I feel a bit like a broken record these days. ‘Keep focused’, ‘Take that jump and go for your dream’, ‘Be patient’. I feel like I’m constantly repeating myself while waiting (rather impatiently) for January to come. I feel like I’m not doing anything and it’s just about driving me utterly bonkers.

And just when I think this impatience of mine is going to make me snap in two I come across this marvelous print by Kate Moore of the fabulous Blimp Cat Studio and I snap out of it.

I’m actually doing something. I’m working full-time. I take three dance classes a week and go to singing lessons. I take care of myself (which for me mostly consists of getting enough sleep) and have a bit of fun while doing every single one of those things. And that is somehow what it’s all about. That little bit of fun.

Breathe Karen, breathe.

PS: You can totally buy this awesome print right here in Kate’s shop. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

My life has gotten a bit of a routine lately. It’s soothing, relaxing and a bit unsettling all at once. In the past couple of years I’ve become used to rehearsals and different classes, to have a job that challenges me at every turn. It’s strange to now have an – albeit temporary – job that I don’t take home with me. It leaves me a bit jittery, as if I’m not doing enough, not challenging myself enough.

At the same time it allows me to sometimes ignore that impatient streak I have. That part of me that can’t wait for January, for my MA course to start. It forces me to live more in the now. To see this period as an opportunity to take care of myself, to read more, to enjoy little moments with friends I probably won’t see very often in the coming year and a half and maybe even longer.

I’m starting to see the opportunities that come with a job I’m doing to get money in the bank and living at home so I can save up. I’m starting to see the rain.

PS: another of my guest posts at English Muse is up. It’s right here.

I’ve been in a bit of a blogging rut. I started work on the 16th and my body’s slowly getting used to being on my feet for so many hours a day but I have to be honest: I’m exhausted every night when I get home.

I have to admit that my blogging ‘dry spell’ is about more than that. You know how you don’t do something? And then the next day you’re like: oh it’s only one day more. And before you know it five days have passed and you kind of, sort of, maybe, totally feel guilty for not doing that thing and then you don’t.

Well. No more.

Today’s the day that I blog again. Also: the lovely Amber from Wind & The Willow tagged me for a Liebster award. It’s probably cooler to be all non-plussed about stuff like this but I’m totally chuffed. And the questions she set are pretty awesome.

1. What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry?
I don’t particularly remember. I get really moved and emotional about movies/books/tv shows but I hardly ever cry. I do remember when I was watching The Last Samurai in the movie theatre with a friend that I told her at one point: ‘Sofie, help me, I’m blubbering out my contacts.’ That was sad and hilarious at the same time.

2. If you were to win the lottery,what would you do with the money?
I would first of all pay for my year at RWCMD, my housing and living expenses. Then I’d set aside a big chunk on a savings account just in case – musical theatre isn’t the most stable of careers. And finally if there’s some extra money I’d either spend it on a car or travel.

3. What is a song that you’re listening to on repeat lately?
There isn’t exactly one at the moment. I keep having a song of the day in my head at work though: one song (mostly musical theatre) that I hum throughout the day. Though Sigur Rós is always quite rad.

4. What chore do you hate doing?
Hoovering. Hate it. With a passion. Weirdly enough I don’t mind mopping floors…

5. What are some things that help you relax?
A good shower, listening to music on my iPod in the dark before going to sleep, watching a good episode of Gilmore Girls.

6. What story does your family always tell about you?
I honestly have no idea. We’re not that much of a story-telling family that way. There used to be a story about me not being able to pronounce the rolling r properly. So I would call my brother (broer in dutch) bjoeje instead of broere. Yeah. They would all tease me about it and then I’d yell: ‘You can’t say bjoeje to my bjoeje!’ Good times.

7. What is the farthest you have ever been from home?
Canada. I went to visit friends from Guildhall summer school. It was amazing. I really want to go back.

8. Name a movie that you could watch over and over again.
You’ve Got Mail. It NEVER gets old.

9. What is one of your favorite quotes?
There are so many and it’s so hard to choose. However I’ve been thinking a lot about the following quote. First of all I think mr Hiddleston’s a wonderful actor (that guy is made for Shakespeare – hello talent crush) and he seems so genuinely nice and humble. I like that in actors/celebs.

10. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
This is a great one. There are so many skills I’d like to have. If I really have to choose one I would love to be an accomplished seamstress. I might just have to ask my friend Marieke (who’s a trained designer) for some lessons…

11. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Unbridled belief in the good of people. I always try to be positive and to believe that people are good but over the years I’ve (had to) become a bit less trusting and open.

I unexpectedly had to work at the bakery this afternoon. Let me guess, you guys didn’t see that coming with the title didn’t you? The thing is that I started reading Wuthering Heights two days ago and I took the book with me to work. Unlike how it is on Sunday mornings it was so quiet that now and then I could read a couple of pages.

Heathcliff surrounded by pastries. Sounds lovely, no?

Of course when I texted my bestie Julie about the book she immediately thought of Noel Fielding and his BRILLIANT interpretive dance for Comic Relief. After watching it for so many times it is still beyond hilarious.

Today was my last day at my old job. I had to finish up some loose ends: get the classroom in order, make the inventory of the material there, pass on all my stuff to the new music teacher and finally help out in the afternoon/evening with the books for the students.

It was a pretty emotional day, something I hadn’t expected to feel so strongly.

Tomorrow I’m going to enroll at the musical theatre course in Antwerp. As they say: every end is a new beginning.

The sky when I drove into my hometown last Friday after a great audition. Beautiful night.

From next week you’ll be able to find me working at the bakery again every Sunday.

I need money + I am a student again + the girl working there on Sundays quit = me being very happy at having the chance to do my favourite student job again.

There’s something about the smell of bread in the morning that wakes me up and puts a smile on my face.

I quit my job yesterday.

Okay, got that digested? Let me explain. I have an audition for a course coming up on the 26th. Chances are pretty good that I’ll get into it and that I’ll have to quit my job. So instead of quitting four days before the beginning of the school year I decided to do it now.

Guys & gals, this is some seriously scary stuff. Especially as I quit before having a paper in my hands saying that I got into the course. But I guess for me this puts me in a swim or sink kind of situation and so far I’ve been pretty okay in situations like that.

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