March Favourites 2020

March has been a very eventful month, and I can't quite believe that the first two weeks were spent performing in one of the most challenging shows I have ever done and the second half I was told that I was not allowed to leave my home. The world is a very weird place, but that hasn't stopped me from coming up with a favourites list for the month of March! If you have missed any of my other favourites posts, you can find them here:

January Favourites 2020 - Click Here
February Favourites 2020 - Click Here
Other Favourites Posts - Click Here

Girlfriends

As part of my training at university, I had to take part in a musical - the musical I auditioned for was Girlfriends by Howard Goodall. I was cast as the part of Pam and I have really loved taking part in this process. The music in this show is beautiful, and I am sure it will be one that I will listen to over and over again. Not to mention that our composer sent us his best wishes before we performed the show. It is always hard to say goodbye to a show after closing, but I will be thankful for the memories that Girlfriends has given me.

Show Photos

On the back of that, we asked a photographer to come into our dress rehearsals to take photos of both casts. This is the first time that I have had photos taken of me in a show, so it was a big deal! I am so happy with how they look! Here are just a few that were taken:

Hair

Related to Girlfriends, I needed to figure out a practical way to keep my hair out of the way during the musical but that would fit in with the time period of the show, A little bit of messing around left me with this style, which I have really grown to love. Lots of people have said I should wear this style as an everyday look, but it does take some time, so maybe I will consider it for a special occasion.

Villains Ears

I am very excited to be attending the Villains After Hours Event in the summer whilst I am working at Walt Disney World, and I wanted to have some ears to be able to go in style, cue the creation of these babies! I absolutely love how these ears look and I cannot wait to wear them around Disney's Magic Kingdom!

Fire Emblem Three Houses - Cindered Shadows DLC

Photo Credit: @KeenGamer

As you may or may not know, the UK went into lockdown during the month of March (may still be in lockdown, who knows! Future Natalie will that's for sure!) This meant that there was plenty of time for me to play the DLC for Fire Emblem Three Houses. I feel like the story line it followed was a little predictable, but the new characters are super cool and I am very excited to see how they will impact the main game play! I would say that it is worth buying purely for these four characters - especially since you will also get the unique classes that they come with! I finished this in 7 hours, so I am now getting round to finally playing the Black Eagles storyline. So just wait and see, you might be able to see what I think of that story line in my April 2020 favourites post!

Bernarda Alba

Photo Credit: @StanwixTheatre

Our class was split into two, half of us performed in the musical Girlfriends and the other half performed in Bernarda Alba by Michael John Lachusa. I went to see this show after we performed our first show (because we somehow managed to share a set in the same theatre, we're still not sure how it worked but we somehow did it!) and I am so proud of my friends for putting on such an incredible performance. It was a really hard hitting musical, and was definitley not for everyone, but many people came out of this show saying it was the best student performance that they had ever seen! I am obsessed with the music in this show and I have been listening to the soundtrack quite a lot in my spare time. There has been talks of this version of the show going to Edinburgh Fringe in a few years time, so you heard about it here first! Keep an eye out! 

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan 

Photo Credit: @GoodReads

Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way: She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog. Her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the Princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after. Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, who's always been up for anything, suddenly isn't when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick. And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland--ever--unless she can find a way to stop it from closing. 

Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love--and themselves--in unexpected people and unforgettable places. 

A book that took me way too long to read but I really enjoyed it! You can look forward to hearing my full thoughts on it in the next couple of weeks, keep your eyes out for a review! 

And there are my favourites for the month of March! Thank you so much for reading, and I will see you next week for another post! 

21 things I have learned in 21 years

I was looking at other blogs to get inspiration for what to write this week, and I came up with this idea - to write 21 things that I have learned in 21 years. I express all my own opinions  in this post, so if you are offended I apologies. What I say is just what I think, you are not wrong if you disagree with me!

1) Your Parents never stop worrying about you, no matter how old you are

I had an idea in my head that once I moved out and had my own house and was living my own life that my parents would stop worrying about me, but oh boy was I wrong. I am into my second year of living on my own and still I get messages from my mum asking if I have remembered to go food shopping or if I am sure that I want to attend a job interview in London rather than in the town I am currently living it. I've experienced it with myself and I have seen it with my older siblings, our parents still like to check up on us to see how everything is going, and to be honest, it is nice to know that they still care! 

2) I suit having shoulder length hair

My hair was my identity when I was younger, I was known for having very long, very straight hair. All that changed one day when it snapped off after being in a pretty intense style for a show that I did. This lead me to cutting it all off, and I was left with shoulder length hair which I absolutely loved. I have kept my hair this way ever since (until now, I am currently growing it out to donate it).  I have learned that this is the way that I like my hair now.

3) Musicals are my life

Musicals were not something that I always liked. Believe it or not, one of my earliest memories was of me watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and skipping past all the parts where they sang. Then one day, my mum bought a DVD - The Phantom of the Opera - and my life has never been the same. From that moment onward, I knew that I wanted to be involved in musicals some how, and here I am today - studying a degree in Musical Theatre! I have had so much fun with my journey with musicals so far, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me! 

4) You can create your own work

People have been very quick to tell me that being an actress will get me no where in life and that I will never be able to stay employed. While this is true to some extent, people seem to fail to realise that in the entertainment industry you can create your own work. It is in no way an easy route to follow, but it is an alternative to the traditional way of getting into the entertainment industry. I am very interested in writing and directing my own shows in the future, but for now, I am going to focus on completing my degree!

5) Look after your mental health like you would your physical health

This is something I have never really understood till recent years, but it is so important to look after your mental health. I recently experienced a mental burnout like I have never had before because i didn't take my mental health seriously, I now know what to do if I ever feel like that again. 

6) You never know what life is going to throw at you

Things happen at the strangest of times. I never expected to be employed by the Walt Disney Company. There was also a time where I never thought I would see my 18th Birthday. Life is weird and strange things happen, sometimes nothing happens, sometimes everything happens at once. There is no way of knowing what is going to happen, but that is totally fine. 

7) Not everyone is going to like you

This is something I think people really struggle with understanding, but it is a fact of life. Naturally you are not going to get along with everyone; it may not be a bad thing. You just might not be the type of person that that particular person gets along with. That doesn't necessarily mean that they hate you! So much of my teenage years were spent trying to please everyone, life has been so much less stressful when I came to terms with this and stopped trying to please everyone and was comfortable being the person I am! 

8) Friendships are most important in qualities and not quantities

A constant worry of mine when I was younger was "I don't have enough friends, what am I doing wrong". I had two of the best friends I could ask for getting through secondary school - people I still speak to now - and I was worried that I only had two friends. I feel like this is a common thing in some people, especially teenagers, but I have begun to truly appreciated that those two good friends that I still talk to in my adult life mean so much more to me than potentially joining a group of 17 friends and not speaking to any of them now. Focus on the people who really matter in your life and don't waste your time with people who do not make an effort with you.

9) Voting is important

A thing that I am super passionate about - voting. There is nothing more annoying to me than hearing somebody say that they couldn't be bothered voting. I don't care who you vote for or your reasons for voting for them, please just express your opinion. So many people in the past have died to give you the privilege to vote for today - it really annoys me when it is women saying they couldn't vote since women died to get the vote only 100 years ago. Sure, 100 years is a long time, but when you consider how long the world has been here for, it isn't actually that long! It's scary to consider that we have only had the vote for 100 years. You have the opportunity to express your opinion, don't waste it!

10) Nobody has their sh*t together

This one took me way too long to actually realise, but nobody truly has their sh*t together. Life is so unpredictable that it is almost impossible to be. I always wondered how my mum seemed to know the exact time and temperature to cook chicken nuggets in the oven when I learned to realise in my adult life that its all about setting the oven to 180 degrees, leaving it in for 20 minuets and hoping for the best. This can be applied to more complex situations but that was the easiest example I could think of. I had absolutely no clue where I was going for my job interviews in London, but it surprised me that people moved out of the way for me to get past when I acted like I knew exactly where I wanted to be, whereas when I was looking at my map and double checking everything people seemed to stop around me or try to push me to the side. Fake it till you make it, that's all I have to say!

11) Having a double bed is life changing

This is probably one of the most first world things on this list, some people are jut lucky to have a bed after all. But I have become a huge fan of having a double bed. Starfishing is my favourite sleeping position now, it is so weird to go home and go back to my single bed. Any future partners take note - get your own bed! 

12) Priorities - there is not enough time to read / watch / listen to everything

I am so guilty of buying more books when I have 50 untouched books at home that have not been read. But in my defense, you may buy the book at the time and then when you actually want to read something you may loose interest in what that book is about! Maybe its just me. What is said is true though, you will never have enough time to do everything, so don't feel bad about missing stuff out! 

13) It is hard to maintain a career in any field, so you might as well as attempt to do what you want

People cringe when I tell them I am looking to start a career in the arts industry, and I have been told since the age of 13 that it is a hard field to get into. My argument is the same now as it was back then, getting a job in any field is hard so I may as well try and get a job that I actually want. That being said, I am not naive about what being an actress will be like - I know that the odds are pretty against me when it comes to blockbuster movies and Broadway shows, but as long as I am doing something I love I will be happy. I also understand that people within the arts industry have more than one job - this is something I am also prepared for as I have always had at least two jobs at a time since I was 18 years old. You do what makes you happy and don't let what other people say change your mind. 

14) Nobody is completely happy with how they look

This one hit me hard when I realised it, but my life changed for the better when I noticed it. Nobody is 100% happy with how they look and everyone has insecurities. Everyone is in the same boat, so it is best to try and be happy with what you have got, and remember, what you hate about yourself may be somebody's favourite part about you! 

15) You can choose where your home is

Not everybody is happy with the family that they are given in life, and people sometimes get caught up in the fact that they can't choose who their family is. Although you can't change blood family, you can decide where your home is and who you want to include in your own family. I am lucky that I love my family and they love me, but if you are not so lucky, take comfort in the fact that you can decide who you want and don't want in your life.

16) It is impossible to pick a favourite Disney Movie

A question I dread being asked - what is your favourite Disney Movie? There are so many different categories that I find it a very difficult question to answer - princess, pixar, classic, cgi, live action? What answer are you looking for specifically?  

17) Makeup is an art form

Many people ask me why I wear makeup every day and if I wear it to impress a boy that I like. They always miss a key thing - I'm not straight! Oh, and also I don't wear makeup to please other people, its more of a way to express myself. I have so much fun messing around with eye shadows and matching my lipstick to my outfit for that day! It takes skill to be able to do makeup well - hats off to anyone who has mastered the art of eye makeup! 

18) Live a little for the moment

It is always nice to have some plans and ideas for what you want to do in the future, but sometimes it is nice to take a step back and appreciate what you are doing in that moment. There was once a past version of yourself who desired to be where you are right now, so appreciate that you have reached that goal while you can before focusing on the future. I am not saying carelessly go out drinking because you might die tomorrow, but just admire where you are now. On the flip side...

19) Nothing Lasts Forever

Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end. The same with difficult situations. You won't always be stuck with a group of bad friends, you failed one test but that doesn't mean you can't ace the next test ect. If you are in a bad situation, focus on the good in your life and try to make changes wherever you can. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

20) What is important to you now won't always be important to you

Sounds harsh but it is true. As a teenager I really cared about straightening my hair, now I don't really care for it so much. When I first started to perform in musicals I used to be desperate to get the main part, now I focus on what parts I believe I would play well - lead or not. While you might be getting upset about something now, in a few weeks or years even you'll laugh about why you let yourself get so upset about it.

And finally.....

21) Glee is a really problematic TV show

There. I said it....finally....

Thank you so much for reading this weeks post and let me know what you would like to see in the next one!

How Covid-19 affects my Disney Program

So unfortunately the world is experiencing a bit of a problem at the moment, and people have been asking a lot of questions. I have posted this video, so people have been able to see it on YouTube already, but it only felt right to post it on here too, as I have been posting so much Disney Content on my blog the past couple of months.

As of filming this video, Disney released a statement saying that arrivals in the beginning of June would be cancelled. I was unsure if this would affect the Disney Cultural Exchange Program, but we received confirmation the day after filming that our Program had been cancelled.

As of writing this post, the Disney Cultural Exchange Program will not go ahead in 2020. Our group will receive refunds from Disney for the program fees we have paid, and should hopefully receive the money back that we paid for medical insurance. I am still unsure of what will happen next to us, whether we will be transferred straight to next years program or if we will need to complete the application process once again. As a whole group, we are still yet to receive any information from Yummy Jobs or Disney regarding this, but from what individuals have said when they have sent emails, it sounds as though Disney's priority at the moment is making sure the International Cast Members who are currently in the United States arrive home safely. The latest we should hear something by is the end of this summer, when applications for the 2021 Disney Cultural Exchange Program will be opening.

I will keep you all updated, but I hope you are staying safe where ever you are! To avoid any confusion, I do write all of my posts in advance (except in cases like this) and currently have blog posts planned up until the end of June. I will do my best to edit any mention of visiting Disney this summer, but I am only human, so I do apologise if there is anything that has been missed. If you do see something, it isn't the case of the program is back on, it has definitley been cancelled. Thank you so much for reading today; please follow the guidelines given and stay safe!

My Disneyland Bucket List

As many of you may know, I will be spending the summer working in Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. After my contract ends, I am planning on having a trip to Anaheim California to visit the original Disneyland since that has been a dream of mine for so long. I have never been to Disneyland before, and I will only have a few days there so I have made a list of things that I would like to do whilst there to get the most o out my trip. This will be as well as going on as many rides as possible and meeting as many characters as I can, so don't panic if you don't see a must do Disneyland attraction on my list as will definitley be trying to do as many as possible! Without further ado, here is my Disneyland Bucket List:

Go for Rope Drop

I have never been to a Disney Park for Rope drop before, but with the limited time I have in Anaheim, I would like to try and have as much time in the parks as possible to get the most out of being in Disneyland. It would be amazing to do Rope Drop to Close on one of the days while I am there, but I will also probably be jet lagged so it will depend on how I am feeling.

Ride Jungle Cruise at Night

Jungle Cruise is one of my favourite attractions at Walt Disney World, and I am very excited to see the California version of the ride and to see how that differs from the ride at Magic Kingdom. I have never rode this attraction at night, but I just think it would be really interesting to see what it would be like!

Watch Fireworks

This is probably a staple for anyone visiting any Disney Resort, and it is no exception for my Disneyland Trip! I would love to see the fireworks in California!

Watch Fantasmic

Anyone who knows me knows that Fantasmic at Hollywood studios is my all time favourite Disney Show, and I would love to see the "original" version of this show (I am aware that there have been a few tweaks made to the show so it is not the original one but it is the place where the first version of this show happened). So many people have said that the Disneyland Version of this show is the ultimate version and that the other shows do not live up to it, so I would love to see Fantasmic for myself so I can make my own opinion.

Get a Photo in front of the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Statue

One of the most iconic places in Disneyland, I would love to see this statue for myself. I feel like I owe Walt Disney so much the movies his studios have made have impacted my life more than anyone could imagine - so much that it was my childhood dream to be able to work for the company one day. It is such an iconic image and I would love to be able to show that I went to that spot myself.

Find a hidden Mickey without assistance in Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney

I have never went hunting for hidden Mickey's myself before, so I would like to find one in each of the parks in California. I fully intend on taking photos of the hidden Mickeys I do manage to find, so I can make a future blog post on the Hidden Mickey's I managed to find whilst in Disney Land!

Ride Jingles (Julie Andrew's Horse) on the King Arthur's Carousel

Julie Andrews is one of my all time favourite actresses, and in 2008 Jingles (a horse on the carousel) was dedicated to her. That is the only reason why this is part of my bucket list. I just think that is is really cool that Julie Andrews has a horse dedicated to her on the carousel, and I really want to get a carouselfie with Jingles, obviously for the Instagram account!

Get a Turkey Leg

Turkey legs are a staple of Disney Parks (at least the two resorts I know of in America, I am not sure about the international parks) and as stated before, I have always wanted to try one on my trips to Orlando but never have. This year, I am making it a priority to try a Disney Turkey Leg in either of th resorts that I will get the chance to visit!

Walk Through Sleeping Beauty Castle

I'm not sure if you can still do this, but as far as I am aware the walk through in Sleeping Beauty Castle is still open and the history of this attraction is something I find fascinating! Although it has since been refurbished, I would love to be able to experience this attraction for myself!

Ride all four mountain attractions

Disneyland park has four mountain attractions - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Matterhorn. For me, Matterhorn is at the top of my list as that is the only ride that doesn't have a counter part on the east coast (technically Expedition Everest is Walt Disney World's Matterhorn, but I have heard that the two attractions are quite different from eachother) but I think it would be really fun to try the four mountains in one day challenge.

Mainstreet Balloon Photos

The iconic Disneyland Picture, I love seeing these on people's Instagram accounts and I would love to be able to have my own version of this photo to add to my memory book.

Stop off at Avengers Campus (if it is open) 

Marvel is something that I love dearly, and I would love to be able to see all the new attractions based on some of my favourite characters if this side of the park is open when I am there.

Try a Cocktail in Downtown Disney

I would just like to try a Disney Cocktail, so when I am in Downtown Disney I want to take the opportunity while I am there to see what they are like and if they are any different to a normal cocktail.

Instagram Posts

There are so many photo opportunities in Disneyland, and I really want to get photos at some of the most famous spots that people have posted in Disneyland. These include: It's a Small World wall, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Haunted Mansion, outside Club 33 ect.


There is so much more that I hope to do while I am out in Anaheim California, not to mention that I will also be doing the Walt Disney tour on one of the days which I am very excited for! These are just a few of the many things that I want to get up to, be sure to check back to see what I get up to in LA! Thank you for reading today's post and I will see you in next weeks post!