Getting into the swing

Sadly, not much action has been going on this week. Mississippi is beginning to feel the first stage of winter. The sun has been trying to hide behind an overcast sky then deciding to peer it's head through. I was in the bank the other day expressing to the teller that I was confused as to feel about the weather. Happy because the sun was out, or curl up with a book because the sun was lost in a cold overcast sky. Her reply, "It's Mississippi weather", meaning it is so unpredictable. Mother nature doesn't really know how to make up her mind in this state.

On the flip side, my doctor wrote me a prescription to get more occupational therapy & physical therapy. What a great guy. I have this device called BIONESS which is a machine for my hands. They don't exactally work 100% yet, but they're getting there. What this device does, is it sends messages to my brain and nerves reminding them how to work properly. Mine went on the fritz a few months ago and my hands have lacked the stimulation they need. After I informed my doctor of this, he said we didn't need my hands to be reversed from the progress we had made so occupational therapy was in order until my BIONESS is repaired. So now it's back to therapy. I'm actually working with the same therapist who helped me first use them.
                                       

                                         This is Ashlee the OT & I being serious with the BIONESS

and this is when we play

Starting Monday, it was back to work with exercises, scheduling, and an evaluation of the state my hands were in. Fun times. Today, Ashlee made me do some stuff involving resistance. I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't my favorite thing, but I knew it was helping, so might as well keep it up. By the end, I was feeling the burn. However, I still wasn't done yet.

Physical therapy time! I'm also working with the same PT I worked with before. Which is good and better. She knows me, and knows I like to work hard. In other words, she doesn't hold back. Some tough exercises were ahead. Squats, leg lifts, that machine that simulates you walking up stairs. Funny as this may sound, it felt wonderful, but the best was saved for last. Abs! I was told to lay down on this matt and lift my shirt. I was a little apprehensive, but all was ok. Two pads were attached to my stomach which were also attached to this machine. Basically, it was shocking my abs. Cool right?

As it closer to the end, the shocks were getting a little intense

 You can't tell because I have that face, but I actually feel great. Therapy was awesome. The ball is rolling and needs to keep rolling :)

Nicole

Welding, bottle tree fun!

A cozy bed is so nice though not the funnest place to wake up from just  because you know that eventually, you two will eventually depart for the day. However, depending on what your doing that day, it could be pretty easy. Yesterday was perfect curl up and stay cozy type weather. It was overcast with light drizzle off and on.. Yet, there was fun in the air. Sadly, I had to bid my cousin and aunt goodbye. Back on the road to Nashville for them, and road tripping for my dad, brother and I. My alumna mater, University of Southern Mississippi, had a home game yesterday.
 I've never been much of a football enthusiast, just because I'm still in the process of learning all the rules. I do though very much appreciate the game. And yes, I really do enjoy the game when I'm around other sports fans. My dad had tickets, was off work, and we were all down for a road trip.  So, overcast and what had now turned into light rain, we hopped in the car and headed to Hattiesburg (which is only an hour 1/2 away). Once there, we ended up shying away from the weather & made our way to one of the sports bars in town. Not only did they have the game playing on every flat screen there, but a sea of southern miss fans were also there in the same boat as us. By the third quarter we were winning 44-7, and decided, it was a good game, and headed back. We had our bonding time, so all is well.

As we were heading back, we were in route to Stephanie Dwyer's Bluegrass & BBQ Art Show. Stephanie Dwyer is a local artist.

                                               Metal artist, Miss Metal Design. Yeap, that's her. 

On her website it say's, which is so true: Stephanie creates custom metal art for individual clients and interior designers, working with their specifications and bringing her artistic eye to each project. Stephanie's art is meant for people to enjoy together. Whether it's a fire pit, a bench, or whatever else you can think of, Stephanie will create something original and unique.

She's pretty awesome. Here's some of her work:

She's a very talented artist and has the best attitude to match it. We made it back safely, and went straight to the shin dig. It was at her shop appropriately called "The Shop". As we walked in, there was a mouth watering  aroma of BBQ and jumbalaya, along with the smell of Mississippi rain, the sounds of happy people, and topped off with some really good live music. Stephanie's Shop looked like a sparkling wonderland of happiness.

                      A great little shin dig. See, rain or shin, there was still fun to be had. Thanks Stephanie :)

Nicole

Thanksgiving, Black Friday adventures

Autumn is nice complemented with Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie, Black Friday and enjoying the season. First, I want to say I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. On this end, it was very nice. Spending time with my family is actually very nice. We can come together, not kill each other, go back to our lives, and meet up again for the holidays.
I really do enjoy the holidays. My mother turns into Martha Stewart. She breaks out the decorations depending on the holiday, and whips up different dish's that always taste fantastic. This Thanksgiving, she managed to find a long table identical to the table you see the Pilgrims & Indians seated at in so many different hallmark card photos and Thanksgiving decorations.

Told you. The holidays bring her inner Martha out. However, she can't do everything alone. That's when my brother and cousin come into play, to help with the ambiance.

......and thus, the Thanksgiving celebration was well underway! Cousins, grandparents, aunt & uncle. It was time to get this party started.

It was a very good Thanksgiving. Everyone really out did themselves. We had been snacking all day, so by the time it was finally ready to eat, there were many things to be thankful for, and then came the feeding frenzy. Of course, a Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete unless you go into a deep coma like state right after you eat. It's as if your stomach goes into shut down mode, while the rest of your body goes into sleep mode. My cousin & uncle were a great example of that.

Afterwards, a couple of my brothers home boys stopped by to get in on the action

Family fun isn't the easiest, but when it is, it's not to bad

We ended the night with good tidings, and smiles on our faces. Although every now and then I want to strangle my brother, it really was a good Thanksgiving. Sleep wasn't hard to attain last night. However, I woke up at 3a.m and was extremely tempted to wake up my family and shout out "Wake up everyone! Stores open at 4a.m. Let's go". Problem is, my bed was warm and sleep flooded back over my body. In theory, it would have been classic. 

At about 10:15a.m, everyone rolled out of bed to great the day. After much deliberation, it was on to Best Buy where I learned my aunt was a D.J.

So, not to exciting, but we haven't hit Christmas yet. Every family has drama, I'm sure something interesting is just waiting right around the corner.

Nicole

And........ACTION!

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnddddddd, I'm back. Where was I....oh yeah. The OXBOW. Hayden & Erica. Ok, got it. The film boys and myself made friends with the owners of the OXBOW. One of the best food places in Clarksdale, MS. The boys told them about the documentary they were working on and also the performance, which was just so happening on Friday (last Friday, I'm recapping).  They actually came to see the girls, and even treated us to a great meal afterwards. The evening ended with the beginning stages of a wonderful friendship.

I'll miss the OXBOW, Erica, and Hayden.....for now. Mark my words. I'll be back. It's hard to stay away from good food and good friends.

While filming in Claksdale, we were actually staying in Cleveland, MS. Interested? There is actually a team of 5 people working on "Bite Size". Three are in L.A, and the other two who came to film here. One of the members (the wonderful Greta) has a friend whose family lives in Cleveland. Well, the friends family were very kind and opened their doors to the film team and said they were welcome to stay in their home during the duration of they would be filming. Now ain't that sweet? Therefore, they were kind enough to allow me the same hospitality.

The Wrights are great people. They sleep under a roof with two kids, Bearrie and Cole, along with two dogs. For the time being, the house now contains two film guys, Corbin Billing, Josh Lipton, and his beautiful dog, Coda (or Koda).

 THE DOGZ

Puppy Dog a.k.a. Pup

               Spig (I might have spelled this wrong, it happens)

 Coda/Koda

All these dogs have different personalities that you just fall in love with. After a long day of rehersals, filming, and personalities, these are the faces that would greet you at the door once we we'd get back Cleveland.

This weekend I was able to catch both guys in their "chill out" state. Luckily, it was when they weren't behind the mics and the camera:

Corbin playing with Coda/Koda

 

Chilling out

 

Josh enjoying Skype

I would have loved to have shown you pictures of Greta, one of the members of "Bite Size". Sadly, she had to return L.A to help out with more work for the film. No worries, she rocks.

The weekend entailed a trip to Oxford, MS for the LSU vs. Ole Miss game. Which, final score, 52-3. Yikes. A nice 2 days of relaxing and detoxing, and my weekend/ last night in Clarksdale was spent in front of a roaring fire and watching "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King". So after a deep sleep, it was time to get on the road again. We made it to Jackson in time for a celebration chilly dinner because it happened to be Josh's birthday. Good times, good times.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Much to be thankful for and much fun to be had. At the moment, my brain feels like mush. My thoughts are swimming in ten different directions. Thanksgiving is on the brain. I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day, and make sure you go down your list of thanks.

Nicole

And in the end

So this is it. My last day in Clarksdale. Well, maybe not the last, I just won't be going back and forth for awhile. When I was first asked to help with his documentary, I knew I was in store for something fantastic. Which is exactly what it was. We wrapped up this weekend.

While in Clarksdale, I ate very well. One of our favorite places to eat was the OXBOW where we became friends with owners Hayden G. & Erica Eason Hall 


By far the best food in Clarksdale!

 

 

   

I have to run ( I know), but Ill be updating more tonight :)

Nicole

On the ball

I really need to get on the ball with this blog. My life is a busy one. Therefore the point of this blog is to share it with you. The last week and a 1/2 has been filled with business.

As I said in one of my last posts, I have been in Clarksdale, Mississippi helping work on this amazing  documentary. I was introduced 3 months ago to a group of 12-14 year old girls who are part of an after school program called "si se pude" which translates to " now I can". Lots of personalities, lots of different attitudes, and lots of ridiculousness. I was asked to choreograph a dance especially for them to perform. Well, after 3 months they finally performed last Friday in front of their parents, family members, and even some faculty and a few of their peers at the school. Not gonna lie, watching them brought tears to my eyes, From where they were to where they were Friday....night and day. Here's a look at some of the rehearsals leading up:

                                                The boys capturing all these amazing moments

 Some of the "Si Se Pude " Girls

My friend Talamieka Brice & Charles Brice made a special trip to come speak to the girls

My friend Talamieka Brice & Charles Brice made a special trip to come speak to the girls

This a video of one of the film makers getting schooled by one of the dancers

Our final goodbyes (single tear)

Also, while I was in Clarksdale, I was also helping, via by phone, my friend and stylist Crystal Williams with her fabulous hair show! Here was one of the looks she was showing:

That Crystal Williams is one talented stylist. So another world wind of events. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Oh how more and more fun is underway :)

Nicole

How I love the traveling life

Perhaps my love for traveling began with my father. My dad is from Caracas, Venezuela. Ever since I was itty bitty, we've traveled to Venezuela at least every other couple of years to visit my family. While on our visits we would usually pack a bag and travel to different beaches at least 2 hours away from where we were staying. So it was a mini vacation within a vacation.
Then my mother began fueling my love even more. My mother used to be in advertisement when I was younger. She would have these huge corporate meetings around the country she'd have to attend. Luckily, every now and then we could come with her. Which is always exciting when your a kid. It's a new place, new scenery, new adventures. A snowball effect had begun, and I liked it. Once middle school hit, it was traveling different places for choir competitions, band competitions, speech and debate was added, along with theater competitions, and the list goes on. To sum it all up, I enjoy traveling.
In the last 72 hours, almost 96, I've been to Clarksdale Mississippi, New Orleans, Jackson Mississippi, New Orleans, and now I'm back in Clarksdale. The funny thing is, I've enjoyed every second. With a crazy life such as mine, what would you expect?

Obviously there's no way I could have done all this traveling alone. Recently I just got a new assistant who is great! Let me back track. I can't drive yet and still need help here and there. So, the state has been nice to work with me and will pay for a personal care assistant. Sadly my last assistant had to leave. However he left due to some wonderful changes about to happen in his life. Though Blake had to say farewell, Haylea came up to the plate, and is ready for the challenge. With the last few days of driving, she's hung in there and is cool with the chaos.

So this is Haylea. She decided to go on this crazy ride as my assistant which I am very grateful of. All my assistants have been total blessings in disguise. I'm still mov'in and groov'in. For the next 2 days I'll be dancing it up in Clarksdale. Yea!

Nicole

Loving Life

In a perfect world, every day would be a perfect one. Yet, this isn't a perfect world. Which is actually ok. You have to have a few bad days to appreciate the good ones. Like the last two days.

In the span of 48 hours, I've woken up in Clarksdale Mississippi to teach dance for a up and coming documentary (  Bite Size ), drove to New Orleans to be an extra in a television show & made it back to Jackson to rest my head on my pillow. Wrap that all up and you get a pretty swanky two days.

When the universe is working in your favor, just say thank you & enjoy.

Nicole