What a Week!!!

Well this week has been phenomenal! Tuesday we had Cast Movement and learned the dance to "Keep the Beat!" It was soooo hard! It was an exhilirating and empowering experience. 3 HOURS STRAIGHT of dancing. talk about intense. Mia (one of the dance Captains) is going to have us all whipped in to shape with the intense workouts. After the dancing it was three hours straight of singing. It was a Looooong day. Wednesday and Thursday we had more lectures and more singing and dancing. In the evening we had Culture Jam, which is where anyone who wanted could share something from their culture; be it a song, a dance, a poem, etc. It was amazing to see all the different cultures represented. The number of countries represented here at Up With People is phenominal. I was really inspired by the poem written by Faith from America. It was all about how WE (representing the UWP family) have so much power to change the world. WE are a catalyst. WE are strong! It was really moving.
During the week we were split into groups (Red and Green). Some of the boys from the Red group (which is the group I am in) decided to form a boy band. They came up with a dance to a song, bought matching shirts and everything. There name??? Out of Sync!!! I am their manager, and two other girls quickly joined the team as choreographers. I cant tell you how much fun it was to announce them and see them perform at the Culture Jam. I have only been here a little more the a week, but already I have grown soo much. I have stepped into a world where i am just one piece of a huge whole. The family feeling is extraordinary. I have been touched by others in ways I didn't know possible, and been introduced to cultures i scarcely knew existed. I've felt a bit overwhelemd at times, inadequate even but i continue to be energized by the contagious energy of my castmates.
Today is Friday, and we had a speaker who spoke about how to document the semester. I got some great ideas! like postcards, and host family books, etc. it was great to hear how everyone plans to document the semester. We also heard about the different internships available once we head out on the road. There are a ton of oppurtunities - from lighting and sound, to marketing and advancement. The Advance Team is something i think i would really like to do. I would go about two weeks ahead of the cast to one of the cities and help set the city up. Meaning I would be helping to get the host familes, arranging the meals, etc. It would really be fun and such a great opputunity to learn. I have to apply, so we'll see what happens. Well tomorrow is Saturday, and my host sisters and I are going to go up to Estes Park, CO and explore. We are also going to go see Harry Potter 5!!! I cant wait to sleep in!!!! I seriously need the sleep after this week.