I'm 30.

It's hard to believe it, but I am now officially out of my 20's and on into the wild new world of a new decade. I can still see the birthday card that my Maternal Grandfather once gave me that said "Welcome to the double digits." It seems like yesterday. Here I am twenty years later.

So much happened in my twenties. You know what? Most of it was pretty darned good. Still, I'm ever reflective (wouldn't want to break the mold,) and I can't help but look back and give my usual cliched remark of "the next decade is gonna be even better!" However, let's be honest. On one hand, it's completely true. I'm going to give my 30's everything I've got-why not?!? On the other hand, I'm in the middle of the uphill climb of my life. No, I'm smack dab at the beginning. I could be all dramatic and worry wart-ish, but instead, I'm going to just say what I'm feeling. I'm scared as can be, and at the same time, I've never been more excited in my life. I'M ALIVE!!! I've made it 30 friggin' years, and in my last career, I accomplished more in ten years than many do in twenty. I'll allow myself this one opportunity to be pompous because in my family we have a saying that says, "It's your birthday, and you can do no wrong!"

I am extremely lucky-blessed (whatever you want to call it.) I don't take any of it for granted. I definitely didn't make it to this point on my own, but I most certainly pushed myself to get here. In this current new and often frustrating time, I can only hope and expect that I will continue to govern myself with the same discipline that helped me through the first third of my life. I am optimistic. Really, what more could I ask for? I have my health, a roof over my head, and above all, I have an ever increasing support group of friends and family surrounding me. How could I possibly fail.

So, here I ago again. I'm beginning what I am sure will be the most exciting decade to date. I was sure that the last one couldn't be topped, but I'm out to prove myself wrong.

Hello 30.

It's been a while.

Hello, remember me? Well, I'm still very much alive. I haven't been feeling so great this week since I've been at home with an awful cold. I thought I'd take this time to reflect and bring anyone who still cares to read, up to date. I am still constantly auditioning. I believe that my body finally said "REST NOW!" Nothing like being ill to make that happen! So, that's all that I'll speak to as far as the auditioning goes.

One thing that has been special recently is that I was asked to sit on an alumni panel for my Alma mater, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. (UNCSA.) I participated in this with about six other alums this past Sunday. It was such a treat and an honor to speak to several benefactors of the school and get to say "Thank you" for their investments in my education and that of so many others. We discussed stories of our teachers, our fond memories, how the school helped shape us, and had we been given the chance, I think we could have stayed there all day without drying up of thoughts. One thing we definitely all had in common was a sincere pride and love for the place we had spent a good chunk of our time in our high school and for some college years.

Speaking of my success as a dancer in the ballet world also made me all the more passionate and motivated to get this next phase going even more. Of course, by that I mean I actually want to get a job now more than ever! I want to make people proud again. I know that there is a fair amount of ego rolled into that statement, but I don't care. I own that ego. It's mine. It's part of what makes me do what I do. I just hope it happens sooner than later! I miss making people's lives better from the stage. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing for now!