I might be on the Real World, but I don't live in a whorehouse!!!

One of the last emails that was sent out by the program I'm singing with said that cameras might meet us at the gate when we land. (Which really means I don't care that you've been traveling for 22 hours, put some damn make-up on and don't look a hot mess). What they didn't warn us was that the same camera crew would be with us at all times to document everything. You're drinking coffee? Let me film you. You're laughing at a joke? Let me film you. You're scratching your bum? Let me film you. It is a bit overwhelming. Plus, the kid carrying the boom has hit me in the head twice. (We may come to blows).  I'm just waiting for them to set up the confessional somewhere so I can start talking smack about these complete strangers. They all seem lovely, but you never know about those sopranos and tenors!

The film crew watched is amusement as I sought out an old comfort from home/the only thing that I could tell what was in it... Lay's Potato Chips. They giggled as they watched me realize that my options were between "Hot and Sour Fish Lay's", "Spicy Prawn Lay's", "French Chicken Lay's", and "Italian Red Meat Lay's". It's like the Lay's potato chip company can see into my soul. A.) Everything tastes better in chip form, and B.) I can say I've had a balanced meal between all of the variety's of tater chips I'm noshing! I eventually chose the blueberry chips, and they were so good I can't wait to try others.

Italian Red Meat

French Chicken

Blueberry

I'm exactly 12 hours different than my EST usual, so you know I have a nasty case of jet lag. (Why else would I ever be up and writing at 5am?) Luckily I have wifi in my apartment and my VPN makes it possible to share my stories with you my lovely readers!* A note about the apartment? Why, I have a spacious 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath complete with a terrace, kitchen and living room! I'm so incredibly grateful, particularly since I have seen the other side of what these programs can do to you.**

Yesterday, on top of Mandarin lessons and coachings, we had an hour long discussion with P. (As in, been a stage director at the best opera house in the country for the past 20+ years, P). I can't wait to work with him, as I've heard he is an absolute genius. On top of that, he is the anti-name dropper, and it is beautiful. Every time he opened his mouth to share a story about his work at the M, he would say "a singer I've worked with...", or "I know a singer who..." and then continued with his story. We all know that the singers he has worked with are the powerhouses of the industry, but he simply finishes his thought. It makes him slightly more, and slightly less intimidating. As long as I don't vomit my Hot and Sour Fish Soup Lay's on his shoes I think we may get along just fine!


*Last time I checked I was up to 33, but that was 3 weeks ago and I can't remember how to check how many readers I have. Since I'm not sure, I've decided to estimate it is somewhere in the 1,000s...

**Before I left the country I had the opportunity to visit a friend from college at his summer program. He was in an abandoned whorehouse with 10 other men. Yep, 11 people in one bordello. So- we may not have any pots and pans... but I am so thankful it is just me and my roommate!