Thursday, December 17, 2009

VIVA ELVIS december 16th 2009

And finally my 2 year contract and show pay has started!! haha just kidding. What a relief to sit here today and think back over a year ago when I got the call about this show, to finally be here getting it on its feet. It was more work then I ever imagined and there is still work to come.But more than anything it has been a huge blessing in my life. We have had an awesome opening week and I am so grateful my sister could be here with me. Her opinion and support means so much to me. I love you Louise!! I can only hope these next 2 years will continue to help me grow and change as person and dancer. The crowd last night started off a bit lame being full of rich men and woman who had big expectations to people having fun, standing up and dancing with us by the end! It makes me so happy to see people feel and love his music just as much as we are. Getting to hear from Priscilla Presley again was also amazing. Hearing her tell how proud Elvis would be of this show is so rewarding. I'm so looking forward to the many opportunities this show will bring over these next few years! I hope everyone gets a chance to see it just for a night of fun, good music, and entertainment! VIVA ELVIS- xoxo a girl in the city

Monday, December 14, 2009

Only 48 hours until hopefully my life will get semi back to normal. I have not been myself lately because of the conditions we have been working in. We renamed Cirque du soleil, Slaves du Soleil = Slaves of the sun...kinda catchy we think! haha But really I am emotionally and physically gone. Sometimes I think I am sleeping with my eyes open while learning a new dance the day of a run through. I know it will get easier and just yesterday I was kindly reminded that all this will turn into a beautiful experience soon enough. These rough patches are just part of the process. There are a few bright sides like walking in today to Entertainment tonight news reporters interviewing Priscilla Presley on our stage. Or finding articles like the one below in the LA times of one our rehearsals. Those are always exciting. Anyways among feeling drained and a bit lost I took a moment tonight to reflect on my blessings. I sat down and read some letters from some of my beautiful friends and family. Most of them of expressed love and excitement about this adventure I would be having. But one thing almost all had in common was the reminder of where my "HOME" and the people who really love me are. Friends are family are SO important. I know I have complained a lot about feeling lonely or not finding friends but deep down I know my Heavenly Father is glued to my side and here with me every step of the way. Its amazing how pieces of paper filled with love and heart felt thoughts can really turn your whole day around. I am so grateful for these letters. I am so grateful for my HOME , family, and friends who keep my grounded. I am so grateful for the support I have received during this whole process. I need it! Knowing that I have people cheering me on is sometimes what gets me through the day. I am grateful to be apart of this show. I am growing here in ways I never thought possible. I hope that over these next two years each of you get a chance to come out and experience VIVA ELVIS! I love you and if you reading this I definitely miss you!! xoxo- a girl in the city

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

......

First of all I have to thank my parents and Norm and Michele for coming last night. Having people you know in the audience is the most rewarding thing. Somehow its makes all this stress and craziness seem worth it. I am glad they got to be apart of this creation process. Now when they come back they will see all the CHANGE that happens in a show like this. In my mind they were lucky to see that show cause next time it will be a whole new one haha. I know it was a long and snowy drive and I am very grateful they would do that for me. I love you guys! Now we are at the 7 day mark. I have no clue how that happened. I remember last christmas thinking my show would be opening in a year from then. Now...7 DAYS!!!!!! AH! I am emotionally and physically exhausted. Some days I wonder how I got out of bed, let alone running the show and making changes all day. I found myself close to tears more than just once today. I feel overwhelmed and a bit bipolar, but deep down in some weird messed up place I wouldn't change being here for the world. Working with Napolean and Tabitha has been exciting and we are doing our best with the amount of energy we have. I think they are helping to really pull this show together! I think by January 29th this show will be somethin special. Until then I must stay focused. We did find out a small ounce of good news today though. On January 31st Viva Elvis is scheduled to be performing on the GRAMMYS!!!!! How cool is that? Anyways I have lots work to do before then.I love you all and really really miss my friends, my family, and sleep. UGH. xoxo- a girl in the city

Friday, December 4, 2009


First off..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet cousin Brynie!!!! I miss her so much! We have gotten really close these past few years and the older we get the more I like her:) HAHA We seem to have this weird connection I dunno something like an LL...Weird! She is amazing and I hope her one birthday wish was trip Vegas..thats all I'm sayin! On a different note I must vent about this evening. Talk about two extremely talented, productive, inspiring people. All I wanna know if where have Nappytabs been for the last 7 months?! We only finished about half of the opening number and already the show feels fresh and fun and energetic. This was a little pick me up the Elvis cast really needed. I am so looking forward to what else these two have in store for us. Tomorrow should be a great day! I am going to be so sore with no warm up or class but FULL OUT PCD dancing tonight. Atleast it was all worth it! xoxo-a girl in the city

Thursday, December 3, 2009

.....you don't know what you got till its gone!


I remember when sundays used to be a day of rest! A day where you had no worries. All you had to do was go to church, take the sacrament, and feel the spirit. I loved coming home and putting on my sweats and watching movies all night. Man I miss doing these 5 things more than I can even explain. I am SO looking forward to the day when I can have a normal schedule like that again. Right now all my days are confused and my weeks are mushed together. Only 2 weeks left and I should all be back to normal. Its a fun filled 2 weeks though so I will do my best to live and enjoy the moment. My mom and dad are coming for our Monday dress rehearsal and I am so excited. A hug and their smiling faces are just what I need. I received the most WONDERFUL surprise today in the mail. Kati send me a Christmas package full of christmas joy!! Ah It made my day:) I baked the cookies tonight and took them to my friends who were setting up their Christmas tree. It was a fun December night that actually felt a bit like christmas! xoxo-a girl in the city

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Oh mother dearest!!

Is giggling that my mother some how got a hold of my blog page and changed my "about me" to "about my family". HAHA I think one of you Utah bloggers needs to show her the way! I still love you mom even though you are not the best on computers.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Nappytabs!!!


Today we found out some very exciting news! Tabitha and Napolean from So you think you can dance will be here to choreograph some of our show! It will be so refreshing to have some new creative ideas to play around with. Its going to be a tough weekend having them come on Friday and then performing our first dress rehearsal on Monday. Cirque works fast so I am just trying to keep up. I love these news challenges they keep throwing at us. I am only growing as an artist, person, and performer. My body doesn't love them so much but I think i'll make it. Off to bed cause another hard week is in store! xoxo-a girl in the city

Monday, November 30, 2009

When I get home after a long day/week my favorite thing is to light a whole bunch of candles, eat some dinner, and relax. Tonight when I got out of the bath I had a little surprise left on my desk.......



HAHA I don't know why I found this so funny but I had to take a photo. This could have been a very bad disaster if my hour long bath had lasted any longer. It's a good thing my water started getting cold:)

I posted that photo below of Kelli Herbert and I from our Lions Den tonight. We have grown up dancing together and I am SO happy she is here with me. We both did own makeup and were quit proud! I know it doesn't look or seem too hard but that baby takes 2 whole hours. Cirque makeup is no joke! Anyways I think tonight went well. We are now the first show to ever run from beginning to end without stopping in Cirque Lions Den history. I am so proud of my Viva Elvis cast and crew.
Now off to bed so I can semi enjoy my 1 day off...Love my mondays! xoxoxo- a girl in the city

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Lions Den #2= 500 people in the audience...AHH

A new week, a new show! Here we are yet again preparing for another Lions Den. It's an interesting process. On tuesday we hear about the changes. Wednesday we create the changes. Thursday we make the changes. Friday we practice the changes. Saturday we put the changes on the stage, and Sunday we do our best to put on a show for the Big guys. The good thing is by Sunday I usually start to like the show. The sad thing is, its most likely our last time performing that show! Hey its all part of the (cirque) experience. We will be having 3 more dress rehearsals before we actually open, each one with a few more people watching. This is a great opportunity for practicing patience. I guess I am not a very patient person! I want this show to open already. The fun part about these performances is that it reminds me of why I love to dance. I love performing on stage for people. I love getting to play new characters and trying new things on stage. I love making people smile and making them want to get up and dance with me. This show is definitely one of those!! Its been a long process but I know the final result will be a very exciting one. I am looking forward to performing 10 times a week and pushing myself in each performance to make someone new smile. I really do love what I do. I have been blessed with this talent and know I am here for a reason. THE reason...I may never know, but I might as well enjoy it while I can. xoxo a girl in the City

PS. come and visit me...I MISS YOU and visitors are always welcome!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

There is NO place like home for the Holidays

I tried my best this year but I just think even the little holidays wont feel the same. I do have a great cast here though that reminds me that I am loved. We have become a family and I am very thankful for that. I have more blessings in my life than I can even count. Sometimes I am selfish and forget, but love days like today to remind me. I had a challenge once in seminary to practice saying your prayers withOUT asking for anything. Only thank Heavenly Father for your blessings. I am going to do this at least once a week from now on. It is important to not only recognize your blessings but also who and where they came from. This thanksgiving I am grateful for the spirit. When I can feel the spirit it feels like home. When I think of home I can feel my family around me. Without the spirit I would be one lonely girl. I hope everybody had a wonderful thanksgiving and ate lots of yummy food. Count your blessings! I love you - a girl in the City

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's so interesting how things can change instantly. Your attitude, emotions, feelings, the path you are on, your life, the way you view yourself and others, your surroundings, and even your goals. Change is constantly happening in our lives. I think its up to us to choose weather the change is a good or bad thing. I have found I am not always the best at this. I like things to be set and in order. I love to have a schedule and I LOVE checking things off. There is always a time to be spontaneous and stray from the schedule but at least you have a guide line. I get a bit overwhelmed when things in my life feel scattered. I need to not let these kinds of things bother me so much. Change is part of life and it's never ending. This process will be good for me in the end. It will hopefully prepare me for future changes in my life. I am learning day by day. All I can do now is try to accept the changes and do it with a smile on my face(even if its fake). xoxo- A girl in the City
First tree away from home!!!
some of the crew for Zigs birthday!
The Brother is FINALLY home!!
Halloween in Vegas
My Aussie roommates!

the fam came for a visit!
19th birthday in Vegas!
Since technically this is my 3rd time today..you can tell Im a bit excited about this blog thing..haha! Today has been an interesting day. Right now Mondays are our only day off so I try to really hard to enjoy them and relax. I spent the day skyping my sister, doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, shopping and even seeing a movie alone. Wow I never thought I'd be one of those weirdos! But hey the movie Blindside is worth seeing a million times alone or not! BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR...maybe even ever! Sandra is my hero!! That's right we are on a first name basis:) Tim is quit the catch even for an old guy, and Big mike just melts your heart! I'll be buying that one for sure. I think this time of year just makes me more emotional all around. A Zales holiday diamond commercial came on at the movies and I broke down haha I'm not just talking one glistening tear. Hmm I must be single:). Then I get home just in time to watch Jon and Kate plus 8 series finale. Those kids are just too dang cute and I have been a religious watcher from the beginning! I'm gonna miss it I wont lie. Looking back...my day was quit productive but I guess it has to be when ONE day is all you get. Well I think I have a crazy week ahead so I better get rested. If you are reading this know that I miss you and think about you always! Goodnight xoxo- A girl in the City

Monday, November 23, 2009



Our Viva Elvis wrap being put on part of the City Center!
I'll keep this one a bit shorter :). So last night was our first official Lion's Den. This is where we perform our show for Guy who is the creator of Cirque du Soleil. He has seen our show 2 times previous and asked for MANY changes. When he comes the energy is tense. He likes to sit in the back, give very large arm movements ( as if yelling) haha, and even have a smoke break right inside the theater. You never know what kind of response he will give. We made a lot of big show changes, song changes, and even the whole order of the show. Every change has been a lot of work,stress and even tears but is always for the better. Last night performing was the first time it actually felt like we had a show. It was a blast and I cannot wait until the audience is full of screaming Elvis fans! WHAT A RUSH :) Now I must keep my fingers crossed that Guy was impressed and that hopefully no more BIG changes will be made. You never know though. Last night could have easily been that last time performing that particular show. At least it was a great run! I love my Elvis family. VIVA ELVIS opens Dec. 16th 2009 -xoxo A girl in the city
I have decided that for myself the Adventure that I started 7 months should be documented. I am not the most creative person and I definitely do not have the best grammar but hey who's judging?! I wont be sad if you get bored and stop reading! Well where to begin... Recently I joined the circus. We began training and rehearsing in Montreal Canada on June 1st. Little did I know all the things I would learn. We had to climb a net where I completely had a melt down and learned of my EXTREME fear of heights. I learned to Lasso. Unfortunately Im not the best cowgirl but am somehow am stuck doing it for the next two years. haha Hey.. atleast the costume's cute! We dug deep to find our Polynesian roots and learned to Hula. I think I got lucky having that brown blood married into the family. Hula was my favorite but sadly did NOT make the cut for the show :( Maybe next the show. I learned Pole dancing...yes Stacey Clark from Draper Utah learned how to dance on a pole! haha I am quit proud I have to say. Its something I never saw myself doing. Ps. its the most amazing arm/ lower abs workout EVER.. if you were wondering! Aside from learning and dancing we also took a trip to Memphis. That was a highlight of my summer for sure. What a fun, hot, sticky, humid, exciting, interesting place. We arrived Hollywood style, in our private plane, had a tour of Graceland and a dinner/ dancing to the blues to top it off. Everything to me seemed surreal. I would go back in a heart beat! Graceland is such a unique and beautiful home. Anyways Montreal was truly an incredible experience. I loved all the Culture and different lifestyles I was able to be around and even live with. Without getting to mushy on you I have to say attending Church there was also a highlight. It completely changed my perspective and opened up my eyes. I guess going to Church isn't always about the fashion show each sunday or the weekly catch up with friends. It about our Savior and its about having a testimony of this gospel. I love the people I met there and will always have a little place in my heart for them. I do hope one day I can go back and visit. Now I am here. I have been living here in Las Vegas for 3 months. This is where I got the name "A girl in the City". No not the Big City...but a city that is definitely bigger than Lehi Ut. This has been my test to really find myself. Who is this girl in the city? Who do I want her to be? Its my goal to try to be a light in the City. I will shine the best I know how. Everyday is a new day to shine a little brighter. The only way to really shine is to keep your attention on others. The minute you start to focus on yourself and dwell or feel sad or lonely I think my light starts to dim. I am here living my dream. Experiencing the world...WHAT DO I HAVE TO BE SAD ABOUT?? Yes I miss my family. Yes I want to be home for the holidays. Yes sometimes the 14 hour days get to me. Yes buying groceries and doing laundry and being the taxi isn't always fun or easy but hey...I guess thats what happens when you grow up! This is life..this is MY life. All I can do is my best, be Grateful for what I have and always Live my life fullout with feeling:) its a little stage term we use here. You should try it! Gosh I am sorry for the novel but I guess this is just for me anyways. xoxo- A girl in the city