It’s hard to plan for the future and focus
on the present at the same time, but it’s a huge part of college. Well, a huge
part of life in general. I cope with it by designating specific times to do future-y
things. Then, I try to live in the present the rest of the time. Here’s an
example. All day today I wrote papers, ate in the dining hall, talked to my mom
on Skype, and went to classes. But from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, I thought about the
future. More specifically, I went to an orientation meeting for my study abroad
program. I’ve got my itinerary and flights planned out. I’ve finished applying
for my Australian visa. Going abroad is starting to feel a little more real. But
it’s still hard to believe that I’m going to be living on the other side of the
world in the spring. Wow. I don’t know where I’ll be in the summer, or what I’ll
be doing next year, or what path I’ll take after graduation. But those are
thoughts for another designated block of thinking-of-the-future time. Time to
focus on what’s happening now.
Right now, I’m sitting in my room, on my bed, with a blanket. I'm in between eating a
slice of pizza from one of our two dining halls and running through my lines
for my acting scene. I can hear the wind blustering through the trees outside.
It’s dark out, and cold. I’m considering bundling up in my raincoat and going
to Maggie’s (the campus café and convenience store) to get a hot chocolate or
something, but it’s so dark and cold that it’s more likely I’ll just stay in my
room and make myself a cup of tea instead.
I’m working on a paper about Lady Macbeth
for my Shakespeare class. We’re looking at how different actresses have
conveyed the character (specifically Judi Dench and Jane LaPotaire). It’s hard
not to turn the paper into a completely theatre-oriented paper that discusses
the set and the lighting and the other actors. We’re just supposed to focus on
Lady Macbeth's words and how they’re delivered. So it’s a really fun paper, but very
difficult.
"Out, damn'd spot! out I say!"
When I was working on it in the library
over the weekend, the sun came out!
Speaking of Shakespeare, my friend Sully
and I went to see a screening of National Theatre Live’s Hamlet starring none other than Benedict Cumberbatch as the title
role.
During intermission.
Clearly, we're stoked to see this play.
The screening was held in downtown Portland by Third Rail Reparatory
Theatre. Next week, we’re going there again with my roommate Sara to see a
screening of Coriolanus starring Tom
Hiddleston. Last year, we saw a screening of Frankenstein, also put on by that company, starring Benedict
Cumberbatch (again) as the Creature. Portland is a great place to see productions.
And not only can you see them off-campus, but our theatre department on-campus does some
pretty cool performances too. I’m disappointed that I will miss Love and Information in the spring, especially since my friend and scene partner in acting class, Trevor, is designing the set and lighting. Hope
I will be able to see some cool shows in Australia!
Anyway, that’s all for now. Remember, don’t worry
too much about the future unless it’s your designated time to do so! If you
have any questions about life at Lewis and Clark College, shoot me an email at jessicakostka@lclark.edu.
Jess