Week 40: Charlotte, NC

(Please note the rather delayed nature of this post. We were Charlotte the last week of June 2012...)

Last week in the USA doing the show!! The countdown isn't quite real, but in reality we have just three weeks of performing left- that's only 24 shows!

Me and my onstage husband, Kyle, out for a drink on our first day in town. 

We spent a LOT of time at the hotel pool, partly out of necessity because it was so hot, and also because our hotel was in a complex with everything one could possibly need- CVS, restaurants, bars, Jamba Juice. We would venture out for supplies, and return to chlorinated bliss.

So, I learned how to do a fishtail braid and did it for Brittany one night. Pretty proud!! It's not that easy on my own hair...

The obligatory ladies shot at our presenter hosted post-show party. These often happen, but this was a particularly good one. The food was delicious and the hosts were all so kind. 

Christie, Andrew, Carly, and me at the post show feast. There were LOTS of vegan options, so these three were happy little health nuts.

Me, Carly, Jess, and Caitlin at the piano bar "Howl at the Moon" for Jessica's birthday.

Look at that forecast for the weekend!! It was SO hot- see pool pictures.

I wonder if the audience could smell the sunscreen...we were all coated in layers and layers. Thank goodness I didn't get a burn.

My little peanut Brittany. We're the littlest and biggest girls in the chorus, so whenever we're out and taking pictures I squat down with her. She'd always say, "Stand up straight Caroline!" 

Emily and I happened to be twins one day backstage. My sweet little Belle, I guess I can see from here how people would mistake me for her pretty often. (Also, check out the volume on my wig! I think she stuck her finger in a socket...)

Our lovely bassist Catherine also happens to like taking pictures. We had several "amateur" (amazing) photographers in our group with those big, spiffy cameras. As we had to leave her behind- insert long complicated story about musicians union here- Cat took a few photos of us getting ready for the show together our last weekend with her. We don't usually cram into one mirror, but it was fun for 30 seconds!

My solo shot with Cat. I do love a red lip :)

One final city, and a nice long sit down of three weeks. So looking forward to our time in: Toronto!

Fall Goals

I love making lists. I made this one about a month ago and I'm trying to adhere to it, which means putting it out in public (experts agree this is a helpful step in achieving goals) and it's going up on my wall of my new apartment! More on that adventure another time.

In no particular order...

• 5 workouts a week. I consistently get four, the last one might just do the trick in kicking my butt (and helping with the next one...)
• Sleep naturally. This may be surprising with my particular affinity for slumber, but I am a terrible insomniac. I am capable of laying in bed for hours, wide awake. I've resorted to a few aided methods of acquiring rest, but I don't want to become reliant.
• Stop making excuses for the nature of my career. Most people outside of entertainment don't understand what exactly it is I'm doing, how I get a job, why I live in New York but have to leave all the time. I'm resolving to no longer care, which might in turn help me focus on getting the next gig.
• Sing. Every day. To worship, to warm up, to belt it out, to work on my range. Find a reason and do it daily. Practice makes perfect.
• Drink more water. This is a perpetual battle with my bladder and kidneys that hopefully I win one day.
• Tithe more. I'm always making excuses about offerings because I am pretty poor. And I am. But even the widow gave away her two pennies. If I don't have the cash, I will make the time.
• Make more meals for myself. Living in New York, it's more than encouraged to eat out all the time. Maybe I just need a lunchbox...
• Talk to my siblings regularly. I love them, they love me. There is no doubt and I think we have good relationships. But I want to make a habit of calling. Life is too short.
• Grow out my bangs. I never wear them down. Ever. I might as well make my life easier by eliminating the  bobby pin culprit.
• Get some new audition material. There's a few holes in my bag o'tricks. Tap dancing falls under this category.
• Philippians 4:11-13 says, "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I have what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" Work on this contentment, no matter what the day brings. 

That's it! Stay tuned, I'll do my best to let you know how things are going. Hope everyone is having a good fall so far. The weather in New York is very back and worth...two days ago it was cold enough for the radiator to click on, but today it was near 70. I'm a bit confused but anything is better than Manhattan in July.

Neglect

I have not forgotten. I just usually want to write when I don't have my computer on hand. Thus I will be solving the problem by making use of the laptop function...and dragging this guy around with me.

Promises:

1. To catch up on the end of tour chronicles. There are so many pictures after all.
2. Let you know about my new lovely apartment, and the rather domestic/home improvement moods it's got me in.
3. Tell you what is happening these days. Which isn't much compared to adventures in a cross country bus, but it's present tense.

Love to all.