Within Tennessee, there's a wealth of beautiful areas to explore. Between the Smoky Mountains, the waterfalls, the forests, it seems like you could never fully explore all that TN has to offer. There are 72 state and national parks in TN, and many more trails in remote areas!
 
   With the car finally parked, my partner and I stretched. It had been a 2 hour drive from my parent's house in northern Tennessee, and we were more than ready to take on  Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park. Our goal was to hike the Enclosure loop only, but we ended up making a full loop around the park with  the Enclosure, Moat, and Backbone loop! Sitting at a comfortable 2.8 miles, the combined loop takes a little over an hour on average to complete (although hikes always take me significantly longer, since there are always beautiful things to stop and look at). The trail immediately slopes downwards, so the initial part of your hike is easy, and there are many beautiful things to look forward to!

    From old stone ruins of a mill, to multiple gorgeous waterfalls on the park grounds, this area is one to plan to spend a few hours in. I highly recommend exploring Tennessee's parks in the early spring, when it's still a bit chilly but the wildflowers are poking their heads out to enjoy the sun. The trail follows a beautiful portion of the Little Duck River, where you can wade and fish and play to your heart's content. 

   Once you're at the bottom of the decline, you'll find yourself walking alongside calm, gently bubbling sections of the river. Should you decide to take on the Backbone trail, the walk to it will vary significantly! There are sections of flat, wide trail that's well-maintained, but there are also portions (specifically next to the river) that are very narrow, with lots of roots and hard-to-find footing. A walking stick is advised, but not needed if you're a more advanced hiker. The 'backbone' itself is quite steep, and at times only a few paces wide, so please be cautious if you're planning on bringing children along.

  As a beginning hiker with bad knees, I found that I struggled mainly on the inclines and in places with lots of roots lacing across the trail...With that being said, I would still rate this trail as moderate. If you're in better shape than I am, it may be a bit tiring, but since it's a relatively short trail and there are many flat portions you shouldn't have much trouble at all. 

Overall, I would love to revisit this park when it's a bit more green, and I can wade in the river. It's a beautiful area, with lots of gorgeous scenery, so I do hope that you visit if you're ever in the area. Dear reader, it's a pleasure to share the things I love and the things I struggle to improve with you. I think that being human is beautiful, and sharing our triumphs and gorgeous imperfections help connect us. I hope that today, you find a small imperfection to celebrate.

In theory, hiking sounds easy, right? 

   I mean, you're just walking around in nature. How hard could it be? Coming from someone who's spent their entire life overweight and wholly unconvinced of nature, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had always longed to be 'outdoorsy', but between the ever-changing weather, the bugs, the wildlife...Hiking has always seemed rather intimidating. The nicely-paved metro park trails of my college town of Cleveland were a great toe dip into outside, but I was largely content to keep to their curated paths.

   Suddenly in late summer of last year, I found myself in a new state, in the middle of nowhere, and surrounded by Tennessee's many state parks. I had just escaped a bad marriage, and with nothing to do, I needed a hobby. I've always enjoyed moving my body, but for months prior to my sudden move, I had been too depressed to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. So...why not start small? I decided that maybe it was time to brave the bugs, and see what this 'Nature' was all about. 

   For my first few hikes, I kept it small. I was walking easy trails, usually about a mile and a half long. Getting moving after not having the energy was hard. I had no endurance, and my muscles ached whenever I dared to attempt walking on a path that wasn't smooth with no height variation. It was nice to be alone with my thoughts, and spending time alone in the fresh air and sun was a great way to gently encourage myself to heal, to regain some confidence in myself. 

   As I slowly began to challenge myself, my hikes got longer, and I got braver in visiting new state parks in the area. What awaited was a cornucopia of treasures: beautiful wildflowers, animals, and breathtaking views made all the huffing up hills and slipping in mud worth it. Pushing myself became less daunting, and I began to look forward to the next hike. I was less afraid of tripping. I began to smile more. 

   The best part? Discovering new plants and mushrooms to take pictures of!
​
   I am by no means more than a casual hiker, to this day. However, I've begun to view life as an adventure, and finding new trails to stumble through has made me feel more confident in navigating adventures indoors, too. Learning to trust yourself and push yourself to new heights (sometimes literally) is so rewarding. Dear reader, even if you're not the hiking type I hope you find something that encourages you to be your best self. 

It was Wednesday night, and as the plane descended I began to notice the familiar glow of a city I left too soon-the place I feel the most connected. I stepped off the plane, and the familiar bustle of the airport hugs my senses like a friend that never guilts you for being away. 

It's been a year since I last saw New Orleans, but only the tightness in my chest gave away that I had been gone. The potholes, the aged buildings- everywhere I looked, I drank in the cityscape like a drinking man's first sip of vice.  It had been a year, but I was home. 
~
I had the absolute pleasure of spending a week in my old home, New Orleans. It was such a lovely experience to sink into the city like an old, familiar armchair for a short time, and I'd love to share a few of my old haunts with you. While the places I'm about to list aren't tourist attractions per se, they are places I love for various reasons. Dear reader, if you've never been to the Big Easy, or you're looking for new places to explore, incorporating a couple of these during your visit may prove to be enjoyable. 

Briefly, I'd like to add that I'm not partnered or sponsored by any of these locations or businesses. I just genuinely love them, and frequently recommend them. 

I think everyone knows that New Orleans isn't just for drinking-it's a gastronomical Mecca. Having the privilege of living there meant I got to experience all kinds of cuisine-from cheap & delicious street tacos to high-brow omakase experiences. Here are just a few of my standouts.

Debbie Does Doberge

Okay, so Debbie Does Doberge is technically located in Kenner, but it's very close to New Orleans, and even CLOSER to the Louis Armstrong International Airport. I used to work for Baker Bar  (R.I.P.), a restaurant in the Garden District that was owned by DDD. I had a wonderful time working for them, and I had the opportunity to take photos of many of their cakes & dishes.  They have a lot of flavors, and if you're wanting to travel with them, just freeze your cake overnight! 

If you don't know what a Doberge cake is, it's a Nola classic birthday cake. Layers of pudding rest in between thin layers of cake, and have a poured fondant (think like a pourable icing) draped on top. It's best served directly from the fridge, and you'll never need to worry about if your cake is moist or not. This treat is quite rich-so the krewe at DDD also has petit four versions of many of their flavors, called Dobites.  

If you can't make their bakery & restaurant location in Kenner, don't worry! Their website, debbiedoesdoberge.com/ , has a list of locations across the Greater New Orleans area where you can pick up some goodies!

Sarah's Picks: Nectar Snoball, Wedding Cake, Sweet Potato Spiced Latte

~

Budsi's Authentic Thai

 Listen, there are a lot of Thai places in the Nola area. I'm an avid lover of Thai food, and after trying many, many places, Budsi's stands out at the best Thai food I've ever had, ever. Run by a husband and wife, Budsi's makes authentic Thai street food. It's fresh, the flavors are well-rounded and vibrant, and every time I visit I get so excited about my food that I forget to snap a photo. 

I started going to Budsi's in grad school-my hair salon (She Comes in Peace, a hair salon that's part salon, part boutique, and part art installation) was in New Orleans, and after sitting in the salon chair for hours, I'd be super hungry. My stylist recommended it, and it was perfect: close to the salon, and not busy during the off hours when I'd come in after my appointment. After graduating and moving properly to New Orleans, it was a staple that I would visit weekly for lunch. There's just something about their fresh, simple dishes that never gets old. I make it a point to go at LEAST once every time I'm in New Orleans. 

This unpretentious spot is a favorite by locals who know; nestled on a residential corner between the French Quarter and the Marigny, this restaurant has a small but mighty menu of the classics done right-and fast. Order at the counter, grab a boozy Thai Tea, and find a table. In minutes, you'll be greeted with steaming dishes that are casually but beautifully presented. 

Sarah's Picks: Pad See Ew (with extra chili vinegar!), Mushroom Larb

Dat Dog

 Truly one of the best places to cure a hangover. With multiple locations across New Orleans, You'll be able to get your hot dog fix here, for sure. Of course, Dat Dog has all the classics, but that's not why people love Dat Dog. Boasting a large menu full of non-traditional hot dog choices (Etouffee Dog? Gator Sausage?) Dat Dog can truly fulfill any hot dog dream you may have. Create your own abomination, or select from their menu of tried and true dogs, you really can't go wrong here. 

With the gourmet dog gaining popularity quickly in many cities, it's easy to find a locally-inspired hot dog. Dat Dog is my favorite so far, of specialty dog joints in the country. It's not pretentious, there are multiple locations, and it's both great as prep for pre-drinking or for your hangover cure. 

Sarah's Picks: Bacon Werewolf, Crawfish Etouffee Fries

Empanola

Sometimes, you're so exhausted after work that the thought of cooking makes you want to pass out. That's how I first found Empanola, a small shop on Magazine Street that specializes in empanadas. With both a standard menu and a few rotating flavors, Empanola is a one-stop shop for your quick meal needs after an afternoon of shopping at the many boutiques and vintage stores along Magazine St. 

If you're looking for a quick bite in the Garden District, this little gem won't disappoint!

Sarah's Picks: Pizza Pepperoni, Spinach & Artichoke

~

Snake & Jake's Christmas Club

This is probably the only dive bar I've ever felt comfortable in. Located on a residential street and tucked away from major roads, you'll really only find locals at this spot. If you're wanting to make friends at a chill, casual spot, Snake's is a great spot. So dark you're almost blind & filled with vintage Christmas memorabilia, there's a cozy atmosphere that greets you once you enter the building. A late night staple, Snake's opens at 7 and stays open until....I've seen it close around 8 am. Whenever the vibe's right to close, I guess. 

Drinks are cheap, the people are kind, and it's a perfect spot to build community. You'll have to see it for yourself.

La Boulangerie

 I have many fond memories of grabbing a Le Parisien sandwich & a glass bottle Coke, and heading down to the pond at Audubon Park. Everything at La Boulangerie is good, from their entrees to their breads and baked goods. A light & airy restaurant on the quiet part of Magazine St., La Boulangerie boasts a large assortment of award-winning baked goods & sandwiches. I have never met anything from this place that I have not liked. While their sandwiches aren't the New Orleans standard Poboy or Muffuletta, the Le Parisien is my favorite sandwich, hands down. It's truly simplicity at its finest: Salted butter, Comté cheese, butcher ham, and a layer of cornichons lie between two halves of a house-baked baguette. This sandwich doesn't need anything else, the quality of their ingredients shine. A perfect morning stop, grab a coffee and croissant to start your day off right.

Despite their beautiful interior, what really stands out about La Boulangerie is the quality of everything they produce-You can truly tell that their staff have high standards for their work, and it shows in both presentation as well as flavor. 

Sarah's Picks: Le Parisien, anything in the pastry case

There are countless small businesses to peruse, from locally-designed clothing to the many, many antique shops with treasures from yesteryear. In addition to what you might see in the French Quarter, I strongly suggest shopping along Magazine Street for lots of vibrant and creative locally-made goods. 

Elektra Cosmetics

 When you're in New Orleans, glitter is the real neutral. 

​You really can't deny the quality of Elektra Cosmetic's bolt balms, they're bright, shiny, and last until you decide to take them off. Because of the sheer amount of joy it brings, I now always keep a bolt balm (and hand sanitizer) in my purse, even when I'm not going out. You'd be shocked at just how many people have asked me where I got my glitter, and are thrilled when I offer to put some on them. You'll find any color you could ever want at their Glitter HQ, or at any of the places they've set up a stand (French Market, Disco Warehouse, local festivals). 

If you're looking to get your glitter fix (Hair & skin safe) and you can't make it down to Nola, no worries! Their website is elektracosmetics.com/, where you can find all the glitter. 

A bit of a side note, If you're having trouble taking off your glitter, you can either use the included sticker (use the sticky side!) or a lint roller to roll the glitter right off!

Sarah's Picks: Opal Unicorn, Fire Opal, and April Showers

City Park & Audubon Park

I've found that New Orleans' parks are largely overlooked by tourists. Sure, there's plenty of museums and restaurants and tours to take, but if you need a moment of peace, look no further than my two favorite parks in the city: Audubon Park & City Park. Walking amongst the Live Oaks, grabbing a coffee & beignet from Cafe Du Monde, or settling in for a quiet picnic can be a great way to just...exist in the city. 

Audubon Park boasts a nicely-paved circular path that you can walk, bike, or roller skate; it also hosts a golf course and the Audubon Zoo.  

City Park is larger, and as such has more attractions and paths than Audubon. It hosts the Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, a Cafe Du Monde location, a small theme park, and the free to visit Sculpture Gardens. Please note that both parks will host seasonal events (my favorite is the winter celebration & drive through lights at City park!) that will sell out, so if you're looking for a nice themed-date night or a family night out, make sure to keep on top of those dates!

Both parks are gorgeous, and worth a visit. I hope you enjoy exploring them!

Sarah's Picks: Immerse yourself in a world of plants at the Botanical Gardens, then grab a snack at Cafe du Monde for a picnic by the pond!

~


Slow Down Nola

Located on Magazine St, Slow Down Nola is a boutique & vintage store that emphasizes sustainable fashion & uplifts local artists. A treasure trove of goodies, it's truly the perfect place to find a memorable souvenir or new closet staple. While their stock consists mostly of wearables, they also have some cosmetics, trinkets, and art to adorn your space. 

I love to pick up fun socks, silly hair accessories (think things like Crawfish Claw hair clips), and other pieces that bring joy to my life whenever I'm in New Orleans. I always am in a better mood when I put on a piece from Slow Down Nola!

Sarah's Picks: Any hair accessory, the sticker booth 

Fringe + Co. 

Have you ever wondered what the locals wear when it's time to celebrate? Look no further! Fringe + Co. is a locally made,  Women & LGBTQ+-owned shop that truly believes in all that glitters. From their caftans to their matching sets, Fringe + Co is fun, shiny, and has a plethora of quality pieces for your collection. 

While their warehouse is only open to the public once a year, you can find them online at fringe-co.com/ or pop-ups around the Greater New Orleans area. 

Sarah's Picks: Copper Iridescent Sequin Long Caftan, Fringe Jackets

Dear reader, the time spent in the Crescent City is ultimately yours. If you're visiting, and you find one of these spots, I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do. If you live in Nola, I hope that you may come to love these places as much as I have, and that find your community. I know I did.

It's August in New Orleans, and I've called off of work because of nausea. I was commuting between Baton Rouge and New Orleans until I could find us a place in the city; I was exhausted.
~
The day after graduating with my Master's, I flew out to Ohio for my first professional world premiere. During my stay, I received news from the owners of the bar I worked for that they had decided to let me go, my schedule as an opera singer was something they couldn't accommodate. After I came back from my first gig, I was in a rush to find a day job and move out of dreary BR. 
~
It had been a few hours that I had napped in the cheap hotel room I had rented, and my headache and nausea had subsided. I decided (as an early 20-something) that since I was in New Orleans with nothing to do, that I may as well walk down Bourbon St.  and experience the Big Easy by myself.

So, I strolled. I weaved through the off-season crowds in the French Quarter, with nowhere to go and no schedule to follow. The yelling and cheering coupled with the bright lights of Bourbon where overwhelming, and so instead of ducking into a busy bar on the main few blocks, I found myself stepping into an older, quieter building perched on the edge of the brightly-glowing street. This bar was considerably quieter and considerably darker than the others: I had found myself at the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. I ordered a Hurricane (duh) and protected the open top of the plastic cup as I picked my way through the people to the back of the bar. There, amongst a quiet crowd, sat a piano. 

Manning the piano was a man in his late-40's, deftly flashing his fingers across the keys as he sang into a microphone. Queen, Guns n' Roses, Billy Joel. Everyone's favorite songs from yesteryear to that very summer. I was entranced, and found a corner of a booth to huddle in as I nursed my (very) strong drink. I later learned this seasoned performer's name, Lucky Lee, and he had been playing at Lafitte's for 20-something years. As the crowd waxed and waned, I slipped into a spot across him at the piano and enjoyed his performance while the crowd dwindled in the wee hours of the morning.  Finally, i worked up the courage to request a song, one that wasn't very popular. As he sang, I found myself happily singing along, the internal itch of a craving having been scratched. 

That was how I met Lee, and how I came to spend a year singing with him on Bourbon St. Singing with him for 4-6 hours a day, 2-5 times a week gets you a lot of practice singing popular music. It also makes you learn a lot about your craft and the people who listen. I wholeheartedly believe that I learned more about people and performing from my time on Bourbon than in my 6 years of schooling (not that I didn't learn anything, I certainly did my best to learn what I could from academia, and I had some wonderful professors.)
___

I never have considered myself to be a typical 'opera singer' type. Tattoos, Piercings, dyed hair. All of this used to be considered relatively taboo, though many companies are beginning to relax this. I grew up on rock music, and didn't start to think about singing classically until I was around 16.  I've never been a 'Jewel-toned wrap dress and a smart heel' sort of singer. I bartended throughout my Master's degree, and after. I try very hard to have many varied experiences to stay flexible and open as a human being, without compromising the integrity of who I am. I am a huge proponent that being versatile is integral to life not only as a performer, but as a human being. 

During my tenure as the resident opera singer & menace of Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, I learned much about people. You truly never know when something you sing will affect someone. Perhaps it's someone's first dance. Maybe someone's parent used to hum along to a song when they cooked. Sometimes, it's the silliest, simplest things that will stay with your audience. I learned that being vulnerable and actually connecting with your audience can do wonders for a performance. I was scared, at first. Am I doing well enough? Is this good enough to get paid for? What if the person who paid for a request doesn't like how I sing it? 

It doesn't matter. If they didn't like you, they wouldn't request you sing for them. You wouldn't be hired if you couldn't do well enough. Even if you mess up horribly, 90% of people will giggle it off with you. The other 10% weren't going to like it anyways. Even if you're famous, even if you're the best opera singer in the world, you'll make many mistakes. Learning to make them with grace (or with a cheeky smile) can make your life easier. Learning to be versatile in your craft will teach you to let go of blunders, and adapt to mistakes on the fly. 

These days, it's not enough to simply be a good "opera" singer. More companies are casting their singers for musicals, and many new works are starting to use more contemporary pop vocal technique as a stylistic choice. While I had excellent vocal instruction during both my degrees and after, I noticed that whenever I mentioned a piece that didn't use the classical style of vocal technique, it was often dismissed (it didn't help that my voice professor in undergrad-a fantastic Mezzo-Soprano and someone I look up to greatly-wasn't fully convinced I wanted to sing opera, and was worried I'd move to musical theatre...I'm not sure why). Voice teachers, I hope that if you ever read this you also don't hesitate to instruct your students on healthy contemporary vocal technique. 

Singers attend universities in order to prepare themselves thoroughly to have a long and successful career. What with the rising popularities of new works and musicals, it's essential to teach developing singers a healthy technique in all styles. Nobody knows how their career will play out during their years singing, so it is imperative to prepare young singers as thoroughly as we can. 

~ 

I guess Nancy was right, I wasn't ever going to only sing opera for the rest of my life. But, if I didn't start singing pop and rock and jazz (and recently, some country), then I wouldn't be half the performer I am today. I wouldn't know I could be silly onstage, and I'd be frozen in fear and anxiety. If I didn't sing with Lee, and stuck only to more formal, traditional environments,  then I would have been too scared to look out into the crowds, and see how people enjoyed it when I performed. When I looked up, I found people smiling, connecting with their friends & strangers, maybe even tearing up. There were groups of friends singing along like their lives depended on it. There were older couples dancing. There was joy and sadness and disappointment and reflection. When you have the privilege to perform at a bar, look up. You get to see all of life in front of you.

Dear reader, when you're nervous or uncertain or overwhelmed, I hope you can look up. 

I think that today's culture regarding how we-as humans-consume, can cultivate within us a feeling of always having to get things done now, to rush about and expects results immediately.  When you're living in a city and surrounded by the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to get caught up in the pace and take the process of...of, things,  for granted. I want my coffee NOW. I don't want to take the time to cook. The commute can seem endless. The constant strain of always feeling like we have to be productive can cause lots of fatigue and stress.

Our lives are so short in the grand scheme of things, and before you know it a day, a month, a year can pass without you even thinking about it. I can't say that I subscribe to the mindset of the toxically-positive inspirational blogger; but many of them do have the right ideas.  Allowing yourself time to take a breath and notice your surroundings can really make a difference when you're feeling overwhelmed. 

As artists, we have to be especially sensitive to our emotional state. In order to be able to do the music we sing justice, it's important (in my opinion) to draw on our own experiences and feelings. The more we notice about ourselves, the more we can make the music we sing (or play) come alive. One of my favorite daily practices that helps me stay sane & enjoy life is to take a moment to appreciate the process of things. For example, I love the quiet moments in my apartment in the mornings when my electric kettle is heating my water for tea up. The quiet bubble of the water, and the sunlight streaming in through the blinds of my ancient window, the smell of the candle I lit to distract myself from the impending doom of doing Pilates....It's the little moments. Once, I took a picture of my lemonade because the sunlight made it look like it was glowing. Allowing ourselves to be in the present moment and just...exist, can not only feel great, but also allow us to notice new ways we can express ourselves. 

Sometimes, allowing yourself to just be can feel incredibly vulnerable. You may feel like crying, or throwing up, or you may feel anxious for no perceivable reason. Sometimes, allowing yourself the time to feel can allow emotions you were pushing down to come up. This is good! It's okay. Fully feeling an emotion is not only a great way to get to know yourself, you'll feel better after, and it can help you heal faster (if it's negative one). Breathing through how you're feeling, and learning to appreciate how you feel can really help you with emoting in a performance environment. 

More on emoting in a performance environment: I notice that when I allow myself to be fully present and not in my head during a performance, is when I give a more memorable one. This isn't to say you shouldn't be thinking and focusing through your show (oh god please keep an eye on the conductor and remember your blocking), but instead of feeling frozen with fear and anxiety, focusing on the flow of the plot and the beauty of the music can really make a performance shine.

  A note: I understand that's not easy. It's really hard. I'm a terribly anxious performer, and while I've learned a bit on how to regulate my anxiety pre-performance, I don't think that will ever fully disappear. It's okay to be anxious. It means you care.  

~ 
To summarize, if you have the luxury of time, take the long way to work every so often. When you're getting out of your car, it's okay to stop for a few breaths to appreciate the warmth of the sun, or the chill in the wind, or the sweet kiss of rain on your skin. Smile at the barista. Maybe there's a new flower blooming on the side of the road where you're stopped for a red light. And then, when you're nose-deep in the translation of that new art song or role, how can you apply those moments? Don't be afraid to use your lived experiences to help you bring your text to life. And, hopefully, appreciating those moments will keep you a bit more sane, too. 

Dear reader, I hope you can feel the sun on your face today, and the breeze on your skin. I hope you can find something, anything, to romanticize, and that that moment will give you a little more peace. 

One of my favorite parts about the seasons changing is that the earth never changes its seasons in the same way. Different trees change at different times, even tress in the same species can change earlier or later than their relatives. The earth becomes bathed in a golden light, and chilly, cloudy days are welcomed with a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa.  The world is preparing for a cold, dark sleep. It makes you appreciate the cycles that life goes through. 

It's during this season of change that I start to find more peace in outside walks. I love watching the light change while I search the tree line for new mushrooms, and appreciate the way the leaves spin as they dance down to their resting place. There's a sentimental smell in the air, and it makes old loved ones and whispers of vibrant times gone by flash beneath the brief respite a blink offers the eyes. My heart is pleasantly tight during the workday when flashes of sentimentality cross my path, during my glances up and out the studio window. 

When you're 26 and have lived the life that I have, you have a lot to reflect on. Building-brick by brick-what you think is your forever, only to have any semblance of that (and all of your sense of pride & self-worth) crumble unexpectedly tends to make you have a lot to reflect on. Dear reader, it's been a little over a year, and I'm just starting to stand again. Like a newborn fawn's, my legs shake as I stumble and struggle to even straighten my back, let alone to walk.  Finding work, finding a place as an artist, finding a life and friends and community...it is difficult. The people that I love and have tried their best to support me are starting to be able to relax their shoulders, and heave a sigh of relief. For them, and the love of all those who have offered it, I am eternally grateful.

I don't venture to say I'm out of the woods-in fact, these next few months are integral to how quickly I'll be able to start walking again. During this time, I'm beginning to cultivate habits not just for the now, but for the future. I've never done that before, think about when I'm old. But, I'm in my late 20's and now's a better time than later to start thinking about my physical and mental health in the far (though not so far as I imagine) future. Auditions are underway, cultivating a daily practice ritual is getting to be enjoyable, Pilates is...going, and being able to work has done wonders for the noggin. Every day, I'm exhausted. Every day, I'm starting to feel proud of how I'm growing stronger. 

In this season of change, it's encouraging to see that I, too, am changing.  

It's Fall. But, for some things, it's the first bud emerging from the snow. It's spring. 

I think that opera is one of the most difficult careers to keep up with. Between the maddening 4-6 years of university education (especially if you're studying in a conservatory environment), the constant cost of lessons, coachings, language courses, personal grooming, formalwear, travel, etc., and the time you have to spend daily taking care of your body and voice, it's a wonder that more people don't leave the community. 

 World mental health day was yesterday, but as a neurospicy emerging artist, I think it's important to talk about year-round. To preface, I think that everyone should at least be considering how their mental health is on a daily basis. I'm also not a trained psychologist, nor will I ever claim to be a mental health professional. If you can afford it, talk therapy can be an incredible tool to help you cultivate healthy mental habits. 

With all of that being said, let's talk about what helps me personally. Let's move in chronological order, from morning, afternoon, to evening. 

Morning:
  I really do think that the first hour of your day sets up how your day will go. I like to have a quiet morning, where I play soft, positive music and make myself a light breakfast. Allowing yourself time to breathe-and journal, if that's your thing-can really help ease you into a more lifted mindset throughout the day. During this time, I like to mentally prepare for the day ahead, do breathing exercises, and do my daily workout (Yoga or Pilates, but definitely yoga if I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed). Having little rituals during your day that you can enjoy also help keep you grounded! For me, that's making my morning small pot of tea, and lighting a scented-candle. I also like to clean during this time (when my schedule allows). 

  All of this for me plays into my mental health. Eating nutritionally balanced meals effects how you feel internally. Exercise is the biggest thing that helps me mentally, I find that my energy is more consistent throughout the day and I'm less likely to get overwhelmed if I've moved my body in the morning. I know that my brain HURTS if I don't have a cleanish space, so my morning cleaning time (both in household and body) lets me feel accomplished and satisfies my brain for the day ahead. My rituals are something I genuinely enjoy, they feel like small luxuries that i can indulge in. 

Afternoon: ​Take a moment to stand and do some quick stretching. Evaluate your posture, are you hunching? If work or studying is getting to be too frustrating, do a breathing exercise and take 3-5 minutes to focus on something else. Maybe make yourself a hot beverage, or drink some water. Again, eating a nutritious (for body and/or brain) meal can give you a boost of energy and get your brain right for the rest of your workday. 

Evening: The drive home or to rehearsal after work is so important for me personally. It allows me to have time to de-stress and process the day's events thus far, It also gives me an opportunity to vocalize before rehearsals with the opera, or to listen to music I like before I get home and practice. If I have the energy and time, I also like to go on a walk outside. I love being outdoors, and being in nature can really help me decompress. 

Once I'm done with practice or rehearsal, I like to make dinner for myself and my partner. If you've read my last post, you'll know I try to shove as many veggies into my dinners as I can. Finding new & fun ways to cook them is such a good way to keep yourself from getting bored of eating nutritiously.  I also use my air fryer religiously, especially when I'm exhausted from a long day.  Then, it's relaxing time until bed. 
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It seems like after graduating college, life starts to move at a ridiculous pace. Taking time to appreciate aspects of your busy day, and looking at yourself in a positive light can really keep you from getting dragged down by the toil of living life in the way so many of us have to. 

Ultimately however, if you ever feel like your daily rituals and habits can't help, and you're in a dark place, please don't hesitate to seek help. It takes time to nail down a lifestyle that supports your mental health, so please don't beat yourself up if nothing changes for you immediately. We all have different brains, so we'll all have different things that will help us. 

What's your favorite ritual you like to enjoy? 

 When people picture an opera singer, they often picture the glamorous Divas and Divos of old: the fur coats, red lipstick, and opulent outfits that one may picture Maria Callas or a wealthy member of the audience donning. 

While formal operas can still very much be glamorous, the painful reality of today's 20-something emerging artist is very different. Sure, there are some vocalists who were blessed with the privilege of pursuing their craft regardless of financial obligation; these singers (while lucky) are few and far between. I can't speak to other singers, but I do know my own background. 

This post isn't to talk about financial backgrounds, though. Let's talk about ways I prepare for an audition (and ways I prepare for audition season). 
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It's important to stay physically and mentally healthy during audition season. Constant rejections can be tough to always take of the chin, and constantly traveling can mean that you're more prone to sickness. This is my first real audition season since graduating with my Master's, so it's also my first year fully immersing myself into the hustle of auditions. 

Here are a few of the things I do to support my physical and mental health BEFORE an audition:

1. Move! Finding a realistic, consistent way to move my body and strengthen my muscles has really helped me stay healthier mentally & physically. It keeps my brain fresh, I have more energy, and that muscle soreness from working out helps me identify if I'm properly supporting my breath. I'm not saying become a body builder: just moving your body is enough.  I know a lot of people have a membership to a nation-wide gym. I personally am trying out Pilates, since a lot of it can be done without equipment and in a hotel room. I've been really liking it so far!
2. Take your vitamins. Isn't it great that audition season is also flu season? Making sure you have enough vitamins can support your immune system, so you're not getting sick as easily. If you're a low energy goblin like me, taking B-12 can help. At the very least, making sure you take a good multivitamin should be essential for every singer. 
3. Eat good:  If you're like me and you have a day job in addition to your auditions and gigs, it can be hard to find the time or energy to cook yourself a meal. That's okay; luckily we live in an age of convenience, and nourishing food is everywhere! Starving yourself to fit in a dress won't do, you'll affect the quality of your instrument with unhealthy eating habits. Fostering a healthy relationship with food is a must for those of us with our instruments living inside our body. You don't have to be perfect. I'm not a nutritionist or a dietician, so talk to a professional about the specifics. Personally, I try to eat fruit & veg with high water content and fiber daily, to keep me hydrated. I do, however, want to say that I'm certainly not perfect about eating, and you shouldn't expect yourself to be either. 
4. Practice! Okay, okay. Listen: I know you know you have to practice.  This becomes a lot harder once you're dealing with not being in school and having a full-time job. Dedicating a consistent time to warm & work your voice is essential. It's true what they say: use it or lose it. Continuing to hone your instrument is incredibly important, as is regularly practicing your audition repertoire to keep it fresh and feeling good. 

How about the night before your audition? Here's what I do:

1. Hydrate: Really, this should be a given. Making sure you're overhydrating the week before and up to your audition will ensure you're sounding your best, even if you've flown on a plane and slept in a dry-ass hotel room. A lot of singers also take their nebulizer with them (I use the VocalMist) and steam before going to bed and after waking up. 
2. Prepare: Making sure-again- that you have all your audition materials with you the night before gives you enough time to run to a store and -ohmygodIforgotmysheetmusic-print out anything or make any changes you need to your audition folder. 
3. Sleep: Again, you'd think this was a given, but you'd be surprised. Making sure you're getting enough sleep the night before an audition so you're waking up well-rested is so important. If you're flying, try to sleep on the plane. If you're driving, plan enough time so that you'll get enough sleep once you arrive at your hotel (or sleep in your car).  If you're an anxious wreck like me, you can cultivate a little bedtime routine that will help you sleep. I bring self-heating steam eye masks with me on my trips, which I use as a sleep mask to cut our excess light and give my eyes a little hydration boost. You can also do things like take a hot shower, drink uncaffeinated teas, do some gentle bedtime yoga (shoutout Yoga With Adriene, my saving grace for many audition nights), or journal. 

Okay, okay. I get it, Sarah. Drink water. Sleep. Move. What about the morning of?

1. Hydrate: Duh. 
2. Start vocalizing 3 hours before you have to sing. If you're traveling alone, chances are you won't have much of an opportunity to talk to people to help warm up your voice before auditions. Making sure you're doing soft, gentle vocal exercises while you wake up and get ready will make the warm-up process that much easier.
3. Steam: I don't care if you have to lock yourself in an unventilated hotel bathroom for an hour to steam, or you bring a nebulizer with you. Feeding your sinuses and nasopharynx some extra hydration will help you! 
4. Eat breakfast and lunch, and dinner. Whenever your audition is, eating a couple hours before so  you're not singing hungry will ensure that you're fueled and ready for (possibly) the audition of a lifetime. 
5. Not too early, not too late.  I like to schedule my auditions around 11 or 12, if I can. this gives you ample time to prepare in the morning, but you're not singing so late that the audition panel is tired of hearing people. 
6. Smile: We sing because we like to. If you got an audition, then that means the someone on that panel believes in you! Smile at yourself, relax, and go have fun. 

I hope this helps! Lord knows I'm not the authority on vocal health or audition practices, but maybe my suggestions will be of some use. Ultimately, during the yearly grind of auditions, you'll figure out your best routine for those many audition days. 

And, to any undergraduate or high school singers worried about college auditions:

You're going to be okay. Prepare your repertoire, learn to love digging through the languages you're singing in, and protect your heart. You'll end up where you need to be eventually, and it's okay if that takes time. Thank you for carrying the torch and continuing our craft.
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All good books have a preface; and while I don't endeavor to call this blog a novel, I figure that it would at least be helpful.

So, dear reader, welcome to my little world. 
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Growing up, I hated writing. The way my hand cramped holding a pencil in elementary school as I struggled to keep up with the pace of my thoughts, or constantly being told my writing wasn't "academic enough" throughout my years pursuing my Master's degree. I've really never been one for following the rules of academia anyway, and it certainly showed in my grades. 

Though at the time I write this I am only 26, I find that as I've been away from schooling my opinions on writing have softened somewhat. It's refreshing to share my thoughts, and I like that by doing so I'll have a chronicle of how I was thinking and where I was at in the future. Besides, I've decided that rules be damned, I'm just going to write how I want. 

I also think that others might find my life to be interesting, so what's the harm in starting a blog?

As I sit here at my day job (Opera work is gig work, and when you're new to the industry there's no way you can make enough to pursue it without any other supplemental income), I watch the dance teachers on the other side of my window practice for their upcoming showcase. I can hear their vibrant clave rhythms they're dancing to through the wall, and it creates a juxtaposition of the soft music and dim lighting my office provides. 

In the evenings, I'm often in a large rehearsal room with the Nashville Opera refining music for an upcoming show, but for right now I have a brief month of respite post-Carmen....Is what I'd say, if I weren't plunged into the middle of audition season for us Young Artists. It seems like every week there's an audition to drive to. But, that's the grind we face when deciding to cultivate a career as an opera singer. It's much less glamorous than the Divas of old made it seem, but opera's a hell of a drug. The connections you make and the art that's created by every single person involved in an opera is the most fulfilling experience I'll ever have. Even marriage can't come close (been there, done that.)

Throughout my struggles as a young opera singer, I've held a lot of different jobs in a lot of different places, including (but not limited to) bartender, tour guide, and glitter slinger. It's given me a lot of perspective, and I'm thankful for how adaptable it's made me. My current day shindig is managing a concierge service. It's-again- not glamorous, but it's a job that I'm grateful to have, and it's nice seeing people smile while they're learning to dance through the window of my office. I'll take it, for sure. 

I think ideally, I'd like to have a career singing opera and sharing my journey via social media; I've started my social media journey (@lensgoblin, go follow me to keep up with my antics in a video format) and it's surprising how refreshing making content can be. I love photography in addition to singing, so it's been a lot of fun to share aspects of my life and then capture them in a visual medium like photography-there's something almost meditative about capturing a beautiful moment on camera, and immortalizing it forever...but, back on topic. It's a long road to get to the point where I'll be able to monetize, well, anything, so until then I'll be sitting here, at my desk. 

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From my description, my day-to-day might seem mundane; but, dear reader, it is anything but. Romanticizing little moments, honing my craft, learning roles & languages, learning to love the outdoors...life is so beautiful. I hope you'll join me and come read a bit of mine.  

I hope this reaches you.