HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well we got back VERY early this morning (2am) from the Dominican Republic. Well rested, tanned, and stomach in tack.

We got to the airport on Dec. 23rd in the afternoon to wait in an hour long check in line up. We passed the time away by getting to know the group we would be hanging out with for the next 7 days. The flight to the Dominican was straight through and went by pretty quickly. We arrived to a huge rain storm but no one seemed to care because it was so beautiful and warm. We hopped on the bus and made our way to the resort. Everyone got sorted into their rooms and met in the lobby. Ian's uncle and 3 cousins had been there for a couples days already so it was great to meet them and get the scoop on the resort. We started at the Disco and continued the night at the Beach including a dip in the ocean...

The next morning I slept in due to a little too much fun the night before. Everyone met at the pool and the entertainment began. Taryn played Bingo and won along with 3 other people and then Karl (aka. Mr. All Inclusive) was fortunate to be the judge of a (lap) dancing contest. Too funny! We continued into the afternoon and met for dinner...all 23 of us!

The next few days were much of the same. Breakfast, Beach, drinking, pool, lunch, pool, drinking, dinner, drinking, (are you seeing a pattern here?) night time fun...sometimes dancing sometimes just chillin'. Oh and let's not forget our super late night visits to the Hambergasa joint for some Jamon and Queso sandwiches and patatas!

The wedding was on the 27th of December at 5pm. What a beautiful day. The guys and gals spent most of the day seperated and started getting ready around 2 or 3pm. They had the ceremony in the gazebo while a huge crowd gathered to watch. It was a bit weird to see all these guests standing around in their bathing suits and towel but it was kinda neat too. Everyone was just so excited to see the bride and groom. The ceremony was super quick and was done in Spanish and English. After the ceremony was over they served champagne to celebrate. Ian and Taryn took off with the photographer to the beach for some photos. Everyone else gathered in the lobby for a drink while Matt and I set up the sound system at the restaurant. The reception was outside on the covered terrace. Before dinner we had speeches and then I sang. Dinner was awesome and I was so full by the time desert came around. We danced a little and shared a ton of laughs (especially watching Bella-Ian's niece) dance around. So cute! We headed to the Disco and got nice a sweaty before calling it a night.

Over all it was an amazing time. Everyone got along so well and we managed to stay together most of the time. That's always hard to do when you're in such a large group.

I'm so happy for Ian and Taryn, they are truely perfect for each other. Many years of good times ahead and hopefully a 5 year anniversary reunion back at the resort! To view all the pictures from our trip go to www.ianandtarynswedding.shutterfly.com and type in wedding when it asks for the password.

Here's to a new year full of exciting adventures!

Until next time...

Dominican Republic!

3 more sleeps until we leave for the Dominican Republic! Friends of ours are getting married there and I can't wait to go! Everyone is flying into Toronto Friday night and we all leave on a charted flight on Saturday afternoon. I think there will be about 30 people. We are staying at a 5 star resort near Punta Cana (south end). I'm going to be one of her bridesmaids and will sing at the wedding too. I picked a song from the Shriek soundtrack. I heard a girl sing it at a wedding recently and just fell in love with it. Here are the words...it's really beautiful.

It is you (I have loved)
Performed/lyrics by Dana Glover, music by Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell and Gavin Greenaway

There is something that I see in the way you look at me,
There's a smile there's a truth in your eyes.
What an unexpected way on this unexpected day
Could it be this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

Chorus:
There's no more mystery, it is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along

There were times I ran to hide afraid to show the other side
Alone in the night without you
Now I know just who you are and I know you hold my heart
Finally this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

repeat chorus

Over and over I'm filled with emotion
Your love it rushes through my veins
And I am filled with sweetest devotion
As I look into your perfect face

Repeat Chorus

Until next time...

Makeup for Short Film and Dirty Dancing the Musical

Last week I did makeup for a short film. The film is called Teenage Girl and was shot in our building. Kinda cool to hop out of bed, put on my slippers and head to work! One of the guys living in our building wrote and directed it. There was about 7 people in the cast and they were all apart of ACTRA (union for film and TV). He shot the film with permission from ACTRA through a program called TIP. This program is great for everyone involved. The director gets quality actors for a reasonable price and the actors still get to work and add a credit to their name. Can't wait to see the final result!

Dirty Dancing the Musical is coming to Toronto in the fall of 2007! I auditioned for Stephaine Gorin (she cast me in Mamma Mia) last Thursday and she wants to see me for a callback in January. We will see... Check out www.dirtydancingtoronto.ca

Until next time...

I love the west coast!!

Wow, it's been awhile! Been in B.C. since the 6th of November. Okay I've been back in Toronto for a week now so no excuses. The most important thing is that I am here now, making an entry.

So, where to start?! Well let me start by officially saying I'm heading back to B.C.! No, not for another visit or for Christmas...to actually try my luck out there, especially in film and TV. I was out there for about 3 weeks looking for a new agent (mainly for film and TV), doing some auditions, and visiting family and friends. Oh yeah and I also went to Sacramento with my mom. Our really good friends Darin and Sheri wrote a musical that is on it's way to New York (I'm sure). It's called Lost and Found so keep your ears open, it's going to be huge!

I had a great time in Vancouver and feel like I put out some positive vibes to set me up when I head out there in the spring. I have an agent out there and I'm super excited to get started.

Feeling like this is a fresh start for me and I'm really looking forward to it. Toronto has been so slow the last year and a half...it's time to switch things up a bit and see what the west coast has to offer. I've gained a lot of experience, knowledge and confidance here in Toronto. It's time to take all of that and move forward. Stay tuned...

Until next time...