In a couple hours I will be heading off to Watkins Glen to begin what I believe will be a life-changing experience: My internship at Farm Sanctuary! For those of you not familiar with Farm Sanctuary, it is an animal protection organization founded in 1986 by Gene Baur and Lori Houston, and serves as a home for various rescued animals while also promoting animal advocacy, welfare, protection, and vegetarianism/veganism. You can learn more at www.farmsanctuary.org
I'll admit I'm pretty nervous. Working with and caring for animals is one of my greatest passions, so I know this will be a wonderful opportunity for me, but I always get anxious about going to new places and doing new things. To be living somewhere else not in the comfort of my home, missing my family, and to be out of my usual routine of random odd-jobs, rehearsals, performances, and auditions is a bit of a scary change for me. (Who ever would have thought that I'd find "comfort" in constantly auditioning?) :P
I get some panic attacks when thinking about trying new things, but I'd rather be a little scared and go for it (and mostly likely have an amazing time) than not do it and regret it forever.
This cause is so important to me. I have been a vegetarian for years and recently began the transition to veganism. I have been an animal rights advocate my whole life, have worked as a shelter volunteer, rescue transport volunteer, have always had pets from various shelters and rescue organizations, and recently took my test to become a licensed Wildlife Rehabber. Animal (and human) rights are beyond important to me. While a lot of people claim this, many of them don't actually do anything to back up that claim. I'm not saying I'm trying to prove anything, I just realized "Hey, there is SO much more I could be doing to help out." This is just the beginning.
The internship I was accepted for is the Shelter Projects internship. This means I will be working very closely with the animals and will probably be covered with mud and poop every day. I honestly can't wait! As much as I love the world of theater, (performing is my other strongest passion, after all), it will truly be wonderful to have a break from the drama, the egos, the stage makeup, the perfect hair, the judgement, the competition, and the pressure to always sound and look exactly right. Not only will I be doing something extremely worthwhile and rewarding, I will also be getting in touch with another side of myself. Growing up with my dogs, turtle, and horse, of course I've had my share of messy days. But to not even think or care about what I look like or who is judging me for an entire month will be something I don't think has ever occurred in my past! Animals don't judge and love unconditionally, after all. :) If only all humans would return those sentiments.
Well, I'm off to finish packing up the couple things I have left, feed the squirrels (my mom is rehabbing 2 right now and I'm training under her!), give Shelldon some treats, walk Tonka and Sugar, and check in on Joey. I'm so sad to be leaving my own four-legged friends at home! I will miss them, my parents, and sister a lot but when I think about it a month isn't all that long. Broadway Theatre Project was 3 weeks and that pretty much flew by. I've just got to calm down my nerves, take a deep breath, and face everything with a positive attitude and embrace this new journey with open arms.
Quote of the day:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-Mahatma Gandhi
I'll admit I'm pretty nervous. Working with and caring for animals is one of my greatest passions, so I know this will be a wonderful opportunity for me, but I always get anxious about going to new places and doing new things. To be living somewhere else not in the comfort of my home, missing my family, and to be out of my usual routine of random odd-jobs, rehearsals, performances, and auditions is a bit of a scary change for me. (Who ever would have thought that I'd find "comfort" in constantly auditioning?) :P
I get some panic attacks when thinking about trying new things, but I'd rather be a little scared and go for it (and mostly likely have an amazing time) than not do it and regret it forever.
This cause is so important to me. I have been a vegetarian for years and recently began the transition to veganism. I have been an animal rights advocate my whole life, have worked as a shelter volunteer, rescue transport volunteer, have always had pets from various shelters and rescue organizations, and recently took my test to become a licensed Wildlife Rehabber. Animal (and human) rights are beyond important to me. While a lot of people claim this, many of them don't actually do anything to back up that claim. I'm not saying I'm trying to prove anything, I just realized "Hey, there is SO much more I could be doing to help out." This is just the beginning.
The internship I was accepted for is the Shelter Projects internship. This means I will be working very closely with the animals and will probably be covered with mud and poop every day. I honestly can't wait! As much as I love the world of theater, (performing is my other strongest passion, after all), it will truly be wonderful to have a break from the drama, the egos, the stage makeup, the perfect hair, the judgement, the competition, and the pressure to always sound and look exactly right. Not only will I be doing something extremely worthwhile and rewarding, I will also be getting in touch with another side of myself. Growing up with my dogs, turtle, and horse, of course I've had my share of messy days. But to not even think or care about what I look like or who is judging me for an entire month will be something I don't think has ever occurred in my past! Animals don't judge and love unconditionally, after all. :) If only all humans would return those sentiments.
Well, I'm off to finish packing up the couple things I have left, feed the squirrels (my mom is rehabbing 2 right now and I'm training under her!), give Shelldon some treats, walk Tonka and Sugar, and check in on Joey. I'm so sad to be leaving my own four-legged friends at home! I will miss them, my parents, and sister a lot but when I think about it a month isn't all that long. Broadway Theatre Project was 3 weeks and that pretty much flew by. I've just got to calm down my nerves, take a deep breath, and face everything with a positive attitude and embrace this new journey with open arms.
Quote of the day:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-Mahatma Gandhi
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