Write This Down.

This past year, I have discovered the joys of the US Postal Service. 

Until my now, I have not appreciated how cool it feels to send personal mail. Before college, I didn't have bills to mail, and everyone knows that writing graduation thank-you notes does not count. The internet had rocketed me right into "messaging." First email, soon followed by MSN Chat. Next would be Myspace, and of course the trends topped off with our strongest newcomer, Facebook. Let's put it this way: my world on the internet was so connected and fast-paced at such an early age, that it sped past my keyboarding classes in sixth grade. To this day, I still type (albeit, type well!) with a kiddy-wompus home-row.

I can't exactly know for sure what triggered this handwriting bender, but before I knew it, I was at TJ Max stocking up on stylish notecards. (If you are looking to spend a little more on some beautiful cards, Papyrus is a blast to thumb through). Now, if I find myself with a little down time, I reflect on who has been in my thoughts lately. There is always something going on- happy or unfortunate- in somebody's life. Yesterday I sent a thank you note to a couple who invited me to their gorgeous wedding. I also sent a a thank you to Jared's grandparents in Indiana who so sweetly remembered my birthday with a card. Today, I'll be sending a sympathy card to my roommate who has just lost her grandfather. 

When you write a note or a letter, your words are not stamped with the confining perfection of a font. You do not delete or edit your thoughts. Your handwriting lends itself to flow and emotion, and the recipient can hear you say what you want them know. So go buy a book of stamps and get writing! Oh-- and hand-delivered notes are equally fun! Here is a tutorial on how to fold your letter into its own envelope! Have fun writing, and dig deep. Sincere thoughts are never weird, awkward, or mushy. I've even gotten a thank-you note for a thank-you note! Happy mailing!

Home Is...

I would like to dedicate this blog post to the comforts of home.
For the past three years, my family has been in the process of moving. The decision to move to Sartell came shortly after I graduated, and after two and half very trying years with our house on the market, it finally sold this past January. Since then, we have been house hunting, and as of June we are exponentially raising our hopes that we will get the house on which we bid. We love our apartment (or, as we call it: The APT). It has made us such a closer family in those 1500 very tight square feet. But this summer, with both Austin and myself back in the apartment, we have collectively agreed that the phrase, "a house is not a home"  is no longer our mantra. We're ready.

My mom is ready to design and decorate her dream home. My sister is ready to be 16 and have her friends over to giggle in her room all night. My dad is ready to become a grill master in his own backyard. My brother just wants his own room again...(he is currently living on our couch, and his closet is in the laundry room. We're making it work, people). 

So as we have been dreaming and planning up our new place together- and as I am readying myself to find a place to live in Minneapolis come December- I have really been made to think about the parts that make some place really feel like home. Of course, the elements of comfort and "hominess" differ for everyone! For example, my friend Andrew likes his space to be cold and dark. He watches movies all the time, and sleeps like a bear cat, so it makes sense- right? Or take Annie, who treasures her quirky friends and family. Her space is littered with colorful frames that hold dozens of pictures, cute solar-powered sunflower gadgets, and family heirloom blankets draped on her couch and bed. Then there is Jared, who works from home. All he wants in life is a view. He would live in a box if it meant that he could look out onto this everyday:

(His view after a rainstorm from his current apartment in Minneapolis)

Here are a few features that I value and create to make my space my own:

| Flooding Sunlight | I always want to open the blinds and let in the day.

| Open Floorspace | I do everything on the floor. Dance. Nap. Craft. Eat. (Floor Picnic!)

| A Wide Desk | I am a filing freak. This space needs to be big and organized.

| Fluffy Bedding | Nothing says coming home better than falling into a clean, cloud-like bed.

Hopefully after reading this post, you will find yourself reflecting on the parts of your home you love the most. Spruce your place up a bit, give attention to the things you'd like to change, and most importantly, be thankful for the parts that make you feel comfortable. Take pride in your space, and invite others in. 

My First Fringe!

As most of you are probably aware, I perform illusions with my boyfriend, Jared Sherlock. Actually, magic   was our genesis-- but our story is saved for another blog some day :) I spent last spring touring Minnesota with The Magic of Jared Sherlock (MoJS), but regrettably had to stop performing after I tore my MCL in a skiing accident. (YES: it was the first day up on the mountain. I still have night terrors from the toboggan ride down). Now, Jared has rounded home on his spring tour, he has finally planted himself in Minnesota, and I am fully recovered. Fringe mode is in full swing, and I can't wait to get "back in the box!" MN Fringe is a very big opportunity for us, and it seems that we are already attracting some fantastic talent. Jared spent yesterday rehearsing with a brilliant performer/juggler who was referred to him by Del Arte talent in Blue Lake, CA. We also start training a phenomenal dancer, and one of my best friends, Mel today. And if these two lovely ladies weren't enough to get our motor going, Jared and I are thrilled to be learning another illusion coming as soon as Sunday. Everything seems to be falling in to place, which is much welcome relief. As if moving isn't difficult enough on it's own, the anxiety of recruiting new talent, finding rehearsal space, and executing a stellar show by August 5th is pretty taxing. However, if we found ourselves backed into a corner, there is always the comfort of "home base." Katherine, our beloved actor and juggler from "Night Games" and the MoJS Tour will be performing with us at MN Fringe. We will be sad to see her exit stage left to focus on her new full time job permanently. Mark, "The Pro," our hilarious and insightful "Night Games" actor has always jumped in when he needed him. I'm hoping he will make a couple Fringe appearances as well-- maybe at Indy Fringe! (Indianapolis, IN). And lastly, our stage manager from "Night Games" will be rejoining the crew to keep us in check at MN Fringe. All three of these people are Johnnie/Bennie alums, and we all feel a certain loyalty to each other through the community of theatre and friendship. 

MN Fringe Festival is a lottery in which over 500 artists enter. 200 are chosen at random, and Jared's name was first on the list. He has applied every year for the past four years, and this is our opportunity to really show Minneapolis what we've got. The way that talent, dedication, and resources have been presenting themselves is very encouraging, and I can't wait to keep everyone updated on the progress and development of our production!

Included in this post are some pictures of the people we love and appreciate as members of MoJS. Also, if you didn't catch the half-joke before-- You'll see a picture of me actually "back in the box." (It's the opening illusion at the spectacular Penn & Teller show in Las Vegas!)

 This is our wonderful cast from "Night Games." Katherine is the adorable laughing blondie on the left, and Mark is uncharacteristically NOT smiling on the far right. He was probably being a serious professional.

Penn & Teller's opening illusion! (No, I do not know how it's done).