5 Things That Make Us Better Actors, Artists, and Human Beings

Hello all! I just finished an amazing three weeks at Quartz Mountain in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma working as an acting class liaison and counselor for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute program. OSAI is all about giving high school students a professional arts training opportunity for two weeks, bringing experienced and successful artists in each discipline to Oklahoma to work as faculty and teach, inspire, and encourage students in their artistic endeavors. The classes are challenging, the students get to interact and collaborate with artists of other disciplines, and they walk away forever changed. OSAI is also special because it is completely sponsored by donors- every single student goes to Quartz on scholarship. Without these people and organization's generous contributions, this opportunity could not exist.
It's an AWESOME program- check it out and donate anytime ( www.oaiquartz.org)

I was completely blown away by the talent and dedication of these teenagers. I was inspired and encouraged by getting to work with this year's group of actors and faculty Dean Irby and Rena Cook. As we prepared for our final performance and ending our time at Quartz Mountain, I decided to write down something to tell the students in our last class meeting together. It started off as a silly list, but grew into something more. I  originally called it "5 things I wish I had known when I was your age that make us better actors," but then I realized that it was really a list about being a better human. And that's what art does to us, right? We better ourselves and our art changes. Our art changes and we better ourselves. It all works together.

5 Things that Make Us Better Actors, Artists, and Human Beings

1. Be kind to everyone
Talent doesn't always get you the role or the job. Anyone you meet could be the next director, producer, teacher or stage manager you work with. Tech crews and costumers make your job look good. They light you, they dress you, they make things happen. If you befriend them, they will respect you and take care of you. Many casting directors ask the stage manager or even the person who sat outside of the audition room and checked you in how you were outside of the audition. Were you nice? Were you rude? Were you annoying? They don't want to waste their time casting someone who will be a pain to work with. Make cookies for your crew and stage manager, write them a note, ask them how their day is going, and ALWAYS do everything you can to make working with you an amazing experience.

2. We are all frail
We are humans and we are fallible. We skip lines, we forget lines, we hit the wrong note, we are late for cues. Sometimes it just happens. The longer you act (or participate in any art form), the more reviews ands opinions you will receive.

There will always be someone out there who thinks you are the worst thing to ever perform on stage.

There will always be someone out there who thinks you are the best thing to ever perform on stage.

You will see and hear these opinions in newspapers, in blogs, in Facebook statuses, in outsider chatter. One day they will write about you and say that you have no comedic timing. The next day they will write about you and say that you were the shining comedic star of the ensemble.

Refuse to base your art around individual opinions. Accept that people have different opinions, and that's okay. Find your own opinion and find value in your artistic voice. How was your work? What went well? What can you work on for next time? Be patient with yourself and love yourself. Treat yourself like you wish to be treated by others. Be grounded and accepting of every single one of your triumphs, errors, quirks, struggles, and failures. Embrace the struggle- it is beautiful and it lets you know that you are alive. Embrace other's triumphs, errors, quirks, struggles, and failures. We are all human, and we are all frail.

3. Listen and look for EVERY story
Every person, object, and thing has a story to tell. Listen to their story. Let it soak through you. Observe humanity every day, always. A dog has a story. A rock has a story. A funeral home owner's story is just as important as a King's. When you give every story value, your acting becomes truthful and powerful. We are vessels to hold people's stories. Hold them with care.

4. Continue your craft, always
Never stop learning. Take a class or workshop or lesson in everything you can. Ballet, tap dancing, rock climbing, astronomy, biology, dolphin training, gardening, French, German, creative writing, singing, violin, or pottery. Every single thing you can learn about in this world ultimately makes you a better person. When we grow as people, we grow as actors. Never stop growing and expanding your mind.

5. Breathe in and breathe in deeply
Every second we live and breathe is a miracle. Every moment we experience will never be recreated or happen in the same exact way ever again. Every time we perform, it alters and changes. Enjoy and feel the newness of each day and each time you get to use your art and perform. The same words and same actions never happen in that same exact way again. Life is precious- breathe it in and breathe in deeply. And most importantly,

Enjoy wherever you are on the way to wherever it is that you're going.

-A

5 and 25

Last night I dreamt that I met my 5 year old self.

We were outside somewhere, this almost 25 year old me and this 5 year old me, 20 years apart, sitting on a bench weaving flowers into crowns. We never discussed how we were the same person, but we both knew it was true.

"Do you still like horses?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, almost telling her that she would actually have several of them someday with a beautiful red barn and a miniature donkey. I didn't want to spoil the surprise though.

"What do you do now since you grew up?"
"I'm an actor. And I teach kids about art."
"What's an actor?"
"It's someone who tells important stories to a big group of people all at once," I answered. "I pretend to be other people, or animals, or anything. I sing and dance and make people laugh and listen."
"Oh," she said. "I already do that."
I laughed. "I suppose you're right."

She asked me about our brothers (she doesn't know yet that she'll get two sisters as well). I told her that they were the best brothers, and to be nice to them because they'll grow up to be twice as big as she is. She told me that doesn't happen to your little brothers, that's why they're called little.

I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up.
She said a dolphin trainer, despite hearing that I just told her what we grow up to be. I pointed this out to her and she nonchalantly said, "Well you're not all the way grown up yet so how do you know?"
I forgot how sweetly bossy and all-knowing I was as a child.

She asked if growing up hurts.

I wanted to give her all of my time-traveling/ young adult/ oh-so-sagely advice.
I wanted to tell her that growing up is complicated. To not let other people make her feel like she's not cool enough to be anything she wants to be. That life happens faster than you think it does. That life doesn't always last as long as you think it will. That her parents are wonderful, that not all kids grow up with parents who are there for them. I wanted to tell her to not kick a hole in her bedroom wall that one day when she is 8, to not hit her brother with a hockey stick just because he called her a mean name, and to not be upset when her mom breaks her favorite glittery cup because it was an accident. I wanted to list the names of every person who hurt me, and tell her to stay far away from them because they would hurt her too. I wanted to protect her. I wanted to tell her that very soon she would get to be a flower girl for her Aunt's wedding; that before she walks down the aisle to be shy and afraid so that her Grandfather would stand by her side, whisper in her ear that it's ok, and help her be brave enough to walk down that aisle. I wanted to tell her to memorize this moment's smell and sounds and feelings, because he won't be able to make it to her day if she ever gets married.

I didn't say any of these things. I knew they would happen on their own, and I know that every second of the good, every second of the bad, was and would be a part of what would bind us together as a human being.

Instead, I said, "It is like learning how to ride a bike. It is hard and it is fun and it is tricky and sometimes you fall. Sometimes you tell your dad and mom to hold on even though you know you can ride it by yourself. Sometimes you want to feel someone there to catch you. Sometimes you look back and realize they stopped holding onto the back of the bike a long time ago, because they knew you would be ok. Sometimes you ride far, far away from them. Sometimes the wind whips through your hair and you feel free."

She simply nodded. And then quite unexpectedly she whispered, "You're beautiful."
It was the last thing I expected her to blurt out, and it knocked my breath out of my chest and I struggled a swallow of tears.
The last thing she also unexpectedly asked me was, "Do I do okay?"

I looked into those innocent, 5  year old ginormous eyes that I admit we'll never quite grow into, and simply said, "You do great."
Those three words of reassurance lit up her face, and I magically felt them flow throughout her days and thoughts and into mine, realizing that even 20 years later, I often seek the answer to that same question. And just like that, she twirled and skipped away.


In a couple of hours I will be 25.
I will continue to make mistakes, my feelings will sometimes get hurt, I will still fall and scrape my knees. But I will also still ride and the wind will whip through my hair, and I will feel free.

A Lot of Things

*Note: I wrote this post almost a month ago and am just now submitting it. Whoops*

Home with my sisters this summer

There are many things to say, but I 'm not always quite sure how to say them.

This fourth of July my grandfather passed away.
I will continue to remain grateful that I got to spend a couple of days with him that week, and that I even got to hold his hand and tell him some of my favorite memories and things about him.

I will also continue to try to accept the things that I cannot change, and this was one of them. I will try to awake each new day full of hope with a belief in myself and the optimism and determination to make the things that are in my control good. He would want that.

For everyone who sent me and my family messages, food, help, or any kind of generous or loving action, thank you.  You showed me what it's like to have wonderful people in your family's lives during a heartbreaking time. I will never forget that, and know that you were also teaching me how I can someday help others in their time of need. Actions speak louder than words, and I was impacted by that. Thank you.
 And I will just believe that he is up there reading my words the same as you.

New things going on in my life-

Photoshoot in May
 

- I was accepted into Washington's Teaching Artist Training Lab program held through Seattle Repertory Theatre. I applied for it back in May and was certain I wouldn't be accepted this year. Then I went home, everything happened there, then I flew back up to Seattle, and I had honestly forgotten about it. I was shocked and humbled and happy to find out that not only was I offered a spot, but they offered me a beautiful scholarship as well. Our first in-person classes/workshops meet next week, and I am feeling all the happy/anxious/nervous/excited feelings.

Open Door rehearsal

-

I am now an actor for Open Door Theatre's educational touring shows in Spanish and English. Open Door stands for something that is very dear and close to my heart, and I couldn't be more excited to work with this company and to empower and equip children with the skills to stand up for themselves against all types of abuse and believe that they are worthy just as they are. Did I mention I'm part of the Spanish touring team? Learning lines and acting in Spanish is going to be a whole lot of work and FUN! Rehearsals started this week and I know it's going to be wonderful. What do you say, Mom and Dad? My minor in Spanish DOES have a purpose after all!

-As of this week I have accepted a position as a mentor for a program called Speak, through Young Women Empowered, an organization that reaches out to youth using theatre and art.

-Last but not least- Barefoot in the Park opens next Friday! Did I mention that I'm playing Corie? Did I mention that this is one of my top dream roles I didn't think I'd get a chance to play?


Beautiful 80s jeans for Barefoot
 

The show is going to be great ( Well, you can also be the judge of that if it means you come out to see it!) and I feel incredibly giddy over stepping into her shoes. Granted, it did just hit me this last week that I practically never leave the stage (pros of seeing the show if you like seeing me, cons if you don't), but I'm ready for the challenge and I have a great team of people putting it all together.



All of these things happening in my life are wonderful and I am loving them. So many of them are the kinds of things I dreamed for years I'd end up doing with my life, and it feels so good to see parts of my life coming together and holding purpose and meaning.

On the flip side, since all of these wonderful things are happening and coming together in my life, it's put this new feeling inside of me that I haven't really experienced yet. I'm not sure what the word is for it, so I'll just explain it like this

Amberlee finds out about all of the mentioned things above. She jumps up-

"ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING TO ME!!! I DREAMED OF THIS!!! I WANTED THIS!!!)

Smiles, spins, laughs, sits back down. Takes a breath.

"All of these things are happening to me. I dreamed of this. I wanted this...
Now what?"

Her eyes widen.

"What will I do?...How will I do it?...... Will I be good at it?
I dreamed of all of this....
What happens after it's over?"

It's silly, isn't it? I take four steps forward and my brain wants to jump to step five, six, and seven. Why? I suppose it's a human thing. The more peaceful side of me (thank goodness for THAT) calmly reminded me of one of my favorite quotes. Not to pull out the Disney, but...

Rapunzel: I've been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?

Flynn Rider: It will be.

Rapunzel: And what if it is? What do I do then?

Flynn Rider:  Well, that's the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream.

Yes. The things you work for and believe in and dream of will be even better than what you dreamed. Because it will be real. And afterwards? You get to keep dreaming.

Breathe, dream, do, go, and never give up. Hug your family and friends as much as you can, and love as much as you can everywhere you can to all.

-A



Breakfast Club cast, May



 

Photoshoot in May



 

My Gramps and My British GPS

When I turned 22, my grandfather drove to Stillwater (where I went to Oklahoma State University) and insisted on taking me out to lunch for my birthday. He handed me a gift bag, and inside was a brand new, beautiful Garmin GPS. He had seen me printing out maps from google each time I traveled to a new city and thought it was time to make my traveling a little easier.

Little did I know then that this tool would be one of the most important pieces of technology in my life. Later that year I drove from Oklahoma to Seattle without knowing anywhere or much of anything there. If you've ever been to or lived in Seattle, you know that the roads are not easy to figure out and that it's quite easy to get turned around or lost (especially thanks to the massive construction always taking place and changing which roads are open and closed).

My GPS has an English accent, and I felt in my heart that his name was Nigel.
Nigel is practically my partner in crime. We argue on who is right, I tell him about my worries or day as I drive to the next job or rehearsal, and sometimes when traffic is heavy and heated, I vent all my frustration to him. I insist I know the right way to get somewhere, he insists I am wrong. I choose my way (he recalculates) then I realize I am wrong. I apologize, he sets me back on track. Sometimes I'm right, and I laugh in his face. It's a strange relationship.

The longer I use Nigel for help, the more I have realized how similar a GPS is to my grandfather and my close family members.

My GPS

- I tell Nigel where I want to go, and he gives his advice and support on how to get there.

- When I make a wrong turn and need help, Nigel recalculates the directions to fit my new location.

-Nigel stays calm and cool, no matter how many wrong turns I make.

-If I know how to get somewhere, I can tell Nigel that and he will become silent and wait patiently until the next time I need help

-Without Nigel, I could not make it to my destinations with the ease, relaxation, and time I do now.

My Gramps (also applies to my parents)

-I tell Gramps where I want to go in life, and he gives his advice and support on how to get there

-When I make a wrong turn and need help, my Gramps has always been there to help me recalculate the new directions I need to take

-If I know how to get somewhere and am not needing help, my Gramps has always been there with a kind ear to just listen to and enjoy my stories and experiences in life, waiting patiently for any future times I might need help

-Without my Gramps, I would not have made it to all the places, experiences, and new steps in my life with any of the ease, relaxation, love, and determination that I have had.


Am I saying that my grandfather is the same as a GPS? No.
Am I saying a piece of technology is the same value of a person? Never.
But I am saying that all of the good things I have gained from having a GPS are drawn from the good qualities I have benefited from through my grandfather. It's like he found a gift for me that embodies so many of the positive things he carries in his character.

To be completely honest with you, however, I wish my grandfather were more like a GPS right now. Because the biggest difference between a piece of technology and a person is the ability to reboot. If Nigel got sick and didn't work anymore, I could refresh his memory, install new hardware, and reboot his system as good as new.

 Gramps has an extremely advanced stage of cancer right now, and he could use some new hardware. Unfortunately we haven't quite discovered yet how to give this successfully to every person. Instead, we remained trapped, forced to watch our loved one fight a painful battle we can't fight for them. If I could see this cancer enemy, I would pick up a sword and fight it myself. But the enemy is inside his body and invisible. So we wait, we comfort, we love, and we pray. We have hope and we have faith, and we must accept this heartbreaking part of life.

Gramps,

You have always been a guiding, positive light in my life. You have loved me unconditionally, with all the patience in this world. You have raised my mother to be the amazing person she is, and this has directly affected every aspect of my life. You have helped direct my life in whatever direction I wanted to go, and you have always believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Your positive words, your energy, your laughter has filled our houses and filled my life. You have inspired me to pursue a life of happiness and follow my dreams. Our cup runs over with your love, and we are forever changed by that.

No matter where you are or what direction I choose to take my life in next, your love and patient advice will forever guide my paths and fill my heart with peace. Every time Nigel lets me know when to take a turn or which exit to take or which road to travel on next, I will hear your voice and smile, knowing that no matter how many wrong turns I might make, I am on my way.

I love you
Forever yours,

Amber

Mountains

Having faith great enough to move a mountain...

Snow in March

As you are probably aware, Seattle is known for it's rainy, grey skies and long winters. They call a negative reaction to these winters seasonal depression. Honestly I thought it all sounded a bit silly to me when I moved here. But after experiencing a full winter in Seattle, I started to feel like I was in a rut or slump. I was always sleepy and tired no matter how much rest I had, I didn't feel like getting up and doing anything, I felt gross and defeated in many moments. I wanted to burrow under the covers and hibernate.
Seasonal depression? It's a real thing. We need the sun in our skins and I am a firm believer in that now.

In many ways this winter reflected many of my attitudes or thoughts on my personal life. I often felt defeated, wanted to burrow under blankets, and just say, "I give up." I took every theatre rejection or loss as a heavy hit in my heart.
I miss my family, I miss home, I miss the sun, I miss my family, I miss Oklahoma food, and did I mention I really miss my family?

As an actor, artist, or even just as a human being, I think it's easy for the grey winters in our lives to make us forget the good. We forget what it was like to bask in the sun and feel the peaceful warmth shining down on us from our futures. Our sky is clouded, the next steps are murky, and the lingering clouds of thoughts weigh heavily on us-

Will I make it? Am I good enough? Do others believe in me? Do I still believe in myself? Will I be happy or will I look back with regret? Am I doing the right thing, the right way?

It feels like the next steps towards our dreams feel out of reach and sight, it feels like we are trying to create a mountain out of single pebbles, one at a time. Like pressing our whole body weight on a mountain, willing it to move. Some days, it feels impossible and we are tired.

Then spring comes. The sun breaks through the clouds, the windy chill has turned into a playful breeze, and the sky has cleared. You look out into those same endless grey skies you've spent the past five or six months staring at, and you see mountains. You see a clear ocean reflecting light and bouncing hope back to you.

There are truly astonishing and beautiful sites surrounding you, and somehow six months of not seeing them made you forget they existed.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that dark times, bad days, and even artistic rejections can easily make us feel like we are alone in the dark. But the mountains didn't go away. The good things standing tall and strong and firmly grounded in your life never leave you during the winter. Keep reminding yourself of that, and someday when that sun breaks through to welcome a spring into your life, you'll be driving through all of those mountains and see with your own eyes that they are there. And they are more beautiful than you had even imagined.


"I lock the doors. And turn the key. Then I adjust the most important control on the dashboard- the radio. I adjust my seat. Fasten my seat belt. Then I check the right side mirror- check the left side. Finally, I adjust the rearview mirror. And then-- I floor it."
- Paula Vogel

 ~As always, pictures from my adventures for your enjoyment~

Baby Cora's growing up

Siena just turned five!

I finally added the rest of my unedited headshots from seven months ago to the internet.(Thank goodness I survived the traumatic bangs cut of summer 2012). Here's a peek at some.

Moving: Out and On

My favorite picture of us from this Christmas

I'm packing my bags and heading south! ....Well...south by a block from my current apartment that is...

It's time for a change and it's time for me to move on.
I've spent the last year picking up the pieces of my life, and now I'm ready to make something more from it.

Part of the new view

For the first time in my life, I am moving into an apartment that I picked out 100% by myself, 100% for myself. And it's perfect- a balcony deck with a decent view of the space needle and fresh sky, a washer and dryer, a dishwasher (GASP I've lived five years without one), underground garage parking for Rupert... It's a beautiful place. And the best part is that it's in Queen Anne AND cheaper than what I currently pay. If you know Seattle and Queen Anne especially, you know that is the steal of the year.

New apartment is coming together...slowly!

Funniest part of my new apartment? The only reason I was able to snatch it up before anyone else was because I was incredibly sick. After teaching class one Friday, I got hit with the horrible virus of the year (I completely blame my 4 year old students, who like to inform me that their mom or brother or sister has the flu... "But don't worry teacher I don't have the flu... yet!".....grrrrreat). I spent five days miserably in bed, barely able to get up to the kitchen for more gatorade or medicine, and took a whole week off from work. If only it had been an actual week off full of fun things! Anyway, on the sixth day, I was bored (you can only sleep and watch so much netflix on your phone) and was searching craigslist. Bam! Apartment in Queen Anne, sounded perfect, and it was only a block away from where I live now. I kept thinking, "I could walk a block. I could do that." So I did. I called the guy 20 minutes after his post, saw the apartment, and filled out the application later. There was a huge line of people to see the apartment with their applications and checks ready- but I got the apartment because I was first. There's no way that would have ever happened if I had been working my normal 50-60 hour work week.

Is there a point? Maybe.
Being sick was terrible and miserable- and that's not including the day where I put some chicken stew in the fridge to thaw and there was a hole in the bag and I discovered chicken stew flooding my kitchen floor, dripping through the fridge door and covering all my fruits and veggies...ick.  But being sick gave me the perfect window of opportunity to meet my future apartment. I wasn't even actively searching for one that week. It just happened.

I can only hope this means that things which at first appear horrible and feel terrible just might perhaps have a greater purpose than we can see or realize at that time.

Maybe that trite saying of things falling apart so that better things may come together is true. Maybe your job becomes a dead end right now because you're meant to be doing something else soon. Maybe you're heartbroken because there is someone better. Maybe you're surrounded by certain people because they will need you. Maybe you will need them. Or maybe you're sick so that you have ten minutes to find the apartment of your young adult life dreams.
Or maybe not.
Sometimes losing a job is just losing a job. Sometimes being sick really is just being sick. But I really do believe that there is a bigger picture, more than we know or see, and that it is working all the time even when we can't see or feel it.

As for me right now, this girl is back to feeling well, back to her 50 hour work week, and pulling out her hair wondering how in the world she thought she was going to accomplish all of this moving at once. But it's happening, box by box, friend by friend, and one day at a time. That's all I can really do. And I am thankful for that.

Here's to a new chapter, a new year, a new beginning, a new Seattle home away from real home, and a stronger me. And here's to any potential terrible things in your lives having a greater purpose.

-A

"So this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that can be."
-The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Goodbye 101, I will always remember you

Ps. A silly story for you-
based on true events, produce and pride was hurt in the making of this story 

The Amberlee's show, Episode 1:

We pan through a local grocery store, where our protagonist searches for fruit. Confused, she asks the produce man where she may find some dates. He looks her up and down, smirks, and says, "That shouldn't be too difficult for you... Or were you hoping for me?"

 

She furrows her eyebrows, then horror spreads across her face in the form of red. She rushes to the check- out line, mortified. We scroll to her carrying her groceries. A bag rips underneath her arms. She chases produce down the street, opens her trunk, throws it all in, heaves herself onto the trunk door in hopes to reach it to close, turns to walk away and...Whoops! Skirt caught in the door. She hits the pavement hard, as two teenage boys and a 5 year old agape in wonder.

Finally in her car, she drives home. Dateless and date-less. Her life is a comedy, she just hasn't read the script. Yet.

Valentine's care package from the family: note the dates

2013 Resolutions brought to you by the letter H

Reunited for Christmas!

What are your new year's resolutions? Or are you a naysayer to creating them?




It's taken me a long time to think about what I'd like 2013 to be like for me, what I'd like to accomplish... The truth is, for the majority of 2012 I couldn't imagine another year. I couldn't imagine making it through to the next day. I had so many ups and downs that I felt like I was bending to my breaking point. And many days, I did break.

For me, 2012 was about surviving. Living through another day and making the choice to get up and do something, to get up and do anything. Through my family's love and support, through God's grace and blessings, through my friends' encouragement and humor, I did. I am thankful for each and everyone one of these things, and I am thankful for you, dear readers. You have been a part of my journey, and I am thankful for that. Looking back on 2012 and my first year of life after graduation, I also see so many other things to be thankful for.

In one year I.....
- moved 5 times
-worked 10 different jobs (with up to 5 of them at the same time)
-performed in 5 shows with 5 different theatre companies, including my 1st equity theatre performance, and including the wonderful opportunities to play Wendla, Chava, and Helena
-built 1 awesome dining room table ready to seat four
-tripped walking down Queen Anne hill 4 times
-tripped walking up Queen Anne hill 2 times
- only managed to ruin 2 pairs of tights from said tripping
- taken care of more than 40 babies/toddlers under the age of three (not all at once though!)
-taught theatre classes to more than 100 kids of all ages
-cried countless times, laughed countless times, and made more good memories than I could have imagined

After all this, I realized that I want my 2013 to be full of H's.

More-

Healthy
I haven't always taken good care of myself. I forget to eat. I am always sleep deprived. I lost an unhealthy amount of weight and spent the last year bouncing around it. I want to be excited to eat. I want to take the best care of myself. I want to be stronger.

Home
I want to be home more. I want home to come to me more. I miss my family more than anything in the world, and I want to find ways to see them more often. I want to make wherever I live feel more like I want my home to feel like.

Hope
I want to believe in myself more. I want to look forward to the future and stop worrying about everything so much. I want to give myself more credit for what I know I am capable of accomplishing.

Homework
I want to read even more plays and literature. I want to grown and learn and continue to study my art in whatever way and means I can.

Hellos
I want to be more free in my social life. Instead of saying no and letting my introverted self take control, I want to say yes. Sure. Why not?

Hugs
I love hugs. Why do we not hug more?

Help
 I want to be better in asking for it, without feeling so guilty about it. Instead of telling everyone I'm find and can do it on my own when I know otherwise. Including but not limited to opening jars, reaching things on high shelves...

Happiness
I want to continue to learn how to be happy while pursuing happiness.

I hope whatever 2013 brings, that it brings us closer, stronger, wiser, and happier. Here's to a new year, and here's to enjoying wherever we are, on the way to wherever we are going.

-A

My year roughly summed up in some pictures below. Enjoy~



"There is nothing like a dream to create the future."
- Les Mis

 

"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." -The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Wendla

"Think of the future as a bowl of fresh milk with sugar and cinnamon. One man spills it and cries, the other one churns it and sweats. Why not skim the cream off?" - Spring Awakening

Chava

Holly

Helena

 "That is the true season of love, when we believe that we alone can love, that no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will love in the same way after us." -Goethe

Imagine the outrage. Imagine what people will say.
-Steven Dietz