Omaha

Now for a message about Omaha!

Between last night and tonight, we watched the movie Saving Private Ryan, which is about D-Day and WWII. They showed it here to basically spearhead our journey to Omaha, one of the D-Day beaches. After seeing a reenactment of the events of D-Day, being on the beach where it all happened was so surreal and intense. Walking through the memorial and just taking everything in was mind blowing. 

I've seen quite a few historical sites and whatnot, but NOTHING has been like this. As my friends and I walked down to the beach over the hills that our dedicated soldiers stormed in 1944, we all kept commenting on how incredible it was to be walking through a place where only 68 years ago over 3,000 men were brutally killed. I've never experienced anything like it.

Hey everyone!

So, I'll admit it, I was terrified to come here. Of course, I had the fears that no one would like me and the program would be all uptight and weird, but I have been here for less than a week and I can honestly say I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I know for a fact that I belong in the theater. This experience so far has affirmed my career choices, changed me as a person, and given me connections with people who I know will be lifelong friends and people who will be extremely helpful in the theater business.

Here's a little background on some of the staff here:
Duane Daniels: Amazing actor with his own theater company who played the principal on Veronica Mars.
Greg Ainsworth: Film (and stage) actor who has appeared on Sex and the City (Yes, Grandma), 90210, and Monk.
Emily Firth: Stage actress with the most incredible voice I have ever heard.
Kristy Hasen: Film actress, producer, and writer extraordinaire with the sweetest heart.
Dan Milne: Lover of Shakespeare and wonderful actor from London.
Andrea Mardon: Jazz singer, actress, and the director of this life-changing program!

First of all, the Chateau is absolutely GORGEOUS. It was built in 1752 and has been through a lot, seeing as how it is located in Normandy. Perhaps the most interesting part is that it was taken over for a short period by the Nazis. But the family that currently owns it has renovated it from the ground up, and everything is absolutely wonderful.

My daily schedule looks a bit like this:
7:00 - Wake up and get ready.
7:50 - Breakfast
8:30 - First class
10:30 - Second class
12:30 - Lunch
1:30 - Third class
3:30 - Elective
5:30 - Dinner
And after dinner we have evening activities or we just hang out. By the way, our cook, James, is magical. I feel as though I'm eating in a 5 star restaurant every night.

I've found myself missing my trumpet quite a bit during my stay. I've told some people about my participation in band, and word got around to Duane. So he somehow put together that James used to play the trombone and then decided to try trumpet. He claims he's not so good, but he has a cornet for himself and a trumpet for me, and I'm going to help him get better and we're going to play some duets! How cool is that?!

If you haven't gathered, I'm extremely happy here. I'm not even as homesick as I had anticipated! Of course I miss my family and my friends, but the people here have quickly become my family, as well, and I feel really at home.

Again, thank you so much to everyone who has supported me throughout this and made it possible. Don't forget to write letters and call me on my Skype number! Both the address and the number are in my previous post. I love you all!

~Rowan

Hey everyone!
I depart for France on Friday of this week! Wooh! Before I leave, I want to give you all the address for the Chateau at which I'll be staying as well as my Skype number.

Address:

Rowan Renstrom-Richards

Chateau le Mont Epinguet

Brix 50700

Normandie

FRANCE

This is for anyone who wants to write me letters while I'm gone! PLEASE DON'T SEND DHL, UPS, OR FEDEX PACKAGES. Use the regular US International Postage System.

Skype Number:
1(269)290-7739

Call me on this number if you want to reach me! If I'm in class or somewhere else, I won't be able to answer, but you'll be able to leave a message!

If anyone wants to receive some special letters while I'm in France, leave your address in a comment and I'll be happy to oblige:)

Tata for now!

♥Rowan

Before I leave...

Hey everyone! So, for those of you who don't know, I was accepted to the Berridge Conservatory in France in March. The program runs from June 23rd-July 19th this summer, and I'll be leaving on the 22nd. I plan on having a career in the theater, and this program is going to get me closer to that. Not only do I have the incredible opportunity to work on my acting skills, but I get to travel to the country that is on the top of my bucket list! I've been taking French for two years, and 90% of what I've learned is credited to the amazing Madame Emeka Debyser. Hopefully I know enough to get me through customs without a hassle;)
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this possible, including but not limited to Mom and Peter, Dad and Lorelei, my Grandma Renstrom, Grandma Richards and Uncle Charlie, and my awesome customers who loyally bought so much candy from me this year;) Also, thank you to my Uncle Stan and Aunt Helenan for their lovely insights about travel and the theater. Last but not least, another thank you to Madame Debyser for rapidly increasing my French skills and being an AWESOME person.
I love you all!
For those of you who'd like to check out where I'll be going, here's the link:
www.berridgeconservatory.com