All I need to know I learned in California

So, it's been two weeks since my last post, and for that I am sorry. I have been so incredibly busy these weeks, so I don't feel too bad. I just came back from a week long conference for Theatre Educators. It was a great conference, and I learned so much about why I do what I do, and how to do it better. I was overwhelmed by the information and the amount of work that I have to do in my job. While we were in Los Angeles (where the conference was located) we went to the fabric district to get ALL of the fabric and costumes for our school theatre season. UGH. My wife and fabric stores are like an addict and heroin. We came away with so much fabric and costumes, we got terrible gas mileage.

Overall, I am invigorated and ready to make a REAL difference not only in the lives of my students, but in the ARTS in general. I want to be a leader of the arts.

A funny story, which is also sort of embarrassing: We wanted to sit by the pool and just relax, and we had about an hour and a half. I was so excited to just read, and swim, and relax. I bought some 30 SPF sunblock for 5 bucks in the lobby, and was set to go. I thought to myself, "Self, don't' get sunburned...it's miserable for an Irish-German to burn. 30 SPF should be applied every 30 mins." So that is what I did. The next day....BURNED CRISPY. I was so bugged. On top of it all, I got a 3rd degree burn inside my belly button. Blisters, burns, etc.... Then, the next day, the blisters burst and got infected. I came home with so much pain and so much medicine stuffed into my belly button. Ridiculous.

So...my thought for the week:

NEVER TAKE YOUR BELLY BUTTON FOR GRANTED....IT'S USED MORE THAN YOU KNOW

Take that and apply it into your lives, as they will never be the same.

Tomorrow will come and go....

WHEW! What a week. It has been so busy that I have tried starting to write this blog 3 or 4 times without success. First let me say that I am down ANOTHER 5 pounds, which brings my total loss to 71 pounds in 3 and a half months. I am kickin' some major booty!!! I have the world's best trainer and friends that are supporting me in this. I even have a SAINT of a PTSA president that is making meals for me a couple of times a week to support our group of 'losers'. I am overwhelmed with love and support for all those who have been sent by GOD to help me lose this weight. I am fitting into my jeans better, and have energy to do normal everyday activities. I am like a teenager again, but now I have a job, a girlfriend that puts out, and real true friends. So.....I guess it' s not really like being a teenager again.

On Thursday and Friday, we held auditions for our annual Shakespeare Co., and it was INSANE. We had a record breaking number come out to audition, and we are so thrilled to have so much to choose from. For those who don't really get the Shakespeare Co. thing, let me explain. I teach at a performing arts high school, and we have ZERO sports. Which is great if you ask me. However, there is a big lack of competition and visibility that comes with no teams. Our Shakespeare company is the equivalent of the Football team here, and we are champs at that. We take lots of pride in our work, and the students love the events more than the usual student. We practice hundreds and hundreds of hours, and really focus on giving them great classical acting training in the process. It's sort of like Nazi Germany if you ask anyone who knows...:) We have just cast our BIGGEST cast yet, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with the talent and kids that want the opportunity. This is a great problem to have, but I have answered so many questions and handed out about 150 monologues this week. I need a break from Shakespeare, and want to work on something really avaunt-gard this week....anyone up for a performance art showcase?

Looking forward to this week, as it is Homecoming (can you hear my sarcasm?), and I am the Stuco Advisor this year. I need to breathe, and remember..."Tomorrow will come, and soon, it will all be over and I will regret rushing it." right?......RIGHT?

To be......or what?

So it has been another week, and I am trying really hard to write every week. I have noticed that this week FLEW by. It was very refreshing, as the first week of school was going at a caterpillar's pace. I lost another 4 lbs, and feeling great. I started taking a B-12 supplement everyday, and it really is making a difference in my energy. Jan and I went to see Julie and Julia again, and I laughed even harder this time. ...gosh, I think that I just realized that I am a really boring blog. I need to have a better life, or choose something to ramble on and and on about.


School is in it's 3rd week, and this week we are auditioning the Shakespeare Competition team. It's like the school football team, and the kids are really excited. Jan and I are Nazi's when it comes the quality, and we take a lot of pride in having a strong team. This year we want to do something really amazing and new. Jan has taken like 17 teams to the competition, and after so many years, you can't do what you have done before...need to be challenged. I guess we will see who we get this year. There are a lot of new students at Tuacahn this year, so I am thrilled to have some new blood to refresh and renew the program.

As far as inspirational thoughts, here is my thought for the week:

We need to teach this new generation of artists that this is not about being rich and famous. It's about being happy and satisfied with being artists.

Thanks Mr.Miller!


Much love and happy vibes from ALH this week.

Learning from the best

Another week has passed, and I am trying desperately to write something new and exciting. School officially entered it's 2ND week today, and I am feeling the pressure. I love teaching, and I am really finding my groove. It helps that I have the most incredible mentor in my wife. She has been teaching drama for over 19 years, and I think that she is an inspiration to anyone who knows anything about teaching....especially drama. It's hard to work in her shadow sometimes, but she is so kind and loving that she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience with me daily. As I get my own style, and as I grow as a teacher, it's really challenging to not just do the same thing over and over again. I want to be the inspirational teacher that students really remember, and sometimes...like today, I am feeling that pressure. I have 6 FULL drama classes, and then my wife teaches 2 big musical theatre classes and 2 HUGE technical theatre classes. I try to just stay ahead of them for a few minutes, and ALREADY I am feeling behind. I need to just keep telling myself that I need to calm down, and take it easy.

OH, and I have lost another 10 pounds this week, (which brings me to 63 pounds in 11 weeks) and I will have a big 3 month party celebration with photos and journal writing.....

I guess this is where I need to say something thoughtful and inspirational..........


...


...

Remember the Alamo???

A brand new ME!

So. It's been a while since I had a real chance to blog. It's been an AMAZING summer. Let me tell what has happened this summer and give you a chance to catch up on my life....for those who are interested.

The summer started off really fun. I got to direct a play at the local college comedy festival, and was able to cast my wife in the show. It was a BLAST. Not only did I get to see my wife have a great time, but I also used my very first drama teacher, and it was so rewarding. As soon as that show opened, I was off to Lincoln, Nebraska to the International Thespian Society convention. It was the first time that I was there, and I was really nervous and excited. My school won one of the "Outstanding School" awards, and I was there just to accept the award. Within the week, I had realized what an amazing conference this was, and was sad to find out that I was the only delegate from Utah. I asked around, and was led to an amazing lady who told me to come the regional dinner, and I could meet other leaders from my area. Next thing I know, I am being introduced as the new Chapter Director of Utah! Although it sounds great, and I was happy to step up and get the ball rolling in my state....I am totally overwhelmed by this.

I came home just in time to help my wife with the 5th annual Summer Theatre Institute that was hosting 40 students from all over to produce "High School Musical 2" onstage. It was incredible to see a group of artists that really didn't like the material making it work. The show was HOT!! I know that the script and story leave a lot to be desired, it was a great show, and we were really proud of it. As SOON as that show opened, I was off to Vegas for a leadership training for EdTA and Thespians. WHEW!

I came home for 1 whole day, and was off again to take the Student Council (of which I am the new faculty advisor) to in service. 3 days later I was teaching 5-15 year old kiddies for two FULL weeks, as well as extension classes and workshops.

Overall, I had about 3 days off, and what did I do with them? See Plays......I think that I am a BIT obsessed. :)

The most exciting part of the summer has been my new hobby. Working out. I have an AMAZING parent that is starting a business for the new "Biggest Loser" fad, and is using me to get others excited. I am on a meal plan, and workout plan...at first it SUCKED, and I tried so hard to be good, and now I am really getting addicted to that post work-out "accomplished" feeling. It has been 10 weeks today, and I have lost 53 pounds. I feel great, and have passion for life again.

All in all, I had the world's worst spring, but this summer has been the real re-birth of Andrew Lloyd Hunsaker. I have deleted all the previous posts on my blog....I want to start anew and with a positive vibe here.


To quote from my favorite cheesy musical:

" I am so much better....than before!"

Thanks for all of your love and support and words of encouragement. If it means anything, all of your thoughts and prayers have saved my life this season. I can be better tomorrow than I was today.