Although I often complain about not having enough time during school to do the other things I want to do, be a normal person with free time, pursue other interests, rest, I've actually found this whole "summer vacation" thing to be a bit tough. I am a workaholic, and not having a huge project to work on is stressful. I know that sounds silly, but relaxing is difficult for many people, including me. My racing mind wakes me up early, I can't sleep longer than six or seven hours tops, even though I hear fairy tales of classmates at home for the summer sleeping till noon and appearing new to the world, awake, bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Things I've learned this summer:
1. I need to move. I've always know that I'm a physical person, but never had much of an outlet for it until Juilliard. I loved dancing throughout high school and college, but never was an athlete or on a consistent schedule. I invested in a gym membership this summer and have been working out almost every day. If I don't move I get stuck in my head, over think everything.
I always want to be an active person.
2. It's ok not to be "accomplishing something" and just living well, seeing friends, reading. (p.s. school will be starting again soon, then all this is out the window!)
3. Now that my parents are divorced, when my dad and brother and i get together, I am the only woman. An obvious, but startling realization. As much as I love being around my dad and brother, not having the presence and energy of another woman I connect with is startling. and lonely. My brother's girlfriend is great, but more on my brother/dad's wave-length than on mine.
4. I've been giving acting lessons to a 26 year old opera singer. It feels wonderful to be confident enough in what I do and know to share it with someone else.
