Did anyone else see that terrifying movie?

No. No. NO.  I can't believe it!! I have spent the last two months here in Logan, Utah and have had little to no run-ins with anything creepy or crawly, and now that I have one week left, my apartment becomes the set to Arachnophobia (has anyone else seen that?).  Okay, maybe there have only been two so far, but since they are so much bigger than normal house spiders, they count as way more.  Lest you all forget, I don't do well with the animal kingdom--check out my post from LAST year around this time here.

So, I'm getting ready for bed in the bathroom last night, and after I took out my contacts, I noticed a very big, quick bug of some kind skittering across the floor.   Since I couldn't see what it was exactly, I stealthily  ran to my bedroom to get my glasses to further assess the situation.  Did I need to call Jordan?  Could I handle it myself?  When I don't have my glasses on, everything is blurry and a little bigger than it really is.  I didn't want to expose my girly wussiness if I didn't need to.  So i came back in to the bathroom and crouched on the ground to find the sucker and it attacked.  It never touched me but it new it was in trouble. I quickly looked back into the office where Jordan was sitting--totally zoned into an email he was writing--it would take him at least a minute to drop it and come help me--it was NOW OR NEVER.  I mustered my courage and smashed the thing to smithereens on the bottom of my tennis shoe.    I couldn't look at it and promptly ran into the office like I was hiding.  I half expected it to sprout an extra body and come after me.  My heart was racing and I was breathing hard.  Once I calmed down I brought the shoe to Jordan so he could see it and he said..."Wow.  That's really big!"  Like he didn't believe me.  I have since scouted the internet for a picture of a spider that most resembles the beast and this is what I came up with:

Gah!  This morning, I woke up and got ready to exercise with Jordan (don't get any ideas that we are as awesome as we were in January during P90x--we're just trying to get back on the ball) and Jordan says, "Well, whatddya know?  Here's another one" and smashes ANOTHER one in the living room!! I immediately went and put my shoes on to exercise and was definitely thinking about those suckers every single time I got on the floor for superman/banana.  If I see one more I might be forced to buy some bug spray.

Note:  Dear penpal:

I saw your spider post and laughed so hard!! I can't wait to hear Jackson talking so much and I'm glad that you got that thing taken care of :)  and this post is pretty much for you too, who are we kidding?  hah

Why My Brain and I Need to Have a Little Talk

Hi everyone!  Hope all is well with you all (as if there are lots of people reading this).

I just want to know if this happens to everyone else, or just me:

You go to sleep, exhausted from doing shows and eating good food with family, and your brain decides to plant a very scary and not nice dream in your head.  This dream tries to convince you that the love of your life and eternal companion has decided to marry someone else.  This woman's name is Stephanie for some reason, and she is beautiful and fun, and certainly doesn't have any of the weird issues you have--in fact, she's perfect.  Now, your husband says he'll always love you, but is just going to deal with you in heaven--not here on earth.  You wake up sweaty and scared and end up waking your very tired husband up because you want to make sure that he's real and that he married YOU, not some skank ho named Stephanie (no offense to real Stephanies out there).

Boo.  I HATE that dream, and I'm really tired of having it--or some variation thereof.  I know Jord loves me, and that we are perfect together.  I just don't understand why my unconscious brain doesn't clue in when I am just trying to get some r&r.

Okay, that's all.

On another note, harry potter was AMAZING and I can't wait to own it.  I want to have Harry Potter dreams please!!!

Harry Potter!

Hello all!  As you may have noticed, my blog has gotten a makeover--thanks to a ridiculous amount of free time backstage during Oliver!.  I LOVE Harry Potter.  I got hooked on the books in junior high and have been a huge fan ever since.  My sweet husband, who knows me so well, even got me my own set of hardcover books in a Hogwarts trunk for our wedding day!  No silly engraved champagne glass that I will only ever drink sparkling cider out of....you know what I like, baby :)

Anyway, I was so sad when the last book came out because that was all I was going to get from the series. But, gasp, the movies ended up being very good!  Though they can't possibly include everything from the books, I think they've done a great job capturing the spirit and world that so many people love.

So, next week, you better BELIEVE I will be crying and cheering when Harry has his last hurrah.

Enjoy the new look of the blog for a little while, until I see the movie and re-design it again during another performance.

ps--i can't see my followers anymore!?  is it just me?

Gnocchi

Hey everyone!  I am writing this blog from a tech run-through of Don Giovanni here in Logan, Utah.  Jordan and I have been here with the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre for about a month and we are just about to open a whole bunch of shows: South Pacific, Oliver!, Don Giovanni, Boris Godonov, and Merry Widow.  The only one I'm not in is Boris, which is a-ok with me because this girl does NOT want to learn Russian.  I'll leave that to my wonderful hubby, who is the villain in that opera, Prince Shuisky.  He is also Don Ottavio, the tenor lead in Don Giovanni.  Anyway, we open right after the 4th of July so that's fun.  I'll post more about that later (when I have more pictures and videos).

But the real reason for this blog is about food.  :)  Every year that we have had the opportunity to come up here to Logan, Jordan and I made a list of all the places we need to eat at--places that only Logan has to offer us.  Some of those places include:

-Happy Sushi (Golden California Roll is the BOMB)
- Beehive Grill (homemade root beer in house)
- Pita Pit (sentimental reasons...I worked there)
- Maddox  Steakhouse (their beef comes from the farm on site)
- Great Harvest Bread Company (Cinnamon Burst bread makes me so happy)
- Aggie Ice Cream (just yummy)
- Korean BBQ (Jordan's fave)

But the top of my list is ALWAYS Le Nonne.  This is one of the cutest, most romantic, most delicious restaurants ever.  Its an old house converted into a restaurant, and if its nice outside, that's where you want to sit, because the garden is beautiful and secluded.  Here's the truth:  I have only ordered one entree at this restaurant.

Gnocchi Quattro Formaggi.  Meaning potato dumplings in four cheeses.  Yep. Swiss, gorgonzola, fontina and parmesan.  I don't know how the chefs make the potato pasta dumplings so doughy or melty, but its like they literally melt in your mouth in all that cheese.  The serving is giant and so delicious that I simply cannot order anything else when I go.  I look forward to this trip all year round.

So today, I got out of Oliver rehearsal early, at the same time that Jordan finished his Russian diction coaching with a woman from the MET (yep I'm bragging about him) and we decided it was high time for some gnocchi.  At the restarurant, Jordan even had the silliness about him to consider ordering something else.  But in the end, he couldn't.  I'm sure everything else is wonderful, but I can't imagine it topping The Gnocchi.  We were served a delicious appetizer of caprese and bread with a mixture of olives, capers, parsley, garlic, and olive oil.  Also, scrumptious.  As I sat laughing at how delicious my food was and how happy I was to be eating it again, Jordan said "You should blog about it."  So I did. :)

If you are ever in Logan, do yourself a favor and go here for lunch or dinner (lunch is cheaper).  It might be one of the best things you've ever eaten.

Buona notte!

Being a Good Person

This is going to be one of those more introspective blogs....so if you are looking for something hilarious...try elsewhere today folks.

For the last month and a half, I've been doing a lot of soul searching and pondering.  A few things have come up in my life that made me stop and think about what it means to be a righteous and good person.  I finally have put to rest and forgiven myself for some past mistakes (that's always the hardest part for me), but now that I have reached a higher level of clarity, I keep seeing things that need tweaking in my life.  I know that I need to look at this as a good thing--a refining and purifying experience that will result in me being a better person, but there are times that I just want a break to be honest.  That's very bad of me to say, but I hope that the day comes soon that I can have a whole day without feeling guilty about something!  I know I'm not perfect, and I'm not asking for that (at least, not yet), but it seems that recently I've been acutely aware of my faults and frustrated that they all seem really hard to fix.  As soon as I figure one thing out, hours later I am plunged right into another thing that I need to deal with to feel like I can breathe easy.

I know that I'm not the only person that has felt this way, and I'm sure I'll get through it, but I just wanted to put my thoughts out there so that I could move on.  Thanks for listening.

On a much lighter note, I am so proud of Jordan for finishing this last semester with STRAIGHT A's!! Atta baby!

Fear Conquered

Deep, contented sigh.  :)  So, over the last couple of weeks, I've been giving my brain a serious course in memorization and cramming.  Its good for it, and I had no choice.

After Sleeping Beauty closed, I took a nice break where I did just normal day to day things...very low stress.  Of course, that didn't last long, nor did I really want it to if I am being honest with myself.  Let's face it:  if I'm not busy, I'm bored and depressed and no fun at all.

So, cue the craziness.  I agreed to do a number of things in a short amount of time:
1) Perform in a showcase for a new production company--memorize 45 minutes of music in one week (btw I was singing Second soprano).

2) Choreograph said showcase.

3) In that same week, shadow my choreographer friend and help her teach 200 high school choir students a Bollywood routine to Jai Ho.

4) Audition for the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

Now, numbers 1-3 were all fun, and though stressful at times, all in my total control and comfort zone.
Number 4 was not.  Here is something some of you may not know about me:  i HATE doing monologues. Seriously, hate.  Now, I know that I'm an actress and performer and I do that kind of stuff all the time, but monologues are different than acting in a show.  I mean, in their very nature, they are awkward and unnatural.  NOBODY talks to themselves in such complete sentences for that long.  nobody.  So when I decided to challenge myself and audition for Shakespeare, I must have been out of my mind.  I mean, these are the mothers of all monologues. The pressure to do one right is astounding.  Not to mention, I have never done a Shakespeare play before.  Who's to say I won't embarrass myself completely?

As soon as I scheduled an audition time, I started making plans to cancel it.  I was too nervous.  Who did I think I was?  Emma Thompson?  Please.  I am a pretty good singer, who can act alright and do some dance moves.  But a serious Shakespearean actor?  I think not.

I frantically called, texted, and emailed my friend Jere, who does tons of this stuff to help me find some monologues and coach me on them.  I was SO NERVOUS I was planning on backing out last minute.  But then Jere said he had already told the director I was coming and talked me up.  Great.  More pressure and no out.  But he did help me understand the language better, so that is a plus.

So I busted my but preparing these things.  I said them over and over and over.  Jordan probably thought I was  a crazy person.  So cue this last Friday.  The Audition.

All afternoon, I had been cleaning the afore-mentioned High school choir's dances and to be honest, a few of the freshman had made me crazy.  Seriously.  I wanted nothing more than to get out of there--so leaving for the audition was actually welcome.  I got there early and no one was there so they shooed me right in.  I didn't even have time to be nervous!  I did both of my monologues without any mistakes and the director told me he'd definitely be considering me for stuff.  Whew!

Now what?  I wait.  Here's the weird part.  All I wanted was to successfully complete a Shakespearean audition.  Check.  But to do an actual part in a play?  WHOA.  Way too much pressure.

Princesses and P90x

Well, friends, I find myself coming to the end of two things in the next week or two:  My show and my exercise program.  One is happy the other is bittersweet I suppose.

For the last month, I've had the best job in the world:  playing Princess Aurora in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Jr. at Broadway Palm West in Mesa, AZ.  Its a children's show, which means the audiences are forgiving and energetic, and very vocal.  I love hearing kids shout "Look out, Maleficent is right behind you!!!"-- it means they care :)  I get to wear beautiful costumes, work with awesome people, and spend my afternoons singing to a puppet owl on my arm about my dream prince.  I waltz, I sing, and I faint--and I have awesome dance competitions backstage with the goon and three good fairies.  My life is awesome.

Another part I love it autographs--because its so much fun to meet these kids!  They truly think I am a princess and I love it!  i get countless hugs from little girls dressed up like Aurora and Cinderella and it makes me so happy that they are so happy.  Also, I get to meet some mentally challenged people that come and it is always enlightening.  Last week, a charming young man with Down's Syndrome actually bowed to me and showed me his sword fighting skills, asking if he could play the prince next time.  it simultaneously broke my heart and warmed it.  I cannot wait for the day to come when he is able to express himself without inhibition by a mental and physical illness.  I know that day will come--even if its not in this lifetime.

The show closes on April 9, and I'm sure I will miss it and the people I work with.  Side note-- I am also sad that I can't be with Jordan, my dad, and pretty much everyone I know in Salt Lake City that day to sing in the Lamb of God.  On account of Sleeping Beauty, I can't sing in this incredible work.  I know it is going to be a life changing experience for many.  I was privileged to sing it with Jordan in Las Vegas earlier this month and it strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ so much.  I KNOW that He lives and we will all be resurrected again because of Him.  If any  of you are in Utah on the 9th, do yourself a favor and go.  Here's the website: Lamb of God 

Okay, for the second bit of news:  as of Saturday morning, Jordan and I will have completed P90X!!!!!!

That's right: we are done with p90x!!!
Jordan and I have been doing the program since January and I have only missed ONE day of exercise, due to the flu.  We even brought the workout dvds with us while we were performing in Vegas and exercised in our hotel room!  now that's dedication.

Truthfully, I have never been this dedicated to any exercise regime in my life, and I know I couldn't have done it so well without Jordan's support.  We helped each other get through it and I am so proud of us!!  I didn't lose much weight, but my body fat percentage has dropped dramatically and I can do about a zillion more real pushups than before.  I KNOW that I'm stronger than ever and it makes me feel good (even though my, uh, chest has taken quite a hit in the size department---Jordan says he doesn't notice, but I know it's a kind lie).  Mostly I feel totally healthy and sexy and confident and I am so happy.  Jordan looks INCREDIBLE and I can't believe I get to be married to such a hottie.

We started doing the nutrition program too, and have adapted it over time.  We are on a modified diet right now and I'm planning on keeping to it pretty much.
BUT, you better believe I will be having French toast as soon as possible-- I've been craving it for over a month.  Jordan and I are celebrating with Pizza on Sat night after Priesthood session and I'm stoked.  Mostly I'm just glad I can say I did something the whole way without quitting, even when I was so sore I wanted to cry.  Yay!!

Last note:  For those of you who want to know more about my church-- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)-- this weekend we are having our biannual General Conference.  There are four general sessions (2 Saturday and 2 on Sudnay).  It is a meeting for EVERYONE to watch and is on television in many places.  You can also stream it live online here.

It is a chance to listen to the Lord's prophet, apostles, and leaders who are on the earth today--I truly have a testimony and know that these men and women are called of our Heavenly Father to help counsel us against pitfalls in our day.  I hope that if you have any questions or interest in what I believe, you'll give it a chance.  What harm could it do to watch it?

Anyway, that's what's going on with me in a nutshell-- lots to be grateful for and excited about!!