Hurdles and Rewards

Ok. Let's just begin by saying that applying for an overseas study program ain't as easy as one may think.  And even if you are of an English-speaking nation applying to an English-speaking nation school, there can be miscommunications with regard to language and culture.

One must be ready to clear these hurdles and as frustrating as it may seem, to remember to "breathe" through each new adversity with the inner knowledge that it will all work out in the proverbial wash.
Yesterday's blunders are today's successes!

Negative: A communication error with regard to "what" course I was supposed to be enrolled in,
Positive:  Easily fixed by head administrator
Negative:  Tuition fees looked absorbetent with fixed mistake.
Positive:  Vice-Chancellor scholarship awarded to off-set tuition! 
Negative:  Changes to CAS will affect my student visa...does this mean I have to reapply at another $500?  Does this mean I can't fly and will have to burn my ticket next weekend to wait on Homeland Security again?  Does this mean I'll be late for school? 

Stay tuned for this week's cliff-hanger to be solved and resolved.

New Career News

Very excited to announce my acceptance into the MA Applied Music Psychology program at Roehampton University, London, UK.  The program will take me from Sept.2012 thru July 2013.  I enthusiastically look forward to this next chapter of my career and education!  Look out, London!  Here I come!  Stay tuned for posts re: my learning there.
slainte,
rl

Karma - over-rated? does is always pan?

Wow, first of all, bad form on my part- it has been way too long since my last post. While I have tons of announcements, news, updates, I will stick with the reason for my return to blog-land as per my recent shout-out on FB.

Ok. So my pipeband played a special au gratis gig tonight for our local retirement residence. "They love us. They really love us."

My chagrin: I returned to the parking lot to find my freshly twice-washed (summer bugs)and detailed jeep crunched by a bumper blunder hit-and-run. How dare they. Bloody unfair. Wankers!

First thought: Have I recently done someone harm or injustice directly/indirectly/unintentionally? NAY. Me karma be clean, mon. At least for the moment....

Especially, since I'm still revelling IN the now of IN-dia-thINk/mind-set. I wouldn't even let an ugly bug drown in a swimming pool without some serious investment of time and effort for a rescue mission.

Don't get me wrong. I've wrecked too many cars, etc. to starting getting all gushy and materialistic. It's more about the tale. Is it believable enough for the one-eyed Woogmeister? I mean, it's been less than 48 hours and I've already had my first casualty. YIKES.

New Role with CAA, National

So it's official. As of midnight, June 6, 2009, I accepted the role of National Awards Chair for the Canadian Authors Association. The evening went over exceptionally well, with CAA National President, Anthony Dalton, presiding. I look forward to this upcoming year and all the promise and excitement it brings!

Radio Play Workshop

Recently, Peterborough Branch of the CAA hosted a workshop in which actors proofed member radio-plays. Included was the radio drama, Love's Christmas Magic by R.L.Stephenson-Read. Stay tuned for air-dates on Trent Radio in spring of 2009.

Book Signing Event - Peterborough Library May 22, 2008

Well, after all, we were in competition with the famous Robert Kennedy JR. who had a speaking engagement at Trent U. that night. How was I to know he was in town to plug his latest kids' book?
And it wasn't a complete bust, because since then, Peterborough Library offered me a paid teaching assignment. Of course, hearing one's own voice reading aloud, leads to the road of performance improvement.

Poetry Marathon 2008

Poetry Marathon 2008

R.L. reads poetry for National Marathon at Gordon Best Theatre,Peterborough,
April 18, 2008.