May the 4th Be With You!

Happy Star Wars Day!   I know I'm such a dork!

It's Friday, which means it's time to fill in some blanks!  But before we get to that, let me fill you in on what I've been up to lately.

First of all, it's dead week here at LSU, but I personally believe it should be called "Death Week."  School life is super busy with classes wrapping up.  I've been using every free second I have to study.  Well except for the seconds I'm using to write this blog post.  But this is for my own personal health!   There's so much in my brain right now that I'm having trouble thinking through the simplest things (What's my name again?).  I need a brain dump!

One of the big parts of dead week for me this year is preparing for Singo De Mayo. What is that, you ask?  Well, this semester, I am taking LSU's only (undergrad) Musical Theatre class (C'mon, LSU, get with the times!).  For our final exam, we are performing a showcase of songs from musical theatre this Sunday, May 6, at 7:30 PM in the Shaver Theatre in LSU's MDA Building.  This showcase is called "Singo de Mayo."  It really is a ton of fun and we always have a huge crowd, but it's a lot of hard work! It really is amazing all that we can do and get accomplished in one semester.  If you're in the Baton Rouge Area, you should definitely check it out!  Go to http://www.music.lsu.edu/ for tickets!  OR, if you're not in the Baton Rouge area, you can watch the whole thing streamed live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lsu-school-of-music.

As if that didn't keep me busy enough, I am also also assistant stage managing The 39 Steps at Baton Rouge Little Theater.  We've been in tech rehearsal all week and the show opens tonight.  And you definitely don't want to miss it! This show is absolutely hilarious!  It's pretty tech heavy too.  Luckily, the crew is absolutely fantastic.  They are so on top of everything and make my job so much easier.  I am having such a blast working with them and the cast!  It opens tonight and runs through May 20th.  For ticket info, go to www.brlt.org.

And, to top it all off, the boyfriend has started making me run (something that my body just wasn't meant to do).  Guys, I totally suck at running.  After about a quarter of a mile, I'm ready to crawl into a hole and die.  Right now, we're running the "small" lake at LSU and every time we pass ducks, I always beg them to let me stay with them.  Did y'all know that ducks have a stink eye?  I've been using the Nike +GPS iPhone app, which, in theory, is pretty cool because it tracks your route and pace and how many calories you've burned.  But then when you check your pace and it looks like this, it doesn't seem as cool anymore...

Look at all that red....just sitting there being so.....red.  Stop taunting me, red!

So, yes, life is crazy busy at the moment.  But it's a good kind of busy.  I'm busy with things that I truly love doing (well, except the running.....but supposedly I will eventually get good enough at it that I'll actually be able to tolerate it.  And then (hopefully) I'll eventually enjoy it.  Supposedly...).  Still, I'll be very relieved once I make it to Wednesday and I'll be able to take school out of the equation for a while.

Oh, and on a slightly unrelated note, my allergies have been a beast this week!  Has anyone else been having major allergy problems like I have? 

Fill in the blanks on your own blog and link up here.

1.  My bedtime routine includes taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and washing my face.  I hate going to bed feeling gross and dirty.  Once I'm in bed, I usually spend about 30 minutes or so on my laptop or watching tv.  I know sleep experts say you're not supposed to do that, but I do it anyway.  It works for me!  Of course, that's on a normal day.  Lately, my night time routine has consisted of just falling and hoping I hit the bed. Because once I'm down, I'm not getting back up.

2. I am super busy this weekend, but also super excited about this weekend.  I'll spend tomorrow afternoon studying, but other than that, I'll be doing theater stuff all weekend!  I'm super excited for Singo on Sunday night!

3. I can't stand fruit because of the smell and texture. Yuck!!

4.  My idea of relaxation would be a week at the beach with a book, Pinterest, and people I love.  Luckily, I get that every year. :)

5.  If I had an extra $50, I would use it for gas or put it toward my credit card bill.  I know, that's not a very interesting answer, but that's life, you know?

6.  A recipe I've been dying to try is anything on any of my food Pinterest boards!  For example...

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Emily on Pinterest

Pesto and Mozzerella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Source: closetcooking.com via Emily on Pinterest

Artichoke Bread

Source: crockpotladies.com via Emily on Pinterest

Crock Pot Cheesecake

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fill-In-The-Blank Friday

One word to describe this week: Hectic.  And it's going to stay that way for the next 12 days.  Not only do I have finals, but I also have rehearsals for Singo de Mayo (which is a performance that is part of my musical theater class) and 39 Steps at Baton Rouge Little Theater (which I am assistant stage managing).  I think tonight is my last night to really enjoy the calm before the storm.   Don't get me wrong, it's a good storm—like an afternoon storm on the beach—but it's a storm, nonetheless.

Time for Fill-In-The-Blank Friday!

Fill in the blanks on your own blog and link up here!

1.  When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is roll over and hit the snooze button.  I am not a morning person AT ALL.  But once I'm up, the first thing I have to do is brush my teeth and wash my face or else I just feel gross.

2. I can hardly wait for summer.  I DESPERATELY need a break.  It's been a roller coaster of a semester and I am ready to get off, get some cotton candy and, ride the carousel.

3.  The quickest way to my heart is through the meet-and-greet line because theatre is so important to me.  If you come see me in a show, it means so much to me and I'll never forget it.

4.  A little known fact about me is that I'm left handed.

5.  The best part about my (future) job is the impact I'll have on the kids I'll be working with.  I got to get a tiny taste of being and SLP this semester and I absolutely loved it.  I am so excited about my future.

6.  Something I just couldn't live without is chapstick.  And chocolate.

7.  Something useful that I wish I knew how to do was use a dslr in manual mode.   I really want to learn to take better pictures.  If only I could afford a DSLR.... *dreams*

Fill-In-The Blank Friday

Woohoo! It's Friday!  Not that I'll get to relax much this weekend...It's getting to be that time of the semester when everything happens at once so the next 2 and 1/2 and half weeks are going to be super busy.

But right now, I'm just lying in bed enjoying the fact that I don't have to get up and go to school tomorrow (even though I still have to go to work, but at least I don't have to study for work!)

Let's celebrate with...

Fill in the blanks on your own blog then link up here!

1) Today is a great day because it's Friday!  I also had a really awesome morning at a school related thing.

2) Tomorrow, I will go to work, then rush home to get ready for a performance with my musical theater class.  Unfortunately, that performance means that I have to miss my boyfriend's Senior recital tomorrow night.  That makes me super sad.

3) My favorite time of the day is the evening because I can just relax.  I alway try to take a little time in the evening to just shut down.  My brain is off and nothing else matters for just a little bit. I finally get a chance to reflect on (or in some cases, block out) all of the things that happened that day.  If it was a good day, I can go to bed happy and relaxed.  If it was a bad day, I can go to bed knowing that tomorrow is a new chance.

4) Sometimes you just have to sit alone in your car, listen to calm music, and remember what life's all about.

5) A song that I can't get enough of lately is "Rumor Has It" by Adele.  I'm not even a huge Adele fan (as a trained singer, it hurts my vocal chords to listen to some of her songs) but I just really love that song!  It's fun and upbeat and very "I'm Awesome!"-ish.

6) My favorite accessory is my rings and a pair of earrings and/or a necklace.  I feel naked without my rings!  I used to go long periods of time without wearing earrings and have even had to "repeirce" them myself a few times.  But since I started working at a jewelry store last summer,  I try to wear them a few days a week.

7)  My favorite thing about this week was filming and editing a project for school. That sounds so dorky, doesn't it? But it's true!  I had a group project for one of my classes that involved creating a video presentation.  Normally, I dread group projects, but I won the group project lottery this time!  My group was organized and enthusiastic and actually wanted to do a good project! (Imagine that!)  We used my university's CxC studio which was fantastic!  We got to use a presentation room with Macs, a Smartboard, a flip camera, Apple tv, plus great help from the staff.  I was originally dreading this project, but the combination of my group and the CxC studio made the project so easy and enjoyable! And I think we have an awesome project (a week before it is due, I might add.)

Have a great weekend, guys! Watch out for clowns!

Another Pinterest Post

What can I say?  I simply cannot get enough of Pinterest!  I even spent an hour (or two...) Tuesdsay night organizing my Pinterest boards.  My Pinterest Profile is so pretty right now :)

Source: alifemorefabulous.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sheldonrachel.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I have recently rediscovered my love for French Toast (probably because I discovered that I make really good french toast!)  This picture is making me drool right now.

Source: nastygal.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: zappos.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: buzzfeed.com via Emily on Pinterest

There was definitely room for two.

Source: pinimg.bianchengyijia.com via Emily on Pinterest

I love the simplicity of this dress.

Source: thefoodgospelaccordingtoruth.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: userpics.com via Emily on Pinterest

An Adventure

This blog post is so long overdue.  I've been meaning to write it for two months now, but life just kept happening and blogging kept getting pushed further and further down the to-do list.  There have been movies to watch, shows to perform, tests to study for, projects to do, people to love, friends to meet,  rehearsals to watch, and jellybeans to eat!

But here it is guys.  I'm finally about to tell you about the time I took a pole dancing class.

Yes.  You read that correct.  I, shy, quiet, modest Emily, took a pole dancing class.

And I had so much fun!

As you know, I recently closed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Baton Rouge Little Theater.  I played Tintinabula, one of the courtesans.  Courtesans are Grecian..well....how can I put this?.... Well... they're Grecian prostitutes.  They are sexy, confident, alluring women for sale. And our dances reflected that.  But the thing is, we didn't all feel sexy, confident, or alluring at the beginning of rehearsals.  We were stressing about how revealing our costumes would be.  We were worried we would mess up or choreography.  We were worried that in our attempts to be sexy, we would just look silly (even though I know our choreographer would never let us look stupid or silly.  We were in good hands.)  Towards the end of our first courtesan dance rehearsal, someone casually mentioned that taking something like a pole-dancing or belly dancing class might be a fun way to bond and find our confidence.  We all agreed that was a good idea, but to be honest, I didn't think it would actually happen.  Save for one girl, none of us had ever taken a class like that, and it would probably be hard to find a time, date, and place that worked for everyone.

We obviously had nothing to worry about with our costumes. I mean, do we look awesome or what.

Call it fate, call it destiny, call it kismet, call just a simple coincidence.  But the next day, our choreographer e-mailed me the link to that day's Groupon....for Pole Dancing Classes.  I immediately e-mailed the rest of the girls and we all bought a Groupon.  We had no excuses not to do it.

We decided to go on a Friday afternoon/evening that we had off from rehearsal.  We went to The Perfect Poleforma in Baton Rouge.  Individual classes are normally $25, but with the Groupon, we were able to get them for $12.  The classes are super small and, most importantly, no boys allowed!  Our group of 6 was the entire class.

We had such a blast!  Our instructor was fantastic.  But you know what surprised us?  Pole dancing is HARD!  I know, that sounds so arrogant. But good pole dancers it look so much easier than it is.  We we're kind of expecting to just go in, jump on a pole, and swing around like superstars.  That definitely did not happen.  I looked goofy and ridiculous and I could not stop laughing!  I used muscles that I didn't know I could use.  Pole dancing requires so much upper body strength.  I know, that seems so obvious. The next day, I was sore in places that I didn't know could be sore.  My armpits were sore!

I can't speak for the other girls, but I know that at our next dance rehearsal, I felt so much more confident and...dare I say it...sexy!  I can't really explain it.  I just felt so sure of my self and my character.  Groupon, or no Groupon, it doesn't matter.  That feeling is priceless.

Oh, How Pinteresting!

One of the wonderful things about Spring Break is that I can waste away hours on Pinterest and not feel guilty about it!  I'm not saying I have wasted away hours...It's just nice to know I have the option to waste away hours.

Let's take a look at what I've been pinning lately.

Source: life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I recently went to Texas Roadhouse for the first time and Oh. My. Goodness.  Those rolls! And that butter!  This is on my short list of recipes to try.

Source: laaloosh.com via Emily on Pinterest

Wings.  Another food I have recently been introduced to, thanks to my lovely boyfriend who is paying absolutely no attention to me right now because he is killing innocent ostriches on Halo. 

I was actually pretty surprised at how much I like wings, but they are so bad for you!  This particular recipe is a weight watchers recipe. Hopefully it will be a good one!  These will be so much cheaper and healthier than going to Buffalo Wild Wings every time we want wings.

Wings is a funny word.

Source: Uploaded by user via Emily on Pinterest

Adopt.  Please, please adopt. 

Source: pinterestfreeguccibag.com via Nielson on Pinterest

I just saw Titanic for the first time last Saturday (which is strange considering how fascinated I am by the real Titanic, but once I found out the movie would be coming back to theaters, I wanted to wait so I could see it on the big screen!) This picture cracks me up!

Source: flickr.com via TwoFisch on Pinterest

So colorful! I love it!

Source: smartphowned.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: bforbel.com via Melissa on Pinterest

This is a water slide that goes through a shark tank in Las Vegas.  Definitely on my bucket list!  Right below swimming with the dolphins.

Source: lolsnaps.com via Theresa on Pinterest

This sounds like something my cat would say if she lived near cow poop.  

And if she could talk...

Source: google.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I think of this picture every time I order a diet coke.

Pepsi is NOT and never will be an acceptable substitution!

Source: youknowyouresouthernwhen.tumblr.com via Jd on Pinterest

This has happened to me several times.

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Bahahahahahaha!

Source: google.com via Shawna on Pinterest

This is such a wonderful idea!!

Source: ebay.com via Katy on Pinterest

So pretty!

Source: wwzdw.com via Wendy on Pinterest

I love this entire outfit and the actress wearing it!

Source: livelifehappy.com via Tonyia on Pinterest

I've finally forgiven myself and I am so much happier!

Source: twicelovely.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Love this dresser!

Source: budgetsavvydiva.com via Jason on Pinterest

I tried making a copycat Papa John's Cinna Pie last week and it didn't quite work.  Maybe this recipe will be better.

Source: realsimple.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

This is useful.

And finally...

Source: theclothspring.com via Elyse on Pinterest

That's all for tonight kiddos.  It's time for me to go unplug my boyfriend's X-Box.  He's been playing Halo for over 4 hours!  I want some attention!

Miss That Dog

I want to thanks everybody who has been praying for my dog Hunter and my family.  Sadly, we had to put Hunter to sleep this past Friday.

Hunter had surgery almost two weeks ago and showed signs of improvement in the days following.  However,  tests results indicated that the tumor that my mother removed from him was metastatic cancer that had most likely spread.  His condition suddenly began to worsen last Thursday and continued to deteriorate Friday.  Although my family is absolutely heart broken over losing him, we knew that it would be unfair and selfish of us to keep him alive for our sake.  He was an amazing dog that didn't deserve to feel any pain.

I love and miss you, Hunter.  I hope there's lots of peanut butter and hummus for you in doggie heaven!