A-traveling we will go, a-traveling we will go...

So, I have discovered that I am the WORST blogger ever.
I'm sorry to all the readers who have been so patiently waiting!
I have a lot to catch you up on.

Durango~
The cutest little town in Colorado. Very quiet, yet at the same time very populated. The stay there was quite short, without a host family day. But our evenings were greatly enjoyed in the comfort of our house in the mountains. One big event: I had an allergic reaction to some homemade yogurt pretzels. My allergic reactionngs consist of my lips swelling up and turning even MORE red than they already are, the roof of my mouth blistering, and my tounge turns, itchy. Keep in mind these reactions are quite uncommon. But nonetheless, I had one. So, graciously, the staff came to my rescue with some Benedryl. To find out later that it wasn't non-drousy...on a show night. I don't remember much of that show other than people were given strict orders to NOT let me sit down. I was falling asleep standing up! I provided great entertainment for much of the cast that night. :) Two shows in 6 days, along with aiding at a Soup Kitchen, and off we went on the road again...dooooown to Arizona.

Prescott/Chino Valley~
We stopped by the Grand Canyon!!!!! It was beautiful! One giant hole in the ground. :) It poured while we were there, but it was soooo amazing! Then we hopped back on the bus for a few more hours and landed in hot hot hot Prescott. LizZ and Keira's moms came to see them and see the show, so I was able to stay with them in a hotel over this stay. And we finally got another host family day! We took a little trip to Jerome and Sedona, which are up in the cliffs of Arizona. Breathtaking. They litterally built Jerome into the side of a cliff! The show in Prescott went well, especially for being in a high school gymnasium. :) We packed it up, and hit the road again!

Lake Havasu~
BEAUTIFUL! Lake Havasu is a resort/retirement town. And it's gorgeous. Although there is no grass, and temps reach up to 111 degrees, the atmosphere here is so relaxing! Yesterday we had a Culture Fair. 500 kids filled a gym as they went from booth to booth learning and having fun! I was stationed at the face painting booth! Wow. It was crazy! Tonight is the first of two shows! Wish me luck.
I promise I will write again soon!

Down to Mexico we go!!!!! :D
Loves!
Emilie

How's your Aspen? Colorado!!!!!!!

Our first show has already come and gone. I was soooooooooooo happy to see my family and my friends. It really made the show so much better for me, although it ended in tears.
It is so hard to believe that we are already in our second month. It scares me to realize that this experience really is going to end, and sooner than I think. So I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity.
We are now in Aspen, Colorado. Our first stop on the trip. :)
It's beautiful here. Not too hot and not too cold. And the view of the mountains is amazing.
But, it seems that as soon as we got here, we now have to leave.
Our free day this week is already over, having picked peaches, hiked a mountain and played Apples to Apples. :)
So, I'm packing my suitcase and getting ready to leave for Durango, Colorado.
Hope this next show goes well. Will write again when I get there!
I miss everyone and am sending my best love and wishes!
Take care!
Emilie.

You could almost call it a show...

Can you believe that I have already been here for three weeks? It's so unbelievable. We practiced our first full run through Thursday of this last week. It was extremely crazy: between running around, figuring who was on what mic, who was doing the solo, who was dancing, who was just supposed to be standing there looking pretty and changing costumes, it was amazing. :) Friday we had an ice cream social with the whole cast. Everyone was laughing, dancing and eating ice cream.
I have not had the easiest time being here. I am very homesick and don't always agree with what is going on and how things are being chosen. But, I am grinnnning and baring it. I have had to take a few timeouts by myself to decide how to approach situations, which usually ends with good results. My head is still held as high as it can be, and that's all that matters.
Time goes by so quickly here. There is never enough to go around and accomplish every task that needs tending to. I have never found the expression, "early to bed, early to rise" so entirely true before now. The sound of the alarm clock in the morning is definitely beginning to join my list of pet peeves. :)
This weekend Colleen and Jug left to go to a class reunion, so Laura Lynn Horst is currently staying with us. So, today is our fun day. Tomorrow is Elitch's (sp)!! Fun, fun!
I will fill you in, but only if I survive the crazy coasters!
Hope this is finding everyone healthy and happy.
I send my love.
-Emilie