#gearupuk

[thisisclaire]

Day 18: FINALLY FINISHED MY PSA

I just finished my PSA like two minutes ago and I’m ready to go to bed. Tomorrow’s the last day, though, and I’m pretty sad about leaving, but I also really want to poop in my own house, you know? (Public restrooms are not my thing.)

Today was a Thursday, so we had Acting and Communications. 

In acting, we did our usual exercises and performed both improv and open scenes. Usually, I don’t trust myself to do anything on the spot, but I can definitively say that I was not the worst in the class, which is a step up from every other time I’ve tried to do improv.

Today was demonstration speech day in Communications. I demonstrated the basic functions of Twitter. Even though I had carefully planned out my speech and it was going to be perfect, I had never actually thought about using Twitter on the computer being different from on my phone. As it turns out, though, they are very different and my speech was derailed quickly. It really wasn’t too bad, though. 

Tomorrow is the final showcase!! I’m terrified of playing the bell in front of everyone, but I think the bar pretty low in terms of talent, so no one’s expecting anything spectacular. 

Oh, also, we had our last day of electives and I was really bummed to leave Tell Your Story. I think next year, it should be a core class (@ Gear Up people lurking on my blog: please do this for me). Everyone had a lot of fun and we got to know each other really well. Everything we did was exciting and new to me. It was by far my favorite class of the entire academy (except for maybe music). 

Since this is my last blog post, I just want to say goodbye. This was an amazing experience. I’ll see you next year. 

[thisisclaire]

Day 15: Can I Go Now?

Gear Up has been great. Lots of exciting new adventures, fun classes, tons of learning experiences, etc. but I’m ready to go home now. Everyone here is sleep deprived and cranky and all of the work we’ve been putting off is due this week. The RAs (RIAs whatever) are exhausted, we’re exhausted. Everyone just needs a giant nap. (I may be going on this rant because it’s 11:07 PM and I’m writing a blog post instead of sleeping.)

Honestly, I barely remember what happened today. All the days are kind of blurring together at this point. I think it’s Monday so that means 3 classes today. Here’s a recap:

Photo Literacy: we took pictures outside the library in the scorching heat, which I was not dressed appropriately for (completely my fault) and my group didn’t even use my pictures (even though they were awesome pictures. I’ll post one just to prove it.)

EDU: Still working on the PSAs. Katelyn and I are trudging along slowly but surely. We keep restarting because we think of better ideas and it’s getting pretty tedious.

Performing World Music: It’s no surprise that this was my favorite for the millionth day in a row. Our teacher, Justin, is really funny and nice (at least to me) and we practiced for the showcase again. I still throw up a little bit in my mouth every time I think about the showcase, but I’m just trying not to think about it for now. I really do like playing the bell even if it means putting a thousand band-aids on my fingers so they don’t fall off. It’s an easy instrument to play and it really built my confidence. 

Tomorrow we have Communications and Acting, so that should be interesting. 

(Side note: there’s a lot of drama going on right now that has nothing to do with me, so I just wanted to clarify that it has absolutely nothing to do with me at all in any way. I just wanted to play with puppies and do my homework.)

[thisisclaire]

Day 14: Winter Olympics

We've had a lot of free time today, which is excellent, so I've been catching up on my homework, tv shows, etc. We also had the Winter Olympics today. The Summer Olympics were really hot and wet, so today we (thankfully) had them indoors. My team lost almost every game we played but it was still pretty fun. I'm kind of sad that this is the last week because I'm really settled into my routine now, but I'm excited to go home and see my family. I'm also extremely nervous about the showcase Friday since I'm playing for the Performing World Music class. I also have a college application/essay due Tuesday that I haven't really worked on, so this is all for now.

[thisisclaire]

Day 11: I have too much homework to come up with a snappy title

I’m about to die. We have 100 million things to do for GUK101 and all of the other classes so I won’t be writing the great American novel of blog posts tonight. Sorry. (I say this every night, I know, but I’M ABOUT TO DIEEEE)

So today we had tons of work to do blah blah blah I was uncomfortable in acting and communications so nothing new (i’m now ignoring grammar rules for the sake of time and i hate myself for it) 

Last day of electives was sad but at least I don’t have to worry about doing homework for that class!! Yay!! 

Hopefully this is enough words bye

[thisisclaire]

Day 10: Blood, Drums, and Cameras

Since today was a Wednesday, we went to Photo Lit, EDU, and Music. We also had our electives today (tomorrow’s the last day and I’m kind of bummed). It’s been a pretty busy day- although, all days are generally very busy. 

In Photo Lit, we talked a lot about the Principles of Design and how to balance our pictures so they’re pleasing to the eye. I really like seeing all of the photography (I wish we could see more), but my pictures aren’t very good. We also have to get with our groups and take pictures of the letters of the alphabet. We can’t take pictures of actual letters, though, so it’s challenging. 

In EDU, we continued working on the outlines for our essays. My group is doing immigration. I really like that we got to pick our own topics, but I’m worried we’re moving too slowly to get anything done in time for the final showcase. 

Then we went to music. Yet again, this is my favorite class (mostly because I’m not as terrible at it as I previously thought). The teacher told me today that I’ll be playing the bell (ALL BY MYSELF) at the final showcase. I’m excited, but more of the throw-up-and-have-a-panic-attack kind of excited rather than the “yay me!” kind of excited. I’m terrified of messing up and ruining the entire thing (it sounds irrational, but I can literally mess up the entire performance if I want to).

During Diagnosis Detectives we looked at blood smears through microscopes and counted white blood cells. This was really interesting and I enjoyed it. The teachers are really helpful and they make sure it’s a low stress and fun environment, which is important to me. I’m sad that I only get four days in this class because it has the potential to be really informative and fun.

I can’t believe camp is already halfway over. It seems like I just got here yesterday. I’m ready to see my family, but not quite ready to leave. I really enjoy all of the classes and I’m finding the answers to a lot of my college and career questions. 

[thisisclaire]

Day 9: Acting and Germs

We had acting class, communications, and electives today and I’m exhausted so I’ll be brief (I know I said that last time, but I’m serious now).

Acting was fun. Evan and I were partners for an open scene today. It got really intense because he was yelling a lot, but I think we did really well. That class makes me nervous and uncomfortable, but today wasn’t so bad.

Communications makes me nervous, too, but we didn’t have to do any major public speaking today. We’re dong impromptu speeches next time, so that’s terrifying.

Diagnosis Detectives was okay. I felt bad because I kept almost falling asleep, but I was up super late last night trying to finish my homework for that class, so it wasn’t technically my fault. Plus, it was mostly a lot of lecturing, so it was prime time for sleeping. We also looked at bacteria cultures through microscopes, but I was terrified I was going to break something, so it wasn’t as much fun as it could’ve been.

I’m tired and I have a resume/cover letter to write, so that’s it.

[thisisclaire]

Day 8: Lab Coats and Baseball Games

Today was the first day of electives, plus regular classes, plus a mandatory baseball game that we attended for 4 ½ hours, so excuse me if this is too brief* or if my grammar errors and run-on sentences annoy you.

So classes were the same as usual. Photo Lit, EDU, and Music. Music was the best, as usual. I had to play by myself (again) and I almost cried/puked (again). Also I messed up several times and cried on the inside for several minutes, so that was fun.

During GUK101 we talked about cover letters and resumes, which was boring but useful. Not much to talk about, though.

Then we got to electives. I ended up getting my first choice, Diagnosis Detectives. The teacher seems nice enough and we’re only doing lab work, but I think I’ll like it. I like structured, sterile environments so labs are great for me (I’ve never really thought of that before now).

I don’t actually want to be a doctor or a chemist or anything related to science, but I do enjoy it as a hobby or an extra curricular activity. This class seems perfect for me.

After that, we went to the baseball game. It was hot and sticky and the sun was in my eyes the whole time (the top of one of my ears got sunburned) but I’m friends with Megan now, so that’s really nice.

Halfway through the game, though, the fire alarms went off and we had to evacuate the place we were sitting. It was scary (I have a passionate hatred of fire alarms) but it cured my boredom.

I have no idea what happened during the actual game (probably not much) but a lot of people were getting their baseballs signed so that was cool for them.

When we got back from the game I found out I got a package from my best friend and it’s cutest thing ever (plus there’s cookies in it) so I’m in a pretty good mood right now.

We were busy all day, but I like busy so it was pretty enjoyable. I’m not really homesick yet (I probably won’t be) but I wouldn’t mind sleeping in my own bed tonight. Only 11 days to go!

*I realize that this is in no way brief, but sometimes I just get going and I can’t stop myself. Sorry.

[thisisclaire]

Day 7: Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics were the only thing we did today. It was hot and wet and sticky and not my favorite thing, but I (surprisingly) didn't hate it. There's not much to say about it. My team didn't win anything, but we got to know each other a lot better, so that was nice. That's really it. I can't think of anything else to say.