NayaLeigh

Welcome to my scatter-brained collection of randomness!

[nayaleigh]

Such a great day today. I am so thankful that I get to see such talented performers and the best productions at Musical Theatre West with my sister. #musicaltheatrewest #westsidestory (at Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center)

[nayaleigh]

Ready for #GreaseLIVE tonight! Can't wait to see @aarontveit @juleshough and the rest of the talented cast. Hoping this stormy weather calms down for their outdoor scenes.

[nayaleigh]

Smile

I watched a PBS special a few weeks ago about important songs and performers from the 1940s to 60s. In this special I was ruffled about how the people advertising and announcing the songs and artists presented things. Specifically, they spoke about what a great talent of a singer and actress that Judy Garland was while playing her performance of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” They were giggling and talking about how she acted in the song to tell the story.  (It is a song about hiding feelings and putting on a happy face and eventually you can be truly happy.) Knowing that she had a battle with depression and drugs,this performance was anything but acting. This song seems to fit everything that was happening in her life. We can’t bring her back to ask, but I am almost certain she was telling her story as she painfully yet beautifully sang that song.

https://youtu.be/GAQfwpEDdOw 

A not-so-smooth transition to me...

 A rant post. Everybody makes them. I don’t know why I get so sad and hurt over and over again when I already know how things are. But I feel alone. I feel like I have acquaintances rather than friends. What I mean by this is that everyone seems to already have their best friends and I just feel completely left out. I mean, I get that you don’t think of me as a best friend, and hey, that’s fine. But when you blatantly talk about your "besties” in front of me, I feel shut out; like I am some creature from another planet that is just not let in. I feel like I go out of my way for people, and they just use me. That is not to say that there aren’t kind people in my life, but they don’t see me as anyone more than saying hello to or giving a thumbs up to a post. I really don’t want to have a pity party, although this seems like it is, but I have no one to vent to. This is my way of getting things out, as unclearly and unglamorously as it is. I really want to be optimistic about my future, and about this new year ahead, but I am lost. The people I thought were friends a year ago stopped keeping contact when I wasn’t moving on as quickly as they were. I don’t know my career path, I don’t know my educational plan, I am not happy with anything physically or mentally about myself, I am flat out confused. I should know this by now. Instead, I sit at home in fear of everything; terrified of change. I am just as all over the place as this post. While my struggles are nothing compared to the horror Judy Garland went through in her later years, Chaplin’s song and Judy’s storytelling emotions seem to be so relatable right now. 

 Although I feel lost and alone now, I know things have to start looking up eventually, right? Maybe if I just keep smiling. 

[nayaleigh]

This is one spoiled little pup with all those Christmas toys.

[nayaleigh]

For Our World

With so many devastating things happening in the world today, it is so easy to be fearful and closed off to the people around us. What is easy isn’t always the best choice. 

A young poet, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, wrote many poems that promoted peace and positivity in times of great pain and sorrow. Mattie wrote “ For Our Word” on September 11, 2011(Just Peace: A Message of Hope).  In 2003 Billy Gilman recorded an album with many of Mattie’s poems including “For Our World” with music by Jimmy Nichols and David Malloy. Although Mattie has passed, his beautiful poetry still lives on and has the ability to touch the hearts of many.

I have always loved singing along to this song, and I like to take the time and think about how it relates to what is happening today in our world, and personally in my life. 

Today, a week after the San Bernardino shootings, and weeks after the Paris attacks, I heard that somewhere close to me a young man threatened to bomb a college medical center that I spent many years going to growing up. It is hard to look past all of the negativity in the media and to be hopeful that things will change for the better. This song came to mind at the perfect time, and I decided to put together a lyric video to share. I hope whoever takes the time to read this, or to watch this video can get something out of these beautiful words. 

Some of the lines that speak to me include:

“We need to notice, just notice, notice for a moment. Before the future slips away.” Sometimes I get consumed with whatever it is I am doing and I don’t take the time to notice and appreciate the things happening around me. Like looking at a sunset, or even just relaxing and watching my dogs play. Also, from another standpoint, taking the time to notice if someone close to me is hurting and in need of someone to talk to. All of these things are so common, yet its almost as if we ignore it.

“Let us pray differently, yet together.” We all have different ways that we express ourselves. We live in a world full of diversity. There are so many beautiful expressions of thoughts and prayers whether it is individual or specific spiritual practices. The point is that while there are different practices of these thoughts and prayers, they are all for the same purpose. What makes the world beautiful is the fact that there are so many different views. What is really important is how we all come together.

What words stick with you after listening?

[nayaleigh]

Dance Performance

 I have really enjoyed dancing to my favorite song, “For Good” from Wicked, written by Stephen Schwartz. I’ve recently lost a friend and strong leader in my life, and this song was the first thing that came to mind when thinking about the love and generosity he had toward every person he came in contact with. Tonight, in thinking of my motive for performing this song, I immediately thought of him and I let that guide my performance. Unlike the night before where I was dancing nervously to please an audience, I let all of that go and I focused on a person who did so many kind things for others; a person who took the time to not only acknowledge me, but to get to know me and instill a confidence in me that I didn’t think I had. When I signed the final words of this song, I think for the first time I felt the true meaning and the overwhelming power of those words. “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” 

~NayaLeigh

[nayaleigh]

My enthusiasm for staying in and watching the season premiere of SNL #readytoparty #saturdaynightlive #bridesmaids #snl40

[nayaleigh]

The most wonderful time of the year.... Wait what? #Halloween #halloweenmovies #disneyhalloweenmovies #favoriteholiday

[nayaleigh]

I'm back!; Chasing Life

I haven't posted anything in FOREVER! I have recently started writing in a journal because I haven't done any writing recently. I plan on writing a follow-up from my first blog post in the near future, and I have to say a lot has and hasn't changed. This post is mainly about hearing that Chasing Life is canceled. Here was the response I made to an article posted about the show's cancelation: This is so unfortunate. Finally a show comes along that deals with real life issues and has such a strong message, but they cancel it to make room for shows like a Nicki Minaj reality show? Really? I mean, I'm all for being confident with showing off what you have, but ABC Family is promoting that "Anaconda" and those "buns Hun" to such a young audience. Showing young people the stereotyping of women as objects is the only thing that will get you ratings? Chasing life promotes staying strong. Young women striving and achieving their professional and personal goals in the face of so many obstacles. There is a huge lack of young adult content on television that actually promotes positivity and hope in times where there is so much negativity. You made a mistake ABC Family. Thank you for taking the time to read! ~NayaLeigh

[nayaleigh]

It's My Turn To Be Brave

I haven't posted in a really long time;actually, I haven't written anything for myself in a really long time. My sister recently brought up the memory that I used to write essays or journals all the time for fun. I guess college happened and has been taking over my life. I may not write again for a little while, but once this semester is over I really want to change that.

Change is really what this year has been about for me. I don't know what is going to happen in my life once I finish this semester, but I do know I have changed. This year I started out taking an acting class,which lead me to intermediate acting.I never thought I'd get the guts to do that. This summer I also co-hosted my reunion talent show with my cousin for the second time, and ended up being recognized by people who usually don't give me a second thought. 

Fast forward to now, coming up on the end of November, I am a few weeks away from a dance recital for school, and I am auditioning for the first time in 5 years tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be auditioning for my college's production of Rent. This is a big deal for me because it is my first real audition, and it is a show that truly changed the way I think about the world. I don't know if I will get a role of my dreams after auditioning for the first time, but I am proving to myself that I have gained much more confidence in who I am and what I can do. 

I am going to go in thinking that it is finally my chance to be seen, my chance to be brave. 

<3 Tanaya

[nayaleigh]

:) time to get motivated

I’ve been slacking off on blogging which is really bumming me out. The point of this blog was for me to be able to write and get out some feelings on topics, and try out some type of blog that I could at least post weekly. So from here on out, I am committing to at least posting something once a week. This new semester has been really tough to get into. I am enjoying all of My classes except for one. I’m not going to name names, but my Professor is all over the place and can’t seem to stick to a topic without talking about family life. To top it all off, this instructor leaves the door wide open as it pours rain and snows, all the while blasting the air conditioner. That hour and a half feels like days! Other than that, I am so happy to be working again and taking some good classes that will not only help me academically, but will be useful for the rest of my life. I’ll end this blog on a high note. I hope anyone who reads this is doing well :) and please send me a reply. I don’t always need to be talking to myself. :P

[nayaleigh]

Cooking Blog #1: Lemon Pepper chicken

This is my favorite "healthy" dinner entree to make, and its pretty simple too! Here's what you'll need: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 large Lemon 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper First, slice both chicken breasts into long, 1/2 inch thick strips. Next, squeeze the whole lemon to make about 1/4 cup or more freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add the chicken, lemon and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper into a bowl or plastic ziploc bag. Marinate 5-10 minutes in refrigerator. (the longer you marinate, the stronger the lemon tastes). Then, add around 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet and add in the chicken, and leave out the excess juice. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. This feeds 2-3 people and goes great with a side of vegetables or on top of noodles. I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you tried it! NayaLeigh :)

[nayaleigh]

Oo

I really don't know what to talk about in a blog, but I do know I want to write. For now just expect a lot of venting, but as I get the hang of this, I intend to have a purpose or reason to write. To anyone who finds this page, thank you for taking the time to read and hope this will not be insanely boring. ~ NayaLeigh