The First Performance ... Surprise! :)

Hi everyone,

Today has been a crazy day. It started off with some scary news about a NOLS teen group in Alaska that got attacked by bears - and Drew is in Alaska, with NOLS, with a teen group. After panicking and calling everyone we could think of, we got a hold of NOLS and they informed us that Drew is on the other NOLS trip, the one that did not get attacked. So that was very, very scary. But in terms of the work...

Jessica told us at the beginning of the day that we would have a special group of visitors - a new Mariposa group that started in a neighboring town, La Mina (where Blue Moon is, for those of you who went on Winterim!). So the group of 7 or so girls in that new group came down to the school we are working at to see what the camp is like. Jessica had them come into our class, which was cool. They came to class around 10 in the morning, so we had about an hour with the girls beforehand. During that hour, we listened to some of them sing - those who want to sing solos in the show sang for the group. We heard from Edileisa, Sarah, Maria Ynes, Rosailin and Rosa Lourdes. They are all quite talented. We were especially impressed with Rosailin's talent. We definitely will incorporate all of their voices in the show, and hopefully get a chance to spotlight Rosailin.

The Blue Moon Mariposas came into our group and watched the girls perform what we have of the show. And I must say that it was a disappointment. The girls had done such great work at Villa Taina the previous Thursday (Friday was a field trip to the river all day) and we were really hoping they would bring at least some of that to their performance. But their focus was poor and they went through the performance with lots of laughter, carelessness and basically a lack of effort. It wasn't that they forgot the blocking (although in some cases, they did), it was more that they just demonstrated such a lack of effort and pride in the work. It was such a turn around from Thursday and Wednesday's work that we were shocked and very disappointed. However, getting the chance to meet the new Mariposa group and see the video project they are working on was quite cool. Definitely worthwhile and I hope the La Mina Mariposas enjoyed their visit. :) :)

After that the girls had their health class. During that class (and slightly before it) I began to feel super sick, so right before lunch Anna and I went home. The girls had academics all afternoon, so we weren't really needed anyway. But wow did I feel sick. But back at the hotel, the awesome cook at the restaurant there, Esther, made Anna and I this awesome mangu (which is mashed plaintains) and grilled chicken, which she insisted would settle the stomach. And it totally did. Mangu is miraculous :) :). So I am all good now - and our plan for tomorrow is to just focus on the singing of "Color Esperanza" - the song they will sing as a group with some featured soloists - and maybe a section of reggaeton style dance that they will freestyle. We want to try something different with them and go back to reviewing the main section of the play on Wednesday. They need something new, we think. But we are not too disheartened. The girls have a lot of talent - we just need to figure out a way to get them performing with heart. They need to take pride in their work - and I think they do, it just isn't translating into performance. We will see how we can make the two align. Any suggestion would be super helpful! Thanks everyone!! :)

Love to everyone! We are heading off to eat a delicious tropical fruit plate and then to watch a movie ... but as we do so we are feeling extremely humbled by the enormity of the world and how crazy events like bear attacks in Alaska and shootings in Norway (my roommate for next year lives in Oslo) can touch our lives - even indirectly. Drew, wherever you are in Alaska, we love you so very much and are very worried about you. Come home safe. And we are praying for those who were injured in the bear attack.

Lots of love and prayers,

Kelly and Anna