My 60 Minutes of Fame - A Wonderful Experience!

I’m on cloud nine this weekend, guys!  The pantomime went really well on Friday.  There were two performances.  Twenty five attended the afternoon performance and one hundred and five people came to watch us in the evening.  The pantomime was organized to raise money for the Viva Project.

 

 

Viva is a registered charity working with disabled young people aged between 11 and 25, who live in the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales. The charity was established in 1992 to create and facilitate leisure and training opportunities for young people with disabilities. 

 

I played the character of Buttons, Cinderella’s best friend.  I wore a red suit, which made me look “slight”, according to my Nan.  I also had to wear a little make-up to “emphasize my facial features”.  It felt absolutely disgusting, as if my face had been covered in Plaster of Paris.  “All in the name of show business” I told myself.

 

               

 

When it was my turn to go on the stage, I walked onto it, stood still, everyone applauded, so I bowed.  I stood still to say the first few lines.  Then I sat down to talk to Cinderella, to symbolize a close friendship.  Then I decided to sit to sing “(Is This the Way To) Amarillo”, because there were five dancers on stage with me, so I thought I’d better not ‘cover them up’.

 

 

I remembered my dialogue, the song lyrics, but best of all, I can’t believe I STOOD on the stage, with no support!!

 

 

The only criticism people had was I spoke too quickly when I delivered my lines.  My Nan and friends, Jennie and Kailei came to watch the evening performance.  They were quite surprised at what an amazing voice I had.  Nan had to ask the girls if it was actually me singing!

                 

I was asked by the director to sing “Merry Xmas Everybody” at the end of the show, because I was the only one who knew all the verses.  We only had three days to put the show together, it isn’t a long time but it was a success!!  Parents said to me after the show “Leigh, what a lovely voice you have!”  I was amazed, because I don’t think I have a good voice, but now I know it must be good.  All I needed was confidence and faith in my own abilities.

 

                   

 

I would to thank the director Zoë for casting me as Buttons, and all the others who took part.  It was such an enjoyable experience, thank you all for making it so much fun!  When is the next one going to be?

 

 

Thank you to all my subject teachers for being so understanding, and allowing me to take time out of my studies to rehearse with the group.  I am so grateful, because this charity means so much to me.

 

 

 

My friends in J-land, thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement.  I promise that if there is a video made, I will upload it (if I figure out how to) onto this journal for you all to see.

 

Birthday Surprises & Thank You's (100th Entry)

 

Thank you to all of you guys for all the lovely text messages, e-cards, e-mails and comments I received yesterday wishing me a “Happy 17th Birthday”.  I’m seventeen, so watch the roads, LOL!

The frame you see above is a surprise gift and e-card from Kathy.  What a wonderful surprise to receive in my inbox yesterday afternoon.  Also Morgan wrote an entry wishing me a “Happy Birthday” in many languages.  Thank you to Linda for my birthday e-card!  The J-Land community is a great one.  I have made so many wonderful friends since I joined last April.  Thank you all J

 

 

I had a lovely day.  I walked in the common room to a chorus of “Happy Birthday to You” in the English and Welsh language.  This time I was not embarrassed, I couldn’t stop smiling!  I was given cards and a few gave me presents.  I was not expecting that.

 

 

At lunchtime my friend Ross, who is involved in running the school radio station, sung “Happy Birthday” with the other presenters.  Then my favourite song was played.  I was so chuffed!  Thanks guys, you are all great friends, love you all!

 

 

I opened my cards and gifts from my family and friends when I got home.  I had a Timex Expedition watch, a DVD of “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” which I am studying for English, a Nike beanie hat, a walkie-talkie, a top, chocolate and money.  I feel thrilled to pieces to have all those things. Thank you to everyone!

 

I walked upstairs, opened my bedroom door to find a Sky Box on top of my T.V.  Sky is a box which allows you to watch a lot more channels.  I am thrilled.  We have had Sky installed downstairs too for a few years, but I never found enough time to sit down to watch T.V.  Thank you Mum & Dad for everything, you’re the best.  Love you J xx

 

 

I shall finish my hundredth journal entry off with a music video of my favourite song.  It’s the first I sang on karaoke, so this song is special to me.

 

The Beautiful South – "Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)”

 

Feeling Christmassy

My family and I have had a busy time this weekend.  We put up our Christmas tree, decorated it with baubles and fairy lights, and put various ornaments around the house.  It took a few hours and we were all exhausted at the end, but it is worth it because our home feels warm, cozy and Christmassy now.  I can’t wait for Santa to visit.  I hope you’ve all been good!

 

 

I walked into the Form Six Common Room this morning to a chorus of “Hurrahs” and applause.  I wondered what was going on.  Then they all burst into “Happy Birthday to you”.  I couldn’t believe it!  I was left speechless, and that doesn’t happen very often.  Then a girl shouted in “It’s tomorrow!” and we all burst out laughing.  It was a really nice thought though.  Thanks guys! J

 

 

I thought I would post another video of one of my favourite Christmas songs.  When singing to this one I can't help but smile!

 

Wizzard – “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”.

 

The Show Must Go On!

Last night, I had my first rehearsal for the Viva! Christmas Pantomime.  This year the staff and members are putting on a production of “Cinderella”.  I hope it will be the first of many, because we had so much fun!

 

 

 

As many of you know I am playing Cinders’ best friend Buttons, and I’m so excited!  Buttons is a big part to play, but he doesn’t say a lot.  Even though I am in one scene, it’s an honour to take part in the show, which is next Friday.

 

 

I’m so excited because I get to sing two songs in the show.  They are “(Is This the Way To) Amarillo” by Tony Christie and “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang.  Last year, “Amarillo” was re-released as a single to raise money for Red Nose Day 2005.  The video was hilarious!  It featured well-known comedian Peter Kay and other celebrities miming to the words while walking on the spot, as if they are on a treadmill.  ROMFL!!

 

Tony Christie – “(Is This the Way To) Amarillo?”

I tried to stand on the stage to say my dialogue, but I couldn’t.  I felt really unsteady.  People thought for Health & Safety reasons I’d be better sitting on the stage.  But next time, I am going to stand on the stage.  I’m sure once I get comfortable, I’ll be fine.

 

 

I was quite surprised at how quick I had learnt my dialogue.  With my GCSE Drama group, we used to have eight weeks to rehearse a show.  On the day of the performance I still had to be prompted from a script!  But I’m confident that WON’T happen this time. Positive thinking equals positive results!

 

Brilliant Brussels [Part Two]

We arrived at our accommodation at 19:15p.m later on Tuesday night.  It surprised me (and a few others) when I found out we weren’t actually staying in Brussels.  We stayed at a three-star hotel in Lille, which was an hour and half drive away from the Capital of Belguim.

 

Then we unpacked.  The hotel room was lovely.  It had a double bed, a sofa which could be converted into a bed.  Also there was a T.V and cupboards for storage.  There was also a room with a bath and sink in, and a separate room for the toilet.  It felt really odd, because in Britain and many other places, the toilet, sink, bath and shower in one room.

 

Unfortunately, the hotel did not have any access for disabled people.  I found this a bit shocking, particularly as it was a new hotel.  You would have thought the owners would have spared some Euros to make the hotel disabled friendly.  It was okay for me, as I can walk, but other people with a more severe disability than mine may want to stay there, and they couldn’t.

 

We left the hotel the next morning, and made the 2 hour journey to the European Parliament Building.  Inside the building, we had very strict rules to obey.  All of us were searched, put through a metal detector too.  Our phones had to be switched off, as it could affect the technical equipment.  We were only allowed to take photographs, but only when the Members of European Parliament weren’t in the Chamber.  I did take some in the Chamber, but they didn’t come out very clearly.

 

~ A Guide to the European Parliament ~

 

 In my opinion, the visit to the European Parliament Building was not orginised properly and very rushed.  I thought we would be spending a lot more time there than 2 hours!

 

Fran, Helen, Kelly and I spent the rest of the shopping and looking at the architecture of Brussels.  When I stepped in a Belgian chocolate shop, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven LOL! Fran said “Leigh, you were in your element in the chocolate shop!”  The assistants were offering free samples of everything.  In the end, I decided to treat myself to a bar of milk and white chocolate, and bought an assorted box for mum.  They say that Belgian chocolate is the best in the world.  Is it?  I love ALL chocolate!

 

   

 

With love,

Eureka!

 

I was clearing my room out on Saturday morning and I found a CD.  It was the first CD mum and dad ever bought for me.  It was called “The Woman in Me" by Louise Redknapp.  My parents bought this CD as a gift for my tenth birthday, and it went missing from my collection, or did I give it to a charity shop?  Whatever happened to it, I am glad to have found it again.

 

 

 

As I listened to the CD on the weekend, the songs brought back many memories from when I was ten.  When I younger, I used to think songs were good if I could dance around and sing-along to them, but now I listened to the whole of the album and its lyrics.

 

I like to listen to older music, because it is positive and the lyrics are easy to understand.  Nowadays if a singer is unpopular in the charts, they would probably be considered to be naff or uncool.  Well, sometimes it helps to have a little variation and dig out the “old stuff” from your dusty cupboards.  Then play, listen and remember the good times!  Some of the old singers really were good vocalists, although some of the songs were a bit cheesy.

 

So now I’ll leave you with a video.  Then you all can make up your own minds, whether Louise is ‘pop perfection’ or just ‘pure cheese’.

Personally, I think she has a good voice and amazing looks. What do you think?

Louise – “Naked”.

"Tis the Season to Be Jolly..."

This time of the year is magical for me.  I just love everything about Christmas.  I like to watch the old films shown on T.V, which are only shown during December.  Some of my favourites are “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “The Santa Clause” and “White Christmas”

 

The preparation of the turkey, the wonderful smells that come from the kitchen then sitting down to share Christmas Dinner with my loved ones, is great because there is a special feeling of togetherness.

 

 

There are the Christmas cards received and sent out to friends oldand new. Decorating the Christmas tree is always a hassle to move from the attic, with its baubles and tinsel.  But it always looks wonderful and makes the living room feel warm and cozy.  Putting the star at the very top of the tree is very special too.  It gives you a very satisfied feeling knowing that the job is done. 

 

 

It is always nice to hear the carol singers, and the special songs associated with this season. 

 

 

All the things I have mentioned make the season happy and fun.  But we must not forget what Christmas is really about, the birth of baby Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.

 

 

Usually on the last day of term before the Christmas term, my school holds a concert.  Children from the local Special school come along, and sing songs from their play for us.  Also our teachers dress up and perform in their own Christmas pantomime.  What a hoot!

 

 

O.K guys, I will leave you now with one of my favourite Christmas songs.

 

Bing Crosby – “White Christmas”