03.13.11: Stress and Smiles...

I probably should have checked before I started writing to see how far back I should go in explaining how life's been...

To be honest, I shouldn't be able to complain. I have a home, family & friends who love me, a wonderful relationship, and a job.



I'll try and just focus on March so far, I decided.



My birthday is early in the month, and it was a blast as usual! Christine and I decided to celebrate together since she couldn't go out for hers while on the HCG diet. So what did we do? Of course, karaoke! I've done that for my past 4 birthdays, so I figured why end a good thing? haha! I will say one thing I was reminded of this year is how much my social life has changed in the past few years. Two years ago for my 22nd, I had a *HUGE* group of people out to celebrate. I loved it having so many friends out with me (whether they were actually close friends or even good for me to be friends with). Last year? There were 3 people... including myself. And that was after having to send out a mass text of desperation trying to get people to come out. I was so disappointed. This year? I made a facebook event and had a few more people. Four guests with me and a couple more there who sat with other people. But you know what? I was OK with that. I've decided I'm alright with not being this ever-moving social butterfly I used to strive to be. It's perfectly fine to have a small circle of close friends and then have acquaintances and other friends you see occasionally. ...and it's taken me how long to learn this? ;)

Moving on, after the past 2 rejections in auditions, it was nice to finally get a "Yes." I was cast 2 days after my birthday in a musical, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." It's a modern look at heterosexual relationships. Every thing from the first date, to couples, marriage, families, widowing, and so much more. Such a funny show, but so many touching moments as well. I love how just listening to the lyrics of the music makes me think so much about where I am in my life, where I want to be, and what it'll be like to get there. Now to brag a little.... I'm *quite* excited to have such a major part in the show! Granted, it *IS* an ensemble show. There's no linear storyline with distinct characters. Instead, the show is a collection of short stories, vignettes if you will. Well, out of the ladies, I have the most parts, and in my opinion, many of the best (at least singing wise). My friend Erin (who is absolutely *FANTASTIC*) got the bulk of good acting parts! So proud of her! Also, I was rather upset right after casting because another friend of mine, Travis, wasn't cast in the show after I thought he had a particularly awesome audition. However, due to some scheduling difficulties with another actor, Travis is now in the show! Granted, we only have one duet scene together, I'm still quite excited to do it. It's so funny yet heartwarming. We'll be great at it!!! :P

PS- Yes, I know I'm writing a "PS" in the middle of a post; get over it. Anyway, I have utterly and completely caught Matt's habit of placing entirely too many emoticons in my writing. Oh dear... haha!

Continuing theatre news, I was asked to be in a musical for my friend Whitney who was putting it on as a benefit for a small local theatre. However, due to some casting/scheduling issues, he ended up mounting a production of his new murder mystery show, of which I am now playing the title character. It's not the most "high-brow" of shows, but it's fun. And it bides the time. Granted, I do need to get on learning those lines! Two weeks till we open... I should be off book solid by about 2 days from now... Should be...

Now to work. Ah, work... Well, on the bright side, I've been kept busy and the full-time hours aren't bad for my pocketbook. However, they are quite bad for my body. When I stay busy, I love it because it keeps me occupied and sharp mentally. On the other hand, I take stress pretty strongly and my body quite wretchedly. Little aches and pains here and there have turned into more aches and pains, and stronger ones. Other little issues here and there plague me, but still I must trudge onward. I really do like my job most of the time. And I absolutely cannot complain about the variety of things I do. I'm such a broad-interest kind of person that being able to work with volunteers one day, turn around plan an event the next day and the next make communications material, I'm happy. Quite content to have the variety. It's just that so often I feel taken for granted. I understand, this is more of a "millennial" problem than older workers would have. But I do feel that taking notice of your employees' hard work is a new concept nor a bad one. Nor is compensating them at an appropriate level. Now before I go on a huge rant about this, I understand that economic times are still rough. However, having been at my workplace for a while, I know how many previously salaried people are gone. I know that the THREE people who are now in the place of the FOUR people who were here are all working at smaller hourly pays. I know it's something all of us have discussed, and we feel a bit cheated, you know? Two of us are even doing *MORE* work than the previous persons in our positions and aren't being compensated anywhere near them... It's just frustrating. And I know, I shouldn't complain because I am lucky enough to have a job. And one that isn't completely boring.

Hmm... what else?

Well, I'm sure Matt would feel rather slighted if I didn't at least briefly discuss him! haha! As you may have noticed, I've been in a much better demeanor this year, largely due to the fact that I have an absolutely amazing boyfriend. And for once, one I really and truly love and could see myself marrying within a few years. Granted, it would probably be sooner than that, but we don't exactly live in the same time zone yet! haha... Is it hard having a long-distance relationship? You bet. Is it worth it? Even more so. Being apart for the first several months of our relationship, while hard, has taught us a lot of things. First an foremost, we never take for granted our time we have together, and I think that's a lesson we will carry through our lives. Every day, hour, and minute we have together is a blessing that we must cherish. Secondly, it's forcing us to learn about making time for each other. Scheduling moments in our day to check up on each other, encourage one another, and spend time together. Lastly, we've really had some fantastic opportunity to work on communicating as a couple. I'm proud to say that one of our New Year's Resolutions was to not sweep difficult conversations under the rug. And as tough as that has been, I think we've been very successful. Is it had to have those conversations? Heck yeah. But is it important that we do so? Of course. And I think it's little things like this that really set this relationship apart from others for me. Well, that and the fact that we were pretty much made for each other. ;)

Well, I think that's it for another installment of "Jacie picks a random day in the middle of the month to blog and basically regurgitate every thing in her life into an online journal." Hurray!