Here comes December, well tomorrow.

So a lot of bloggers did an I am thankful for… month-long blog countdown during November. Clearly I am aware I missed out [what else is new right?] so I decided to do a December countdown to Christmas called My Christmas Wish List [it’s so original I know.] I recommend everyone get their holiday sweaters on and get ready for this awesomeness coming at you for the next 25 days. And who knows, I might extend it to the New Year.  You know why? Because...

It's Thursday

Holy cow is it the weekend yet? October to November was a hectic few months. Fun and enjoyable sure, but I need a day to stay in pajamas and eat ice cream while catching up on Parks and Recs and The Office. I might even throw in a movie marathon of some sort [Disney perhaps?] 

No matter. 

I found this today and thought it was awesome. Enjoy!

One day at a time

I got a callback!

Yesterday was the audition for Laugh Out Loud’s main stage ensemble. I went into the audition with the notion to have fun and be thankful for the opportunity to do what I love to do. And guess what? I get to do it all again tonight at callbacks! In honor of this moment, I would like to pay tribute to my two idols for their improv skills and work in a comedy world that is essentially a man’s playground.  [Not saying it always is, it just tends to be.]

How good it really is

I’ve been feeling so down lately. Dory from Nemo keeps popping into my head saying what’s the matter mister grumpy gills? So instead of continuing to pout, I want to take a moment and remind myself how awesome and grateful I am for my incredibly blessed life.

 

As much as I might grumble about being a cow, I know I’m not. My body is athletic and extremely strong. It allows me to run every day. From the ages of 13-16 I was severely anemic. The simple act of walking up stairs, let alone 3 hours of basketball practice a day, would destroy my body. My legs felt like lead and would sometimes refuse to move. I am so forever grateful for my mobility and the power to use my legs daily. Thank you body and legs.

I may feel ignored, defeated and worthless at work but that doesn’t mean I am any of those things. I have the best group of friends who constantly make me laugh and enjoy the simple things in life—like a mac ‘n cheeseburger. Thank you guys. My best friend Mallory is one of the greatest people I have ever met. She’s so strong and responsible. Every time I see her I just want to shake everyone and say “do you see how incredible that girl is?” Thank you Mallory. My family is constantly supporting me whether it is listening to another god-awful character I’m working on or coming to see me perform. They want what’s best for me and I couldn’t be more thankful for them. Thank you crazy and amazing family. Above all, my boyfriend John is what every girl hopes to find. John is the personification of love and support, of laughter and romance, of hope and forever. Thank you thank you thank you John.

I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had performing and working at Laugh Out Loud Theater. I am so fortunate to be in the position I am and to have the skills that I do. I can’t be thankful enough for my love of reading and storytelling; a love that gives me a purpose in this beautiful mess.

What I’m really thankful for is time. Time to get my shit together. Time to laugh and play. Time to make mistakes and never do them again. Time to love and be loved. Time to go out into the unknown and make a life for myself with the people I want. Time to find me. But mainly, time to enjoy every thing I have.

"if you want an extraordinary life, you must have equally extraordinary routines and rituals." [Tiny Buddha:Create better days with empowering routines and loving rituals]

The lost art of cursive

I write in cursive. I feel like it's a lost art.

When I was in second grade, the big thing was to go to 3rd grade and learn how to write cursive. My mom would write in it all the time and all I wanted to do was be able to read it. It was like a secret language. Just like when I learned to read, I never stopped. I can't stop. Reading and writing is like a secret door into any world I want. I always want to be a part of those worlds [wow that was a little bit of a Little Mermaid moment]. Writing in cursive is not only easier but it still thrills me to see this "grown up" script. As I flip through my journal, I realized I only write in cursive. My thoughts come out too fast to print carefully. Sometimes I can hardly read my own handwriting, but that just adds to the fun. Writing long-form also helps me decipher my moods when I go back and read past entries. If I'm upset it's mad scribbling that runs together; if I’m tired it slants down and is really loopy or if I’m happy the letters take up all of the line height.

When I think of past generations who signed their names at Ellis Island in loopy script, or letters sent back and forth from haunted and devoted lovers, I imagine them all being in cursive. Cursive writing is just romance dancing on the page.