*Memory Jars*

My Memory Jar <3

Right before the new year started I saw a post on Instagram about starting the year with an empty jar and filling it with notes about good things that happen throughout the year.  Then you go back at the end of the year and read about all the wonderful things that happened in the past year!  Kristina was staying with me at the end of January and also sent me an e-mail about a Memory Jar which I excitedly told her I wanted to do!

I went to Michael's and picked up some big mason jars, black shimmery ribbon, gold glittery letters (for everyone's first initial), and then gold rhinestones to decorate our jars.  Then on a Girl's Night filled with cheese, wine, cookie dough and 'The Bachelor,' I told the gals we were going to be doing this starting in the month of February and on Valentine's Day 2018 we would read the notes from our Memory Jars.  Kristina picked up some black cardstock and gold markers to make the jar look pretty on both the inside and outside because at the end of the day, it's what's on the inside <3

The gals told me they've already started filling their jars with exciting news!  I've included getting my script registered and copywritten with the Writer's Guild and Library of Congress and just recently Valentine's Day surprises.  I look forward to filling the jar with good memories and all of us getting together to share the fabulous story of 2017!

Resolutions & Goals for 2017

As we've gotten settled into January and the new year, I took some time to figure out what I wanted for myself this year.  With the life-changing year of 2016, I am really excited to welcome 2017.  Out with the old and in with the new, and here's to a fresh new start with stronger relationships, more creativity, positivity, yummy food, and work!

Last year I took a Master Class at the Ruskin School, working with Chris Mulkie, Paul Sand, Billy DaMota, Paul Ruddy, Bruce Davisson, and more.  I learned so much over the weeks and certainly grew as an Actor.  These Actors & Coaches (including John Ruskin) pulled so much out of me and brought new ideas and intentions for me to work on.  I'm always striving to learn new techniques that make me stronger in my choices.  I started producing some of my Aftershows at Afterbuzz TV as well, and brought in a ton of guests to talk about 'Supernatural.'  This show continues to pick up steam and just got renewed for Season 13...woo!  We had a few Improv Shows and I've been actively involved in our weekly Improv classes.  CAC Studios had also re-opened 'Thenardier's Inn' and I got to do some Princess Shows on top of our adult shows.  I even stretched my range by working with some talented actors for 'One Night Stands,' which was a blast and challenge.  I can't wait to get involved with some new projects this year, film with my friends, creating our own work, and get myself out more often!

'No day but today!' ~ Rent (Photo by Angel Romero)

I grew in the kitchen too, thanks to Blue Apron.  The girls from Lubitsch gifted me a couple weeks at Christmas time, and I actually kept up with it because I love to cook.  It makes it so much easier when the ingredients and recipes are delivered right to your door and all you have to do is cook it up.  I'm looking forward to making some of these recipes on my own now!  I Hosted my first Dinner Party last week and can't wait to have another one.  Health and fitness-wise, I've been working really hard and thankfully can still enjoy my favorite foods but need to make sure to keep up with my work-outs because it's definitely harder to stay in shape in your 30's.  Water has been a huge part of the last year, as I've made sure to drink a minimum of eight glasses a day and I can truly say I've seen a difference in my skin (it looks clearer and brighter), I very rarely have a headache, hangovers are far less regular, and I don't crave sweets or sugary drinks like I used to.  I always have a bottle of water with me, wherever I go, so that makes it super easy to keep up with my water intake.

My circle of friends has grown and become tighter and I've gotten so much closer with my family as well.  Everyone has come together during some hard times and I couldn't be more grateful for my wonderful family and friends.  I also gained a new family member; Rutherford B Hayes, has come into my life, stolen my heart, and I love that little man more than words can express.  He has helped me get through some of the toughest times in the past year.  It's insane to realize how much he has impacted my life.  And it was an honor to become a God-Mother to my cousins little girl, Alina!  We got to see our whole Jacoby side of the family for Monica & Tyler's Wedding this past Summer in Newport Beach.  As we all make transitions into our lives without my Mom, I know that my relationships with those that are important will flourish.  Thank you to those incredible people.

The gals and I made a couple trips to Vegas in the past year, I went back to Wisconsin a few times, and was able to check out some new restaurants here in LA, have more Girl's Nights and Game Nights, and also saw some wonderful theater and shows.  I was inspired and even started writing my own sitcom and am very excited to make progress on that this year.  That is one of my driving forces right now to keep me in LA.  I don't know exactly where I want to go next but I know that I need to give my all in order to feel fulfilled in what I've done here in LA if I do want to move somewhere else.  But I've got at least one more year here in LA and know that it'll only bring more success because I've got dreams, and I'm going to make them happen!

I'm charging into 2017 with a passion and drive that won't be stopped!  Here we go...

Resolutions and Goals for 2016

This year has already been life-changing, difficult, and positive, all wrapped into one.  I'm hoping the drive that I started 2016 with to make progressions in my career continues, that my new philosophy on life takes exciting direction, that my family and I continue to grow closer together as we've already built stronger bonds of love, that I experiment in the Kitchen and make at least one new dish a month, and that I make my Mom proud in my decisions and choices.

Last year I wanted to do something every day that scared me; I like to think that I did that but I'm sure there were days that I felt fearful about something and let that fear take over.  It's natural and as long as I know that from fear comes growth, I just have to challenge myself and be daring.

'You had the power all along, my Dear.' ~ Glinda

I also wanted to be more patient and polite with Customer Service Representatives and Bar Patrons.  I definitely feel like I kept true to that and I will certainly continue to maintain a positive outlook and try to be patient in moments of frustration.  In November I actually started a 'No Complaints' Challenge that was supposed to be seven days...it went on much longer and I was able to keep up with it.  I plan on starting that again since I was really happy doing it and it seemed to positively affect the people around me and inspire them to get involved :)  In addition to that, I also spent some time Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and would like to find some opportunities to volunteer throughout LA!

For the past few years I've made sure to try new restaurants and Happy Hours all over at least once a month.  Dine LA makes that easy since there's so many restaurants throughout Los Angeles and many of them offer a three-course menu for a discounted price.  Plus, there's always a new Happy Hour spot popping up somewhere!  I also wanted to get out of town more often and was able to get back to Wisconsin in September, Palm Springs in July, Arizona in April, and Solvang a couple times as well.

I advanced my career at Afterbuzz TV now taking on Segment Producer for our 'Supernatural' Aftershow.  I took over the role of Madame Thenardier in August for the rest of the run of 'Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret,' where I'd been playing a Lovely Lady since November of 2014, started doing Improv again with our Theater Company, CAC, and also did a few other projects throughout the year.  When you look back on the past year, it's interesting to see all the strides you've made in the right direction and know they are milestones now.

Cheers to another exciting year of adventure, career challenges, love and fun surrounded by positive influences!

Resolutions for 2015

As we're already a couple weeks into 2015, I figured it was time to settle into my resolutions for this year.  I'm really happy with how I kept up with my resolutions from last year and will bring a couple of those goals into this year as can be seen in my previous blog.  I'm excited to start 2015 with a fresh start and clear outlook!

So, on top of my old resolutions to continue, I've got two more to challenge myself.

1. Do something every day that scares me.

'Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can't Lose'

I found this really neat book at Urban Outfitters that has 365 challenges that you can fill in throughout the year, or you can create your own.  Sometimes it's easy to follow, I'm at a restaurant I love and instead of ordering my old stand-by, I get something new that I wouldn't normally try.  In Minneapolis I went up to a guy in a bar (he looked just like the lead singer from Lady Antebellum) gathering courage and support from my best friend and her friend, and gave him my number on a bar coaster.  I ended up having a 10 minute conversation with him and his friends and he actually texted me later that night.  I clearly live in LA and he's from Wisconsin, so the likelihood that anything would ever happen is slim, but trust me, that scared the sh*t out of me!  But life is about taking chances and creating memories, and if you try new things that scare you, you may actually find out that you like it.

2. Be more patient and polite with Customer Service representatives and bar patrons.

It's super easy to get irritated with drunk people at the bar, or Time Warner Cable, when the cable bill goes up $50, etc.  Instead of getting frustrated and either walking away and ignoring these yahoo's at the bar, or venting my anger to the representative, I will choose to leave people better than before I spoke to them or met them.  Everyone has a bad day (me too) but as I always try to see the best in people, I need to find the best in me during those demanding moments, and give my patience instead.  I'm already looking forward to this one...there's always room to be a better person!  Always.

I really learned a lot in 2014 and feel like a stronger person because of it and I'm looking forward to everything that 2015 will bring with a new more positive outlook!  It's really refreshing to experience life when your mind and heart is clear and open <3

Last year's Resolutions completed!

I'm really proud that I was able to complete and work on my resolutions from 2014.  I'll definitely continue working on these in 2015 and add some new ones as well.

Goodbye 2014...you've taught me a lot...

Last year I really wanted to try new restaurants and happy hour's at least once a month and totally kept true to that.  It opened my eyes to new food and drinks as well as experiences.  From The Culver Hotel, Cafe Laurent, Gladstone's in Malibu, The Blind Barber, Mastro's in Beverly Hills, La Vecchia, Public School 310, Alibi Room, C&M Cafe, and BOA in Santa Monica, I dined, and I dined well, usually with wonderful company :)  I will definitely keep that resolution and say I want to do that at least twice a month this year.  With Dine LA starting next week, I'll get a couple new places in for sure, and since I was in Minnesota the first week this month I had a couple great dinner's with my best friend there as well.

Another resolution from last year was to go out of town more often and try new things.  While I only made it home to Wisconsin once, I made the trip to Minnesota at the start of this year.  I had my first trip to Catalina Island for my Birthday and it was absolutely amazing; so beautiful it didn't even feel like LA.  My family and I made a trip to Carmel to visit my cousin and while hiking we were surrounded by breath-taking scenery.  I also made another trip to Phoenix (I seriously want to move there) and did some hiking in the mountains and got to go to fabulous wedding!  This year I got to spend a lot of time with children through Creating Arts as well as my cousin's kids and I really cherish those moments.  I also saw some incredible concerts and shows this past year, Sara Bareilles, 3 Doors Down, 'Ghost' at The Pantages, and more.  I look forward to more new adventures in 2015!

I've been working on advancing my career in new ways and took some more casting director workshops and also got more involved at Afterbuzz TV working on some new shows.  I also interviewed some great people including Misha Collins at Supernatural Con and made some amazing new friends!  I've done a ton of children's shows with Creating Arts Company including our new adult show, 'Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret,' and have learned so much working with our awesome company.  I'd really like to start taking some acting classes this year and do more on-camera work and continue to build my reel.  The short film I did this past year was a blast and I also shot a couple commercials for a great company and innovative brand, as well as a music video about stealing a grill.  I will work even harder this year on doing what I love to do.

Hosting at Afterbuzz TV with our Panel for HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

I've been living in LA for nine years and it's been quite the crazy ride, so here's to another year of memories, fun, and insanity!  Happy 2015 everyone!