Blogging Archives - Natalie Bourn

Looking Back and Looking Forward With a Senior Sunrise

June 8, 2020

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am officially a senior. Every year, it’s Whitney High tradition for the senior class to wake up early and watch the sunrise to signify the dawn of a new year; our final year in high school. Quarantine cancelled the official event, but my friends and I decided to plan our own with some awesome custom shirts.

Five o’clock am at Clarke Dominguez Park, we all gathered in the freezing cold to watch the sunrise. This was actually the first time all of us had even seen each other since March 13, the last of school before the shutdown due to COVID.

Competing at the FBLA Northern Section Leadership Conference

February 10, 2020

With another year of being in the Future Business Leaders of America organization, comes another Northern Section Leadership Conference. Every February, chapters from high schools all over Northern California come together to network, learn about business, and compete in competitive events through the FBLA National Awards Program.

I always look forward to FBLA competitions because I can choose something new to learn about, study, and test my knowledge on various business topics.

The Drowsy Chaperone Comes to Life in Sacramento

July 9, 2019

It’s official! The Drowsy Chaperone is now one of the best musicals I’ve seen! Broadway at Music Circus put on a spectacular production with fun and exciting musical numbers, hilarious jokes and comedy, an entertaining story, and some theater magic. I am thrilled I got to see this show with the Broadway Sacramento Ambassadors before it leaves Sacramento.

Don’t miss your chance to check it out while it’s showing now until July 14th in Sacramento’s Wells Fargo Pavilion. It’s a quick 90 minute show with no intermission. I know “no intermission” sounds a little crazy, but I think it made the show even better!

7 Tips For Time Management

June 26, 2019

Everyone knows that snow melts. Whether you have some fun, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight, or you just sit by and watch, the snow will always melt. This same idea applies to time. You can use it to accomplish your tasks and create something awesome, or you can watch it tick by. Similar to snow, no matter how you use it, or if you even use it at all, time melts away. Might as well figure out how to use it to your advantage, right?

This first half of navigating high school and getting into the swing of things has given me the opportunity to develop ways to succeed and dominate the next two years using all I have learned! So, as the new school year draws closer and closer, I wanted to start sharing some helpful tips I’ve learned throughout my first two years of high school such as time management, study strategies, reducing stress, and more.

Cowboys and Farmers Come to Town in Broadway at Music Circus’s Production of Oklahoma!

June 25, 2019

I’ve heard my mom and Nana talk about their favorite musicals to watch together and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! was one of them! I had never seen it, so before heading to Music Circus, I watched the groundbreaking musical movie about cowboys, farmers, and parties! The dancing and music brought this story to life both on film and on stage.

My favorite parts of this Broadway musical were the dancing in Out of My Dream and The Farmer and the Cowman because I got to see some incredible ballet and cancan, then later, some country square dancing all in one show. However, choreography can’t succeed without talented actors and actresses who portrayed the beloved characters of Oklahoma! perfectly.

Magic Brought to Life With Broadway Sacramento’s Aladdin

May 22, 2019

Disney’s hit Broadway musical, Aladdin, is finally at the Sacramento Community Center Theater until June 2nd and you have to check it out! This Broadway on Tour show is probably one the best by far and I am super grateful I had the opportunity to see it with the Broadway Sacramento Ambassadors.

This musical has stunning sets and props, beautiful costumes, numerous special effects, and let’s not forget the 21 high-energy musical numbers full of dancing. I was blown away by how smoothly the show ran and how magical it felt to watch it in person!

Broadway’s Aladdin features all the songs fans love from the original 1992 film, but also new songs and characters. Although the production misses out on a chance for Abu, they make up for it with Aladdin’s band of hilarious thieving friends. The genie has always been my favorite character and James Monroe Iglehart portrays this character perfectly! The actors playing Jasmine, Jafar, Lago, Aladdin himself, and Genie all performed phenomenally to bring this show to life.

FBLA Northern Section Competition

March 14, 2019

As April comes closer and closer, so does the California State Competition for FBLA chapters from schools across the state. FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America and it’s all about preparing students for their future careers in business by participating in competitive events, leadership development, and many educational programs.

In the beginning of the year, each section of the state (Northern, Southern, Central, Bay, Gold Coast, and Inland) hosts their Section Leadership Conference where students can sign up to partake in various competitive events to hopefully win and move on to compete at state. My team and I decided to try participating in some of these competitive events at our Northern Section Leadership Conference (NSLC). Here’s a little bit about what they are:

Ice Skating in Downtown Sacramento

February 13, 2019

I haven’t been ice skating in years, but this winter I’ve been twice, both at the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink with my best friends! I forgot how much fun it is, even if you fall a few times. The ice rink downtown is newly renovated and is the perfect place to hand out and have fun!

Broadway’s STOMP in Sacramento

February 6, 2019

STOMP is finally at Broadway Sacramento for its 25th Anniversary National Tour and you have to see it! Through the dance and music, I was in awe the entire time. The show is unique, captivating, comical, full of energy, and entertaining for everyone who attends. Any every day item from brooms, inner tubes, garbage cans, plastic bags, and even just the actor’s bodies are utilized to create incredible percussion and the famed “Rhythm of New York.”

What A Busy Schedule Has Taught Me

February 5, 2019

So, I haven’t really worked on my blog since August…. and it’s February. That’s crazy! But also necessary. This is my sophomore year and I had no idea what the workload would look like or how much I would have to do. I’ve been jam packed with school, dance, friends, and family and I haven’t had much time for “me time” or blogging.

Handling any busy schedule can be extremely stressful and you may cry a little or be disappointed that you haven’t had that “me time.” I needed to find balance and make time for what I enjoy. That “me time” makes a huge difference in my mood, potential burn out, work effort, and overall happiness. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to figure out how to maintain some balance. Here’s what I’ve figured out myself so far.