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!