A Magnolia Memoir

The hardest part sometimes when wanting to write is figuring out how to start.So I guess the most appropriate thing to do would be to start at the beginning. I've been away from blogging for a while and the reason (or in part) because I was a part of a play named after a flower.

Back in February word came out that the Madrid Players were going to do a production of Steel Magnolias. I got really excited because it's a story that is near and dear to my heart.... especially since my diabetic sister is planning her wedding, and I'm not available to be there. The other reason is because it's a great story about relationships you form, and having watched the movie a billion and one times, that story has made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. I wanted so badly to be a part of this production. I got even more excited when I found out the potential people I could be working with, including my good friend Parisa as the director.

So I found a monologue, went to the audition, and rocked it (despite other personal things going on in my life). The next day was emotional, and then I got the email, that despite being great, it was decided to go another direction. Though, I understood, thought it was logical, my heart sunk. Not only because I really wanted it, but because it was another moment to add to the endless list of times that I've been told "Yeah you'd be good but we want someone else" Not in those words... but the message is the same.

Then after two days of sulking on a trip to Asturias on a little day trip to Covadonga, I sat in a church in a cave and I prayed for the strength to overcome all of the emotions that were coming at me from every direction. Right then I got a text message from Parisa saying "call me when you can". I called her back immediately telling her sorry I couldn't get to her sooner, I didn't get good reception in the cave lol.

Then she starts "Well I wanted to ask you..." And right then and there I cut her off and said, "Yes, whatever you're going to ask me the answer is yes." Now that I think about it, it's a good thing she didn't ask me for a kidney lol. After lots of laughter, she offered me the part of Annelle and I accepted. Then the wonderful magical journey that was this production began.

I was so nervous and scared. This was the first full length non-musical play I'd ever done. I was working with absolutely gorgeous fabulous actresses that I look up to, and I had the slight taunting in my head that I was the 2nd choice (up until closing night). So I worked twice as hard, just like I always do, because everyday is a new opportunity to prove yourself, and (as Annelle would say) I guess it worked.

Being a part of this group was so much fun, because despite we had a lot of laughs that were scripted there were so many more real life laughs and smiles to go around. From rehearsal day one to closing night, and the marvelous pampering of getting made up for the show, you couldn't keep a smile from my face.

 I was ecstatic when Daryl Hannah (movie Annelle) replied to my tweet about being cast.

The long days of leaving the house at 8am and arriving at home an 12:30am were hard. Giving up Saturday night parties for Sunday morning rehearsals were all well worth it. The response to our play has been overwhelmingly positive, and people have even told me they're fans (still hard to conceive). I've always been famous in a small town, but famous in a big city is a whole other story...

So now all I can say is thank you, an enormous thank you to all of those involved to making this experience so marvelous and memorable and simply amazing. I can't begin to express my gratitude for being accepted into this little family. 

The tears came out during that final curtain call, because this chapter is over, and I'm left with uncertainty if I'll ever act on a Madrid stage again.Tears came out because of Mother's day and being on the other side of the world not having seen my momma in nearly 2 years. Tears of joy came out because all of our hard work paid off. 

I have  ticket to head to California on the 4th of July, and these next few weeks are going to be for the people who I've had to tell I was busy for the last 3 months, and I'm glad to be back. There are still so many reference following me around reminding me of this beautiful experience. It makes my heart swell to think about the bonds I've made becoming a Steel Magnolia. I know I am a blessed woman, and I'll try my best to live in the moment, and simply enjoy. 

~Cathy

Annelle

Photo Slideshow of the show here.

5 Things I Love About Madrid

Hey Hey all,

  So today marks the 1 year anniversary of my landing in Madrid. How fast 365 days go by. Since I wasn't able to go see my friends and family this summer like a big chunk of my Spain Posse, I decided to make a list of things that I really enjoy about this place that I'm in so that I'm not thinking so much about who I'm missing back home, because I mean... I LIVE IN MADRID! So here's my top 5 (in no particular order).

1. Transportation

Need to get to the other side of the city? Commute out to a suburb? The Madrid metro is a great way to get to where you to be. For those of you who don't know me well, I am not really that fond of driving. Here, all I have to do is pop on my headphones and I get to where I need to go either by bus or metro!

2. Pace of life

Despite being a big city capital the Spanish lifestyle at times (when you're not trying to get something productive/bureaucratic done) can be comfortably slow. Taking a stroll, or sitting and enjoy a coffee or tinto de verano (wine with lime soda), or a beer for a few hours is not seen as a waste. Take the time to read the newspaper daily, or a book. 

3. Theater- Madrid Players and beyond

Yes, I know I come from California, the place where everyone who heads to follow their dreams, but I have found a special niche here in Madrid. With our September show debut tonight (Sept 14), it's been nice to feel needed, appreciated while doing something that I love so much. In addition living so close to the city center there's access to all of the big musicals that come to Madrid like the Lion King.

4. Travel

Being in Europe makes it so much easier to travel to major destinations since they are so much closer. I've enjoyed Spring Break in Paris and a tour of Italy. Now onto plans for Portugal, London, Barcelona, Ireland, Berlin, and so many other places before time runs out.

5. All Spanish All the Time (mostly)

Creo que es obvious that I like Español very mucho (well actually Spanglish). Being in Spain let's me hear and enjoy the marvelous language all around me, and of course the opportunity to fine tune my idioma skills. 

Originally this was supposed to be a top 10 blog post, I've run out of time so keep an eye out for a part 2 at another date.

Here's to a great season 2 of Madrid life :)

<3 CathyArely

Summer Summer Summer Time

Hey Hey All!

Sorry for the blogging hiatus, as promised (many times) before I do plan on getting back into posting a little more regularly. I'm returned from adventures in summer camp, and now am almost finished with my au pair experience.

Summer definitely didn't kick off the way I expected. It all began the day I was supposed to go to camp... I didn't even end up in Albacete!! We all know I am not a stranger to OMG IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?! situations, well here is another one for the list. I was all packed and ready to head off for a month of summer camp activities, mingling with students and other native speakers of English, and all that jazz. Somehow a midst a pile of emails with different dates and times we had to be at places, I ended up getting a little mixed up, and thought we were set for take off at 4pm, when it was really 2pm (!!).

Last Resort jajaj

Much to my surprise, I arrived at the meeting point only to find hotel staff who had no idea about the group I was talking about. Total freak out moment, since this job was going to be my main source of income to keep me on my feet while still here during the summer, and I threw it all away because I was too cool to write down the time I was supposed to leave. With thoughts of ruin and despair in my head I frantically called the contact number I had for the summer camp. I honestly expected a "sucks for you, apply again next summer," but instead after a "Really, you missed the bus...lecture" the coordinator told me that they would send me to  the Tarragona campus instead, and gave me instructions to go by a train ticket. All was right in the world, I wasn't going to be forced to sing in the metro with a can in order to afford toast. 

I arrived at camp with the students, was mistaken for a student a few times (woo I can pass for 17!) and the fun began. 4 weeks of bonding with students, making raps, dances, shadow theater, playing capture the flag, swimming, making presentations, cross-dressing, talking about child labor, and mock interviews. All while trying to not get bitten by mosquitoes or spiders (fail) and going back to elementary school days with traditional games and cafeteria food. 

Week 1 Manic Monkeys!!

Week 3 Roomies!

Real Life Clue! The maid knows who done it! Even if she's had a few rum and cokes! ;)

As great as it was to have some structure to my days again, I learned a lot in Amposta, and had a select group of fantastic new buddies. Manic Monkeys, Wolf Pack, Amposta Shore, and Shakalaka were tight. I'm really glad to be back in Madrid, with potentially more scars on my legs that I had in Puerto Rico. Now I'm occupying my time with a 11 and 7 year old brother and sister pair, and rehearsing for my next performance "September Serenade" with Madrid Players. 

Thanks for reading! Until Next time loves!!

~@CathyArely

Without or While or Cancelled?

Hey all,

Hopefully you all enjoyed the wonderful musical selections from my 50 Song Challenge, now it's time for a real update. Seeing as in we are inching closer to the time that I leave for Spain, and I am a basket of emotions.

I don't have a set date for when I am leaving, all I can say at the moment is that my "target" date to leave is mid-september, because I am waiting to have visa in hand before I buy my plane ticket in order to not have to pay anything extra in case something gets delayed. Which at this point, I'm not sure if there will be or not.

The whole visa process is pretty extraneous. So many papers to have, copies of everything, running from this office to that office...and here I am, possibly having to start one part of it over because some lady decided to make the simplest instructions in the most absurd way. So here is a little background so that you all can understand what went down. In order to get a visa you have to get an FBI background check with an apostille on it. No, I'm not talking about a biblical apostle (lol). This apostille is a paper that comes from an agreement that many countries signed in order to accept documents between other countries who signed the agreement. BUT in order to get the apostille it's kind of tricky-

Step 1
Get FBI Background Check
(Done- I had to have it done back in May in order to apply for the program)

Step 2
Write a letter stating that I am the person from the background check
(Done)

Step 3
Get that letter notarized
(Done $10)

Step 4
Get the notarized letter authenticated by the county clerk
(Done- $9, and luckily I could get it done in Lancaster and not drive all the way to Norwalk)

Step 5
Take Notarized letter with the authentication from the county clerk to the California Secretary of State Regional office in Downtown LA
(Done- $25 for a metrolink ticket to DTLA, and $26 for the apostille)

So as you can all see the process to get the apostille is kind of a lot. So the snag in my plan to perfectly execute this mission in the name of getting my visa to Spain comes when the lady at the Secretary of State couldn't give good directions. I get there to the office building, after not sleeping at night, getting up super early and traveling 2 hours, and maneuvering my way there. I have all of my documents with me Authentication, letter, and notary paper stapled together, and the copy of the background check was not stapled to the packet. So the lady flips to the last page of the packet and tells me that the background check needs to be stapled to the back of that page and what I heard was WITHOUT being attached to the rest of the papers. Therefore I removed the back page of the packet in order to staple it to my copy of the background check. As soon as I do that she says in her incredibly irritating singsong voice "Oh my God, what did you do? Now it's not valid..." umm WTF? Apparently what she said was that it need to be stapled WHILE being attached to all the papers. In which case WHY did she flip to the back page and give those kind of instructions instead of just saying it the most logical way that the background check needed to be stapled to the back of the packet?! So she proceeds to tell me that they are not responsible if Spain doesn't accept my documents...etc. I WANTED TO SCRATCH HER EYES OUT...but instead I smiled and said thank you.

So not all is lost. I have my visa appointment this Friday, and I am hoping that they don't throw it out because of the tiny rip from a staple on the second to last page. If that does happen not all is lost. I have heard others going and not having that part done and they tell them to come back, so I'll just have to do it all over again. But as you can see with all of the costs to do it over again, it's taking away $70 THAT I COULD USE WHILE IN SPAIN!

I'll keep you all updated on what goes down.

In other news...and more wasted money so to speak. The alumni play that I was working on with my high school got cancelled. Originally we were doing a full length play, but then people couldn't keep up with the commitment, so with a month to go everyone who was still game got new scripts, but it just wasn't enough time to do the show justice. In part I am sad, because I was excited to perform again, especially back in my hometown where I got my start. Another part of me is even more disappointed because of all of the money I spent on gas to get from my east Palmdale home to Rosamond twice a week, again money that would have been useful while in Spain waiting for my first paycheck.

Tis all I have to say for now. Until next time, I hope to bring you all good news and good times. Leave the love. Comments are always appreciated <3

~Cathy

Plays, Papers, and Machines....Oh my!

Hey All,

Seeing as we inch farther and farther away from my last post, I thought today would be a good time to update everyone on what's been going on :)

So first of all, as I'm sure won't come as a surprise to anyone that knows me, In true Cathy fashion I have filled up my schedule pretty well for the summer. Yes, I know that it's summer and after the kind of semesters that I put myself through at CSUN I should be enjoying the chance to do NOTHING, but alas I don't think I could stay sane that way.

The first thing that got tacked onto the agenda is "Play On" an play being put on by RHS Alumni :) At first it was very strange to be back, especially given the fact that I was pretty much the oldest alumni of the bunch, but now things are better. I went from understudy to regular cast this week, so come check me out as 'Smitty' at Rosamond High School August - 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20.

I also started volunteering at the Self-Help center at the AV courthouse. The Self-Help center is a place where people go to get help on certain paperwork that needs to be turned in to the court be it divorce papers, evictions, domestic disputes, child custody...etc. This too was overwhelming at first, because all of those papers look the same, and the girls that were already volunteering there go through them so quickly and their eyes know exactly where to go and where to check, and where to see whats missing. For the first few days I was shadowing the other volunteers, but last week they "threw me to the sharks" and had me do a divorce. I know its the only way to learn, but I guess what is most intimidating is that you're dealing with people's lives when you're handling this kind of paperwork.
A lot of people have asked me why I would go out and do something like that, when I don't have to, or because it's really depressing hearing about other's hardships, but I guess there are a few reasons why I'm there. One, I guess it makes me feel more like I have a purpose for my summer, not just lounging lazily cooking in the desert heat. Two, law school is still a good possibility for me and I have set a goal to get over 100 volunteer hours this summer before I head out to Spain. Lastly, other than looking good on my resume, I actually do like helping out my community, and if I can give back a little bit by easing someone who is going crazy because of a million forms then that's great :)

Something that I have committed to doing this summer is something that I've been griping about my whole college career not having time for...I got a gym membership! I'm really excited because it's like I graduated college, now it's time for a new me. Still trying to get a good routine going since everything is still kind of far from my house, but I'll get there :)

OH! I got my letter with the details of my job!! I'll be working with middle school and high school students! It wouldn't be my first pick, but I think everything happens for a reason, and perhaps I'll learn some things about myself along the way :)

Thanks for reading!! Comments are always appreciated!! :)

~Cat