Dear Reader,

It has been one heck of a year so far!

Accomplishments (In No Particular Order):
​

• I. Performed. PERFORMED. It wasn't just any kind of performance. I performed at my first ticketed live performance AND made a profit! I even sold the most tickets out of all the artists in the line-up. In case you missed it, check it out here.

 

• My student loans have finally gone into deferment! Since I am official enrolled at HCC as a part-time student, I no longer have to pay back my student loans until my enrollment status changes. Yay!

 

• I am successfully passing 2 classes for my music business degree at HCC. YAY! On top of that, I was elected secretary of the Music Entertainment Student Association (MESA). Double Yay!

 

• I was casted to perform in a show that talks about mental health: This Is My Brave! I am super excited to be performing with other talented individuals! Read all about My Brave Experience here.

 

• I've maintained positive relationships with friends and family AND I've been steadily taking my medicine, which is top priority!

 

• I SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED for SSI. Now I just have to wait 2-3 months for a decision, yay!

Things to Come:

• I'll be performing my last recital with the Guitar Center next month!

 

• I'm starting to go to church again!

 

• I see my old psychiatrist with a brand new pair of eyes in April!

 

• I might join The Houston Songwriting Meetup!

 

• More live performances to come!

• I am working on my next album!!!

Goals:

With everything going on in my life, sometimes it can be hard for me to pay attention to my sleep hygiene (and my other hygiene for that matter!). The good is that, because I am doing so many music-related things in one day, it is easy for me to get tired of singing all the time and to just give myself a break. Staying honest with my mom about my habits has helped me realized when I need to tone things down and not do so much. I just can't believe that I came from being bored and unemployed to being a busy, aspiring singer-songwriter with ALWAYS something to do. So here are my goals (so far):

• REST!!! This is a very important goal for me. I tend to work myself very hard and I want to be able to let myself rest more instead of being so critical of myself.

 

• COLLABORATE!!! I am really looking forward to collaborating with other artists--and it doesn't have to be with music per se! When I am not doing songwriting, I also enjoy creative writing--poems and short stories. I also really like choreography and I've been itching to take my hula hoops back to the park in our usual spot! I am doing with being one with my music. I am ready to tackle my creative work into pieces and share them with the world. I hope they are nice enough to share something back!

 

• Establish a consistent social media presence. On top of balancing my mental health with my public image, I want to actually have fun with it, not just see it as a chore or a responsibility. I LOVE using Facebook Live and I never thought in a million years that I would learn how to use Instagram. 

I can't wait to keep y'all posted on how the rest of this month goes and how the other one will begin! Take care and until next time!

Dear Reader,

Today I turn 25! 

Some time ago, I might have thought that I was going through a Quarter-Life Crisis, but I see things in a more positive light now: not a crisis, but rather a breakthrough!

I have lived a quarter of a century, but it does not feel like that at all! I definitely see myself entering a new stage in my life with more responsibility as well as more freedom. 

This also marks my 5-year anniversary with dealing with my own Bipolar Disorder. After nearly 10 manic episodes and countless depressive episodes, I feel that I have moved towards a stage of acceptance and brand new responsibility with my Manic Depression. I now know what to expect, and I can anticipate an episode coming around the corner and can prepare for it accordingly. And most importantly, I can stay on top of my meds and rely on the great support system that I have.

THE DARK PAST IS THE PAST

I certainly feel like I have a dark past, but I'm sure there are tons of other people who may feel the same way. The best way I can think about saying goodbye to my dark past is with a song--specifically, Lukas Graham's "7 Years" song. In a remix of both of our words, I dedicate this song to my past, and I hereby declare myself free from it and able to move on to better things! You can listen to the song below.

THE BRIGHT FUTURE IS, WELL, BRIGHT

​Moving on, I plan to continue my life exploring music and songwriting to the fullest. I am excited to see what is in store for me. And I'm happy to be an advocate for mental health while at the same time pursuing my passion for music.

I'll be having my first live performance this year on February 15th 2020, around 6 PM CST (Central Time). There will be a way for you to stay tuned either in-person or virtually (via Facebook Live), so I hope that you can come and support my music!

How can I support you in person?

Click on the promotional image below to purchase tickets ($10 pre-sale, $20 at the door) to my performance

How can I support you virtually?

Like my artist page on Facebook and tune in on Feb 15, where I am hoping to post my performance on Facebook Live!

Don't worry--I haven't forgotten about the blog post I've promised to make about my experience navigating the healthcare system. It's coming. Stay tuned!