Reinventing Joy

2012 had a lot of adventures! My challenging December has thrust me into the new year a few weeks early. I plan to make next year the year of new beginnings- a doorway into a new chapter in my life. My theme for next year: Changing The Scene in 2013! Things I did in 2012 Passed the PHR exam!!! Went to Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp at the Playboy Mansion and met my idol Steven Tyler. Rocked out with legends and was validated as a great vocalist. Made new friends and reconnected with old ones Went to my first 2-Day Jazz Fest in FL Did my first Shakespeare play "Much Ado About Nothing" with a new theatre company Went Skydiving Flew to LA and auditioned for the Voice in person Went to my 1st Springsteen Concert in Chicago Took a chance with my heart, briefly explored cohabitation and ultimately stood up for my happiness and didn't try to change someone I really cared about. Moved to a new townhouse Interviewed for a job I didn't think I had the chops f...

I'll make this brief. I didn't get a really awesome promotion the same week I realized that my relationship with GI Joe had run its course and ended it. To cap off this magnificent week, I had two weeks to find a place to live, pack and move out. I'm not there yet to see the sunshine. Being cursed with a nickname like Joy, I just can't have more than one bad day at least in the eyes of my Manager at work. I am running on emotional fumes. I am hollow. I am tapped out and I've given all that I have to give. Being around large groups isn't fun and this is a huge sign to me that I'm not there. I'm trying not to eat my feelings because I've lost 12 lbs so far and am on my way to losing my final 10 lbs. I just don't want to get out of bed bit I have to in order to pack and give extra stuff to Goodwill. I still have a few items to donate to the kidney foundation pick up. I know logically that it will get better but I wish people would allow m...

I think it's time for me make time to take time. My boyfriend has hinted that we don't need to run around every waking hour of the weekend. I also want to make the most of my time with him because life is too short and I am up for two different job pursuing different passions of mine. One job is training in Irvine, CA and the other was a last minute invite to fill a PR mentor of mind's position in NJ. Both jobs would mean moving away from my haven in SC, new life, friends and my boyfriend. Then to add to the stress, my landlord just reduced the rate of the home I'm living in and the interest is picking up. I may have to move out without our previously agreed 2 months notice. My tenants are acting shady and were seen removing lots of bags from the home into a van but insisted that they were not breaking my 6 month lease extension. They have been paying rent late and oddly inverting the address on the envelope too. Are they trying to skip town too? My solace i...

So I've been on an exercise hiatus and blog vacation. How lazy of me! I really had no earth shattering things to share. I returned back to NJ for the first time in 2 years. It's like visiting a planet. Things look different and odd but familiar. As soon as I landed the homecoming tour began. I was whisked away to the shore to sing with my voice teacher at a gig. It was exhilarating! It was my first time singing out in NJ. I have done it tons of times in SC but in my hometown it was something else especially with my voice teacher. Then I saw more friends and then went to church to learn the whole Catholic mass had a remix and wonder why the drastic changes? More singing at a rehab center for the elderly who were so sweet and sang along with me. I was so moved I almost cried. It was a very proud moment. I'm grateful to be able to share a gift I enjoy so much with others. I have been craving to play the guitar all week. It's funny when I'm at home I have to make my...

I haven't blogged in a million years. Ok it's been a month or so but I haven't been up for blogging. I have been running around quite a bit chasing my dream of being a rock star. I audition for The Voice this Saturday in L.A.  I just heard this amazing song that I shazamed in the car and then flew home and learned how to play it on the guitar. I love it so much I think I want to sing it this weekend at auditions. Gavin Degraw's Sweeter. It has enough soul and rock/pop sound that spoke to my soul. It's rare that a new song hits me like that because I have the musical tastes of a 50 year old white man. But this really sang to me. Forgive the pun. So I sang the first two verses and chorus through until I felt really good and I really think I am going to add this to my audition selection. That and either Proud Mary(safety song) and Etheridge's I'm the only one. I still can't believe how much I have followed my dreams to sing this year! I have really found...

So it's been over a month since I officially blogged. I was and still am in Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp heaven! I have thrown myself into guitar lessons and I just purchased tickets to LA for my The Voice audition! I am going to try it live versus video so they can hear my raw rock talent. Lol! That sounds so cheesy but that is me. As for the man situation, I am in an official relationship. This is a true feat since it's been about 4 years since my last real relationship. I am learning a lot about this man and have been speaking up about my feelings and expectations. He's even been really good to support me in my healthy sound finding. I fell off my clean eating wagon tonight after a rousing game of Scrabble and wonderful guest over for a healthy grilled chicken and veggie dinner. I had a heaping bowl of my fave ice cream - mint chocolate chip. I was so good for three whole days and was working out and everything. I'm on a groupon diet plan with these vitamin b sh...

Someone sent this to me at work. I don't know who wrote it. It was appropriate to reference when my manager "dumped" on me this afternoon. This time it was pretty bad. It's been pretty bad and I was prepared to say something about how her communication style needed improvement.  She later cooled off and apologized. She admitted her "dumping" and I thanked her for her self awareness. Anyway-here it is. Law of the Garbage Truck One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.  We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!  The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.  My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.  And I mean, he was really friendly! So I asked, 'Why did you just do that?  This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"...