Happy New Year Everyone!
Hello from freezing cold Tulsa, OK. It is 11 degrees and I have never been so cold in my life. The hotel is cold, the theatre is cold, outside is unbearably cold, cold, cold, cold. Next stop is Oklahoma City so we’re expecting the same kind of weather. Norfolk (last week) was in the 20s. So the LBers are definitely experiencing the winter. ☺
But on a happy note…I hope everyone had a beautiful Holiday season and safe/fun New Years Eve! We had a 2 week break after Hershey, PA. I felt so blessed to be able to spend it with the many people I love. New York was perfect: ice skating in central park, shopping on 5th Ave, being in my NY home with my NY family. Then I was onto California where my family and I took a road trip up the Cali coast. We stopped in Pismo Beach, San Francisco, went Horse Back Riding on the beach in Half Moon Bay, made a few more fun beach city stops, visited with extended family in Aptos, then ended the trip at my grandparent’s house (mom’s side) for Christmas Eve and Day.
First update of 2010… pretty weird. It’s always surprising to get to the New Year and recap on everything that happened in the year before. 2009 brought many new challenges, struggles, victories, happiness, heartache, tough decisions, easy decisions, goodbyes, hellos, see ya soons, and many changes for me. It has been quite the whirlwind of a year: Finished college classes March 13th, moved to NY March 18th, went through some personal struggle and soul searching while living in NY for 6 months, got to go home for my graduation ceremony in June, booked High School Musical again for a quick run, and now find myself on the Legally Blonde Tour…as a swing and Elle cover of all things. Never would have thought. When Christmas came around, my family and I realized we hadn’t all 5 (6 including Bentley, our dog) been together since my graduation in June. We all have had such crazy lives that we weren’t all in the same place at once. Crazy how 6 months can fly on by that quickly. Crazy how a YEAR can fly on by that quickly.
So in honor of New Years… it’s obviously resolution time (tis the season). Last year, my resolution was one word that kind of summed up all of my goals: TRUST. Trust myself, trust in others, trust in GOD, and so on. That is still something that I am trying to live everyday. Fear likes to creep on in sometimes. And normally the time where I did not trust, I hurt myself, hurt others, and made some mistakes. But that’s life I guess. As human beings, we’re always in “progress” and every day, every mistake, every heart ache, every person, every conversation… it’s all apart of our progress and journey here on Earth. I could go on and on about this… like I said lots of soul searching. This year, for me, one of my main focuses is other people. I would really like the chance to help others, volunteer, get involved, be better at staying in contact with friends and family, being more open to others, being selfless. I had an amazing plane ride from Norfolk to Tulsa where I sat next to a sweet 90 year old man. After writing down my resolutions of being a better friend, he (not knowing anything about me and my goals) started telling me about all the people he has lost in his life and how special everyone is. He started telling me that if he could tell my generation one thing, it would be to stay close to those you love. I was tearing up the whole time as he started telling me about his wife who passed 7 years ago. They were married for 60 years and he said he still goes to bed missing her. When it was time to get off the plane, he turned to me and said “It was a pleasure riding with you” as the flight attendants helped him to his wheel chair. I looked at my friend Alex and just started crying… happy/moved tears. He was a little gift. And the people in my life are gifts. So please know, if I have been bad at staying in contact, my New Years Resolution is to change that. Thank you all for blessing my life in so many ways. I look forward to some new adventures ahead and catching up! :)
So bring on the challenges and lessons, 2010! But also bring on the joy, happiness, and love love love!
I wish lots of love love love to all you bloggers/readers/friends/family.
Happy Happy New Year!
It’s gonna be a good one!
xoxo
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Homeward Bound!
... remember that movie? I always cried when Sassy went down the waterfall.
Anyways... I'm going home right now! When in doubt, always take Virgin Airlines for flying. I am flying over New Mexico and online! Pretty neato. Since the last update... well I have lived the lush life... as in too much chocolate and wine lush. But when in Rome...or Hershey, PA?...
Sunday after the last show in Hershey, a bunch of us loaded a bus and got into NY at 2am. Our 2 week break had officially started! I spent 4 beautiful/wonderful/fabulous days in NY. I just love that city. Miss it and the people there so much. Had so much fun with visiting friends... including a night where we went ice-skating in Central Park! I also saw Ragtime (so fun to see some friends up there on the b'way), saw Princess and the Frog, and was so excited to have some catch up time with some dear dear friends.
Now onto Californ-I-A!! I get to see my family!! We are taking a trip up to Northern California and stopping in some fun places on the way (ie. San Francisco, Beach, etc). So excited to just "be" with everyone. No work... just play. Ok... maybe I'll work a little bit... but maybe not. : )
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
Sending so much love to everyone.
Anyways... I'm going home right now! When in doubt, always take Virgin Airlines for flying. I am flying over New Mexico and online! Pretty neato. Since the last update... well I have lived the lush life... as in too much chocolate and wine lush. But when in Rome...or Hershey, PA?...
Sunday after the last show in Hershey, a bunch of us loaded a bus and got into NY at 2am. Our 2 week break had officially started! I spent 4 beautiful/wonderful/fabulous days in NY. I just love that city. Miss it and the people there so much. Had so much fun with visiting friends... including a night where we went ice-skating in Central Park! I also saw Ragtime (so fun to see some friends up there on the b'way), saw Princess and the Frog, and was so excited to have some catch up time with some dear dear friends.
Now onto Californ-I-A!! I get to see my family!! We are taking a trip up to Northern California and stopping in some fun places on the way (ie. San Francisco, Beach, etc). So excited to just "be" with everyone. No work... just play. Ok... maybe I'll work a little bit... but maybe not. : )
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
Sending so much love to everyone.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
just a quick update
Hello from Hershey, PA!! Looking forward to the city of chocolate… perfect for the holiday season! But even more excited for the fact that our break is in a week!! Get to go to New York for 4 days next Sunday and then California for 10 days!! Yay!!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I was really spoiled by the Shepard family. My friend Micah Shepard picked Nick (a fellow cast member) and I up in Worcester after our Wednesday show and took us to his parent’s house right outside of Boston. It was such a great holiday! We spent Wed and Thurs. night there and had a beautiful time. It was so nice being with a family for Thanksgiving. So special thanks to them, : )
After our short week in Worcester (we only had 6 shows because of Thanksgiving)… we were off to Wilmington, DE. Had never even heard about the city but fell in love with it when we got there. Mainly because of 2 hot spots that were close to our hotel: The Ale House (a great restaurant and bar) and Presto (a cute coffee shop with board games). The city itself was adorable too. We really adored it.
As for a show update: I finally have gone on for all the ensemble ladies!! I went on for track #5 (judge) in Wilmington!! AND I finish learning Elle this week. So I will be done with learning stuff by the break! FINALLY! And that’s about it… having a great time. I really adore this cast. And it’s such a fun show to be apart of. Happy Happy!
That’s all I got for now : )
Sending big hugs
-Ash
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I was really spoiled by the Shepard family. My friend Micah Shepard picked Nick (a fellow cast member) and I up in Worcester after our Wednesday show and took us to his parent’s house right outside of Boston. It was such a great holiday! We spent Wed and Thurs. night there and had a beautiful time. It was so nice being with a family for Thanksgiving. So special thanks to them, : )
After our short week in Worcester (we only had 6 shows because of Thanksgiving)… we were off to Wilmington, DE. Had never even heard about the city but fell in love with it when we got there. Mainly because of 2 hot spots that were close to our hotel: The Ale House (a great restaurant and bar) and Presto (a cute coffee shop with board games). The city itself was adorable too. We really adored it.
As for a show update: I finally have gone on for all the ensemble ladies!! I went on for track #5 (judge) in Wilmington!! AND I finish learning Elle this week. So I will be done with learning stuff by the break! FINALLY! And that’s about it… having a great time. I really adore this cast. And it’s such a fun show to be apart of. Happy Happy!
That’s all I got for now : )
Sending big hugs
-Ash
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Oh Hey November... there you are!!
So the summer clothes are shipped home and we have now entered winter.
Hello from Worcester, Mass!!
From 90 degree weather to 40… oh dear. Fingers crossed everyone stays healthy this week since we are going through such rapid changes.
Ft. Lauderdale was absolutely incredible! We were there for 2 weeks and 2 days (came in on a Sunday night and left on a Tuesday) so we were able to have 3 full days off (Mondays) in beautiful weather. AMAZING!! The first one consisted of getting familiar with Ft Lauderdale, enjoying the Embassy Suites pool, and relaxing. The third day off was when Bobby (my New York roommate) was here!!! So Bobby, Alex, Candice, and I went to Miami and spent the day there. Absolutely stunning and so so much fun! Then the third day off was errands day with a touch of Twilight… as in seeing New Moon (my new guilty pleasure). During the rest of our stay (when we weren’t in rehearsal or shows) we enjoyed time at the Ft Lauderdale beach. What a fun place to be!! Not only was the water warm (couldn’t get me out of the water) and the sun was out, but there was a fun strip of restaurants and beach wear stores. So we were able to spend long days there. There was also a great street called Las Olas near the theatre. So if we were stuck in rehearsal all day… there was a fun place to escape to during the breaks. Ft. Lauderdale was also a city of visitors!! Like I mentioned earlier, BOBBY CAME for a whole week!!! It was so nice to have him here. I have not stopped learning things and going since High School Musical with Theatre of the Stars. Having him here grounded me a bit and I was able to relax for the first time in awhile. We were mistaken as honeymooners a couple times… I was all about playing along… Bobby not so much. But he eased into it and pretty soon called me his sugarmama…. Duh! ;-) Miss him already. And then I had another surprise… My Aunt Suzy!! Turns out she was in Miami for business so she drove out to see me and her friend! We spent the day on Las Olas and then she and her friend came and saw the show! So fun! I felt so spoiled!
In also exciting news… LAURA D’ANDRE (one of my besties from college) BOOKED RIZZO IN THE GREASE NATIONAL TOUR!!! Yayyyyy!! What was really neat was the fact that they were in West Palm Beach.. only 45 minutes away. So not only did I get to see Bobby and my Aunt… I got to see Laura!! Unfortunately, she was not in the show yet… still in rehearsals and makes her debut on Dec 1st (can you tell I am so stoked for her). BUT a bunch of us Legally Blonders went and saw the show when we had the daytime off and then they came and saw our show Sunday night (I was on as Mom). So it was really neat to see what Laura gets to be apart of and she got to see what I’ve been up to. She is going to knock the role out of the ballpark. So if Grease comes to a city near you… go cheer her on!! We also had a Legally Blonde and Grease bowling night after our shows. We met at a bowling alley in the middle of our two locations, met the cast, played a couple rounds, and had so much fun! All my worlds were colliding that night… kind of surreal. Laura my bestie from college, Bobby my bestie from High School Musical, and my LB cast… again… felt so spoiled! It was such a fun night! I love my friends!
And even though it will be cold, I get to be spoiled this week and have Thanksgiving dinner with my dear friend Micah and his family!! They live in Boston, which isn’t too far from Worcester, so it will be so so nice to have Thanksgiving with them. I cannot wait!
As far as the show… 2 people left this past week: Nathan our company manager and the talented Sara Sheperd who played Kate/Chutney. Nathan is leaving us for the broadway and Shep will be Fanny Brice in Funny Girl in Chicago!! Both very good excuses to leave so we are thrilled for them--even though we were sad to lose them. But we have two new members of the LB family and we are really excited to have them aboard! Actually… the new Kate/Chutney was the original swing (as in my track!!) And she is so cool! So yay new people!! But we will miss the old!
As for me… Elle is the only thing I have left to learn completely. I have learned all her music and almost all lines and choreography… just need my blocking. Enid and Serena are done… I have gone on for 4 out of the 5 ensemble tracks and will get to do the 5th one (the judge) next week!! So by the layoff… I should have all ensemble girls done!! Finally!! By the layoff it’ll be my halfway mark in my contract too. CRAZY! Time is flying on by! Definitely looking forward to the layoff with my family and a quick trip to NY!! Just 3 more weeks : )
Whoa that’s a long update! Hope everyone has a beautiful and wonderful Thanksgiving. It’ll be my first Thanksgiving away from home… weird. Growing up….weird. ☺ But so thankful for the experiences and the people around me this holiday season. Sending lots and lots of love and happy wishes.
We had a dresser a couple weeks ago who would say “shine on” instead of break legs or good wishes… thought that was pretty sweet. So..
Shine on ya’ll,
Ashley
Hello from Worcester, Mass!!
From 90 degree weather to 40… oh dear. Fingers crossed everyone stays healthy this week since we are going through such rapid changes.
Ft. Lauderdale was absolutely incredible! We were there for 2 weeks and 2 days (came in on a Sunday night and left on a Tuesday) so we were able to have 3 full days off (Mondays) in beautiful weather. AMAZING!! The first one consisted of getting familiar with Ft Lauderdale, enjoying the Embassy Suites pool, and relaxing. The third day off was when Bobby (my New York roommate) was here!!! So Bobby, Alex, Candice, and I went to Miami and spent the day there. Absolutely stunning and so so much fun! Then the third day off was errands day with a touch of Twilight… as in seeing New Moon (my new guilty pleasure). During the rest of our stay (when we weren’t in rehearsal or shows) we enjoyed time at the Ft Lauderdale beach. What a fun place to be!! Not only was the water warm (couldn’t get me out of the water) and the sun was out, but there was a fun strip of restaurants and beach wear stores. So we were able to spend long days there. There was also a great street called Las Olas near the theatre. So if we were stuck in rehearsal all day… there was a fun place to escape to during the breaks. Ft. Lauderdale was also a city of visitors!! Like I mentioned earlier, BOBBY CAME for a whole week!!! It was so nice to have him here. I have not stopped learning things and going since High School Musical with Theatre of the Stars. Having him here grounded me a bit and I was able to relax for the first time in awhile. We were mistaken as honeymooners a couple times… I was all about playing along… Bobby not so much. But he eased into it and pretty soon called me his sugarmama…. Duh! ;-) Miss him already. And then I had another surprise… My Aunt Suzy!! Turns out she was in Miami for business so she drove out to see me and her friend! We spent the day on Las Olas and then she and her friend came and saw the show! So fun! I felt so spoiled!
In also exciting news… LAURA D’ANDRE (one of my besties from college) BOOKED RIZZO IN THE GREASE NATIONAL TOUR!!! Yayyyyy!! What was really neat was the fact that they were in West Palm Beach.. only 45 minutes away. So not only did I get to see Bobby and my Aunt… I got to see Laura!! Unfortunately, she was not in the show yet… still in rehearsals and makes her debut on Dec 1st (can you tell I am so stoked for her). BUT a bunch of us Legally Blonders went and saw the show when we had the daytime off and then they came and saw our show Sunday night (I was on as Mom). So it was really neat to see what Laura gets to be apart of and she got to see what I’ve been up to. She is going to knock the role out of the ballpark. So if Grease comes to a city near you… go cheer her on!! We also had a Legally Blonde and Grease bowling night after our shows. We met at a bowling alley in the middle of our two locations, met the cast, played a couple rounds, and had so much fun! All my worlds were colliding that night… kind of surreal. Laura my bestie from college, Bobby my bestie from High School Musical, and my LB cast… again… felt so spoiled! It was such a fun night! I love my friends!
And even though it will be cold, I get to be spoiled this week and have Thanksgiving dinner with my dear friend Micah and his family!! They live in Boston, which isn’t too far from Worcester, so it will be so so nice to have Thanksgiving with them. I cannot wait!
As far as the show… 2 people left this past week: Nathan our company manager and the talented Sara Sheperd who played Kate/Chutney. Nathan is leaving us for the broadway and Shep will be Fanny Brice in Funny Girl in Chicago!! Both very good excuses to leave so we are thrilled for them--even though we were sad to lose them. But we have two new members of the LB family and we are really excited to have them aboard! Actually… the new Kate/Chutney was the original swing (as in my track!!) And she is so cool! So yay new people!! But we will miss the old!
As for me… Elle is the only thing I have left to learn completely. I have learned all her music and almost all lines and choreography… just need my blocking. Enid and Serena are done… I have gone on for 4 out of the 5 ensemble tracks and will get to do the 5th one (the judge) next week!! So by the layoff… I should have all ensemble girls done!! Finally!! By the layoff it’ll be my halfway mark in my contract too. CRAZY! Time is flying on by! Definitely looking forward to the layoff with my family and a quick trip to NY!! Just 3 more weeks : )
Whoa that’s a long update! Hope everyone has a beautiful and wonderful Thanksgiving. It’ll be my first Thanksgiving away from home… weird. Growing up….weird. ☺ But so thankful for the experiences and the people around me this holiday season. Sending lots and lots of love and happy wishes.
We had a dresser a couple weeks ago who would say “shine on” instead of break legs or good wishes… thought that was pretty sweet. So..
Shine on ya’ll,
Ashley
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
summer in November
Hello from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!!! Weird to be in 80 degree weather in November… but here we are! We just got finished with doing a week run in Melbourne, FL where we had ocean view rooms right on the beach. It was absolutely stunning. Rhiannon (my roommate) and I slept every night with the doors open to listen to the waves. After the shows we would go to the hot tub under the stars and we would get up in the morning to run on the beach or lay out for a bit. One day we decided it would be a good idea to go in the water. Well… lets just say I got in a fight with a wave and the wave won. I hit my chin on the round really hard and ended up with a bleeding battle wound : ) but not too dramatic… didn’t need stitches thank goodness… but boy did it knock the wind out of me. Florida waves are no joke!!
As far as the show… I had my Mom debut this week!! So much fun and definitely the hardest track in the show… so I am so happy to knock that one down. So only 1 more ensemble track to go on for. I have now learned 7 out of 8 tracks… the only one left is Elle!! So we are starting next week!
I’ve been keeping really busy. A lot of people are taking vacations right now so I am going on almost every night. When I am not on, I have been watching the show and trailing the principals I cover. Busy busy busy. But I absolutely love it. I LOVE this show, LOVE these people, LOVE my job! Being a swing is definitely a tough challenge… and I am not so sure if I ever want to do it again. BUT this is a really fun show to swing. There are so many different characters I get to play.. which makes it fresh, new, and fun. And I just love the cast so much. Everyone is so wonderful.
So now we go to Ft Lauderdale for 2 weeks at the Embassy Suites aka free breakfast in the morning and free happy hour!! Love me some Embassy Suites! : ) Then we are in Worcester during Thanksgiving. Just 5 weeks until Christmas layoff (I'll be in NY Dec 14-17 then going home for a California coast trip with family until the 28th)!! Time is just flying by here… it’s already been 2 months!! Crazy crazy!
That’s all the update for now! Love you all and miss you!!
Sending BIG hugs!
XOXO
-Ash
As far as the show… I had my Mom debut this week!! So much fun and definitely the hardest track in the show… so I am so happy to knock that one down. So only 1 more ensemble track to go on for. I have now learned 7 out of 8 tracks… the only one left is Elle!! So we are starting next week!
I’ve been keeping really busy. A lot of people are taking vacations right now so I am going on almost every night. When I am not on, I have been watching the show and trailing the principals I cover. Busy busy busy. But I absolutely love it. I LOVE this show, LOVE these people, LOVE my job! Being a swing is definitely a tough challenge… and I am not so sure if I ever want to do it again. BUT this is a really fun show to swing. There are so many different characters I get to play.. which makes it fresh, new, and fun. And I just love the cast so much. Everyone is so wonderful.
So now we go to Ft Lauderdale for 2 weeks at the Embassy Suites aka free breakfast in the morning and free happy hour!! Love me some Embassy Suites! : ) Then we are in Worcester during Thanksgiving. Just 5 weeks until Christmas layoff (I'll be in NY Dec 14-17 then going home for a California coast trip with family until the 28th)!! Time is just flying by here… it’s already been 2 months!! Crazy crazy!
That’s all the update for now! Love you all and miss you!!
Sending BIG hugs!
XOXO
-Ash
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The "More to Come"
Hey everyone!
Ashley here… on a new laptop!! Woo hoo! I finally made the new mac pro purchase. And I am in love. Pretty little silver 13” with the black keys and the new snow leopard software… like I said… in love. And best part about it: I got in when I was back in New York this past week. We didn’t start shows here in Detroit until tonight (Thursday) and we ended shows in Sacramento on Sunday (matinee). So a bunch of us hopped on a jetblue red eye from Sac to NY Sunday night. It was so nice to come back. Got to meet my new sublet (she’s amazing…such a blessing), got to see Micah’s show he choreographed (SOOO proud of you Micah!), ran some errands, and saw my FRIENDS!!!! It was so good to see people. Tour is hard sometimes when you are trapped in your little bubble. So it was so nice to remind myself that I have a life outside of work.
Not going to lie… it was hard to leave again. Bobby and I used to watch tv and have computer time every night together. Just nice quiet time in the same room. Right away… we went back to our old habits and it was just so wonderful… hooked. So it was hard to leave but I also feel refreshed and ready to learn the rest of my tracks. 4 learned… 4 to go.
Just a little update with the show: I have been on for 3 tracks now!
It’s been 3 weeks now where I have been “performance ready” (gone for 5 weeks total) and I have been on 15 times: 11 shows as Stenographer, 2 as DA Joyce Riley, and 2 as Kate/Chutney. I was very hesitant about being a swing… but it is actually exciting. Plus, this show is such a fun one to swing because you get to actually play different ROLES. It’s like not 3rd Delta Nu from the left… everyone has at least one feature. So it’s a nice stretch and I am learning SOOO much already.
Now we are ending the 2nd week of Detroit... 1 more to go. It’s Becky’s (Elle) vacation so Kathleen made her debut as Elle! Yay! Then when Becky comes back, it will begin the year 2 arrangement where Becky goes on for 6 shows and Kathleen goes on for 2. Exciting update from Sacramento: Rhiannon got to go on as Elle for the first time and nailed it! So fun to see her up there!! So I am now the only Elle cover left to have an opening night. Looks like I will start learning Elle next week. I only have Enid and Elle left to learn. ALMOST THERE! ☺ Then I can breathe and have some real fun.
That's the update for now : )
Miss you all… sending big hugs!
XOXO
Ash
Ashley here… on a new laptop!! Woo hoo! I finally made the new mac pro purchase. And I am in love. Pretty little silver 13” with the black keys and the new snow leopard software… like I said… in love. And best part about it: I got in when I was back in New York this past week. We didn’t start shows here in Detroit until tonight (Thursday) and we ended shows in Sacramento on Sunday (matinee). So a bunch of us hopped on a jetblue red eye from Sac to NY Sunday night. It was so nice to come back. Got to meet my new sublet (she’s amazing…such a blessing), got to see Micah’s show he choreographed (SOOO proud of you Micah!), ran some errands, and saw my FRIENDS!!!! It was so good to see people. Tour is hard sometimes when you are trapped in your little bubble. So it was so nice to remind myself that I have a life outside of work.
Not going to lie… it was hard to leave again. Bobby and I used to watch tv and have computer time every night together. Just nice quiet time in the same room. Right away… we went back to our old habits and it was just so wonderful… hooked. So it was hard to leave but I also feel refreshed and ready to learn the rest of my tracks. 4 learned… 4 to go.
Just a little update with the show: I have been on for 3 tracks now!
It’s been 3 weeks now where I have been “performance ready” (gone for 5 weeks total) and I have been on 15 times: 11 shows as Stenographer, 2 as DA Joyce Riley, and 2 as Kate/Chutney. I was very hesitant about being a swing… but it is actually exciting. Plus, this show is such a fun one to swing because you get to actually play different ROLES. It’s like not 3rd Delta Nu from the left… everyone has at least one feature. So it’s a nice stretch and I am learning SOOO much already.
Now we are ending the 2nd week of Detroit... 1 more to go. It’s Becky’s (Elle) vacation so Kathleen made her debut as Elle! Yay! Then when Becky comes back, it will begin the year 2 arrangement where Becky goes on for 6 shows and Kathleen goes on for 2. Exciting update from Sacramento: Rhiannon got to go on as Elle for the first time and nailed it! So fun to see her up there!! So I am now the only Elle cover left to have an opening night. Looks like I will start learning Elle next week. I only have Enid and Elle left to learn. ALMOST THERE! ☺ Then I can breathe and have some real fun.
That's the update for now : )
Miss you all… sending big hugs!
XOXO
Ash
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Just some pics...
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