I am not American. I guess most of you know that by now. That is not what I am grateful for (I think the US is rather rad). However I most definitely think that Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays. Seriously: food, glorious food?

Oh and yeah: being thankful and grateful for what you have.

What am I grateful for you ask? And even if you did not ask I’m telling you anyways (because I love lists and bullet points).

This year I am grateful for:

• Life. Being alive is such a cool and awesome thing. So much to do, so much to see.
• Health. Being able to walk and talk and dance and shake and work and sing. The list goes on of all these things I can do because I’m healthy.
• People. Being all alone is a bit of a bummer. People make everything better. Especially if these are your friends and family.
• Dreams. Aiming for the stars. Things that keep you going, give you a goal in life, a purpose perhaps. Dreams are amazing and weird and keep you going.
• Words. From novels and blogs to conversations. Language connects us to people (see, awesome meets awesome to create even more awesome).

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

PS: I had just posted this and checked bloglovin’ and guess who else used this image to blog about Thanksgiving? The awesome Lisa from The Dame. I guess brilliant minds and stuff… Go read her post here and say hello!

Now that I’ve shared with you the message of the day it’s time to catch up a bit. It was my birthday yesterday. I had a lovely day with my mum and then spent the evening with my family. As good a birthday as any.

Being twenty-four has taught me a myriad of things so I guess that today I’m sharing some of them with you all.

• You can accumulate a LOT of stuff. Seriously, stop buying things or you’ll never be able to take them with you when you move.
• Happy = healthy. Try to be as happy and positive as possible and healthy nutrition will follow (at least it does for me).
• Kristin Chenoweth was right when she said in her book that you should sing with your hoo-hoo. Take advice from people who know what they’re talking about.
• You’re fooling nobody by trying to casually walk by the entrance of RWCMD because you’re nervous. They will still see you come in. Be brave.
• Talking to people is something you never regret. If you think the person sitting next to you on the plane is cool and you’re dying to ask them about that book on their lap, do so. Seriously.
• Taking care of yourself is important.
• There are a lot more people who care about you and your dreams and hopes than you could imagine. Appreciate them.

I hope you guys all have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be here working and whenever I’m home writing like mad for NaNoWriMo (I’m massively behind! Eek!)

My life has gotten a bit of a routine lately. It’s soothing, relaxing and a bit unsettling all at once. In the past couple of years I’ve become used to rehearsals and different classes, to have a job that challenges me at every turn. It’s strange to now have an – albeit temporary – job that I don’t take home with me. It leaves me a bit jittery, as if I’m not doing enough, not challenging myself enough.

At the same time it allows me to sometimes ignore that impatient streak I have. That part of me that can’t wait for January, for my MA course to start. It forces me to live more in the now. To see this period as an opportunity to take care of myself, to read more, to enjoy little moments with friends I probably won’t see very often in the coming year and a half and maybe even longer.

I’m starting to see the opportunities that come with a job I’m doing to get money in the bank and living at home so I can save up. I’m starting to see the rain.

PS: another of my guest posts at English Muse is up. It’s right here.

We’re nearly at the weekend again. For today I have some wisdom by Patricia Fry for you.

“An intimate relationship does not banish loneliness. Only when we are comfortable with who we are can we truly function independently in a healthy way, can we truly function within a relationship. Two halves do not make a whole when it comes to a healthy relationship: it takes two wholes.” — Patricia Fry

She’s a wise woman, that Patricia Fry. I spent such a long time feeling ill at ease if I would happen to be alone. But over the past couple of years I’ve grown more and more happy with my own company. I even crave some me-space every day. All this however doesn’t mean that I don’t feel lonely from time to time.

That of course leaves the question: what does banish loneliness? And I wouldn’t be myself if I wouldn’t share my own little list with you:

• a great book that totally sucks you into the story
• a good (or so bad that it’s good) movie or tv-series
• a cup of tea – preferably with some thyme honey but we’re not picky or anything
• a relaxing bath – think scented bubbles, candles, some music or the aforementioned great book
• painting – I’m rather partial towards acrylic paint but if you prefer oil or pencils or whatever you like

And if none of the above work then please do pick up your phone and call your friends. After all you’re rather fab so I’m sure they would love to hang out with you.

Have a lovely day!

You know how I get all bossy and teacher-like and tell you to broaden your horizons, go spend quality times with your friends and to keep breathing. Well, I’m following my advice right now. Aren’t you all proud?

I’m in Rotterdam with my best friend Julie staying at this swanky hotel (best deal ever) for four days of relaxation and some serious shopping. Proof? Just check out the pictures at the bottom of the post. Nice eh?

Mum got a knee replacement two weeks ago and life has been incredibly busy for me since then. From the moment Jules got on the train and we chatted I could suddenly breathe again. The perfect moment to get away from some of the trouble and readjust and realign myself.

I’m loving Rotterdam so far: lovely hotel, great shopping (musical theatre cd’s anyone?) and good food. Yes, and fabulous company.

Tomorrow we’re going to do a culture tour on foot to see some of the sights and then some more shopping – we only started at 4 pm today.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

Today I wanted to share this Mark Twain quote with you all. It reminds me about something my best friend once told me: people are in your life for a period of time. That might be a couple of weeks, some months, a couple of years or for the rest of your life.

The people you surround yourself with are important. Choose them carefully.

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends.
- Mark Twain

I’ve been lucky in a way that the people who have become my friends are just like that. They support me, push me to grow and whenever I feel like I’m in over my head they point out why I’m actually really not.

Have a lovely weekend!

Today’s my absolutely final day at school in Antwerp. Graduation tonight and even though it feels weird that I won’t be going back to school anymore my future is looking even better. Give me Cardiff over Antwerp anytime.

Even more fun is that with graduation comes the start of summer. I’ll be working for a month but until I start on the 16th I have plenty of plans. Two days at Disneyland Paris with my brother, a sleepover with my bestie not to mention our city trip to Rotterdam, meeting up with various friends I haven’t seen in a while. Oh and maybe a summer cocktail or two…

What are your plans now summer is finally here?

I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend. I’m still recuperating from our end of year production – a week later – but having a couple of quiet days has been so wonderful so far.

I’ve been catching up on my Goodreads reading challenge (I’m finally on track again) and researched some new musicals and songs for my song portfolio. Add to that a lovely scented candle and a good cup of tea and it’s pure bliss.

As I’m into lists these days I thought it might be a good idea to share the following list of details of daily life that I love.

• a lovely cup of tea (shocker there)
• waking up after a good night’s sleep with the birds chirping outside
• taking the time to put on a bit of make-up without rushing
• a bit of unexpected sunshine so you can have lunch outside with friends
• picking out something brightly coloured to wear
• taking a couple of minutes each morning to read my favourite blogs
• a phone call with your best friend
• sitting down at the piano just to have a sing-through of my favourite MT songs

What are the small things in your life that you love?

Just a quick note for yet another Monday.

Have a great week!

Today was another travelling day for me. First the (by now familiar) two-hour train ride to Schiphol Airport. This time however I was flying with KLM and it was a far more relaxed experience than my last one. Before I knew it I had landed at Cardiff airport and all the signs were bilingual. Somehow I loved that.

Some of you might have guessed it by now but I’m auditioning again. Tomorrow to be exact. And yet I’m not nervous – or at least not that much.

I’ve got a good feeling about the audition and that good feeling only grew when I arrived here. Cardiff feels as if it’s brimming with possibilities and opportunities. It feels as if you only have to dream it and it’s within your reach.

This is one of my favourite prints from The Wheatfield, Katie Daisy’s Etsy shop. There is something about her colourful style that I love and that just makes me smile.

What’s making you smile today?