SUNday

Three day holidays,

Partying with friends and food.

Swimming is a must!

Project!

Turning old to new,
Upholstering fabric and glue;
Our dining chairs rule!

TGIF??

It's not that I don't LOVE the weekends, it's just crazy how fast Friday comes as an adult.
Naturally when you're in school you dream about Friday-
Now, I struggle to get every single task done before the end of the week, and while doing so I lose all track of time.
It's Friday, and I have twenty projects to complete.
Where's an intern when you need one?
Oh, right- they're all off at some Happy Hour.  The weekend starts early for twenty-year olds.

Note To Inner Self:

Whenever you want to feel like a kid:
Turn on cartoons,
Pour a bowl of bran flakes, add honey, cinnamon and soy milk;
Dive in!
Instant sugary sweet childhood sense memory, without the processed sugar and preservatives!

Cut

Sadly, not on a movie set, but from an audition.
No matter how many times you audition and book (or don't book) the job-
The audition process is always a joyful torture.
On the one hand, you get to perform and be creative-
On the other, you are forced to "act" natural while people stare and judge your performance, and then cast you (or not) based on EVERYTHING other than your talent...
It's the life of a performer- and sometimes it sucks!

That's Life

It's a phrase I've heard throughout my life-
Offered by friends, family and even enemies (depending on the circumstance.)
As I child, I HATED that short, but painfully truthful analysis of almost any situation:
Your best friend spreads a nasty rumor, "That's life."
Your dog gets hit by a car, "That's life."
Your second runner up in every category, "That's life."
However, when put into perspective, it is also a joyful reminder:
You published a book! "That's life."
You own a home. "That's life."
You sold a TV show!  That's me projecting... But I hope soon enough I'll be saying to myself, "That's life!"
Outlook is everything!

Early Productivity

Waking up early;
Increased productivity.
More free time at night!

Random Thought

If we spent more time stretching, and less time complaining that we're getting older... we might not feel like we're getting older!
#Yoga #SundayStretchDay

Blogged Down

I got so caught up in my day, I forgot to blog!
It's called, being back in Los Angeles and trying to catch up on the life you put on pause.
Still, NO EXCUSES!
An artistic life, involves balance.

Home Sweet Home

They say "home is where the heart is" and while I believe that it's true, you can find happiness, love and family anywhere you are-
There's nothing better than walking into you home after being away for a long period of time.
The joy of being greeted by your family, my puppies give extra long cuddles.
The comfort of knowing where everything is in the kitchen.
But most of all, my BED!
I might actually get a full nights sleep tonight, for the first time in four weeks...
It's great to be home.

Road Trip

Cramped car,
Crappy junk food,
Beautiful scenery,
Bugs flying at the windshield,
Asshole drivers,
Tired truckers,
Spending too much money on gas,
Unclean rest stops.
Ah, the beauty of a road trip!

Excited

Meeting with my publisher today!
Eager to see the cover of my first book, for the first time.
What started as a childhood dream-
Expanded into a practical idea,
That lead to a serious project,
Which evolved into a passion,
Finally manifesting into a book that I could not be more proud of.
I'm so excited!

Keep The Faith

It's easy to doubt, fear and question,
However it's more rewarding to trust, love and take action.
I've experienced the outcome of negative and positive thoughts; without question, the positive energy always leads to a more rewarding outlook and subsequently a brighter result.
No matter the circumstance, there is power in recognizing we can manifest phenomenal things with Faith.

Forced Relaxation

I always feel guilty taking time off-
My soul wants to create,
My brain wants a challenge,
My OCD wants to take action,
But my heart NEEDS time: with my family, friends and myself.
I need to calm my thoughts, fears and desires, and remember how healing it is to sit in stillness and appreciate my surroundings.
Enlightenment comes through meditation.

Observation:

Though it can often come with headache and heartache; time with my family is priceless!

Slumber Party!

Sleepover with my niece! 

Frozen, cupcakes and dancing... Of course!

Mom and Dad; My Heroes

I didn't realize it when I was younger-
As an adult, I can comprehend how extraordinary my parents are.
Growing up they gave me: discipline, guidance, support, unconditional love and the confidence to follow my passion; they continue to do so now.  Moreover, they have become my friends.
When I feel like giving up, they're my coach-building me up.
If I need to cry, they provide a shoulder and words of wisdom to cheer me up.
When my ego takes over, they're there to remind me who I am.
When I need help, they continue to offer whatever they can.
I know how lucky I am, I count my blessings everyday.
I have a mom and dad that continue to be my number one fans, whether I'm teaching, performing, writing or working as a waiter; their love and pride is an example of true parenting.

Annoying Observation:

Even on vacation, I work!
I need to unplug.
Alas, my empire won't grow without my constant hustle!

Goodbye NYC

After a successful week of teaching, choreographing, and laughing with old friends; it's time I leave NYC.

I'm delighted that I got to see my buddy star on Broadway, my bestie's company shine on stage and even pick up some fun new designer merchandise at the House of Lodes! (AKA my friends hand-me-downs.)

But like all great adventures, this too must end, and just in time- it's raining... And I hate summer rain in NYC!

Remembering A Master

His ability to bring joy in sadness, truth in comedy and energy to all was extraordinary! Very few people can make you cry while you're laughing and laugh while you're crying-

Robin Williams artistry will be missed.

RIP

Non-Stop NYC

I forgot how busy you feel in NYC.
Between the tourist, subway rides and distractions everywhere- even a trip to Starbucks feels like work.
The city is pulsing with creativity, energy and MONEY.
go, Go, GO! is the attitude here.
I had a massage, three Starbucks coffees, two rehearsals, a Broadway show and dinner all in one day!
It's a crazy adventure, but I'm ready to get back to LA.
These days yoga, a power meeting and an audition are more my speed.

Line Up

Cheap tickets are near,

Please don't sell out before me!

Ready for the jazz hands.

#TcktsBroadway

Day Off

After a very long (and rewarding) week of teaching in NYC,
I'm ready to relax and enjoy a mimosa and brunch with good friends.
As soon as I can convince myself to get out of bed and hobble to the shower.
#EveryMuscleInMyBodyAches

Check-in Here

A NYC cafe full of people on their iSwippythings...

Posting, tagging, checking in-

But certainly not making contact with the friends sitting next to them.

I belong to a generation that has the best if both worlds. 

I know how to Tweet a sassy thought, post an interesting photo and check-in to share my location to anyone interested (including the government).

Fortunately, I still remember how to UNPLUG! 

Do the social media tech savvy children of our future even know what a handshake is? Or do the fist bump without looking up as the swipe to a new app?

Reasons I STILL Love NYC:

You can walk into a random Starbucks near Union Square and run into an old friend, (even though neither of you actually live in NYC anymore) and pick up right where you left off.

You can sit in a park and be approached by three complete strangers from three different countries, who are all in an English class-and they want to engage in conversation to better understand the language. (P.S. All three spoke better English than a third of the people who are actually born here.)

You can eat a three course meal at 1AM and nobody thinks anything of it.

But my favorite part, you can walk around any area of this city and gaze up and see no less than: 10 different types of architecture, 10 different ethnicities and 10 different styles of fashion-all while watching an uber wealthy stockbroker avoid eye contact with a homeless man.

  

Wrecked!

My body is a twisted piece of crunched up muscle-

Aching all over from prolonged teaching.

How did those dancers keep up?

Oh, right- they're sixteen and I'm thirty-six!

When did that happen?

I might be in pain, but I'll never stop teaching.

...my leg just might not go as high.

417 West 47th Street

It's like time stood still.

Sitting in the comfort of my old living room, laughing with my roommate;

Reminiscing about the past and catching up on the present.

I was a different person back then, I had yet to grow into myself.

She pointed out that I am comfortable in my new skin-

Yes, I am proud of the person I'm becoming.  I've stayed true to my goals and dreams, and haven't given up on the idea that "it" will happen. 

It IS happening!

A constant work in progress.  Maybe I'll really discover who I am when I'm old and bald?

Line Up!

I hate waiting in lines!

It started at Disneyland when I was five-

And continues to torture me to this day.

Especially at the airport.

TSA

Starbucks

Boarding the plane...

rage. Rage. #RAGE!!!

Lazy Sunday

Lounging around in my pj's.

Cuddling puppies,

A bottomless cup of hazelnut coffee,

My BFF in town,

And an obscure, but enjoyable movie on Netflix-

It's the perfect lazy Sunday!

Six Word Essay on Airport Travel

I can't stand rude flight attendants!

Good Morning in the Mountains

Some people sleep in,

Missing the gorgeous sunrise!

I wake with the birds.