rodger was also there again. It was a great show day!!!
5-18-19 Saturday
Double Show Day!!! It was a long and exhausting past few days, but we are back at it again with a show at two and at eight. In between the two shows, there was a little boy that hung around the cast. Affe noticed that he could play the guitar, so they put him on stage. He sang and played the guitar with Affe and Aaron. It was so cute and inspiring. This little boy has more talent and guts that I do. He sang for the cast at green room and set off a positive vibe in the cast. We had two really great shows and KYRA came with her family!!! I took them to greenroom and they sat in the third row. After the show, I rode home with them to the Netherlands. I saw Grandma, Senne, Moris, Corrine, and Marc. I felt like I was going home for a few days, and I have missed that feeling.
5-14-19 Tuesday
Today I had a community action at a school called Mosa RT. We had an acoustic promo at the school cafeteria. We were on a stage and had a little microphone in the middle. It wasn't the best performance we have ever had, but it was still fun to sing. Many people had admissions workshops in the classroom, but I stayed at the booth outside and hung out with Frank in the sun. It was a relaxing day, and I felt calm and collected. Then the cast got to go on a boat ride on a lake in the boarder of Belgium and the Netherlands. We got pie will sitting at cute little tables on this big double decker boat. We got lucky with the beautiful weather on the water. Then, our host family picked us up and we went home to eat steak, asparagus, salad, and mashed potatoes. This was the best meal that I have had on tour in a long time. Nadine and I worked out a little bit in front of their house. Then we went on a 4 km walk to buy fresh strawberries and visit her brother's farm. These were the best strawberries I have ever had in my life. I was blown away! I love this host family!
5-15-19 Wednesday
Sick Day!! This is one of the only sick days that I have taken this semester. My body is completely fatigued and it needed a rest day. Also, I needed a break emotionally from the craziness of UWP. I got a very important email from Brandon Wente. He told me that I had to sign up for classes, update my roommate profile, take the Not Anymore Survey and take a placement test for Spanish. I didn't receive my college emails when my phone was gone, and the deadline for all of those things was May 15th. I luckily got them all done on time. I am glad I took a sick day today. It took me 4 hours to do it all, and I don't have that kind of free time in a normal day. Walter also emailed me with a lot of information for camp. I am just getting everything organized today. Rodger asked the staff to pick their top 10 songs for the camp show. I am excited to have input on the show rundown for this summer! When Nadine came home, we worked out and it felt so good to feel somewhat healthy again. We went to my host family's bar that they own. We had a few drinks and played darts with the kids.
5-16-19 Thursday
We had two school shows in the morning. Since I took a sick day yesterday, I couldn't perform in the show. There were many songs with no piano player, and it actually made a difference in the overall sound. I got to watch the show in the audience, and the first one was so bad that I was actually embarrassed to be a part of UWP. Thankfully, the second one was much better and all hope was restored. We had the stages of loss workshop where we discuss the semester ending and all the emotions that go along with it. I realized that I am in the acceptance phase. I am going to be sad to leave people, the high pace, host families, and new experiences. But, I am so ready to go home and start the rest of my life. I started looking for potential college roommates, and I am getting a little concerned. Since I am a music education major, there are quite a lot of weirdos in the matching site. I know it'll all work out. I really hope that I don't get extremely bored in Fargo. That part of my life is finally starting to hit me, and I am getting a little worried. In the bible study that I am doing with Shawna, we studied Matthew 6:31. This verse talks about not worrying about tomorrow because there is enough to worry about today. God has been very present in my life lately, and he is guiding the direction of my life.
5-17-19 Friday
Show Day!!! The staff tricked us this morning... We were supposed to have a school show, but we finally had CAST APPRECIATION. This is where the staff puts on a two hour show to thank the cast for everything throughout the semester. They sang colorful and created wonderful medleys. They also danced and sang songs in our show that were copied from pop culture. We did an activity where the entire cast sat on the floor with our eyes closed and then a few people would stand up and tap people. For example, "Tap someone who you want to be like." Then you would feel the love others have for you anonymously. The whole vibe of the cast changed. When rehearsal started, I shadowed Momo. I wanted to see what its like to facilitate a rehearsal so I can be prepared for camp. She gave me so many valuable tips. I am so inspired by her and the way she leads. I also had to play piano, rehearse hope, and control graphics. It was a bit chaotic, but I am very grateful for the experience. This show was one of the best times that I have ever sang Keep Hope Alive. It felt so good to be 100% back singing AND performing like before. My host family was in the second row and they did not stop talking about how much they loved the show! Rodger was also there again. It was a great show day!!!
5-18-19 Saturday
Double Show Day!!! It was a long and exhausting past few days, but we are back at it again with a show at two and at eight. In between the two shows, there was a little boy that hung around the cast. Affe noticed that he could play the guitar, so they put him on stage. He sang and played the guitar with Affe and Aaron. It was so cute and inspiring. This little boy has more talent and guts that I do. He sang for the cast at green room and set off a positive vibe in the cast. We had two really great shows and KYRA came with her family!!! I took them to greenroom and they sat in the third row. After the show, I rode home with them to the Netherlands. I saw Grandma, Senne, Moris, Corrine, and Marc. I felt like I was going home for a few days, and I have missed that feeling.
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