Oh hello there!

Happy 20 days since my last blog post! Woah! A ton has happened in these 20 days. Let's see...

• I've danced a ton
• Worked a ton
• Pushed myself in all my classes
• Filed my taxes (that's always fun...)

Hmm... is there anything else...? Oh that's right... I had my first audition for college. 

Woah.

It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was in and out in about an hour and a half. I haven't decided if that was good or bad for my chances yet... But nonetheless, I sit and wait. This whole college process is just waiting. "Oh you've waited your whole life to apply for college? Waited your whole life for the chance to leave your boring town? Sorry. Need to wait just a little bit longer." Cool. 

I don't mind too much. I fill the days with homework, work, dance, and music. It's really wonderful.

So here I am on the eve of my second and final college audition and I can't help but reflect back to last Saturday.

10:30am - Dance. All ballet. The other 5 students = years of ballet. Courtney = none. Awesome. I tried my hardest. I really did, but I just knew all the other kids were nailing this with ease. Oh well. I went, did what I could, and left. 

11am - Rehearsal. My accompanist was really nice. We worked well together and all moved smoothly there.

11:15am - Vocal Audition. That was interesting. I didn't expect the vocal director to work with me a little bit afterwards. But she did. I think my songs were okay. I could have done much much better. Hopefully it was just nerves and they understand that :/

11:30am - Monologues. If there's one thing I know I can do it's acting. I've been acting longer than I've been singing and I have worked so much on characters and voice. But my first monologue was too fast and quiet. Again, hopefully just nerves. My second monologue was sad, but I needed to project. I think I did fairly well at keeping the emotion the same while just increasing the volume. 

Overall, I think my audition was okay. I just need to know whether they want me or not. Because I want them. There are so many conflicting things in my brain, but the one thing that stands out clearly is where I want to go to school. Who knows though? I may re-fall in love with Pace this weekend, but Wilkes feels comfortable. Wilkes feels wonderful. 

So with that, I go to rest up before leaving for New York City in the morning. I just hope there is a letter waiting for me when I return home...

xoxo Courtney 

Dinner time!

Hello all! I am writing to introduce a blog that I found!
All Day I Dream About Food she posts mostly Gluten-Free recipes! I feel in love at first sight and decided to try a recipe for dinner this evening. Unfortunately I began snacking, so dinner is really late tonight :)

I chose her Turkey Taco Pasta Skillet! It was not labeled GF but I just simply adapted it. IT TASTES AMAZING! (Sam it doesn't taste too much like tacos... if you read this) I just took a bite haha. This is a scattered post...
I also made roasted zucchini and summer squash as a side. Such an odd pair, but I thought "Whatever, at least I'm eating healthy and not ordering a pizza" :)
Here are pictures of my deliciousness and a link to the recipe. Enjoy!!

My Summer squash and zucchini :)

The Turkey Taco Pasta Skillet!

That's all for today! Ta-Ta!

<3 Courtney

Rambles of an 18 year old.

I can't seem to find any inspiration these days. So this might ramble...
Right now my life is filled with finals ( well, now they're over), college, and classes. Oh ya and that little thing called work. I hate my job. I'm sick and tired of the favoritism game that is played non-stop. Meh.
I actually have to go there in an hour. But I'm okay with it. But only this once. If I want to have my Friday off, I must work tonight. No problem. I like money.
Money. College costs so much money. That's so scary. Everything costs so much money! Not even just college, but everyday things! People don't realize how much money one shopping trip for me, just one person, costs. Living Gluten Free is not a choice, so I can't just "buy normal food". Because trust me, I wish I could. There are those days that I crave my old favorites. Like Chubby Hubby ice cream... or cookie dough ice cream... I like ice cream.
But a loaf of bread costs 3-5 dollars for me. And that loaf only lasts a week. If I'm lucky. (It depends on how many grilled cheeses I make that week). And it's not even a normal size slice of bread! I get funny looks all the time when people see the size of my sandwiches. It's ridiculous.
This has turned into a ramble about bread. I am so sorry. But since it is the largest thing I can't eat in my life, I suppose it should be the topic of the ramble.
I get nervous for college and how I'll eat. Oops. Back on that whole college topic again... you know, that thing that scares the crap out of me! As my first audition approaches I begin to freak out a little inside each day. Less than a month. February 17th, my mom and I will ship down to Pennsylvania for the weekend... and on the 18th, I allow a college to pick me apart. Will they like me? Will I choke? Will I get in with my talent? I'm getting a little less confident each day. Pace wait listing me has really put a damper on my drive. But I'm trying to push past it so much. I just eat chocolate. A lot of chocolate. So much that I've decided, for each piece of chocolate I eat between now and prom, I will do 20 sit-ups and 20 push-ups. I have the ideal prom dress picked out in my head. I just need Candy, my seamstress, to make it. It's my dream. Now I just have to make it a reality.
How did auditions get to prom? Oh that's right, because my mind is crazy. Kinda like me.

-Courtney <3

Just a small Update

Well not really an update at all. Just me writing to say I am conflicted about the next show at my school.

That is all.
 :/

My Family

The cast of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee <3

Waiting.

That's essentially what you spend most of your Senior year doing... Constant waiting. Waiting for this school to accept you... waiting for this school to give you money...waiting for the right prom date... waiting for the school to finally give you food you can eat! ( Okay, maybe this one is just me, but still) ...or just waiting for the year to end and your life to begin. I've just been waiting.
I finished sending in my college applications at the end of November, the Sunday before Thanksgiving to be exact. And ever since then, it has been the waiting game. Wilkes answered me... Rhode Island answered me... but where was Pace's decision? HELLO TOP SCHOOL OF MY DREAMS I'M WAITING HERE! It sucked. I spent all of my winter vacation just waiting and crying. I also had some medical issues... but still, I was just stuck waiting. Until I realized that I had received an e-mail saying their offices would be closed until January 2nd... Whoops... I should have done something all of vacation... instead of... waiting.
Another thing I've waited for this year is the school musical. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee finally opens tomorrow. The show is wonderful, the cast is magical, and the friendships are indescribable. But last Monday I went to the Emergency Room and they told me I had... pneumonia. "No I don't." Those were the exact words from my mouth. I had worked so hard for the show, and now, to lose my voice my breath capacity, and let alone control of how I felt, I felt miserable. I cried. Right then and there. The doctor didn't know what was happening... I quickly got on antibiotics, spent my first overnight in a hospital and went home on Tuesday, late Tuesday. I was back in school on Thursday and my voice remained hidden. Finally this past weekend, it came back. Everything. My belt, my legit, and my vibrato... all of them were back. I hope they enjoyed their vacation because that is last one they will take for a very long time...
So today, I came home before heading off to dance and found a letter on the table. An envelope. Not a packet. Just an envelope. My heart dropped. I almost asked my grandmother to leave the room and let me read it, but thank goodness she was there. Pace University: Wait-listed. More waiting? Are you kidding me? I've had my audition scheduled since before Christmas and I just want to go to this school. The location, the program, the people, and the vibe are everything I want in a school! I just want to go. I have a poster on my wall that Pace sent me... "Now Starring: Courtney L... at Pace University" in the middle of Times Square. I look at it every night and I wait. I wait for the future, I dream of the future. My future is there. But this whole waiting thing is getting old...

Let's Talk About Labels

I am sick and tired of going grocery shopping and getting glared at when I have to stop and read a label. I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EAT IT! IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH! And no, I am not being overdramatic. Sure, my local grocery store, and workplace, label most things that are already labeled Gluten Free. But that doesn't mean they have labeled everything. Maybe I want to try a new soup and you haven't gotten around to labeling it, therefore I must read! What a concept!
But I'm polite. I pull my cart to the side, pick up what I need to read, look around me for anyone trying to look where I am standing, and move on with my business. It does not help that aisles in grocery stores suck. And my work stocks during the day, so there may be someone stocking and then there's me trying to read a label.
Everything would be a hell of a lot easier if all companies went through the process of labeling the allergens that are in their product. I know it may be a struggle, but so many people nowadays are not eating gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts. Therefore, in order to raise sales, one should label their products. It's only common sense.
I honestly can't stand the fact that in this day and age, I need to read the labels. With so many people getting sick from certain foods, you think the FDA would come up with some guidelines for allergens.
Meh.
This has been a rant about my Celiac Life.
~Courtney

Very Exciting Birthday week!!

Hello there everyone! It has been less than a month since I last posted, which is good! It means I'm not really a slacker at blogging anymore. I am writing today to tell of my very exciting news. 

I'm turning eighteen.

Wow.

18.

FINALLY!

It's only taken about eighteen years to get here, so I'm very happy that it is happening! :P Typically, as lame as it sounds, I celebrate birthday week. A week where I am invincible and nothing can bring me down. 

Sunday: Work, but it really wasn't that bad. I got to be in the smoke shop and not have to do too much time on express. Lovely.

Monday: (Wait, that was only yesterday?!) I, yes I, got accepted to college!!! AHHH!!! 

Wilkes University has accepted me into the school, just not the program yet. But still, the thrill you get once you finally have an idea of something you can do next year is astounding. It feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and everything is going to be okay. At least until audition stress kicks in in about 3-4 weeks... But nevertheless I have recieved $10,000 a year to attend :D Thank goodness I kept my grades up! So make sure you do that too ( if any younger people read this) I automatically qualified for money. Awesome.

Tuesday: Not an amazing day, but not awful either. Let's just leave it at that. Although a shout out must go out to.... LEAWNDRA!!! HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY BABE!! 

Tomorrow: I have dance class, which is always good.

Thursday: Going out to dinner after rehearsal with Leawndra and Taylor to celebrate Leawndra and I's birthdays!

Friday: BIRTHDAY!!! Everyone is coming over for cake and fun! Plus, I will be doing all of the fun things you get to do when you're 18. Kinda.

Saturday:... I'M GOING TO NEW YORK CITY!!! My favorite place in the whole wide world. Everything is magical and I cannot wait to go ice skating, and see a show, and and and gah! I love it. We're leaving early Saturday and hopefully picking up my best friend from UCONN so she can stay the night with us! It is going to be magical <3

That's all I have for you today! Remember, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay beautiful!

<3

Courtney :D

This week kicked my butt.

Okay a little over a week since I last posted. I will also actually WRITE type a post. I'm just too lazy to go upstairs and get my webcam, and I'm listening to music... so why would I want to stop? :)
Anyway!
Wednesday the 9th. A lot happened. My friends and I were all anxiously awaiting the cast list, and finally at about 7pm, the director sent it to my friend Samantha. Oh boy! And I jumped and screamed like a little girl when I found out I had gotten the part I wanted :D

meet the original Rona Lisa Peretti

She hosts the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

So that's me

Thursday I visited Pace again! But the rest I don't want to talk about.

I miss NYC...

Friday I worked... joy.

Saturday I worked... woo! Then went shopping :) Because shopping cures all problems, right? Right. 

Sunday (and a little bit of Saturday) I worked on my AP Psych paper. I am learning so much in that class. I love it. Except I feel like a nerd when I relate it to conversations with people who aren't in the class or just don't care. But that's how I remember things, by putting them to use in my everyday life.

Monday I passed in the paper and went to the first rehearsal! The cast is pretty wonderful and I'm excited. I just hope they kick our butts. I would really like to experience a bit more rigorous rehearsals please... (hint hint)

Tuesday got my paper back... 181/200 points. I almost screamed. I was excited. I really did not think that I was going to do so well. Now if only I could use that paper for my writing sample...

Wednesday I took my AP Psych test and rehearsed. Then went to dance :) I do love my dance classes, just have to keep working and pushing myself. I will get this. Just keep promising myself this...

Which brings us to today! Got the test back and almost cried. I am getting it! Psych will no longer kick my ass, I will kick Psych's ass. And now I'm going to get ready to go out with some family :) 

I'm hungry.

Until next time!!

~ Courtney <3

Auditions

Audition for the musical just happened. Cool.
More on that when I get the cast list.
For now... Psych homework...

Wednesday=Crazy!

Here's my mini-vlog for the day! Super super busy tonight!

Enjoy! I will try yo make a longer post tomorrow I just have a ton of stuff to do tonight and should probably sign off now!
xoxox. Courtney

Courtney Attempts Vlogging!! :D

There you have it! An attempt at vlogging...
Below are some pictures from Senior Year!! (so far...)

Night of the Living Dead cast!

(from left to right) Karen, Helen, Harry, Johnny, Barbara, Ben, Judy, and Tom.

Oh how I loved this cast...

Sam, Mary, and I! 

Mary drew the picture, so we created it in real life!!

First Day of Senior Year!! :D

Freshman Reception/Homecoming

Visited my best friend Kelsey at UCONN <3

We didn't plan on matching, we're just best friends, so it happens.

That's all I really have for you today! Sorry the pictures aren't in order, but that's me, frazzled. I shall now study and continue applying to college!

Byeeee! 

~Courtney

Saturday

On Saturday I will give a full update of my life and such. It's been busy, so be prepared for a detailed account :) But tonight, I rest my voice and body, for I have a show tomorrow and Saturday night!!!
<3

Last Monday...

I met Sutton Foster.

I just thought I would post this here.
I shall relive this moment for you all later on in a post on plan on writing Wednesday :)

Whaddup Irene??

This week has been a long one. Sort of. I mean, it was still a week in terms of 7 days, 168 hours,10,080 minutes, or 604,800 seconds. If you want to make the value of a week in terms of time. Or maybe money? In my case then, this week will be worth a lot. Hopefully.
Anyway! There really isn't much to post about because I have seriously been at work for most of the week. It has sucked. And it has been rewarding, all the same time. I have been exhausted every night, but for once, I am okay with that. I cannot wait for school to start.
Call me crazy. Go ahead. Okay good, now that that's out of the way, I can explain why.
I have always loved school. It sounds insane, but remember, even you said it, I'm crazy. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher, as most kids at the elementary school age wish to be. I even had a classroom. I did. My brother and sisters used to be my students, and even kids from around the neighborhood. But something happened in sixth grade. I tried out for the musical. It was the only chance you had in my town to be exposed to theater. The rest, is as they say, history.
Fast Forward to today. I was on my lunch break, a well earned one. Thank goodness I am good at biting my tongue. I checked my phone for texts (none, shocking), tweets ( loads) and voicemails. Woah. I had a voicmail?! Who is calling me! Yay!! It was the owner of the dance studio I shall be attending soon. I had a wonderful chat with him and I *officially* ( i think) start taking tap and jazz classes on Wednesday! I'm super excited!
Anyway. Now I just sit on my couch writing this. While preparing for Hurricane Irene. Oh wait. It's just gonna be a bunch of rain and super strong winds. That's my prediction. Yes, we're going to lose power, that I'm sure of. But the way people have been "preparing" for this, are ridiculous. It's super big storm warnings that make me hate my job. Nah Just kidding. It's some of the people.
I will continue to live in my penguin pajama pants (given to me by the best friend a girl could ask for. ) and eat trail mix until this "hurricane" passes.
School starts Wednesday
Dance starts Wednesday
Senior Year. 4 Days away.
Bring It.

This is going to be difficult.

For three years, marching band was life. It took over theatre, it took over my job. It was everything that I did. My grades began to drop, my job barely gave me hours, and the dream was not being focused on. That being said. Something had to go.
Unfortunately, it was marching band.
I feel as though a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Soon, hopefully, a new weight will be added with dance class and vocal lessons. But that is a burden I can handle. I wasn't focusing on my dream. It really hit me at rehearsal on Wednesday. When our drill instructor said "You're here because you want to be. You cant put marching band on your resume." And he's right. No one is going to care that I spent most of my high school life marching around playing an instrument I was not very good at. Colleges will care how well I can sing and dance. I have no training. That realization came to me in New York City this weekend. But more on that in a moment.
Band. I loved it Freshman and Sophomore year. But things were slowly declining. The quality of the band was becoming bland, the instructors were yelling more, you weren't allowed to have fun. If you risked having fun, you got yelled at. I was sick of it. Not to mention the people. I can't stand most of them. I know that is an awful thing to say, but it's true. I used to be so invested in the band. I was always there. It was the biggest commitment I had ever made. But all good things must come to an end.
So I quit. I turn in my uniform on Monday and then I'm done. I feel as though a part of me will be missing for quite some time, but it will get easier. I just don't want to be talked about. I really don't. I just feel as though I've let people down. But it's too late to change it. I don't want to change this decision either.
So on to my dream.
I want to be able to perform this.
Chorus or lead. I want to perform. I get the biggest adrenaline rush every time I'm on stage. I'm crazy. Most theatre people are crazy. I fit there. I'm not fit for marching band anymore.

NYC!
On Sunday August 7, 2011 my mother trusted me and my good friend Kevin to go to New York City for the day all by ourselves :) I'm sure she was a nervous wreck all day but that's okay. She will get used to her baby being in NYC soon enough. We had a lovely time. TKTS in Times Square was a life saver. We were able to get Anything Goes tickets for 50% off! And they were amazing seats! Row 14 left orchestra, you can't really beat it! Then we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. It was really cool in there! Then we headed over to see the show and were blown away. Then of course we hit up the stage door! We met someone from California and she was pretty cool, we chatted at the door while waiting for the magical Sutton Foster. Who of course... did not come out :( But that's okay, I have a plan :D
Then we just kind of did a walking tour to find some theatres and see who was at other stage doors still. Then we went to a small diner and had dinner. And off to the bus we went. 2 hours into the 4 hour bus ride, the bus broke down. Awesome. It was absolutely awful, and I was terrified because we were on the side of the highway and giant tractor trailers kept driving by and shaking the bus. Sweet... Finally we got on a replacement bus and were homeward bound. We finally arrived in Boston at 3 am. Longest day of my life. Did I mention we took a 6am bus TO New York? Well, ya. We did. I slept from 3:30am- 3:30pm on Monday. My sleeping pattern was a bit messed up for the next few days. Thanks to sleeping pills and my comfy pillows, I am back to semi-normal. Because, let's face it, I will never be normal...
Here are some pictures from NYC!
Then I will be on another small hiatus seeing as I am going on a much needed vacation next week. But I will bring back lots of stories!

Times Square!!

 Daniel Radcliffe looking adorable in Times Square!

Kevin at the Hard Rock Cafe!

Anything Goes!

As close as we got to Sutton :/

:D

Kevin's first Broadway stage door!

Laura Osnes and I! She made a wonderful Hope Harcourt. 

Josh Franklin and I. Yum :P

So until I can write again, love you all!

Woops!

Wednesdays are exhausting. I have band rehearsal. But since my life isn't back into the schedule it usually is, I'm exhausted. Sure I get tired in the school year, but I don't have time to be tired. Oh I know! Let me take you through a typical day during the school year. With my Senior classes :) ( assuming these are still them)
6-6:30 am ~ Wake up
7:10 am ~ Leave for school.
7:30 - 9:00 am ~ Independent Study in Theatre
9:05 - 10:35 am ~ AP Psych
10:40 - 11:05 am ~ Lunch
11:05 - 12:35 pm  ~ Physics
12:40 - 2:10 pm ~ Band
3:00 - 5:45 pm ~ Actors' Guild
6:00 - 9:00 pm ~ Band Rehearsal
9:30 - whenever o'clock ~ Homework.

I need my life to be that busy again. When things were that busy I had no time to think, I just had to do. This post really isn't much but that's because nothing has happened. All that has happened recently is that I've changed my life. I've changed who I am friends with and it was for the best reasons. Even if they never understand, that's their loss. And I just don't care anymore.
Until next time, Peace Out!

Pizza Muffins

When I woke up this morning, I had no recipe to give you. I had no exciting meal tip, or food related adventure to talk about. I knew I had to have one by the time I left work.
That didn't happen.
But when I came home and began surfing the web to find a recipe to alter for you all, I stumbled, first, upon this. Awesome. A baker who is my age that I can alter recipes and give credit to. Okay, so those aren't exactly the words that ran through my head, but essentially, that's what happened. I saw a recipe she had for Pizza Muffins. I was instantly intrigued. I love pizza and it is so difficult to find a good pizza. So you have to make it of course. So there is her recipe and mine is not much different. I just substituted the whole wheat flour for Bisquick Gluten-Free Baking mix. So simple.
Here's how mine turned out!
Pre-Oven:

Post-Oven:

Dinner is served:

They were really something! 

Upon further searching I found out that this recipe actually came from this blog. Check it out. It is amazing. I spent a good portion of the afternoon bookmarking recipes I want to try! I will let her amazing biography tell you all about her.

I truly love helping people. I hope that one day, I can. 

That's all I have for you tonight. 

Until next time, good night <3

Always Saturday.

I just realized that Fridays in the school year are going to be super busy, therefore it would make much more sense to write on Saturdays before band competitions.
Today it's just before work. :/
Yesterday was a lot of fun with two friends I had lost a connection with. We had a great time walking around the mall and bought socks. Awesome. You will possibly come to learn that I have a thing with socks.
Afterwards I went home and relaxed. I was supposed to go to a concert, but by the time my Grandmother got home to bring me and all that jazz, I thought it was too late. She thought otherwise. Next thing I know I was being whisked away to the magical land of Cambridge, Mass. Now I hate Boston. I hate any large city that is not NYC. Therefore, I didn't really like Cambridge. We were going to see a Harry and the Potters vs. Draco and the Malfoys concert, but it was not what I expected. It was actually really lame. So we walked around and such. Then I remembered that a cupcake place said they would be offering Harry Potter cupcake toppers. I wanted one. So I went in to see if they had any left and if they would just sell me a topper.
They were sold out.
I was upset but then my grandma asked them if they had anything Gluten-Free.
They did.
Best part was that they had Red Velvet cupcakes! Now I'm not a huge fan of Red Velvet, but for some reason I had been craving it for at least the past two months. It's typically not a cake one with Celiacs can indulge in. I was so excited. It was 7$ for two cupcakes, but it was worth it. They were so sweet and the frosting was dcelicious! Check them out here Sweet!
Hopefully next week I can go somewhere exciting and bring you guys another Gluten-Free hidden treasure.
until then, Arrivederci!

Woo! Wednesday!

Hi there! I don't really have too much to say ( that could go on here) tonight. The past two days have been kind of boring and meh.
BUT I did discover a new place to eat. I love it. I can not wait to go back there soon.
Popovers on the Square
Check them out. Seriously. Even my mom said her gluten-filled food was delicious.
Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Popovers is located in the center of the town just near the church. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. It was a bit chilly and I liked the atmosphere inside, so I made the decision to stay inside. They were very friendly and accommodating. After much decision making time I chose to indulge myself with a Turkey Panini. It's quite something. I have noticed that I often enjoy the classics more than some new sandwich seeing as I do not get sandwiches often. I was super excited! It tasted amazing! I washed it all down with their homemade lemonade.
After that, we went to a comedy/improv show. My director, Buj ( who you will probably hear a lot about on here as the school year progresses) and my tech director, Mrs. Theile, were both in it. I surprised them and even entered their contest to win a free sweatshirt. I won :D I was proud of myself for being incognito and them having no idea I was there until the very end :)
Overall I would say a successful evening.
Here's a few photos from the night!

The Popovers buzzer 

My sandwich and lemonade :)

Prescott Park near the Theater

Woo! Tuesday night Improv!

Mrs. Thiele, Buj, and I!

Everyone did such a great job at the show and I truly loved Portsmouth. I can not wait for the next day trip my mom and I or someone and I take there!

Until Friday, Auf Wiedersehen