life

up and down and around and around.

28 February 2014 / life, living in chicago, pictures

Airborne. ?? #latergram flying to Cleveland to surprise my mommy @lenorakita and Aidan for Valentines Day. ??

Finally! It is the last day of February. Believe me, I am not sad to see this bitterly cold month go! Right now, even though the temp says it’s 30F, I’m buried under an electric blanket, trying to get warm. I am looking forward to summer more than ever. (I also don’t think that particular temp gauge is quite right–another one says 19F, which is what it feels more like.)

I haven’t posted in a while, so here’s what I’ve gotten myself in to the past few weeks:

one

I flew to Cleveland to surprise Aidan and my mom for Valentine’s Day. Oh, it was so genius. Chris and I came up with the idea sometime last month. He was taking Aidan to visit her for the long weekend. I booked a flight into Hopkins, and Chris picked me up from there. Aidan’s face when he saw me was priceless! Then… we drove out to Twinsburgh, where my mom was waiting outside the door for Aidan and Chris. She realized there was a third person with them, but didn’t notice it was me until I was up close, but she was so happy! 🙂 It was a fun surprise.

It was a fun long weekend. I gorged myself on reality television, ate good food (mmm greens) and saw some friends. I hadn’t seen Charla in nearly 10 years, so it was so nice to catch up with her. And I got to hang out with my friend Amy, who I email with all the time. I saw some of my favorite cousins, and really had fun talking to them, eating good food, and just hanging out.

While I was there, a snowstorm came. My flight would have been delayed hours. So, I just switched my flight to the next day, and Aidan and I got an extra day with my mommy. 🙂

two

Acting class. I’m still at it somehow. I honestly want to quit all the time because it is so hard. So, so hard. I’ve spent so many years silencing my voice that it’s hard for me to stop hiding. But then I have a day like today, when I start to break through, and people tell me I did a good job, and I FEEL that I did a good job… that I love it. I can’t stop. I know if I quit, I will hate myself. I can’t stop, I won’t stop, no matter how many bad days I have. Because no one ever said this journey would be easy. I don’t even know what’s at the end of it. I just know I need to stay doing it. I need to keep pulling out what I used to bring so easily when I was younger. Who knows what will happen if I keep going?

I got a new scene assignment and partner a few weeks ago. This time, I’m working on a comedy: The Visitor from Forest Hills from Plaza Suite by Neil Simon. I always pictured myself as a drama girl, but I am loving working on this comedy. I’m having fun with it!

But now we’re starting with Shakespeare. I don’t know about you, but Shakespeare scares the hot poop out of me. It terrifies me. But I’m going to do it.

three

Even though I know this won’t help my career in acting–if I decide to pursue one–I still enjoy doing background roles. In the acting world, anyone serious about it won’t settle for background work. Really, an extra is nothing but a prop. But I enjoy being on set, meeting people, and learning what I can about filming. I make friends and we keep in touch and hopefully see each other on more sets.

This past Tuesday, I got the chance to do some background work for NBC’s Crisis, which premieres March 16. I It’s the first TV show I’ve done and I hope I get the chance to do more. Maybe one day I’ll be a special guest with an actual speaking role. No harm in dreaming, right? 🙂

Other things:
– Still obsessed with Odesza.
– Still trying to reduce my meat intake.
– Still trying to fight the depression. Some days it’s a lot easier than others.
– Making new friends in my acting class? Awesome.
– NEED to get my car jumped and running again. It’s been in the same place since December. It’s dead. The weather killed it.

I’m looking forward to Spring. Even though it won’t FEEL like Spring here for a long time, at least the calendar will say it is soon. And maybe the weather will catch up sooner than later.

Now it’s off to do a workout DVD. Paula Abdul, NYC Ballet, or Rodney Yee yoga? I guess we’ll see.

Till next time!

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(extra)ordinary time.

8 January 2014 / aidan, birthday, christmas, life, pictures

The Christmas decorations are down and put away. Chicago’s been in a deep freeze for days now. It’s a whopping 0F as I write this, which is somewhat of an improvement over the -14F we had on Tuesday. Although, when it’s this cold, it doesn’t even matter what the temperature is. It’s just effing cold, and I effing hate it. Truly, I have not been out of the house since December 30. I don’t get cabin fever like a lot of people I know, but even I’m ready for this to be over. Thankfully, temperatures are predicted to be normal by the weekend, so I can get start going to yoga again, and I can start acting classes. (I’m also out of some of my favorite foods, and I need parmesan cheese. We also need cat food.)

Freelance work is starting up again–I have a gig with VSA later this week. Aidan heads back to Columbus later this evening. (One good thing about this horrible weather? I got extra days with Aidan! Always a good thing. I will be sad when he’s gone.)

I realized that I didn’t really do any Christmas posts on my blog in 2013. Truthfully, I found it really hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I nearly didn’t decorate, but knowing that Aidan was going to be here motivated me. (He seemed to appreciate my efforts, but he had more fun twirling in the beads when I took the tree down.)

I had a nice Christmas, though. We rang in the holiday at Rich’s place (Rich is one of my favorite yoga teachers), where he and loads of other people were cooking all sorts of pancakes. There was also wine. Delicious wine. It was a really great way to bring in Christmas. Even Santa showed up. We sang Christmas carols and kirtan and talked and took pictures. It was a magical, beautiful time, and reminded me of how blessed I am to be a part of the Moksha community.

can you find me and aidan?
my friend jaylen took this photo.

After the party, we went to Hollywood Grill. That place is open 24/7, and we were still hungry. Good times.

Christmas Day was relaxing because we didn’t have to travel, nor were we hosting anyone. I liked all my gifts. I really enjoyed watching Aidan open his presents, and he was happy with everything (which was mostly LEGO and more LEGO).

see?

My birthday was low key as well. I spent most of the day with Aidan, and I got some cool presents: a Tiffany necklace from Adam, a Mickey Mouse watch from Chris and Aidan, a Mickey Mouse ring from Ivy, and $25 to amazon.com from Grandma Bel. I also bought myself a Ralph Lauren sweater. And a TARDIS blanket.

For Aidan’s birthday, we took him to a LEGO store and spoiled him some more, then we let him pick where to eat for dinner. (He wanted Harold’s, but we were in the suburbs and knew it would be a while till we made it back to the city, so we had Red Lobster instead.)

happy birthday, aidan!
i can’t believe i have an 11 year old.

All the big time partying has ended, and it’s time to trudge through another Chicago winter. This one is extra hard because it started so early. I get the feeling the North Face coat and new shell I got a couple of months ago was an excellent investment.

But I do have things to look forward to. I’m excited to start going to yoga again. Betty’s Vinyasa 1 class is the perfect amount of challenge for someone whose practice is so sporadic (like mine). I’m also excited to take acting classes. Right now, Living Social has a voucher for a 10-week workshop at Chicago Actor’s Studio. I felt like it was the Universe nudging me, so I went for it. Now I just need to go register and actually start taking classes. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes out of this. I love that I can learn for the sake of learning, and it’s affordable and accessible. The Universe opens so many possibilities when I can take advantage of those opportunities.

That’s all for now. Computer’s battery is like “meh” and I’m like “I should go to bed” and my domain is like “I’m not previewing this anymore dang it” and plus, I’m cold and want to get under my electric blanket. So, till next time……

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november so far.

17 November 2013 / life, pictures, ronni

Well, it’s been a week and then some! Last Friday, I got up early to ride with my friend Reshma out to the suburban location of Yogaview. We were meeting some fellow former teacher trainees there and then going for coffee after.

I was so excited to see my beautiful friend–I hadn’t seen her since right after Sukhava Bodhe. But I woke up that Friday morning feeling off. I hadn’t slept well, so I thought that was it, but it turned out that I was coming down with my second cold of the year.

The older I get, the worse colds hit me. I remember being down for maybe no more than a day when I was little. I know that Aidan shakes off colds and illnesses within hours. But this cold hung on for a while, and only today am I starting to feel like normal again. Sore throat, probably a fever, coughs, sneezing, itchy eyes (so I’m thinking allergies were mixed in, too), achy shoulders (but that probably had more to do with yoga and doing THREE “inversions” the night before). At any rate, it was gross.

But that Friday morning had been lovely. The yoga class was nice, and the teacher told me that I have a strong practice. Which always amazes me when people tell me that because I’m probably the laziest yogini in Chicago. I wonder how I’d be if I actually had a daily practice? My version of “inversions” probably wouldn’t need quotation marks around it.

After coffee, three of us headed to the Baha’i House of Worship. It’s the only one in North America, and one of only seven in the whole world. I’d always wanted to check it out, we were right there, and we didn’t have to be anywhere.

reshma, me, amy

It was beautiful and humbling. The Baha’i faith is a gorgeous one.

I am not a great meditator. I sign up for Deepak Chopra’s meditations all the time and I never do them. If there is meditating in yoga class, I fall asleep. Or I start thinking “Really? Really though?” I love esoteric stuff, but some of it is too much even for me. But I was able to sit and meditate a bit in the meditation hall/temple.

By the time Reshma dropped me off, I was done. I went straight to bed. I was disappointed that I missed a Hip Opening workshop I wanted to attend, but there was no way I could even sit, let alone do another asana practice.

The next day was WindyCon. Adam had a concert and I wanted to see a few panels. But even though I’d dropped $50 on the one-day registration, I couldn’t last more than a few hours. I know Adam knew something was wrong after we stopped by Target so I could buy cold medicine and I didn’t want to linger. There was also a mall right there that I had zero interest in visiting. I really was sick!

When I’m sick is when I love being a freelancer. I was able to sleep, buried under blankets and blankets, rather than dragging myself into a too cold office to freeze and be miserable and loopy.

The week passed by in a drug-filled sore throated blur. I did call my mom on Wednesday to wish her a happy birthday, and she knew right away that I was sick. I left the house on Monday to have lunch with Adam and his father, who was coming through town from Des Moines en route to Atlanta, and then I didn’t leave again until Friday evening.

And this is when I was actually glad to be sick because gorgeous s00j was in town and she was also sick. So we were able to exchange ALL the hugs and kisses without worry of contaminating each other. Also? It’s amazing that a woman with a sore throat can still sound like an angel when she sings. She’s amazing.

They asked the audience to sing along with the choruses, and this is what I sounded like:

{via}

Which made me sad because just the first weekend of November, it was the Suzanne Sterling workshop. My third year going. I LOVE Suzanne. Her voice is amazing, her energy is gorgeous and infectious, and she is just wonderful. Suzanne Sterling is all about freeing your voice, and I felt like I’d done such a good job of doing just that… until I got struck with my head and chest cold.

It was such a blessing to see her and be in her presence, and to learn from her again. She comes to Moksha the same weekend every year, and as long as I’m able, I’m going to attend her workshops.

Man. For the most part, being sick is the pits. Everyone on FB and Twitter is coming down with something or another this month. I was totally getting back into my yoga practice but lost a week to the cold. I have to get back into it this week. I just do.

I’ve started Christmas shopping for Aidan, but no one else. I’m not even really in the mood for it this year. I’m halfway considering not decorating, but a friend of mine told me that I absolutely must decorate. Especially because I’ll have Aidan this year. And I know I’ll get around to it at some point. Christmas is my favorite, right? I just feel too tired to even think about it right now.

soon

But first, there is Thanksgiving to look forward to, where I will make myself a few servings of cornbread dressing that no one else will eat (fine, more for me then!), and a BIG thing of mac & cheese because yes. I am not sure who’s turn it is to host this year, but I’ll be happy either way.

That’s all for now. I know, I still owe you a NYC trip report. I’ll get around to it, I promise. Till next time….

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summer 2013 wrap up

14 September 2013 / iowa, iowa state fair, life, pictures, summer

So…. it’s the time of year again. Adam is burning the Leaves candle from Bath & Body Works, and there is a definite bite in the air. Fall is coming and will officially be here in just over a week.

I do love autumn, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to mourn the end of summer. I will miss the hot temperatures, the sun, wearing all the cute shorts and tank tops and sandals. Now it’s time for boots, sweaters, jeans, browns, golds, and reds.

Here’s a quick(ish) wrap up of our summer. Just that little last hurrah before I have to dig out the heavy stuff.

I spent the first part of my summer working way too much. I was working so many hours that everyone was commenting on it. Adam told me that I didn’t have to work so much, and Aidan kept saying, “Mom, all you do is work. You said you’d play with me.” That did it. I made some changes so I could spend more time with Aidan.

You all know we kicked off summer break with Disney World, but did you know we also made a few day trips? We went to zoo, we went to Six Flags Great America, and we went to the Iowa State Fair!

The Lincoln Park zoo was fun. We don’t go there often enough which is a shame, because it’s free! And giraffes live there! We saw really cool animals and exhibits. I didn’t get to hold any snakes or anything, but I still had fun.

We went to Six Flags Great America, where I FINALLY got to meet my friends S.Abdul and his wife Brenda! I’ve known them for years online (seems to be a recurring story with me, huh?) and he’s such a huge coaster buff. I knew he’d lead me well at Six Flags. Because I am more familiar with Cedar Point, he explained all the rides to me in Cedar Point terms. “There’s a Troika over there!”

We went on a Saturday in July, so I knew I’d have to be picky about which coasters I rode, because otherwise I’d be standing in line all day. I really wanted to ride X-Flight and Superman, and I got to ride them both, and with Batman as a bonus!

The best part was Aidan’s growing bravery. He was interested in most of the thrill rides–at least, the spinny rides–and I had a blast riding them with him. I was so excited to finally have a spinny ride partner again!

That is… until we went to the Iowa State Fair.

I was ready, with Aidan, to RIDE ALL THE THINGS. Unfortunately, I got sick when I got off of ride #3, which has never happened to me before. I mean, OK, the ride that did me in was the Tornado, and it nearly did me in a few years ago at the Ohio State Fair. This time, it won, to my great embarrassment. So I was “off” for the rest of the day, but I didn’t let that stop me. I’d paid $25 for the wristband so I was determined to get my money’s worth! I even rode the Gravitron, a ride I’d been wanting to try for years and no one would ever ride it with me or wait for me to ride it.

IT WAS AWESOME.

I rode it by myself at first, then I came off and told Adam and Aidan that it was the COOLEST THING EVER, so they rode it with me. So that was twice for me, then I was done. Adam and Aidan rode again, and then we were done with rides.

We had fun anyway. I didn’t eat much. We saw some animals, saw some art, some some miniatures and dollhouses that were awesome. Adam ate all the fried things. We saw some of Adam’s friends. It was a good time. Unfortunately, I was still dizzy and a bit queasy for a few days. But do I regret it? NOPE. Well, maybe riding the Tornado. NEVER RIDING THAT ONE AGAIN.

…more iowa state fair

My cousin Falandos came to visit for a weekend, and that was so much fun! Sadly, I hadn’t realized I wasn’t fully recovered from Iowa, so I ate something bad for me and got sick again. BOOO. So Falandos has to come back so we can hang out without me feeling icky.

We got to see s00j sing and have her and Ryan stay a night–that is always THE VERY BEST. So much love for those two. Truly.

I went on my third ever camping trip–but this was my first time actually staying in a tent. I went to the Sukhava Bodhe Yoga & Music Festival. My friend Reshma and I, both of us having no clue what we were doing, managed to survive a night in a tent. I had to have help pitching the tent (a loaner from my friends Missy and Rory), but now that I’ve seen it done, I’m confident I could pitch it again easily. Reshma brought an air mattress. We had bug spray, flashlights, all the stuff one needs when camping at a festival.

Now, let me tell you something about me. I love nature, but I really love my luxuries. That means running water, a bed, a hot shower, and lights to read by. So imagine my surprise that I ENJOYED CAMPING. Even when we were hit with massive thunderstorms, I felt awesome because I’d fixed the rain cover so we didn’t flood! And we had the great idea to hang the lantern from the hook at the top of the tent using my doo-rag, so we had decent light. And Reshma, our friend Amy (whose tent flooded so we had her come in with us) and I had the best night, listening to the music on the main stage, and talking. At about one in the morning, I had to pee, and I was irritated by that. I had just gotten comfy and my bladder HAD to talk.

But when I finally got my flashlight and stepped outside, I WAS SO GLAD. The stars had come out and the night sky was BREATHTAKING. I actually woke Reshma and Amy up so they could see it. Reshma kinda grumbled and rolled back over, but Amy peeked out and gasped like I did. I was so glad… because I thought I’d miss the stars because of the storms.

Anyway, we did well, considering it was our first time. And because it was a festival at a retreat center, there were hot showers (that smelled like pennies), and there were vendors selling hot food. I had the most yummy grilled cheese.

…more sukhava bodhe

Some of the new things I did this summer:

– got sick on a ride (boo)
– got henna (twice)
– slept in a tent
– rode the gravitron
– attended a lunasaugh ritual
– been a background actor in not only one, but two movies (one a major motion picture)
– costume fitting for major motion picture
– met some amazing authors
– jury duty

…Just to name a few! So, all in all, it was a great summer. The only bad thing about it was that it was too short. And flies. Flies suck.

Here’s hoping for a mild autumn!

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currently.

13 September 2013 / life, pictures, ronni

It’s Friday the 13th. I don’t know why, but these “Friday the 13th” dates fascinate me so much. I think I *like* tempting fate in a way. I mean, I do own a black cat, after all.

The weather has cooled down, and fall is definitely approaching. Here’s what’s going on currently.

reading.
I’ve taken a bunch of books out of the library, but in typical Ronni fashion, I’m ignoring them in favor of rereading HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE. But you know what? I prefer HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE. I love the British-isms. Although, I still haven’t figured out what a knickerbocker glory is. I’m assuming some ice cream dish?

watching.
Nothing! I’m not a huge TV watcher at the moment. There are no new Doctor Who episodes on yet, and there is no show starring Theo James. So I have no reason to watch television.

I did recently watch Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Part 2 with Rifftrax. I’d seeing BD1 in the theatre, but I’d never seen BD2. All I have to say is…. WHAT!

loving.
All the stuff I wore in the late 80s and early 90s is back in style! (Well, I’m not so much into the acid washed jeans… but the other stuff!) I got a bunch of new clothes. I know, the LAST THING I NEEDED was new clothes, but I cannot resist new sweaters. And this year, I am able to {slowly} restock my J Crew sweater collection. J Crew merino sweaters are really the only ones that keep me warm enough. Adam actually gasped when he heard the total at the till… but for me, paying a lot for decent sweaters that will keep me warm is worth it because being cold makes me that miserable. I feel the same way about Juicy Couture hoodies.

I wonder if overalls will come back in style? I hope so. I still have a few pair. If only I hadn’t gotten rid of my denim shirt.

me in 1994.
stylin’ man.

I think this was my best look, though. 😉

I really wish I still had that vest.

wearing.
Unfortunately, I’m not wearing that Mickey Mouse vest because only God knows what happened to it. Also, my boobs are probably too big to fit it now anyway.

It’s season-changing time. My fashion plan this fall is long sweaters, skinny jeans, and boots. I currently have six pairs of boots with another pair coming in the mail. I got a denim jacket that’s not cropped, a pair of hoop earrings, and a cute brown purse for the fall. It’s also time for me to pull out my Ohio State teeshirts and hoodies. Hair is either in a fluffy ponytail or bun, braids, or wild and free. And the socks I have! Oh man. TARDIS socks and Dalek socks and Superman socks! Love!

enjoying.
Reading and relaxing. I don’t have to go anywhere today, but I might go to a dharma talk this evening. And yes, I will actually put on pants for that. It’ll be too cool for a dress. 🙁

listening.
I think it’s called “chill-step”, the type of music I’m really into now–stuff by Blackmill or Adventure Club. Can’t get enough of Charli XCX. Loving some of the tracks on the Great Gatsby soundtrack (especially Where the Wind Blows by Coco).

eating.
Pepperidge Farm has its Caramel Apple bread out now. Delicious! I’ve also been eating a lot of Bob Evans sausage and the Trader Joe’s version of Cream of Wheat, with apple sauce. Drinking lots of water with lemon essential oils. I’m really feeling like I need to detox, so I’m hoping the water with lemon helps.

rejoicing.
I’m alive. I only had to serve one day for jury duty, and I had nice peers and the people working at the courthouse were great. I found my Tiffany bracelet. Knowing that if I really want to, I can book a trip to Disney World for my birthday. (That doesn’t mean I WILL, but I certainly COULD. And I am definitely tempted.) I get to see my mommy in just over a week. Just over five weeks until I visit Wanda in New York City. I found pink combat boots in my size and I ordered them! I can still fit my midsummer night’s dream dress. (I just need a black tie event to wear it to.)

this is the dress!
photo taken in 2005
(here’s the live journal entry where I talk about how
I came to own such a beautiful piece of clothing)

I am so glad I can still fit it!!

That’s all for now. Till next time!

Inspired by this post at much love, illy.

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