This past weekend marked a very important event in my life. This event is something some of you might think as superficial, but if you really know me you know how much it means to me and why it has changed my life. I finally met Julie Andrews, the Julie Andrews.

The weekend started as any other starts when I'm far too excited and nervous. As normal I was not able to sleep on Thursday night so by Friday I was tired, and my mom was tired. Since we were leaving right after mom's class I was up bright and early, ready, and expectant. Before long we were on our way, after having spent four hours playing SIMS 3 while mom was in class.

We arrived at 7ish at "Paradise Pier Hotel", one of the Disneyland hotels. It was beautiful... with big comfy beds, an AC that was making the artic seem like just another summer day, and with the promise of meeting someone I have always admire, not only because she's famous.

By 8 I was already jumping up and down the bed until mom relented and we decided to walk towards Downtown Disney. Really, this three hotels, DD, and Disney are a network. Once you are in you won't even need your car to go from one to the other, we certainly didn't even use ours until the last day, and that was only to leave towards home. The Grand California Hotel, where the signing would take place, was a freezer! Even with the huge chimney within it, you could still feel the cold and ache for anything to cover yourself with! The goodthing is that it has a passageway directly to DD and very close to the signing spot! After locating the alleyway where we were supposed to queu in line the next day, and after mom convincing me that it was alright to go back to the hotel, we crashed in the beds... at least mom did.

I was unable to sleep, at all! I kept changing the chanel, learned the whole script of 'the secrets of disneyland', went on the internet, read my chapter on Health, twittered, and even learned a little of my script. By the time 1 am rolled around I was exhausted and I still couldn't sleep. Mom was still in cloud nine. I took a shower, got ready, and then waited, practicing what I would tell Julie if I got a chance to meet her, to talk to her.

At four in the morning I convinced mom to go downstairs, through the dark alleways and into DD. Nobody was there! It was deserted! And a little scary. We finally found someone from the cleaning crew who told us that they didn't know anything (aparently it was a very well kept secret for NO ONE knew anything). We were told that if it said to queu in at 6 to come back at 5:30. Dejected we went back to the hotel. Did we sleep? Not a chance.

At 5:30 we made our way downstairs once more. This time there were more people and we started chatting with another mother and daughter in the same position we were in. Apparently, while the team of Disney Cast Members were already there, they weren't allowing us to line up, instead they told us to walk around a very dark DD until 5:45 came along, the time the parking lot would open.

When 5:45 came to the dot the line started. Mom got number 15 and I got number 16! We were made to wait in line until 6:30, right in the middle of Jazz Kitchen and Island Charter. Everyone was excited, talking amongst themselves, talking about the last time they had seen Jools, or which movie she was currently in. It was so much fun even if we were exhausted, standing there with nothing else to do. Mom took time to read her own homework!

At 6:30 we were allowed to go into one of the big Grand California Hotel convention rooms, where chairs were already lined up for us. We were placed into rows, ten by ten, and then sat down... very closely. This was alright because since we were in the artic, AC's problems, we got to huddle close and exchange Julie stories. Everyone was taking pictures, a girl even napped. We had to wait until 8:00 for the store to open. That's when we got the first sad news. Julie's book was still in print and woudln't be available for us at the moment. If we wanted it we had to buy it through the internet page; it would be presigned. However, the sad news were followed by good news; she would also be signing the artwork!

Two examples were brought out of the artwork; the 500 dollar one and the 1,000 dollar one. Everyone flocked around it of course, and I even got a cell picture of it before the guy standing between them said that there would be no more pictures. We had to wait more but finally 8 am rolled around.

Once more we were taken in rows of ten to the small makeshift store. We bought the Lithografy, got our voucher with our number, and we were released. Many of us were scared to lose our spot but we were happy to learn that they would respect the voucher so we went on. Breakfast was in order, sleeping if you could (which I couldn't) and then trying to spent the time you had left until 1o pm without forgetting to go back!

Even though we were told we could access from 6:30 till 1:00 we weren't actually allowed back in until 1:00. Once more we sat down, this time in disorder, and waited. We learned that from the 400 vouchers that they were ready to give out there were 0 left! Many got a Litho without the promise of getting to see Jools or Toby (the artist). I would have died if I were in their place. The thing is that many thought the line would start at 1:30 and not at 6:00 in the morning. Either way they were already selling presigned copies, which we would later get one of.

When 1:30 finally came everyone was excited; licking lips, bitting nails, shaking legs, pacing up and down. Everyone was expectant! I think I had called Chicken Nugget (aka Mello) like three times already! I was a nervous wreck... but I wanted to meet Julie and I was finally going to be able to do it. I WAS NUMBER 16! We were told we coudln't take pictures with her, as in hugging her and stuff, but that a cast member would take our pic with our camera when she was signing. Liars!

Anywho, a picture is just a picture, and it won't replace the wonderful memories of the next moments in my life, in this event. The first 25 people, with whom I had contact all morning, were called. I think I literally jumped off the seat! With camera in hand we followed the Cast representative out of the room, down a hallway, and close to some glass doors where people were already pressed again. I guess Julie had come through there. We were told we could go in any order, I was number 4, but then we were told to go in order of voucher, so I was put in number 16. I was lucky and you'll see why.

Then we were told there woudln't be any pictures! *raises fist at sky*. I think a couple of them booed, and I hope Julie didn't think it was for her. I'm sure she didn't. Slowly, little by little, we were let in. There was this huge oak door through which Julie was, but we coudln't see her because they had one of those wood curtains with little slits. Needless to say I quickly spotted her. First impression; I was a puddle on the floor, but I had time to get myself back together.

With Litho in hand, and face pressed against the wood curtain I saw Julie sign Litho after Litho until finally mom and I were the next ones. The lady that would take us to her was gladly talking to us, so she got me a little calmed down before we went up. And then... finally... it was our turn.

There are just no words to explain accurately what happened.

Julie was sitting behind a squared table, covered with a white and greenish table cloth. She was breathtaking, a breath of fresh air. She smiled at us, beckoned us forward because at that point neither mom nor I had moved, and gracefully welcomed us. Okay, here I'm going to go into describing.

The first thing I noticed were her eyes. They are blue, but this blue that the camera cannot replicate. They are so full of life, so full of happiness. They sparkle like no eyes I've ever seen before... they are eyes that have seen many things but have found happiness in all of them. Her hair, which was perfectly in place, was a lighter color that I've usually seen her wear. I think they were like a dark blonde and a soft brown. As always she was wearing those big pearl earings, clip ons of course. Around her neck I believe she had a string of pearls, but nothing over the top. Jewlery was only that and her rings... I fell inlove with the ring that her husband gave her! She was wearing her blazer, as always; a soft blue color, with a white scarf around... the Julie Style. I was not ready to see her wearing glasses but they were so cute, right at the end of her nose when she looked down.

I quickly dialed number 2 by pressing it, which calls Mello's number and waited, my phone vibrated telling me no one answered so I called again, no answer again. I wanted her to hear Julie's voice since she hadn't been able to go. Seeing as she didn't answer I focused completly on Julie.

She imediately started signing, all the while thanking us for being there. And that's when we started talking.... I GOT TO TALK TO HER.

I thanked her for doing everything she's done and told her how much she had impacted my life. I told her that through her work she gave me my first singing and acting lessons and that she was the reason I loved theater and acting so much. She said it was a blessing to hear that she had changed the life of one person... she thanked me for it. Then I told her she gave me the courage, unknowningly, of getting on stage. Her face lit up, literally. It went something like this;

Me: Thank you for giving me the courage to get on stage.

Jools: Really? Did you do it?

Me: Yes!

Jools: Did you like it?

Me: Oh I love it.

Jools: I'm so glad! *laughs* What did you do?

Me: Christmas Carol, a sixty and fifty year old, *smile from Jools*, and I was the fairy godmother for Cinderella *Julie laugh*.

Jools: Really? Are you doing anything right now?

Me: Yes, we are doing Christmas Carol again.

Jools: When? Where?

Me: In local theater, Calexico, at the end of November

Jools: Oh Calexico? *she appeared to recognize the name while she stopped mid signature of my litho, she looked upward and thought for a second* Yes, right before Christmas.

Me: Yes!

Jools: Well, I'm glad that you get to enjoy the theater, I wish you very good luck.

I almost became a puddle. From now on I will forever remember that she wished me luck. And if I do become a good actress I will owe it all to her.

Me: Thank you.

She continued on signing my Litho, her last name with that lovely gold marker, and I just had to ask... it was burning in my mind, I just had to know!

Last time that she was in a signing for her biography "Home", I had taken a Cinderella drawing I did of her. It can be found here . Since I wasn't able to see her I had to give it to her representative and I always wonder if she did see it or not. Seeing as this was probably my only chance to ask her i went ahead and did.

Me: I was wondering if you'd like the drawing of Cinderella I did of you?

Jools: Drawing?

Me: Yes, last time you were here I had to give it to your manager.

Jools: *thinks back* Oh yes! It was lovely! I loved it!

Me: That's awesome! I was wondering if you had seen it.

Jools: Oh yes, I did, thank you very much.

Me: Thank you, for being the great person you are and for coming here.

Jools: No, thank you for coming here and standing in line.

I don't quite remember the rest of what I said, but I do remember her saying goodbye and smiling. While doing the line for Toby's signature I constantly kept looking back at her. My three minutes were over but I was happy and I was still seeing her. We got Toby's signature, I thanked him for making a Mary Poppins litho which I could afford, and then went on. A cast member helped us put our Litho back into the plastic slip, gave us a D23 Mary Poppins button and then we left. I managed a look back before the door closed. Everyone around us looked at us with envy but I was so happy I really could have cared less.

I had to hold in my flail and squeals until the hotel. As soon as the elevator doors closed I screamed. *giggles* I guess I was very happy. I went back to the hotel, twittered, and then off we went to Disneyland.

We passed by, heard some who were still asking abou buying the Litho (this was already around 2:00 pm and after telling them were they could buy the presigned I followed and bought the third one. We will be selling two of them since we are only keeping one. What was important was for us to meet Julie, and we did so we were happy.

I called Chicken Nugget, she didn't answer... again! Then I went online once more, berrated her for loosing her chance at hearing Julie, and then went to sleep.

Haha, well at least I tried to.. it was dumb because I wasn't able to. I still haven't been.

As many of you have already told me, this is somethign I will surely never forget! Those three minutes are the highlight of my life... apart from seeing her and getting to hear her sing. Her voice is sooooooooo much better. I don't doubt she'll try and sing during the Year 2010 celebration she's hosting.

I will never forget her, never mind my camera ran out of space and I didn' get to record her voice, never mind that I didn't get a picture, I got to talk to her and that's all that matters, plus someone was valient enough to do it and managed to snap a picture of her! I will always treasure that picture!

What else can I say... I met her... I talked to her...she wished me luck in my acting career.

I am happy.

THANK YOU MOM FOR DRIVING FIVE HOURS FOR ME TO MEET HER!

I must ask for forgiveness before hand in case I start rambling and you suddenly can't understand.

July 19 marked yet another way in which Julie Andrews changed my life. One of my greatest, and silent, wish was for Julie to regain her voice even if it was a miracle. Well, let me tell you, happily tell you, that she has regained a little bit of her singing and talking voice and it is marvelous.

I was completly nervous all day, as if I was the one going on stage, it was hillarious and scary. I was finally going to see Julie sing, no matter if she previously said that it was sing song, and nothing could damper that. Well, almost nothing. There I was ready with my camcorder, my picture camera, my camera/binoculars when I learned that the bus that was going to take us to the Bowl was late and that I still had to wait for everyone to get on to see if I, and mom, had a place in one of the buses. It was the most horrible experience. Would I not get to see Julie?

I have to thank another fellow Julie fan for my peace of mind and sanity. She was grateful enough to ask the man about the tickets and although she received the same answer I did at least she broke it more gently to me. She also kept on talking to me, encouraging me to keep hope. I know it sounds so dramatic on my part, but it is Julie Andrews, and those who know me know that she is my hero! God knows when I would have another chance to hear her sing live!

Another fan must have heard us talking and must have seen my dilema and because she had extra bus tickets, at least she said, she sold me 2 for mother and I. The first fan was just as happy as I was! And there I was, the youngest fan in the bus, clutching my hand tightly, breathing in deeply, and with open eyes, ready to finally see and hear Julie Andrews sing live. I couldn't have been more elated, happy, nervous, scared, and expectant.

When we arrived at the bowl, after hearing very confusing directions on how to get back I had to rush towards Will Call. With tickets in hand, clutched tightly so I wouldn't lose them, I directed myself towards the Hollywood Bowl store where I found "Simeon's Gift" and a Cd of Julie singing all the songs she was going to sing as well as some others (the cd was recorded about 15+ years ago). With that in one hand, the tickets in another, and with my mother in tow we finally made our way towards the entrace. We were checked and then I suddenly was there, at the Hollywood bowl, an hour away from seeing and hearing Julie.

The time flew by, talking to other fans, laughing and taking pictures to prove I was there (by miracle). Suddenly the lights dimmed, the orchestra stopped tunning their instruments, and the screens lighted to the wonderful landscape of Austria. Julie's voice suddenly filled my ears as she sang "The Hills are Alive" in the record of Sound of Music, my eyes were filled with pictures of Julie, all of which I recognized, they even placed one of her and Carol from 'The Pratt Family Singers'.

And there she was; walking, no glidding across the stage, wearing a beautiful silver ball gown, and bearing the great smile that only Julie Andrews has. I was waiting for her solo, yes her solo, to be at the end and I thought that she was not going to sing until then, Imagine my surprise when she didnt. She started singing "Getting to Know You" and I couldnt' help but mouth the words as I desperatly clicked away with my camera! She presented the very fortunate souls who got to share a stage with her but sadly I cannot recall their names for my eyes were centered on Julie all the time. Whenever she would leave the stage I coudln't help but follow her even as the spot light dimmed from her. She was such a lady; and she made us laugh and cry and even sing with her!

She did sing a lot more than I thought she would; "Getting to Know You", "Medley Waltz", "Impossible, It's Possible" and "Do Re Mi". The last of the previously mentioned started as a showing of the movie Soudn of Music and just as she sings "that'll bring us back to do oh oh oh" Julie suddenly shouted "STOP!" and I was like 'OMG what happen?' but then she turned and said "Lets sing that blooming song!" and we all sang along with her. I GOT TO SING WITH JULIE ANDREWS, well... you know what I mean.

When her solo came... magic happened. She simply sat in the middle of the stage, took the mike and started singing as if she had never stopped before. One has to admit that it was lower than usual but her voice, and the whiteness of it, was incredible. She carried the melody and sang in tune, except for the last little part when emotion got to her. She later said "I just had to do that!" which of course made us laugh.

The first part of the concert was over and I was still in cloud nine, thinking that I must have been dreaming that glorious afternoon and clutching at my sit begging for it to never end. Quite dramatic I tell you. The second part soon began and we were treated to a special reading and musical representation of Simeon's Gift. I wish I had recorded it but alas I only have Julie's parts, which are of course, enough for me! Julie was marvelous reading, I tell you she is the best narrator in the whole world, and she would even slightly interact with certain expressions of surprise, relief, and joy. She even did a few head movements that the performers did. It was so... wonderful.

Finally, and even though I didn't want it to, the evening/night ended with Julie starting of "Edelwiess". I tell you that if there had been a dried eye in the house, or the bowl as it is, it got teary at this moment. Julie did such a wonderful job which of course got her a standing ovation. She bid us farewell by thanking us for assisting and pleading with us to drive home safely. Home safely.

When she exited the stage many of us, almost all the house or bowl, continued clapping and she was grateful enough to come out once more, throw some kisses and the glide off the stage. It was so magical!

We made the trek back home, me tightly clutching my camera, binoculars, and camcorder, as well as bag and goodies and for the first time I did not nod off after a concert, play, or presentation. I was wide awake all the way back, softly singing a couple of tunes, and thanking all my stars for the opportunity I received. I will treasure forever my 300 something pics.

A miracle did happen that night; Julie Andrews sang again and I was there to witness it. Impossible things are happening and I saw it. Just remembering brings tears to my eyes and the feeling of dreaming. I can't wait to see her again, take thousands of pictures if possible, and witness a true lady, performer, and wonderful person. I missed her voice and now its back. I woudln't be surprised if she gets another cd in the future, even if its reading the dictionary, because I would certainly buy it just as many other would.

Sorry I rambled and I was so late with the details but... I just managed to mention this gift Julie gave me without squealing or crying. I hope that you guys can see through this how much it means to me and that you start believe because, to quote Jools, dreams do come true.

And....

She "sings once more"!

Update:

Tagged by:
:iconlyra06corr

* 1. Post these rules.
* 2. Each tagged person must post 8 things about themselves on their journal.
* 3. At the end, you have to choose and tag 8 people and post their icons on the same journal.
* 4. Go to their pages and send a message saying you tagged them.
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1] My favorite actress, singer, writer, and hero is Julie Andrews and I just saw her sing once more!
2] I love to sing, even more when I know someone is hearing.
3] I love to be spoiled, and my mom knows it.
4] There is nothing like talking to my sister and chum Mello
5] I want to be an actress but I'm scared of not making it
6] I love to draw and paint but I'm not very good at it.
7] I usually don't finish my fanfictions, except for the last three which I do plan to finish.
8] Teaching is not my passion, it is acting and singing, so I will act like a teacher and sing my way through classes.

I tag:

I am truly one of the most luckiest daughters in this world. I will now tell you why, well I'll stall a little first .

Anyhow, I had to take off my black and whities (the picture ones) because they apparently go against some type of copyright. I completly understand and because of that I decided to take most of them down. I'm a little sad since I lost all those lovely conversations and comments but I did the right thing. I think.

I finally finished my Helena Bonham Carter oil painting. I'm not completly satisfied with the results but since its the first painting I do in over a year and a half I am actually very very happy.

While my Wiemanek muse is working on finishing the next chapter my mother has prohibited me from writing until I finish cleaning the house and getting ready for the weekend. This time she has a very valid reason for me to actually pay attention and do it pronto.

First: She bought tickets to the Cher concert! Ok so that might be old news but still. It's CHER! And its VEGAS!

Second: Since we would already be in Vegas mom has bought tickets for me to see Phantom of the Opera in the new Venetian theater. *squeals* It's suposed to be the ultimate out of broadway experience and I can't wait.

Third: I get to see my Chum (mello) this weekend for a day in Disney and then her bday party! CAN'T wait. This is very important to me to the point of having a countdown!

Fourth (the latest news!): Mom just bought tickets for "The Gift of Music" which is hosted by none other than Dame Julie Andrews herself! Furthermore she sings! *faints and dies* I'm going to see Julie again! Believe me it never gets old, I want to scream and shout and jump up and down now now now!

You guys just dont know how much this means to me. I grew up hearing her sing and hte fact that I'm going to hear her sing live after she pretty much doesnt' sing because of her operation is beyond words.

I am truly the luckiest girl in the world.

*****FRIENDS*******

So this past week has been very very very eventful! I got to see many movies I had not seen in quite some time and I am super happy about that. Included in this movies were the Eloise's ones; Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmas time. Julie is awesome as Nanny, just just just awesome! And now I can't stop repeating words three times!

The search for my charcoals continue, I would have probably bought another one but I'm very low on money and don't want to over spend. Instead I'm settling my energies in sharing and making videos. The sharing part is in youtube of course, and thus I have been uploading some Julie Andrews videos; Julie Andrews Hour, bloopers, and La Rosa Di Baghdad. I'm currently uploading Victor Victoria (Broadway version). Furthermore I want to upload some Helena Bonham Carter rare ones, to start the list would be Magnificent 7 but I'm still not sure about that one.

I have also been doing some (very sucky) fan videos; Wings of a Dove, Magnificent 7, and most recently Sanctuary. IF you want to check them out, tell me!

My Helena Bonham Carter painting is still the same, and the reason I haven't finish it is not for lack of creativity, or a shaking hand, but because I can't find the batteries to my camera in which I was recording the process to later put in youtube. So for now, that remains the same.

I am, however, very happy that my Wiemanek muse is back and that she brought with her two chapters! I promise to upload one no later than monday! Otherwise three little people might just run me over, or hate me, can't decide which one is worse.

I'm ubber happy and super excited because I'm going to go see my chum and sister Mello! Next Saturday! At Disney! there are no words to express my excitement, no no no words!

that is all....



*****FRIENDS*******