Courage

Well, well, well. Defying Gravity never felt so scary, or satisfying. It was seriously like when I went ziplining for the first time. First terrified, then a major adrenaline rush, then a desire to run back up the mountain to do it all again. It is remarkable when one actually is forced to let go of their inhibitions and stop over analyzing, things just happen.  I was greeted to my cast cheering when I walked out of the dressing room and let me just say, one can perform to a thousand strangers, but when you get the support of your peers, you feel beyond fulfilled.  Talent acknowledging talent is a beautiful thing. I have decided that I have worked hard and I deserve a cheeseburger and fries. I am going to eat now and feel really great about that too. Maybe I deserve a strawberry cheesecake as well? I say yes.

Affirmation

SO many thoughts!

Life here is such a microcosm. You see everyone in a spotlight, under a microscope, and when you observe people from all over the world amidst a floating "Big Brother" environment, it makes for a very colorful day. Sometimes good sometimes bad. But overall I think interacting with people in this way is a blessing because you can get to know people on a deep level very quickly and learn about yourself in the process.

The theater world can be such a narcissistic business. As actors we are consumed with OUR looks, the way WE sound and the way WE are perceived on stage. From your peers, to critics, to directors and audience members we are prone to scrutiny that takes us somewhat naturally to a self involved plane of existence.  I really don’t care for this side of the business.  I shared this thought with one of the personal trainers here because his work is mainly helping people recover from injury and aiding the handicapped. I told him I envied his work as it must be incredibly rewarding always being so "hands on" giving and healing. He said that I have to perceive what I do as absolutely the same. We a giving our audiences joy, music, and hopefully reaffirming the human connection. As much as I thought "yeah sure, right, making someone smile from a time step is JUST like helping someone to walk", it was still nice to hear and have affirmed. Especially by a jock. Obviously it’s the reason we got in this crazy business to begin with (it ain’t for the bread) but it is easy to forget. My dear Jen posted this as her status the other day and I am stealing it:

The more I release, the more open I am to receiving more to give....

Love it. That speaks truth no matter what you believe.

On a lighter note mentally but not physically I have been eating like a Queen the past couple of days. I had caviar for what I believe to be the first time, crab legs, escargot, a “Millionaire’s salad” (yes that’s what it’s called and I’m glad they let me eat it as a starving artist) steak, lobster, fillet mignon. Last night I ate all the sushi I could under the sun. Who knew eel was so delicious. Who said the best things in life aren’t free? To counter the eating I have run a mile every day for three days. Doesn't sound like long, but it’s a good start. I hope if I write it here I will be held accountable to keep going everyday.

I am very very blessed and on top of it all I get to see Jason tomorrow when we dock in in the greatest city in the world!

So much more to say, think, feel but don’t want to go overboard. Pun absolutely intended. ;)

New Local Eats

I love food. Who doesn't? But I do think there is a difference between someone who likes to eat food and a bonafide foodie. Foodies get OFF on food. On combining flavors and ingredients in the kitchen that have never been assembled before. On finding that local restaurant that makes the best pad thai you have ever tasted. On traveling the world and finding the most amazing coffee shop in Colorado, or English breakfast in London, or sushi in Queens, or limoncello in Italy, or cupcake in Soho, or rodizio lamb in Argentina, or Croque Madame in France.

This was not always the case....growing up my diet consisted of noodles with butter and the occasional carrot. I just wouldn't eat anything. Now it's all changed...including my waistline, but we won't focus on that.  iworkout too you know.  I accept the challenge of more yoga and Pilates classes to fuel my intense desire to try anything and everything tasty.

With the new move of course we had to immediately try out the local cuisine!

First we tried out a polish diner that doesn't have a webpage because I think it has been on our block since before the internet existed. I can have Ukraininan food (ok Polish but it's the same deal) consisting of Slavic sausage, Rasberry blinzes, and Pyrohy.

Ok wait I have found the Sava profile on Yelp:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sava-polish-meat-market-and-deli-jersey-city

She is the #1 rated restaurant in our entire neighborhood! I get it. 5 stars.

 It's run by this sweet, hard working Polish lady who makes everything by hand and from scratch. When asked how she's doing she answers. Tired!!! So Tired...life is hard...

Well thank you Polish baba for working so hard for us. ;)

I am glad I live in a fourth floor walk up to burn off all the calories I will be ingesting in the future.

One of those "LIVE" nights

Went out with some friends to see an awesome band called FEARMIA in downtown Pasadena. We had a great time listening to one those groups you wonder why isn't famous. I just don't get it. Anyways they were great, the company was great (I learned how to two step from a Texan!) and the night was quite memorable.

CLOC 2000

I can't believe it has been 10 YEARS since we closed Evita at the College Light Opera Company. It was the best summer and I made life long friends there. Nine shows in nine weeks, plus auditions, rehearsals, and who could forget CHORES. Pots pots pots I love you lots! Since then we have had castmembers get married, have babies and work everywhere from Broadway to the Met.

Miss you all!

Life in musical theater and Little ones

I am doing a musical theater workshop boot camp in LA. I am having a wonderful time, and have been stretching my dance abilities which were in desperate need of stretching.  I have also been able to reconnect with one of my best friends in the world Beth and her gorgeous family. I finally feel like I have finally gotten to know her kids and they have also gotten to know their crazy auntie Adriana. Here are some pictures of my experiences here in the past month. I can't believe it has already been that long...it has gone by very quickly already.

Here are some pictures of where I am studying.  I am so blessed to have a patient, kind and talented dance instructor and we work out of this estate outside of LA. It has 14 bathrooms. I thought it was exciting to have 2 in my new condo in Jersey.

Here are my niece and nephew. ;) They are so sweet and so smart, and I have never seen toddlers help clean up with their parents before! Wonders never cease.

Our first home!

I can't believe it, but Jason and I closed on our first property together! He has done most of the work, and has blown me away with it all.  He even went over with the new keys and cleaning supplies in hand and prepped for the move.  I am leaving New York State for the first time, (well, with all of my traveling I don't know if I can really say that) but my Zip code is officially changing. How will I change to 0----?? I'm going to be a Jersey girl! Weird. But Awesome. I am in love with the neighborhood already and I could only part with my dear Astoria to a neighborhood that rocks. Cobblestone streets, brownstones, and two sweet parks within walking distance.  We have a penthouse apartment with a rooftop, two bathrooms and are steps from the water and train. We can even take ferry home! Very British Columbia for my BC boy.  The apartment isn't all fancy and modern but is a diamond in the rough ready to be shined up.  Perfect for us. We'll take care of that.

High Ceilings

Love the Spiral Staircase

A Perfect NYC view

Bathroom #1-begging for a reno-though I love the little B&W tiles

Master Bath-also begging for a reno

Fireplace-yes, I said it before and I'll say it again-will be renovated. HGTV is my best friend right now.

One Bedroom

I can't believe I won't be there to say goodbye to my Queens apartment that I love so much and that all of us have had fond memories in. But being away for the goodbye is probably for the best because maybe I'll feel like I can always go back.  I did say I would never leave unless we bought something and I spoke the truth! I need to be careful with that. Thank you to our parents for blowing us away with their help, support and generosity! There is no way we could do this without them

We are thrilled. :)