I love you mom!

Well, all over the US mothers are being honored today, and I would just like to say how much I absolutely adore my mother. It's great that many people in the world would disagree with me (in favor of their own mothers), but my mom is the best mom in the WORLD!

I love you with all my heart :)

Well it looked extremely rocky for the mudville nine that day...

Maybe it was rocky for the Mudville Nine when they played on that fateful day told about in "Casey at the Bat", but our jaunt to the Metrodome proved for the Twins to be a slamming day for them! They took the White Socks for a spin, ending at 10-1. And boy was it fun :)

This was my first baseball game here and only my second professional ballgame ever, so I was super excited about the whole thing. The perk was that I got the tickets for free! The place I'm temping at right now had about 30 guests from Brazil in this week, and part of their MN experience was seeing the Twins play. But they had extra tickets, so some of us lowly ones lucked out and got them! And not only did we get to see the game for free, but they gave us food vouchers which were more than enough to pay for the pricey game food. So I was having a grand ol' time.

The whole evening was a fun adventure. I had yet to take the train in Minneapolis, but the train has a stop just outside of the Metrodome. So rather than worry about parking, my coworker Elizabeth, her husband, daughter and I took the bus to the airport and took the train to the game. The whole day at work I was looking forward to the whole experience... seriously, I was kind of laughing at how giddy I was for the adventure. So we rode back as well, and the great thing was that the train was filled (and I mean filled) with people from the game--and all in a good mood since we had won.

Tickets to a Twins game: free
Food for the game: free
Transportation to the game: $3.50
Doing the wave and singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"?: Priceless

Oh, and I even got a "Ciao Bella" from one of the Brazillians as we got up to leave--how cool is that? Somehow so much cooler than "See ya beautiful"...

Anyway, here are some pics from the game:

This picture is for Matt I., who should appreciate who this is...
I didn't know he was the prize pitcher for the Twins until
someone told me--so I took a picture!


This was still pre-game, but I kind of forgot to take photos
once the game actually started :)

My friend Elizabeth and her daughter Emma (who is
SO absolutely adorable!)

Take me out to the ballgame!

I'm going to see the Twins and the White Socks play on Friday night! I've only been to one other professional game (I saw the Rangers and Blue Jays in Texas when I was about 15 or 16), so I'm super excited! I'm definitely taking some pictures, which I'll share later. But the best part? Shelly and I get to go for free! I got some tickets from work because they weren't being used, so we get to benefit :)

I'm hunkering for some peanuts and cracker jacks :)

No news is bad news

Well, it seems I did not get cast in "War of the Worlds". If I was cast then I was supposed to hear back at some point yesterday, but alas I did not hear from them :)

Ah well, like I said before, it still felt great to have a good audition. I'm hoping at some point I will look back at all of this and smile--"oh, those were the years that I suffered*... but it was all worth it for what I am doing now!"

So the auditions continue!

*added note: "suffered" is used in that overly dramatic, "I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Demille", not taking oneself too seriously way... just in case someone reads it differently, I'm just being my typical dramatic self :)

What a weekend!

Well, I can definitely feel like I had a full weekend!

It started on Friday night, when I went to Baha'i Feast, which is a Baha'i meeting that happens once a month for the community (one Baha'i month = 19 days, so it's once every 19 days). The Baha'i community here in Saint Paul is very nice here, and having people that I got to know right away when I moved here really helped, so I always enjoy going to Baha'i events.

Saturday was a Baha'i Holy day, so I was able to go to a commemoration for the 9th day of Ridvan, where I even shared a little violin music. Then last night Shelly and I went and saw the Guthrie's production of "Hamlet". I'm really glad that we got to go see it, particularly because this is the very last production that the Guthrie is doing in their old space. This summer they will be moving to their new location. The Guthrie's first production was "Hamlet" in 1963, so it seemed very fitting for it to be the last show that do in their old space. I really enjoyed the production, and this was the first play that I've seen here, so quite frankly it was just really nice seeing a play! I'm hoping that the new theater is good, because I really liked this old theater. It's a thrust stage, and there doesn't seem to be a bad seat in the house. So I'll report once I've seen something in the new space to compare :)

This morning I went to Baha'i school and helped out in the preschool class. They are so cute, so it was a lot of fun to go play with them. Afterwards I went to a Baha'i Ruhi study course, and after that we went to watch a performance of Mozart's Requiem. A friend of mine was singing in the chorus, so that's how I even heard about it. It was performed in a huge Catholic church, so the acoustics were just great. I had never heard it live, so that was great!

So now I'm home, and not looking forward to going to work tomorrow (mostly just waking up early). But I can say that I had a good weekend, that's for sure!

A beautiful wedding

Hello everyone! On my move down to Saint Paul, Colin and I were able to be in Seattle for my friend Tana's wedding. Tana and I grew up together, so it was really special for me to be there. I feel so lucky that it timed out the way it did.

Anyway, here is a link to some professional photos from the wedding. Dhabih and Tana look great. It was such a beautiful wedding, and you'll probably be able to get an inkling of that from looking at the photos.

And Tana is just the most beautiful person ever. I love you Tana!

http://photos.sijun.com/engwedding/

Third time's a charm!

Well, I have not been cast in anything yet, but I finally had a really good audition! Seriously, this is a big step for me! I was so frustrated that I couldn't show what I could do at an audition, and while I'm sure I could still do better, I actually had an audition I felt good about!

On Monday night I auditioned for a musical called "War of the Worlds" that is actually still being developed. It's a 40s, radio era show, that's all about Mars :) It's silly, it has great harmonies, and I think it would be very fun to be a part of. The first part of the audition people went in individually and did a monologue and a song. After everyone had gone through with that, certain people were asked to stay--and I was one of them! We then learned a song from the show to demonstrate our ability to harmonize and did some readings. The rehearsals would start in August, which would give me a little time. I'm supposed to hear by May 1 whether I am in it or not--but the whole point of this entry is that I had a good audition!

What a difference it makes! I truly feel that I was considered worthy to play one of the parts, but I just might not end up being the best for the part among the others that were there. All of the women called back were good, so it would be perfectly understandable to go with someone else. But there is a major distinction between being shot down immediately (which, with the previous awful auditions I can't blame them) and getting a chance to prove myself a little more and be considered at least. That feels good.

So whether I get into this show or not, I am so grateful that I had a positive theatrical experience! I really needed it at this point :)

The situation of the Baha'is in Iran

A couple weeks back I sent a letter to the members of Congress representing the area I live. The reason I did this is because the Baha'is in Iran have recently been under more systematic oppression, and I felt that I should write something to my representatives for them to be aware of what is going on. Some of you may already have known, but I thought I would share my letter, just as another way for people to be aware of the current situation.

Thanks,
Lindsay

********************************
Dear *****,

It has come to my attention, as most likely it has come to yours, that the Baha'i community in Iran, who for years has faced persecution from their government, is now under more severe attack than in recent years.

I am a member of the Baha'i Faith. Freedom of religious belief here in the United States is often something that I take for granted. The fact that I can live in a society that allows the same rights to me as to my fellow Americans of other religions and creeds is a wonderful and special right. Unfortunately, this is not the same in all parts of the world.

As you may be aware, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir, recently made public a confidential letter of the Iranian government, in which it was made clear that the Baha'i community in Iran is facing systematic persecution. There are roughly 300,000 Baha'is in Iran, making them the largest religious minority in the country. The government is collecting information about each and every individual member of the Baha'i community and has begun monitoring their activities. In Ms. Jahangir's opinion, the collection of this information could be "used as a basis for the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Baha'i Faith."

I am asking that you become aware of this horrible plight. Religious persecution cannot be taken lightly. I am asking that you speak out publicly and strongly against the activities taking place in Iran against the Baha'is and to take whatever action you deem possible as a member of Congress to protest against the Iranian government's treatment of the Baha'is in their country. I believe that Congress as a whole should call upon the Iranian government to abide by international law and protect members of their largest religious minority.

I thank you for your time and strongly urge you to take action. Too many of our leaders have missed their chances to champion the persecuted. Please do not do the same.

With respect,

Lindsay Lamar

For more information, please visit http://www.bahai.org

I'm surrounded by wonderful people!

You know, my friend Sahar recently commented on my blog that I have the best friends... and it's true! I am truly humbled by how many wonderful people I know. I think that's why I can stay so positive when so many things around me tell me I should be negative.

I'm living with an amazing person, my aunt Shelly. I could live on her laughter alone! We're both going through trials of making Saint Paul our home, and we're able to support each other in that. We hadn't really even known each other very well before living together, but I'm so grateful that we live well together (our ping-pong economics is fascinating!).

My parents are great. I don't even want to think about a time when they aren't on this planet, because although I am very independant, I am very attached to my parents. It's not like I need them for my everyday life problems, but when things get a little crazier than usual, I can call my parents and get the sound advice of my mother ("everything will be alright"), and the insane advice of my father ("everyone loves cinnamon toast")... and both blend beautifully to making me feel better.

I have friends scattered all over the world. Especially after living in Israel, where there were people at the Baha'i World Centre from all over the world. I have come to keep up with numerous blogs from friends in far corners from where I am. But I love that.

Heck, Pam, my PartyLite candle sponsor, has been so generous with her time, answering lots of questions, and helping me make all of my monthly goals (I bonused last month because of her!). She has been a strong support.

My friends in Alaska are better than words can describe. I don't think I would have any self worth if they suddenly didn't like me. I don't consider myself high maintainance, as far as material things go, but I absolutely love attention :) And my friends in Alaska give me that in bucketfulls. Just when I'm feeling low, I get a word of encouragement that brings me up. I am so lucky.

I write all this with tears welling in my eyes, because life has not been easy lately. I'm sucking at the very thing I would love to excel and thrive in, while I'm forced to "pay the rent" by doing things that are not related to theater, all the while being away from Alaska and my "comfort zone" of family and friends. But I know that if I step back, this is all part of the process. I also see how supported I am. Thank God. I hope that others find me as supportive to them as I feel. At times right now I seem to take more than I give. But I love you all (well, those of you reading that I know!... heck, I probably love those I don't know either!), and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It's all a learning process

Hey everyone! Well, I had my audition with the Guthrie today. Can I just say how awesome it was that I got to audition for them? Here I am, this girl from Alaska, and I got to audition with the Guthrie, the most well known theater from this area. That's cool.

That being said, I didn't do so well :) At this point my weakest skill is doing monologues. I just haven't had to do them on a regular basis in Alaska, and now that I'm trying to enter the professional field, a monologue or two are always the first step for getting your foot in the door. So it's not the best thing that my first step doesn't really show how I can run with something :) But it is all a learning process, and I must say that I am enjoying the monologues that I have found. I am improving, and eventually I will hopefully have an audition where I shine.

The reality is that I'm going to have to audition a lot, and so it feels good to at least be doing what I came down here to do. I can't say I would cast me on what I showed the Guthrie at my audition, but I can always hold out hope that somewhere along the line someone will take a risk on me... and then I can prove that I won't disapoint them :)

I am exhausted at the moment. My cough came back with a vengeance the past two nights, and so I didn't really sleep for about 2 days. But last night, thank goodness, I was able to get a good night's sleep before the audition. And now, on my lazy Saturday, I'm going to take a nap!