Graduation - an end or a beginning

The 18th of May is approaching and it gives me mixed feelings. Should I be happy or sad, pleased or disappointed, secure or worried. There are so many questions that can be asked, but it is the uncertainty that really bothers me. 

For the past four years I was in an environment which offered variety of activities and academics and I knew which ones I should follow and which ones do not want to and it was easy as my options were many, but still limited to the scale of the university.

After graduation, I will not have the comfort of the predefined variety of choices. It will be all up to me and all uncertain.

The benefits, however, are prevailing. Life on your own, doing activities you like, no considerations with people free to do whatever you want.

The difference is that you will not have any guidance, it will be only your decisions and the free world.

Anyways, student life is not real life which clearly states my position. I am ready to take a step forward and accept reality as it should be. Every change which one should face is a positive one even if it doesn't seem so at first.

All Shook Up!!!

You definitely guessed what I'll be writing about. The premiere of the musical All Shook Up is tonight and I cannot simply sit still on my chair. Even though I am not a fan of the movies they made of those musicals and I have never watched any other live performances of any musical type - I consider myself as one of the biggest fans of the AUBG Musical.

Since my freshmen year when I watched Moulin Rouge performance I was fascinated, simply stunned. I was so excited about the whole musical at that time that I even went to see it for the second time in my home town with my parents - and then again I was amazed.

In my sophomore year the Broadway club performed Grease and even though that Moulin Rouge was better, in my opinion, Grease was simply brilliant and I really regret
not seeing it for the second time.

Last year they performed Memphis and even though I never heard of it before after the premiere my expectations were more than exceeded.

And this year we are all trembling with excitement to see All Shook Up!!! Based on the songs of Elvis Presley, this must be a real masterpiece.

It is one of those shows that you do not want to miss!!!

Here is a sneak peak from tonight's musical:

The Art of Acting

A university that satisfies all its students' needs is indeed a good university. Academics might be a priority, but one develops himself in various ways and that is why there should be variety of options and challenges every students can take.

If we set aside the usual stuff - work-studies and clubs - those that, indeed, will broaden your horizon in one way or another, students can devote their time in other curious ways. For instance, different forms of art - piano, drawing, choir or theater.

I personally decided to take up Acting. Throughout the whole summer before senior year we have been discussing it with some of my best friends that the very last semester should be filled with all kinds of emotions. There you go. For the last 4 weeks we have been rehearsing a play which will be performed some time in April. It consists of three miniatures which are not connected, but have something in common - comedy.

The miniature I am part of is called "The Proposal" and it is about a middle-aged man who is in desperate need for a wife and he is asking for the hand of his neighbor's daughter, who is in desperate need for a husband. While reading the lines for the first time we did not really know what to expect and it did not sound interesting or as a comedy sounds. But, however, as we started analyzing each character, imagining them in different situations, making interactions with one another, it all started making sense and eventually we got so into it that we are now absolutely sure it will turn out as a great comedy.

More updates will come later in the semester.

Have you ever been part of a play?
Which one?
What are your favorite forms of art?

Do not forget to answer the questions in the comment section below :)

The Team Building

To be in a team means a lot. You are part of an entity which works together for the greater good (or evil). Being in a team means you need to take responsibility towards the others as they count on you and you on them. But I am pretty sure you are all familiar with that. However, what every team needs is definitely a way to bond, a way to become closer and a way to build itself - this is why teams go on team-buildings.

Speaking of which I am a resident assistant at AUBG - small university in Eastern Europe which, allegedly, provides world class education. The team of the resident assistants (RAs) in one of the dorms has created a family environment throughout the years for me. That is why they are something I cherish and something I am always ready to fight for. Since my first year, I am part of the RA organization and for 7 semesters I served the campus and my residents with pleasure :)

Here comes the important part. Throughout those 7 semesters, or in other words 3 years and a half, I have witnessed many people come and go. Some graduated, some quit voluntarily, some involuntarily, some decided to take up a different activity and so on and so forth. The point is that the same team of RAs managed to change multiple times for good or bad. The point is, however, that we always stayed together, always supported each other no matter what. And this is how it should always go. Staying together means staying strong, keep that in mind!

The key to our success is definitely the team spirit. And how is that achieved? The ways are various, but what worked for us are the regular casual gatherings, the often team-building trips, the nights-out and all the time spent together around the front desk (our work area) and meetings. All those activities complement to the mood of each one of us. You might be terribly overwhelmed with work and studies, but there is always time to relax with another of the RAs.

Yet another team-building happened this Saturday. Mountains were preferred than the usual SPA in this time of the year (The missing Winter). The whole trip included some walking, a night in a very fancy hut, some football in the snow, barbecue, a great dinner, tons of team-building games, some drinks and sadly leaving on the next day. At least we managed to stop by a monastery on our way back and eat one of the most delicious breakfasts in Bulgaria, namely mekici. A great end to a great team-building.

Skapto 2, RA Team

This is a picture from the hut right before dinner. We managed to play games before and after. Some more serious, some more amusing. Nevertheless, fun is guaranteed.

What is your favorite team-building game?
What kind of team are you part of ?
Write your comment in the comment section below :)