Ciao, Bella

It's our last whole day in Paris and tomorrow we flight back to the US if Hurricane Sandy cooperates. We have had an absolute blast these last three weeks - I cannot wait to recap them here on the blog and for you to see Jason's amazing photos over on his blog as well!

We are exhausted - we've been averaging about ten miles walking per day for three weeks. But this journey has been truly amazing! A fitting cap to the adventure we've been on since April 2011. Our adventure is changing now - just taking on a different shade.

We go back to Orlando and I immediately begin rehearsals for a production of Sondheim's COMPANY as Susan. This is a show I've wanted to be a part of for at least a dozen years and I'm excited to get the chance! I'm ready to act again, to brush off the dust and get back to work. I've found a new agent that I'm really excited about. I finally get to really unpack. We're ready to get to work on Jason's ETSY shop for the holidays and get me prepared for a few big auditions that are coming up.

All good things to come home to and look forward to.

But I wish we were going to be in Europe a week longer!

So - Ciao, Europe! You've been lovely! I'll see you next time!

Sometimes it rains

... and sometimes it pours. It's been raining in Barcelona for two days. In that time we've barely left our hotel room because first Jason got sick and then I quickly followed. We're not sure if it was the stomach flu or food poisoning, but combined with jet lag it hit both of us pretty hard.

Everything happens for a reason so maybe this was to get us to slow down and rest before the next two and a half weeks of our trip. I'm going to be positive about it and take it as a gift of much needed rest. Besides, touring in the rain can be pretty miserable anyhow! And this city is so spectacular when the sun is out!

Now that we're on the mend we'll slowly see what we can this morning and then head for our cruise ship around noon.

The people of Barcelona have a been so kind to us while we were sick. At our hotel and at restaurants - feeding me not only gluten free food but gluten free sick food - broth and rice. Things that weren't on their menu.

I love this city - it's one of my absolute favorites and I hope that next time we
Come back we'll be able to explore.

So - adios Barcelona! Tomorrow? Provence!

Barcelona Gluten Free

This is my first trip to Barcelona since I went gluten free. The last time I was here I was with my friend Karenanna, and I swear I lived on Sangria, Bocadillos (sandwiches - usually ham and cheese - on a crusty baguette), paella, and tapas.

I love Barcelona. I was so excited to come back here for a few days and understandably nervous about what I would eat this time.

So I did my homework, coming up with lists of places other gluten free travelers had had successful eating experiences.

All that goes out the window though when your husband gets sick on the plane ride over.

We flew all night last night and while I managed about three hours of sleep (thank you earplugs and unisom) Jason did not get any. On top of that, his airplane meal did not sit right with him.

Still though, we got in early, dropped our bags at our hotel and hit the pavement until Jason was feeling too terrible to keep truckin'.

When your husband is sick as a dog and exhausted you generally end up on your own. All plans go out the window and you try to find somewhere close to the hotel that understands and can accommodate your dietary needs.

I was so relieved to wander into the Bar Estudantil across from the university of Barcelona. The waitress knew exactly what gluten is and provided me options of what I could have for dinner. (There were only two choices but I was grateful to be understood and eat a meal without fear of being glutened!)

So I had my sangria (excellent by the way) and grilled Chicken breasts with a salad. And I sat there listening to Catalan and Spanish flying around me. This is surely contentment - a full belly, rockin' sangria and life happening all around me.

Plus, how could life be bad with this little guy watching you from the next table?

So - here are a few tricks for finding a non touristy place to eat:

-Get away from the tourist zones. a block or two makes all the difference in the world!

-find a place that's PACKED with locals. If they're all speaking the language native to the country you're set

- don't be afraid to ask about specific dietary needs before you sit down

-And when in Spain... Drink Sangria!

Black Holes

One of the things that I've never liked about auditioning are the black holes that always pop up. A black hole is an actor or actress (or other type of performer) who spends all of their energy in the waiting room making sure everyone else knows how amazing they are, and tries to psyche others out of their focus. I have always hated these black holes - for their vanity, insane self confidence and negative energy they put out in an audition room. More than once, I've let them psyche me out of the quality audition I should have given. They make me crazy!

I'm back to auditioning this week after a year and a half hiatus. There have been plenty of black holes, that's for sure. The difference this time is that I don't care. I'm not intimidated, I don't question my abilities, I don't let it throw me off my game. Maybe it's age, maybe it's self acceptance, maybe it's sheer fed up-ness (there's a new word for you!), but I've been able to finally ignore it enough to get my work done. I still notice it, though, and am now seeing the extreme insecurity that comes with it.

Moral of the story? Don't be a black hole in anything you do. Those around you will be grateful not to have the big, self centered, energy sucking void around. Try tome positive energy instead and see how far it takes you!

My week of auditions and interviews is coming to an end. As with anything, there was lots of good and a little bit of bad. I'd say that it was a pretty good week. But I am soooo ready to drive to Atlanta tomorrow and get ready for our European extravaganza! I'm hoping to post from Europe at least a few times, so be sure to check back here!