First Week at Norfolk

This is the view from my window. The building in the distance is called the Music Shed, the main concert hall. It is so beautiful inside. I will have to get pictures of it when it is finished. Right now, we're still refurbishing it for Saturday night's opening concert.

I live in a nice "cottage" though it really is just a three-bedroom house with a living room (+ piano), kitchen, and dining area. It's very livable and a nice place to come back to after a day's work.

I work about half the day in the Music Shed, though I will be working there all day starting next week. I have my own office, which is almost bigger than my bedroom! I was really hoping to get a couch in there so that visitors (the few that I would get) or the stage crew could relax during concerts. Who knows, maybe I'll find one lying around!

My job, when it becomes more regular next week, will entail setting up rehearsals and attending to musicians on-stage needs. Then during the concerts, I make sure set changes are timely and accurate to dress rehearsal markings. It should be fun getting to work a little with the guest musicians and seeing what goes on backstage for a professional artist.

The weather here has been less than exciting, as it has rained 3 out of the 4 days I have been here! The grass is very green and lush, which also means it's very prone to becoming near lakes and muddy mountains. Overall, though, when it is sunny out, I enjoy just strolling along the path and breathing in the fresh, not yet humid air.

My coworkers are all very nice. It's the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival conviction to hire people who have very warm and welcome personalities. They have all been fun to hang out with during work and otherwise, which is probably the more important aspect. Having to live with the people you work with can be difficult--the Norfolk staff proves its worth, as my coworkers are wonderful to live with, too. We have decided we need to go mini-golfing, which has previously been attempted as a company social (though they ended up getting rained out). I also kept talking about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (6), and there are definitely a few people who want to find a theater at midnight on July 15. All this is to say, despite the isolation of Norfolk, the people make up for it.

Have I missed anything? Hm. Oh yea, I'm still working on those little Japanese rice crackers, Mom and Dad. Thanks!

Be back later!
--Annie

P.S. Here is a picture of the house across from my cottage, where I will move into in two weeks.