Journaling

My deepest thoughts, plans, intimate emotions, and obstacles shared in a book that (hopefully) no one will read.
It’s the total escape from reason; pure free flowing energy, which helps me stay focused and present.
Not just for teenaged drama queens (although I was that, too), journaling is my therapy.

Pierced

My sister, Shiree, and my niece, Kellyn arrived in LA yesterday marking a week long celebration of my sister’s birthday.
In honor of the visit, Shiree decided to surprise Kellyn with a trip to the mall; Claire’s to be exact.
Anyone who has a daughter or grew up gay in the 90′s knows that Claire’s is the place for ear piercing.
When Kellyn found out why she was there, she jumped with joy and then her face washed with fear.  “Is it going to hurt?” She asked concerned.
I promised it wouldn’t hurt worse than a shot... that seemed to satisfy her trepidation.
Once she picked out her earrings, she sat in the chair, the Claire’s “piercing experts” cleaned her ears and made a dot with a marker to ensure perfect placement.
While my sister held the iPhone to capture the momentous event, I held my nieces hand and Uncle Jeff kept Kellyn distracted with positive dialogue.
The Claire’s “piercing experts” conversed privately, deciding to pierce on count 2 (not three), and then they counted down.
1, 2, punch!
Kellyn didn’t even realize they’d pierced her ears.
I said, “It’s all done.”
She smiled and said, “It’s over?”
When we returned home, we couldn’t find Kellyn.  I quietly snuck up on her gazing at her reflection––and newly pierced sparkling ears––in the guest bedroom mirror.
Mission accomplished!

All In The Family

My sister and niece arrive today;
Disneyland, pool parties, and coloring books galore!
Growing up my sister was my best friend (minus a few troubled high school years), and I’m so grateful that we continue to cultivate our relationship.
She’s the strongest person I know; fighting through cancer, a coma, and questionable haircuts...
I’m excited for a week of laughter, eating too much, and movie-night slumber parties in our living room.

Happiness Hangover

It’s nice to wake up with a smile on my face.
Last night I was in a room surrounded by my peers;
Talented, creative, loving, loud, obnoxious (in a magnificent way), and supportive.
Who says dancers are bitchy?
Oh, right... me in my 20′s.
Thankfully, people grow up.
I’m honored to be a working artists.

That's A Wrap!

My summer tour has come to an end. 

All of the complaining about airports, sleepless nights in uncomfortable hotel beds, and borderline diabetic food options (without a trace of leafy greens) will come to an end.

What will I complained about now?

Good question;

Most likely I'll moan about my dwindling bank account, because as much as I loath 14 hour days on the road—my pockets really appreciate the jingle.

For now, I'll find bliss on my butt, binge-watching Netflix while detoxing on lettuce, apples, and water with lemon.

After a week of irresponsible bum-like behavior I'm confident that my Type-A personality will demand that I motivate and make things happen.

That's the trouble when you're an overachiever; it's impossible to stop pushing.

So I'll find my Zen in yoga, and start the whole process again.

The Evolution of Me

Constantly pushing beyond the breaking point; I aspire to do better.
Born from a desire to achieve greatness––before I understood what that really meant––I bullied myself to be perfect.
Eventually learning (and accepting) that magic is harnessed through imperfection; I refocused my approach.
Perspective is everything.
My journey has enabled me to evolve as a person and artist; grounded, confident, and fearlessly manifesting my dreams.
Still coaxing myself to reinvent my life––not out of fear––but of desire, to depart from this world as the best version of “me” I can be.

Coffee Stop

Waiting in line for coffee at the Burbank airport;

Hipsters, business people, parents, and flight crew—all twitching like the addicts we are.

The java flow fuels my soul;

And yes, maybe I have a problem, but so do they! (And that gives me comfort.)

Keep Going...

In the deepest region of my soul, burning questions motivate my journey;
I continue to extract answers through my creative work.
In what I haven’t yet achieved, I find the response I’m looking for:
Keep going.

Pool Side

Lounging with friends by a pool;
We laughed, while enjoying sparkling rosé and grapes.
Just like the ancient Roman’s––minus the corruption, brutality, and servants fanning us with giant leaves.

Finding My Swagger

I was preparing for an audition yesterday;
I started to get in my head about my technique and performance, and then I remembered to trust my training and just have fun.
When I let go of the idea of what I thought I needed to be for the part, I found who I am in the part; finding my swagger in the freedom of a character.
It’s the entire reason I started acting in the first place, but as I grew older––and experienced more circumstances––I lost track of my fearless approach.
Whether I book the role or not is less important to me, than the self-discovery I remembered yesterday.
I’m craving more opportunities to create as a performer; time to start shooting content again!

A New Day

The anticipation of a new day;
Everything is possible.
In the early morning hours I spend my time in mediation––clearing my head (and heart) of the past––preparing for the present.
Mindfully, I work to release the energy of things that no longer serve me;
Faithfully, I breathe in the sliver of light that cracks on the horizon.
A fresh start.
A chance to reawaken my dream.

Balance

Lounging by the pool;

Not reading my work.

Slacking off feels like a giant FUCK YOU to my controlling nature.

#Balance

Tiny Airport

Similar to a tiny house;

Only instead of life sized cars parked in the drive way out front, we board miniature airplanes.

#LifeOnTour

Trust

Standing at the edge looking up.
When I jumped;
I flew.
It was a simple act of faith that allowed me to reach new heights.

Finish Line

The finish line is within my sights;
My adrenaline spikes giving me the extra push I need.
Creativity and excitement surround my body carrying toward the goal.
With every race I grow stronger; mentally, emotionally, physically––and most important (to me)––creatively.
The journey; climbing hills, pacing myself around corners, releasing the obstacles––it’s all been worth it.
It’s not about finishing, it’s about evolving.
But the end looks very appetizing.

Six Word Essay on Sleeping In

My body needed the extra love.

Thunderstorms

Dark angry clouds move towards our car like a semi truck that has lost control on a highway;
The rain punishes the earth as we glide across the road.
Then, without warning, the sky opens to a bright-blue-Hemsworth;
The sunshine radiates the green fields; all is well.
Reminding me again, that no storm lasts forever.

Blessed

I’m lying in bed in Iowa;
I woke up to birds chirping and remembered that––although I’m not at home––I get to spend my week doing something I love.
I’m dancing and choreographing alongside one of my closest and oldest friends;
We’ve grown together as artists and people and we still find new opportunities to push ourselves and our relationship.
So while I’m suffering from exhaustion––thanks to six weeks on the road––I’m so grateful that the end of my summer touring schedule ends with a solid creative endeavor... and a lot of laughs!

Airport

Lines everywhere;

Hurried passengers zipping around on carts;

Impatient parents and cranky kids;

Bitter flight attendants;

Uncomfortable chairs and a lack of electrical outlets, add to the stress of travel.

Life On Tour; Pool Day

After a week of choreographing and dancing (full out and over the age of 30), I’m taking a pool day.
Fun in the sun, the floating lounge chair is my new dance partner.

Coffee Is My Warmup

As a young dancer my body was always ready to jump, pirouette, and jazz walk across the floor;

Now that I'm old, I need to do a few stretches, just to get out of bed!

I find that the most effective warmup—for me—is black coffee.

I'm joking of course, but not really.

Note To Self: Trust

When I seek light, I can see.
It’s that simple.

Still Got It

In this moment, my dream is still very much alive;
I’m motivated to create and crush!

The Intolerance

Salty and creamy;
My heart melts like the cheddar I’m not supposed to eat;
It’s too delicious to pass up;
Too bad for me, I’ll be sick all night.
Totally worth it.

Life On Tour; Choreography

The story unfolds spontaneously when I turn the music up;
The bass kicks in and leads my soul, while the lyrics simultaneously instruct my body to turn, leap, and transition across the floor.
In the studio, everything makes sense.

It's Happening

Life happens; the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.

When I let go of the fear and trust;

I received a delightful surprise.

The Moment I Let Go Of It...

Was the moment I got more than I could ever imagine.
Yesterday was a life changing moment for me and my family;
We spend so much time obsessing about “how” and “when”, we forget to trust in the present.
Over the past six months I’ve been slowly releasing my hold on one specific life-long dream, and the second I moved beyond the fear, the dream manifested in a direction I never saw coming.
God, The Universe, the present––always provides.
I’ve noticed that once I accept what is, I find a trail to what can be;
I’m ready for the next chapter in my life; literally and figuratively.
Let’s do this!

Bonus

Yesterday the barista at Starbucks accidentally made two of my speciality drinks: a grande caramel macchiato with soy milk in a venti with extra ice, and because there was no one else in the store that desired decadent-soybased-drink, (and rather than throwing it out) she gave it to me.
Naturally, I took it home and popped it into the refrigerator, where it sat waiting for me to consume it until today!
How lucky to have a Starbucks crafted drink ready to greet my day at home.

Don't Dream It's Over...

I woke up this morning still believing I was in the dream;
I’m sad I had to wake up, I was accepting an Emmy for my stellar work as a choreographer.
It was hard to accept that it was just a dream, but I’m happy to know that my dream is still alive––even if it’s while I’m sleeping––and more importantly, that I continue to follow my passion.

Lazy Dog

My yorkie Ginger is a lazy dog;
She spends her day walking from the couch, to my lap, to her bed, to our bed, and back to my lap––taking very few steps in between.
The only time she’ll get excited is when the word “cookie” is mentioned;
She jumps four feet off the ground, gobbles the delightful dog treat, and jumps back into my lap––snoring within two minutes.
Why can’t I have that life?

Tree Trimming...

I always think an overgrown tree looks beautiful and full of life;
Until the green leafy branches are trimmed back––revealing an even more gorgeous view of the Hollywood Hills––then I am reminded that everything looks better when we cut back...