"Ready To Run"

Again, another month goes by and only one post--I need to do better! The moment you think things might slow down, they pick back up and go faster than before! It's been a busy month and still many more things to come within the next couple of months. I wanted to start by back-tracking a bit.

I was in a semi-rush when I wrote about my Carnegie Hall experience last month and wanted to delve a back into it for a moment. I constantly have to remind myself how fortunate and lucky and blessed I was (and still am) to get the opportunity to perform within the first 7 months of moving to the city. For the majority of those trying to pursue a career in the performing arts, those opportunities are slim to none. My experience was absolutely out of this world. The first few rehearsals were kind of laborious, but the more we got into the music, the more magical it became. It was so fantastic singing with 70 other individuals who genuinely share the same passion in performing and musical theatre and the brilliance of Lerner and Loewe. I've sung with some amazing choirs in my day, but this one was special. I was so glad my family was able to come up and experience the thrill of my "NYC debut." It ended up being more emotional than I expected it to be. Some moments in life have such a tremendous impact on your life that it moves you to tears-happy tears of course! The big finale of "I Could Have Danced All Night" did this to me! The choir was so connected to the musicality and emotion of the song, that I literally was fighting back tears the entire number. That and because I was in a sold out house at Carnegie Hall where the audience was in an uproar of applause--it was so overwhelming and such a beautiful/exciting moment I will remember my entire life! I am living the dream in NYC--really?! I still have to pinch myself that I'm up here doing this, living this life! I was SO incredibly proud to be a member of The Clurman Singers and I hope to continue to sing with Judith Clurman (the director) and her new ensemble, the Essential Voices USA.

Moving on--The Kentucky Derby. The Run for the Roses. I realized I took the Derby for granted. I'm from Kentucky, the Derby happens every year, I have friends and family that go, whatever. This year I realized it's not just "whatever." In general, since having moved here, I've so prided myself with being from Kentucky! Anytime I can throw out a Kentucky reference, I do it. When people ask me where I'm from because I "have an accent," a proudly say with a big ol' smile: "I'm from Kentucky!" Well, since I as in NYC, I wanted to celebrate the Derby and watch the races all day and have a mint julep! Jordan introduced me to a good friend of his who is also from BG, Jessica, who lives here in the city, and she so sweetly invited me to join her for Derby day festivities. I jumped at the chance! She and her boyfriend, John, and some of their other friends were getting together to watch the big race at this restaurant called Johnny Utahs and it was SUCH a great time! We had mint juleps in official Kentucky Derby glasses that we got to bring home! That glass made me feel more at home than anything! We have so many Derby glasses from years past that my Mom and Dad would bring home and I just really was bummed I didn't get to see the one for this year--well I was wrong! When they brought out our drinks in those glasses, I think Jessica, John, and I had the biggest smiles in the whole place! Kentucky pride:) Mine grows stronger and stronger everyday!

And speaking of Kentucky, I am coming home for a few days in just a few short days! Anne Taylor's 21st birthday is Thursday and I promised her that I would spend it with her, so I'm coming HOME!!! I am sooo excited. It's been almost 6 months that I haven't been home, which of course is the longest amount of time I've been away from home. I miss it! If I could run there, I would! I've missed my family, my friends, grass and trees, houses, campus, Buckhead, Brusters, the Square, but most of all, driving. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of my car when I get home because I'm going to run my car all OVER Bowling Green! There is nothing better to me than when I want to just "get away" or "clear my head, " just get in my car, roll down the windows, turn up the radio and just drive. And don't you know I'm going to do plenty of that when I get home!

I hope things are well with everyone, and if I could see you ALL when I come home, I totally would! However, this trip is only a 5 day trip so I might not get around to everyone, but I'll do my best ;) So until then...

:)