What in the World I've Been Up To

So I realized that my last post has not been since March- which is unacceptable! The reason being, I have been sitting on some pretty life-changing news, but it has yet to be drawn up in ink. SO, I guess I'll just have to share what has been going on in the meantime!

1. I've been co-writing away, and even writing with people I used to intern for :)

Recording a work tape with my co-writer John and Billy adding in some cajon!

2. I filmed 2 featured roles in a short film and music video!

Here is the artist, Bobby Cyrus (yes, related to Billy Ray Cyrus), who cast me in my first music video, for the song "Send Me Wings." 

3. I played guitar in PUBLIC for the first time!! 

This is a big deal people!! 

4. I successfully got through my first year of teaching voice students with a great recital! 

Can we take a moment and look at the fact that all my students have either strawberry blonde or red hair?! Crazy!

5. I started a band with these crazy kids, and our first gig is in a few weeks!!!

We enjoy eating steak dinners before we practice. Our rider is gonna be pretty intense.

6. I've had the privilege of joining my co-workers in our private box at Bridgestone Arena for concerts and events such as  Kid Rock, Maroon 5, Elton John, Predators, and the CMT Awards. 

How come the girls seem more into the game? ;)

7. I'm an official member of the Country Music Association!!!!!!!

8.  I celebrated my 25th birthday, and could not be more grateful for how my 25 years on earth has led me to the place where I am now. I never in a million years imagined that I would be spending time on music row, but I'm so thankful that God allows me to ask Him for big things, and even better, is faithful to answer them in His own way. 

Life on the Row

It's March....and I am still patiently (ok, rather impatiently) waiting for the weather to get warm. But in this last cold month, there have been some cool things happening!

I got to be involved in CRS week- CRS stands for Country Radio Seminar. This is a big week for country artists, because it is when they basically convince the radio people to keep playing their songs, or start playing their new songs. So, each artist or record label has a party and Starstruck was the busiest I have ever seen it! Luckily, I got to attend Kelly Clarkson's party and watch her perform a new song, which was amazing.

Through only a stroke of God's hand, I had the privilege of helping pass out the awards at the SESAC Christian Music Awards. For songwriters, there are 3 performing rights organizations that keep track of how many times your song has been played on the radio, on tv, etc. The companies are BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. SESAC was recognizing their Christian songwriters who have had the most spins of their song throughout the year. Some notable SESAC members include: Mark Shultz, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, and Mikeschair. It was cool to see how the songwriters supported each other, and even gave pep talks during their sets about how important and life changing Christian music can be.

I also found myself in the middle of some song-plugging. A friend wrote a song with John Paul White from the Civil Wars and thought it would be a great fit for Kelly. So, they sent it to me to see if I could get it to her. Well, Kelly loved the song and immediately put it on hold. Now, putting it on "hold" means that she doesn't want other artists singing the song and she's very interested, but it doesn't mean that anything is final or that it will be on her record. Regardless of the outcome, it is very exciting news for my first try at a song pitch. :) 

And then yesterday I found myself on The Identical movie trailer! 

the trailer is at theidenticalmovie.com 

Although blogging is mainly for my family, it's nice to look back and see what God is doing every month. Sometimes I get down on myself and feel like nothing is moving forward, but that is when I have a narrow point of view. When you step back and see the big picture, you can't help but feel thankful and blessed. 

Letting God Answer Prayers Might Leave You Starstruck

This blog post was inspired by a book I've been reading called "The Circle Maker." It's about praying circles around your dreams and asking and trusting God to do big things. While reading this book, it made me realize that I asked God to do a big thing without even knowing it: I asked Him to make me a life in Nashville when I had no plans whatsoever. I prayed and prayed and prayed that I would not have to have a "survival" job in the food/service industry, but I wasn't sure how I would make money without one of these jobs. God provided in BIG ways. I became a voice teacher to 4 awesome students, I am training with Nashville Children's Theatre, and I work 40 hours/week at Starstruck. (so, yes, free time and sleep is limited)

Starstruck was one of the biggest ways God provided, that was a total surprise. I thought I was going to teach voice lessons full time when the director of a show I was in asked me if I was still looking for a job. I thought- what the heck, I'll go in for the interview- even if it's for networking purposes. Then I got there and realized that I really wanted the job- and it would provide me with more ways to network in the music business than teaching full time in my home would allow. So, I got the job and still kept a few voice students.

Starstruck is an Entertainment Company, Management Company, and Recording Studio. They also house Luke Bryan's management team, as well as Producer Mark Bright.

My parents and I in the studio!

My mom and I in the broadcast studio- because what studio doesn't have a broadcast studio as well?!

My dad lookin' pretty comfy behind a sound board!

I can't believe the experiences I've had. It's funny, because songwriters will pitch their songs to me, hoping I can get it into the right hands. I joke with my mom saying, "I'm the most inconsequential consequential employee." The first big celebrity I met was Kelly Clarkson. She came in early for an appointment and sat with me and asked me all about my life. She is one of the nicest people in the world and I will forever be a fan. I also get to talk to producers, videographers, managers....it's crazy! I still get excited when someone brings in a Gibson for Luke Bryan, or when Kelly's grammy swag-bag comes in, or when I have to google someone and think- wait- was I talking to Sara Evans or someone else? I just like being in the middle of the excitement.


The point is: when you ask God to do big things, He does them. It may not be in the way we envision, but it's the way He wants them. I am the biggest control freak ever- so I am re-learning this lesson over and over every day, but it's nice to think back on the ways God provides. I've got many many more prayers to circle, triangle, and rectangle- but it's comforting knowing that God's in control!

It's Not What You Eat, It's How You Think

This post deviates a little from my norm- but a couple people have asked me how I lost weight and if I could write down some meal plans, so I decided to put it in a blog in case others were interested!

I am not a nutrition expert- nor do I think what I did will work for everybody, but this is my story, and how it worked for me.

From the middle of 2011 to 2012, I lost 23lbs, all from changing the way I eat. Sure, I worked out, but I also worked out before losing weight and I was only getting bigger with muscle. Changing the way I ate made all the difference in changing my body. 

 This was me at the end of my tour with Student Life in 2010. We ate gas station food, fast food, and fried fish-stick cafeteria food. Not ideal for someone who wants to be healthy! This is how I gained most of my weight and it stayed with me.

2012-Back to the size I should be!

Now, I said all I did was change the way I eat- but actually this is not true. I changed the way I THOUGHT. If you're someone who is interested in losing weight- it's a battle of the mind, so you need to be prepared. 

1. You need to want it for YOU. If you're trying to do it for someone or something else, you'll lose steam- YOU are the one who needs to decide that you want it enough. 

2. Once you want it enough, you have to have the ability to SAY NO. You need to decide that looking and feeling better is more important than eating that piece of cake. You also need to realize that there will be other opportunities to have baked goods and homemade potato chips. Everyone always thinks, "Oh I'll be good, but I have to try this cake my co-worker made." No, you don't. Once you eat that cake, it will be someone's birthday the next day and they'll be offended if you don't eat birthday cake with them. There's always something, and you have to know when to say no. 

As you can see, saying "no" was hard for me.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY definitely helped me get started with this. My friend and I decided to be on a very strict diet our first 2 weeks of doing this- and knowing that we didn't want to let each other down is how we got through the hard part of late night cravings!

4. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It's crazy how our body tells us exactly what we should eat, but we don't listen. If your stomach starts hurting or you feel like you have a lot of gas, then your body is trying to get rid of whatever you put in it. It hurts because it doesn't like it. When you start eating healthy, you will definitely realize when your body doesn't like something, and it will be easier to stay away from those things.

5. You have to be prepared for a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. The reason I haven't put on any more weight  even though I'm not as strict with what I eat, is because I look at food differently now. I see food as nourishment and not indulgence. I look at food and go- will this give me energy to do what I need to do? It's kind of crazy that my mindset has changed so much- but I couldn't be more grateful- because when you change how you think- it becomes much easier to handle. Also, one of my biggest lifestyle changes was not eating out as much. When you eat out, it's hard to control what you put in your body. But if you're cooking at home, you can control how healthy your ingredients are. 

Now- I created my own diet. It's based on the Atkins diet- but I have a firm belief that if God created something, it is healthy for us to eat. Therefore, I eat as many fruits and vegetables as I want. I mainly stay away from breads and unnatural sugar. 

Here are some meals that I eat- I don't like spending money on lots of ingredients for fancy dishes- so I keep it pretty simple: 

Breakfast Option #1

-Egg Scramble (1 egg white and 1 full egg) with spinach and feta

**I do a lot of egg scramble combinations: 

diced onions and peppers (you can get these pre-cut at Publix or Kroger)

turkey bacon and cheese (oscar mayer turkey bacon is the bomb- very thick)

black beans, pepper jack cheese, turkey bacon, salsa

-1 cup of coffee

Breakfast Option #2 (for those of us who run out the door to work)

- Banana (or any kind of fruit)

- vanilla or strawberry light and fit yogurt- says for diabetics and carb watchers on the label

-1 cup of coffee

Lunch Option #1

- Lettuce Wrapped Tuna

*tuna in water with olive oil mayo and sweet relish

- Sliced apple with peanut butter

- Baby Carrots (a little ranch dip is ok :)

-Flavored Water

Lunch Option #2

-Low carb wrap with Turkey and Cheese

I buy mesquite turkey, chipotle mayo, and pepper jack cheese

-Any kind of fruit- I love berries

- Celery and Peanut Butter

-Water with crystal light or propel packet

Dinner Option #1

-Ginger Salmon

You can buy microwavable salmon, grill it, or pan cook it, I also add some ginger dressing to give it an Asian flair

-Zucchini 

pan-cook it with some olive oil

-Sweet Potato

I'm lazy and get the microwavable sweet potatoes from Kroger and spray a little butter on it

-Flavored water (as you can see, I find regular water too boring so I have to spruce it up)

Dinner Option #2

-Big Salad- throw in whatever you want! 

I'm a fan of spinach leaves, chicken, strawberries, almonds, mandarin oranges, feta, cucumbers, carrots, and a sweet dressing. 

-Flavored water

Dessert Options

-an apple or banana with biscoff spread (1 table spoon only!!)

-low carb yogurt with fruit

-just fruit!

Need a smoothie?

I really like smoothies but they are full of sugar, and milk and OJ are not your friends, so here is how I make mine: 

-Almond Milk

-Low Carb yogurt -vanilla or strawberry

-Banana

-A couple Strawberries

-Ice

You'll have to play around to get the perfect combination of texture

There are, of course, lots of other meal options once you get the hang of what you should eat and what you shouldn't, but here's a little starter course for anyone new to the healthy living scene. 

From Broadway to Music Row

I've officially lived in Nashville for a month. Time has definitely flown by! I've been blessed beyond belief while living here, which makes this an easy place to love. So many small, yet consequential things have happened that I could talk about for days, but for your time and sanity, I will only outline the biggest events.

Week One:

 I moved into my house. If you just missed that, I said, "HOUSE." Why is a house so exciting? WELL...I used to live in a hallway on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Now, I couldn't be more thrilled to leave the trundle bed and the mice behind.

My house outside of Brentwood, TN

The first three days in Nashville I had 3 auditions in a row and landed 2 roles. I had to pick one, so I chose the classic: Mary in "It's a Wonderful Life." I'm so excited to be a part of this production!

I also signed with a tv/film agent. I'd say I had a pretty full week. 

Week 2

I had a role in a movie starring Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta. I've never had my own trailer room before, nor have I ever been personally escorted to and from the set. Needless to say, I'll probably never be an extra again- I've been too spoiled with this whole "cast member" thing! 

Our trailers!

Ashley would be on her cell phone up until they called, "action." She also would have her dog on her lap if it was not seen in the shot and only wore slippers. It pays to be the star!

We shot these scenes at a quaint church in Dickson, TN.

My beautimous 40's hair-do. 

Week 3: 

I decided I wanted to be a voice and acting coach. After applying for two companies, I was accepted at both to be a teaching artist. Also, it just so happened that my neighbor is an established voice teacher in the area (teaching Kenny Chesney and Jump 5 kids) and allowed me to apprentice her. She found out she is moving to South Carolina, so now I will be taking over her studio and I couldn't be more grateful and blessed. I have a lot of work ahead of me, and (PLUG) if you know anyone who needs a voice teacher- I'm your girl! 

Info on The Erica Smith Studio

Week 4: 

Some of you know might not know that my childhood dream has always been to be a country singer. When I would do pageants as a child, they would always ask me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And my answer was, "A country singer." As years went by, I stopped listening to country because it wasn't "cool" and proceeded to attend my grungy emo-band concerts. Now that I'm older, I realize that it has been my dream all along. I'm blessed to live in a family where my parents encourage my brother and I to chase our dreams, so if broadway wasn't big enough- I'm going bigger. 

When I moved here, I pledged that my ultimate purpose is this: 

To share God's love through the talents and gifts that he has given me. 

I'm not exactly sure what God has in store for me or how this purpose will be translated and implemented in my life, but I am going to follow it in the way that God has ordained.

I just received official word that I will be working at a music publishing company on Music Row. I'm so excited to be in the heart of the music world and pray that God will guide my steps all the way. 

Thank you for those who have prayed for me and encouraged me- your words mean more than you know <3

Let's Talk About the China

Well...it's been over a week since I've been back from the China. (I add the article "the" before China because the Chinese signs translated into English all have unnecessary articles, but it's very cute!) I have yet to fully catch up on the 13 hour time difference. I think that I'm finally caught up on sleep, but then feel like a zombie at weird times like 10am or 5pm- but maybe that's what happens when you get back from China and move to Nashville the next day.

There were so many eye-opening things in China that I saw, or heard about from locals, so I wanted to just share a few! (*Disclaimer- this is only from my ignorant tourist perspective and not based on researched facts or industrious studies.)

First of all...let's talk about the toilets. 

As you can see, this does not look like our "western" style toilet. You literally have to squat down as low as you can, and try not to pee on your foot. Also, there is no toilet paper in the stall. Some bathrooms didn't even provide toilet paper, so you have to bring your own- or I guess the unprepared just have to go without. When you're done with your toilet paper, you put it in the nice basket over there, that I'm sure smells awesome. Let's just say- the Chinese think that this is more sanitary than our toilet seats, but I'm going to have to disagree. 

Second...let's talk about the people. 

(at the Great Wall)

Often, Chinese people have never seen a "big nose." The term "big nose" refers to, more or less, anyone not Chinese, whose ethnicity lends them to have a bigger nose than that of a Chinese person. The girls in this photo wanted to take a picture of me- and that was pretty much the case anywhere I went. Being a "big nose" is like being a celebrity, because they will take your picture all the time, no matter where you are, and I guess...show the picture to their friends?

There are two places Chinese people live:

the city

(Shanghai)

or the farm.

(Tea Leaf farm in Hangzou)

If you are from a farming family, then you have many siblings. If you are from the city, you are the only child. The Chinese are not really upset about the only-child rule because they understand that the population needs to be controlled. However, they have commented on how the new generation of Chinese city people are becoming selfish and spoiled. Can you imagine living in a world of all "only children?"

Although times are changing and modernizing in "the" China, gender equality is still lagging behind. (but let's be real- it's still lagging everywhere). If you have a son, you are considered lucky. Our tour guide in Shanghai has a daughter, therefore, he is considered unlucky by his family. His brother, however, has a boy. The eldest man of the family has decided the family should send this boy to America for university training. Thus, everyone in the family must put money towards his education. Even though my tour guide would like to save money for his daughter's education, he cannot do so because she is a woman and he cannot go against his family's wishes.

Third...let's talk about silk worms. 

Think back to 10th grade world history when you were supposed to read books about the Silk Road and how important it was for the world economy... yeah, so if you're like me, you don't know anything about that and never read that book. Well, silk is still a big part of Chinese culture and I got to go to a silk worm factory. What astounded me was that it seems like they are still using ancient techniques to create the silk fabric. For instance: they wear shirts with pockets, where they put the cocoons of the worms against their breasts for 24 hours until they hatch. Don't you think there's a more up-to-date way of doing these things?

(Silk worm cocoons)

(Silk worms out of the cocoon)

Our Chinese guide in Beijing said, "We can eat anything with 4 legs except the table." This also applies to worms because I got to taste some "snack" silk worms that were being sold at a rest area. Next time I'll probably go for the potato chips. 

Lastly...let's talk about Communism. 

Long story short, the Communist party took over China in 1949, overthrowing the Kuomintang. The head of this party was Chairman Mao. 

(Chairman Mao's portrait is center of this building in Tiananmen Square in Beijing)

I knew that China was a communist country, but I didn't really realize the affect it had on its people. 

Knowledge is power. The Chinese government controls all the knowledge. 

In China, all internet browsing is hooked up through a huge parental controls panel in Beijing. (that's just what I'm calling it). They control everyone's access to anything in the web. There is no facebook. There is no twitter. You want news? It goes through the government first. 

Remember this stirring photo? The Chinese know very little about it and our guides were not allowed to talk about it. 

Remember that time hundreds of people in China were dying from SARS and everyone in the world knew except....Chinese people?

A local from Shanghai told us about a meeting in Beijing with all the Chinese government authorities. The Governor of Shanghai disagreed with something the Chinese President said, the Chinese President accused the Governor of Shanghai of something ludicrous and locked him away. Apparently disagreeing is not allowed. 

The local also said, "We don't care who the the President of China is because we don't get a vote. We care who the President of the USA is because we want to stick near the police, and we need good police." 

Definitely something to think about during this next election. Who do we want representing our country globally? 

Obviously this post only covers a few things I saw and experienced, but I hope it was at least interesting and somewhat informative...if you made it this far :)

If you care to see more pictures- I will be putting them up on facebook probably this week. Stay tuned for the next blog about everything I've been up to in Nashville- pretty exciting stuff happening, can't wait to share!

From Farmville to Nashville

One week left of The Confession! Who knew something could go by so fast. It's been a summer full of lessons and new decisions. This show definitely turned me into a different performer and I'm grateful for all the rewards and challenges that this role brought.

Here's an article by the Goshen News about the show: Amish-themed production "The Confession" (shhh...don't tell anyone that I didn't go to Stanford)

I also had no idea when I left NYC for farm country that I would not be coming back. I think taking a trip down the slow lane alongside horses and buggys made me realize I was not ready to go back to the hustle that is NYC. I love the opportunities that make NYC so unique, but I didn't have the peace I needed about going back. So, after lots of prayer and a giant leap into the unknown, I have decided to move to Nashville! 

Proverbs 16:9 says it best, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." I have no idea what the future will have in store, but I do know that God is currently working out the details. 

This Gypsy Life is always on the move...so, next stop: NASHVILLE!