The City in Motion

San Diego, California

Welcome to sunny San Diego!  This city is known for it’s sunshine having about 265 days of sun each year, and guess what…we decided to pick the one day that was cloudy, windy, and chilly to go to the beach.  But that didn’t stop us one bit.   We were going to the beach to play some volleyball, dip our toes in the water and enjoy the family company. 

We were off to Mission Beach and well lets just say even though there were a few stand out players, it’s a good thing that volleyball isn’t our day job.  And luckily we weren’t afraid to get a little close and huddle for warmth either from the gusty winds. 

It may have been chilly and not exactly the best weather, but it was the first time the show was being built back in Ellenton, Florida over a year ago that we were all together on the beach.  I mean people that normally don’t come around on the off days were there.  It was nice to be with family and be as a family as well. 

And with some luck we had a few much warmer days to come with lots of sunshine to join; which made walking along the boardwalk on Mission and Pacific Beach and the Pier a lot more enjoyable.  That along with the fact that most of us from the east coast would be in a few feet of snow if we went home right now.  It made the sun feel that much more inviting and warm. 

Speaking of inviting and warm, it was time for another company BBQ!  You never have to worry about being hungry after one of those that’s for sure.  Ah, yummy food!

But soon enough, it was time to get back on the road and strap in for a long bus ride to Fresno, California the Raisin Capital of the world!

The Last Frontier

Phoenix, Arizona

There’s nothing like coming to the same place for the third time.  It honestly begins to feel a lot like home to be honest.  Things are so familiar and you don’t have to worry so much about how to get around and instead can focus on the more important things.  Such as how its warmer here than what it was in Las Vegas and even California and how it doesn’t get dark near as fast… thanks to the state of AZ being the only state to NOT observe Daily Light Savings Time. 

And even though we had all this beautiful weather and more sun than rain, we had very little time to enjoy it.  We were still going strong for about seven weeks now with only one day off and the crew even longer without any days off not to mention all the Monday hold-over shows.  So, its no wonder that it all hit this week and most of our bodies gave in to the stress and if it wasn’t to an injury it was to illness.

However, we survived and recovered and at least have a few good things to look back on from sunny AZ like how amazing the audiences were!  So far on the West Coast tour, this city claims the award for best audiences.  They are loud and interact with the performers and truly make our jobs easier.   Making it even a little more special, Ben Agosto, who helped us with the choreography and piecing the show together was finally able to see it; for the first time!  Sometimes there is nothing like the first time. 

And even though this may not have been my first time here, I still try to see something new each time and that’s just what happened this time around as well.  It was off to South Mountain we went.  Unfortunately, based on recent storms, the entire mountain range and park was not open to the public, but the views we were still able to see and just being in the fresh air was more than enough for me!  It still amazes me how you can be so close to the city and yet so far removed at the same time. 

Ahh…Arizona the memories you have instilled in me and the ones that are yet to come; I will be back.  Until next time, see you in San Diego. 

A Wild Ride

Las Vegas, Nevada

Welcome to Sin City. 

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

For me, it was Round #2 in this crazy city of bright lights dancing around neon signs, people dancing through the streets, bumper-to-bumper traffic, one-of-a-kind circus acts, loud music, skyscrapers, and casinos galore. 

The Strip, as it is known as, is the place to be at least for tourists.  However, natives to the area prefer other quieter places further away from the dazzling outline in the night sky.  Places like Freemont, the Hoover Dam, and Red Rock are claimed to be other sights worth your while if you want to escape city life for a little while. 

And luckily I was able to see a college friend who believe it or not is actually attending UNLV (University of Las Vegas Nevada) where we were performing, who knew just the places to go.  One of the favorites was Lucille’s BBQ and the food was amazing.  Thank goodness we went hungry because there was so much food and we ate it all!  Highlight of the night was getting the mason jar…you had to be there.  HAHA

It’s always nice to see a familiar face and comforting to know that someone is there.  Let alone, the stories that you can tell and the memories you can reminisce on together. 

And while there was always something to do or something to see, it was more about the small things this week.  Luckily, the first time around I was able to see a Cirque Du Soliel show, enjoy the nightlife that Vegas has to offer, explore the sights and views of the famous Strip, so it made sense to try to engage in other activities this time around.  No matter how many times I am in the same city I feel as if each place still has more to offer. 

Even though I don’t see myself coming back here anytime soon, I think the new journey would be to explore the outskirts of town and see what the mountains have to offer.  Maybe I would see my first mountain lion?  Who knows? 

Until next time…see you later Las Vegas.  Here we come Phoenix, Arizona. 

2016!

Long Beach, California

Three! Two!  One!... HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I can’t even begin to believe that another holiday season has come and gone.  I mean it almost feels like it was just this time last year.  I am not really sure what it is about this year, but it just seems to be passing by quicker than usual and we were even the last ones to welcome the New Year being on the West Coast of the United States in California.  However, there was a smaller fireworks display at 9 o’clock here to welcome 2016 in on the East Coast so even though I was a thousand miles away, I was still able to wish everyone at home a Happy New Year at same time.  And even though the display may have only been 10 minutes long, seeing the fireworks in the harbor over the Queen Mary and being able to stand outside without any snow or freezing temperatures was really nice for a change. 

And just like that, the holidays were over.  The last of the celebrations took place and it was time to move on and start a new year with new dreams, goals, and aspirations.  Let’s see how well I can stick to my New Year’s Resolutions this time.  Sometimes, I make them and they last for a little while and other times I make them at different points throughout the year.  Either way, sticking with something and being able to say that I accomplished it always makes it a little more rewarding. 

Goals, aside though, I am really curious to see what this year has to offer other than the obvious.  You never can really be too sure what a year is going to hold until that very moment when things just start happening. 

One thing that is for sure though, is that we have to keep moving and we are headed to Las Vegas, Nevada!  See you in a few weeks Cali!

Holiday Spirit

Ontario, California

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

So, this is year number two on the road where I have not been able to make it home and I know that for a lot of others it was the same way all things considered.  We had two shows on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day as well, but that did not dampen our spirits.  If anything, we were all full of holiday joy and smiling from ear to ear.  Yes, we were all missing our families, but we had the greatest gift of all; we were someone else’s gift.  We were able to perform for so many and bring them cheer and see their faces light up and that is the best gift of all. 

That along with the fact that most of us all called or video chatted with our families before the show and even though we may not be able to be there in person, seeing everyone else and the celebrations taking place at home lifted all of our spirits. 

And then came the gift giving on our part.  From the make up room presents to the surprise presents no one ever expects to the Secret Santa gifts everyone was trying to find that one person to make smile for the day.  But no one can forget the gifts that came from home in the mail from either friends or family.

My personal favorite was a box that I received on the 11^th of December and I was given special instructions from not only my Mom, Dad, Grammie, and Sister, but also from Santa.  I was to only open presents starting on December 14^th.  Further instructions read that I was to open the appropriate date in accordance with the number on the package in the right order.  I couldn’t open more than one either.

After a few days I came to realize that my family had re-created the 12 days of Christmas for me and were giving me my own Home-Away-from-Home Christmas.  Not only did I receive decorations for the room and candy canes, but I was also given things to make it feel as if I was with them.  They made special reindeer food that we always set out for Santa’s reindeer (oatmeal and glitter) and even included me in the games that we play.  Of course its like the game show Deal or No Deal and clearly I didn’t choose right because I ended up with the penny.  At least it wasn’t an orange.  (Family joke)

However, the fun wasn’t over yet.  There was still the Christmas class, the group photo, more gift giving, our very own Christmas Eve Potluck, and our Gingerbread House making contest Boys vs. Girls.  We carried out the holiday spirit for the rest of the week even without the snow this year. 

Next stop…Long Beach for the New Year celebration!

Fairytale Land

Anaheim, California

It was time to go to Disneyland!  As if we don’t get enough Disney every day of our lives, it was time to experience the real thing at the park and it was my first time!  I never went as a little kid, I never went on a vacation, and when I was in the area a few years ago I never made it either.  So, this time I couldn’t pass it up. 

Maybe we were some of the oldest big kids there and maybe we were a little critical, but we were just letting the little kid inside of ourselves let loose. 

I was so excited to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their Christmas attire and we saw Goofy and Pluto from afar along with Cruella de Vil, Arielle, and Tiana. 

And when were weren’t exploring Frontier World or Adventure World, we were in all the hustle and bustle of Star Wars and in and out of New Orleans tasting some of the yummiest treats we could find. 

Traveling all around the world and in and out of different galaxies, we were exploring all the shops that lined the streets all decorated in their Christmas-best.  Even the rides like Small World were holiday themed!  I finally know now what one of my previous show numbers was about.  It was so surreal.  I was all warm and fuzzy on the inside and the holiday spirit was becoming more and more prevalent.

Just in time for our company Christmas dinner.  It brought all of us together at just the right time and maybe there wasn’t snow on the ground and we wont have a white Christmas, but its still that time of year.  And as the saying goes, its not what is under the tree, but who is around the tree and being on the road really makes you realize what you are grateful for.  We are all away from home and missing our family right now, but we do have each other and are all very grateful for that. 

So its time to start counting down until the big day!  See you all in Ontario, CA!

  

I Got Off the Plane at LAX

Los Angeles, California

I couldn’t believe it; we were finally here.  Never in a million years would I have ever thought that I would be performing in Los Angeles, California let alone going to sight see around Hollywood!  It always seemed like the place to be growing up from all the movies and never did I ever see myself being there at any time of my life.  It all seemed a little surreal.  I couldn’t even grasp that real-life celebrities were actually coming to see our show!  I know that they are real people too just like all of us, but I cant help admit that we were all a little star-struck seeing them sitting in the audience of our show. 

I mean who wouldn’t get excited to see Alessandra Ambrosio (Victoria Secret Model) or Aubrey Anderson – Emmon (“Lilly” on Modern Family), David Beckham (Soccer player), Channing Tatum (Actor, Magic Mike, Step Up), Kris Jenner and the Grandkids, or Josh Gad (Voice of Olaf) and Santino Fontana (Voice of Hans), Dave Navara (Host of Ink Master, Guitarist for Jane’s Addiction) and even Adam Sandler (Actor, Mr. Deeds, Happy Gilmore) sitting in the audience!  Of course we were all on the look out trying to see whom we might be able to spot. 

Topping it all off, the choreographers of the show were in to visit along with the CEO of Disney and fellow Disney comrades!  With all these special visits we were definitely on our toes and slowly running out of steam. 

But there was still more to do aside from the busy schedule, there was so much to see!  From the Walk of Fame to the Hollywood sign to Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard to China Town and the Chinese Theater and somehow there still just wasn’t enough time to see everything.  I still can’t believe we were actually here!  It seems like a dream, but it was time to snap out of it because we were off to where Dreams Really Do Come True…Anaheim, California; home to Disneyland!