The Landing

Around 3:02PM... Nui-Nui calls.  I pick up.. expecting she might need a ride or something only to hear, "Please pick up, please pick up."  For a hot second, I got really worried.  A million worst-case-scenarios raced through my head until, "I GOT IT!!!! I GOT THE PART!!!"

My heart sank.. then leapt... as I leapt out of my chair!!  And all I can say at that moment was, "All glory... and honor... to our Lord Jesus!!" 

Why our family had to endure this... I don't fully know.  But the Lord acts in His ways not to harm us, but to prosper us, to give us hope and a future.  

The Callback

 Got to work... sat across from my co-worker who naturally asks, "How you doing??" And I went off on last night... the waiting and waiting followed by more waiting.  NN never came in to tell us whether she got a call back or not.  It was a long day.. .and around 2PM... as I was contemplating going to the gym or not... I texted Joyce about pickup. 

Apparently NN got a callback and will get picked up at 6:15.  So I had time to go to TBC.

Got home... and first thing she said was, "My ankle gave way... and my thighs are cramped."  Apparently, she got the callback email at 9:30 last night and never told us. (Gee...thanks).

And so, today was a two hour dance session.  Dancing isn't for the faint heart... nor is it for the couch potato.  You're using muscles you never thought you had.  If your cardio is mid..  you might as well dance with an oxygen tank strapped to your back.  In other words, you can't and you don't.  

Her former dance instructor, one of the producers of the musical stops and asks, "Where have you been? Why are you back?"

NN said, "I miss theater." [after a 4 year hiatus]

To which the Director chimes in, "Theater misses you."

He then tells her he really needs her to belt it tomorrow... one more callback.  Callback #3.

Now it's getting serious.  First, we just want to have fun.  Then you discover you're still at the top of your game and start eyeing the prize.  Next comes the thought that.. maybe I can do this afterall and darkhorse my way to the top.  

NN immediately retreats to her room and starts belting (the same song).  Right away... she's off key and straining.  I go in and (regrettably) give some advice and get thrown out of her room.  Ok... it's gonna be one of THOSE nights... 

And fittingly... "And it just so happens that we just might winSo whatever happens, let's begiiiiiiiinnnnn"

The Audition

Months of buildup for her final hoo-rah.  Just get onto the ensemble.  Have a great time dancing it out with her two buds and close out her VPA career.  As the months became weeks.. and as the day drew closer... day and night the household echoed with the same lyrics... all day [and all night]!!! She's excellent at her art... but how about... a different song????? 

Our thought was it's finally coming to an end.  Nui-nui even accepted suggestions and corrections from me over the weekend.  And we were holistically nonchalant about it.  Let's just have fun... the more relaxed you are... the better you'll perform... the more natural you'll be...and the more fun you'll have. 

I come home from work... totally forgetting about the whole thing... to an elated NN sitting on the couch, apparently waiting for me to say she rocked it.  

Her dancing.  Her leaping.  Her solo.  Her acting and comedic prowess - making the director laugh [twice].  It's hard to be modest... but also know that you rise to the top.  And for the rest for of the night... she waits.  Waiting for the callback email.  

Some will get a callback.  Some might not.  No one knows.  

It got so late... I fell asleep before it happened.