Sumi's 30 Day Challenge!: Final blog post! End of an era!

Sumi's Daily Practice: Day 30!
Time: 30min
Rep: "Elastic Heart" by Sia
Technique: Rip offs, Edge cry, breathiness, middle voice
Musicality: Very relaxed diction, slurred words (like Sia), legato, connectedness, backphrasing

Time in Nature 1: Beth Schmidt Park

I've been on this trail before in the fall when Corbin's dog Sadie was here. There's a dog park next to the trail, and so we had done both. I had remembered the place so this time I decided to go alone. It was extremely grassy and beautiful - tall trees everywhere, birds chirping, lots of shade, cool breeze, and the sweet smell of all the grassy leaves and trees. Literally the whole trail was covered in green that for a while I thought I was getting lost because I kept taking new roads and the more and more I walked, there was just more green. The trail was a lot smaller than it felt though, and the visuals of continuous green just confused me for a second. I walked through for about thirty minutes, taking a new road everytime I came into a fork in the road. I was wearing my chacos so it was so fun to be able to do a mini hike (they are so comfy!!). I got to a bridge at one point and even saw a car and a little house - I couldn't believe someone lived in the middle of this forest! It must be so relaxing, and even though they are in Burlington it must not feel like it. I found a bench further along on the trail so I decided to sit and pull out my journal. There are...well...a LOT of things going on in my life right now in terms of my future. My parents were just here last weekend and we all had a big talk so there has been so much on my mind. It felt really good to journal about it in while being away from campus because I really needed to get away from reality for a little bit and be able to journal with no interruptions. When I finished writing, it really did clear out my mind and straighten my thoughts. I gotta spend more time outdoors!!! Truly!!

Time in Nature 2: Lake Mackintosh

It was so beautiful!! I actually sat by the edge of the dock and was able to put my feet in. The water was freezing but it was really nice out so the water felt nice on my feet. I brought my book again and kept reading it. It was starting to get warm so I had to move to the shade, and I had brought a blanket so I continued to read while on my blanket. I had also picked up some grapes from Moseley earlier that day so I had a little snack while I did my reading. It was so quiet and peaceful and no one else was by the lake so all I heard was the sound of the water, the breeze, and the birds chirping. It was seriously so relaxing, and it felt so much better to read outdoors than in my bed at home. It felt so good to get some fresh air and to get some sunlight after being indoors so much during Next to Normal tech and performances. I feel like I'm finally getting to enjoy and appreciate spring! :)

Dance class: 9/12 - Ballet III with Sara Tourek

Dance class: 10/12 - DMS II with Lynne

Demo: "Elastic Heart"
Link: https://soundcloud.com/sumi-yu/elastic-heart-cover-by-sumi-yu

Charitable deed 1 - Singing standards for a Sing Along at The Village nursing home - this was the BEST part of the 30 day challenge!!! These old folks are truly the best. I got to know them at Jake's Fellows concert but singing with them was truly a magical experience. They all came up to me to talk to me afterwards and I recognized so many of them through Jake's show and I would say things like - oh my goodness, I LOVED your story in Jake's show!! I specifically remember talking to the guy who took a girl out to the dance and they've been married ever since...agh so sweet! It was so wonderful when they all came up to us after and really thanked us - our little sing along meant so much more to them than we would have ever thought. It's great to bring them back to a special place in their memories by singing tunes from their younger years.

Charitable deed 2 - Donating 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love! I was terrified at first because I was getting really attached to my long hair but this meant more to me than it would have ever meant a few months ago. My friend from Flat Rock is battling Alopecia and in the last few months all of her hair has fallen out. Donating my hair really meant something to me because it really reminded me that it doesn't matter what length my hair is at - as long as some girls get to have hair at all. I knew going short for me wasn't the end of the world, in fact, it was the beginning of someone else's new chapter in their lives. And I'm so glad to have been a part of that for a women battling cancer or Alopecia. This charitable deed is dedicated to my dear friend Jackie Nguyen. I love you!

Coaching 1 with Carla Ely! We worked on "Pretty Funny" from Dogfight, "I'd Give my Life for you" from Saigon, and "Love, Look Away" from Flower Drum Song