New York City - Centre of the Universe!

Honey, I'm home! After a crazy last couple of weeks in Sydney,  I made it back to the Big Apple! Crab House was such a great success - so many wonderful people came, and it was such a joy to bring to show to Sydney. Thank you so much to everyone who came! I arrived into JFK, and hit the ground running. So many to do, in only seven days! Here's some photographic evidence of a really wonderful week!

My two beautiful friends, Linnea and Johan, and I, having a vegan feast. I had just been to the most incredible Meisner Technique class with Linnea - it was unreal!

Another one of my best friends, Jenna, also carved out some time to hang, at one of my favourite places: Alice's Tea Cup!

We really know how to pack it all in. Not only did we catch up, but Jenna saved some wildlife from the torrential flooding that was happening outside. No big deal.

I caught up with fellow Aussie (and the very handsome) Damien. We had a wonderful wander around the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art):

This absolutely made us crack up. It was totally asking for it! Art, for sure!

Salvador Dali is my favourite artist of all time. The Persistence of Memory is NEVER
at the MOMA when I'm in New York! Never!

Damien and I also saw Alan Cumming's Macbeth. Oh. Wow. Absolutely fantastic show!!

Sneaky shot inside the theatre!

I was so grateful that I got to spend so much time with Linnea. We been hard and fast friends, ever since Crab House - A New Musical (Linnea was the original Amy). Linnea is quite the amazing baker, so she taught me how to make Swedish cinnamon buns! Läcker!!

That's some bad ass baking going on right there!

Yes. They were delicious! :)

I returned the favour, with my favourite dish to make - stuffed peppers! 

They must have been ok!

Spending time in the city, at this time of year, is an absolute treat. The weather is perfect (20C/ 68F), people are defrosting (from this year's especially long winter!), and the city is truly brimming with excitement. 

Strolling around the West Village. What a privilege.

Photos will never do it justice.

And THEN, the most resplendent Renata. What a joy it is to see her!

She drew me like one of her French girls.

Exploring Brooklyn is something I haven't done nearly enough of.

Absolutely no filter. What a divine view!

And then there's this. This pretty much sums it all up. 

I had such a wonderful week! So many wonderful friends, things to see, places to fall in love with. No matter how many times you go - heck, even after living here, I still haven't even come close to making a dent in the city! I just can't wait to get back!! :)

Two Days

In two short days, I'll be heading back to New York. It's a fleeting visit, before the Sugar & Vice UK tour begins. I'm so excited to see my wonderful friends, and those who have become my family.

I'm meeting up with a very dear friend, who is in New York for the first time. I'm so looking forward to exploring the city I know so well, with her. Grimaldi's pizza, a stroll through Central Park, a Broadway show, and a fresh bagel are in order I think! I can't wait!

And then off to London. Sugar & Vice starts its UK tour in Brighton, and then a whole bunch of exciting dates. They're slowly being updated, so check out http://courtneypowell.net/styled-5/index.html for all dates, venues, and ticket information!

Sugar. And Vice.

See you later, Australia! I'll say hello to Lady Liberty for you!

<3 

The Next Big Thing

The last couple of months have been so exciting. I've been working with Joe (composer/producer) on Crab House - A Bloody Musical, and getting so wrapped up in all the adventure once again. It has been a four year love affair that I've had with Crab House, and may I just say, we're very happy together!

 

Top line: Ruth 2009, Ruth 2011
Bottom line: Ruth 2012, Ruth 2013

The show has come so far, and I am so proud of it! We had an amazing run in Sydney, and I have been so privileged to have been a part of the Crab House team and the journey from Sydney to New York to London to Edinburgh and back to Sydney again! An opportunity of a lifetime!

Ten New Year’s Resolutions To Live By.

2011 was a year of many things. Joy, adventure, sadness, tears, laughter, routine, the unexpected and everything else in-between. For me anyway! I’ve decided to write ten resolutions that will make 2012 a success, even in the smallest areas. After all, greatness can be achieved in the most everyday ways.

1. Expect The Unexpected

If you have an open mind, 2012 will not disappoint. Don’t let expectation ruin what may just turn out to be an incredible ride - if you let it.

2. Be Your Own Best Friend

If I’ve learnt nothing in my life, it’s that when it truly comes down to it - you have to be your own best friend. You are your own personal cheer squad. You have plenty of people in life who you don’t like, have conflict with, argue with and don’t get along with. If one of those people is yourself, you’re going to be in for a very uncomfortable life.
Learn how to compliment yourself. It’s not arrogant, or self-involved - it’s necessary! After you’ve gotten dressed for the day and are ready to walk out the door, get yourself in front of a mirror, check your fine self out and say “Hey YOU! Glad to be showing this face to the world today!” Even just a silent smile to the mirror will do. It’s amazing what a smile can do for your spirits!

3. Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

So many things in life can get you down - don’t let one of those things be you. You have to live with you!! If you ate that piece (four pieces) of cake, didn’t go for a run this week, or didn’t finish a project, don’t beat yourself up. We’re all human, and every morning that you wake up alive, that’s the universe telling you that you have a brand new shot! If you make a mistake, chalk it up to that day’s events, and once you sleep and wake up the next morning, it’s forgotten! Over! Done! Today is a whole new day - embrace the newness - the new car smell of today!


4. Respond To Those Unread Facebook/Email Messages

Look, let’s be honest, most of us rely on Facebook for our social interactions. If you have a backlog of messages, or wall comments, that you haven’t responded to, do yourself a favour and take fifteen minutes to do it. Not only will it make you feel accomplished as a fabulous internet friend version of yourself, but it’ll remind your mates that even a seemingly silly wall post can mean you’re thinking of them. If we’ve moved from real life interactions, to Facebook, don’t let it degenerate any further. Soon you’ll go from bffs (best friends forever), to bfs (best friends sometimes), to kgs (kinda good friends), to fa (friends apparently), to shdIkyaf (sorry, how do I know you again friends). Noone wants any of that!


5. Call A Family Member At Least Once Every Week!

This people made you, whether physically, or just through influence. If you like what you see in yourself, be sure to make a phone call (YES, a phone call, NOT a text message/email/written message!) to someone in the fam who you’re thinking about. They appreciate it so much, ESPECIALLY if they’re of Grandparental age. They are so special - their life experience and advice is so valuable. Give Nan a call and tell her what you’re up to. She’ll love it, and might just invite you over for one of her amazing roast dinners you love so much.


6. Don’t Be Afraid To Say Yes

Learn to look for those amazing opportunities that will only come to fruition if you say yes! Yes is an incredibly powerful word, especially against its enemies: ambivalence, laziness and fear. Yes will lead to so many wonderful experiences - guaranteed not to have happened, had you chosen to eat Ben & Jerry’s straight from the tub, on the couch, in front of How I Met Your Mother, for the 24th night in a row. (Hey, don’t get me wrong - I love doing JUST that! But, if I’ve made a groove in the couch from my pajama clad butt, it’s time to GET UP!).


7. Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

Yes - you’re allowed to say no. Over-committing yourself, to the point of unhappiness and a never-ending cycle of frenzied running around doesn’t work for anyone. Everyone ends up unhappy. No is also a powerful word, against its enemies: unreasonable obligation and unreasonable expectation. You have to look out for you first - if you don’t, how are you going to fulfill your responsibilities effectively?


8. If People Want To Judge You, Let Them

This resolution is not meant to say “don’t stand up for yourself and let anything people say slide”. So not the case. If the situation calls for you to you open a well thought out and intellectually disarming can of whoop-ass, then by all means, go for it!
BUT, for the day to day little quips, jabs, snarky remarks, jeers, if someone has a problem with what colour you dye your hair, the clothes you wear, the list goes on - don’t waste your energy caring what they think. It’s their problem if they choose to spend time thinking up snaky remarks, or making passing comments, then they’ll be ones wasting valuable energy on something that has no reward.

The same goes for you - if you choose to always acknowledge it, or respond, or spend time fretting over it, you’ll be wasting your time. It’s unproductive, with no positive outcome. If you block out the silly little things, you’ll be happier - and you might even teach that mean person who’s sending negativity your way that not only is it not affecting you, but that it’s really uncalled for and a waste of energy and perfectly good brain space.


9. ALWAYS Make Time For You

If you don’t take care of yourself, then other areas of your life will fall into disarray. Even if it’s just a five minute sit out in the sun, a cup of tea in a quiet place, or spending the three minutes and forty seven seconds blissing out to your favourite song on your iPod, it’s something. If there’s a chance to so something more, like a massage, manicure, whatever it may be, then do it! You’ve gotta keep you happy - and you’re in charge of you, so you can make it happen! :)


10. If You Feel Great, Pass It On!

If you feel great, then that’s fantastic! Let’s make great feeling spread like wildfire. If you love a person’s outfit, tell them. If your friend won their soccer match on the weekend, congratulate them! If your housemate makes you a cup of tea, out of the blue, let them know how thankful you are! It’s the little gestures, the small things, that make everyday life special. Do small things with great love, so says Mother Teresa. Say them with sincerity and honesty - they will be more appreciated than you think!
Well, they’re my ten resolutions to live by. If I had to make an eleventh, it would be - don’t follow anyone else’s rules. Make up and follow your own. That’s the key to happy. :)
xoxoxoxoxox