Nicolina

Hello Readers,

This past week I finished watching season 20 of American Idol on Hulu (the live ABC broadcast airs on Hulu the next day). [Idol Spoilers Ahead] I really enjoyed the contestants and judges of this season. I have probably watched a total of three complete seasons of the show since it first aired in 2002. This year I was so impressed with how polished and emotional the singers were. The whole top 10 would have been great choices for the voting public (I don't vote). I am posting two videos of one of those top 10, Nicolina, both of her singing the song She Used to Be Mine from the Broadway musical Waitress. Waitress is a musical I would like to see, this song is so well written the tune brings emotion and the words speak of pain and of strength. The first video is of the Audition when Nicolina received the 'Golden Ticket' to go to Hollywood and the second video is the Finale where she performed the song with composer Sara Bareilles. I love how these two women share the stage. The composer/pianist looks so proud of the young artist singing her song -- Nicolina has so many dreams fulfilled and ahead of her. Lovely!

Thanks for reading.

Stay well,

AmyBH

The Office BFFs

 Hello Readers, 

One of my favorite podcasts is Office Ladies. For the most part, this weekly podcast consists of the hosts Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin) discussing The Office in great detail, one episode each week in sequence. This comedy series ran from 2005-to 2013, for 9 seasons. In the series Pam and Angela are frenemies but in real life, these two women are self-proclaimed best friends who met on set. I have listened to each episode and I very much enjoy how these two ladies share not only their memories of the show but also their own vulnerabilities and how they've supported each other throughout the years. This past week the two podcasters released a book also based on The Office and to commemorate the launch the hosts shared the audio version of the first chapter of the book on the podcast The Office BFFs Chapter 1. I'm so glad Jenna and Angela took the time to narrate the book themselves I believe it adds so much to the audio version and my feelings are evident as I decided to purchase it. In just the last couple of days, I have just about finished listening. They have also released a podcast episode that consists of them answering questions about the process of writing the book and I look forward to listening to that when I'm done listening to the book BFF Q & A. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. At times they humbly share in a very relatable way how excited they were as they experienced things for the first time. I am also impressed when they share embarrassing mistakes they've made or frustrations they experienced. I have found myself moved to tears at times such as when they share difficulties or how their friendship has endured and gotten them through rough times. Each of them waited many years to get the chance to work on a show like The Office and this fact has reminded me that sometimes what I think I want may not work out but that I may be in a season of waiting for what is best for me. Without even knowing it these ladies have lifted my spirits many times over the last years, I am very grateful for this and for the many episodes yet to come.

Thanks for reading.

Stay well,

Amy BH

Numb Little Bug

Hello Readers --

Here is a link to a song a friend of mine posted on Facebook this week - Numb Little Bug. There are days when I can relate to what these lyrics are saying -- especially the part about struggling with having to take pills. For me, taking daily medication seems like a life sentence, one that I value but also feel a sort of shame about. In contrast to the desperate feelings conveyed in this song -- today, I experienced a real sense of accomplishment. This week I started up another semester of assisting with a graduate class (this is my third semester). This morning after spending close to two hours going through the first assignments and giving feedback to all the students I realized I felt energized. Right away I got up from the computer, took my dog out for a walk, and relished in a sense of feeling well. 

To top off this great morning, I got to spend time with 3 of my favorite people thanks to Zoom 💓.

Enjoy your day everyone!

Thanks for reading,

AmyBH

Being Thankful

 Hello Readers,

I was reminded by Carrie Deyton (YouTuber) in one of her recent Blogs to be thankful. Specifically, she said that she tries to remember to catch herself and be mindful before she exercises. To find joy in it, to be thankful for her body and the fact that she can move it, etc. I have been trying this with my walks throughout the day and with Yoga and other things. Doing this has helped me to have a better attitude and to stay motivated to follow through on my commitments. 

I aso recently listened to a November episode of Brene Brown's Unlocking Us Podcast where whe interviews Lukas and Willie Nelson Family, Love, and Music. Very nice interview with a great performance at the end. Enjoy!

I hope you had a great week -- stay well!

Thanks for reading,

Amy BH