Now I Am the Fool....

April Fools.
A day of pranks, false statements and a surprising number of Facebook engagements.

I don't think I have never enjoyed April 1st. Partly Mostly because I fall for everything. From phony ads to gross food to hoax news articles. (Please note: Ji-Hye, I have never truly recovered from the vomit flavored jelly beans you offered me in high school...)

Seriously, though - I know this is a fun day for many, but for me it's an emotional mine-field. Do I believe you? Are you messing with me, or should I congratulate you on your pregnancy? Harvey Dent, can we trust him? Finding the truth is exhausting. Whether I'm too trusting, or just always wanting to believe the best of people ... I can't seem to help feeling played and betrayed at the end of the day.

So, if you stop by and see me at the coffee shop today, please be kind =) I won't be playing any pranks on you - in fact, today I will only be eating food I personally prepare, ignoring everything I see on Facebook, and assuming that any product released today is a lie.

And, since we're speaking of lies and betrayal, it only seems fitting to listen to "Betrayed" from The Producers by the brilliant & hysterical: Nathan Lane. Have a happy Monday, friends - and ... what's that you say? Somebody wrote "Gullible" on the ceiling again?

What Are Your Dreams?

This year I've been making a point of actually pursuing my dreams - I was inspired by this well-known quote by T. E. Lawrence:

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

2013 is a year of possibilities. It's not easy (rewarding experiences seldom are), but I'm facing my fears every day and making progress as I act on my dreams. From little things like learning to knit, and singing karaoke, to big things like writing a book, completing a Tough Mudder obstacle course, and - the ultimate goal - Broadway.

We're only a month into the year and I already feel like a happier, more accomplished version of myself. Weird. I've only done two or three things off my list so far - but it may as well be 100. Why? Because for the first time in a long time - the possibilities are more than wishful thinking. I'm free to dream with the knowledge that there's a good chance I'll accomplish these tasks one day. Maybe it's the fact that I'm beginning to believe in myself again. Whatever it is - it is changing my life for the better and, hopefully, for good.

All this talk of dreams and thinking about my future reminded me of the song "Like Everyone Else" from Sideshow. In this number, Terry asks Violet and Daisy (Siamese twins), "What are your dreams? What are you longing for?" and they respond with conflicting answers: Violet wants a serene, quiet life & Daisy wants fame and fortune. "The same as everyone wants ... We want what everyone wants."

What are your dreams? What are you longing for?
Is there one thing you can do this month to start fulfilling that dream?

In case you're wondering: I'm going to be learning how to tap dance this month - (sorry neighbors) - and organizing my room. Maybe I'll go crazy and learn how to knit, but I make no guarantees!

Memphis Lives in Me....

I got to see the touring cast of Memphis last night and I am happy to say I laughed, I cried, and I got chills on multiple occasions. I admit I was skeptical, I hadn't heard a lot of buzz about this show out here on the west coast, but I have had the soundtrack for a while and using the classic "If you like 3 or more songs on the soundtrack, you'll like the show" rule, I figured I would enjoy the evening -- I didn't plan on being delighted with the fast-paced show from the start of the opening number! I was particularly enthralled with the choreography, not to mention the brilliant leads: Felicia Boswell and Bryan Renkart; their talent was truly inspiring! I wish them (and the entire fantastical cast!) all the best on the rest of their tour -- thank you for sharing this story with Portland!

Here is one of my favorite songs from the show: "Love Will Stand When All Else Falls" sung by the Original Broadway Cast starring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover.

Hockadoo!

"The sun is sinkin' and time's got me thinkin'-
As we grow old, will our love stay strong,
Or will it disappear?
Tomorrow's unknown, but today is our own.
So take my hand, hold on with no fear,
'Cause baby, 'cause baby, 'cause baby- I'm here."

"Whoa, there's one way to live, be kind and forgive.
I have the power in me!
Follow me where I lead, I'll meet ev'ry need.
We will endure what life has in store.
Have faith and believe, like the air that you breathe-
Love will stand when all else falls.
Love will stand when all else falls."

Where I Belong....

I am happy to say that while I may not have been blogging the last few months, I haven't been hiding under a rock ;) I have been performing in a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore! It has been absolutely wonderful and I will be sad to say goodbye to such a fun show ~ being on stage again has renewed my zest for life, and interacting with so many talented thespians has been an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience. I have learned so much and look forward to working with this company again!

Over the past month, every time I have arrived at the theatre for a rehearsal or performance, I find myself humming (and/or singing) "The World Above" from The Little Mermaid. It probably comes as no surprise that Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess - she is a fellow hope-filled [red-headed] dreamer - adventurous & stubborn, putting her heart above all else. So much of what she says resonates with my own heart as I inch ever-nearer to Broadway: "I don't know when, I don't know how...watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of that world."

I was meant for the stage...this is where I belong.

"It’s like my life was wrong
And somehow, now, at last I’m in
My own skin
Up here in the world above!"

"It feels so right here
Warm as love...
Life seems to be
Almost calling to me"

You Don't Know....

Hello, friends!
Today will be a short post -- and while it is not a showtune, it is full of beautiful Broadway peoples.  I'm loving this brilliant lip-synced montage of "What Makes You Beautiful" starring the cast and crew of Broadway's ANYTHING GOES (I think 1,000 of the 46,000+ now 382,967+ views are probably from me). This is a truly amazing group of people ... and I hope to work alongside them one day.
To the amazing people working at ANYTHING GOES: Thank you for inspiring me, and taking the time to share happiness. Brava for following your dreams!
To my fellow DREAMERS: Don't give up. While no one may know exactly what you're going through, everyone struggles on the path to their dreams - and your fellow dreamers want to help you succeed. You are not alone.
... This is for YOU ~ Have a truly terrific Tuesday wherever you may be!

"You're insecure, don't know what for...

Don't need make-up to cover up,

Being who you are is enough."

"You don't know you're beautiful...

That's what makes you beautiful."