Theatre makeup trick

Myth Busters: Hair Edition

SSBs

I've heard it said that we all have strange, secret behaviors (or SSBs) that we practice from time to time.  Because we fear being mocked and ridiculed for our eccentricity, we tend to indulge when no one's around.  It goes beyond mere idiosyncrasies...they're "idio-secrecies"! (You may roll your eyes but I thought that was clever.)

So as you've likely figured out, I'm about to tell you one of my SSBs.  No surprise but it has to do with fashion.  More specifically, my secret behavior  involves planning my outfits for the week.

And bee-tee-dubs, if you think the fact that I plan my outfits in advance is my weird behavior, you've got another think coming (as my mom used to say).  Many people advocate picking out what you're going to wear the night before so as to save time in the morning.

My idio-secret is HOW I choose my weekly wardrobe.  Each Sunday evening, I take out my trusty planning notebook.  On the inside cover is a key that reads as follows:

Monday - Top
Tuesday - Bottom or Dress
Wednesday - Jewelry
Thursday - Other Accessory
Friday - Any

That probably doesn't mean much to you but for me it's a guide by which I select my various ensembles.  On Monday, for example, I look through my tops to find one that I haven't worn in a while and I plan an outfit around that top.  On Wednesday, same basic principle but I start with a piece of jewelry that has been neglected or lost in the back of my closet somewhere.

Yes, now that I've typed it out, I realize how absurd this sounds but I stand by my SSB because it not only cuts down on my pre-work, primp time but ensures that I get the most out of the pieces in my closet.  I mean, who doesn't like to hear, "I hardly ever see you wear the same thing twice"?

For the fun of it, I've included pictures as an example.  I haven't patented the process yet so my readers are welcome to use it.  Don't worry - it'll be our little secret!

Started with the top and planned the rest around it...down to the silver jewelry and purple heels

Monday Morning

Jewelry Rules!

I know what you’re thinking.  Amy, you JUST told us that when it comes to fashion, there are no rules so why are you posting about Jewelry Rules?  The list I’m about to give you is not really a list of rules but rather guidelines for how I accessorize with jewelry. 

The title, however, was meant in the sense that Jewelry RULES – it rocks, it’s the best, it reigns supreme when it comes to fashion, accessorizing and, well…it definitely reigns supreme in MY closet.  Words really can’t begin to describe my love affair with jewelry.  But those who know me already knew that to be the case, so let’s get on with it.

Here are a few guidelines that I use when considering, selecting and purchasing jewelry – something I do more than I should.

#1. If I’m not wearing jewelry, I might as well not be wearing anything.  No, I’m not advocating nudism as a new trend but rather expressing my personal feeling that without jewelry I am naked.  The only exceptions I can think of are working out and swimming….but even with the latter I’ve been known to sport earrings and bracelets to the pool.

#2. Who says you have to match jewelry to your outfits?  I often operate under the opposite principle and match outfits to fun, funky jewelry that I find.  But then again, I’ve always been a little “backwards”!

#3. Contrast is king.  I used to be a Matchy-Matchy Mona (yes, I just made that up), but now I’m a Contrast Carly. (No?)  Point being this…if I’m wearing blue or purple then I will search for my jeweled accessories on the yellow, orange or red side of the store.

#4. That reminds me – Dustee’s, Charming Charlie and Sam Moon are among my fave places to shop because their displays are arranged by color.  I’d like to think that brainchild came to someone who took a peek into my closet.

#5. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…BIGGER IS BETTER.  Okay, maybe my opinion is biased because I’m a big girl but I’d like to think that even if I were petite, I would still be drawn to in-your-face jewelry – you know, those earrings you can see from across the building or rings that take up your entire hand.

#6. If your clothing is the canvas and your jewelry pieces are the brushstrokes of color, then place them accordingly.  For example, I have a Tiffany Blue, cowl neck shirt I wear with red accessories.  Placement is important though.  I typically choose a chunky red necklace with a giant red ring.  I also have red earrings and bracelets, but I usually forgo those for the sake of balance in this piece of artwork I’m creating.

#7. Last but not least, be true to you.  Remember, I said there are no rules so ultimately you get to wear what you like.  Everyone knows that I have no desire to purchase dainty little rings or small earrings that don’t hang at least to mid-neck.  If I did that, it would seem weird and very un-Amy.  But the same goes for you.  If big or blingy isn’t your deal, then stick with whatever is your deal and don’t worry about what others say – even loudmouths like me!

My #1 Beauty and Fashion Rule

Being a woman is tough sometimes because it comes with so many rules.  Don't wear white after labor day (or to another woman's wedding), your nail polish should coordinate with your toenail polish, don't mix brown and black, the Coco Chanel rule of seven (referring to how many pieces of jewelry you can wear at once) and the list goes on.

In most cases, I understand the thought behind the various rules but being the rebel that I am, I just have one rule that I follow...

THERE ARE NO RULES.

Not when it comes to my fashion.  Sure, there are things I wouldn't be caught dead in (i.e. a denim mini skirt with UGGs) but not because someone decided it was a major faux pas or some hard and fast rule.  Rather, the reason I won't don certain outfits or accessories is simply a matter of preference.  If I like the way it looks (and have no moral issues with modesty, etc.) then I'll try it out.  And if Glamour Magazine says it's "so five minutes ago", I don't foresee that I'll lose much sleep over that.

Sadly, I have not always operated under this principle but for the last few years, I have recognized the freedom that comes with consulting only my inner fashionista.

 I've also discovered something else that I find fascinating.

Whatever your preference is, there will be women with similar taste who are just waiting for someone like you to pave the way.  In other words, instead of being a slave to others style ideas, you can become the trendsetter.

It might sound crazy, but I hear a lot of women saying, "I've always wanted to try that look" or "I wish I could pull that off."

My response to those ladies is simple.  You can...if you follow my #1 beauty and fashion rule!

(P.S. - My #2 Beauty and Fashion Rule is also quite simple.  "Bigger is better...especially when it comes to earrings, bracelets and purses!)

Who Needs Diamonds???

False lashes are a girl's best friend!!!!

Sometimes, being a glamazon means going above and beyond in the areas of hair and makeup.  For days when plain, ol' mascara won't do, I've been known to bust out the fake eyelashes.  Some reserve them for special occasions or photo shoots, but I believe that every day is a gift from God which makes every day a special occasion! (See what I did there?)

Thanks in large part to my years as a Theatre Major in college, I have become quite proficient at applying fake eyelashes.  In the following video, I will share with you my tips for application as well as demonstrate (unintentionally, mind you) a few of the pitfalls that come with the process. 

In spite of the camera angle, volume issues and annoying kitten in the background, I hope this video is helpful and I encourage feedback if you make your first attempt at "a girl's best friend"!

3 is better than 1?

I've long known that I'm a glutton for punishment but in case you weren't convinced, I offer further proof.  I am "reinstating" this blog which will bring my blog total to THREE.  That's correct.  I'm going to attempt to run 3 blogs at once.  ("Attempt" is the operative word there.)

The reasoning behind my insanity is simple.  At the She Speaks conference I recently attented, I was given a challenge by one of the publishers.  She suggested that I post every day for 30 days to help determine what areas and audience I'm most passionate about.  Initially, the task seemed nearly impossible but then I realized that if I gave myself three different platforms from which to write, it MIGHT be doable.

That being said, this blog (Goodness, Grace, and All Things Glam) will be devoted primarily to the "glam" side of life.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a girly-girl to the core and that I consider myself quite the fashionista in the areas of clothing, makeup, hair and accessories.  I'm often asked about how I do my eye shadow or where I get my jewelry, etc. so I figure why not have a blog devoted to answering those questions and more?!

Another blog that you may already be aware of is Rebel With A Calling.  It is there that I will continue to post about this amazing journey God has me on as well as specific ways we can combat worldliness and live a sold-out life for Christ.

Lastly (and most daunting in my opinion), is my blog entitled, Single Step.  If I'm being honest, this is the blog I don't really want to do.  However, I recognize the importance of the accountability it brings and I already have a small but devoted following.  Single Step is made up of videos that outline my weight loss journey as I use the Weigh Down method to try and "shape up".

So there you have it.

Three blogs.  Thirty days.

Are you in?

Papa, Can You Hear Me?

Hopefully you spend some time, if not a lot, talking to God. But do you ever feel like he's talking to you? I don't mean audibly hearing His voice, although if you do, I'm jealous. I don't even mean broad instructions given to all Christians in His word, although those are VERY important. I'm talking about little signs or "coincidences" that are sooooo perfectly timed that you think, "God, you sent that just for me, didn't you?" Needless to say, that happened to me about 2 minutes ago.

So for lack of a better term, I've been in a "bad head" lately. I know it's largely because I've drifted some from the truth and let the devil have a foothold, but I've just been sorta down and out and....searching. So I'm sitting at work, thinking about this very thing and I decide to pull up google and search for the remedy. I mean, you can find anything on google, right? So I type in "cures for a bad head". I know what you're thinking. How on earth did I think that was going to give me the answer I was looking for? Incidently, I now know many good tips for curing hangovers. But here's the thing, even before I typed in the search, i knew there was only one answer. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "Amy, you don't need Google to tell you that God's Word, prayer and surrounding yourself with believers is what you need right now." Anyway, before I could even begin to navigate through the pages of my search results, I was distracted by the tab to my yahoo mail page. I noticed I had received a new message. I quickly tabbed over to see who it was from. You won't believe what the subject line of the e-mail said.

"His Word. Their Hope."

I still can't get over how perfect that timing was. And I don't think for a second that it was some coincidence of the universe. God is talking to me. And He wants to talk to all of us if we'll just listen. Think about that this week. His word is our hope. I don't know about you, but I know that I need to spend more time in God's word - more time listening to what he has to say to me. That's the only real cure for a bad head.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

While I'm in a blogging mood, I might as well tell you about another event I attended about a month or so ago. Better late than never, right?

A while back my roommate, Rani, mentioned a comedy night at a local hotel bar. The Midtown's newly rennovated Velvet Room hosts a comedy night every Thursday. The acts are reported to be nationally touring comedians from the likes of HBO, Comedy Central, etc.

We decided to check it out for ourselves one Thursday night, so we headed over to the Midtown Hotel. There was a little confusion on the start time, so we arrived to a comedy routine already in progress. The crowd was sparse and clearly drunk and the comedian's mic was WAY too loud, but those minor issues aside, the comedy was actually very funny. Now, I should take this opportunity to tell you that I consider myself a fairly tough critic when it comes to comedy. I don't normally laugh at the obvious jokes, as I prefer a more intelligent humor. And I definitely don't like vulgarity, but much to my surprise, this guy was both clean and hysterical. I quickly grew accustomed to the volume and found that I was laughing out loud with great frequency. In fact, he had me in such a good mood, that I didn't mind when he jokingly referred to my roommate and me as "lesbians". I mean, it was a joke, right?

After the show was over, the place cleared out pretty quickly. The DJ played some loud dance music in hopes to fill the dance floor, but it was clear that the people had come for one reason and one reason only. As Rani and I left, I wondered what the chances were that every Thursday night comedian would be that funny and that clean. My guess is slim to none. I do feel like I lucked out that night, but since I haven't been back since, I can't say for sure.

Amy's Overall Opinion: Great change of pace for a weeknight in Midland and not too pricey (less than $8, I believe)

Amy's Advice: Double check the time and maybe bring some earplugs, just in case!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

It's been a while since I've posted about "things to do in Midland" so I figured, why not tell you about the baseball game I went to last night.

The Midland Rockhounds is our local, minor league baseball team. Last night they faced off against Corpus Christi, so I joined my roommate and a few of her coworkers at the game. Let me begin by saying, of all the sports, baseball is not my favorite. In fact, next to golf, I think it's very boring to watch on tv. However, there is something to be said for viewing it live. I am beginning to understand how it is considered America's favorite pasttime. The cheering crowd, the crack of the bat, the anticipation of seeing a homerun (which we did) or even a GRAND SLAM! It's a lot more fun than I've given it credit for and, with the right company, makes for a VERY enjoyable way to spend your Monday Evening. And, it doesn't hurt that as usual, there's something about a man in uniform...even baseball and umpire uniforms!

Amy's Overall Opinion: Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks and we have a date!

Amy's Advice: Go on Monday night and mention "Basic Energy" at the ticket booth for $2.00 tickets. What a steal! (pun intended!)

Pink Elephant, anyone?

I'm going to ignore the big, PINK ELEPHANT in the room right now. You know, the one that keeps reminding me that I have ONCE again failed at the "Things to do in Midland" challenge. It also keeps trying to tell me that I even failed at my attempt to go Boho. (My sister has reminded me of that a few times too.) What can I say? I am who I am. I like green eggs and ham. Wait, wrong rhyme. So now you know, I don't finish what I start, my style is anything but bohemian, and I even have a dorky sense of humor.

It was suggested to me a few days ago that rather than give up on the blog all together, I just shift the focus a bit. Who says I HAVE to blog about things to do in Midland? Why not just blog about life. I mean, mine's not always the most interesting to read about, but hey, judging by the FB status updates I read regularly, neither is anyone else's. I also decided that instead of trying to cram 52 things to do in Midland into one calendar year, why not just give myself a break on the time constraints. In other words, I will probably still occasionally post about outings and whatnot...it just won't be once a week.

Okay, so here's the update on me...as far as Grad school is concerned, I still don't know if it's a sure thing. I submitted all of the required material but am waiting for one of my letters of recommendation before I will know if I'm a Red Raider. (Ick...I hate the sound of that. Correction: until I know if I'm an Aggie who will be furthering her education at Texas Tech.) In the meantime, the spring semester is in full swing and some exciting things are coming down the line. For the third year in a row, I've been invited to sponsor the senior class trip to San Antonio. A few days after that I will be taking several students, a few parents and my sissy to NYC, baby!!!! Then, in mid June, I will head to Dallas with Amanda to watch....drumroll, please....NKOTB and Backstreet Boys in concert! It's going to be legend...wait for it....ary! All of these trips are proving to be great motivation to pick up the pace on my weight loss journey. To date I've lost 12 pounds. It would have been more, but I sort of fell off the wagon last week. But I'm back in the saddle and I have my eyes on the prize!

In "not so happy" news, I'm also looking for a new place to live before June 1st. For those who haven't heard, I've been asked...no, told...to move out of my house. I mean, I suppose the owners (MCS) have that right since it IS their house, but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I sure will miss living so close to work and having the extra space. I have a feeling it's back to apartment living for me!

But ill-timed move aside, life is dandy these days and I owe God all the praise! (There I go with my Dr. Seuss ways again...)

Thanks for reading!

2010 Challenge - Part 2

As part "Otter" personality, I am notorious for being a great starter but a lousy finisher. Actually, you already knew that. That's why I'm having to continue the 2010 challenge in 2011. But that makes me wonder...if something starts out lousy for me, is that an omen that it will end great?! If so, then this 2010 challenge (part 2) should be a homerun, because my first event for 2011 was a complete failure. I would like to point out, however, that the failure was not entirely my fault. Allow me to explain:

My first outing for the year was planned for this past weekend. I had noticed on the city's calendar of events that the Horseshoe Arena was hosting the West Texas Kennel Club Dog Show. I've never been to a dog show, but I thought, hey, that's something you don't see every weekend and the best part was the free admission. So, I promptly notified my dog-loving friend and possibly my only blog-reader, Amanda, and she agreed to accompany me to the dog show. The website had Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. listed as the show times, so I assumed it must be a come and go type event (althought the word "show" would suggest otherwise). That was my first mistake. Never assume.

About 3:30 in the afternoon, Amanda and I pull into the parking lot and I'm immediately concerned by the lack of cars, but we park and head inside anyway. Once inside, I notice a line of people leaving the bleacher section. Then I observe what appears to be vendors tearing down their stations. Finally, after walking around in a state of semi-bewilderment and confusion, Amanda prompts me to ask someone what's going on. So I turn to a lady with a red vest on (very official looking) and say, "Is it over?" Dumb question. Of course it was over....that's usually why people start putting things away. All that was left were a few slow-moving vendors, some tired dogs in crates and what appeared to be the winner of the show having his (or her?) picutre taken with his (or her?) owner.

Wow. So after all that, I still haven't ever seen a dog show. But some people did and I'm sure they'd tell you it was fun. Here's what I'll tell you - don't trust the Horseshoe website.

Amy's Final Opinion: At least the afternoon wasn't a total loss. I still got the oh-so-classy picture below (the sign says "Select Bitch")

Amy's Advice: Go with your gut. When in doubt of show times, always call first. (Yeah, I know it's sideways, but if you look close, you'll see that it does indeed say 7 to 7!)

La Vie Boheme!

If I ask you what Madonna is most known for, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Scratch that...what's the 3rd or 4th thing that comes to mind. For me, it is her amazing ability to reinvent herself. What else could explain how she's been able to stay popular for so long? Well, in true Madonna fashion, I've been thinking about reinventing myself, or rather, my style. Those who know me, particularly where my style is concerned, know that I am the queen of "matchy-matchy". Take my bedroom for example. Plum, pale pink, black, white and silver. Those are my colors and I have the HARDEST time introducing anything into my decor if it doesn't fall into one of those categories. Also, patterns have to match. If I have stripes, then plaid just won't work. The same is basically true for my wardrobe, especially where accessories are concerned. I can wear an orange shirt and purple earrings ONLY if I have a scarf that ties them together. To be honest, I envy my roommate. She manages to put things together that, although I think they're adorable, I would NEVER have thought of myself.

So what do I wish to be in this new "style" life? You've probably already guessed it from the title of this post - I want to go bohemian. Talk about a style that marries different patterns and colors! I love it and I want more of it! I've already been eyeing some fabric at Hobby Lobby to make throw pillows with for my bed...and I'm talking blues and greens...not just pinks and plums! Also, I've started scouring the web for pics of all the boho-chic celebs so I'll know what to look for on my next shopping trip. (Exhibit A)

Seeing as how this is my first reinvention, I'm not expecting it to be easy, nor am I expecting it will happen overnight. Also, it's not like I can financially justify a complete overhaul to both my wardrobe and my living decor. But I can start small and introduce little things here and there...and before you know it, I'll be living "La Vie Boheme!"

We're not in "Glam"sas anymore, Toto!

Forgive me blogger, for I have sinned. Not only has it been a while since my last post, but I fear the title I've given my blog is now a misnomer. Sure, I'm still grateful for God's goodness and grace, but as for the "all things glam", I'm thinking "all thing glum" might better suit me these days. Okay, maybe glum isn't really the word I'm looking for, so allow me to explain.

Once a self-proclaimed Glamazon on the scale of Frumpy to Fabulous (Glamazon is the notch right before Fabulous), I now reside somewhere in the middle between "lazy college student" and "30-something school teacher". Although I'm not wearing pajama bottoms to work (I secretly wish though) or ABC sweaters and the like, I have been particularly lax about things like makeup, hair products and....dare I say it....jewelry! (OH THE SHAME!) You may be thinking to yourself, "Self, Amy loves her jewelry more than life, so what gives?" I'll tell you what gives. I've become a six-days-a-week gym rat. You may think that has nothing to do with my recent move out of "Glam"sas, but I beg to differ.

First, there's the morning getting-ready-routine. After my shower is usually when the tug of war starts. The old me is ready to get dolled up and meet the day head-on, but the new me starts calculating how long I'll actually be wearing the makeup I'm about to put on and wondering what's the use of fixing my hair if in mere hours it will be dripping with sweat. As it turns out, the new me is pretty strong and usually wins...but that's not all...

After the gym (when I really do look like a rat...and a drowned rat at that), I'm too tired to do anything but eat, go to any mandatory meetings and then sleep. That's right, I just admitted to God and everyone that I usually don't shower after the gym - I just let that sweat air dry. (I repeat: OH THE SHAME!) This means that when you see me at wednesday night church or in the grocery store, you probably don't want to get too close.

So what's this former fashionista to do? I could always try early morning workouts, but just the thought makes my eyelids heavy. Maybe stronger coffee? Hire a personal hairdresser and makeup person? Liposuction? Follow the yellow brick road...?

Where have you been all my life?!

Oh, right...I'm the one who disappered. To my blogger account and devoted followers, my sincerest apologies! I hope 2010 was good for you and that you weren't bored without my "things to do in Midland" updates. What can I say, I'm the classic great starter/lousy finisher (or what some call an Otter personality). In fact, as I type I'm wrestling with the thought of restarting the "things to do" list. I have to acknowledge that if I do, there is a good chance that I will once again get too busy to see it through the year. HMMMMMM...what to do.

Okay, in true Otter fashion, I've decided to give it a go. I figure I made it to week 5 last year, so I'll pick up with week 6 in 2011 and TRY to make it all the way to week 52. As a refresher, here are the parameters:

Things to DO in Midland/Odessa,
Restaurants don't count,
No repeating.

I'll start compiling my list today. Maybe if I plan out my weeks in advance, I'll be less likely to fizzle out.

Okay, enough about that. Just in case anyone's wondering, here's the quick list of what's been going on with me since my last post:

I'm in my 4th year of teaching at Midland Christian (Economics and Theatre still) and recently decided to go back to school for my Masters in Theatre. Against my better (Aggie) judgement, I'm applying for the program at Texas Tech. I take the GRE this Saturday and am planning a trip to Lubbock soon to speak with an advisor. My plan is to go to summer school until my last 2 semesters which must be completed in the fall and spring.

I've also moved since my last post. I'm no longer with the 'rents (many thanks to Randy and Brenda for housing me last year). I now rent a house owned by and across from Midland Christian. I love the extra space, my great roommate (shout out to Rani Hayes!) and being able to walk to work.

Lastly, a few of my resolutions/plans for 2011:

• lose weight (another shout out to my workout partner, Amanda Rosales!)
• see the blog through
• become a leader in Celebrate Recovery
• get accepted to Texas Tech (never thought I'd say that)
• go to NYC in May
• pay off Discover and start making a dent in Visa

Amy's final opinion on 2010:

Not too shabby, but 2011 will be even better!

Amy's Advice:

Enjoy the "Things to Do" while you can....you know, just in case ;)

Week 5 - For the CHILD in all of us

The nice thing about this personal challenge to find 52 different things to do in Midland/Odessa in 2010 is that I didn't give myself very many parameters (aside from "no restaurants" and "no repeating events"). Since I never specified that they had to be "adult" events, this week I decided to take a trip to The Museum of the Southwest's CHILDREN MUSEUM! And just to feel justified, I took my sister and 2 nieces along. =)

My first impression was a great one because on Sunday afternoon's the Children's Museum is free of charge. But even at $3.00 a person on weekdays, it would have been worth the money. We started our tour in the grocery store. This room was a little nostalgic for me in a way. Not because I went there as a child, but because I have very fond memories of playing "grocery store" with my Mima when I was a little girl. She used to pull all of her canned goods out of the cabinets and set them up on "aisles". Then she would give me a purse with some money and I would shop for groceries. Mima of course, would act as cashier when I was ready to check out. Well, no offense to Mima, but her store was like a 7-11 compared to this grocery playland.

After Maia & Josie had finished their shopping, we headed to the Veterinary clinic. This is where the laughter began. I honestly couldn't tell you what Marleah and I found so funny, but we laughed all the way from the Vet to the Burger King upstairs. I think it was just fun seeing the joy on the girl's faces and acting a little like kids again ourselves. Unfortunately, our fun was cut short because it was closing time. (In fact, my one complaint of this event would be that they actually closed a little early, but then Marleah figured if we get in for free, we probably shouldn't complain...and I agreed.)

Overall, regardless if you have children or are just a big kid yourself, this is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon...especially if the funds are a little low.

Amy's Opinion on The Children's Museum: No child (actual or at heart) should be left behind!

Amy's Advice: Don't forget your camera like we did because there's guaranteed to be some precious moments!

Week 4 - Everyone loves a Mini-Retreat!

For the 4th week event, I decided to count the Ladies Mini-Retreat at my church, Kelview Heights Baptist. The Mini-Retreat featured numerous workshops, breakfast, lunch, shopping (one of my all-time favorite things) and a keynote speaker. It went from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from what I could tell had a wonderful turnout. I attended workshops ranging in topic from reaching your weight loss/fitness goals to letting go of the painful pieces of your past. I also was privileged to co-teach a workshop with my sister (I use the term "teach" loosely) called "Be Wise, Accessorize!" Sounds appropriate, right? I can't be sure that we offered a lot of useful information that the ladies didn't already know, but I can be sure that I had fun in the process. Accessorizing is one of those topics that I can speak on for hours! The event was wrapped up by the keynote speaker who did a wonderful job of challenging us to make 2010 not only a great year, but a godly year. All in all, it was a great event and a great Saturday. We all need a little gal-pal time and a little time refocusing on the important issues in our lives.

Amy's Final Opinion: Well, obviously it's biased, but I'd give it two thumbs up!

Amy's advice (to herself): Start saving now for next year's event so you can buy that $239.00 necklace you were just dying to have!

I Need You To Love Me

Incredible lyrics by Barlow Girl!
(Yes, I know the song is not "new" but the words never meant as much to me as they do now.)

Why? Why are you still here with me?
Didn’t you see what I’ve done?
In my shame I want to run,
And hide myself.
Yeah, but it’s here I see the truth,
I don’t deserve you.

But I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing you away from me.
I just never saw how you
Could cherish me.
Cause you’re a God who has all things,
And still you want me.

And I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Yeah, ye-ea-eah

Your love makes me forget what I have been.
Your love makes me see who I really am.
Your love makes me forget what I have been, oh-oh.

And I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to love me, ye-ea-eah!
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me

Sunny With a Chance of Sequins

For those who don't know me, I love GLITZ & GLAM! I was thinking the other day, that if I could live in a children's book, it would be called Sunny With a Chance of Sequins. (Or maybe Rainy With a Chance of Rhinestones???) Either way, I would LOVE it! I've always considered myself like a bird in that respect. Shiny things just catch my eye. I wonder if that's why I've always been attracted to bald men....their shiny heads! (HAHAHA...I just thought of that!) I know for certain that it is why my mom has (lovingly) referred to me as "drag-queen-esque" in the past. The sad thing is, I can't really argue that point.

No point to this post, other than to ramble on about sparkly stuff!

Week 3 - From the Rodeo to the Opera

I know what you're thinking..."From the rodeo to the opera is quite a leap and since when do we have an opera house in Midland/Odessa?"

We don't. What we DO have is a movie theatre that periodically shows live performances from The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. (http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_current.aspx)

On Saturday, I accompanied my sister and her husband to a showing of Bizet's Carmen. If I were a more eloquent writer, then perhaps I could accurately convey how I felt about Carmen. Since I'm not, I won't try other than to say, AMAZING. In one word, that's what the opera was...AMAZING.

There's a line on the movie Pretty Woman in which Richard Gere's character says, "People's reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic; they either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul. "

I will always love the opera.

I can't believe, especially as a Theatre Major and Teacher, that I've waited this long to see one. But I can promise you that I won't wait that long to see the next one. I also know that the next one I see will hopefully be in person. (I guess that means I better start saving for a trip to NYC!)

There is definitely more I could say about the opera, but I don't feel the need to, so I will end with this...

Amy's final opinion on The Met: Live in HD: Let me repeat, AMAZING!

Amy's Advice: Get in line behind all the old people and maybe they'll give you the Senior discount too. (It worked for me!)