Charlie Challenge Day 5



My first Charlie fail. Yesterday I had every plan to write this out and then was sick in bed all day. So here’s my makeup Charlie prompt. 


Prompt #5: Pen and Paper: Then I felt my cheeks turn rosy pink________ (finish the story.)


My personality is one that avoids embarrassment at all costs. So this prompt is pretty difficult to write. While I haven’t had too many dating experiences, I had one that did leave the good kind of blush on my cheeks. I went out on a date expecting for it to be a normal dinner and chatting as it had been the few previous dates that we had gone on. But this wasn’t just your average date. While it did consist of chatting and some pretty tasty food, it also included a DTR (Define The Relationship) that I was not expecting. He said things that were very flattering and then asked if we would be officially dating. “Then I felt my cheeks turn rosy pink and I said that I would love to”. 


Ultimately, it didn’t work out and we are no longer dating. But I’ll never forget that conversation and the rosy feeling it left upon my cheeks. 

Charlie Challenge Days 3 & 4

Whew, this is going to be a long (but AWESOME) month of challenges. Already Charlie is pushing me out of my comfort zone! The 4th challenge is:
 Sing along to your favorite song on YouTube. Bonus: Learn how to play AND sing it.  

Well, no bonus for this challenge BUT I did get some courage and decided, “Just go for it!” and recorded myself singing. The camera shakes because my hands couldn’t NOT shake. Let’s just get to the video, shall we?

This was a challenge for me personally because, while I’ve always loved singing, I’ve never really had the courage to share it with anyone. I’m just now learning the proper technique in my singing lessons and gaining more confidence as the journey continues. So, thank you Charlie! For helping me overcome my vocal insecurities!

ALSO! I didn’t post this picture yesterday on this blog, but the challenge was:
Recreate a scene from a fairy tale, using any materials you can find. Take a photo and share below . 


So here is my “fairytale” recreation:

Can’t wait for what tomorrow will bring!

I had the pleasure of going to Gotye’s April 19th show at the Nokia Theater. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, I’m sure you’ve heard his mega-hit “Somebody That I Used To Know“. It’s been covered by nearly every other artist, including the cast of glee (of which you all know how much I love!).

Anyways, I can’t fully remember what pushed me towards listening to his full record on Spotify but I’m so grateful for whatever it was. I remember enjoying the music at work and having it be great background music to work to throughout the day. Then, I found this performance/article from NPR and I was sold: http://www.kcrw.com/media-player/mediaPlayer2.html?type=video&id=mb111115gotye

Now, it’s time for the gushing. Here’s why I love Gotye as a musician and artist; He’s so different than most of the acts you’ll see at the top of the charts now- a-days. I’ve watched some performances on YouTube and I’ve noticed he isn’t really a “performer” but he’s a complete musician and fully engages himself in his music at each concert. You can tell that he’s comfortable playing his music and physically moves his body just as the fans in the audience are to his beats. There’s something to be said for a musician who loves the work he has created and shows that night after night on stage.

He’s a bit awkward when talking to the audience, but not lacking confidence. I could tell he just would prefer to play music than tell stories. And I kinda like that. Here are some YoutTube videos I took of that night:

Heart’s a Mess (my favorite!) 
In Your Light

Lastly, the lyrics to “In Your Light” constantly point me to my faith. I have NO idea what his faith background is or if he even has one, but God uses this song to remind me of the truth of His love and power in my life. “In Your light, all of this is clear. If only I could always be just as I am right here”. 




Peace & Love

Shifting Perspective: Charlie Challenge Day 2

Above & Below

You, Me & Charlie Challenge Day 2: 
Working 37 hours a week at this desk can make the “view” all too familiar. For today’s challenge, I wanted to see if I could view my boring desk from a new perspective. I tried MANY different angles of the computer screen and even from another desk! But this seemed to be the best way to shift perspective. I never sit above my desk nor below it. Fresh perspectives allow us to see our world differently and approach life with a deeper appreciation of the varieties/differences that flavor our days. 

30 Day Charlie Challenge!

You, Me, & Charlie. I’ve written a bit about them before on here, but get ready for a whole new month of posting! They have created a 30-Day Challenge to push creativity and challenge ourselves to explore new ways of thinking, producing, creating, making, living. And I’m totally on board. 


Prompt #1- Write your personal manifesto. This could be an essay, a sentence, a word… the beginning of your novel. Get creative. What are you about?
I’m the type of person who is always thinking about the people around me, in my life, that I care about…almost more than myself. I believe that God created each and every human being and that His immense love is so overwhelming that our brains cannot begin to comprehend what that means for our lives. I believe that we should be kind to one another and compassionate towards those who are “different” or “other”. I believe in music. I believe that an open ear can heal most wounds. Trustworthiness is essential. Money should NEVER be a goal to attain. Suffering is almost as important as joy; how can you know one without the other? Pursue justice in all ways possible. Getting married shouldn’t be the goal/fix-all for your problems. Single people MATTER. And lastly (stolen from one Mr. Criss) Be good to one another, because nobody likes an asshole. 


Looking forward to tomorrow’s challenge! 

Why I love Twitter (no..really.)

My beginning with twitter is a sad start to what now has become something so much more! I had heard of twitter but had no interest in being a part of something that seemed so utterly pointless. Then my friend Lisa was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night in March 2010 and suddenly twitter had a meaningful purpose in my life. It was used to give real-time updates about her progress and health. Eventually those updates slowed and I almost quit my twitter account because its purpose was fading. But for some odd reason, I kept it and began looking at who else was using this weird Facebook status update-esque online tool.

I honestly can’t remember what I did on twitter before I started following certain people. I think to myself, what the hell did I spend my time doing on twitter? I honestly don’t think I spent more than a couple of seconds on it before closing the tab on my browser. But there were people who were interesting or who provided a reason to keep my account active. Those people are @Switchfoot , @msleamichele, and of course @DarrenCriss. Each of these have brought other fans, celebrities, and groups of people into my life that have helped to shape me and help my introverted, loner self into a more social person (internet social anyways).

[Side Note:] I understand this is a silly post. I realize there are things outside of twitter and the internet in my life..oh trust me, I know that all too well. This is just to explain my love of twitter and the positive thing it can be if used wisely. 

As many of you know, my job has it’s “slow” times throughout the day. Twitter has been a form of mainly entertainment during those times. Celebrities post funny pictures or links to videos they like (or just want to share with people). It’s interesting. Twitter has become not only a way to connect with (and stay updated about) a celebrity but also a way to connect to other fans of said celebrity, movement, band, movie, whatever. If someone I follow posts a link about a band they like, I’m MUCH more inclined to listen and see if I like them as well. I can’t even tell you how many bands/people I’ve come to love because of who I follow on twitter!

The biggest “accomplishment” I’ve done through twitter is meeting up with people while I was in NYC. I still can’t really get over the fact that I have people in my life who I met on twitter and we legitimately talk and connect. I’m going to Disneyland with a couple of girls I met on twitter in a couple weeks AND touring the Paramount Lot (where Glee films)! Some of the BEST times in New York were spent in a pizzeria talking with two friends I was finally meeting in person after talking online for months. Maybe to some I sound insane because I’m meeting up with people I met online. Maybe to others I sound completely dorky because…well…I’m meeting up with people I met online and completely gushing about an online social media tool. But I can’t help it. I get SO excited thinking about how awesome it is that a silly thing like twitter can connect people, create friendships, start movements, and bring people together.

This post would be epically long if I listed all the new connections, destinations, and adventures twitter has given me. So I will just say that twitter has given me new friends and a new way of approaching the world around me. Here are just some pictures to help illustrate.

I first met Dan & Kath at a Paley Center event for the show “Pushing Daisies” and we’ve been online friends ever since! I even got to meet up with them in New York (we were ALL there to see Darren!).

Kath & Dan 2007
Dan & Kath 2011

Without Twitter, I would have NEVER met Juls, my friend and peer mentor that I now meet with every couple of weeks to talk about God, entertainment, purpose, and life goals we both have. This is also why I spent my 25th birthday in Chicago (meeting her in person)!

I follow a cool lady on Twitter (@MiaVonGlitz) and she connected me with Morgan Karr (@MorganKarr) through some mutual twitter followers and I got the chance to see him perform his music live and chat with him after his show! Such a great musician from NY and I’m glad to have his stuff on my iPhone now 🙂

These are just a few examples of the exciting things meeting and connecting with Twitter has brought me. I don’t know exactly why, but I felt like gushing about it today.

May you also find that thing(s) in your life that connect you with others and the greater world around you.

When Inspiration Strikes.

I recently  read THIS post from a really cool new site from Dianna Agron (Quinn, from Glee) called “You, Me, & Charlie”. I really enjoyed the questions she asked and wanted to use some creative juices this morning 🙂

YM&C: What day is it?
Friday 2/17 around 11:20am.


YM&C: Where are you responding to this email?
Honestly, I’m sitting at my desk at work. It’s a slow work day...


YM&C: If you could go somewhere, right now, for 24 hours, where would it be?
New York. Easy. I’m pretty sure my answer will always be NYC until I live there and I’ll have to pick another place. 


YM&C: What makes you the happiest?
Laughing and singing are my favorite things to do in the world. They both make me feel things nothing else does. 


YM&C: What makes you feel inspired?
Seeing people overcome obstacles in life and leaving with a positive outlook. To see someone who could have just “given up” choose to fight, push through, and overcome against all odds…gives me chills every time. THAT’s what I want in life. I want to overcome my own struggles and come out stronger for it. 


YM&C: What’s your favorite song to sing?
“On My Own” from Les Miserables. I’m hoping to work on this song with my singing coach soon. Here’s a video of what I want to sound like. (I really admire Lea Michele and want to model my voice after hers.) 





YM&C: What’s your power anthem?
Right now it’s “We Are Young” by fun. I love the concept of being young and capable to accomplish anything! 




YM&C: What is one thing that you think people don’t expect from you?
I really love cuss words. The F-word makes me laugh more than anything. haha! That’s embarrassing. 


YM&C: What would you say to your younger self?
Don’t let anyone make you feel invisible. You are seen and you are worth the attention of your family and friends. Also, don’t give up on things. It may be hard but push through. Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how often I’ve quit or given up on something because it was a challenge. I’ve always wanted everything to be easy, but when it wasn’t, I thought that meant I wasn’t meant to do it. Don’t do that! You can do it if you work hard enough and believe in yourself. I might sound like a broken record, but it’s definitely the most important lesson I wish I knew when I was little. 


YM&C: A picture and a thought?

This is the sneaky picture I took of the Broadway stage for “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying”. It means so much more than just a great memory or a great musical. It represents an accomplishment  in my personal life of being more adventurous and going after the things I want. And God doesn’t just give us those things but instead goes above and BEYOND by providing so much financial assistance to allow my family to actually afford the trip. God showed His love for me through my entire NYC trip. This picture reminds me: 
1) Dreams can come true
2) They won’t always look how you thought your dreams would.
3) They will be better than you imagined
4) Life is good when you take chances and trust God.
5) Lastly, Darren will always be my favorite performer (yep, I said it). haha. 




Thanks for letting me pretend I was being interviewed for something 🙂 

Slowly start to build… A Beautiful City.

The musical Godspell is currently performing with a revival cast in New York City. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the show while I was in NYC, but I had so many people recommend the music to me that I had to listen for myself and see what the buzz was about. I’m not familiar with the plot or how accurate it is to Jesus’ life, but that’s not what this post is about. I’ve listened to the soundtrack on Spotify over and over again, and one song truly stands out. The song, “Beautiful City” is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a long time. Here is his performance of the song on YouTube: Beautiful City by Hunter Parrish

Some lyrics that are particularly meaningful to me today: 

“Out of the ruins and rubble, can we see a ray of hope?” 

 “When your trust is all but shattered. When your faith is all but killed. You can give up, bitter and battered. Or you can slowly start to build…” 
I hope that this video finds you in those moments when you feel hopeless, anxious, tired, or lonely. God definitely brought this song to mind today to remind me that rebuilding is possible, hope still exists, and to put all my trust in Him. God really knows that speaking to me through music is a direct line to my heart and soul. Thank you God for knowing me so…

Life update

I wish I could accurately describe the quantity of posts that I’ve been wanting to write over the course of the last month. Some got a little too personal, others too depressing… but most were great bursts of an idea but didn’t develop past the title once I got to writing it out. I always hated those posts from people saying they would write more and then never getting back to it and yet I find myself doing the same thing. Words honestly couldn’t describe the crazy that was the past 1 1/2 months. When I think about mid-December 2011, I can’t believe how different things are now. I had just sung with the worship team at church, the guy I was dating came to hear me sing, and we had one of the best days together hanging around my house. The shortest part of the story is that I am no longer seeing that guy. I have now experienced my first (closest thing to a) breakup.

And until now, I haven’t really allowed myself to acknowledge to others that I was sad about it. I didn’t feel like I could/should because I kept telling myself, “You’re being dramatic” or “This wasn’t as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be”. Now, 1 1/2 months after the fact, I realize this wasn’t healthy and that I slipped into a very mild (yet still existent) “survival mode” depression. This is a term that my family used when my parents were getting divorced and everything got flipped turned upside down. I’m sure it’s not a term my family coined, but it basically means going through the functions required to get through the day. Eat. Sleep.Work. Repeat.
The only reason I’m sharing this on a more public forum is because I’m asking for some accountability and an overall “looking out for me”. I learned a lot about myself and the insecurities I have. They all came out when I found myself a dating situation. I’m glad to have a better understanding of dating, relationships, and most importantly myself after going through this experience. But now I need to heal and move forward without allowing this sadness to hold me back. I need to let go of the idea that I can control or change anything that has or will happen in my life (dating, career path, etc.)

[UPDATE]:
It’s taken me about a week to write and process this post. I spent a day this past Sunday being alone, praying, and spending time with God. Although I didn’t receive any revelations or words, I did receive peace about my life. Not just one area or one thing I was thinking and praying about…but all of them! I left the coffee house that day feeling refreshed and peaceful. It’s kind of amazing because it’s both small/immeasurable AND remarkably huge! That’s  how I know it’s from God. What else can produce such a feeling? I wasn’t particularly sad about anything, I wasn’t longing to be somewhere else… I was happy and content with ALL I’ve been given. To be able to recognize what God has given to me and release the bitterness that typically accompanies a felt loss is truly the best gift and best peace God can put in my heart.

I got to see some tangible side affects of this feeling yesterday during my singing lesson. It was my first lesson in a month (illness, holidays, and scheduling) and I was feeling rusty and slightly unprepared for the session. I warmed up my voice in the car and was feeling a bit more positive, although not entirely confident. Right before I got out of my car, I decided that I wasn’t going to force anything and just let my voice be what it was that night. And I had one of the best, confidence-boosting lessons ever!

Once I let go of control and realize that I can only be myself, where I’m at right now, in this moment… things got better. I’m less stressed, less anxious, more peaceful.

New York City

My mom, brother, and myself traveled to LAX on January 10th for our 6am flight to the Big Apple! The biggest reason I went to the city was to see Darren Criss in his Broadway debut in “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” (AMAZING!). It’s not entirely allowed, but I found this link on YouTube of Darren singing the song “Brotherhood of Men” which Daniel performed for the TONYS last year (check out the choreography!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFtldOB1wTE&feature=related

Below are some goofy pics of me outside the theater 🙂 What can I say? I’m a dork.

I know I’m completely biased, but Darren was spectacular in this role. He was perfect for Finch (the lead male character)! I was so proud of all this boy accomplished in just over a year. He was so happy on that stage and I have NO doubt that we’ll be seeing more of him on the big broad way! 


Some of the most memorable times were when I went on my own little adventures around the city! I took the subway to meet a couple new friends and overall explore. I ate “Shake Shack” in Madison Square Park and it was beautiful. They had white lights and heat lamps with the city in the background. I didn’t want to leave but my fingers began to freeze so I headed back to the hotel 🙂 
It was INSANE to see his face in Times Square!
Fans waiting outside for Darren. Stage Door Insanity!

 This is just a small summary of my time, but overall, it was an amazing trip. I feel so alive when I’m in New York! This trip helped seal my plans of living there at some point in my life. I am so lucky that I have people and family who generously gave and donated to this trip to make it all happen. I can’t thank YOU enough. This trip was a dream come true for me and the beginning of another excited chapter and goal in my life.

Although we didn’t always get along, it was nice having my family there and getting to see my mom take in New York for the first time! It was a week of firsts and that was really exciting to experience. While my brother learned that he doesn’t really like New York (he’s nuts!) I was glad that he was there to see Darren and experience some new parts of the city too! 
Unfortunately, the trip had to end on Saturday, January 14th. Obviously I was very sad (and apparently my mom was too) but my brother accurately expressed how he felt to return home to LA in the picture below. 

You’ve all heard me talk about Darren (and maybe a little too much) but I can’t help it. No I didn’t get to meet him again or even talk with him. But because he got to perform on Broadway and live one of his dreams, I  got to travel to the best city in the world and witness it all for myself. I’m so blessed to have the opportunities I have and the chance to see all that I have already seen. It sounds crazy (and maybe it is) but so much of what I’ve done this past year has been related to what he has brought to my life. This trip was definitely MORE than just seeing him, but it never would have happened if he didn’t start it. New York, I will see you again. You are beautiful and I hope we can be lifelong friends. And yes, I did just address a city as if it were a person. 

The remainder of the pictures we took will be posted on my Facebook later this week 🙂