What a difference a week makes.

7 days ago I was in West Hollywood, driving through the hills with windows down. This saturday, I was in nyc, snow on the ground, celebrating the birth of a dear friend from college. I love NY, the buildings, the energy, theater everywhere you turn. Hollywood's theater district was like a ghost town when I walked through during the week. I'm glad I got to experience both worlds within a week of each other, as it made me appreciate both more, and I hope one day I can afford to hop back and forth often!

In LA I realized I hadn't seen many Broadway shows- only Rent and Wicked. So I decided to take my free solo time yesterday and see a matinee- the first theater I passed was the one housing Mary Poppins, and i'll take any opportunity that allows you to be a kid again, so it was a no brainer! For someone who took tech theater and is not often fooled by stage tricks, I was blown away by the effects and such. I don't want to give much away, but *SPOILER ALERT*- there was a point where a chimney sweep tap danced around the proscenium and a part where Mary spread a sheet out and it turned into a bed that they could sit on instantly. Man oh man, if that doesn't turn you into a wide-eyed 5 year old again, I'm not sure anything will! It was a fun, inspiring show. One of my favorite quotes from "Anything Can Happen" was "stretch your mind beyond fantastic, dreams are made of strong elastic, take some advice and don't forget it, anything can happen if you let it." All in all, a great last minute decision! I still have a long list to get through (next up, probably Phantom and Fela), but it's only been a week since I set that goal, and already one more in the bag. See, anything can happen if happen if you let it!

The real reason behind my trip was to celebrate the lovely Joy Notoma's birthday! We were scheduled to go to Panna II in the east village, which was 1 of 3 competing Indian restaurants all decorated the same, with the same menus, all right next to each other. They were competing for business, so we got pulled into Royal Bangladesh instead. The food was awesome and cheap, the decorations consisted of tinsel, chili pepper and blinking snowflake lights hanging from the ceiling (not very conducive to the tall, sadly), and the company and conversation awesome. Lots of laughing. Full bellies. A girl wearing a headband with a tiny sparkly hat attached that inspired us to one day create a crazy headband line. Oh what a night!
My new favorite cupcake- sorry Magnolia!!


Now I'm leaving NY, inspired once again, ready to get going on Joy and I's project, excited to write with Andrea tomorrow, and with lots of other little goals to set and get goin on- namely, working on a ridiculous hidden talent that I must perfect soon, and may reveal to the world eventually...although that wouldn't make it much of hidden talent now, would it?

Alright blog-heads, until we meet again.

First post: A Day Late, A Buck Short.

I guess it's fitting to write my 1st blog thousands of feet above the pacific ocean, above the clouds, sun glaring. It has been an amazing week, a much needed week to gather thoughts, explore, catch up with friends and family who I have missed dearly. It was my 1st time on a flight by myself, which has been liberating- and even though it's not a huge deal, it's good to know I can do things like these on my own, and everyone should try it at least once- it's refreshing to be able to sit back and think and not have any distractions.

This vacation came at a perfect time, and really gave me so much fuel and inspiration for when I head back east! I admire everyone I know who has headed out to Hollywood- they are all doing so much cool stuff and working so hard and so dedicated to what they do. Hearing all of their stories made me want to work harder, be better, be fearless like they are. And while I can't do it on the west coast anytime soon, I am going to take that and infuse it in everything I have been working on before I came out here- not to say I wasn't working hard on everything before I came out here, because I was- but it has fueled me more so to realize on what aspects of my career I want to focus on right now, which is writing, performing, being inspired by the people I love and letting all of those things feed into each other and take me on an adventure. Cause that seems to be the best part of life to me anyway.

Lots of adventures this week- hiking to Griffiths Observatory with the cuz Tommy, seeing coyotes in hills below while venturing up the hill to get a closer look at the Hollywood sign, and then eating delicious Thai food with him and his girlfriend Monica, hitting up the most amazing flea market with Gabe and Tara and finding such cool stuff (so sad I had to leave so early today or else I would have hit it up again in a heartbeat...next time!) and getting lots of shopping in general done, Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel ride with Gabe, exploring Hollywood Blvd with Gabe and Dan, eating at Equator and future house shopping in Beverly Hills with Gabe and Kristen. So many things to see. The history is amazing- I wish I was around when old Hollywood was in full swing, but ill take even standing by Judy and Dean, Marilyn and Bing's hand and footprints at Graumans. Pretty amazing.

One of my personal fave moments of the week was one of those moments where you're just like "did that really happen?". And for me it was followed by a "you really are a huge nerd Aubrie". Gabe and I were walking around the Grove, enjoying ice cream cones, when Gabe's celebrity spidey-sense kicked in, and she noticed Idina Menzel walking into the Gap. To make a long story short(er), Gabe talked me into going in to tell her I was a fan, we followed her up the the GAP Baby section (not creepy at all), I was a wimp so Gabe asked her if she was Idina Menzel, pushed me towards her when she said yes, I told her I was a huge fan and she was amazing, she was super sweet and grateful, and that was that. It was hilarious in hindsight, especially since I was dressed like a country bumpkin at the time, and so freakin cool to meet someone as insanely talented as she is!

So, all in all, amazing week! Sad to leave, but good to get back to the grind and work harder than ever. Goodbye Hollywood. I'll be back. Hello Philly. I was wearing shorts and tank tops earlier this week, so I didn't miss your blizzards too much, but it will be good to get back!