March Madness

I promised myself on the last day of February, before I whispered "Lapin, lapin" at midnight, that March was going to be an awesome month.  I never have and never will be a huge fan of February.  It always kinda sucks.  So really, no matter what, I knew March was going to be better. True, it had it's lows.  My brain decided it would be fun to not let me sleep through the night once (4:30 am has become my witching hour. Every...single...night...awesome).  I had to go pick up my Mom from Northern Kentucky in the wee hours after she got in a horrible car wreck (she's fine, but the car is not). I'm still slogging my way through recovery and attempting to find total self acceptance.  But honestly, this month has been pretty great.  I feel like so much good happened that the bad is just a tiny blip on my radar. Now that the month is coming to a close, I can only imagine how epic April will be...

This month I was a Kentucky Rose with six other amazing young women.  I have loved getting to know them...they are all awesome people who I have no doubt will go far in life!

This month I got to celebrate!!

Not only was it the month of St. Patrick's day fun, but I also celebrated my Mom's birthday, the first day of Spring, and booking an awesome role!

This month I crafted...

...did lots of reading...

...explored...

...sang...

...and was reminded every moment how much music heals my soul and makes me happier than I can imagine.  

This month I had the night of my life at the KY Rose of Tralee Ball...

...and screamed with delight when I learned of the next role I will be playing!!

Here's to an awesome April. Angela and I are planning on having a pretty great one.  Don't forget to LAPIN LAPIN!  

<33

What I Read: The Coal Tattoo

"There was complete peace.  And Anneth knew why she felt this terrible sadness; she feared that she would never know what that felt like, to know for certain that what she was doing was what she most wanted to do in her life.  To have that look of assuredness and happiness upon her face.  She was positive that such knowledge would never come to her."

I recently finished "The Coal Tattoo" by Silas House, an Appalachian tale told through the eyes of two sisters - Easter, a devout Pentecostal woman, and Anneth, who longs for something more.

Why I read it: I started reading this because I found it on a bookshelf in my house and it looked intriguing (sometimes I can't help but judge a book by it's cover).  Little did I know that it would be set in the exact geographical location and time period as the role I will soon be playing in the musical "The Burnt Part Boys"!  It is set in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains and spans from 1960-1970, and the musical is in the West Virginia hills in 1962. I love reading books set in my home state and by Kentucky authors, even though I don't always perfectly identify with my place of birth. Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors, and from the first few pages I could tell that the lyrical descriptions were going to take me right up to the mountains. I was sold.

What I loved: This book was definitely character driven as opposed to plot driven. There was no single, specific climax followed by falling action and a nice, neat, conclusion.  However if I'm being honest, I prefer novels like this.  I think that relationships and connections between characters are often all the dramatic content we need.  I was completely intrigued by Easter and Anneth's relationship because sisterhood is a very important thing to me - not only with my biological sister, but with the women I have become close friends with who have shaped and molded my life.  I'm looking at you Robyn, Sarah, Jessica, Catie, Alex, Jan...you are also my sisters who I have incredibly strong bonds with and who have made me who I am today!  I adored seeing the similarities and differences between the two women - something I see reflected in myself and my sister who are also five years apart and annoyingly close.  One reason I love character driven literature is that often times it's more honest.  It's not about the protagonist meeting the perfect mate, everything leading up to that moment, and then the moment arrives.  Anneth's journey is much more believable and similar to how we navigate the waters of falling in and out of love with others as well as in and out of love with ourselves.

Why you should read it:
-If you are from the great state of KY: The writing alone is enough to bring tears to your eyes.  The characters in this story have a deep connection to the earth, and if you are from Kentucky, or just love it for whatever reason, this book is a great way to spend a day in the Appalachian hills.
-If the sacred bond of sisterhood is important to you: The two sisters in this novel differ in a lot of ways.  Easter finds comfort in God, while Anneth feels restless and lonely.  But at their core they are both driven by love, compassion, and their loyalty to each other.
-If you enjoy the works of Barbara Kingsolver or Sena Jeter Naslund: There must be something in the water here that makes authors awesome.  I couldn't help but be reminded of these two ladies (who are also authors I adore) while reading this book.  Definitely check this out if you like any of their work!

"All my life I've been looking for magic in all the wrong places. Some kind of proof that magic truly does exist in this world.  I didn't even realize that magic was in everything, that it happened every day.  But now I know."

-Anneth

Kids, in the spring of 2014...

Kids, in the spring of 2014, one of my favorite television shows gave its final toast...

Hop on over to my sister's blog  to see my guest post on how to throw a LEGENDARY "How I Met Your Mother" themed party for the series finale (Monday 8pm on CBS). Like any good HIMYM episode, it comes complete with drinks, noms, and a slew of life lessons.

It's the best thing we do....

"Love doesn't make sense. I mean you can't logic your way into it or out of it. Love is totally nonsensical. But we have to keep doing it or else...we're lost, and love is dead, and humanity should just pack it in. Because love is the best thing we do." 
-Ted "How I Met Your Mother"

"And after a while of this my brain and my body and every inch of me that was alive was flooded with the feeling that I was starving, starving, starving for Edmond.  And what a coincidence...that was the feeling I loved best in the world." 

-Daisy "How I live Now"

This is the season for dreaming. 

The Sun Shines Bright.

Happy Monday!  It was quite the weekend here in KT-land.  A weekend full of uke playing, sunshine walking, rose ball attending, and announcement making.

Full disclosure: I didn't win.  But I definitely felt like I did.  I seriously had the time of my life on Saturday...I wouldn't change a thing, and I mean that.  I was surrounded by people I love, celebrating my heritage, and having a ball (literally).

My family for the night included Beth, Sarah, Jessica, and Marcus. Beth live tweeted the event (thank GOD), and was later tweeted at by the emcee himself, Bill Meck. Because I was sequestered backstage for the majority of the night, I was very happy to have her updates streaming to my phone.  It provided me with some awesome entertainment. 

Here are some pictures from backstage while the dinner and auction were going on: 

My escort, David. 

Cami and Me in our pretty white dresses.

Love her.

Madison, Irish dance extraordinaire!

The escorts for the night.  Love these boys! 

The night culminated with our onstage interviews and talents.  Every girl did such a great job, the judges definitely had their work cut out for them.  Some highlights of my interview were talking about my hero, Shirley Temple, describing the first time I saw the Rose of Tralee, and waxing poetic about Angela (by the end of the night, everyone there was talking about her like she was a person.  I've never been more pleased).  For my talent, I sang a mash up of "The Fields of Athenry" and "My Old Kentucky Home" (accompanied by Angela, of course).  The performance was something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  Seriously, it ranks up there with singing "Blue Wind" in Spring Awakening and opening night of The Philadelphia Story.  The entire crowd was singing along with me.  The sense of connection in that room was electric.  Everyone was there with me, in that moment, living through the music...it was truly magical.  

From "Annie" to the Rose of Tralee! 

A HUGE congratulations to Claire, our 2014 Rose of Tralee!  She will go to Port Laoise this summer and represent our Old Kentucky Home.  I'm so excited for her, because she's never been to Ireland!  It will be an experience of a lifetime, and I couldn't be more proud. HASHTAG TEAM CLAIRE!

As for me and Angela, you'll find us soon at McCarthy's pub, providing music for the great people of Lexington.  Because that's what we DO (scurries away and works on a new set list).

And then it's on to the next big adventure...

Oh, St. Petersburg?  Don't mind if I do...see you soon, Sunshine state! 

Overflow...

A video for your sunny Sunday!! 

These past few days have been amazing and so full of joy that my cup is positively overflowing with it. My brain is still buzzing from the Rose Ball last night...I'm seriously on cloud nine.  For those of you who were there, thank you so much for the support.  Singing "The Fields of Athenry", playing Angela, and hearing the entire room join me in the final chorus is a moment I will never forget, as long as I live. I will definitely do a post about the entire night in the next few days!  But for now, I'm still too overwhelmed and happy.  I'm smiling like a loon! 

In other exciting news, I can finally announce that I will be returning to St. Petersburg to perform in FreeFall Theatre's production of "The Burnt Part Boys"!!  I'll be playing Frances, that little urchin pictured above, and I probably couldn't be more excited if I tried.  Seriously, dream come true.  FreeFall is where I was in "Spring Awakening" last year, and I can't wait to get back and be part of the St. Pete family again.  

To the 2014 KY Roses, you ladies rock my socks off.  Especially Claire, the official Kentucky Rose!  You're gonna absolutely kill it in Ireland this summer.  My heart is bursting with love for Beth, Sarah, Jessica, and Marcus -  Y'all are my family (I seriously told people who asked if my family was there "Yea in the back, see those two girls and also the only two black people here?  That's my fam.") 

I am OBSESSED (3-21)

Wow is it really obsession time already?!  This week absolutely flew by...but that means it's Friday so Happy Friday, I guess!  This week I am absolutely lovin'...

1. Iced Coffee - I drink it all year round, even when there is snow on the ground (I MADE A RHYME) but there is something so satisfying about sipping on a grande when the sun is shining down on your face and you're not actively shivering. Now if only I was in the amphitheatre with Robyn...

2. Calendars - Since January I've been making custom calendars and I can't stop.  I love crafting and for some reason making these for people has been so fun and relaxing.  I just made one for my sister that starts in March and goes until next February, so let me know if you want me to make you one.  Just pick out 12 sheets of specialty paper at Michael's and I'll do the rest!

3. Pattycake Bakery - Every time my mom goes to Columbus, she stocks up on treats from this amazing bakery. Seriously, it's the tops.  They have the best (and biggest) chocolate cupcakes in the entire world, not to mention their Tollhouse cookies, whoopie pies, brownies, and cake by the slice. Y'all know I don't mess around with my desserts.  Now I'm just sad that all the treats are gone. If you're ever in Columbus, it would be very beneficial for you to stop in and get yourself something.  YOU'RE WORTH IT. 

4. Dance Academy (Season 2) - I'm putting this again because I'm on Season 2 which is TOTALLY different, right?!  RIGHT?!  I have a problem.  But if loving Australian teen dramas is wrong then I don't want to be right.  As I plow my way through the second season again, I am reminded of just how annoying Tara is (seriously, she is a horrible protagonist and not likeable at all), how Grace is literally the worst human being to exist, and how we never actually see Ethan dance. Have you noticed that?  He plays piano FAH DAYS, but never dances. Star of third year, my ass.  I'm not ready for the emotions that come with the end of this season, but I'm excited to watch season 3.  I've never seen it!  Wow, I'm annoying. 

5. Avocado Toast - Uuuuuuugh, yea, yea, yea, you can say it.  You told me so. I have had this for lunch for 3 straight days now and there's only one person to blame. 

6. Angela - I could say this every week, every day, every hour.  You see, Angela (my ukulele) is pretty much my soulmate.  I don't want this to get weird but let's just say I've been...working on some things with the help of professionals for close to 6 months now (whoa).  One of the very first behavioral exercises I was told to do was to find a "tangible object" to take the place of a certain psychological security blanket that I've been holding on to for close to 4 years.  This security blanket, while seemingly friendly, was destroying me.  Literally killing me from the inside out.  No bueno.  So to replace it, I needed to find something that brought me joy and comfort even in the darkest of times.  I remember sitting in my bedroom in NYC, stressing over this assignment (only me...), debating on whether I wanted to use the fawn necklace Robyn had sent me, or a ring Catie had passed down to me, or a picture of me with my family.  While I was thinking about it, I mindlessly picked up my uke and started strumming and singing.  I got caught up in the song and before I knew it I was belting "On the Radio" by Regina Spektor and crying my eyes out with joy (normal). I was so happy in that moment of catharsis that everything else slipped away, and I realized that Angela was my object.  Now, whenever I get wrapped up in a sadness burrito, she is the first thing I grab.  No matter how I'm feeling or how far back I have slid or how triggering a day is, she always makes me feel better and reminds me of what is important.  I can't wait to play her for everyone tomorrow at the Rose Ball!!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and are able to get out and enjoy this SUNSHINE!  I am OBSESSED with sunshine!
<33

Awakening

HAPPY SPRING!!

The sun is shining, exciting things are on the horizon, and it's officially spring.  I'm personally feeling pretty good about life based on those facts alone.  How could you not?  Just look out your window!!  Here's some inspiration in case you're still shaking off those winter blues...

When spring arrives I feel this insatiable urge to go outside.  Every moment of every day the awakening earth is calling me to wander paths and see the world. 

I do so by myself....

...and with friends. 

Or I find friends along the way. 

Spring time is a time for picnics and celebrating earth's bounty...

...and to revel in your inner child. 

Spring time is a time to romp around downtown Lexington with your best friend. 

Spring is Rhubarb season!!

And bunny season.

Spring time is the time to read your favorite books, sip iced coffee, and soak in the vitamin D your dry skin has been craving all winter. 

Spring time is the time to dream about summer...

...and the adventures that lie ahead. 

Can you tell I love spring?  What's your favorite part of this season?  

NOW GO OUTSIDE. You won't regret it.

<33