Why I Enjoy My Sore Muscles

Last night I fell asleep pretty quickly. Sure, I had a lot to think about but I'd say for the most part, all my thoughts were silver-lined. The next time I woke up it was 8:30am and the sun was dripping slowly through my window. I have a new habit of waking at around 8:30am. I don't have blinds to keep out the sun, so I am often awoken by the sun's rays hitting my cheek. All I remember so early was that I had a good dream. I turned to my side, preparing to drift into another good dream about him, when it hit me. My left knee hit the bed and pain from it's injury jostled me awake again. I noticed suddenly that not only my knee hurt, but my thighs, arms, shoulders, neck and back.

How does one procure such a cornucopia of sore muscles in one day? If you're Rachel, through theater, of course. It was at 8:30am in the morning, after wincing from the pain, that I had to chuckle quietly to myself. Why do I voluntarily devote so much time and energy in theater? I couldn't even go a year in Germany without seeking out theater. And not just one play, but two, could suffice...as if I had to make up for lost time. And not only that, but I've already see two professional musicals (one in London and one in Germany) and one amateur play in Tubingen.

I don't consider myself exceptionally devoted to theater (I've realized it's something I want to do as a hobby, not as a career) and yet, I still receive such satisfaction from it. I'll spend 8 hours every weekend rehearsing and 3 hours/4 days a week at the theater running lines. I'll lose sleep, procure bruises, skip dinner and juggle classes/homework/tests and work just to be in a show. And why?

Simple. I love it. Every bit of the show. I love the first day we read through lines. I love meeting new people. I love being stressed about the choreography, and spending my weekends painting the set. I love the first run-through. I love the costumes, and the first dress-rehearsal. And, on opening night, I love showing my friends how hard I've worked. I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if my friends never saw it. I do it to make them laugh and smile. It's not the applause I like, but the pure and simple fact that I've helped my friends have a really unique and enjoyable night. =)