Beannachtaí na Nollag daoibh go léir agus Athbhliain faoi
shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh
(Blessings of Christmas and A New Year of Prosperity to You!
[Irish Gaelic])
Happy December everyone! A year ago I could not wait to see
the year come to an end just as some of you probably feel about this year.
After the struggles of last year this year really was a piece of cake… yummy
yummy delicious ice cream cake! I would classify this year as a really good
year for me. I won’t say that it was great though, because without my Dad here
this year really hasn’t been great. It’s been lonely, sad, and a struggle at
times. I have learned that in the hardest times you learn who really is a
friend and who really cares. Once you learn who those people are you know that
together you can get through anything.
For my birthday last year I threw myself a huge party where
a lot of my closest friends came and we all had a great time. Normally my
birthdays haven’t been amazing, and things do not work out for one reason or
another, but this birthday was more than I could have ever asked for. That day
I also discovered the Redlands International Day Spa, which is heaven on earth!
If you haven’t been there I highly recommend it and you can find more
information about them via one of my older blogs and their website.
This year I also kept battling my migraines and through
trying different medications and vitamins and even trying going in for
Magnesium IV treatments, I have been able get my headaches down by almost 50%.
This is a huge improvement and I will keep on fighting them and hopefully find
something that I can do to cut them down even more. I find myself very lucky
that I only suffer from migraines and headaches and not anything worse.
Speaking of being lucky. This year I have been blessed in so
many different ways. I’ve grown closer to dear friends and family, I’ve gone to
several concerts (Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, The Lumineers, and Mumford and
Sons to name a few), I finally got a career position at UCR (after 2 and ½ years
as a temp), became a board member at The Redlands Footlighters, special thanks
to my Dad (and Mom) for a trip to Ireland, and LOTS of different theatre
opportunities! The trip to Ireland was amazing! My Mom used some of the life
insurance money from my Dad passing and took my brother, and I on this
adventure. I cannot wait until I get to go back there. It was the first place I
ever felt 100% at peace, and was the first trip that, at the end of it, I didn’t
want to come back home. I know one day I will travel back there and again feel
the Irish calm come over me again. At the Footlighters this year I assistant
directed two productions and was lucky to be picked to direct The Rainmaker. Before The Rainmaker I directed two winning one
acts in CAST Player’s first ever National Playwriting completion. To get so
much experience in one year, and to work with such talented and passionate
people, is a dream come true, and keeps me motivated to keep growing as a
director. I know all of these wonderful blessings will continue to be with me
in this next coming year and forever!
This time next year I hope to be finishing my first
quarter/semester in graduate school. Currently I am applying to 7 different
grad schools to get my Masters in Directing. We’ll see how it goes… Last year for the first time I made a list of
goals to accomplish this year and honestly that in itself was accomplishing one
goal. I’ll be the first to say that I did not complete the list. Probably not
even close, but I think now, that the goals aren’t so much a list to complete
in a year but a list of goals to continue to do throughout my whole life.
Before the New Year starts (if we all survive the zombie apocalypse that is) I’ll
update the goals list and continue on this adventure we call life.
Now I’d like to give a special thanks to a few of you who
have been so near and dear to me this year:
Ali- You are such a delight to be around and such a
beautiful actress! Thank you for welcoming me into your life and The
Footlighters. Also thank you for writing and sending in those letters of Rec
for me! You inspire me to follow through on all I say I’ll do! It has been a
joy getting to know you and work with you this year!
Caitlin- I know we just met, but I feel like we have been
friends for a long time! Thank you for listening to me and letting me open up
to you without any judgment! You were the perfect Lizzie and I really could not
have imagined someone better to come and play her! Even if you move to NV I
know we will still be friends (and I’ll totally have a place to crash when I come
to Vegas duh! Sorry David ;-))
Cat, Kevin, Tom, and Vicki- You four make me so happy! I
love all of you and all of your silliness and hard work! Thank you for always
looking out for me and for letting me into your lives. You guys are so talented
and such inspirations to me!
Dane- Aww the male introverted version of myself. Thank you
for working on the one acts with me and for always being there for me, even if I’m
being crazy and on the verge of being irrational. I’m so glad we have grown
closer and you are one of the few people who understands my strange passions
for Batman, serial killers (and shows about serial killers), puppets, Community,
and my endless search for peace and zenness (zenness is a word right? No? Well,
as your lawyer I say it is now!). In the words of our Mormon Dude “Woooooo”
Darcie- I love your passion for your students and everything
you do! I wish all kids were lucky enough to have teachers like you to
encourage and push them to do their best. You inspire me to do my best, and
your can do attitude is refreshing. Speaking of refreshing, thank you for
always keeping my glass full at parties and a smile on my face!
Frances- Online I see your students post such beautiful
things about you and I know and can feel that every word they say about you is
true. Thank you for being so kind and wonderful to not only myself but my
family as well! Your food not only fills my belly with such tasty goodness it
also fells my soul with so much love and positive energy! I wish there were
more people like you in this world!
Jennifer- Long live the CLUT! I love that we are both
applying to grad schools and I secretly hope that we somehow end up close to
each other or even at the same school. How amazing would that be?! Thank you
for always and forever being there for me though the craziness that is my life.
I love that you and your family welcome me into your family and lives! I will
forever be your favorite monster!
John and Tiffany- Over the past few years you two have been
so kind and supportive of me! I wish you both the best of luck once you
graduate and go out into the world. I will truly miss you and remember you!
Thank you for coming out to my show and forever silly joke and visit!
Kevin- You never fail to make me smile and laugh! And now I
know to be careful about sharing drinks with you at parties! I look forward to
hearing about you’re spiritual journey when you get back.
Mark- What can I say about you that you don’t already know? I
love you and love your support and ENDLESS encouragement! Even when I make you
so upset I know it normally is because you really want the best for me and that
you care so much for me! And if it isn’t for the reasons stated above it’s
because I’m a slob and I’m sorry for that :-p . Thank you for always helping
me, and helping with my shows, also thank you for accepting me, even with all
of my faults.
Matt- I know this year has not been the easiest this year
but know that things do mellow out. I hope this next year brings you tons of
adventures and that you continue to work and follow your dreams! We need to
hangout more! Get a better hours at work so we can hang out :-p
Mom- Thank you for bringing me into this crazy world! I cannot
thank you enough for Ireland and I know we will get back there one day. This
year has been rough but you are so strong and I know Dad is still with you and
watching out for you. Heres to next year and what amazing adventures it holds
for us! (Again assuming we survive the zombie apocalypse)
Pedro- Thank you for all the laughs, jokes, and for all of
your inspiration (Seriously! You inspired me to write this blog! Thanks!). You
really are a funny, talented man and I can’t wait to see what the future holds
for you! You have listened to me through laughter and tears and I cannot say
thank you enough for all of your support! As our friendship continues to grow
and as our jokes become stranger and more off the wall I grow happier and
happier that you are in my life!
Russ- You one of the smartest people I know. I couldn’t ask
for a better brother… Oh wait maybe I could… maybe a rich one who pays all my
bills and cleans my car and my apt… and… J/K!!! But all joking aside I loved
hanging out with you in Ireland and I would again in a heartbeat attack and go
over anyone who was trying to hurt you no matter what country we are in or what
chain that person has wrapped around their hand. You have such great stories,
wise words, and a kind heart that I can only hope to reach that kind of level
of awesomeness one day.
Sable- MY SISTER!!! I miss you and am so proud of you! I cannot
wait to until I get to see you again! Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me
even after all these years! You are getting the biggest hug from me the next
time I see you!!!
Sean- Mr. Longstreet… What can I say to such a calm and
caring person? You are always so helpful and have taught me to know my limits
and know that sometimes the healthiest thing to do is say “no.” You always
welcome me into your home and life and I can’t thank you enough for that. Your friendship
means the world to me, and thanks for always letting me speak freely and
openly, and you never judge me (at least not seriously).
Sydney- My dear friend! I love all of our time together and
all of the silliness! I love that you went back to school and are pursuing
photography! I cannot wait to see your photos up one day in fancy places! Who
knew that years ago when we met at a party that we would grow into being such
great friends!
The Rainmaker Cast- I love you and miss you all! All of you
worked so hard and brought the story to life! I can’t wait to see the next
stories you all help bring to life. I had so much fun working on this show and
working with all of you I will always remember you guys and this show. BEER!!!
Vanessa- “Rue, who when you ask her what she loves most in
the world, replies, of all things, “Music.” ― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games.
When I hear this quote I think of you and your passion for Mumford and Sons!
Vanessa thank you for being so understanding and kind when it comes to me! And
for sharing your passion of music and life with me! I’m so lucky to have you in
my life and to have you as one of my best friends! Thank you for always
encouraging me to do my best and to stay positive! I always have so much fun
when we hang out! Thank you!
Veronica- I love your laugh and your attitude in life! You
are so sweet and kind and funny that I’m glad to have you in my life! Also I’m
glad I get to see you more than just one a year now! I need more Veronica in my
life!
Yvonne- Dr. Flack! I can’t wait until it’s official so I can
start calling you Doc! Thank you for opening your life, home, heart, and mind
to me! I think you are one of the top people who loves my silliness and that
only encourages me to be sillier (So really if I ever get to silly it’s totally
your fault)! Thank you for sharing your doggies with me and letting me claim
one as my husband!
