ALL SHOOK UP!!

     All I can say is that, I am so blessed and thankful to be surrounded by so many positive people in the All Shook Up production.

All Shook Up, is really the first musical I have been in where I am apart of the dance choreography. Going into the first rehearsal, you realize that your surrounded by so many talented dancers, singers actors etcc.... and honestly, it is very intimidating. For me, I actually found myself questioning whether or not I even deserved to be in the production. I don't know, some of the choreography was a little difficult at times. Every time that I would mess up on a dance cue, or sang a wrong note, I just felt like I was letting the whole cast down. But I'll be damned if I would even consider giving up, it might take me a little bit of time to really nail a certain spot down, but best believe it will happen!

I didn't make it to this point in my life just to throw in the towel. That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'm just glad that I have people who are willing to be patient as well as give there time to teach me.

All productions take place in the Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre.
• Fridays at 8 p.m.
• Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=4f47829726c4b5a0e738eebac4cefcce
Link above access to online ticket pricing and performance dates!!

1460 University Dr, Winchester, VA 22601

Matthew Murray

Alcohol-Wise/In general

     I honestly felt like I was being interrogated when we had to complete the Alcohol-Wise course. Each question asked, seemed to be created in a way where it seemed as if you had to confess even if you never did that particular thing. And it was literally never ending! 

     Whether you came to college to study, drink, smoke etcc....you came with a sort of intention. And if you did come with the genuine intention to study and make something of your college life, unfortunately YOU are at risk like everyone else into being influenced into drugs, alcohol etccc...

     I really do appreciate the alcohol-wise course because it was very informing and warning of what and what not to do. But at the same time, we've been coached and told what and what not to do since birth. "Don't Smoke, Don't Drink, Don't Do Drugs" But unfortunately temptation and curiosity, leads to the trying of those things. 

     In all honesty, going into Ricky's session on the completion of alcohol-wise this past friday, I thought it would've been just a waste of time. But after hearing some of the experiences he had been through as well as things that happened on campus, I was thankful for that class. Sometimes you just go day by day unaware of events occurring, just trying to make sure that you take care of your business, and you don't realize what is happening around you. Not trying to be selfish or anything, but at the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and your business. Nobody else is going to do it for you.

Just an in general realization/awareness of events occurring around people is really needed.

Matthew Murray

     

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover!

     This past week, we started our autobiography presentations in FYS. They were primarily focused around you, whether it dealt with your family background, or religious views etcc....

     I would have to say that this was pretty challenging for me. I'm not really the type of person, who really knows how to express themselves in speaks of "Who are you as a person". At this point in my life, I can't really even say who I am. And to put a classification/personality on me based off of my past, I think is just dumb. People my age are still exploring and finding themselves. And in general, people of all ages are still exploring and finding themselves, some having more time to live and really live there life.

     What I found very interesting about the presentations, people that came off as "quiet or anti-social" were very expressive and informative when presenting. Going back to the "Don't judge a book by its cover". In society today, people are often misunderstood, whether its intentional or unintentional. But if each individual has the opportunity to be put on a stand and allowed time to really express themselves, people as a whole will become more unified. I don't know about anyone else, but I was very drawn into  the other presentations. You can only tell so much from the exterior of someone, take the time to really understand and learn about someone.

With that said, I really enjoyed this project!

Matthew Murray

FYS STUDY ABROAD FAIR

I love traveling in general! When I walked into the fair and saw all the different stations with the different places of travel, I was literally done!

      I've never been the type of person to want to stay in one place for to long. I just feel like if you've lived in the same place all all your life without any sort of getting out or exploration outside your hometown, you become very close minded. It's like a kid that grows up living in the city, they are only accustomed to city life. Without trees possibility or a sense of peace in certain parts. But if you take them out to the country it's a totally different way of life. You learn to be at one with nature and the surroundings around you, and through that for some people is there sense of peace.

Above all of that, I really enjoyed the fair! I just hope I can somehow fit it into my schedule.

First week blogging!!

The first couple weeks of school have been great!! Finding classes on the other hand has been a little bit of a struggle. But I finally got the hang of it! What I love a lot about shenandoah, is how connected we are with other countries.

     For the past three years I've been apart of this camp called Unesco Center For Peace, where all these students from different countries attend this camp and we discuss world issues based off the countries we are assigned. Kind of like a model un session, that is for two weeks. It's so much fun and you learn so much from the other students, whether its foods they eat, or the type of music they enjoy etcccc.. Enough about that, I'm just so glad that I will have the opportunity to travel to other countries, and not only learn about there different cultures, but also being able to improve there everyday life.

Honestly though, I came into the FYS class expecting to get into a lot of conspiracies and world secrets, but I think Dr.PG said where not really focusing on that.  Anyway, still expecting the best out of the class!