To 2012:

While being cheesy and updating my status on Facebook about 2011...I realized I was writing a lot more than just your average status...so here it is- another blog!

2011 started in New York City--working, of course, --in a different job (oops I mean two jobs), living in a different apartment, and hanging out with different friends.

I had no idea my life would change drastically in a short month after January. I accepted a job in NORTH DAKOTA,

started a relationship,

traveled,

and met so many new people along the way.

Moving back to NYC wasn't easy, and I still feel like I'm settling in, but 2011 has taken me on some incredible journeys.

I learned so much about myself and God, and how God loves to use us when we are completely and utterly unprepared, and can only rely on Him. I am so thankful for every lesson of 2011.


So to 2012: You have a lot to live up to.

Hopped off the plane at LGA with a dream and no cardigan.

I woke up this morning to a nightmare about my bank account being low...and then I realized that is just the beauty of living in NYC.

My second season in NYC has already proved to be challenging, but also rewarding. I've seen God work in so many ways since I've been here, and I'm so excited to see more of Him in everything. 

Since my arrival on Oct 8, my days have been filled with sweet reunions of friends, classes with my fabulous teachers, and the arduous task of finding the right job. After trying my hand at babysitting, promo, temp agencies, and serving, God provided me with the job I really wanted, which was to work at an upscale restaurant where I would only need one job! I can't wait to start training this week!

And a new improvement this year- I no longer live in a hallway! But of course, I still had to make my room look like it just came from the Adpi house...

I'm so excited for the things ahead: my new job, bible study, church hunting, auditions, and building new relationships. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

<3

On the Road Again...

Just in the past 3 weeks, I have spent time in 13 states-- here is a little recap of my trip across America (vertically across, that is!) that included a lot of corn, hay, and miles!

NORTH DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

 Deadwood

 Mount Rushmore

 Corn Palace

WYOMING 

 Biker Bar!

IOWA

KANSAS

 

MISSOURI

 Gateway to the West

ILLINOIS

ARKANSAS

TENNESSEE

 Corky's BBQ

 Beale St. 

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

 Mobile Bay

GEORGIA

FLORIDA

Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

 Cocoa Beach

As much as I've loved seeing America this past month, I'm ready to stop living out of a suitcase! My flight to NYC is booked, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the Big Apple has in store. 

Lion, Tigers, and Bears- not here!

Well...it's almost the end of my run here in Medora. I'm not sure how to make a blog based on one subject, but just thought I would post a few things I've seen and done!

Who knew our guitarist, Tyler, would be both a music and reptile lover? This little buddy was found near our stage.

I'd never seen a prairie dog in my life, and in my mind they were supposed to look like Sheep Dogs...but I was wrong! Apparently you cannot have your own colony of them in your backyard, no matter how cute they look, because they carry a few diseases!

Wild horses take their time grazing along the road in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

I went horseback riding on Lefty, who like me was a "lefty" and really liked snacking! 

Not sure what your knowledge of North Dakota is like, but North Dakota loves making the biggest objects of something, including the worlds largest buffalo, highest oil can pyramid, and the largest holstein cow, Salem Sue! As you can see, Billy is UDDERLY AMAZED by Salem Sue. 

I also took my first steps into Montana! 

Fall is approaching, and in North Dakota that means hay is being rolled, sunflowers are blooming, and corn stalks are getting higher. I don't think I would have ever thought I would do or see the things that I've experienced this summer. I am unbelievably thankful that I get to perform in this great place every night and I will miss these wide open spaces when I go back to the city. 

From City Lights to Buffalo Patties

After a failed attempt at one blog about moving to the city, I decided (with the urging of Shara!) to start another blog! I'm hoping this blog will be informative about my whereabouts and activities, as well as slightly entertaining!

As a major contrast to living on the Upper East Side, I am now living in a small town in North Dakota. There are no fast food restaurants (except a Dairy Queen, which I am afraid to go to), no grocery stores, no Walmarts, and, luckily, two gas stations!  My room resembles a KOA campground cabin, but with the resources of a Walmart 20 miles away, I have turned it into a Bungalow, clad with fake greenery!

How did I get here, you ask? Well, besides asking myself that same question every day, the answer is that I perform every night in the Medora Musical. The Medora Musical is an epic country revue with horses, fireworks, dancing, and singing in an outdoor amphitheater with a stunning back drop of the Badlands. Billboards on the drive towards Medora deem it, "The Greatest Show in the West!" Although, it may be the only show in this part of the West! ;) (If you're really interested, check out medora.com!)

When I would go to work in NYC, my scenery would include buildings so tall you couldn't see the sky, apartments squished together, people swiftly walking everywhere, and construction on a new subway (which I somehow still found beautiful!). But now, my scenery includes an endless sky, wild buffalo, prairie dogs popping out of their holes, a view of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and a town that looks like it came from an Old Western movie.

I still can't believe that out of all the places I could do a show, I happened to do one in North Dakota, but I'm so grateful for these experiences and a chance to be in a beautiful place!