Sunday, July 31, 2016

29 and Feelin' Finite

What, like a girl can't take a six month break from blogging?


At the beginning of the month, I turned 29. 


Ahh, 29. That magical year where you wake up every morning to the mantra of "It's the last year of your twenties, are you making it count, are you having fun you have to be having fun, btw your uterus is dying lol, but continue as if everything is fine, WHY AREN'T YOU HAVING FUN, JENNY" 

Thirty is coming.

Just kidding guys, everything's fine. 

spirit animal



Quick life update:

The Barrington Collective is producing my play Reconciling again- this time at FringeNYC! We're at SoHo Playhouse (Venue 15) next month! Come see us if you're in the city- order tickets here.



Now, as is tradition on my annual birthday posts (no matter how late they are) here are some things I've found scattered around the internet that I would like to be representative of my 29th:


https://youtu.be/bBA6DuoaucE?list=LLBjZ4eLrmdqdHD-9_gJhNgA









Until....six months from now? Who knows.

To 29,


Monday, February 29, 2016

Feeling the Bern

I don't agree with everything on Bernie Sanders' platform. However, after considering all the candidates, he very clearly became the choice I agreed with most consistently.



I've had people question my faith before because I have chosen to vote for a Democrat in the past. Here's my thing: there are many, many more issues beyond pro-life/pro-choice and gay marriage when it comes to running our country. (Btw, the gay marriage thing is over, let's move on please. Y'all know there is still a very active sex trade in America, right?)

So thinking on that- being a Christian (specifically Baptist) and voting for Bernie Sanders- here is some of my reasoning, with my faith in mind:

(These are short, rambling summaries of my thoughts. To read fully on Bernie's stances and plans, go to berniesanders.com/issues.)

* A living wage/expanding medicare- If you see yourself labeling the millions of people living below the poverty line as lazy, stupid, or greedy- I would encourage you to check your heart a bit. Bernie's bigger plans to redistribute wealth are not about stealing away things you've worked hard for, it's about giving everyone that same opportunity to work hard for decent living. Every American deserves a fair chance at their American dream. Jesus said love. Jesus said grace. Jesus said mercy. Jesus said-

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
-Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)

* Combatting climate change- If you deny climate change as a scientific fact, I suggest you move on. As Obi-Wan would say, "This is not the blog you're looking for." God clearly put us in charge of this beautiful planet (Genesis 1) and I very much worry what we're leaving for our children and their children to deal with. I believe investing in our earth is the smartest way to invest in our future. There have also been credible links established between climate change and the rise of ISIS. Beyond the creation story, I love what God says to Noah after the flood-

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
-Genesis 9:1-3 (ESV)

It's all been delivered into our hands. Are we taking care of it the way God hopes for?

* Racial Justice/Fair & Humane Immigration Policies- Every American - no matter race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status - deserves the same amount of dignity and humanity. That is not currently the case in our country. My black and hispanic friends experience racism on an almost DAILY basis. (This is indisputable to me- I have witnessed it.) It is still very deeply ingrained into the fabric of our country. (If you are a white Christian who believes this to not be the case, I would urge you to listen or watch any of Matt Chandler's sermons on racial reconciliation. And I would also urge you to just google some basic statistics.)

When I see a policeman or woman, I automatically feel safe in knowing that help is nearby. Bernie's policies want to make it so that all Americans will be afforded that same right. I also support his prison reforms in ending the prisons for profit system and lessening the punishment for nonviolent offenders (grace and mercy, guys).

This support goes hand in hand with his stances on immigration. (Reminder: about two thousand years ago, there was a brown-skinned couple containing a wife that had become pregnant out-of-wedlock who gave birth to a brown-skinned baby...who was Jesus. This beautiful brown-skinned, not-at-all nuclear family then very quickly became refugees.) The thought of closing our borders to refugees fleeing from the greatest evil on earth makes me incredibly sad. The thought of labeling all Muslims as terrorists (or god forbid imposing a database and ID system???) is beyond dangerous and very much playing into the pattern of fear that ISIS desperately wants. Some verses on our equality in God's eyes that I love-

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
-Acts 10:34-35 (ESV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
-Galatians 3:28 (ESV)

Just a few overviews of my thoughts. I believe it's important to not make gods of any political candidate. You cannot rest your hopes and dreams on any man. I do believe God can use Bernie Sanders for good in America and the world.

If you are an undecided Christian voter, I would just urge you to read this one last piece- because Donald Trump scares me more than anything.

To God's guiding hand.



Saturday, February 13, 2016

Happy Galentines Day!

If you think the above title contains a typo, oh dear poor soul let me educate you:


Haven't you heard? The future is female.




Since I can't be in a dozen places at once to celebrate with all my Galentines today, below are a few things I love about some of the ladies in my life and what I've learned from them.

Friendship goals
Emily 
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Who can say they never fought even once with their freshman year roommate? Or that they're still bffs with their bff from 5th grade? In fact in middle school we determined that "bff" was not strong enough for this friendship, so instead coined the term "bffae" meaning "best friend forever and ever" as our one and only descriptor. Emily is my definition of loyalty. Plus, I'm sure she has extremely embarrassing footage of me somewhere. (That she would never release publicly because again- LOYALTY.)

Casen
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Casen fits one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes - "though she be but little, she is fierce" - to a tee. Her determination to chase after dreams despite obstacle after obstacle is ridiculously inspiring. She will also sing show tunes with me at any time (very important in a friendship...with me).

JoJo
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How did it take us over 25 years to find each other? JoJo has shown me more grace and love than I'll ever be able to repay. Leslie's many compliments to Ann in Parks and Rec work well for our friendship (you are a beautiful tropical fish, JoJo) but the most applicable might be- "Ann [JoJo], you are such a good friend, you're a beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk-ox. Thank you, ox." Thank you, JoJo.

Katie
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I'll never forget calling Katie up and saying something to the effect of, "my cat died and I'm going to Rome tomorrow." Her automatic response of "yes, I'm in" is the metaphor for our friendship. She's always game, always up for the challenge, ready to help. She's such a healer.

Victoria
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Victoria and I bonded on our first night as new members in Alpha Chi Omega and never looked back. We were constantly mistaken for each other at Baylor and can I just say, it's a relief to be mistaken for a great person. I'm lucky enough to still have a strong bond with a group of sorority sisters and Victoria is one I can always call with a question or prayer or if I just need a general reality check. 

Karen
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Leaving GFAA for grad school was one of the hardest things I've done and not continuing to work with Karen was a big part of that. I learned a ridiculous amount of things from her and have so much respect for her, it doesn't even phase me that she's a TCU fan (just kidding mostly, Karen). I became a better teacher and person because of this one.

Those are just a few of the many, many gals that have impacted my life in wonderful ways. Women are amazing and I believe the more often women recognize and celebrate the amazingness of other women, the better the world will be. 







To galentines the world over,




Sunday, January 10, 2016

15 for '15 & 16 for '16

I did this last year. I liked it. Let's do it again, shall we?

Taylor's clearly excited.

15 Amazing Memories from 2015 (in definite not order of significance):


1. Seat filling at the National Television Awards.

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2. Performing the Housekeeper in Lorca's Dona Rosita at the Cockpit Theatre in London

Read my blog post about my love for the show and Lorca here

3. Pulling off the ultimate surprise by showing up to my family's trip to Disney World


4. Witnessing amazing theatre, everywhere











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5. Having my Alpha Chi Omega sisters cross an ocean to visit me in London (and exploring Amsterdam with them)

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6. Turning in the last paper ever (God willing) of my life 



7. Finishing up my East 15 run with Three Birds Alighting on a Field in the heart of the West End

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8. Rome with Katie

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9. JoJo's birthday in Oslo


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10. Experiencing incredible support in the lead-up to Ed Fringe


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11. Graduating with my MFA


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12. Exploring Oxford with my former Baylor Theatre professor and forever role model Totie B


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13. Edinburgh Fringe Festival





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14. Moving to New York City




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15. Christmas in Texas

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Of course not every moment of 2015 was amazing. I may be putting rose-colored glasses on it saying it, but I'll call it my bittersweet memory of '15:

Leaving London.

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The longing to be back wandering through Covent Garden, lazing in the sun room on campus, catching a last minute show in Piccadilly - it's all very strong. But while I wish for the past sometimes, I am excited for the future almost all of the times. So without further ado,

16 Things I'm Excited for in 2016

1. Being able to say I survived my first NYC winter
2. Exciting Barrington Collective announcement #1
3. Exciting Barrington Collective announcement #2
4. Showing my parents around the city
5. Seeing all of the amazing theatre (that I can afford) and maybe some of the bad
6. A wonderful day job nannying two adorable kids with seriously awesome parents
7. Growing in community and faith with my new Redeemer family
8. Experiencing a New York Spring
9. Writing more
10. Traveling (probably not to as exotic of locales as last year, but I've got lots of frequent flyer miles to burn)
11. Being a bridesmaid in my sweet sorority sister Victoria's wedding (#sidebysides624)
12. Turning 29
13. Celebrating Baylor continuing to be good at football (still can't believe this)
14. Developing and settling into an artistic routine
15. Christmas in Texas (never mess with a classic)
16. I don't know...surprise me.

To Auld Lang Syne,


(And yes, I know I need to change the title bar up top. New York is keeping me way too engaged for these things.)