new york, it got me!

My man and I took a little visit to New York last week (I'll blog about that later) and I was reminded of a moment I had in my first months living there. 

When I moved to New York, Mr. G would always tell me, "Don't let New York get you!". Meaning, don't get raped, killed, mugged....In other words, don't become an episode of Law and Order: SVU (which I had to stop watching after I moved. It freaked me out recognizing places they filmed). I didn't live in a super sketchy area, but I wasn't living in the poshest of places either. I lived in a neighborhood called Hamilton Heights in Upper Manhattan on 136th street, between Broadway and Amsterdam. It was a cozy, quiet street with an elementary school, tennis court, and basketball court, across the street. 

The view from my fire escape

My bedroom was tiny, but hey, it's New York, most are. The bed was placed right again the wall with the windows, with the window to the fire escape in the middle of the bed. See below. 

Upon waking up, I could look right out the window and see what the weather had in store for me.

One morning, however, I woke up and saw, not the weather, but movement behind the curtain. As my eyes adjusted, I realized that movement, was a man. Crouching. I thought:

"It's happened. New York got me! SVU here I come. Only I don't get to meet Mariska!"

Once the initial panic started to subside, I snuck to the foot of the bed by the wall, closest to the left side of the window, to peek behind the curtain to see my rapist/murder and figure out just how close he was to pouncing....and to see what my chances were. 

Now, you may be thinking, why didn't you just leave your bedroom? To that I say, rational people may do that and many other wiser things, but I was in no such rational state.

Anyway, what I saw when I carefully moved the curtain back, just so, was a man in a paint-suit, crouching to paint the fire escape. Not a crouching rapist. Phew! 

After the relief set in, I wanted to become a murder myself and kill the super who had not notified us that someone would be painting the fire escape. The super was not the sharpest tool in the shed (I could write many a blog about him...). 

New York may have not gotten me physically that day, but it definitely got me mentally. Thank you, Steve the Super....

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vote aurora!

Hey guys! This is my little brother's band (he's the tall creeper on the far right) and they are competing for a chance to play during Warped Tour when it's here in Utah. Now, it's not particularly my favorite kind of music (I'm not a Screamo type of gal), but they are good at what they do. Plus, I do like the chorus when there is singing and my little brother kills it on lead guitar. Help them out, if you will, by clicking here to vote. You don't have to register or anything and it honestly takes like 10 seconds to vote. Thank you and here's hoping they win! How cool would it be for these local boys to jam during Warped Tour?!?!

#MKGlam

So the latest VoxBox (a box full of free goodies) I received from Influenster was a bunch of Mary Kay products. Now, it had been a good while since I've used their stuff (Sephora addiction over here...) so I was excited to try them out again. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked them. 

First up, eyes.

I got the Lash Love Mascara, Gel Eyeliner (Jet Black) & Cream Eye Color (Apricot Twist). 

I love the cream eye color! It is beautiful golden color and really pops with the gel eyeliner.  I usually like to use powder as my liner, but for a bolder look, the gel liner is amazing. I haven't tried yet, but I'm sure it would be awesome for a cat-eye look. As far as the mascara goes, I wasn't sure I wanted to try it, because I'm so in love with Benefit They're Real Mascara, but not wanting to be ungrateful, I gave it a go anyway. I was impressed. It definitely lengthened my lashes and was super pigmented, which is great. The only thing I wish it did a little bit more of was thicken up my lashes. So, it was a great mascara, but I'm not giving up on my true love, Benefit. 

Next up, cheeks. 

The blush came in Shy and I will be using this daily. It's the perfect pop of pink and you don't need much on your brush. I'm not a huge bronzer person, so you may want to get another opinion, but this one was pretty good....I think. It came in light-medium and it did give me a nice glow.

Lips are coming up!

The VoxBox sent the NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Mango Tango. Honestly, I was afraid of this color. I thought a more orangey hue was gonna look gross on me, but it wasn't too bad. It may not be my go-to color (I'm really more of a blue-red gal), but I admit, I've worn it more than once. The feel of this gloss doesn't feel like glue on your lips (bonus!) and it really is nourishing. 

And to finish it all off, powder.

This stuff is baller! It supposed to protect again shine all day and does just that. Win. 

Here is my look with all the above on my face. Don't pay attention to my crazy long bangs....I got them trimmed up today....finally. 

Overall, I loved these products. What was my favorite was how pigmented they are so you don't have to use much and you can make your dollar go a little further. Boom! For you, Influenster gave me some more invites! So if you wanna join, lemme know!

i'm alive

I promise I'm still alive. When I'm in performances of a show, it's really hard to bring myself to blog. Especially, when I'm doing a show, working a day job, and still trying to be a good wife. So when I have a moment to myself I just wanna veg and not do a thing. But, I've almost recovered from Les Mis. Just give me a minute and a trip to New York to recover. I have some good stories/times to catch up on. In the mean time, I'll be in bed.

catch ya later, 20s!

It happened. I turned 30 today. And you know, what? I feel great about it! Truly. Maybe it's because when I turned 20, I was in rehearsals for the Diary of Anne Frank and I was playing Anne who is 13-15 in the play. Now, I'm performing in Les Mis as Cosette who is 16ish. So, in show years, I've really only aged a year or so this past decade. I'll take it!

Yesterday, my cast was unbelievably kind to me. The ladies in the cast decided they were gonna find ways to tell me, "Happy birthday!" on stage without it being noticeable. As Valjean and Cosi went around giving money to the poor, each lady accepted their coin with, "Happy birthday!!". I loved it. I don't know why, but it made me feel special. Others in the cast wished me well and gave me little gifts.

As I was driving home, I was overcome with gratitude for the kind souls in this show, cast and crew alike. Not only for being nice to me because of my birthday, but because they are always awesome. Then it snowballed into thinking about all the wonderful people I've met throughout my life. That led to me ugly crying all the way home. Seriously. I have swollen little eyes because of it today. If you are reading this, you are most likely one of the people I've met over the years who have impacted my life for the better and that I cried about (feeeeelings). I sincerely thank you all for the love, listening, laughs and friendships you've given me. Even if we only crossed paths for a short time. It has stayed with me probably more than you/I realize. 

Anyway, here I am, 30. So glad to be older and wiser. My 20s, especially the early years, were a time that I'm THRILLED I don't have to be stuck in. I wouldn't trade them in for anything (that whole "trials make you who you are thing"), I'm just happy I don't have to stay in that time/place and be an insecure twenty-something trying to figure out who I am. It's exciting to be in a new decade to have new experiences in, confidently. Perhaps the confidence comes from the teenage boys that yelled, "You're HOT!", to me as I was driving home from church today. Should I tell them that A.) I'm taken and B.) I could feasibly be their mother? Nah....

I felt like a grandma today, because I did my very first kettle bell workout yesterday and my legs don't wanna work. I've been shuffling around all day. Going down stairs is especially entertaining. Grandma.

Mr. G threw me a chill gathering that I could be in my sweats for. Exactly what I wanted. Now, if only he had followed me around tickling my back all day....then it would have been perfection. (wink) He did, however, put this giant picture of me on our door that was used in The Secret Garden almost 2 years ago. EMBARRASSING!!!

Me. Selfie. Age 30. With sleepy cry eyes.

THANK YOU for all the birthday wishes today. You added to the cry eyes above. I'm getting all choked up again....goodnight! 

Influenster J'Adore VoxBox

So, I'm part of this website called Influenster that monitors your social media and if they think you are cool, they'll send you boxes of free goodies to try out and review for them (I still have some invites if anyone wants to join). I guess they thought this weirdo would be a good choice for their Valentine's box. Here is a little run down of my thoughts on the products I got. 

Natural Lash by Kiss

Now, I've worn too many fake eyelashes to count being a theater girl and all, so I know a thing or two about them. I LOOOOVE these. They actually do look natural (as promised) and give you a hint of a boost. The look is so natural, that you can get away with wearing them with your every day look. I've been giving Cosette a little extra summthin' summthin' with them. Pretty sure that's why Marius falls in love. 

My sad tech eyes sporting Kiss Lashes

Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask

I've been wanting to find a mask that I love and even though this one made my skin feel pretty soft, I'm still on the hunt for my soul mask. Usually, masks have a creamy consistency, or hold themselves together, but this one was pure liquid the first time around. I gave the bottle a squeeze and it went everywhere (I'm feeling awkward about my phrasing of this review...). Applying it was more mess than it was worth....the first time. I gave it a second chance and I found some of the more solid clay, I guess, and it wasn't as liquid-y. So, I would mush the bottle before you open it to get a more consistent consistency.  Still, I probably wouldn't ever purchase it. Sorry, Boots!

John Freida 3-Day Straight

Flat-ironing my hair isn't normally my go-to look. I prefer some Beyonce hair. That being said, if I do plug in that flat-iron, I'm gonna spray some of this in my hair. It made my hair silky smooth and didn't weigh it down. Sometimes flat-iron sprays can make my hair feel coated in greasy product, but this product just helped my hair look awesome. It's a quality product for not a lot of dollars. Boom!

Hershey's Kisses

Um, it's bite-sized chocolate. What more can you ask for? Classics never go outta style. Nom nom nom!

Vaseline Men's Fast Absorbing Spray Lotion

Mr. G always slathers the lotion on and I usually end up putting in on his back. NO LONGER! He can do it himself! It definitely smells like a dude, so unless you wanna smell manly, it's not for ladies (they do have a non-dude version). He likes it for the most part, but it is really cold. Especially, if you're using it right out of a warm shower. Also, since it's a spray, if you miss your body that means it's either on the floor or on the counter and it's pretty slick. 

Well, there you have it! My first Influenster VoxBox review! I'm starting to get addicted to trying new products. Maybe it's because I'm subconsciously having a meltdown because I'm turning 30 on Sunday..... Bring it!

dress betrayal

I get to wear some beautiful dresses in Les Mis. This one is no exception. It may even be my fave. That being said, it has betrayed me twice thus far. 

The first evil betrayal happened during our very first dress rehearsal. I'm in a few ensemble numbers before I transform from this:

To Cosette:

I just wanted you to see how scary I am before I get to clean up.

Anyway, the first episode was during my first scene transformed into Cosette. Valjean and I have to make a hasty get away in order to not be detected by the antagonist, Javert. During our escape, we run down some tiny wooden stairs. This being our first dress rehearsal, it was also the first time running down wooden stairs (which were slippery at the time) in my rather large dress. 

This gorgeous devil dress blocked my eyes from the first stair and I didn't fully step on said stair. I caught it with the slippery middle section of my shoe which immediately shot my foot in the air in front of me (and consequentially flung off my shoe), and propelled my other foot into to flight along with it. 

With both feet in the air, I could only catch the rest of the stairs with my tailbone. 

THE HORROR!!!!

An expletive was said. Loudly. 

I laid there in shock, in my unwilling snow-angel position, wondering what the damage was. Luckily, my wits came back to me and I hobbled along to the green room where I was greeted by the stage managers and producers. All that could be done for my hurt tailbone and pride was to ice my tush and drug up...with ibuprofen. 

Later, the actor that plays Valjean said he probably could have caught me if it hadn't been for my large dress.

Rachel: 0 Dress:1

The second time (and hopefully the last) happened on an evening I ate a Costa Vida sweet pork salad before the show. Mistake. 

WARNING: TMI ALERT!!!!!!

So after I fall in love with Marius at first sight (see first picture), I get to sing a song about it and about how my life is weird (in a much more eloquent way). As I'm singing the lyrics,

 "This change, can people really fall in love so fast"

My corset pushed out a pork salad gas without my consent! 

DISCLAIMER: MANY PEOPLE FART ON STAGE, OK!!!! STOP JUDGING ME. 

OK, most times, when one is wearing a dress with girth, the petticoat and all the fabric of the skirt protects your need to release from leaking out to the unsuspecting noses of the audience. And on most stages, the audience is much farther away than the audience Hale Centre Theatre. 

After the lyrics above, I sing:

"What's the matter with you, Cosette"

The irony is not lost on me. 

That's also the moment I go sit on a bench directly in front of the front row. 

(I guess the patrons couldn't be bothered to throw away their napkins)

Cue dress betrayal! 

Right when I sat down, the dress released the toxic sweet pork fumes. 

I'm still singing my little song and while I'm singing:

"In my life, there are so many questions and answers that somehow seem wrong"

I hear the murmuring behind me, "What's that smell?!?!"

I DIIIIIEEEEDDDDDD!!!

You guys, it was so rancid. Think sulfuric Yellowstone on speed. 

Not only did they obviously smell it, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw one dude point to me. POINT! HE KNEW IT WAS MEEEEEE!

I hate you, dress. You're supposed to keep all my secrets/flatulence in your beautiful fullness!!!

Rachel: 0 Dress: 2