Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

I hope you, whoever you are reading this, had a fun and fitting way of ringing in 2013.  I like to hang out with friends in a low key setting - and for me I had a blast!  I hope you did too!

So at the start of the new year there's always talk of resolutions and I'm a person that likes to set goals so I will share my life again this year.  Not that all of my resolutions with be met 100%.  At 26 years old, I'm a pretty good judge now at what my attainable goals should (and sometimes MUST) be.  Last year I had 25 goals and did a pretty good job with 17 of them.   This year, my list is not as specific - although I'm sure as the year shuffles along, it will get more specific.

So here it is... My 2013 goals!  13 for 2013

1. Get fit and healthier (like everyone else, ha!) Join Weight Watchers to help start me off on the right foot.
2. Pick a career direction and stick with it – even if I’m afraid of failing or do fail sometimes. (Not that I don’t know what failure feels like…)  I'd like to have this figure out within the first 3 months.
3. Live somewhere different - I'd like to do this by the middle of the year
4. Read at least 10 books - Just have to finish Game of Thrones first...
5. Purchase my own car - and car insurance...
6. Donate my hair - No hair cut in 2012!  That felt so weird! It's at 9 inches right now... just a bit longer and I'll be good.
7. Dye my hair reddish - Never dyed it before... I think I'm ready for that.
8. Take at least 1 day trip/vacation to a place I’ve never been - This is always a goal.
9. Reduce random/useless spending - 2013 will be the year I learn how to manage my money.
10. Write at least once a month - Whether it's here, in my actual journal, or in story form.  I'll just write something I want to write.
11. Get my passport - I filled out the paperwork once, but never went through with it.  This year it will be done!
12. Volunteer more - Whether it's handing out food, helping clean up, or volunteer my money (a.k.a. - donating to a good cause)
13. Create/Perform more music - I think this one's doable.

Best of luck to you all in the new year with your plans and goals!

Cheers to the New Year!

 l

Holy Update, Batman! It's November? Well now it's the very end of December...

Hello anyone who reads this!   This was originally a post I wrote in mid-November.  Yikes.  So - I'll finish it up then write another end of the year shabang of a post. 

Original post stuff:

A lot has happened since September 21st.

Sarah was here last time I posted... we went to see Ramin Karimloo and to the Ren Faire.  Then I went to the Ren Faire again with my mom and sister. 

I turned 26.  Happy Birthday to me.

More importantly and amazingly - I met J. K. Rowling!! October 16th in NYC. 

I started a new job!!!  I'm now a daycare worker, and I'm really enjoying it.  Plus, it's teaching me skills I'll need for when I'm a mom in like 10 years like diaper changing, early childhood development, feeding a baby... and other stuff.  They're cute kids, and I found that I learn a lot by watching them.  It's kind of fascinating.

New stuff:

I went to Disney World again the day after Thanksgiving with my brother's band trip.  It was a great trip!  Marissa and I got to take our mom to Jellyrolls! Sarah and I FINALLY got to hang out in Disney World!  It was a lot of fun - though it was not enough time due to worrying about performance schedules.  Although the performances my brother did were amazing!  He marched down Main Street, U.S.A. and sang in the Candlelight Procession - which is a stunning concert about the Christmas story.

 Little Mermaid was successful!  Everything - thankfully - came together in the end.  Marissa and I were working on costumes pretty much everything night for the two weeks before it.  Marissa would stay up really late to work on them.  It was crazy, but it all looked really cool!  My life was certainly all about that musical for a few weeks.  I'm relieved that it's over - but the kids this year were so very great!  I'll miss them!

Life other than that has mostly been work and Christmas shopping.  Didn't get to see or talk to too many friends this month which is never cool, but being busy will do that to a person.  Luckily - things have slowed down so hopefully I'll see more people in the near future.

And that's the final life update for 2012.   I'll post my resolutions next post.

Resolutions... how are you doing?

My life is at an odd place right now.  I'm helping out with a musical which I really love to do.  The show is in December.  I don't have another job, and I don't want to look for a permanent job until I'm capable of moving somewhere else.  So, after musical I'll be looking for a more permanent job, until then it'll be some odd jobs and volunteering.
 The past few months have been hard, but I'm staying positive and trying to boost skills that I feel I haven't utilized in a while like writing, song writing, video editing, and piano skills.  To also help with keeping my mind focused I wanted to update the statuses of my 25 resolutions I set for myself, and here we go:

1.   April Tough Mudder (Already planned....)
Went through with it.  Survived.  Did not do every obstacle, but I completed all 12+ miles when I wanted to quit around mile 5.
2.   In prep for Tough Mudder - get into shape, so I don't die during the Tough Mudder.
I could slow job a 5K which I could never do before and I survived the TM so, win!
3.   Read all books in the Hunger Game series (shouldn't be too hard to do.)
Did it.  Loved it!
4.   Finish "The Three Musketeers"
Not sure this will happen... I just started Game of Thrones.
5.   Film at least one movie with friends
Could possibly happen... just hasn't yet.
6.   Visit Marissa again in Disney World
Happened in April!
7.   Feel more confident as a music educator
I thought I did a good job with my students, but my nice and patient demeanor is not for everyone.
8.   Upload at least one video of me singing onto my youtube account
I did it!  And I got to sing at Leakycon because of it!  It was AMAZING!
9.   Attempt to go on more trips/day trips than last year
Doing a pretty good job on this one.  Chicago/Leakycon, TN, Ren Faire again, Harrisburg, New Hope, NYC, Lavallette, Ocean City (NJ)... I think I'm doing good with my trip quota.
10. Maybe start some grad school classes... an idea I've been playing with for a while.
This goal is on hold currently due to my job situation.
11. Maybe get my own apartment if I get a full time position?? >_<
This goal is also on hold for the same reason.  January or February of next year.
12. Write one story/script... short long... as long as it's complete.
I wrote some vignettes, and I am planning on participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
13. See "The Hobbit" (duh)
December!
14. Celebrate some awesome people getting married!
Went to 1 of 2 marriages so far.  I couldn't go to the one which was a bit of a bummer.  However, two of my friends are getting married in October and I can't wait to see them start their new life together!
15. See Sarah again!
Sarah is home this week, and I saw her the past three days.  Last night, we saw Ramin Karimloo in concert!  AMAZING!
16. Visit a state I've never been to before... or at least a place.  I'd love to visit Boston and Chicago this year.  San Francisco would be amazing since my cousin lives there now.  I'd love to go to Comic Con too, but I don't think that'll work out. Especially if I get my own place. Kentucky/Tennessee might happen if Matt and I visit our friends there.
Illinois and Tennessee!
17. Keep in better contact with people. (I think this is on many lists.)
Kind of, sort of?
18. Read "1984" (which has been on my To Do list for years.)
Going to get to it after Game of Thrones.  We'll see how long that takes.
19. See the Daily Show live! :)
Did it in January!  :)
20. Take vitamins everyday (Yay healthy living!)
I've been doing good so far only missed 3-5 days so far this year.
21. Drink more water. (Yay more healthy living!)
Better some days than others.  I've been drinking less soda which is good.
22. Cook more/bake more (I think last year, I baked more than actually cooked.)
Eh... once I get my own place it'll be easier for me to take over the cooking in the household.
23. Stretch more.
More so recently. 
24. Dance and karaoke more
I do dance sometimes.  Haven't karaoked yet this year. :(
25. Create more things (doesn't matter what, as long as I'm creating!)
Songs... vignettes... those count as things.

12 out of 25 goals done, and the year isn't over yet.  Some probably won't get done with year, but they'll happen in the near future.  We'll see what happens in time.

Ciao until next time!

End of July/August Recap

For the end of July and most of August - I was on the go.  I probably should have been job searching, but instead I was traveling which is something that is important to me - so I'm okay with that.   I'll let the pictures do most of the talking, but I'll add some informative captions to guide the way.

Trip 1 - Ocean City, NJ (with a quick stop in Atlantic City)

My family has vacationed here almost every year in my life.  We love the family atmosphere and the fun boardwalk with its many mini-golf courses, food stands, and trinket shops.  We lucked out and had a few great days at the beach.

Mom, Marissa, and I always like to watch the sunrise over the ocean.  It's always such a beautiful sight... I just wish we didn't have to wake up so early.

Sunrise picture from my phone.  Even though I had waking up early, it is a beautiful sight to behold.

138' Ferris Wheel at Gillian's Wonderland Pier. 

We also usually check out Atlantic City for a day or an evening.  It's usually pretty fun (and full of gambling.)  Although this year my siblings and I had eggs thrown at us from the top of a parking garage when we were walking past.  Not cool.

We left on July 25th, and look at who was on the corner that day.

 Trip 2 - Day trip to the Philadelphia Zoo

Matt and I decided to check out the Philly Zoo since neither of us had been there since we were elementary/middle school aged.

This was the first animal we saw... and I fell in love.  It's a Giant Elephant Shrew.  SO ADORABLE!

This peacock was just walking around.  A kid walked past us, and was taunting the bird.  When the bird taunted back, the kid did not think it was so fun anymore.

She is a beauty, and I'm so glad there's a window of thick glass between us.

Trip 3 - Lavallette and Seaside Heights, NJ

Beautiful cotton candy sky!

This beach house was SO COOL!

Matt and I on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

Enjoying the beach. It was gorgeous!  A bit windy, but the water temperature was just right.

Fireworks on the boardwalk. Perfect way to end our trip.

Trip 4 - Mini-trip to Bethlehem Musikfest

Unfortunately, it started to pour with a bit of lightning.  We were stuck under the polka tent for a bit, which wasn't that bad.

Trip 5 - Chicago/Leakycon

I won't say too much about this trip because I want to make a separate post about it, but here are some pictures:

Chicago!

A picture with Alex Carpenter

Post opening ceremony picture with the other LeakyStars entrants, and a photobomb by Hank Green. :)

Picture with Melissa Anelli.

Ministry and Magic and Lauren Fairweather performing Accio Love - my favorite wrock song!

Some of my friends I made at Leakycon!

Nerdfighter Gathering

I ran into a different Doctor this year.  Last year it was 10 this year it's 4.

More friends at Leakycon!  (And you all should check out Elsbeth's etsy page: MyLittlePatronus!)

Such a great program! HPA - Living the Lovegood Life.  Also check out Equality FTW!

Snitchwich

Potter Puppet Pals :)

Lizzie Bennet Diaries cast + Bernie Su, Hank Green, and moderator, Kristina Horner!

Wizard rock concert!

I still need to learn all the words... or at least more words to this wonderful songs.

Maureen Johnson "Stare" tattoos.

"Luna, Luna, oh yeah, Luna Lovegood. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

A picture with Athena and the cast of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries.  They are all very awesome!

When I flew back, I flew at sunset.  Unfortunately, I was flying east, so I didn't get to see the full glory of the sunset, but I did have some breathtaking views.

Trip 6 - Tennessee/Nashville

Matt and I visited our friends in Tennessee and we went tothe Rockin' Rollercoaster... I mean, the Grand Ole Opry.

We got to go on stage with the backstage tour.

It was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be.

Yeah, I got into the country spirit.  It matched my shirt!

The Pedal Tavern traveling the streets of Nashville.

Nashville from afar!

Things have slowed down quite a bit since it's now September.  I'm excited that I did get to check out two new places - Chicago and Nashville.  New places are always on my to-do list!  Now onto job searching, "Little Mermaid," trying to keep myself busy, and trying to stay positive about not returning to school.  It's weird to break out of that habit, but I think it is time for me to try to pursue something else.  If that doesn't work out, at least I know that I enjoy teaching music and I enjoy working with kids that I can always return to it with an open mind and heart.  I've always been a bit of a free spirit - so while the unknown scares me, it also fills me up with hope and excitement of what I will find in my future.

Personal Blog: Fun happenings from the past 3 months.

Long time no post.  Sorry, Blog.  A lot has happened since I've written here last.

1.) Disney
There was so much drama in other parts of my life that I didn't make a proper post-Disney Trip Post.  I actually took a "spring break" this year, and visited my sister in Disney World through Easter.  It was nice to hang out as just the both of us.  She's a best friend, and we had a lot of fun just hanging out.
Some highlights of the trip: Jellyrolls (dueling piano bar... just amazing), watching the Muppet Movie and Wishes on the Polynesian's beach, gelato in Epcot!Italy, taking Marissa to Islands of Adventure for her 1st time, eating at the Three Broomsticks, Disney's Animation Academy, Magic Kingdom on Easter Sunday, and FINALLY seeing Wishes!
Now some pictures:

Marissa and me in Epcot!Germany trying on tiaras. :)

 Hogwarts!

The Universal Studios picture that everyone should have if they visit.

 Butterbeer mustaches (and me looking ghostly with my reapplied sunblock..>_<)

 Hollywood Studios

 Space Mountain on Easter

 Last day in Disney.  We stayed at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (again.)  It's such a beautiful place.  We were in a different building this trip, and closer to a bus stop.  The room was cute too, especially with the Princess and the Frog art (it took us until the 3rd day to figure out it was Princess and the Frog and not just art of New Orleans) on the headboards of the beds.

On the Magic Express ride to the airport, they were playing the Wishes song.  Thanks Disney, way to make me cry on a bus.  Oh well.  147 days until I'm there again.

2.) Physical Fitness Endeavors

Tough Mudder - I survived!  I skipped over quite a few obstacles, and wanted to quit when I saw mile 5.  I stuck with it though and made it through the whole thing (again... skipping over anything that had to do with arm strength... and the first electric shock obstacle; crawl through water with live electric wires dangling on you did not sound very attractive to me at the time.)  I crossed the finish line without falling over, and pretty much completed at 12+ mile hike through insane hills, thick mud, freezing cold water, rocky terrain, and of course, the lovely obstacles.

 

My worried look on the bus heading to the event.  Yes, the girls on my team put on bright red lipstick for the event. 

The next picture is my team after the course.  My friend turned the picture into a wonderful graphic!

Words are particularly true for me...I took like 5 small sips and threw it out.  

They should have had some wine, or Gatorade.  Pretty sure I would have drank all of the Gatorade at the end of the day.

I also participated in the Color Me Rad 5k in Philly two weeks ago.  I ran most of it - walked for around 5 minutes of the 40 minutes we were on the course.  Here are some pictures from that:

So much color!!!!!

 3.) Broadway Musicals
Yes, I got to go back to NYC to see two Broadway show.  First was Wicked - which I loved immensely!  I've been waiting to see it since my Junior/Senior year of high school.  The music in that musical means a lot to me.  "Defying Gravity" is one of my top inspirational songs, and I sang "For Good" at my high school graduation.  Needless to say, I laughed, cried, and loved the show.  The second show was Phantom of the Opera.  We surprised my mom with this.  On mothers day, we gave her a "We're going to NYC on May 26th."  She she was thinking it was going to be a normal day, but we walked by the theater once we got there and told her we had to see the matinee of Phantom.  She cried.  A good cry.  The show was just an amazing spectacle to see and hear.  Though I'm not the biggest fan of the story, the music is magical, and the effects (visual and sound) were awesome! 

 The Wicked stage

Lunch in Central Park before seeing Phantom.

 Family photo-op - Mom was so happy that day!  Not sure how we're going to top it next year.

 4.) Random events

I went to a wedding... and had my first mimosa.  (Made with Verdi wine.  I need to remember that one.)

Put together two bookcases (with the help of my sister.)

 

 Relayed for Life

 Ingrid Michaelson concert!

 Marissa and Me waiting for the Ingrid Concert in Philly.

In other news: I had two very successful band concerts and a good chorus one!  I've also started singing with the Dave Stahl Sacred Orchestra.  Finished Neil Gaiman's "Stardust," and I'm currently reading "The Pathfinder" which is not my normal read, but I needed a book like it for this point in my life.  I'll blog about that later once I figure more things out.

Though I've had some really difficult moments in the past 2-3 months, I can say that I did not let that stop me enjoy life, or trying new things - which is something I love to do.