Excerpt of "It Ain't That Easy"

A bit of a song I wrote a while ago. I recorded this back in Texas on my Mac. I have the rest written as well, but the video cut off for some reason. This is the first song I've ever posted online, so please be kind. Thank you!

Waiting For My Welcome Letter

Can I just say how addicting this song is? I'm currently waiting for my Welcome Letter to enter Pottermore. I got the email that said I'd been approved for early entry, but haven't gotten the official go ahead, yet. Anyway, if you're into fan videos/catchy songs/corny songs/love songs, you'll like this video. Enjoy!

Update ~ August 1, 2011

July Update!

The video above is from tonight. My roommate, Jodi, and I were doing karaoke, but this time it went awry. Decided it would be fun to post. :)

Just wanted to update a little bit. I know it's been a long time. I apologize. I've been really busy working and playing! I work two jobs. I'm a hostess at a restaurant, and I'm a nanny for an adorable 9-month-old. Both are very fulfilling in terms of helping people.

On my birthday, I made my first trip to Disneyland, thanks to my friends, Nathan and Jodi. It was so much fun---I wish I could live there! This month, the end of a magical era comes---The final installment of the Harry Potter films. I am so excited, nervous, sad, and cautious with this coming. I am going to miss that world so much. I'm going to miss looking forward to a new book or movie.

My spiritual journey has been rocky this month, I will admit. It is remarkable how we has humans gauge our relationship with God by how we're doing in life. Honestly, it makes sense to do that, but it's not right. God places challenges in our life so that we can overcome them, and be stronger to take on the rest of His will for our lives. Also, not to mention, take on the ultimate battle against evil. The stronger we get in faith, the more attacked we are going to be. It is imperative that we keep reminding ourselves that WE ARE LOVED BY HIM, and that WE ARE SPECIAL TO HIM. In Him we find our strength. So, that's what I'm focusing on right now. Letting Him be the strength and not trying to take on the world by myself. There's no need for it.

Well, it seems that is all I can think of for now. Family, friends, I hope you all are well!

Beginning of June Update!

Just a few updates---I have officially moved into my apartment with my roommate, Jodi. There are boxes everywhere, still, but everything is here. We've signed the lease, and it is ours! I feel so incredibly blessed. I live in a great location for opportunities in the entertainment business and to join community based events. I get to drive by some of the studios every day, and that keeps the dream alive!

I've also been writing more songs lately. Unfortunately, they all deal with the same person and situation, and though I love the songs I've written about that, I think it's time to put that subject matter to rest for a while. I have two more song ideas in my head for that, and a few more written down. Once I write those, I'm going to be finished with it. I believe that will put my total songs about that personal matter to 15. That's the length of a decent album. Haha!

On the job front, it's an uphill battle, my friends. I'm still hosting at a restaurant, but moving as put me quite far away from it, so I'm hoping that I can find something closer. Gas is not cheap, (Though, I found myself rejoicing when I saw it was $4.03 the other day.) and traffic is so unpredictable. I'm hoping to get a graveyard shift at a hospital or even work on a studio lot. We'll see what happens!

I feel so happy to be out here. For the first time in my life, I'm not always wishing to "get out" or just to be somewhere else. I'm where I've always dreamed of being. Such a nice feeling. I do still miss home, sometimes. I've found my southern accent coming out more and more here lately. Haha. Luckily, there are a lot of Texans here. :) I just feel so lucky that I get to wake up in sunny Los Angeles, knowing a live close to where the magic happens both in music and film. I get to see mountains every day. I marvel that palm trees grow right next to trees I'd only ever seen in Colorado. I sit in wonder at this beautiful place God has created. Thank you, my Adonai. :)

(Note: The picture above is of one of the balconies at the El Capitan. I went to see the new Pirates movie there, and met Jerry Bruckheimer. It was amazingly surreal. I was walking toward the ladies room, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone was looking at me, so I turned and said, "Hello, how are you?" [I remember thinking he looked familiar, but I thought he was someone I'd met that I'd just forgotten his name.] He replied he was fine, and I said, "I'm glad," and walked off. As I was going down the stairs, I said to Jodi, "I think I just met Jerry Bruckheimer." I resolved that if he was in the same place when we went back up, I'd introduce myself. He was, and I did. He was very nice, and just a little reserved. You just never know who you're going to run into.)

Kara And I Being Silly! Whimsidork!

It Can Happen To YOU!!!

It hurts how stupid I can be, sometimes. There are some situations in life you hear about, but you never think they will actually happen to you. Here is an example of one of those situations that happened to me.

I got home tonight a little before midnight from work, tired and ready to be relaxing. I had to park a few blocks from the apartment because there was no parking nearby. As I was walking, I situated my car key between my right index finger and my middle finger, so that if an attacker came along, I'd be able to swing my arm and hopefully injure whatever body part the key found. As I crossed my street onto the opposite sidewalk, I heard someone say, "Hey." I turned around, and there in a newer-model Volkswagen Jetta, was an Indian man in his mid-to-late 40s. Thinking he may need directions, I replied, "Yes?" and stepped just a few feet from the car. "Do you live around here?" he asked. I told him I lived a ways down the street. He said he was looking for an apartment, and I asked what address. He didn't have an address that he was looking for. Then, he said he was looking for a rental. At this, I thought, "Aren't all apartments rentals?" That should have been a red flag. I also noticed, there seemed to be no luggage or boxes in the back of his car. Another red flag. I then proceeded to tell him about Westside Rentals and how you register and look for apartments on a website. Then, he said, as he was in the middle of the road in his car, that he'd better pull over so he didn't get a ticket. I told him he wasn't going to get a ticket, but he pulled over anyway. Then he changed subjects, "How old are you?" "In my 20s," I replied. He introduced himself as Chris, and we shook hands. "Are you single?" That question, though, I replied, "Yes, I am," was finally the one that made me realize that this was not a good situation. He asked if we could talk for five minutes, to which I said we could not because I had a friend waiting for me that was ready to go. He pleaded with me, but I was firm that I had to go, and walked away. I heard him speed his car the opposite way, and then I ran home.

So many mistakes made.

1) It's almost midnight. Why the freak did I even stop to talk to this creep? I should have just said I was in a hurry, kept walking, and kept an eye out for his return.

2) Why did I even tell him I lived down the street? I mean, some would support this because it means that someone might be expecting you, which would ward off an attacker because he would want to have as much time possible between taking his victim and someone finding out. However, I just opened up a new can of worms by telling him this because, now he knows a young girl lives on this street. You can bet I'll be watching my back oh, so carefully.

3) He's looking for a rental...All apartments are rentals...Unless he's looking for a condo. This man isn't sure what he's talking about. No luggage or boxes, looking for an apartment to "rent" at NIGHT. Should have been a HUGE red flag.

4) Changing the subject from "apartment hunting" to "let's get to know each other." "Can we talk for 5 minutes?" Inevitably, if I'd said yes, he would have gotten out of the car to "talk" which probably would have lead to kidnapping, rape, or even sex-trafficking. Thank goodness I AT LEAST knew not to let him get out of the car around me.

5) We shook hands. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I DID THAT! Even as I did it, I knew I shouldn't have. Ladies, WE NEED NOT BE SO FRIENDLY! He could have taken hold and pulled me into his vehicle, and I'd never be heard from, again. DO NOT TOUCH STRANGERS!!!

I think a lot of us girls think when an attacker comes, it'll be all showy like the movies. There will be a surprise attack, some physical altercation where we can use our martial arts skills that we think we know, hit him a few times with our purses, and get away. However, I'm discovering more often than not situations that lead to kidnapping or worse often start a little more "innocent." For example, remember when we were little and we were taught not to go with strangers offering free candy in their vans because they would kidnap us? Now, these low-lifes use that same kind of tactic to prey on women through their words and malicious smiles bathed in a fake syrup of sincerity, "You're so beautiful. I find you intriguing interesting, and I possibly might love you and marry you one day. Let's talk for a little while. Will you go out with me?" I have had TWO men drive up next to me now, and show "interest." The first was in broad daylight on a busy road last week, and second was the one I just told you about.

Now, family who reads this, know that I AM OKAY, and I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.

You can bet I debated on posting this story. I hate admitting when I've messed up, but I'm hoping by reading this someone will be better off for it. The Lord would not let me sleep in my bed tonight until I wrote this and posted it. PLEASE, SHARE WITH EVERY LADY YOU KNOW.