On Weds I went on a jolly to see Mother Courage and her Children by Brecht at the national theatre. It was Stunning! After many hours of reading, studdying and writing about Brecht, it was amazing to see one of his plays performed. The overtly brechtian style of the performance, was joyous and kept me gripped. I loved the way in that the whole performance was ’see through’ as you walked into the auditorium the stage was still being set, and the way in which throughout the performance you were able to see the crew added to the Brectian style of him wanting make sure that you knew you were watching a show, and therefore detached yourself in somewhat from the action on stage. Fiona Shaw was incredible, as was Sophie Stone who played Katrin. The music was written and played by Duke Special. As someone who had never heard his music before i was blown away, and was brought to tears by one of his songs about Jesus’ death. Its on for quite a bit longer and if you could see it go go go!!

Today is the start of my new adventure! After leaving university in May, I have begun my new job working for a drama company called Stage Fright who are based in Wokingham near Reading. The position is as an intern, helping to lead after school drama clubs in primary schools as well as the two existing clubs for an older age group.

I am super excited about this, as not only do I completely beleive that this is where God wants me to be at this stage in my life, but it’s exactly the area that I want to learn more about and be a part of. Drama is in my opinion such an amazing tool, and therefore feel blessed and privileged that i have a job that gets to explore how it can be used in the community!!

So… this blog will now be my opportunity to share with you guys how I’m getting on, and more importantly what I’m learning!

Here’s a video i made for a girls weekend i was a leader at a couple of months ago. I thought i would share it with you all and encourage to you be who you are, who God made you to be and stop pretending to be something you’re not. Although the video was originally made for girls, there are truths in it for you guys! You to are beautiful and made by God! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWRxqSZCtQQ

In my Small Group we have been looking at Philippians recently and it’s really inspired me! Paul has such an obvious love for his brothers and sister in Christ. Even when he is in prison he is thanking God and praising God for them. He’s hundreds of miles away from them but they are still on his heart and daily he is lifting them to the Lord. This has really challenged me. God has blessed me with so many awesome friends who are doing his work all over the country and also in different parts of the world, but if I’m honest it is rare that I really sit down and pray for them. ‘Them’ includes a lot of you guys who are reading this…sorry I don’t pray for you more, I really want to and will start doing so. If there is anything specific that you want prayer for at the moment please let me know and I will commit to praying for you!

xxxx

Hello beautiful people whom I haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time!

I want to pass on something very important thing that I’ve learnt this week… ALWAYS back up your work! On Saturday night beautiful computer decided that she no longer wanted to speak to my hard drive and therefore stopped working, taking with her my 3000 word essay which I had just finished. It was a very sad time!!!

But in all things God works for good. It was as of he was saying to me, now Hayley look at me and we will get through this, I’m bigger than all the academic stuff you have on right now! So I’ve looked to God, got an extension on my essay and living in the library! Fun times!

I wasn’t really prepared for the enormous slog of 3rd year its actually mental! But God is reminding me to look at him and if I do I know everything is going to be ok!!

O and Happy Lent!! I’ve given up Facebook…apart from 15 mintues on a Sunday and buying lunch when I could just go home and eat!

Lots of love

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok, I am still very tired after catching what can only be described as American Election fever…! I haven’t really been following the campaigns 100%, and the most I’d really read was an article in Vogue discussing Michelle Obama’s style. But on Tuesday night after putting the live news feed on my computer I suddenly became hooked and excited about who was going to win the election! Goodness knows what time I fell asleep, but when I awake I was pleased to find that Obama had won (Maybe that’s because I will get to see more of his wife’s lovely clothes…who knows!) After listening to his victory speech I was very impressed, although McCain’s was intriguing also! I just know that as cliché as it sounds, I felt like I was watching history as all those votes came it! I’m such a geek…!

Hi Guys and Girls…sorry for the disappearance! I haven’t been consulted on the new design…or asked if it was ok to change it…but I guess that’s what I deserve for abandoning you…! I actually love it, yay!

Ok…so here’s what’s been going on in my life…if you care!

• Firstly this month has been a sad one, as my Gramps died. He was 82 and an amazing man who I loved loads!
• I’m stressed out big time about 3rd year…But its reading week now, so doing lots of reading…!
• I’m helping to organise a skiing holiday on December, so have been trying to convince people to come on that!
• Have started to help at the 11-14’s group in Church! I love it, although meant that we had a sleep over on Saturday at Church and I got about 3.5 hours sleep…ahhhhh!
• God is reminding me how much I need to rely on him and be quiet with him so that he can give me energy and strength…prayers that I would do this would be grand!

Can’t really think of much else… what’s going on with you!??

I now feel really old and slightly scared as i write this i have officially finished second year! Now looking forward to the long summer ahead, job hunting, camp and soul survivor and the monumentus occasion of turning 21… 6th July just incase you didn’t know!!

I’m sat in utter disbelief as I have just witnessed something which I honestly thought I’d never see…. Raef getting fired. He was in the board room with Micheal and Clare, neither of which I am really a fan of, Micheal should have gone along time ago. I love Raef: a true gentleman, and not just hot air! who would you rather be a work colleague off??? Not Micheal thats for sure!